Abstract: Device and methods comprising a clamping device or vise which applies stabilizing force to a workpiece for a machining, operation using an adjustable stock engagement point, the stock engagement point being adjustable by inserting shims or spacers between the stock engagement surface (e.g., a gripper wall and the body of the device).

Abstract: Device and methods comprising a clamping device or vise which applies stabilizing force to a workpiece for a machining, operation using an adjustable stock engagement point, the stock engagement point being adjustable by inserting shims or spacers between the stock engagement surface (e.g., a gripper wall and the body of the device).

Abstract: A cover for covering an air bag in a motor vehicle has a thin elastic plastic skin, a rigid substrate and an intermediate layer of soft plastic foam. The skin has a tear seam and the substrate includes a door that is impacted by the inflating air bag and presses outward against the foam layer and the skin to tear the foam layer and the tear seam and then swing outward with a torn section of the foam layer and skin to form an opening in the cover for deployment of the air bag into the passenger space in the vehicle. The tear seam in the skin is formed with extremely small laser machined holes that are not observable to a person of normal vision when viewed from a normal viewing distance in the passenger compartment by having a maximum hole size dimension at the outer side of the skin that does not exceed about 0.0005 inches.

Abstract: A trim assembly for a vehicle providing energy absorption between a body member and a trim cover and a plurality of energy absorbing pins therebetween that are either permanently plastically deformed upon the cover initially being impacted or that are elastically deformed to absorb kinetic energy as the cover is impacted.

Abstract: A fibrous headliner for a motor vehicle passenger compartment is formed with a nonwoven high loft batting of thermoplastic fibers having a low percentage of binder fibers that are activated with heat to establish and hold the desired appearance side contour of the headliner. The batting is needled on both sides to form integral fibrous skin layers wherein the roof side layer is substantially thicker and more dense than the passenger compartment side skin layer. The high density skin layer is then coated with a thermoset resin after the batting has been heated to activate the binder fibers. The hot batting with its resinated high density skin layer is then sandwiched by a blank of scrim stock on this side and a blank of adhesive coated cover stock on the appearance side.

Abstract: A trim assembly for a vehicle providing energy absorption between a structural member and a trim cover has a curved cover including a curved inner surface supporting an energy absorbing tube having a first side portion thereon that has an undeformed position and a deformed position that is permanently plasticly deformed upon the cover initially being impacted and the energy absorbing tube has a first segment thereon with an undeformed curvature substantially fully engaged with the curved inner surface of the cover and further having a second side portion overlying the curved segment to form a leaf spring action therebetween that will absorb energy by elastic deformation upon plastic deformation of the first side portion as the cover is impacted.

Abstract: An impact resistent flexible grille is located in an impact zone at a front end of an automobile having a grille support structure and an energy absorbing bumper. The flexible grille is rigidly fastened to the grille support structure and the bumper by rigid attachments that are located so that the flexible grille flexes to avoid damage when the front bumper collapses rearwardly responsive to a front end impact. Elastomeric tethers connect deflected portions of the flexible grille to the grille support structure to guide them back to their original position when the bumper returns to its original position. In one arrangement, the rigid attachments are located along a vertical centerline of the flexible grille and an elastomeric tether connects each upper corner of the flexible grille to the grille support structure.

Abstract: An impact resistent flexible grille is located in an impact zone at a front end of an automobile having a grille support structure and an energy absorbing bumper. The flexible grille is rigidly fastened to the grille support structure and the bumper by rigid attachments that are located so that the flexible grille flexes to avoid damage when the front bumper collapses rearwardly responsive to a front end impact. Elastomeric tethers connect deflected portions of the flexible grille to the grille support structure to guide them back to their original position when the bumper returns to its original position. In one arrangement, the rigid attachments are located along a vertical centerline of the flexible grille and an elastomeric tether connects each upper corner of the flexible grille to the grille support structure.

Abstract: A steering wheel (12) incorporates an air bag unit (22). The air bag unit has a cover door (30) with a transducer (38) molded in a deformable front wall (35) of the cover door. The transducer is operably connected to an electrical circuit (42) that actuates a horn (44) when the circuit senses an actuating output voltage at the output lead (41) of the transducer (38). The transducer produces the actuating output voltage when hand pressure is exerted on the front wall (35).