Abstract: An adjusting mechanism is disclosed for automatically raising the arm rest of a vehicle front seat assembly when the seat back is tilted forward to permit ingress to and egress from the back seat of a two door motor vehicle. In one embodiment a solid link is attached to the arm rest and to the seat cushion to exert an upward force on the arm rest as the seat back is moved forward. In two other embodiments, a cable attached to the arm rest and to the seat cushion is provided which exerts an upward force on the arm rest as the tension in the cable increases when the seat back is rotated forward. In one embodiment, a spring is used to maintain the tension in the cable at a predetermined level.

Abstract: A process for forming a plastic part having a tubular portion that is continuous and without an flash/mismatch due to mold parting lines in which an injection mold is provided having a cavity formed with a cylindrical surface portion and a core member removably inserted endwise into the cylindrical portion. A molten plastic material is injected into the cavity so that it extends into the cylindrical portion and around the core member. The core member is then withdrawn in an axial direction from the cylindrical portion after the plastic material therein has solidified enough to retain its tubular shape but before it has completely to thereby enable the plastic material to shrink radially inwardly away from the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: An improved beverage bottle support base is disclosed having an upwardly directed conical inner wall, the apex of which is centrally of the base and a convex outer wall of annular shape surrounding the conical inner wall and merging therewith and with the side wall of the bottle. A plurality of reinforcing grooves extend radially outward from the apex and merging with the convex outer wall, dividing the conical inner wall and convex outer wall into a plurality of spaced apart hollow feet.

Abstract: A one-piece self supporting blow molded plastic container having a generally cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall which extends downwardly and inwardly from the side wall. A plurality of wall portions extend downwardly from the bottom wall forming hollow legs extending below the bottom wall having planar feet which are inclined upwardly and inwardly from the outer edges of the feet. When filled, the bottom wall deflects downwardly and the inclined feet are moved into substantially horizontal positions such that the feet define a substantially flat supporting surface engaging area for the container. In so doing, the diameter of the container engaging area is not reduced, thereby maintaining the same container stability when filled as when empty.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a portion of a seat. A cover member is shaped to a predetermined shape and placed in a foam molding tool into which is injected an expandable liquid foaming material to mold a foam pad which is integrally bonded to the cover member. In the manufacturing of seat backs, the cover member includes a tubular envelope cover positioned on a cantilever forming tool. Once the foam pad is molded, the cover member is turned inside out to enclose the foam pad with the cover member. The cover is then telescoped over a seat frame. Alternatively, the foam pad can be molded to a shaped fabric sheet, the envelope cover formed by sewing a second cover member to the fabric sheet. A seat cushion is made by shaping a cover member, placing the cover member in a foam molding tool which also holds the seat frame and injecting an expandable liquid foaming material into the mold to mold the foam cushion, bond the cushion to the cover and embed the seat frame in the foam.

Abstract: A head rest for mounting on an automotive seat back comprises a rod fixed to the back, the rod having a generally horizontal mounting portion, a frame having a pad thereon, a mounting bracket secured to the frame, the bracket attaching the frame to the rod for pivotal movement of the frame forward and backward, and a frictional bushing sandwiched between the bracket and the frame. The bushing has a curved portion cupped over the mounting portion of the rod and fastening means clamping the frame and bracket together and biasing the friction bushing against the rod to resist pivoting of the frame about the rod. The rod further includes stop pins to limit the pivoting of the frame about the rod.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly having a bushing member adapted for retaining and guiding a post supporting the head restraint pad of a motor vehicle seat back. The bushing is installed within the seat back and allows the head restraint pad to be positioned at various vertical positions to suit individual seat occupants. The head restraint post has a plurality of detent notches and a retainer notch. The bushing includes a detent lug engagable with the notches such that various indexed positions of the head restraint pad are provided. The detent notches of the post have ramped cam surfaces enabling the pad to be moved between the detent positions by exerting axial loads on the post. The retainer notch engages the lug to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the head restraint pad. Complete withdrawal, however, is provided by an actuator mechanism which urges the lug to withdraw it from engagement with the post retainer notch.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly including a seat cushion suspension assembly consisting of a flexible elastic fabric sheet having a foam body molded thereto forming a bun. The bun is formed by attaching the fabric sheet to retainers and in turn the retainers to spaced apart receivers on the inside of a mold. The mold is closed, expandable foam is injectd, and the positioned fabric sheet is thus molded to and bonded to the fabric. The bun so formed is then positioned on a vehicle seat frame by attaching the retainers to laterally separated side rails of the frame thus forming a support for seating loads.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container used in packaging of carbonated beverages having a hollow tubular body terminating at its lower end in an integral base. The base includes a frusto-conical shaped wall projecting into the hollow interior of the tubular body. The frusto-conical shaped wall terminates at a substantially planar wall. A plurality of ribs are formed radially about the base between the frusto-conical wall and the tubular body to thus form a plurality of symmetrical feet which support the container in an upright stable position.

Abstract: A blow molded plastic container used in packaging of carbonated beverages having a hollow tubular body terminating at its lower end in an integral base. The base includes an arcuate wall projecting into the hollow interior of the tubular body. The arcuate wall terminates at a substantial concave ellipsoidal shaped top surface. A plurality of ribs are formed radially about the base between the arcuate and the tubular body to thus form a plurality of symmetrical feet which support the container in an upright stable position.

