Abstract: The systems and methods utilize thermal energy linked to certain colors vehicles may be manufactured in a single color and changed to a specific color at a dealership before customer purchase and/or throughout the lifetime of the vehicle. A system for modulating vehicle paint of a vehicle includes a paint layer disposed on an exterior surface of the vehicle and a color modulator configured to radiate a light such that the paint layer reacts when the paint layer is exposed to the light.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat attachment system is provided. Rather than having child seats placed in fixed adult seats of a vehicle, child seats may be connected directly to the vehicle. Moreover, the anchors that the child seats connect to may be moved around an interior space of the vehicle so that the child seat may be placed in different locations throughout the vehicle interior. The child seats may be anchored to different spots along a floor of a vehicle. The child seats maybe anchored to different spots along an interior ceiling of a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a back rest and a seat cushion that may be reconfigurable to alternatively form a forward facing adult seating surface and child seat mounting surface. The back rest may be provided in a substantially horizontal orientation to offer an extended lower leg support surface for a child's lower legs and feet while seated in a rear facing child seat. The vehicle seat assembly may include a support mechanism to interconnect the seat cushion to a vehicle, enabling selective longitudinal repositioning of the vehicle seat assembly with respect to fixed adjacent interior vehicle structure to establish a variable longitudinal clearance there-between. A rear facing child seat forming back rest and seat cushion portions may be carried by the child seat mounting surface of the vehicle seat assembly. The back rest may be removable from the vehicle seat assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a back rest and a seat cushion that may be reconfigurable to alternatively form a forward facing adult seating surface and child seat mounting surface. The back rest may be provided in a substantially horizontal orientation to offer an extended lower leg support surface for a child's lower legs and feet while seated in the rear facing child seat. The vehicle seat assembly may include a support mechanism to interconnect the seat cushion to a vehicle, enabling selective longitudinal repositioning of the seat assembly with respect to fixed adjacent interior vehicle structure to establish a variable longitudinal clearance there-between. A rear facing child seat forming back rest and seat cushion portions may be carried by the child seat mounting surface of the vehicle seat assembly. The back rest may be removable from the vehicle seat assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes both a headrest and a seat including the headrest for use in a vehicle. The headrest is configured to retain a user device and is mountable both in a forward-facing orientation and a rearward-facing orientation relative to the vehicle. The headrest can secure the user device and allow a rear-facing passenger to view the user device from a rear-facing car seat. Alternatively, the headrest can be mounted on a seat directly in front of a front-facing passenger to allow the front-facing passenger to view and manipulate the user device.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes both a headrest and a seat including the headrest for use in a vehicle. The headrest is configured to retain a user device and is mountable both in a forward-facing orientation and a rearward-facing orientation relative to the vehicle. The headrest can secure the user device and allow a rear-facing passenger to view the user device from a rear-facing car seat. Alternatively, the headrest can be mounted on a seat directly in front of a front-facing passenger to allow the front-facing passenger to view and manipulate the user device.

Abstract: A cup holder assembly for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The cup holder assembly includes a panel and cup holder. The panel includes a top surface. The top surface includes at least one beverage container opening configured to receive a cup holder. A pocket is formed on the top surface of the panel and a cushion is disposed within the pocket. The panel may be covered with a skin such as a synthetic leather so as to cover the panel.

Abstract: A console assembly having a visual guide that affords for an individual to visually, and with an unobstructed line-of-sight, attach a back console body to a front console body is provided. The console assembly can include a front console body and a back console body, the two console bodies having a slot and hook combination that provides for a visible guide to an individual that is putting together or assembling the console.

Abstract: A cup holder assembly having a storage compartment adapted to receive a beverage container is provided. The storage compartment includes a recessed portion, and a top ring having a bottom planar surface is mounted onto the recessed portion. The recessed portion further includes a radiused inner edge exposed to the space of the storage compartment. A light source is mounted along the radiused inner edge. Light from the light source is reflected from the planar surface onto the radiused inner edge. A light shield extends beneath the bottom planar surface of the top ring so as to shield the light source from view of the passengers and driver of the vehicle yet allow light to pass from the light source onto the radiused inner edge of the cup holder assembly.

Abstract: A console assembly having a seal, such as a bead, operable to prevent water seeping though the opening from coming into contact with the electrical component is provided. A top panel of the console assembly includes an opening, and a stick shift disposed within the opening. The shifter housing is disposed within the center console is configured to hold an electrical component. An elongated member extends outwardly from the first shifter housing side wall towards the first cover wall. The seal is disposed above the electrical component. The seal is engaged between the first cover wall and the elongated member. A bead biases a portion of carpet against the side wall to retain the carpet in an upright position and prevent moisture from entering the shifter housing.

