Abstract: An anti-crush ring is disclosed for insertion into hollow articles for localized reinforcement. The anti-crush ring comprises a generally annular or ring-like wall structure and at least one expansion hoop inwardly extending from the wall structure. Upon insertion of the anti-crush ring into the hollow article, the at least one expansion hoop is compressed and deformed to urge the wall structure of the anti-crush ring against an inner surface of the hollow article. Also provided is a method of reinforcing the inlet or outlet of a hollow article.

Abstract: A cargo management system for a vehicle is disclosed. The cargo management system comprises at least one panel assembly having a first and second panel, the first and second panel being articulable about at least one hinge situated therebetween. The first panel has an attachment end for engagement with an interior trim panel of the vehicle, and the second panel has a latch end for latching and/or locking the panel assembly in a desired configuration. The panel assembly is configured to be folded when stowed, and recessed within the interior trim panel.

Abstract: An exterior component is disclosed for attachment to a vehicle surface of an external vehicle structure. The exterior component comprises a primary body having a pad support wall and a profile wall extending therefrom, the profile wall defining an exterior profile of the exterior component, and presenting an exterior surface having a desired aesthetic finish. The pad support wall is an elongate continuous structure that runs substantially the entire length of the exterior component. The pad support wall presents a continuous tape pad configured to receive a suitable adhesive for bonding the exterior component to a receiving vehicle surface. The exterior component is exemplified in the form of a door cladding, and a wheel-flare molding.

Abstract: A volume expansion feature for a fluid reservoir is provided, the volume expansion feature comprising a central recess, a plurality of channels extending from the central recess, where the central recess and the channels are positioned at least in part in a recessed surface profile. The recessed surface profile is reversibly moveable from a first inwardly directed configuration, to a second outwardly directed configuration. The central recess and the channels are configured to impart an inward bias to maintain the recessed surface profile in the first inwardly directed configuration under standard loading of the fluid reservoir. Upon increased pressure within the fluid reservoir, the recessed surface profile extends to the second outwardly directed configuration, thereby increasing the volume of the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining an interior space, and a plurality of trim panels coupled to the body within the interior space of the body and cooperating to define a cargo area therebetween. A collapsible container system is integrated into the plurality of trim panels within the cargo area. The collapsible container system is collapsible into a stowed position disposed between a first one of the plurality of trim panels and the body to conceal the collapsible storage system when not required for storing objects, and is expandable into a storage position extending at least partially across the cargo area to present at least one storage vessel for receiving and storing an object therein.

Abstract: A removable flipper panel system for a vehicle includes a rod housing mounted on a seat support member which is movable with respect to a load floor of the vehicle. A load bearing blow-molded hard panel hides the gap which is formed between seat and load floor when the seat moves. The system includes a rod and spring assembly mechanism having a configuration to sustain the panel in adjustable positions between a generally planar position and an upright position. The flipper panel attaches to the seat to provide movement for the panel in the planar position to hide the gap and space between the seat and the load floor and to maximize the cargo area. The attachment of the flipper panel to the seat has a locking feature permitting the flipper panel to be removed easily.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted to the bottom of the vehicle's instrument panel, having an outer wall that is projected outwardly from a stored position to an extended position adjacent the occupant's knees by inflation of an expansible chamber by an inflator, characterized by. The bolster is an expansible chamber comprising a unitary hollow blow molded polypropylene body that has an outer wall and an inner wall which are interconnected at their bottoms by a bottom wall and at their tops and sides by U-shaped normally folded accordion pleats. These pleats extend from the bottom side corners of the body up the sides and across the top of the body. A pair of spaced attachment tabs extend from the bottom wall for attachment to vehicle structure, and a pair of spaced frangible tabs extending from the top of the outer wall for attachment to vehicle structure to maintain the outer wall in stored position.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted to the bottom of the vehicle's instrument panel. Having an outer wall that is projected outwardly from a stored position to an extended position adjacent the occupant's knees by inflation of an expansible chamber by an inflator, characterized by. The bolster is an expansible chamber comprising a unitary hollow blow molded polypropylene body that has an outer wall and an inner wall which are interconnected at their bottoms by a bottom wall and at their tops and sides by U-shaped normally folded accordion pleats. These pleats extend from the bottom side corners of the body up the sides and across the top of the body. A pair of spaced attachment tabs extend from the bottom wall for attachment to vehicle structure, and a pair of spaced frangible tabs extending from the top of the outer wall for attachment to vehicle structure to maintain the outer wall in stored position.

Abstract: Energy absorbing bolsters for vehicle doors are usually formed of non-recyclable foam plastic and/or metal. A relatively simple bolster, which can be formed of recyclable plastic, includes a hollow body with a hole therein for equalizing interior and exterior pressure, and permitting limited flexing of the body, and reinforcing ribs on the outer and side walls of the body, so that the latter can be relatively thin walled.

Abstract: In general, the molding of tubular plastic articles such as automotive inlet manifolds with flanges thereon is a difficult and expensive procedure. A simple solution to the problem is the blow molding of the tubular article in a conventional blow molding apparatus followed by the injection molding of the flange around the tubular article in a conventional injection molding apparatus. In the case of an intake manifold, the outlet ends of the manifold pipes are placed in the injection mold, which is closed to define a cavity around the ends of the pipes, and the flange is then molded onto the pipes. Preferably, the ends of the pipes are heated for the injection molding step to ensure good adhesion between the pipes and the flange.

Abstract: In general, it is difficult to mold properly sized automotive boots without flash to be removed from the top end thereof. In accordance with the present invention, such molding is achieved placing a tubular parison between a pair of mold halves, moving a blow pin assembly downwardly partly into the top end of the parison, closing the mold by moving the mold halves together, using fingers to stretch the open bottom end of the parison, moving a sizing mandrel into the bottom end of the parison, closing inserts on the bottom of the mold around the bottom end of the parison to size the latter, blowing the parison using air under pressure discharged from the blow pin, moving the blow pin assembly farther down into the parison to size and cut the top end of the parison, opening the inserts and removing the lower sizing mandrel, opening the mold, closing the stretching fingers, and removing the blow pin assembly from the boot, which is stripped from the mold.

Abstract: In general, sound resonators or mufflers are bulky self-contained metal bodies, which are expensive to produce and to install in an engine intake or exhaust system. A relatively simple substitute, which can be tailor made to attenuate sound at various frequencies include two arcuate casing sections which are interconnected along one side edge by a hinge, so that the sections can be wrapped around an engine air intake tube, a latch on the other side edges of the sections for securing the sections together to form a sleeve around and coaxial with the tube, an inlet nozzle on the interior of each section for extending into the tube, and partitions extending between the inner and outer surfaces of each section for defining elongated, tortuous, sound attenuating passages.