Abstract: An integrated stepgate and handle assembly includes a tailgate, a displaceable ladder carried on the tailgate, a displaceable handle carried on the tailgate and a latch. The latch connects the ladder and the handle whereby the handle is partially deployed with the ladder. This partial deployment of the handle prompts the operator to fully deploy and use the handle.

Abstract: A method for processing a thermoplastic material that comprises a microwave-sensitive polymeric region, wherein the method includes exposing the microwave-sensitive polymeric region to microwaves; wherein the exposing results in an increase in the temperature of the polymeric region; and processing the thermoplastic material is disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle-based computing apparatus includes a computer processor in communication with persistent and non-persistent memory. The apparatus also includes a local wireless transceiver in communication with the computer processor and configured to communicate wirelessly with a wireless device located at the vehicle. The processor is operable to receive, through the wireless transceiver, a connection request sent from a nomadic wireless device, the connection request including at least a name of an application seeking to communicate with the processor. The processor is further operable to receive at least one secondary communication from the nomadic device, once the connection request has been processed. The secondary communication is at least one of a speak alert command, a display text command, a create phrase command, and a prompt and listen command.

Abstract: A cylinder valve system in an engine is provided. The cylinder valve system includes a first oil pressurized bore corresponding to a cylinder valve and in fluidic communication with a control valve assembly, the control valve assembly comprising at least one hydraulic valve and a second oil pressurized bore corresponding to the cylinder valve and in fluidic communication with the control valve assembly.

Abstract: An integrated tray table is provided for a motor vehicle. The tray table includes a support that extends in a first plane and a retention panel that includes a pivot connecting the retention panel to the support. The retention panel is pivotally displaceable about the pivot between a home position wherein the retention panel extends in second plane substantially parallel to or the same as the first plane and a deployed position wherein the retention panel rests within a third plane in an angle to the second plane.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive instructions from a vehicle computing system (VCS) to being reporting a mobile device location. The processor is also configured to access a list of emergency contacts. Further, the processor is configured to determine that a mobile device has left a predetermined perimeter around a last known vehicle location. The processor is additionally configured to periodically report mobile device GPS coordinates to members of the emergency contacts list, until the mobile device reaches a destination.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly having a first trim piece including a flange having a first side with intermittently-spaced elongate protrusions and a second side with intermittently-spaced attachment elements. A second trim piece including an inner wall having intermittently-spaced retention windows and an outer wall having an elongate channel disposed on an inner wall surface thereof, the inner and outer walls defining a cavity therebetween. The flange engages the cavity such that the intermittently-spaced elongate protrusions are removably engaged with the elongate channel and the intermittently-spaced attachment elements are removably engaged with the intermittently-spaced retention windows. An airbag deployment system is positioned proximate the first and second trim pieces and configured to deploy an airbag between the first and second trim pieces.

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle that is reversible between a 3-point arrangement and a 4-point arrangement is provided. The seat and seat belt arrangement includes a seat having a centerline, a seat back and a seat base. The seat and seat belt arrangement further includes a pair of shoulder belts, a pair of moveable shoulder belt guides and associated moveable retractors. A pair of lap belts is also provided. A buckle assembly is also provided to which the shoulder belts and lap belts are attached. Lap belt retractors are provided. One of the retractors is selectively movable between a retracted position in which the buckle assembly is to one side of the centerline and non-retracted position in which the buckle assembly is generally on the centerline. In the retracted position the moveable guides are moved away from the centerline while in the non-retracted position the moveable guides are moved toward the centerline.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting and combusting an amount of gaseous fuel during an exhaust stroke of a cylinder combustion event in order to reduce turbo lag and reduce a duration of time required for an exhaust catalyst to light-off during transient events. In one example, when an increase in torque demand is greater than a threshold, a first amount of gaseous fuel may be combusted during a compression stroke of a cylinder combustion event and a second amount of gaseous fuel may be combusted during an exhaust stroke of the combustion event. The second amount may be adjusted based on the increase in torque demand.

