Abstract: A solid, multi-plastic handlebar is provided. The handlebar includes an inner substrate component made of a load-bearing, structural plastic material. In one embodiment, the substrate component includes a first set of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending locking members. The handlebar also includes an outer component overlying the substrate component and made of a plastic material less rigid than the plastic material of the substrate component. The outer component is configured to be gripped by a human hand. The outer component includes a second set of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending locking members which interlock with the first set of locking members to mechanically lock the substrate component and the outer component together.

Abstract: A solid, multi-plastic handlebar is provided. The handlebar includes an inner substrate component made of a load-bearing, structural plastic material. In one embodiment, the substrate component includes a first set of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending locking members. The handlebar also includes an outer component overlying the substrate component and made of a plastic material less rigid than the plastic material of the substrate component. The outer component is configured to be gripped by a human hand. The outer component includes a second set of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending locking members which interlock with the first set of locking members to mechanically lock the substrate component and the outer component together.

Abstract: A vibrating panel assembly configured to radiate sound into a passenger compartment of a vehicle having a support structure is provided. The assembly includes a substrate panel having front and back surfaces. The panel includes an inner portion, an outer boundary portion formed on the perimeter of the panel and an intermediate portion between the inner portion and the outer boundary portion. The vibrating panel has a frequency distribution of modes in a range of audible frequencies. The panel is configured to be attached to the support structure. An electroacoustic vibrator is mounted on the inner portion at the back surface at a predetermined location and is configured to vibrate the panel over the range of audible frequencies in response to an electrical signal. The intermediate portion is configured to increase modal density of the panel.

Abstract: A vibrating panel assembly configured to radiate sound into a passenger compartment of a vehicle having a support structure is provided. The assembly includes a substrate panel having front and back surfaces. The panel includes an inner portion, an outer boundary portion formed on the perimeter of the panel and an intermediate portion between the inner portion and the outer boundary portion. The vibrating panel has a frequency distribution of modes in a range of audible frequencies. The panel is configured to be attached to the support structure. An electroacoustic vibrator is mounted on the inner portion at the back surface at a predetermined location and is configured to vibrate the panel over the range of audible frequencies in response to an electrical signal. The intermediate portion is configured to increase modal density of the panel.

Abstract: A low-profile panel assembly configured to provide sound having at least one acoustic wavelength within a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a support structure. The assembly includes a substrate panel perforated with at least one sub-wavelength hole which extends between front and back surfaces of the panel. The panel is configured to be attached to the support structure. A continuous membrane of facing material overlies and is in contact with the panel. The membrane is tightly stretched over and covers the at least one hole at the front surface of the panel. An electroacoustic sound source is configured to radiate acoustic waves against the back surface of the panel. The radiated acoustic waves travel through the at least one membrane-covered hole to vibrate at least one portion of the membrane which tightly covers the at least one hole. The at least one vibrating portion of the membrane radiates acoustic waves into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: The lighting assembly (20) includes a light guide (22) formed of a resin material propagating light through internal reflection. A housing (28) surrounds the light guide (22) and maintains the light guide (22) in a predetermined position. A light transmissive coating (24), such as a vacuum metalized coating, is disposed on the light guide (22) and faces outwardly of the housing (28). The light transmissive coating (24) disguises the resin light guide (22) so that the light guide (22) appears to be a metallic trim. A non-light transmissive coating (26), such as a paint, appearing to be the same material as the light transmissive coating (24), may be disposed on the light guide (22) adjacent the light transmissive coating (24).

Abstract: The lighting assembly (20) includes a light guide (22) formed of a resin material propagating light through internal reflection. A housing (28) surrounds the light guide (22) and maintains the light guide (22) in a predetermined position. A light transmissive coating (24), such as a vacuum metalized coating, is disposed on the light guide (22) and faces outwardly of the housing (28). The light transmissive coating (24) disguises the resin light guide (22) so that the light guide (22) appears to be a metallic trim. A non-light transmissive coating (26), such as a paint, appearing to be the same material as the light transmissive coating (24), may be disposed on the light guide (22) adjacent the light transmissive coating (24).

Abstract: The lighting assembly (20) includes a light guide (22) formed of a resin material propagating light through internal reflection. A housing (28) surrounds the light guide (22) and maintains the light guide (22) in a predetermined position. A light transmissive coating (24), such as a vacuum metalized coating, is disposed on the light guide (22) and faces outwardly of the housing (28). The light transmissive coating (24) disguises the resin light guide (22) so that the light guide (22) appears to be a metallic trim. A non-light transmissive coating (26), such as a paint, appearing to be the same material as the light transmissive coating (24), may be disposed on the light guide (22) adjacent the light transmissive coating (24).

Abstract: The lighting assembly (20) includes a light guide (22) formed of a resin material propagating light through internal reflection. A housing (28) surrounds the light guide (22) and maintains the light guide (22) in a predetermined position. A light transmissive coating (24), such as a vacuum metalized coating, is disposed on the light guide (22) and faces outwardly of the housing (28). The light transmissive coating (24) disguises the resin light guide (22) so that the light guide (22) appears to be a metallic trim. A non-light transmissive coating (26), such as a paint, appearing to be the same material as the light transmissive coating (24), may be disposed on the light guide (22) adjacent the light transmissive coating (24).