Abstract: A seat component assembly includes a structural body comprised of a natural fiber polypropylene material and an additional seat component attached to the structural body to provide a seat back or a seat cushion. A method of forming a seat component assembly includes forming a structural body comprised of a natural fiber polypropylene material and attaching an additional seat component to the structural body to provide a seat back or a seat cushion.

Abstract: A storage compartment for a passenger cabin of a vehicle can provide a large opening and increased accessibility, while maintaining a large working surface. The storage compartment comprises a plurality of walls forming an interior storage area, the plurality of walls including an exterior comprising at least a first panel and a second panel. The first panel has an access end and the second panel has an access end. The access end of the first panel and the access end of the second panel are configured to create a working surface on the exterior when in a closed position. In an open position, the first panel or the second panel is configured to allow access to the interior storage area from two or more different sides of the exterior.

Abstract: A method of making a vehicle seat includes molding a discontinuous layer of foam on a non-decorative side of a decorative layer of material to form a seat panel that subsequently forms part of an exterior surface of the seat. A portion of the decorative layer is positioned in a foam molding cavity, and another portion of the decorative layer is excluded from the molding cavity. The excluded portion can be temporarily folded into a loop and reside in a secondary cavity of the molding tool during molding. The discontinuous layer of foam can be wider than the molding tool with foam portions selectively positioned along the decorative layer.

Abstract: A vehicle console has a rotatable portion with opposite sides that are different distances from a rotational axis. Rotation by 180 degrees from a first position to a second position changes the vertical position of a beam portion of the console. One side can have a particular look or functionality, and the opposite side can have a different look or functionality thereby giving users more choices while occupying the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: A vehicle console has a rotatable portion with opposite sides that are different distances from a rotational axis. Rotation by 180 degrees from a first position to a second position changes the vertical position of a beam portion of the console. One side can have a particular look or functionality, and the opposite side can have a different look or functionality thereby giving users more choices while occupying the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes an engraved image at a decorative side of the panel. The image is produced by selectively removing a film layer from a compression molding to expose an underlying surface of a substrate layer in a desired pattern. The substrate layer is formed from a composite material including natural fibers. A laser beam is configured to remove the film layer and to cauterize the natural fibers along the pattern. The cauterization has an anti-aging effect on the natural fibers by increasing color stability and water resistance of the exposed composite material.

Abstract: A trim-cover fastener is provided to couple a trim cover to a seat pan to form a seat bottom or a seat back of a passenger seat. Trim-cover fastener includes one piece coupled to the trim cover and another piece coupled to the seat pan.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes an engraved image at a decorative side of the panel. The image is produced by selectively removing a film layer from a compression molding to expose an underlying surface of a substrate layer in a desired pattern. The substrate layer is formed from a composite material including natural fibers. A laser beam is configured to remove the film layer and to cauterize the natural fibers along the pattern. The cauterization has an anti-aging effect on the natural fibers by increasing color stability and water resistance of the exposed composite material.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes an elastically compressible layer between a substrate and a decorative skin layer. The compressible layer has a non-uniform thickness along which voids are formed within the thickness of the panel. A center console can be equipped with the panel in the form of a tambour door that opens to access a storage space in the console and closes to serve as a cushioned armrest. The compressible layer can be formed from a foam material molded directly onto the decorative layer and shaped as a series of projections that are attached to flexibly interconnected crossmembers of the substrate. Thin portions of the compressible layer between the projections facilitate reversible bending of the panel during movement along curved guides.

Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes an elastically compressible layer between a substrate and a decorative skin layer. The compressible layer has a non-uniform thickness along which voids are formed within the thickness of the panel. A center console can be equipped with the panel in the form of a tambour door that opens to access a storage space in the console and closes to serve as a cushioned armrest. The compressible layer can be formed from a foam material molded directly onto the decorative layer and shaped as a series of projections that are attached to flexibly interconnected crossmembers of the substrate. Thin portions of the compressible layer between the projections facilitate reversible bending of the panel during movement along curved guides.

