Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying tension to a cable in a regulator system, include: permitting the cable to slide over a length of the peripheral surface extending between an entry point and exit point on a cable guide tensioner; and urging the cable guide tensioner to rotate where the rotation results in varying at least one of the length and a distance between the entry point and exit point, and induce tension in the cable.

Abstract: Vehicle foam assemblies and methods of creating vehicle interior trim are provided for placing one or more insert components onto and/or into a foam tool; laying a skin proximate to the one or more insert components; placing a substrate proximate to the skin; and introducing foam to form or re-form the skin against and/or around the one or more insert components.

Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly is provided with a console having a side-wall coupled to the console and at least one storage bin that slidingly engages the side-wall. A user slides the storage bin forwards or rearwards to cover and/or uncover the storage bin. The at least one storage bin is accessible to a user in the front or rear of a vehicle at least in front or behind the lid, respectively. The at least one storage bin slides along one or more tongues of the side-wall to expose, in part or in whole, the storage bin, thereby utilizing compact console design while providing space creation and ergonomics for a vehicle driver and/or passengers. An upper portion of the side-wall slidingly engages a lower portion of the side-wall to allow a user to adjust an armrest of the upper portion and/or to cover and uncover the at least one storage bin.

Abstract: A door to cockpit/Instrument Panel interface apparatus is provided with a skin layer disposed on and/or in the door and/or cockpit, and operates to create a line-to-line appearance or a seam, without gap, between door and cockpit through compression therebetween. The flexibly resilient skin layer possesses such resilience that when a driver or passenger opens the door, the compressed area of the skin layer disposed on and/or in the door (or the cockpit) springs back to its original configuration and/or shape. The interface apparatus may employ a resilient support along with the skin layer to provide the compressibility. The resilient support may include a foam layer, springs, a recess behind the skin layer, etc. The interface apparatus may reduce the cost(s) and weight/mass load(s) associated with manufacturing door to cockpit interfaces, and the apparatus may provide a unique aesthetic approach and structural freedom to designing a vehicle interior.

Abstract: A removable stowage device having a flexible bag, a frame, and a first mounting element that can be inserted and attached to a receptacle and a second mounting element within a vehicle cockpit providing an easily accessible stowage area that functions to provide stowage space, and to secure and reduce the jostling or shifting of personal items, food and liquids, by a person or the motions of a moving vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable stowage compartment that can be maneuvered from a closed to various open positions, for use in a vehicle that provides a temporary easily accessible stowage compartment that functions to provide stowage space, secure and reduce the jostling or shifting of personal items, food and liquids, by a person or the motions of a moving vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with an enclosure defining an inner volume and including a first aperture, and a housing containing the enclosure and including a second aperture. The enclosure may be rotatable such that the first and second apertures may be in registration to permit insertion of the electronic device, and the first and second apertures may not be in registration to prevent insertion and/or removal of the electronic device. An actuating element may rotate the enclosure into a desired orientation within a vehicle. The apparatus may improve the viewing quality of information displayed on the electronic device. The electronic device may be secured within the vehicle without having to supervise the device when the vehicle is parked, turned off, etc. The apparatus may employ environmental controls to control/condition temperature, humidity, and/or vibration within a desired range to protect the electronic device from becoming temporarily or permanently non-functional.

Abstract: A holder for holding one or more objects that may include a housing; and a grasping mechanism comprising a plurality of arms, each arm including a post anchored in the housing, a panel pivotally coupled to the post, and a spring operable to bias the arm in a grasping direction, thereby providing a plurality of panels biased by a plurality of respective springs.

Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly includes: a center console having front and rear terminal ends defining a longitudinal axis; and a sliding portion slidingly engaging the rear terminal end of the console such that the sliding portion is operable to slide in frontward and rearward directions substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the console to cover and uncover at least one storage bin, wherein the sliding portion includes a first portion extending under the rear terminal end of the console and a second portion extending over the rear terminal end of the console to cover and uncover the at least one storage bin

Abstract: An article of manufacture and method are disclosed which may include a skin including a molded groove, the skin having an exposed surface and a lower surface, the skin forming a sheet of material; a seal having an upper surface disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the skin and covering a region of the lower surface of the skin including the molded groove; at least one strand of stitching material threaded between the exposed surface of the skin and the foam backing layer; and a backing layer forming a backing for the skin and the seal, the backing layer having an upper surface secured to the skin and the seal, and a lower surface.

