Abstract: An assembly of a platform assembly and a support structure, the platform assembly comprising a flexible platform, a plurality of support straps arranged to support the platform, a plurality of clamps supported by the support structure, the plurality of clamps provided along a side of the platform and clamping a side section of the platform, and a plurality of tensioning devices attached to the support straps at attachment locations and arranged to tension the support straps, wherein the attachment locations of the tensioning devices are positionable independently of the position of the clamps, and a method of assembly.

Abstract: An assembly of a platform assembly and a support structure, the platform assembly comprising a flexible platform, a plurality of support straps arranged to support the platform, a plurality of clamps supported by the support structure, the plurality of clamps provided along a side of the platform and clamping a side section of the platform, and a plurality of tensioning devices attached to the support straps at attachment locations and arranged to tension the support straps, wherein the attachment locations of the tensioning devices are positionable independently of the position of the clamps, and a method of assembly.

Abstract: An energy absorber comprising a housing for attachment to a first body, a deformer member mounted to the housing, a strip of plastically deformable material extending in a longitudinal direction between first and second ends, an attachment member provided at, or towards, the second end of the strip for attachment to a second body, the strip being arranged with the deformer member such that when a predetermined force is applied to the attachment member, the strip is moved relative to the deformer member from a first position in which a first section of the strip extends from the first end of the strip to the deformer member, to a second position in which at least a part of the first section of the strip is plastically deformed by the deformer member, wherein the strip is arranged such that when it is in its first position, the first section of the strip is substantially flat in the longitudinal direction of the first section of the strip.

Abstract: A foldable sheet for making a storage box for a vehicle. The foldable sheet has multiple portions foldably connected together along at least one fold line. The portions are foldable to at least a partially define a storage box. One of the portions includes a hinge configured to allow the storage box to pivot with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of imaging a vehicle occupant's body position at the interface between the vehicle occupant and a vehicle seating surface includes positioning a pressure-actuated, controlled-rigidity support bag at the interface between the vehicle occupant and the vehicle seating surface. A vacuum pressure is then created within the pressure-actuated, controlled-rigidity support bag to conform the bag to the contour of the interface between the vehicle occupant and the vehicle seating surface. The conformed bag is then imaged to determine the contour of the interface, thereby determining the vehicle occupant's body position on the vehicle seating surface. With this method, comfort studies may be more efficiently performed, and vehicle seat shells for race car drivers more efficiently manufactured.

Abstract: A configurable instrument panel design is provided that integrates component designs so that an instrument panel can be configured for a specific vehicle content as late in the vehicle assembly process as possible. An electrical system is provided that utilizes a flat flexible cable that is the same for every vehicle independent of vehicle content. Electronic modules are provided with connectors that only connect to the specific wires required for a particular module. A plurality of different multiplexing links are built-in to the electrical system and wiring arrangement allowing the system to be universal across all possible instrument panel configurations. This allows the system to accommodate lower option vehicles at a lower cost than conventional technology. Thin smart switch units can be installed at a final stage in the instrument panel assembly process to configure the feature content of the instrument panel.

Abstract: A configurable instrument panel design is provided that integrates component designs so that an instrument panel can be configured for a specific vehicle content as late in the vehicle assembly process as possible. An electrical system and modular instrument cluster are provided that utilizes the same flat flexible cable for every vehicle independent of vehicle content. Instrument cluster modules are provided with universal connector arrangement, where the type and function of a particular module determine which connectors are live. A plurality of different multiplexing links are built-in to the electrical system and wiring arrangement allowing the system to be universal across all possible instrument cluster configurations. This allows the system to accommodate lower option vehicles at a lower cost than conventional technology. Instrument cluster features can be configured at the time of assembly, all without customizing the electrical system and wiring arrangement.

Abstract: Lightweight, cost-effective composite seat back frames comprise braided carbon fiber reinforced attachment portions connected by braided, glass fiber-reinforced, generally U-shaped back portions, all these portions impregnated with a polymeric matrix resin. One or more of the braided glass or carbon fiber portions are preferably woven by a multiaxial weaving machine to maximize composite properties. The braids may be woven around a permanent or removable mandrel, and may contain pivot bushings or seat articulation hardware. The seat back frames thus produced are lighter than their aluminum counterparts.