Abstract: A cover member for a vehicle seat and back having smooth curved and contoured rounded corners. In forming the curved corners, a first fabric cover member is sewn with shirr stitching along the edge of the member around the corner to form a shallow pocket in the member. When the first and a second cover member are then sewn together and turned inside out, a smooth, rounded corner is formed having no puckering or darting along the seam thus formed between the cover members. The cover thus formed is then placed over a preshaped molded foam pad adapted to be mounted on a conventional seat back frame. The shirr stitching along the edge of the corner uniformly gathers the material along the edge of the corner presenting a curved surface in an otherwise flat fabric material. Shirr stitching is also utilized in the seat to enable the use of non-stretch fabric in covering irregularly shaped seats.

Abstract: A preform transfer assembly for continuously transferring preforms from a pair of injection assemblies to a blow molding machine comprising a base supporting the mold assemblies, a frame assembly on the base, a slide plate slideably mounted on the frame, first actuator means mounted on the frame for raising and lowering the slide plate, a swing bracket assembly pivotally mounted on the slide plate and actuated by second actuator means also mounted on the slide plate rotating the swing bracket, an arm having one end attached to the swing bracket and the other end of the arm attached to a preform carrier assembly, third actuator means mounted on the arm for extending and retracting the arm in a horizontal direction, and grasping means attached to the carrier for engaging and releasing preforms whereby as the preforms are released out of the molds they are grasped and transferred to a blow molding machine.

Abstract: An accumulation head for a blow molding machine which produces a parison of a first melt material having a stripe of a second extruded plastic material formed by directing a second extruded plastic material into the stream of a first plastic material as the material in the accumulator is extruded to form the parison.

Abstract: An in-mold labeling device for blow molding machines which includes a carriage assembly which moves a labeling head between a position in registry with a label storage magazine to a displaced position in registry with a cavities of molds. The labeling head includes a pick-up arm which is pivotable and supports a self aligning pick-up pad which carries one or more vacuum cups. In operation, the carriage assembly moves to a first position where the pick-up arm is pivoted to place the vacuum cups in contact with a label carried by the storage magazine. The pick-up arm is then pivoted back to pull off a label, and a slide is moved to position the labeling head into registering with an open mold. The pick-up arm is again pivoted to deposit the label in position onto the inside surface of the mold cavity and is maintained in that position through vacuum ports within the mold.

Abstract: A power release and pull-down unit particularly adapted for rear compartment panels of motor vehicles. An electric motor rotationally drives a planetary gear set which in turn drives a latch hook. Limit switches are provided to sense the position of the latch hook such that motor rotation stops once the hook reaches one of two dwell positions. A clutching mechanism is provided to prevent excessive torque from being exerted on the latch hook during panel closure. When the panel is closed against the power unit, the latch hook is moved downwardly to securely close the panel against its sealing gaskets. Movement of the latch hook stops once a cam lobe contacts a limit switch. When the operator wishes to open the panel, motor rotation occurs causing the latch hook to move upwardly and out of engagement with the panel latch striker bar.

Abstract: In a vehicle seat assembly which includes a support frame having a plurality of elongated apertures or slots of predetermined width provided therein and a seat cover, a trim attachment strip of extruded plastic is adapted to be sewn to the seat cover. The trim attachment strip has a base portion, a flange portion adapted to be sewn to the seat cover, and a plurality of pairs of barbed side-by-side projections extending in a spaced apart relation from the base portion. The barbed projections are inserted into slots in the support frame to secure the cover over the seat frame. The trim attachment strip is retained against removal from the support frame by the engagement of the barbs on the projections against the inner side of the support frame adjacent to the slots.

Abstract: A seat trim assembly particularly adapted for automotive seat backs having a center hole within the head restraint area. A halo ring member is provided having a radially projecting flange which is large enough to prevent the halo ring from being pulled completely through the seat back center hole. The inner edge of the halo ring forms a reversely bent edge channel. A break-over strip is stitched or bonded to the trim cover and is inserted within the halo ring edge channel. Once the break-over strip is placed into the edge channel, the halo ring is pulled such that the radially projecting flange supports a portion of the trim cover surrounding the seat back hole. In an alternate embodiment, the halo ring is integrated into a seat back rear panel.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having interconnected cushion and back members at least one of which consists of a foam body having an interior load supporting section and an outer peripheral section with a groove in the outer side of the body substantially at the juncture of the inner and peripheral sections. A first covering member is adhered to and lies flat against the outer side of the interior section and a second covering member is adhered to and lies flat against the outer side of the peripheral section. Both covering members extend into the groove and terminate in the groove. A flexible plastic trim strip is positioned in the groove at a position between the first and second members and is stitched to the members. In the process of this invention, the strip is supported in a groove in the tooling for making the seat and functions to hold the covering members in desired positions during the assembly of the foam body therewith.

Abstract: A floor latching mechanism particularly adapted for attaching a bench seat to a motor vehicle floor which permits the seat to be conveniently removed from the vehicle. The floor latching mechanism includes a retractable actuation handle which drives a pair of hooks that are engageable with shafts attached to the motor vehicle floor. When the actuation handle is rotated, a cam partially lifts the bench seat and maintains the hooks out of engagement with the floor shafts. The floor latching mechanisms may be actuated to a parked position wherein the mechanism will not inadvertently reengage the floor shafts.