Abstract: Interior panels having integrated airbag deployment doors for motor vehicles and methods for making such interior panels are provided. In one example, an interior panel for a motor vehicle includes a substrate. The substrate includes a substrate section and an insert. The insert is disposed in the substrate section such that a frangible tear seam is formed along an interface between the insert and the substrate section defining an integrated airbag deployment door in the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of making interior panels having integrated airbag deployment doors for motor vehicles are provided. In one example, a method of making an interior panel comprises contacting a molten resin in a molding tool cavity with a plurality of juxtaposed pressurized gas streams to form a series of holes, bubbles, knit lines, or combinations thereof in the molten resin. The molten resin is solidified to form a substrate. The series of holes, bubbles, knit lines, or combinations thereof define a frangible tear seam in the substrate.

Abstract: Interior panels having integrated airbag deployment doors for motor vehicles and methods for making such interior panels are provided. In one example, an interior panel for a motor vehicle includes a substrate. The substrate includes a substrate section and a film insert. The film insert is disposed in the substrate section such that a frangible tear seam is formed along an interface between the film insert and the substrate section defining an integrated airbag deployment door in the substrate.

Abstract: Interior panels having integrated airbag deployment doors for motor vehicles and methods for making such interior panels are provided. In one example, an interior panel for a motor vehicle includes a substrate. The substrate includes a substrate section and a film insert. The film insert is disposed in the substrate section such that a frangible tear seam is formed along an interface between the film insert and the substrate section defining an integrated airbag deployment door in the substrate.

Abstract: Interior panels having integrated airbag deployment doors for motor vehicles and methods for making such interior panels are provided. In one example, an interior panel for a motor vehicle includes a substrate. The substrate includes a substrate section and an insert The insert is disposed in the substrate section such that a frangible tear seam is formed along an interface between the insert and the substrate section defining an integrated airbag deployment door in the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of making interior panels having integrated airbag deployment doors for motor vehicles are provided. In one example, a method of making an interior panel comprises contacting a molten resin in a molding tool cavity with a plurality of juxtaposed pressurized gas streams to form a series of holes, bubbles, knit lines, or combinations thereof in the molten resin. The molten resin is solidified to form a substrate. The series of holes, bubbles, knit lines, or combinations thereof define a frangible tear seam in the substrate.

Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes a glass assembly, a lift plate, and an actuator mechanism coupled with the glass assembly by the lift plate. The glass assembly has an aperture formed therethrough, and the actuator mechanism moves the glass assembly by applying a load at the aperture. A fastener may extend at least partially through the aperture from a shoulder at one side of the glass sheet to an end at an opposite side of the glass sheet. The window assembly may also include a coupling layer, such as an adhesive layer, between the fastener and the glass sheet. The window assembly can be constructed in a relatively compact configuration to save space within a vehicle door or panel.

Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes a glass assembly, a lift plate, and an actuator mechanism coupled with the glass assembly by the lift plate. The glass assembly has an aperture formed therethrough, and the actuator mechanism moves the glass assembly by applying a load at the aperture. A fastener may extend at least partially through the aperture from a shoulder at one side of the glass sheet to an end at an opposite side of the glass sheet. The window assembly may also include a coupling layer, such as an adhesive layer, between the fastener and the glass sheet. The window assembly can be constructed in a relatively compact configuration to save space within a vehicle door or panel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying tension to a cable in a regulator system, include: permitting the cable to slide over a length of the peripheral surface extending between an entry point and exit point on a cable guide tensioner; and urging the cable guide tensioner to rotate where the rotation results in varying at least one of the length and a distance between the entry point and exit point, and induce tension in the cable.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle seat cushion is provided including a resilient body with a top surface and a bottom surface and a multi-dimensional bore intersecting the top and bottom surfaces, the bore having a shoulder juxtaposed between the top and bottom surfaces; a membrane cover for covering at least a portion of the top surface of the resilient body and having connected thereto a rod extending generally parallel to the top surface; and a retainer which has a base adjacent the resilient body bore shoulder, a hook extending from the base with an opening toward the resilient body bottom surface, and a guide for aligning the cover rod to a location between the guide and the hook to capture the rod and thereby retain the cover to the resilient body.