Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment having a roof structure having a front header, a pair of side headers and a rear header. A headliner is disposed beneath the roof structure. At least one inflatable bladder is disposed along at least one of the front header, the pair of side headers and the rear header. The at least one inflatable bladder is connected to an inflator. A rib structure is disposed adjacent to the at least one inflatable bladder. The inflatable bladder inflates to a maximum height of 12 cm below the at least one of the front header, the pair of side headers and the rear header.

Abstract: A pneumatic shade includes a plurality of slats, a plurality of first fold members, and a plurality of second fold members. Each slat is elongated and includes and spans laterally between opposite longitudinal edges. Each of the first- and second-fold members are elongated and co-extend longitudinally with the slats. Each first fold member is attached to longitudinal edges of the respective adjacent slats. Each second fold member is attached to longitudinal edges of respective adjacent slats and are alternatingly orientated with respect to the first fold members such that each slat spans laterally between a respective first fold member and second fold member. Each of the first fold members and the second fold members are adapted to move between a folded state and an unfolded state upon application of pressurized air.

Abstract: A wiper system for use with a windshield includes a track guide, a wiper assembly, a drive mechanism and a wipe mechanism. The wiper assembly has a wiper arm attached at a first end thereof to a rotor rotatably disposed on a wiper carrier, wherein the wiper carrier is engaged with the track guide and is configured for translation therealong. The drive mechanism is connected with the wiper carrier and is configured for positioning the wiper carrier along the track guide. The wipe mechanism is connected with at least one of the rotor and the wiper carrier and is configured to cause the rotor to rotate, thereby causing the wiper arm to produce a wiping motion.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment having a roof structure having a front header, a pair of side headers and a rear header. A headliner is disposed beneath the roof structure. At least one inflatable bladder is disposed along at least one of the front header, the pair of side headers and the rear header. The at least one inflatable bladder is connected to an inflator. A rib structure is disposed adjacent to the at least one inflatable bladder. The inflatable bladder inflates to a maximum height of 12 cm below the at least one of the front header, the pair of side headers and the rear header.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo mat system includes a cargo mat configured to fit within an automobile vehicle storage area. Multiple retention members are connected to the cargo mat and are adapted to individually releasably connect to one of multiple attachment members fixed to the automobile vehicle within the storage area. The cargo mat is further configured to extend into at least four optional positions including: a first position extending across a width of the storage area at an outward facing end of the storage area; a second position having the cargo mat laid flat to substantially cover a lower floor of the storage area; a third position having the cargo mat extended over the storage area to cover objects temporarily stored within the storage area; and a fourth position having the cargo mat extended outward from the storage area to at least partially cover a fascia of the automobile vehicle.

Abstract: A pneumatic articulating structure includes a plurality of tiles, a flexible cover, and a plurality of resiliently flexible hinges. Each tile has a first surface and a second surface facing in opposite outward directions. An area of at least one respective first surface is greater than an area of at least one respective second surface. The cover is constructed to cover the tiles. The second surface of each one of the tiles is attached to the cover. Each tile is engaged to an adjacent tile by a respective hinge, and are proximate to the first surface. A vacuum chamber is define by at least the plurality of tiles and the flexible cover.

Abstract: A pneumatic shade includes a plurality of slats, a plurality of first fold members, and a plurality of second fold members. Each slat is elongated and includes and spans laterally between opposite longitudinal edges. Each of the first- and second-fold members are elongated and co-extend longitudinally with the slats. Each first fold member is attached to longitudinal edges of the respective adjacent slats. Each second fold member is attached to longitudinal edges of respective adjacent slats and are alternatingly orientated with respect to the first fold members such that each slat spans laterally between a respective first fold member and second fold member. Each of the first fold members and the second fold members are adapted to move between a folded state and an unfolded state upon application of pressurized air.

Abstract: A wiper system for use with a windshield includes a track guide, a wiper assembly, a drive mechanism and a wipe mechanism. The wiper assembly has a wiper arm attached at a first end thereof to a rotor rotatably disposed on a wiper carrier, wherein the wiper carrier is engaged with the track guide and is configured for translation therealong. The drive mechanism is connected with the wiper carrier and is configured for positioning the wiper carrier along the track guide. The wipe mechanism is connected with at least one of the rotor and the wiper carrier and is configured to cause the rotor to rotate, thereby causing the wiper arm to produce a wiping motion.

Abstract: A pneumatic articulating structure includes a plurality of tiles, a flexible cover, and a plurality of resiliently flexible hinges. Each tile has a first surface and a second surface facing in opposite outward directions. An area of at least one respective first surface is greater than an area of at least one respective second surface. The cover is constructed to cover the tiles. The second surface of each one of the tiles is attached to the cover. Each tile is engaged to an adjacent tile by a respective hinge, and are proximate to the first surface. A vacuum chamber is define by at least the plurality of tiles and the flexible cover.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a head restraint with a head restraint support connected to a vehicle seat back and the head restraint is configurable in a stowed configuration having a size that is smaller than a deployed configuration.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a head restraint with a head restraint support connected to a vehicle seat back and the head restraint is configurable in a stowed configuration having a size that is smaller than a deployed configuration.

Abstract: An accessory tray for a vehicle may include a console adjacent to a front passenger seat, the front passenger seat having a seat pan and/or structure and a seat cushion. An accessory tray is positioned under a front portion of the seat cushion when the accessory tray is in a closed position. The accessory tray has a first end coupled to the seat pan adjacent to the console via a pivot mechanism, and a second free end. In operation, the accessory tray pivots via the pivot mechanism, causing the second free end of the accessory tray to move toward the console or perpendicular to the seat in open position where the accessory tray is adjacent to the console to receive an accessory item.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are for providing an accessory tray for a vehicle are disclosed. The apparatus may include a console adjacent to a front passenger seat, the front passenger seat having a seat pan and/or structure and a seat cushion. An accessory tray is positioned under a front portion of the seat cushion when the accessory tray is in a closed position. The accessory tray has a first end coupled to the seat pan adjacent to the console via a pivot mechanism, and a second free end. In operation, the accessory tray pivots via the pivot mechanism, causing the second free end of the accessory tray to move toward the console or perpendicular to the seat in open position where the accessory tray is adjacent to the console to receive an accessory item.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a first member and a second member located proximate to the first member. An adjustment system for adjustably positioning the first and second members of the seat assembly includes at least one positioning mechanism operatively connected to one or more of the first member and the second member and at least one actuator connected to the at least one positioning mechanism. A control assembly including a housing having a control region, one or more guide surfaces extending from the control region and one or more recessed areas cooperating with the one or more guide surfaces. At least one of the guide surfaces or recessed areas cooperates with at least one switch configured to send a first signal to a controller when a user activates the at least one switch. The controller is configured to generate an activation signal to activate the at least one actuator.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a first member and a second member located proximate to the first member. An adjustment system for adjustably positioning the first and second members of the seat assembly includes at least one positioning mechanism operatively connected to one or more of the first member and the second member and at least one actuator connected to the at least one positioning mechanism. A control assembly including a housing having a control region, one or more guide surfaces extending from the control region and one or more recessed areas cooperating with the one or more guide surfaces. At least one of the guide surfaces or recessed areas cooperates with at least one switch configured to send a first signal to a controller when a user activates the at least one switch. The controller is configured to generate an activation signal to activate the at least one actuator.