Abstract: A molded component having a thickness reduction feature is provided. The molded component can include an injection molded polymer substrate having a front panel, a side panel, and a corner between and adjoining the front panel and the side panel. The substrate can also have a groove extending along the corner between the front panel and the side panel, the groove having a front panel edge and a side panel edge. The front panel edge and/or side panel edge have a dentil profile edge, the dentil profile edge reducing an effective thickness of the corner and thus providing increased or controlled cooling of the substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle console assembly includes a console housing including a storage compartment including a floor, a front wall, a rear wall and opposite side walls that extend between the front wall and the end wall defining a storage volume. A device charging tray includes a floor, a front wall, a rear wall and opposite side walls that extend between the front wall and the rear wall defining a storage volume. The device charging tray includes a raised support boss that extends out of the floor at the front wall. The raised support boss reduces a distance between the floor and an edge of the front wall. The raised support boss is located to support a mobile computing device positioned within the storage volume of the device charging tray spaced from the floor.

Abstract: A vehicle console assembly includes a console housing including a storage compartment including a floor, a front wall, a rear wall and opposite side walls that extend between the front wall and the end wall defining a storage volume. A device charging tray includes a floor, a front wall, a rear wall and opposite side walls that extend between the front wall and the rear wall defining a storage volume. The device charging tray includes a raised support boss that extends out of the floor at the front wall. The raised support boss reduces a distance between the floor and an edge of the front wall. The raised support boss is located to support a mobile computing device positioned within the storage volume of the device charging tray spaced from the floor.

Abstract: An adaptive speaker panel is provided. The speaker panel can have a speaker opening and a pair of concentric sealing ribs proximate to the speaker opening, the pair of sealing ribs having a first sealing rib and a second sealing rib towards a center of the speaker opening from the first sealing rib. The first sealing rib is first sealing rib dimensioned to seal against a first speaker basket and the second sealing rib dimensioned to seal against a second speaker basket that is smaller than the first speaker basket. Also, the first sealing rib and the second sealing rib are operatively arranged such that without modification to the speaker panel the first speaker basket or the second speaker basket can be attached to and sealed against the panel.

Abstract: A foam-filled panel is provided. The foam-filled panel can have a substrate layer with a padded area, an unpadded area, an opening within said unpadded area, and a bounding region between the padded area and the unpadded area. A skin can extend across the padded area of the substrate layer and a foam layer can be present between the padded area of the substrate layer and the skin. In addition, a disposable foam injection port is attached to the substrate layer at the bounding region of the padded area and can extend into and be an obstruction to the opening. The disposable foam injection port can be in fluid communication with the foam layer and unattaching the disposable foam injection port from the substrate layer can remove the obstruction to the opening.

Abstract: A foam filled panel with decorative thread stitching is provided. In addition, the stitching can be sealed to prevent leakage of foam when it is injected between a substrate and a skin layer to provide a foam filled panel. The decorative thread stitching can be sewn into the skin layer of the foam filled panel before the panel is assembled and filled with injectable foam. In addition, the skin can be made via slush molding, which allows various features and details to be molded into the skin. In some instances, the stitching can be sealed by adhesively attaching an impermeable membrane along a length of the stitching, thereby covering all the openings. In other instances, the stitching is sealed by using an expandable thread. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing a foam filled panel with decorative thread stitching.

Abstract: The instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle includes an instrument panel and a component. The instrument panel includes an exterior surface and a cutout portion having a base which is recessed from the exterior surface. The cutout portion includes an inner wall extending between the base and the exterior surface of the instrument panel. The component attaches to the instrument panel. The component includes an engagement portion located at a distal end. The distal end of the engagement portion is at least partially received within the cutout portion of the instrument panel. The engagement of the distal end of the engagement portion of the component within the cutout portion of the instrument panel provides a continuous contact between the outer surface of the engagement portion and the inner wall of the cutout portion.

Abstract: A foam-filled panel is provided. The foam-filled panel can have a substrate layer with a padded area, an unpadded area, an opening within said unpadded area, and a bounding region between the padded area and the unpadded area. A skin can extend across the padded area of the substrate layer and a foam layer can be present between the padded area of the substrate layer and the skin. In addition, a disposable foam injection port is attached to the substrate layer at the bounding region of the padded area and can extend into and be an obstruction to the opening. The disposable foam injection port can be in fluid communication with the foam layer and unattaching the disposable foam injection port from the substrate layer can remove the obstruction to the opening.

Abstract: A molded component having a thickness reduction feature is provided. The molded component can include an injection molded polymer substrate having a front panel, a side panel, and a corner between and adjoining the front panel and the side panel. The substrate can also have a groove extending along the corner between the front panel and the side panel, the groove having a front panel edge and a side panel edge. The front panel edge and/or side panel edge have a dentil profile edge, the dentil profile edge reducing an effective thickness of the corner and thus providing increased or controlled cooling of the substrate.

