Abstract: A modular instrument panel assembly for a vehicle wherein the assembly includes a base module having a transverse vertical wall located between the occupant compartment and the forward compartment of the vehicle and a transverse horizontal plenum above the wall and acting with the wall to provide structural support. The assembly further includes an air distribution module having an air distribution plenum providing air outlets for selectively distributing air to the occupant compartment, where the plenum provides additional structural support. The two modules are secured to one another and when installed in a vehicle provide structural support for the vehicle body and further provide a separating barrier between the forward compartment and the occupant compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle console assembly adapted to be installed in a vehicle with a shifter assembled in the console and including a structure for adjusting the tension on the transmission cable to which the shifter assembly is connected. The shifter assembly includes a detent element movable initially when the console assembly is installed so that the tension in the transmission cable can be adjusted by moving the detent element after which adjustment the detent element is locked in place preferably by a trim plate mounted on the housing of the console. This invention includes the method of adjusting the tension on the transmission cable utilizing the above described structure.

Abstract: A vehicle armrest includes a support, a cushion attached to the support, and a sheet of material covering the support and cushion. The cushion is made from a mat of non-woven PET fibers, about 85% or more of which are from recycled post-consumer materials such as reground soft drink bottles and beverage containers. The remaining material of the mat are binder fibers made of an extrusion of high melt viscosity and low melt viscosity virgin PET material, which is also recyclable. The mat is compression molded, which provides heat and pressure to activate the binder fibers to permanently bind the fibers of the mat into a desired shape. The molded cushion includes pad sections having different thicknesses, shapes, and resilient properties, and further can include structural flanges that are substantially solid thermoplastic material. The structural flanges have bosses, attachment holes, ribs and contours as desired.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor mounting assembly embodying the present invention includes a base plate having cradles for pivotally receiving and adjustably locking a sensor supporting platform thereto. The base plate can be attached to an existing rearview mirror mounting member. The assembly further includes a cover providing access for adjusting the platform to a horizontal position and for allowing the rearview mirror mounting stem to extend therethrough.

Abstract: A slide-out visor assembly includes a mounting member shaped to be secured to a vehicle and includes a pair of spaced parallel guide tracks and a visor panel which is mounted to a pivot arm assembly having slides mounted to the guide tracks for sliding movement o the pivot arm assembly and visor panel with respect to the mounting member. The assembly further includes a stabilizing structure extending between the mounting member and the pivot arm assembly for stabilizing the motion of the pivot arm assembly and visor panel during movement between a stored position typically behind the headliner of a vehicle to a lowered use position extended from behind the vehicle headliner. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stabilizing structure is at least one cord which extends between the mounting member and each of the slides for assuring that the slides move through substantially identical distances as the visor panel is moved.

Abstract: An electrical component mounting system includes a substrate having a foil laminate on one side configured to provide a pair of spaced conductors extending adjacent a socket aperture formed through the substrate. An electrical component includes a socket that fits into the socket aperture to engage the foil for providing activating power to the component directly through the foil covered substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle armrest includes a storage compartment formed therein and having a cover which opens in two direections to increase accessibility to the inside of the compartment. A preferred embodiment includes an intermediate ring pivotally coupled to the cover and to the compartment and latches for allowing the cover and ring to pivot open in one direction and the cover to pivot open in another direction.

Abstract: A vanity mirror assembly includes a housing which is adapted to be mounted to the roof structure of a vehicle and a generally L-shaped pivot rod with one end locked to the housing and an opposite end pivotally mounted to a vanity mirror frame. The pivot rod includes an offset portion defining a cam which engages a cam surface on the frame to control the pivotal motion of the frame with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A seating system includes a load bearing shelf which is provided for carrying seats, cargo and the like. The shelf is slideably supported on opposite ends in spaced, parallel, horizontally extending tracks mounted longitudinally in the vehicle. Seats may be removably and lockably mounted to the shelf which, upon removal, allows use of the shelf for storage and other functions. The shelf is removable, and may be reversibly reinstalled in a front-to-rear reversed orientation and locked into various positions. Further, the shelf may include upper and lower convenience structural features such as pockets, sliding trays, and compartments.

Abstract: An adjustable headrest includes a rotatable member positioned between a stationary member and a movable member to which a padded head support is attached. The member has opposed staggered arcuate surfaces extending on opposite sides of a pivot point with one of the surfaces including teeth which selectively engage teeth on the movable member, while the remaining arcuate surface of the member engages a stationary portion of the headrest. A spring holds the teeth in removable engagement with each other and an articulated release arm selectively disengage the teeth to retract the head support.

Abstract: An upholstery system for a vehicle accessory includes a substrate with a U-shaped channel adjacent an edge and including a lip extending from one wall. A trim member includes spaced locking tabs which underlie the lip for compressibly holding an edge of upholstery material in the channel. In one embodiment, pins in the trim ring extend through the material and into apertures in an outer flange of the channel. In another embodiment, the locking tabs are formed on the substrate and the trim member includes interengaging locking slots.

Abstract: A torque control for providing a desired frictional resistance to a pivotally mounted vehicle accessory, such as an armrest or headrest, which includes a resilient member having an irregular arcuate slot. A resistance element extends in the slot to move along the length thereof as the pivoted component pivots about the pivot axis. In one modification, the shape of the slot provides a desired predetermined frictional resistance and in another modification a cutout is made in one of the walls of the slot permitting such wall to flex.

Abstract: A torque control for providing a desired frictional resistance to a pivotally mounted vehicle accessory, such as an armrest or headrest, which includes a resilient member having an irregular arcuate slot. A resistance element extends in the slot to move along the length thereof as the pivoted component pivots about the pivot axis. The shape of the slot provides a desired predetermined frictional resistance.

Abstract: A container holder for a vehicle is stored in an armrest and can be moved to a use position exposing a container supporting element. The container supporting element includes an aperture with adjustable dimensions for holding different sized containers. The aperture may include inwardly projecting resilient or pivoted sectors. In one embodiment the aperture is defined by spaced vertically extending rods which pivot toward and away from each other to provide support for different sized containers.