Abstract: A vehicular storage box that includes a compartment for holding articles, the compartment comprising four sides, a bottom and a top lid. The compartment is fabricated from an engineered plastic or a polymer matrix composite. The box further includes a locking assembly situated within the lid. The locking assembly comprises a central locking wheel connected to a linkage, a plurality of pawls for each of at least three of the sides of the compartment, and a solenoid switch. The locking wheel is movably connected to the plurality of pawls. Further, the solenoid switch is connected to the linkage to move the wheel to drive the plurality of pawls into and out of the at least three of the sides of the compartment into a respective locked position of the lid and an unlocked position of the lid.

Abstract: A glove box assembly includes a surround structure having a central opening and a striker opening in the surround structure. The surround structure includes an interlock structure that is spaced inwardly from the striker opening and aligned with the striker opening. A striker is mounted in the striker opening of the surround structure adjacent the central opening. The striker includes an interlocking extension engaging the interlock structure. A glove compartment door is received in the central opening of the surround structure. The glove compartment door includes at least one latch pawl that is configured to releasably engage the striker.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a housing disposed within a dashboard, a bin rotationally operable within the housing, and a hook integral to the bin and positionable around a post assembly integral to the housing, wherein the hook is operable between a design position when the bin is in a closed position, an open position when the bin is in a fully ajar position, and an assembly position when the bin is in an installation position.

Abstract: A vehicular storage box that includes a compartment for holding articles, the compartment comprising four sides, a bottom and a top lid. The compartment is fabricated from an engineered plastic or a polymer matrix composite. The box further includes a locking assembly situated within the lid. The locking assembly comprises a central locking wheel connected to a linkage, a plurality of pawls for each of at least three of the sides of the compartment, and a solenoid switch. The locking wheel is movably connected to the plurality of pawls. Further, the solenoid switch is connected to the linkage to move the wheel to drive the plurality of pawls into and out of the at least three of the sides of the compartment into a respective locked position of the lid and an unlocked position of the lid.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a housing disposed within a dashboard, a bin rotationally operable within the housing, and a hook integral to the bin and positionable around a post assembly integral to the housing, wherein the hook is operable between a design position when the bin is in a closed position, an open position when the bin is in a fully ajar position, and an assembly position when the bin is in an installation position.

Abstract: A storage bin assembly for vehicles includes a bin and a door. The door includes a latch-engaging surface that moves from a rest position when the door is opened. A latch pawl engages the latch-engaging surface of the door to prevent movement of the door to the open position when the latch pawl is in an engaged position. A push button actuator is disposed in a center portion of a dashboard structure. The push button actuator includes a cam surface that slidably engages the latch pawl and causes the latch pawl to move from the engaged position to a disengaged position to thereby unlatch the door.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a vehicle storage box may include a pair of pawls fixed on opposite sides of a coupler and configured to cause inward translation of one pawl in response to actuation at the other pawl, and a sliding element arranged between each of the pawls and the coupler, the sliding element including at least one retention mechanism to fix the pawl to the sliding element and further including a biasing element to compress the pawl to further engage the pawl with the retention mechanism.

Abstract: A storage bin assembly for vehicles includes a bin and a door. The door includes a latch-engaging surface that moves from a rest position when the door is opened. A latch pawl engages the latch-engaging surface of the door to prevent movement of the door to the open position when the latch pawl is in an engaged position. A push button actuator is disposed in a center portion of a dashboard structure. The push button actuator includes a cam surface that slidably engages the latch pawl and causes the latch pawl to move from the engaged position to a disengaged position to thereby unlatch the door.

Abstract: A glove box assembly includes a surround structure having a central opening and a striker opening in the surround structure. The surround structure includes an interlock structure that is spaced inwardly from the striker opening and aligned with the striker opening. A striker is mounted in the striker opening of the surround structure adjacent the central opening. The striker includes an interlocking extension engaging the interlock structure. A glove compartment door is received in the central opening of the surround structure. The glove compartment door includes at least one latch pawl that is configured to releasably engage the striker.

Abstract: A vehicle glovebox includes a bin rotationally operable within a housing. A downstop is defined within the housing. The downstop is in a blocking position and engages the bin to define a fully open position of the bin. The downstop is operable to a release position that defines rotation of the bin beyond the fully open position.

Abstract: A heat stake for a plastic part includes a body having a proximal end, a flared section and a distal end. The proximal end has a first cross-sectional area A1 and the flared section has a second cross-sectional area A2 where A1<A2. The distal end has a dual taper. That plastic part incorporating the heat stake is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle glovebox includes a bin rotationally operable within a housing. A downstop is defined within the housing. The downstop is in a blocking position and engages the bin to define a fully open position of the bin. The downstop is operable to a release position that defines rotation of the bin beyond the fully open position.

Abstract: A glovebox assembly includes a support substrate, a glovebox rotationally displaceable with respect to the support substrate, a downstop carried on the support substrate and an interlock feature carried on the support substrate. The downstop includes a stalk and a head. The interlock feature overlaps the stalk adjacent the head.

Abstract: A glovebox assembly includes a support substrate, a glovebox rotationally displaceable with respect to the support substrate, a downstop carried on the support substrate and an interlock feature carried on the support substrate. The downstop includes a stalk and a head. The interlock feature overlaps the stalk adjacent the head.

Abstract: A vehicle glovebox includes a frame rotationally operable within a housing. A downstop is defined within the frame, wherein the downstop in a blocking position engages the housing to define a fully-open position of the frame. The downstop is operable to a release position that defines rotation of the frame beyond the fully-open position.

Abstract: A vehicle glovebox includes a frame rotationally operable within a housing. A downstop is defined within the frame, wherein the downstop in a blocking position engages the housing to define a fully-open position of the frame. The downstop is operable to a release position that defines rotation of the frame beyond the fully-open position.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a vehicle storage box may include a pair of pawls fixed on opposite sides of a coupler and configured to cause inward translation of one pawl in response to actuation at the other pawl, and a sliding element arranged between each of the pawls and the coupler, the sliding element including at least one retention mechanism to fix the pawl to the sliding element and further including a biasing element to compress the pawl to further engage the pawl with the retention mechanism.

Abstract: A heat stake for a plastic part includes a body having a proximal end, a flared section and a distal end. The proximal end has a first cross-sectional area A1 and the flared section has a second cross-sectional area A2 where A1<A2. The distal end has a dual taper. That plastic part incorporating the heat stake is also disclosed.

Abstract: An airbag assembly includes a housing having a chute defining an opening. A panel is joined with the chute at a first end and extends over the opening to a second end opposite the first end and elevated with respect thereto. A substrate overlies the panel such that the elevated second end is closer to the substrate than the first end, and a foam layer extends from the substrate to the panel.

Abstract: An automobile air bag mounting structure includes a chute defining an opening with a first wall extending from the opening, a cover fully sealing the opening, and a hinge member extending integrally between the first wall and a portion of the cover. The hinge member extends from the first housing wall and to the cover in a direction toward the opening with at least one segment therebetween extending away from the opening.