Abstract: The instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle includes an instrument panel and a component. The instrument panel includes an exterior surface and a cutout portion having a base which is recessed from the exterior surface. The cutout portion includes an inner wall extending between the base and the exterior surface of the instrument panel. The component attaches to the instrument panel. The component includes an engagement portion located at a distal end. The distal end of the engagement portion is at least partially received within the cutout portion of the instrument panel. The engagement of the distal end of the engagement portion of the component within the cutout portion of the instrument panel provides a continuous contact between the outer surface of the engagement portion and the inner wall of the cutout portion.

Abstract: An adaptive speaker panel is provided. The speaker panel can have a speaker opening and a pair of concentric sealing ribs proximate to the speaker opening, the pair of sealing ribs having a first sealing rib and a second sealing rib spaced inwardly from the first scaling rib. The first and second sealing ribs are arranged such that without modification to the speaker panel, a speaker basket can seal against the first sealing rib if the basket is too large to seal against the second sealing rib, or in the alternative, the speaker basket can seal against the second sealing rib if the basket is too small to seal against the first sealing rib.

Abstract: A foam filled panel with decorative thread stitching is provided. In addition, the stitching can be sealed to prevent leakage of foam when it is injected between a substrate and a skin layer to provide a foam filled panel. The decorative thread stitching can be sewn into the skin layer of the foam filled panel before the panel is assembled and filled with injectable foam. In addition, the skin can be made via slush molding, which allows various features and details to be molded into the skin. In some instances, the stitching can be sealed by adhesively attaching an impermeable membrane along a length of the stitching, thereby covering all the openings. In other instances, the stitching is sealed by using an expandable thread. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing a foam filled panel with decorative thread stitching.

Abstract: A component assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a main wall and a tab extending outwardly from the main wall. The tab has an aperture extending therethrough. The second component has a support wall and a tab receiver extending outwardly from the support wall. The tab receiver lockingly engages the tab to interconnect the first component and the second component. The tab receiver has an end wall and a pair of guide walls extending from opposite ends of the end wall. The guide walls are spaced apart to receive the tab therebetween. The tab receiver has a retaining member disposed between the side wall and extending outwardly from the support wall. The retaining member extends through the aperture of the tab when the tab is fully received between the side walls.

Abstract: A bracket (20) for attachment to a side of a radio or other multimedia instrument (40) having a leading edge (22) with an outwardly projecting, generally U-shaped rib (23) positioned inwardly of a free end of the leading edge, and/or an in-turned flange (26) positioned away from the leading edge of the bracket and having a tab (27) extending normally from the flange for engagement with the instrument to support and position the instrument during attachment of wiring elements to the instrument.

Abstract: A pivotally actuated glove box mounted within a vehicle dashboard and exhibiting reinforcing support proximate a mounting location of an exterior handle mechanism. A volume-holding bin includes an inner panel secured to locations associated with the bin. Projecting portions defined upon an opposite surface of the inner panel align with selected inwardly directed support ribs associated with an outer panel and which is vibrational welded with said inner panel along contact locations established between said panels. The placement of the projecting portions coincides with the contact locations associated those inwardly directed support ribs of the outer panel which are proximate the location of a handle mechanism secured to an exposed face of the outer panel and which, upon actuating the handle mechanism, prevent damage to the inwardly contacting edges of the outer panel structural rib supports.

Abstract: A glove box assembly for a vehicle includes a box member that is adapted to fit in an opening of the vehicle. The box member includes front and rear surfaces with the rear surface including a guide surface formed thereon. The box member also includes a recessed portion that extends toward the direction of the rear surface defining a storage space. A pair of tabs spaced laterally relative to each other extends downward from the recessed portion and rearward of the guide surface. A slide member extends from a first end to a second end and includes front and rear surfaces. The front surface of the slide member is disposed proximate the guide surface such that the slide member is operative to move laterally relative to the guide surface. The slide member includes a tapered portion that is sized to pass without interference with the pair of tabs when the slide member is positioned in an installation position.

Abstract: A glove box assembly for a vehicle includes a box member that is adapted to fit in an opening of the vehicle. The box member includes front and rear surfaces with the rear surface including a guide surface formed thereon. The box member includes at least one latch slot formed therein. A door member having front and rear surfaces is hingedly attached to the box member. The door member includes at least one latch member extending rearward from the rear surface of the door member. The at least one latch member is movable in and out of the at least one latch slot formed in the box member. A slide member extends from a first end to a second end and includes front and rear surfaces. The front surface of the slide member is disposed proximate the guide surface such that the slide member is operative to move laterally relative to the guide surface. The slide member includes at least one pocket formed therein.