Abstract: A motor for an electric vehicle includes a motor housing for receiving a stator. A plurality of caps each have an outer rim and a washer portion defining a bolt receiving opening. The outer rim of each of the caps is press-fit into the receptacles in the motor housing. The caps are each attached to the stator by one of the bolts. The heads of the bolts clamp the cap to the stator to retain one end of the stator. The outer rim holds the cap in the motor housing while the washer portion flexes axially in response to thermal expansion and contraction of the motor housing. A method is disclosed for assembling the stator into the motor housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment includes a seat adapted for moving in a travel direction and a movable console. The movable console includes a holder for removably receiving and holding a mobile computer having a display. The holder may be displaced between a stowed position and a deployed position. The display is presented for viewing by a vehicle passenger seated in the seat in both of those positions.

Abstract: A motor for an electric vehicle includes a motor housing for receiving a stator. A plurality of caps each have an outer rim and a washer portion defining a bolt receiving opening. The outer rim of each of the caps is press-fit into the receptacles in the motor housing. The caps are each attached to the stator by one of the bolts. The heads of the bolts clamp the cap to the stator to retain one end of the stator. The outer rim holds the cap in the motor housing while the washer portion flexes axially in response to thermal expansion and contraction of the motor housing. A method is disclosed for assembling the stator into the motor housing.

Abstract: A vehicle transaxle includes a housing, an electric machine stator, a plurality of mounting plates, and a first set of fasteners. The housing has internal walls that define a cavity and an access opening to the cavity. The electric machine stator is disposed within the cavity between a first of the internal walls and the opening. The plurality of mounting plates secures a first longitudinal end of the stator to the housing proximate the opening. Each fastener of the first set of fasteners extends through one of the mounting plates, through the stator, and engages the first of the internal walls to secure a second longitudinal end of the stator to the first of the internal walls.

Abstract: A vehicle transaxle includes a housing, an electric machine stator, a plurality of mounting plates, and a first set of fasteners. The housing has internal walls that define a cavity and an access opening to the cavity. The electric machine stator is disposed within the cavity between a first of the internal walls and the opening. The plurality of mounting plates secures a first longitudinal end of the stator to the housing proximate the opening. Each fastener of the first set of fasteners extends through one of the mounting plates, through the stator, and engages the first of the internal walls to secure a second longitudinal end of the stator to the first of the internal walls.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a housing, an electric machine, a bracket, and a plurality of fasteners. The housing has internal rear and internal side walls that define a cavity. The electric machine stator and the bracket are disposed within the cavity. The bracket has a metallic inner ring and an elastomer outer ring. The elastomer outer ring engages the internal side wall. The electric machine stator is disposed between the bracket and the internal rear wall. The plurality of fasteners extends through the metallic inner ring, through the stator, and engages the rear internal wall to secure the stator to the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a housing, an electric machine stator, a support plate, and a plurality of fasteners. The housing has an internal rear wall and a side wall that define a cavity. The electric machine stator is disposed within the cavity. The support plate is disposed within the cavity. The support plate engages the internal side wall such that a press-fit engagement is formed between the support plate and the internal side wall. The electric machine is disposed between the support plate and the internal rear wall. The plurality of fasteners extends through the support plate, through the stator, and engages the rear internal wall to secure the stator to the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a housing, an electric machine stator, a support plate, and a plurality of fasteners. The housing has an internal rear wall and a side wall that define a cavity. The electric machine stator is disposed within the cavity. The support plate is disposed within the cavity. The support plate engages the internal side wall such that a press-fit engagement is formed between the support plate and the internal side wall. The electric machine is disposed between the support plate and the internal rear wall. The plurality of fasteners extends through the support plate, through the stator, and engages the rear internal wall to secure the stator to the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission includes a housing, an electric machine, a bracket, and a plurality of fasteners. The housing has internal rear and internal side walls that define a cavity. The electric machine stator and the bracket are disposed within the cavity. The bracket has a metallic inner ring and an elastomer outer ring. The elastomer outer ring engages the internal side wall. The electric machine stator is disposed between the bracket and the internal rear wall. The plurality of fasteners extends through the metallic inner ring, through the stator, and engages the rear internal wall to secure the stator to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment includes a seat adapted for moving in a travel direction and a movable console. The movable console includes a holder for removably receiving and holding a mobile computer having a display. The holder may be displaced between a stowed position and a deployed position. The display is presented for viewing by a vehicle passenger seated in the seat in both of those positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment comprises a seat adapted for moving in a travel direction and a console coupled to the movable seat. The console may include one or more of the following: (a) a collapsible portion for collapsing as a body portion of the console travels with the movable seat in the travel direction; (b) a stepped interface for connecting with the movable seat; (c) a rear drawer with a tiltable door to facilitate access by rear passengers; and (d) a deployable holder for a mobile handheld computer. A stationary base may also be provided for supporting the console during movement, such as along guide rails, which base may contain HVAC components, such as ducts, or electronic components, such as wires. Instead of a mechanical connection using a stepped interface, the coupled movement may also be achieved by commonly controlled motors for the seat and console.

