Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates an airbag assembly comprising a panel having a tear seam forming at least one airbag door, and a door chute assembly comprising a laterally extending flange connected to the panel proximate the airbag door. The door chute assembly includes a chute depending from the flange away from the panel and the chute has at least one opening. The airbag assembly further comprises a door panel assembly including at least one door panel disposed within the chute and connected to the airbag door. The door panel has a downwardly depending flange having at least one projection extending laterally through the at least one opening of the chute. The airbag assembly further comprises an inflatable airbag mounted on the door chute.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates an airbag assembly comprising a panel having a tear seam forming at least one airbag door, and a door chute assembly comprising a laterally extending flange connected to the panel proximate the airbag door. The door chute assembly includes a chute depending from the flange away from the panel and the chute has at least one opening. The airbag assembly further comprises a door panel assembly including at least one door panel disposed within the chute and connected to the airbag door. The door panel has a downwardly depending flange having at least one projection extending laterally through the at least one opening of the chute. The airbag assembly further comprises an inflatable airbag mounted on the door chute.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates an airbag assembly comprising a panel having a tear seam forming at least one airbag door, and a door chute assembly comprising a laterally extending flange connected to the panel proximate the airbag door. The door chute assembly includes a chute depending from the flange away from the panel and the chute has at least one opening comprising a window portion communicating with an angled channel portion. The airbag assembly further comprises a door panel assembly including at least one door panel disposed within the chute and connected to the airbag door. The door panel has a downwardly depending flange having at least one projection extending laterally through the at least one opening of the chute. The airbag assembly further comprises an inflatable airbag mounted on the door chute.

Abstract: A vibration dampener for a vehicle to militate against vibration which results in undesirable noise. In an embodiment, the dampener is used in a steering column in the vehicle to militate against the vibration being transmitted to the hands of a driver during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A glove box door assembly for a glove box provided in an opening of an instrument panel of a vehicle defining an engagement surface includes a door body rotatably attached to an instrument panel of a vehicle about an axis of rotation. The door body has an inner surface and an outer surface. A bin extends outwardly from the inner surface of the door body, and includes an outer wall. A damper extends outwardly from the outer wall of the bin, and includes a damper surface. The glove box door assembly is movable between a closed position and an open position. The damper surface is disposed at an acute angle relative to a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and engages an engagement surface of an opening of the instrument panel to decelerate the glove box door assembly when the glove box door assembly moves from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting knee and glove box surface configurations on a support structure utilizing a universal energy-absorbing bracket capable of being mounted on cross-car beams of a number of different car lines for supporting the different knee and glove box surface configurations.

Abstract: A glove box door assembly for a glove box provided in an opening of an instrument panel of a vehicle defining an engagement surface includes a door body rotatably attached to an instrument panel of a vehicle about an axis of rotation. The door body has an inner surface and an outer surface. A bin extends outwardly from the inner surface of the door body, and includes an outer wall. A damper extends outwardly from the outer wall of the bin, and includes a damper surface. The glove box door assembly is movable between a closed position and an open position. The damper surface is disposed at an acute angle relative to a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and engages an engagement surface of an opening of the instrument panel to decelerate the glove box door assembly when the glove box door assembly moves from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting knee and glove box surface configurations on a support structure utilizing a universal energy-absorbing bracket capable of being mounted on cross-car beams of a number of different car lines for supporting the different knee and glove box surface configurations.

Abstract: A method of making a skin of an interior trim part and an interior trim part made according to the process. A male mold having a convex portion is used to form a skin having a uniform thickness that is sprayed on the surface of the mold. The surface of the mold has a grain pattern that is transferred to a skin. The skin is allowed to flash off or partially cure before being removed from the male mold. The skin is then turned inside out with the exterior surface being inverted to form a convex portion of the skin. The skin is placed into a female mold having a concave portion against which the convex portion of the skin is placed. Foam is injected into the inverted skin while in a female mold and is cured to form an interior trim part.

Abstract: A vibration dampener for a vehicle to militate against vibration which results in undesirable noise. In an embodiment, the dampener is used in a steering column in the vehicle to militate against the vibration being transmitted to the hands of a driver during operation of the vehicle.