Abstract: An apparatus includes a base, an inductive charger, concealed under the base for charging an electronic device wirelessly, and a retractable cup holder. The retractable cup holder is displaceable between a home position recessed and nested within the base and a deployed position overlying the base for stably supporting the side of a tall drink cup, drink bottle, can or other item.

Abstract: A drawer assembly is provided. That drawer assembly includes a drawer incorporating an integral latch and a bezel incorporating an integral spring. Thus, the drawer assembly includes an integral latch mechanism to hold the drawer in a closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus is for use in connection with a side of a seat base including a mounting bracket. The apparatus includes a shield adapted for shielding the side of the seat base. The shield includes at least one strengthening rib forming at least a portion of a receiver for receiving at least a portion of the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A spring clip is provided. That spring clip includes a body having a support post, a first cantilever bar and a second cantilever bar. Junctures between the cantilever bars and the support post include necks and bends. S-curve segments are provided at the ends of those bends.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base, an inductive charger, concealed under the base for charging an electronic device wirelessly, and a retractable cup holder. The retractable cup holder is displaceable between a home position recessed and nested within the base and a deployed position overlying the base for stably supporting the side of a tall drink cup, drink bottle, can or other item.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving articles in a vehicle cargo area is provided. A collapsible carrier includes at least one locator projection, and a support for supporting the carrier includes a receiver for receiving the locator projection of the carrier to restrict movement of the carrier laterally while allowing the carrier to be separated from the support for removal from the vehicle cargo area. The support may be a platform adapted for raising during movement from a stowed, non-erect position in the vehicle cargo area to an erect, deployed position rearward of the non-erect position to facilitate accessing any articles in the carrier. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A side shield is provided for a seat frame. That side shield includes a body having a housing and an integral mounting bridge as well as a seat control switch assembly. The seat control switch assembly is held in an opening defined between the housing and the integral mounting bridge. In addition, a locator feature is carried on the integral mounting bridge. That locator feature receives a locator lug carried on the seat frame. A seat assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A drawer assembly is provided. That drawer assembly includes a drawer and a bezel. The bezel includes an integral drawer centering device whereby smooth sliding action of the drawer in the bezel is provided. The bezel and the integral drawer centering device are molded as a unitary component.

Abstract: A sliding storage compartment assembly for a motor vehicle includes a storage bin slidably received in a storage bin holder by a dual track assembly defined by opposed sets of rails and opposed sets of cooperating tracks. Each of the opposed sets of rails and opposed sets of cooperating tracks are vertically and laterally offset one from another. Each of the opposed sets of rails and each of the opposed sets of cooperating tracks may be vertically offset one from another in a vehicle z-axis direction and laterally offset from one another in a vehicle x-axis direction. The opposed sets of cooperating tracks may be disposed on opposed side walls of the storage bin holder and the opposed sets of rails may be disposed on opposed side walls of the storage bin, or vice-versa. Console assemblies including the sliding storage compartment assembly are described.

Abstract: A storage container for a vehicular seat includes a cushion pan for supporting a cushion. A lateral support bar extends between opposing side members and is positioned below the cushion pan. A container housing is disposed between the opposing side members and is fixedly attached to an underside of the cushion pan. A rear clamp of the container housing defines a containment region within which the lateral support bar is disposed. The rear clamp defines a surface engagement with the lateral support bar and is slidably engaged with the lateral support bar. Generally vertical displacement of the container housing relative to the lateral support bar biases the lateral support bar against the rear clamp to define an absorbing state of the rear clamp that receives at least a portion of the generally vertical displacement of the container housing relative to the lateral support bar.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively latching a drawer for storing objects and movable in a travel direction from beneath an automotive seat. The apparatus comprises one or more latches movable transverse to the travel direction from a latched position retaining the drawer closed and an unlatched position, the latch including a follower. A vertically movable handle including a cam cooperating with the follower for moving the latch to the unlatched position for releasing the drawer for opening. The latches and handle may be securely supported for sliding movement by vertical and lateral guides on a front wall of the drawer.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided incorporating an integrated bike rack. That bike rack includes a support arm, a first sill segment that is received in a slot and aligned with a closure sill of the motor vehicle when the bike rack is in a stowed position and a second sill segment that is received in a slot and aligned with the closure sill when the bike rack is in a deployed position. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided incorporating an integrated bike rack. That bike rack includes a support arm, a first sill segment that is received in a slot and aligned with a closure sill of the motor vehicle when the bike rack is in a stowed position and a second sill segment that is received in a slot and aligned with the closure sill when the bike rack is in a deployed position. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively latching a drawer for storing objects and movable in a travel direction from beneath an automotive seat. The apparatus comprises one or more latches movable transverse to the travel direction from a latched position retaining the drawer closed and an unlatched position, the latch including a follower. A vertically movable handle including a cam cooperating with the follower for moving the latch to the unlatched position for releasing the drawer for opening. The latches and handle may be securely supported for sliding movement by vertical and lateral guides on a front wall of the drawer.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving articles in a vehicle cargo area is provided. A collapsible carrier includes at least one locator projection, and a support for supporting the carrier includes a receiver for receiving the locator projection of the carrier to restrict movement of the carrier laterally while allowing the carrier to be separated from the support for removal from the vehicle cargo area. The support may be a platform adapted for raising during movement from a stowed, non-erect position in the vehicle cargo area to an erect, deployed position rearward of the non-erect position to facilitate accessing any articles in the carrier. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage container for a vehicular seat includes a cushion pan for supporting a cushion. A lateral support bar extends between opposing side members and is positioned below the cushion pan. A container housing is disposed between the opposing side members and is fixedly attached to an underside of the cushion pan. A rear clamp of the container housing defines a containment region within which the lateral support bar is disposed. The rear clamp defines a surface engagement with the lateral support bar and is slidably engaged with the lateral support bar. Generally vertical displacement of the container housing relative to the lateral support bar biases the lateral support bar against the rear clamp to define an absorbing state of the rear clamp that receives at least a portion of the generally vertical displacement of the container housing relative to the lateral support bar.

Abstract: A side shield is provided for a seat frame. That side shield includes a body having a housing and an integral mounting bridge as well as a seat control switch assembly. The seat control switch assembly is held in an opening defined between the housing and the integral mounting bridge. In addition, a locator feature is carried on the integral mounting bridge. That locator feature receives a locator lug carried on the seat frame. A seat assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base, a side shield coupled to the seat base and defining inward and outward surfaces and an attachment tower extending from a central portion of the inward surface to an attachment flange of the seat base. The side shield conceals the attachment tower and the attachment flange, and the attachment tower defines a guide for connecting the attachment tower and flange.

Abstract: A storage container for a vehicular seat includes a cushion pan for supporting a cushion. A lateral support bar extends between opposing side members and is positioned below the cushion pan. A container housing is disposed between the opposing side members and is fixedly attached to an underside of the cushion pan. A rear clamp of the container housing defines a containment region within which the lateral support bar is disposed. The rear clamp defines a surface engagement with the lateral support bar and is slidably engaged with the lateral support bar. Generally vertical displacement of the container housing relative to the lateral support bar biases the lateral support bar against the rear clamp to define an absorbing state of the rear clamp that receives at least a portion of the generally vertical displacement of the container housing relative to the lateral support bar.

Abstract: A spring clip is provided. That spring clip includes a body having a support post, a first cantilever bar and a second cantilever bar. Junctures between the cantilever bars and the support post include necks and bends. S-curve segments are provided at the ends of those bends.