Abstract: A storage assembly is disclosed for use in a storage area of a motor vehicle. The storage assembly includes a primary support that is pivotally secured to a load floor of the storage area or the floor covering that covers the load floor. The primary support is a wall that pivots between a stowed position and a use position. Attached to the primary support is a side wall. The side wall also pivots between two positions, i.e., a collapsed position and an extended position. The side wall and the primary support define a space within the storage area that is secure for storing a small object therein without having it shift or tip over during the operation of the motor vehicle. When not desired, it folds down against the load floor and is out of the way.

Abstract: A foam transport article transports foam dispensed from a foam nozzle to a mold cavity. The foam transport article is an intermediary allowing a foam nozzle which may not reach a mold opening in the mold cavity to be extended such that no foam pours outside the mold cavity onto the back of a mold part because they are in communication via the foam transport article. The foam transport article acts as a conduit for the foam. Once the foam hardens, the foam transport article may be removed. Upon removal, the foam breaks within the mold cavity at the mold opening. Any foam remaining within the foam transport article is removed completely by forcing it out the output end. The foam transport article is then recycled for further use in filling mold cavities with foam.

Abstract: An air outlet assembly is used to direct airflow of a climate control system of a motor vehicle. The air outlet assembly is used by the passengers sitting on a back seat in a passenger compartment. The air outlet assembly includes first and second doors which are used to open and close an outlet thereof. The doors also direct the air flowing therethrough. An actuator moves the doors between their respective open and closed positions. The actuator moves the second door from its open position, 90.degree. with respect to the air outlet opening, toward its closed position as it moves the first door from an intermediate position, 90.degree. with respect to the air outlet opening, toward its open position. This allows the doors to act in unison, after the first door passes the intermediate position, by moving in parallel form, to affect the direction of airflow. The actuator includes a single gear and rack for the first door and a pair of gears and a single rack for the second door.

Abstract: A head rest assembly is fabricated using a blow molding process. A skin surrounds a foam cushion and an insert is secured to the skin. The insert and the skin may be flush with each other. The skin includes a channel designed to receive the peripheral edge of the insert therein. The recess undercuts the opening periphery of the skin by 285.degree.. The insert is adhered to the skin either after the molding of the skin or, in the alternative, during the molding of the skin.

Abstract: An air outlet assembly includes a housing secured to a structure. A plurality of air directional fins, i.e., louvers or vanes, extend through the housing. The housing includes a plurality of receiving apertures. The receiving apertures receive bosses of the louvers therein. The receiving apertures define a boss surface and a spring surface. The boss surface has a radius of curvature equal to that of the boss being inserted. The spring surface has a radius of curvature greater than that of the boss being inserted. Two extensions are cut away on either side of both the boss surface and the spring surface to define the amount of effort required to rotate the boss when it is inserted into the receiving aperture. An opening is cut away adjacent the receiving aperture to further control the resilience of the spring surface as it abuts the boss inserted into the receiving aperture.

Abstract: A convertible container holding assembly includes a housing fixedly secured to a structure such as an armrest or instrument panel. A base is movable into and out of the housing between retracted and extended positions. The base includes a support and a stabilizing edge. The support and stabilizing edge define a portion of a cupholding area. A stabilizing arm is pivotally secured to the base and is positionable in an infinite number of positions such that it is capable of positively abutting the container when the container is positively abutting the stabilizing edge, regardless of the diameter of the container. A brake prevents the stabilizing arm from moving to its outermost position once it is forced into engagement with the container. The stabilizing arm may be reset by forcing it to its innermost position or by retracting the base into the housing and moving the base back to its extended position.

Abstract: An outlet assembly for providing universal directability of air therethrough. The assembly includes a housing with a first barrel pivotally connected in the housing about a first axis A. A second barrel is pivotally connected within the first barrel about a second axis B perpendicular to the first axis A. Fixed position louvers are connected to the second barrel.

Abstract: A cupholder assembly (10) includes a housing (14) with three intersecting circular cavities (16,18,20) formed therein. The outer two cavities (16,20) may act as receptacles for containers (12). The center cavity (18) includes a removable insert member (30) positioned therein. The insert member (30) includes pivotable arms (42) extending therefrom into the first and third cavities (16,20) to bias containers (12) of varying sizes against their respective cavity (16,20). The insert member (30) may be removed for use of the center cavities (16,18,20) as a storage compartment.

Abstract: An outlet nozzle assembly (10) includes a pivotal cover (20) which lies flush with the mounting structure (12) in the closed position and which pivots at one end (22) to be outwardly angled with respect to the mounting structure (12) in the open position exposing the outlet housing (18). The amount of opening may be manipulated through a ratchet mechanism (54). The cover (20) allows the outlet housing (18) to be invisible within the mounting structure (12) during non-use.

Abstract: The outlet assembly (10) includes a housing (14) and a barrel or eyeball (20) moveable therein. The barrel (20) includes directional vanes (22) for redirecting air. A retainer ring (24) interconnects the barrel (20) in the housing and allows rotation of the barrel (20) about a first axis (A) which extends through a diameter of the retainer ring (24) and about a second axis (B) which extends through the center point of the retainer ring (24) perpendicular to the first axis (A) and in a plane extending through the perimeter of the ring (24). The retainer ring (24) slides along a guide (26) within the housing (14), and the barrel (20) pivots about pivot pins (28,30) connected to the retainer ring (24).