Abstract: The present invention provides for a vehicle headliner having localized compressed stiffeners to increase rigidity and decrease brittleness. The headliner compression stiffener adds rigidity to the headliner substrate without adding additional cost or additional weight. At least one compression stiffener is added to a vehicle headliner to an area of the vehicle headliner requiring increased rigidity qualities. The stiffener is an elongated indentation formed by firmly compressing an object into the substrate of a headliner. The substrate of the vehicle headliner includes a first predetermined density in areas where the stiffener is not located. A second density is localized in the headliner substrate in the area directly below the indentation of the stiffener. The predetermined first density is lower in measurement than the second density of the substrate directly below the indentation of the stiffener.

Abstract: A trim panel having a clip retention feature is provided. The trim panel is mounted to a support structure of an automotive vehicle by a clip. The clip includes a first flange at one end of the clip and a second flange spaced apart from the first flange. The trim panel includes an inner surface facing a passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle and an opposite outer surface facing the door. A housing having an attachment wall extends from the outer surface towards the door. The attachment wall includes an aperture and a slot extending from the aperture to an edge of the attachment wall for receiving the portion of a clip located between a first flange and second flange. A retention step extends from a bottom side of the attachment wall to restrain the clip within the attachment wall due to contact between an edge of the first flange and the retention step.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a vehicle headliner having localized compressed stiffeners to increase rigidity and decrease brittleness. The headliner compression stiffener adds rigidity to the headliner substrate without adding additional cost or additional weight. At least one compression stiffener is added to a vehicle headliner to an area of the vehicle headliner requiring increased rigidity qualities. The stiffener is an elongated indentation formed by firmly compressing an object into the substrate of a headliner. The substrate of the vehicle headliner includes a first predetermined density in areas where the stiffener is not located. A second density is localized in the headliner substrate in the area directly below the indentation of the stiffener. The predetermined first density is lower in measurement than the second density of the substrate directly below the indentation of the stiffener.

Abstract: A door assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided. The door assembly includes a support structure having an upper section and a lower section. A pair of apertures are formed on the upper section of the support structure. A trim panel has an interior surface facing the passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle, an outer surface facing the support structure, top end and a lower end. A pair of pivot members are located adjacent the top end of the trim panel to engage the pair of apertures on the support structure. The pivot members allow the trim panel to be pivoted between a first position and a second position where the lower section of the support structure is spaced apart from the lower end of the trim panel.

Abstract: A door assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided. The door assembly includes a support structure having an upper section and a lower section. A pair of apertures are formed on the upper section of the support structure. A trim panel has an interior surface facing the passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle, an outer surface facing the support structure, top end and a lower end. A pair of pivot members are located adjacent the top end of the trim panel to engage the pair of apertures on the support structure. The pivot members allow the trim panel to be pivoted between a first position and a second position where the lower section of the support structure is spaced apart from the lower end of the trim panel.