Abstract: A trim component such as a bezel for attachment to a trim panel, such as an instrument panel of a vehicle, is disclosed and includes one or more retention tabs for securing the trim component to the trim panel. The retention tabs provide for a plurality of limiting features that help in preventing a non-blunt contactable edge condition from occurring, particularly during an impact between the vehicle and another vehicle or object.

Abstract: A glove box door assembly for a glove box provided in an opening of an instrument panel of a vehicle defining an engagement surface includes a door body rotatably attached to an instrument panel of a vehicle about an axis of rotation. The door body has an inner surface and an outer surface. A bin extends outwardly from the inner surface of the door body, and includes an outer wall. A damper extends outwardly from the outer wall of the bin, and includes a damper surface. The glove box door assembly is movable between a closed position and an open position. The damper surface is disposed at an acute angle relative to a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and engages an engagement surface of an opening of the instrument panel to decelerate the glove box door assembly when the glove box door assembly moves from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: An instrument-panel mounting system mounts an instrument panel to the body of an automotive vehicle. The mounting system includes an instrument panel having at least one base panel with at least one aperture defined through the base panel and adapted to be aligned with a corresponding aperture on the vehicle body. A threaded fastener is received in the aligned apertures defined through the base panel and vehicle body and adapted to generate a clamping force to mount the instrument panel to the vehicle body. A clamping sheet is disposed between the base panel and vehicle body. The clamping sheet includes an aperture defined through the clamping sheet and aligned with the aligned apertures defined through the base panel and vehicle body. The clamping sheet also includes a strut defined about the periphery of the aperture defined through the clamping sheet and extending in the general direction of the clamping force generated by the fastener.

Abstract: A glove box door assembly for a glove box provided in an opening of an instrument panel of a vehicle defining an engagement surface includes a door body rotatably attached to an instrument panel of a vehicle about an axis of rotation. The door body has an inner surface and an outer surface. A bin extends outwardly from the inner surface of the door body, and includes an outer wall. A damper extends outwardly from the outer wall of the bin, and includes a damper surface. The glove box door assembly is movable between a closed position and an open position. The damper surface is disposed at an acute angle relative to a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and engages an engagement surface of an opening of the instrument panel to decelerate the glove box door assembly when the glove box door assembly moves from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system which constitutes a see-through portion of an enclosure, such as a wall or window portion of a building, and is operative to collect heat from solar radiation and transfer it to a utilization location. In accordance with the invention there is provided a light-transmissive exterior wall member and a light-transmissive interior wall member spaced from the exterior wall member and substantially parallel thereto. At least one heat-absorbing member is mounted in the space between the exterior and interior wall members. Fluid means, preferably air, occupies the remaining space between the inner and outer wall members, the fluid means being operative to receive heat energy from the heat absorbing member. Means are provided for recirculating the fluid between the utilization location and the space between the inner and outer wall members.