Abstract: Attachment devices are taught that preferably include a coupling portion adapted to couple to an attachment portion of the accessory member and adapted to be received within a mounting hole formed in a panel, and a base portion connected to the coupling portion. The coupling portion is adapted to partially engage an upper surface of the panel along the periphery of the mounting hole when the coupling portion is inserted into and selectively rotated within the mounting hole. Thus, the attachment device is attached to the panel with the panel interleaved between the coupling portion and the base portion. Such attachment devices are preferably utilized to attach a vehicle accessory to a vehicle panel, although other uses of the present attachment devices are naturally contemplated.

Abstract: A reinforcement device may include at least one elongated reinforcement body having a longitudinal axis and at least one foamable member that produces a foamed product when heated. The foamable member is preferably disposed along the longitudinal axis of the reinforcement body so that the foamed product will extend along the longitudinal axis of the reinforcement body. Preferably, the foamed product bonds the reinforcement body to a hollow structural member in order to reinforce the hollow structural member.

Abstract: Attachment devices (10) may include a base portion (22) comprising a base body (25) and an upper flat surface (25a). A holder portion (21) may extend from a first end of a first arched attachment part (31) and may include a base plate (24) having an upper flat surface (24a) extending substantially perpendicularly from the first attachment part (31). A first end of a second arched attachment part (32) may extend from the upper flat surface (25a). Further, a second end of the first arched attachment part (31) may be flexibly joined and folded relative to a second end of the second arched attachment part (32) at a hinge portion (11). In the folded state, the holder portion (21) may be disposed within a space defined within the base portion (22).

Abstract: Foam precursor materials are taught comprising an epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalents value of about 300-4000, a curing agent and a foaming agent. The foam precursor materials may be expanded and cured by heat to form foam materials that exhibit excellent rigidity. The resulting foam materials may have a compression strength of about 200-2000 Kgf and a density of about 0.20 to 0.40 grams per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: Attachment devices are taught that preferably include a main body, a first engagement mechanism provided on the main body, and a second engagement mechanism provided on the main body. The attachment device is attached to a panel lining sheet by engaging the first engagement mechanism with a receiving hole, to thereby produce a panel lining sheet assembly. After the panel lining sheet assembly is overlaid on a vehicle panel, the attachment device is attached to the vehicle panel by engaging the second engagement mechanism with a mounting hole of the vehicle panel. Thus, the attachment device can be secured to the vehicle panel with the panel lining sheet interleaved between the attachment device and the vehicle panel.

Abstract: Attachment devices are taught that preferably include at least one compressible leg interconnected to at least one non-compressible leg. Preferably, the non-compressible leg includes a stopper for generating a compressing force in the compressible leg during an attachment operation. After the attachment device has been installed and the compressible leg exerts a retaining force against the object to which it is attached, an engagement lip preferably retains the compressible leg in the compressed state to provide a secure and reliable attachment.

Abstract: Shaped foamable structures 10 for filling hollow structural members 1 preferably include a shaped foamable material 11 constructed from a plurality of foamable pieces 12 that are arranged with desired clearances and are interconnected with each other, and a support member 30 for positioning the shaped foamable material 11 within a cavity 6 of the hollow structural member 1. Methods for using the shaped foamable structures 10 include placing the shaped foamable structures 10 within the hollow structural members 1 and heating the foamable material 11 to expand and fill the hollow structural member 1.

Abstract: A structure for closing a cavity of a hollow structural member and for reinforcing the hollow structural member. The structure includes a reinforcement member comprising a plurality of reinforcement plates arranged in a spaced relationship. The reinforcement plates being interconnected to form at least one receiving space therebetween. The reinforcement member being disposed in the cavity in such a way that the reinforcement plates are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow structural member. At least one foamable member is received in the at least one receiving space of the reinforcement member. The foamable member being adapted to close the cavity and to secure the reinforcement member in the cavity when expanded by external heating.

