Abstract: An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster includes a hollow main body that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position.

Abstract: A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface.

Abstract: A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface.

Abstract: A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface.

Abstract: A process for making a molded running board assembly for installation on a vehicle includes blow molding the body of the running board and incorporating one or more additional components such as a step plate or a trim strip. The process involves placing the insert into the blow mold cavity in a subcavity, holding the insert by vacuum pressure and then extruding and blow molding a parison to simultaneously mold the running board and integrate the insert.

Abstract: A running board assembly for mounting to a vehicle such as a truck includes an extruded running board body and a cover member. Advantageously the extruded running board body is made from an extrudable plastic and the cover member is advantageously made of a material having the desired exterior finish. The cover member may be metallic and have the appearance of a chrome or polished finish. The cover extends over the upper and outboard surface of the running board body to provide the desired appearance characteristics. The running board assembly is affixed to the vehicle by a plurality of mounting brackets.

Abstract: An instrument panel subassembly for use in an instrument panel assembly in a motor vehicle is provided. The subassembly includes first and second generally C-shaped energy absorption brackets. The brackets have an aft facing C-section and upper and lower mounting ends. The brackets include attachment means for attaching the brackets to a vehicle structural member. The subassembly further includes a glove box door having an aft surface and a forward surface, and a bin. The glove box door includes hinge means for providing hinged movement of the glove box door relative to the first and second brackets between open and closed positions. The bin is within the C-section of the brackets when the glove box door is in a hingedly closed position.

Abstract: A mold assembly for blow molding plastic articles is provided having an upper mold member, a lower mold member and a lower support member. The lower mold member is preferably a relatively lightweight plate having a generally centrally located molding cavity matingly matched with an upper molding cavity in the upper mold member. The lower mold member is moved horizontally and optionally vertically beneath an extrusion head as a molten parison is extruded. The lower mold member is then transported to, and positioned within, the lower support member. The upper mold member is then closed over the lower mold member and lower support to close the mold assembly. The molten parison is then expanded in the mold cavity. After the molding operation, the plastic part may be removed and the lower mold member may be cooled by immersion in a cooling fluid. The apparatus to move the lower mold member during extrusion of the parison and to the molding station may be a robotic arm.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of the bolster upon activation.

Abstract: A method for making a plastic/metal composite part comprises providing a tubular metallic preform and coating the metallic preform with an outer plastic layer to form a laminated preform. The laminated preform may be formed to create a laminated structural component. The forming may involve hydroforming. The plastic/metal composite part also has at least one secondary plastic component. The secondary plastic component may be plastic welded to the laminated structural component with a plastic to plastic bond or weld. This method is useful for making conduits such as fuel filler conduits which may have a metallic inner wall and an outer plastic wall with mounting clips being plastic welded to the outer plastic wall.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automotive air filter assembly, in particular, an assembly which includes an air flow chamber portion and a liquid reservoir portion. The air flow portion includes a panel filter for filtering air flowing to an engine. The panel filter includes air filtration media and hydrocarbon absorption media to inhibit release of hydrocarbon vapours to the air on engine shut down. The air flow portion also may include resonance chambers for acoustic silencing purposes. The liquid reservoir portion can include a pump for delivery of fluid such as windshield washer fluid.

Abstract: Fuel system components for vehicles may be made from polyethylene components which are typically blow molded. To inhibit fuel vapour permeation, the polyethylene is often co-extruded into a parison with the parison comprising a barrier layer. Upon trimming flash or in the mold closure itself, the barrier layer may be ruptured. Sealing of areas of discontinuity in the fuel system component to inhibit hydrocarbon vapour pass through is achieved by sealing the area of barrier discontinuity with a sealing bead which has the necessary barrier properties. The barrier properties may be inherent in the sealing bead material or in a barrier layer extruded into the sealing bead.

Abstract: A running board for a vehicle such as a truck is mounted to the vehicle body using a C-shaped mounting bracket. The bracket has an open clearance area to accommodate air conditioning conduits or other similar structure adjacent the vehicle body. The running board may include pivotable end caps which may be pivoted to lie parallel with the support surface of the running board and overlying front or rear vehicle fenders. Mounting bolts for the end cap may pass through the running board body of the vehicle fender and the vehicle body.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automotive air filter assembly, in particular, an assembly which includes an air flow chamber portion and a liquid reservoir portion. The air flow portion includes a panel filter for filtering air flowing to an engine. The panel filter includes air filtration media and hydrocarbon absorption media to inhibit release of hydrocarbon vapours to the air on engine shut down. The air flow portion also may include resonance chambers for acoustic silencing purposes. The liquid reservoir portion can include a pump for delivery of fluid such as windshield washer fluid.

Abstract: A mold assembly for blow molding plastic articles is provided having an upper mold member, a lower mold member and a lower support member. The lower mold member is preferably a relatively lightweight plate having a generally centrally located molding cavity matingly matched with an upper molding cavity in the upper mold member. The lower mold member is moved horizontally and optionally vertically beneath an extrusion head as a molten parison is extruded. The lower mold member is then transported to, and positioned within, the lower support member. The upper mold member is then closed over the lower mold member and lower support to close the mold assembly. The molten parison is then expanded in the mold cavity. After the molding operation, the plastic part may be removed and the lower mold member may be cooled by immersion in a cooling fluid. The apparatus to move the lower mold member during extrusion of the parison and to the molding station may be a robotic arm.

Abstract: A process for making a molded running board assembly for installation on a vehicle includes blow molding the body of the running board and incorporating one or more additional components such as a step plate or a trim strip. The process involves placing the insert into the blow mold cavity in a subcavity, holding the insert by vacuum pressure and then extruding and blow molding a parison to simultaneously mold the running board and integrate the insert.

Abstract: An instrument panel subassembly for use in an instrument panel assembly in a motor vehicle is provided. The subassembly includes first and second generally C-shaped energy absorption brackets. The brackets have an aft facing C-section and upper and lower mounting ends. The brackets include attachment means for attaching the brackets to a vehicle structural member. The subassembly further includes a glove box door having an aft surface and a forward surface, and a bin. The glove box door includes hinge means for providing hinged movement of the glove box door relative to the first and second brackets between open and closed positions. The bin is within the C-section of the brackets when the glove box door is in a hingedly closed position.

Abstract: A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface.