Abstract: Porous carpeting for use within vehicles, and methods of making same, are provided. A carpet backing is heated to achieve a fluid or semi-fluid state and then subjected to intense vacuum to draw air through the carpet backing to create a porous structure. A layer of porous thermoformable material may be applied to the porous carpet structure to provide mechanical strength.

Abstract: Recyclable vehicle interior trim panels, and methods of producing same, are provided. A vehicle interior trim panel may include a top layer of recyclable polymeric material and a backing layer bonded to the top layer in face-to-face relationship. The top layer includes a blend of various recyclable polymeric materials including an interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, a limestone component, and barium sulfate component, and has a thickness of between about 1.6 mm and about 2.0 mm. The top layer may include first and second layers of recyclable polymeric material adhered together in face-to-face relationship. The first layer includes a first interpolymer component, a second interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, a polyethylene polymer component, and a silicone component. The second layer includes an interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, and a limestone component.

Abstract: Cargo management apparatus include a housing, a movable load floor operably secured to the housing for movement between a closed position and one or more open positions, and a cargo support arm that is movably secured to the vehicle compartment and that is movable between stored and operative positions. The arm includes a plurality of projections extending therefrom in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship. Each projection is configured to support one or more articles suspended therefrom. The arm may be operably connected with the load floor such that, when the arm is moved to an operative position, the load floor can be supported in an open position.

Abstract: Sound attenuating laminates, and methods of making the same, are provided. Heat is applied to a surface of a non-woven, fibrous layer of material to form a stratum of melted fibers having a density greater than that of the remainder of the fibrous layer. The density of the melted fibers is effective in attenuating noise traversing the fibrous layer of material. Upholstery material, such as carpeting, is attached to the surface of the heated fibrous layer. The fibrous layer and upholstery material are then subjected to compressive molding pressure to obtain a desired shape. The compressive molding pressure may further tune the sound attenuating properties of the fibrous layer by selectively changing the densities of portions of the fibrous layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration dampening laminate that is lightweight and has superior sound insulation and vibration dampening properties. The vibration dampening laminate comprises a constraining layer, a viscoelastic adhesive layer, a foam spacing layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer including a release layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer and release layer are contoured to fit a profile of the article being soundproofed and vibration dampened.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for securing floor mats to vehicle carpets and include a back plate that underlies a vehicle carpet, a top plate that overlies a floor mat, and fasteners that are configured to removably secure the back and top plates together such that the carpet and floor mat are sandwiched therebetween. The top plate has an upper surface that has promotional indicia thereon.

Abstract: Hinges are provided for vehicle floor systems that include an elongated, planar bridge member, and opposite first and second hinge members pivotally attached to the bridge member. The first and second hinge members are each pivotally connected to a respective edge portion of the bridge member. Each hinge member includes a base member and a planar upper panel that extends outwardly from the base member. The upper panel of each hinge member is configured to removably secure a vehicle floor panel thereto. Each hinge member is movable between a first position wherein the upper panel may be substantially coplanar with the bridge member, and a second position wherein the upper panel is transverse to the bridge member. The width of the bridge member is at least twice the pile dimension or compressed pile dimension of overlying carpet to prevent damage to the carpet when the hinge members are pivoted.

Abstract: Interior trim components for vehicles include a trim panel configured to be attached to an A-pillar of a vehicle. The trim panel is a multilayer composite and an exposed layer includes one or more reflective elements constructed and arranged to provide a rear view image to a driver of the vehicle. A housing may be provided that is movably mounted to the trim panel and that is rotatable about a first axis. A reflective element is movably mounted to the housing and rotatable about a second axis transverse to the first axis.

Abstract: Floor coverings and methods of producing same, are provided. A vehicle floor covering includes a barrier layer of polymeric material and a sound-absorbing backing layer bonded to the barrier layer. The barrier layer exposed surface includes various aesthetic and/or functional features. The barrier layer has variable thickness.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for storing items within vehicle cargo compartments. A panel is pivotally secured within a cargo compartment and is movable between a closed position in adjacent, face-to-face relationship with the wall and one or more open positions substantially transverse to the wall, and a retractable retaining belt operably associated with the panel. The retaining belt is movable between retracted and extended positions. The retaining belt has a free end and a post attached to the free end that is configured to be gripped by a user so as to move the retaining belt to an extended position. A floor within the vehicle includes one or more apertures formed therein, and the post includes an end portion that is configured to be removably inserted into the one or more apertures so as to maintain the retaining belt in one or more respective extended positions.

Abstract: Air vent assemblies for vehicles that facilitate interchangeability of air vents and other components include an air duct manifold, a trim plate, and a plurality of interchangeable air vents. An air duct manifold includes a plurality of air ducts, with each air duct terminating at a respective outlet. A trim plate includes opposite front and rear walls, with a plurality of nozzles extending from the rear wall in spaced-apart relationship. Each nozzle detachably engages a respective air duct outlet and is configured to receive air from the air duct and allow the air to pass therethrough and out of a respective opening in the trim plate front wall. Each air vent is detachably secured within a respective opening in the trim plate front wall and may be easily detached for repair or replacement.