Abstract: A method of forming a preform, for use in manufacturing a part having a predetermined part outline, includes positioning waste plastic material within an unconsolidated blank. The unconsolidated blank has an outline corresponding to a desired outline of the preform and the part outline. The method further includes selectively positioning reinforcing material within the unconsolidated blank for added strength. The unconsolidated blank is then heated and compressed to form the preform.

Abstract: Lightweight, cost-effective composite seat back frames comprise braided carbon fiber reinforced attachment portions connected by braided, glass fiber-reinforced, generally U-shaped back portions, all these portions impregnated with a polymeric matrix resin. One or more of the braided glass or carbon fiber portions are preferably woven by a multiaxial weaving machine to maximize composite properties. The braids may be woven around a permanent or removable mandrel, and may contain pivot bushings or seat articulation hardware. The seat back frames thus produced are lighter than their aluminum counterparts.

Abstract: A vehicle set back frame that is lightweight and sufficiently rigid to be incorporated in an all-belts-to-seat seat belt mechanism. A seat back shaped back frame is C-shaped in cross-section and wrapped with a load-transfer panel and a lumbar panel to form a box frame which houses seat belt retractors and resists back frame deformation due to frontal impact of the vehicle. A method of distributing seat belt loads is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for creating and storing records of voice messages in an automotive vehicle in one or more digital memory devices for subsequent playback over the vehicle's speaker. A microcontroller provides control signals to the memory devices which may take the form of a digital answering machine or a digital memo pad to thereby retrieve a desired voice message stored therein. Speaker multiplexer and amplifier circuitry, also under control of the microcontroller, receives the retrieved voice message and converts it into an input electrical signal for the speaker. An input device in the form of a key pad provides user input signals to the microcontroller so that the microcontroller may divert incoming cellular calls to the digital answering machine. The system under control of the microcontroller may store voice messages of the vehicle's user in either the digital answering machine or to the digital memo pad.

Abstract: A motorized system is provided for adjusting the vertical height of a container within a base located between front seats of a motor vehicle. A flap which is used as an armrest is pivotally mounted on the housing to close a top opening of the housing. A linear drive linearly moves the container relative to the base along a vertical axis. A positioning drive including a reversible electrical motor has a rotary driveshaft for applying motion to the linear drive. A power transmission in the form of a flexible shaft is coupled to the driveshaft of the motor and a pair of worm gears is coupled to the linear drive. A manually operable switch is provided for selectively coupling the electrical power to the electrical motor to cause the driveshaft to rotate in a desired direction to position the linear drive which, in turn, linearly positions the container within the base.

Abstract: A process for preparing GMT/foam composites in an integral process without the prior preparation of a separate consolidated GMT part produces lightweight load-bearing structures suitable for use as vehicle components such as load floors, seatbacks, and the like. The structures have fully GMT-encapsulated foam cores abutting at least partially consolidated GMT layers and at least one fully densified GMT portion. The structures may be economically and rapidly molded without resort to necessary adhesives for assembly.

Abstract: Structural composite parts having a light-weight expanded polyolefin core are rendered resistant to breakage under bending stress by molding an integral skin polyurethane flexible foam around the core. The resulting composite parts have excellent compressive strength and energy absorption properties while being resistant to breakage, and are well suited for light-weight and cost effective energy management structures in vehicle interiors.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly 10 comprising a seat 12 and a seat back 14 with a fabric cover 16 comprising non-conductive polyester fibers 18 woven together and electrically conductive pure carbon elements 22 woven into the fibers 18 and extending between braided copper strands defining electrodes 20. Each of the conductive elements 22 consists of a single and homogeneous composition of pure carbon to create heat in response to electrical current and presenting a bare surface in contact with the surrounding fibers 18 to emit the heat directly from the bare surface to heat the surrounding enviroment.