Abstract: A vehicle headliner assembly includes a headliner, a handle, a housing, and a pivotable coupling. The pivotable coupling defines an axis. The handle and the housing are operably coupled to the pivotable coupling. The handle is selectively rotatable about the pivotable coupling from a stowed position to a deployed position. The housing is selectively rotatable about the pivotable coupling from a closed position to an open position.

Abstract: An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment comprises a seat adapted for moving in a travel direction and a console coupled to the movable seat. The console may include one or more of the following: (a) a collapsible portion for collapsing as a body portion of the console travels with the movable seat in the travel direction; (b) a stepped interface for connecting with the movable seat; (c) a rear drawer with a tiltable door to facilitate access by rear passengers; and (d) a deployable holder for a mobile handheld computer. A stationary base may also be provided for supporting the console during movement, such as along guide rails, which base may contain HVAC components, such as ducts, or electronic components, such as wires. Instead of a mechanical connection using a stepped interface, the coupled movement may also be achieved by commonly controlled motors for the seat and console.

Abstract: A vehicle headliner assembly includes a headliner, a handle, a housing, and a pivotable coupling. The pivotable coupling defines an axis. The handle and the housing are operably coupled to the pivotable coupling. The handle is selectively rotatable about the pivotable coupling from a stowed position to a deployed position. The housing is selectively rotatable about the pivotable coupling from a closed position to an open position.

Abstract: A constrictable clamp has an opening configured for insertion of an end of a weightlifting bar therethrough. A tightening mechanism includes a knob coupled to a spool for manually winding a length of a cable around the spool and tightening the constrictable clamp onto the weightlifting bar. The knob is movable between an engaged position locked with the spool and a disengaged position from the spool to relax the cable and open the clamp.

Abstract: An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment comprises a seat adapted for moving in a travel direction and a console coupled to the movable seat. The console may include one or more of the following: (a) a collapsible portion for collapsing as a body portion of the console travels with the movable seat in the travel direction; (b) a stepped interface for connecting with the movable seat; (c) a rear drawer with a tiltable door to facilitate access by rear passengers; and (d) a deployable holder for a mobile handheld computer. A stationary base may also be provided for supporting the console during movement, such as along guide rails, which base may contain HVAC components, such as ducts, or electronic components, such as wires. Instead of a mechanical connection using a stepped interface, the coupled movement may also be achieved by commonly controlled motors for the seat and console.

Abstract: An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment comprises a seat adapted for moving in a travel direction and a console coupled to the movable seat. The console may include one or more of the following: (a) a collapsible portion for collapsing as a body portion of the console travels with the movable seat in the travel direction; (b) a stepped interface for connecting with the movable seat; (c) a rear drawer with a tiltable door to facilitate access by rear passengers; and (d) a deployable holder for a mobile handheld computer. A stationary base may also be provided for supporting the console during movement, such as along guide rails, which base may contain HVAC components, such as ducts, or electronic components, such as wires. Instead of a mechanical connection using a stepped interface, the coupled movement may also be achieved by commonly controlled motors for the seat and console.

Abstract: An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment comprises a seat adapted for moving in a travel direction and a console coupled to the movable seat. The console may include one or more of the following: (a) a collapsible portion for collapsing as a body portion of the console travels with the movable seat in the travel direction; (b) a stepped interface for connecting with the movable seat; (c) a rear drawer with a tiltable door to facilitate access by rear passengers; and (d) a deployable holder for a mobile handheld computer. A stationary base may also be provided for supporting the console during movement, such as along guide rails, which base may contain HVAC components, such as ducts, or electronic components, such as wires. Instead of a mechanical connection using a stepped interface, the coupled movement may also be achieved by commonly controlled motors for the seat and console.

Abstract: An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment comprises a seat adapted for moving in a travel direction and a console coupled to the movable seat. The console may include one or more of the following: (a) a collapsible portion for collapsing as a body portion of the console travels with the movable seat in the travel direction; (b) a stepped interface for connecting with the movable seat; (c) a rear drawer with a tiltable door to facilitate access by rear passengers; and (d) a deployable holder for a mobile handheld computer. A stationary base may also be provided for supporting the console during movement, such as along guide rails, which base may contain HVAC components, such as ducts, or electronic components, such as wires. Instead of a mechanical connection using a stepped interface, the coupled movement may also be achieved by commonly controlled motors for the seat and console.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for storing and deploying a cell phone. That apparatus includes a guide track and a carriage displaceable along the guide track between a storage position and a deployed position. A drive element displaces the carriage between the two positions and a damping mechanism ensures that the carriage moves with a smooth and consistent motion along the guide track.