Abstract: A combined storage and docking unit for attachment to the instrument panel of a motor vehicle is disclosed in which a portable electronic device such as an MP3 player or GPS navigation device can be held in a display position by clamping it between lid and storage box parts of the combined storage and docking unit. The storage box includes a trough shaped portion in which the portable electronic device can be stowed if it is not required to be used. The storage box also includes a lid hingedly connected thereto. A lid opening mechanism includes an arm fixed to a shaft. A drive cable is connected to the arm and to a spring on opposing ends. A pulley is configured to guide the drive cable from the arm to the spring, wherein the shaft is rotatably supported by a shaft bracket.

Abstract: A cargo organiser for a vehicle includes a frame at least partially forming a floor of a cargo area of the vehicle. The cargo organizer includes one or more elongate elements extendable across an opening defined by the frame. The elongate elements are slidable with respect to the frame.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for alerting a user to presence within a vehicle of an item having an active near-field communication device (NFCD) associated therewith, such as a smartphone. A passive NFCD is located adjacent to a storage compartment within a vehicle. When the active NFCD-equipped item is placed in the compartment, communication is established between the active and passive NFCDs. A controller device is communicatively connected to the vehicle to detect a journey completion event and send a wireless message (via Bluetooth, for example) to the item. The message instructs the item to output an alert if the active and passive NFCDs are in communication with one another. Journey completion events may be turning off of a vehicle ignition, opening of a vehicle door, or a vehicle seat becoming unoccupied.

Abstract: A folding seat assembly includes a pair of seats each of which has a backrest and a seat cushion. A luggage compartment cover housing is attached to each backrest so as to cover substantially the entire rear face of each backrest for stowing an individual flexible luggage compartment cover for each seat. This enables each backrest to be folded into a stowed position without the need to remove the respective flexible luggage compartment cover or the respective luggage compartment cover housing and produces a substantially flat obstruction free load surface when so folded.

Abstract: Underfill structures useful as pre-applied underfill materials comprise a polymer layer having a first filled polymer region having a first viscosity and a second filled polymer region having a second viscosity, wherein the first viscosity is less than the second viscosity. Electronic assemblies comprising a chip or die and a substrate are formed using such multi-layer structured pre-applied underfill.

Abstract: A combined storage and docking unit for attachment to the instrument panel of a motor vehicle is disclosed in which a portable electronic device such as an MP3 player or GPS navigation device can be held in a display position by clamping it between lid and storage box parts of the combined storage and docking unit. The storage box includes a trough shaped portion in which the portable electronic device can be stowed if it is not required to be used. The storage box also includes a lid hingedly connected thereto. A lid opening mechanism includes an arm fixed to a shaft. A drive cable is connected to the arm and to a spring on opposing ends. A pulley is configured to guide the drive cable from the arm to the spring, wherein the shaft is rotatably supported by a shaft bracket.

Abstract: A combined storage and docking unit for attachment to the instrument panel of a motor vehicle is disclosed in which a portable electronic device such as an MP3 player or GPS navigation device can be held in a display position by clamping it between lid and storage box parts of the combined storage and docking unit. The storage box includes a trough shaped portion in which the portable electronic device can be stowed if it is not required to be used. The combined storage and docking unit is of a simple construction and allows portable electronic devices of differing size and shape to be accommodated.

Abstract: A movable bulkhead 10, 110 for a motor vehicle such as a van 1 is disclosed comprising a number of panels 11, 12, 13, 111, 112 and 113 hingedly connected together to permit the bulkhead 10 to be moved or transformed between forward and rear positions by rotation of the panels 11, 12, 13, 111, 112 and 113. The bulkhead 10 is U-shaped defining a concavity that faces forward when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the forward position and rearwardly when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the rear position so as to maximize the cargo carrying capacity of the van 10.

Abstract: A vehicle has an interior antenna for detecting transmissions from a keyless entry device (KED) and/or a radio frequency device (RFD) associated with a portable item when inside the vehicle, and an exterior antenna for detecting transmissions from the KED and/or the RFD when outside the vehicle. A processor receives determines, based on transmissions received by the interior and exterior antennas, passing of the KED from inside to outside the vehicle, and generates an alert if the interior antenna detects the RFD remaining inside the vehicle after said passing. The processor may further determine passing of the RFD from outside to inside the vehicle based upon detection by the exterior antenna of transmissions indicating the RFD is outside the vehicle, and subsequent detection by the interior antenna of transmissions from the RFD indicating it is inside the vehicle.