Abstract: Storage apparatus are provided that are configured to be attached to the interior roof of a vehicle. A panel is configured to be secured to a vehicle interior roof and includes an aperture formed therein that is configured to allow an interior light attached to the interior roof of a vehicle to extend therethrough. The cover is configured to be movable between a closed position in face-to-face adjacent relationship with the panel and an open position for providing access to the one or more storage compartments. The cover includes an aperture formed therein. When the cover is in a closed position, the vehicle interior roof light can illuminate the vehicle interior through the aperture and lens in the cover. When the cover is moved to an open position, the light can also illuminate the one or more storage compartments in the cover.

Abstract: Vehicle floor coverings are provided with tubular air ducts therewithin that are configured to deliver air from air sources upwardly through a porous structure of the floor covering and into a vehicle compartment. Vehicle floor coverings are provided with electrical wiring harnesses therewithin that can facilitate the interconnection of various vehicle electronic components. Vehicle floor coverings are provided with optical fibers therewithin that are configured to deliver light from a light source to one or more locations within a vehicle and/or to provide special effects and customization of vehicle interiors.

Abstract: Air duct outlets having joystick controls are provided. A housing has an inlet, an outlet and a frame secured within the housing between the inlet and outlet. A louver assembly is operably coupled to the frame and includes a first set of louvers and a second set of louvers positioned upstream from the first set of louvers. The first set of louvers are operably connected together such that pivotal movement of any one of the louvers in the first set causes pivotal movement of the remaining louvers in the first set. The second set of louvers are operably connected together such that pivotal movement of any one of the louvers in the second set causes pivotal movement of the remaining louvers in the second set. A joystick is configured to pivot the first and second sets of louvers about respective axes.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments are provided and include cover panels that are pivotally secured to cargo compartment walls and are movable between a closed position covering a storage area and an open position substantially transverse to the wall allowing access to the storage area. One or more additional panels may be provided that are movable between respective stored positions and operative positions.

Abstract: Hinges are provided for vehicle floor systems that include an elongated, planar bridge member, and opposite first and second hinge members pivotally attached to the bridge member. The first and second hinge members are each pivotally connected to a respective edge portion of the bridge member. Each hinge member includes a base member and a planar upper panel that extends outwardly from the base member. The upper panel of each hinge member is configured to removably secure a vehicle floor panel thereto. Each hinge member is movable between a first position wherein the upper panel may be substantially coplanar with the bridge member, and a second position wherein the upper panel is transverse to the bridge member. The width of the bridge member is at least twice the pile dimension or compressed pile dimension of overlying carpet to prevent damage to the carpet when the hinge members are pivoted.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base having a surface, a rear panel pivotally attached to the base, and a locking member configured to releasably secure the rear panel in an open position, wherein the locking member is configured to move independently relative to the rear panel and upwardly and downwardly relative to the base, and wherein the rear panel is allowed to pivot when the locking member is moved upwardly and wherein the rear panel is maintained in the open position when the locking member is moved downwardly.

Abstract: Recyclable vehicle interior trim panels, and methods of producing same, are provided. A vehicle interior trim panel may include a top layer of recyclable polymeric material and a backing layer bonded to the top layer in face-to-face relationship. The top layer includes a blend of various recyclable polymeric materials including an interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, a limestone component, and barium sulfate component, and has a thickness of between about 1.6 mm and about 2.0 mm. The top layer may include first and second layers of recyclable polymeric material adhered together in face-to-face relationship. The first layer includes a first interpolymer component, a second interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, a polyethylene polymer component, and a silicone component. The second layer includes an interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, and a limestone component.

Abstract: Vehicle cockpit assemblies and methods of installing same within vehicles are provided. A vehicle cockpit assembly includes a dash insulator that is configured to be attached to a vehicle firewall, an instrument panel attached to the dash insulator, and a floor covering also attached to the dash insulator. A plurality of apertures are formed through the dash insulator, each of which is configured to overlie a respective opening in a vehicle firewall when attached thereto. Each aperture is configured to sealably receive an item extending therethrough such that substantially no gaps exist between the item and the substrate. Polyurethane may be added to one or more selected portions of the dash insulator to reflect and/or absorb sound.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base disposed on or within a vehicle compartment floor and having a surface that is exposed to the vehicle compartment when the apparatus is in an operative (i.e., open) position. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the base and is movable between a closed position overlying the base surface and an open position substantially normal to the base surface. End panels are movably attached to respective end portions of the rear panel. The end panels are movable between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the rear panel and an operative position disposed substantially normal to the base surface and to the rear panel. The end panels move from their respective stored positions to operative positions in response to movement of the rear panel from its closed position to its open position.