Abstract: A console assembly having a visual guide that affords for an individual to visually, and with an unobstructed line-of-sight, attach a back console body to a front console body is provided. The console assembly can include a front console body and a back console body, the two console bodies having a slot and hook combination that provides for a visible guide to an individual that is putting together or assembling the console.

Abstract: A cup holder assembly having a storage compartment adapted to receive a beverage container is provided. The storage compartment includes a recessed portion, and a top ring having a bottom planar surface is mounted onto the recessed portion. The recessed portion further includes a radiused inner edge exposed to the space of the storage compartment. A light source is mounted along the radiused inner edge. Light from the light source is reflected from the planar surface onto the radiused inner edge. A light shield extends beneath the bottom planar surface of the top ring so as to shield the light source from view of the passengers and driver of the vehicle yet allow light to pass from the light source onto the radiused inner edge of the cup holder assembly.

Abstract: A cup holder assembly for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The cup holder assembly includes a panel and cup holder. The panel includes a top surface. The top surface includes at least one beverage container opening configured to receive a cup holder. A pocket is formed on the top surface of the panel and a cushion is disposed within the pocket. The panel may be covered with a skin such as a synthetic leather so as to cover the panel.

Abstract: A console assembly having a seal, such as a bead, operable to prevent water seeping though the opening from coming into contact with the electrical component is provided. A top panel of the console assembly includes an opening, and a stick shift disposed within the opening. The shifter housing is disposed within the center console is configured to hold an electrical component. An elongated member extends outwardly from the first shifter housing side wall towards the first cover wall. The seal is disposed above the electrical component. The seal is engaged between the first cover wall and the elongated member. A bead biases a portion of carpet against the side wall to retain the carpet in an upright position and prevent moisture from entering the shifter housing.

Abstract: An air duct assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The air duct assembly can include a U-shaped duct having a center portion with a first air duct and a second air duct extending therefrom. In addition, the center portion of the U-shaped duct can have a flange attached to and extending outwardly therefrom, the flange having a predetermined thickness. The U-shaped duct attaches to a console within the motor vehicle, the console having a surface with a first arm and a second arm extending outwardly therefrom. The second arm can be oppositely disposed and spaced apart from the first arm a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance between the first and second arms extending from the console can be generally equal to the predetermined thickness of the flange extending from the center portion of the U-shaped duct, for the purpose of attaching the U-shaped duct to the console.

Abstract: A center console assembly for a motor vehicle includes a pair of side walls generally parallel and spaced apart from each other; a storage compartment extending between the side walls; and a tray supported on the side walls. A tab extends outwardly from at least one of the side walls and extends into a recess formed in the tray to retain the tray in a retained position to prevent the tray from sliding along the side walls. The tab has a ramped leading surface that facilitates insertion of the tab into the recess as the tray is moved along the side walls toward the retained position.

Abstract: An air duct assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The air duct assembly can include a U-shaped duct having a center portion with a first air duct and a second air duct extending therefrom. In addition, the center portion of the U-shaped duct can have a flange attached to and extending outwardly therefrom, the flange having a predetermined thickness. The U-shaped duct attaches to a console within the motor vehicle, the console having a surface with a first arm and a second arm extending outwardly therefrom. The second arm can be oppositely disposed and spaced apart from the first arm a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance between the first and second arms extending from the console can be generally equal to the predetermined thickness of the flange extending from the center portion of the U-shaped duct, for the purpose of attaching the U-shaped duct to the console.

Abstract: A center console assembly for a motor vehicle includes a pair of side walls generally parallel and spaced apart from each other; a storage compartment extending between the side walls; and a tray supported on the side walls. A tab extends outwardly from at least one of the side walls and extends into a recess formed in the tray to retain the tray in a retained position to prevent the tray from sliding along the side walls. The tab has a ramped leading surface that facilitates insertion of the tab into the recess as the tray is moved along the side walls toward the retained position.

Abstract: An inverted U-shaped bracket for mounting a vehicle console to the vehicle floor where the vehicle console has already been attached to a pair of side console panels, the bracket having a pair of distal end portions and a back portion, the back portion being disposed between the distal end portions. The back portion having an embossment disposed opposite a bead. Each distal end portion has an oblong aperture. The oblong apertures are greater in diameter than the diameter of a rigid shaft such that the bracket can shift along the width and height of the vehicle. The bracket allows the vehicle console to be positioned flush to the vehicle floor and fixed to that desired position by absorbing any deviation or gaps between the vehicle console and the floor. The bracket absorbs the deviation and gap by bending at the bead and shifting within the space allotted between the oblong aperture and rigid shaft.

Abstract: A method for concealing a fastener beneath a floor carpet in an automotive vehicle. A flap is first cut in the carpet and that flap is retracted away from an opening in the carpet formed by the flap. An object, such as a floor console, is then attached to the vehicle by securing the object to the vehicle with a fastener extending through a portion of the object aligned with the carpet opening. The flap is then replaced in the opening to conceal the fastener.