Abstract: A hook and pin fastener assembly for connecting and reliably locating a molded door trim panel to an apertured inner door panel of a motor vehicle without the need for conventional fasteners. A pair of conventional hooks are molded into the upper and lower portions of a molded door trim panel, and a locator pin is molded into a center portion of the molded door trim panel. The pair of hooks extend through corresponding apertures in the inner door panel and slidably engage the inner door panel so that movement of the upper and lower portions of the molded door trim panel is restricted in the lateral direction. The locator pin has a main body and a free end, wherein the free end is integral with and extending from the main body. The free end is slightly smaller than a locating aperture in the inner door panel, and the main body is larger than the locating aperture.

Abstract: A spoiler to rear deck lid assembly that absorbs energy from a rear impact while maintaining the connection of the spoiler to the rear deck lid of a vehicle. The spoiler utilizes rigid fasteners to connect the front portion of the spoiler to the rear deck lid and sliding fasteners to connect the rear portion of the spoiler to the rear deck lid. The rear deck lid also has a structurally weakened portion in the rear centermost portion of the spoiler so as to deform and absorb energy upon an initial impact of a rearward impact. The rear deck lid also has a structurally weakened portion between the rigid fasteners and the sliding fasteners so that the rear deck lid buckles upward from the rearward impact, thus absorbing energy and aiding in disconnecting the rigid fasteners from the rear deck lid.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for detachably connecting a molded door trim panel to an apertured inner door panel of a vehicle, where upon disassembly, the fastener assembly will disengage, or a replaceable portion will fracture without damaging the molded door trim panel. A detent is utilized to connect a hook portion to a retainer housing that is molded into the molded door trim panel. Upon the hook portion being mistakenly pulled against the inner door panel during disassembly, the detent will either disengage the hook portion from the retainer housing, or the hook portion will fracture before the retainer housing is damaged or disconnected from the molded door trim panel. By preventing damage to the retainer housing and molded door trim panel, only the hook portion of the hook fastener assembly need be replaced or reconnected, instead of the entire molded door trim panel.

Abstract: A buckle positioning apparatus in a seat belt system of a motor vehicle for positioning a buckle at a heightened position above a seat bottom for enhancing occupant accessibility of the buckle. The buckle has a lever that is poised for engagement by a back side of a seat back so that the buckle rises and descends with the seat back while not interfering with the movement of the seat back and seat bottom between a cargo position and a normal seating position. The buckle yields to a torsional spring upon an occupant pushing the heightened seat belt buckle upon the occupant entering and exiting the vehicle.

Abstract: A low friction tape adhesively connected to a movable vehicle door glass for isolating the door glass from a rubber glass run channel and providing a low friction surface for slidably engaging the glass run channel to prohibit glass chatter and noise created by the sliding engagement of the door glass within the glass run channel. The glass run channel is housed within a stationary frame portion of the vehicle door and is utilized to support and guide the door glass as well as seal the door glass to the vehicle door. Separate segments of the low friction tape are applied to the vertical edges and the periphery of the sides of the door glass to prohibit direct contact of the door glass and the glass run channel. Due to the curvature of the door glass, the low friction tape must be applied in several separate segments so that wrinkling of the low friction tape is avoided when applying the tape segments to the door glass.

Abstract: A side impact air bag mounted in a door of a motor vehicle in an unfurled, deflated position for reducing deployment time and providing reliable orientation of the air bag upon deployment. The air bag is mounted in an upper portion of the door, and an actuable inflator is mounted in the lower portion of the door. The inflator is in communication with the air bag via a connecting air bag or flexible duct, which provides added padding to the door upon inflation. A soft flexible material overlies the air bag to hide the air bag from the occupant's view as well as retain the air bag in the unfurled position. The soft flexible material is adhesively attached or stapled to an inner trim panel of the door and becomes detached from the inner trim panel upon the air bag inflating and pushing the soft flexible material away from the inner trim panel so that the air bag reaches its inflated position.

Abstract: A door handle assembly having a snap-in attachment apparatus for assembling a key cylinder to a door handle assembly without the use of separate fasteners and retainers. The door handle assembly has a bored tubular extension that utilizes slots to define tubular sections that yield radially outward upon inserting the key cylinder into the bore of the tubular extension. The tubular sections have openings that receive lugs extending from the periphery of the key cylinder and that prohibit inward axial movement and rotary movement of the key cylinder. A shoulder in the door handle assembly abuts an end of the key cylinder to prohibit outward axial movement of the key cylinder. The engaging surfaces of the lugs and tubular sections have drafted angles that pull the tubular sections radially inward toward the key cylinder upon a push-in force applied to the key cylinder from outside the vehicle and directed toward the center of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat mounting bracket for mounting a rear seat back to a vehicle floor without requiring separate fasteners or excessive labor. The vehicle seat mounting bracket has a slotted opening by which an integral trough extends along the slotted opening. The trough guides a pintle that extends outward from the rear seat back into a circular opening in the bracket. The bracket is flexibly connected to the vehicle so as to flex away from the seat back upon the pintle engaging the trough and moving downward toward the circular opening in the bracket. The pintle has an integral ring extending radially outward on the periphery of the pintle. Upon the pintle engaging the circular opening in the bracket, the bracket biasingly moves towards its natural free-state position and engages the integral ring to apply a biasing force toward the seat back and substantially prevent any rattling noise.