Abstract: A roof bar (10) for a motor vehicle (1) has an elongate load carrying member (213) and a single elongate stay (214) which are hingedly connected to a roof (5) of the motor vehicle (1) by a pair of base plates (211). The elongate load carrying member (213) is selectively held in a deployed position by a latch mechanism (222, 255) which latches a castellated edge of the elongate load carrying member (213) to a castellated edge of the single elongate stay (214) along a significant portion of the interface between the two components (213, 214) so as to provide a strong support for any loads carried by the roof bar (10). The components (211, 213, 214) forming the roof bar (10) are all relatively thin and the elongate load carrying member (213) and the single elongate stay (214) are arranged to fold flat on the roof (5) of the motor vehicle (1) so as to minimize any change in vehicle height when the roof bar (10) is stowed.

Abstract: Underfill structures useful as pre-applied underfill materials comprise a polymer layer having a first polymer region and a second polymer region, wherein the second polymer region comprises inorganic filler. Electronic assemblies comprising a chip or die and a substrate are formed using such multi-layer structured pre-applied underfill.

Abstract: A cargo organiser for a vehicle includes a frame at least partially forming a floor of a cargo area of the vehicle. The cargo organizer includes one or more elongate elements extendable across an opening defined by the frame. The elongate elements are slidable with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A folding seat assembly includes a pair of seats each of which has a backrest and a seat cushion. A luggage compartment cover housing is attached to each backrest so as to cover substantially the entire rear face of each backrest for stowing an individual flexible luggage compartment cover for each seat. This enables each backrest to be folded into a stowed position without the need to remove the respective flexible luggage compartment cover or the respective luggage compartment cover housing and produces a substantially flat obstruction free load surface when so folded.

Abstract: The present invention is a container for storing, selection, and dispensing many types of articles. In one embodiment, the container comprises a body having a cavity to store the articles and an open end having an inside surface for access to the articles. The container further comprises a flexible sheet having a body portion and first and second end portions. The first end portion is secured to the inside surface of the body. The flexible sheet can be moved between a first position where the flexible sheet is fully disposed within the body and a second position where the flexible sheet is disposed outward of the body with the articles resting on the body portion of the flexible sheet upon raising and tilting of the body to provide easy selection and dispensing of any article. The container and flexible sheet may be configured in many shapes and/or materials for different applications.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for alerting a user to presence within a vehicle of an item having an active near-field communication device (NFCD) associated therewith, such as a smartphone. A passive NFCD is located adjacent to a storage compartment within a vehicle. When the active NFCD-equipped item is placed in the compartment, communication is established between the active and passive NFCDs. A controller device is communicatively connected to the vehicle to detect a journey completion event and send a wireless message (via Bluetooth, for example) to the item. The message instructs the item to output an alert if the active and passive NFCDs are in communication with one another. Journey completion events may be turning off of a vehicle ignition, opening of a vehicle door, or a vehicle seat becoming unoccupied.

Abstract: A combined storage and docking unit for attachment to the instrument panel of a motor vehicle is disclosed in which a portable electronic device such as an MP3 player or GPS navigation device can be held in a display position by clamping it between lid and storage box parts of the combined storage and docking unit. The storage box includes a trough shaped portion in which the portable electronic device can be stowed if it is not required to be used. The combined storage and docking unit is of a simple construction and allows portable electronic devices of differing size and shape to be accommodated.

Abstract: A movable bulkhead 10, 110 for a motor vehicle such as a van 1 is disclosed comprising a number of panels 11, 12, 13, 111, 112 and 113 hingedly connected together to permit the bulkhead 10 to be moved or transformed between forward and rear positions by rotation of the panels 11, 12, 13, 111, 112 and 113. The bulkhead 10 is U-shaped defining a concavity that faces forward when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the forward position and rearwardly when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the rear position so as to maximize the cargo carrying capacity of the van 10.