Abstract: A trim-cover fastener is provided to couple a trim cover to a seat pan to form a seat bottom or a seat back of a passenger seat. Trim-cover fastener includes one piece coupled to the trim cover and another piece coupled to the seat pan.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom (16) and a seat back (18) extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The seat back (18) includes a backrest and a backrest cover (28) coupled to the backrest, said backrest including a backrest frame (26) made from composite materials.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom (16) and a seat back (18) extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The seat back (18) includes a backrest and a backrest cover (28) coupled to the backrest, said backrest including a backrest frame (26) made from composite materials.

Abstract: A flat seam construction made up of a number of sequentially formed stitches and formed on a portion of one or more stitchable materials is disclosed. Each stitch has two outer threads, formed into first and second outer thread loops, and at least one inner thread, formed into at least one inner thread loop. Each of the inner and outer thread loops transversely penetrate the one or more stitchable materials. Each of the inner and outer thread loops have a bight portion engaging a bottom surface of the one or more stitchable materials. At least one looper thread is formed on the bottom surface, and arranged such that, the at least one looper thread passes between the bottom surface and at least one of the bight portions. At least one decorative thread is visible on a top surface of the seam construction.

Abstract: A flat seam construction made up of a number of sequentially formed stitches and formed on a portion of one or more stitchable materials is disclosed. Each stitch has two outer threads, formed into first and second outer thread loops, and at least one inner thread, formed into at least one inner thread loop. Each of the inner and outer thread loops transversely penetrate the one or more stitchable materials. Each of the inner and outer thread loops have a bight portion engaging a bottom surface of the one or more stitchable materials. At least one looper thread is formed on the bottom surface, and arranged such that, the at least one looper thread passes between the bottom surface and at least one of the bight portions. At least one decorative thread is visible on a top surface of the seam construction. The at least one decorative thread loops around at least said first outer thread loop at a penetration point thereof.

Abstract: A flat seam construction made up of a number of sequentially formed stitches and formed on a portion of one or more stitchable materials is disclosed. Each stitch has two outer threads, formed into first and second outer thread loops, and at least one inner thread, formed into at least one inner thread loop. Each of the inner and outer thread loops transversely penetrate the one or more stitchable materials. Each of the inner and outer thread loops have a bight portion engaging a bottom surface of the one or more stitchable materials. At least one looper thread is formed on the bottom surface, and arranged such that, the at least one looper thread passes between the bottom surface and at least one of the bight portions. At least one decorative thread is visible on a top surface of the seam construction. The at least one decorative thread loops around at least said first outer thread loop at a penetration point thereof.

Abstract: A flat seam construction made up of a number of sequentially formed stitches and formed on a portion of one or more stitchable materials is disclosed. Each stitch has two outer threads, formed into first and second outer thread loops, and at least one inner thread, formed into at least one inner thread loop. Each of the inner and outer thread loops transversely penetrate the one or more stitchable materials. Each of the inner and outer thread loops have a bight portion engaging a bottom surface of the one or more stitchable materials. At least one looper thread is formed on the bottom surface, and arranged such that, the at least one looper thread passes between the bottom surface and at least one of the bight portions. At least one decorative thread is visible on a top surface of the seam construction.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and method are disclosed which may include a skin including a molded groove, the skin having an exposed surface and a lower surface, the skin forming a sheet of material; a seal having an upper surface disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the skin and covering a region of the lower surface of the skin including the molded groove; at least one strand of stitching material threaded between the exposed surface of the skin and the foam backing layer; and a backing layer forming a backing for the skin and the seal, the backing layer having an upper surface secured to the skin and the seal, and a lower surface.

Abstract: A holder for holding one or more objects that may include a housing; and a grasping mechanism comprising a plurality of arms, each arm including a post anchored in the housing, a panel pivotally coupled to the post, and a spring operable to bias the arm in a grasping direction, thereby providing a plurality of panels biased by a plurality of respective springs.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and method are disclosed which may include a skin including a molded groove, the skin having an exposed surface and a lower surface, the skin forming a sheet of material; a seal having an upper surface disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the skin and covering a region of the lower surface of the skin including the molded groove; at least one strand of stitching material threaded between the exposed surface of the skin and the foam backing layer; and a backing layer forming a backing for the skin and the seal, the backing layer having an upper surface secured to the skin and the seal, and a lower surface.