Abstract: A compensator assembly for a vehicle frame includes a base member having a clip engaging a first frame component spaced from a second frame component. An extension member is threadably coupled with the base member. A fastener extends coaxially through the base and the extension members to engage the first and second frame components. Rotation of the fastener unthreads the extension member until it contacts the second frame component.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to detect a primary vehicle emergency-state. The processor is also configured to determine that emergency-services communication through an on-board device is not possible. Further, the processor is configured to search for a secondary vehicle having vehicle-to-vehicle communication capabilities. The processor is additionally configured to send an emergency-services request to the secondary vehicle to establish communication with the secondary vehicle and send prioritized emergency data to the secondary vehicle.

Abstract: A serviceable safety clip for retaining an automotive trim panel to an inner panel. The serviceable safety clip includes a pin secured to the trim panel, wherein the pin includes a plurality of blades that each include a low retention detent and a high retention detent. The serviceable safety clip also includes a receiver that is secured to the inner panel, wherein the receiver includes an angled face to facilitate insertion of the pin detents and a holding face that retains the pin detents. Insertion of the blades into the receiver includes pushing the pin to flex the blades inward and thereby move the high retention detent beyond the holding face and pushing the pin further to again flex the blades inward and to move the low retention detent into engagement with the holding face.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are presented. In one example, a method adjusts an amount of current to an electric device applying torque to an engine to adjust an amount of air that is pumped through the engine to a catalyst. The methods and systems may reduce engine emissions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electrical load and a stop/start system. The stop/start system selectively auto stops the engine when a speed of the vehicle is approximately zero, and in response to a request to activate the electrical load while the engine is auto stopped, auto starts the engine prior to activating the electrical load.

Abstract: A tonneau cover for a vehicle includes an outwardly biased first cover, wherein the first cover is biased from an interior of the housing to engage a seatback, an inwardly biased second cover selectively extendable from the interior of the housing opposite the first cover and a tab of the first cover that selectively engages the seatback as the seatback is moved between a plurality of lateral positions.

Abstract: A bicycle stowage mechanism is configured to be mounted on a vehicle. At least one first connector is included in the stowage mechanism and is configured to be communicatively coupled to a computer wherein the at least one first connector is mateable to a respective at least one second connector that is associated with a bicycle. The memory of the computer stores instructions to cause the processor to receive an indication that the at least one first connector is mated to at least one second connector associated with a bicycle and, upon receiving the indication, initiate a bicycle stowage operation.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a first ethylene-based polymer, formed by a high pressure, free-radical polymerization process, and a second ethylene-based polymer, formed by a high pressure, free-radical polymerization process, such composition comprising the following properties: a) a melt index (12) from 2.0 to 10 dg/min; b) a density from 0.922 to 0.935 g/cc; and wherein the second ethylene-based Hyper polymer is present in an amount from 60 to 95 weight percent, based on the sum of the weight of the first polymer and the second polymer; and wherein the second ethylene-based polymer has a density greater than, or equal to, 0.924 g/cc; and wherein the first ethylene-based polymer has a melt index less than 2.

Abstract: A vehicle tow recovery eye includes a shaft between a towing end connectable to a towable item and an insertion end that is insertable in a vehicle opening, a resistance assembly mounted on the shaft; and a locking pin having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the shaft. The tow recovery eye can be used with a portion of a vehicle frame that includes a frame opening dimensioned to accommodate insertion of the shaft and the locking pin.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame seat frame having a longitudinal centerline and a seat H-point along the centerline. A first extendable member is disposed on a forward portion of the seat frame along a first side of the centerline and is operable between extended and retracted positions. A second extendable member adjacent to and independent of the first extendable member is disposed on the forward portion of the seat frame along a second, opposite side of centerline and is operable between extended and retracted positions. The first and the second extendable members extend forwardly from the seat H-point at a lateral angle of between 5 to 10 degrees relative the centerline, respectively.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a direct injection fuel pump. The methods and systems selectively operate the direct injection fuel pump with varying levels of efficiency. In one example, an amount of piston lift of a direct fuel injection pump may be adjusted to selectively alter the pump's operating efficiency.