Abstract: A slideable armrest, which may form a lid of a vehicle console compartment, comprises a cover and a base slideably connected to each other by slideable engagement between at least one guide and at least one guide groove.

Abstract: A console apparatus for use in a vehicle that secures additional optional accessories that function to provide storage space for personal items, food and liquids, and/or and armrest, the apparatus including one or more accessory modules and a spine member for receiving, securing and reducing the jostling or shifting of one or more accessory modules by a person or the motions of a moving vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle door structure and a method for its manufacture are disclosed, the structure being for a vehicle having a door frame and a door mounted in the frame, the door having an interior facing into the vehicle and an edge surface in opposed relationship to the frame when the door is closed, the edge surface including sheet metal. An interior door panel is provided which includes a substrate mounted on the interior of the door, an edge portion of which is adjacent the sheet metal. A skin interiorly overlies the substrate to define an interior surface for the door, the skin extending from the door interior over the edge portion, beyond the substrate and onto the sheet metal. Flexing of or movement of the skin permits it to compensate for differences in position of the substrate when mounted on the door.

Abstract: A climate control system is provided with a control vent unit that a driver may adjust for a desired direction of airflow. After the driver does so, a control system automatically and/or simultaneously adjusts the position of the remaining vents so as to direct respective air flow to substantially the same location in the vehicle. Preferably, a similar control vent is provided on the passenger side of the vehicle. Should a passenger adjust the passenger control vent unit, the control system will automatically and/or simultaneously adjust the remaining vents on the passenger side to direct the respective air flow to the selected position in the passenger side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An ambient lighting display is obtained directly on a portion of an interior panel. The portion of the panel is covered with a paint or ink which reacts to ultraviolet light by emitting visible light of a predetermined color. To obtain a lighting display, a portion of the panel is illuminated with ultraviolet light of an appropriate wavelength to cause the paint or ink to fluoresce with the predetermined color.

Abstract: A door module of a vehicle includes: a panel of door glass including an upper peripheral edge and a lower peripheral edge; a lift plate coupled to the lower peripheral edge of the door glass such that a regulator may move the door glass between a full-up position and a full-down position within the door module via the lift plate; and a position block movable within the door module to: (i) a first position below the lift plate such that the lift plate rests on the position block and the door glass is at a position above the full-down position when the door glass is inserted into the lift plate during manufacture, and (ii) after such insertion, a second position that permits the lift plate to move further downward such that the door glass is at the full-down position.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel includes: a panel module receiver; and a removable panel module operable to engage and disengage from the panel module receiver in response to user-manipulation, wherein the panel module includes an attachment mechanism operable to permit releasable attachment of at least one user-selectable component.

Abstract: An air distribution system has an elongate distribution conduit which receives an axially directed air flow. At least one venting region is provided along the conduit and includes at least one aperture extending through the conduit. A control cover is mounted over the conduit so as to rotate axially about in one of the venting regions, and the cover is rotatable to selectively cover and at least partially uncover an aperture.

Abstract: A lift plate for holding a window pane is disclosed which may include a clamp operable to grasp a window pane with a grasping force responsive to a force of insertion of the window pane into the clamp; and a reinforcement system operable to follow a movement of at least a portion of the clamp and to prevent retraction of the clamp from a grasping position with respect to the window pane.

Abstract: A vehicle door structure and a method for its manufacture are disclosed, the structure being for a vehicle having a door frame and a door mounted in the frame, the door having an interior facing into the vehicle and an edge surface in opposed relationship to the frame when the door is closed, the edge surface including sheet metal. An interior door panel is provided which includes a substrate mounted on the interior of the door, an edge portion of which is adjacent the sheet metal. A skin interiorly overlies the substrate to define an interior surface for the door, the skin extending from the door interior over the edge portion, beyond the substrate and onto the sheet metal. Flexing of or movement of the skin permits it to compensate for differences in position of the substrate when mounted on the door.