Abstract: A method of plugging up a coating material introduction aperture formed on a hollow structural member, the hollow structural member being coated with a coating material through dip coating and then heated to bake the coating material coated thereon, which includes the steps of providing a plug having a coating material introduction passage and formed of a foamable material which is foamable by heat at the time the hollow structural member is heated to bake the coating material coated thereon, inserting the plug as unfoamed into the coating material introduction aperture before the hollow structural member is coated with the coating material through the dip coating, and heating the plug to produce a foamed product so as to plug up the coating material introduction aperture. The step of heating the plug is performed by heat which is applied to the hollow structural member for baking the coating material coated thereon.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting a foamable material in a cavity of a hollow structural member so that the foamable material blocks the cavity of the hollow structural member when it is foamed by external heating. The support structure includes a support member disposed in the cavity so as to be perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the cavity and adapted to retain the foamable material in such a manner that at least one side surface of the foamable material is restrictively covered by the support member, and an engagement pin integrally provided on the support member and adapted to engage an aperture formed in the hollow structural member.

Abstract: A blocking device for filling a cavity in a hollow structural member includes a foamable material, and magnetic member embedded on a surface of the foamable material, the magnetic member is secured within the hollow structural member and the foamable material is foamed and expanded by the application of heat so that the cavity is filled.

Abstract: A support structure including a foamable material located in a cavity of a hollow structural member for blocking the cavity of the hollow structural member when it is foamed and expanded by external heating, and at least one sucking disk provided on at least one side of the foamable material. The sucking disk sticking to an inner surface of the hollow structural member so that the foamable material is fixed in the cavity of the hollow structural member.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting a foamable material in a cavity of a hollow structural member so that the foamable material blocks the cavity of the hollow structural member when it is foamed by external heating. The support structure includes a support member including a main body which has an external dimension smaller than the dimension of a transverse cross section of the cavity, a foamable material receiving wall provided on the main body, and a restriction flange extending from at least one of the main body and the foamable material receiving wall. The support member is disposed in the cavity in such a manner that the restriction flange is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cavity. The foamable material has a substantially annular configuration and is profiled substantially to conform to the configuration of the transverse cross section of the cavity. The foamable material is arranged along the foamable material receiving wall of the support member.

Abstract: A support structure including a foamable material located in a cavity of a hollow structural member for blocking the cavity of the hollow structural member when it is foamed by external heating, and a support member for supporting the foamable material. The foamable material has a plate-like shape and has an external dimension smaller than the dimension of the cross section of the cavity. The support member is disposed in the cavity and mounted on the hollow structural member by a mounting device. The support member is constituted of a pair of support plates for supporting both side surfaces of the foamable material and a desired number of connecting pieces located along a lower periphery of the support plates for integrally connecting the support plates. The support plates are adapted to be elastically spread and narrowed about the connecting pieces and being directed to an exterior surface of the hollow structural member at an upper periphery thereof.

Abstract: A sun visor holder for supporting a supporting bar of a sun visor includes a main body and a plug member formed on the main body and insertable into a mounting opening formed on an automobile body. The plug member has a slit for vertically splitting same and has a through bore into which a fastening member is received. The through bore includes a tapered surface extending along the slit. The plug member is flared by virtue of the slit so as to be held in the mounting opening when the fastening member is inserted into the through bore of the plug member fitted to the mounting opening formed on the automobile body, whereby the main body is fixed to the automobile body.

Abstract: A sun visor includes a pair of symmetrical shells of which the mating surfaces are bonded to each other. Each of the shells includes a dish-like base member having an annular end surface and a sheet member adhered to the outer surface of the base member. Each of the sheet members has a folded portion which is formed by folding the end portion thereof along the annular end surface of the base member. The outer surface of the folded portion of the sheet member cooperates with the annular end surface of the base member to form the mating surface. The bonding of the mating surfaces is performed by fusion bonding of the annular end surfaces of the base members.

Abstract: A sun visor includes a pair of symmetrical shells of which the mating surfaces are bonded to each other. Each of the shells comprises a dish-like base member having an annular end surface and a sheet member adhered to the outer surface of the base member. Each of the sheet members has a folded portion which is formed by folding the end portion thereof along the annular end surface of the base member. The outer surface of the folded portion of the sheet member cooperates with the annular end surface of the base member to form the mating surface. The bonding of the mating surfaces is performed by fusion bonding of the annular end surfaces of the base members.