Abstract: A portable fuel container includes a fuel reservoir and an access port therefor, and an elongate flame mitigation device in the fuel reservoir behind the access port. The flame mitigation device includes an open mouth sealed around the access port, a closed bottom opposing the mouth, and an intermediate tubular sidewall. In addition, the flame mitigation device has a woven construction. In relation to the woven construction, the flame mitigation device includes inelastically resiliently flexible interwoven warps and wefts. Moreover, the flame mitigation device interstitially defines quenching openings between the warps and the wefts configured to allow liquid fuel therethrough, but prevent air-fuel mixtures ignited as flames from propagating therethrough. Moreover, the flame mitigation device is elastically flexible to hold its shape, but elastically flex under manual manipulation.

Abstract: A portable fuel container includes a fuel reservoir and an access port therefor, and an elongate flame mitigation device in the fuel reservoir behind the access port. The flame mitigation device includes an open mouth sealed around the access port, a closed bottom opposing the mouth, and an intermediate tubular sidewall. In addition, the flame mitigation device has a woven construction. In relation to woven construction, the flame mitigation device includes inelastically resiliently flexible interwoven warps and wefts. Moreover, the flame mitigation device interstitially defines quenching openings between the warps and the wefts configured to allow liquid fuel therethrough, but prevent air-fuel mixtures ignited as flames from propagating therethrough. Moreover, the flame mitigation device is elastically flexible to hold its shape, but elastically flex under manual manipulation.

Abstract: A component of a motor vehicle comprising a photoluminescent interior member formed of a plastic composition, wherein the plastic composition comprises at least one polymer and a plurality of additives comprising at least one photoluminescent material and at least a first ultraviolet protector, wherein the at least one photoluminescent material absorbs electromagnetic radiation in a first ultraviolet range of an electromagnetic spectrum, and thereafter emits electromagnetic radiation in a visible radiation range of the electromagnetic spectrum, and wherein the first ultraviolet protector is an ultraviolet absorber, wherein the ultraviolet absorber absorbs electromagnetic radiation in a second ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum and does not absorb electromagnetic radiation in the first ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: A vehicle body front end preassembly and method of making a vehicle front end assembly is disclosed. The vehicle body front end preassembly includes a frame to which an integrated front end module formed by an injection molding process is secured. The integrated front end module extends transversely across the vehicle and is provided with a plurality of fastener receptacles that are integrally molded as part of the integrated front end module. A plurality of reinforcement ribs are integrally molded as part of the integrated front end module. Unpainted body panels are secured to some of the fastener receptacles. The frame, injection molded integrated front end module, and body panels are then hot dipped in an electro-coating bath. According to the method of the present invention, the integrated front end module is injection molded to include integrally molded fastener receptacle and integrally molded reinforcement ribs that are injection molded from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A vehicle body front end preassembly and method of making a vehicle front end assembly is disclosed. According to the method of the present invention, the integrated front end module (10) is injection molded to include integrally molded fastener receptacle (32) and integrally molded reinforcement ribs (28) that are injection molded from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer. A partially assembly vehicle body (12) is provided that has partially unattached body panels that are secured to the frame (14). Unattached body panels are secured to the integrated front end module (10). The preassembly is then immersed in an electro-coat bath, painted and then baked in a paint oven.

Abstract: A bumper system includes an elongated beam configured to be operatively mounted to the frame of the vehicle. Also included is a foam portion that extends along a portion of the beam and a fascia surrounding the foam portion. The fascia and the foam portion are operatively attached to the beam. The foam portion has a plurality of recesses formed therein which extend through a predetermined thickness of an inside portion of the foam portion. An integrated cylindrical cell matrix is disposed with the recesses and is configured to absorb energy resulting from impact force applied to an external portion of the bumper.

Abstract: A removable hardtop including inner and outer roof panels made of molded fiber reinforced sheet molding compound. An integral roll bar is formed in the inner roof panel. A hold down clamp and bracket having horizontal, vertical and transverse flanges mounted on a horizontal edge, vertical surface and transverse surface of a B pillar of a vehicle. A method of molding the inner and outer roof panels and assembling component parts to the inner and outer roof panels is also disclosed.

Abstract: A removable hardtop including inner and outer roof panels made of molded fiber reinforced sheet molding compound. An integral roll bar is formed in the inner roof panel. A hold down clamp and bracket having horizontal, vertical and transverse flanges mounted on a horizontal edge, vertical surface and transverse surface of a B pillar of a vehicle. A method of molding the inner and outer roof panels and assembling component parts to the inner and outer roof panels is also disclosed.

Abstract: The method of making a vehicle body panel includes blow molding all or a substantial portion of the vehicle body panel and then securing attachments to openings formed on the blow molded body or to peripheral portions of the blow molded body.

Abstract: A bumper system includes an elongated beam configured to be operatively mounted to the frame of the vehicle. Also included is a foam portion that extends along a portion of the beam and a fascia surrounding the foam portion. The fascia and the foam portion are operatively attached to the beam. The foam portion has a plurality of recesses formed therein which extend through a predetermined thickness of an inside portion of the foam portion. An integrated cylindrical cell matrix is disposed with the recesses and is configured to absorb energy resulting from impact force applied to an external portion of the bumper.

Abstract: A removable hardtop including inner and outer roof panels made of molded fiber reinforced sheet molding compound. An integral roll bar is formed in the inner roof panel. A hold down clamp and bracket having horizontal, vertical and transverse flanges mounted on a horizontal edge, vertical surface and transverse surface of a B pillar of a vehicle. A method of molding the inner and outer roof panels and assembling component parts to the inner and outer roof panels is also disclosed.

Abstract: The method of making a vehicle body panel includes blow molding all or a substantial portion of the vehicle body panel and then securing attachments to openings formed on the blow molded body or to peripheral portions of the blow molded body.

Abstract: A vehicle body panel that is formed in part by a blow molding process. Attachments may be assembled to openings formed by cutting off part of a blow molded body. Alternatively, attachments such as seals or seal retainers may be secured to peripheral portions of the blow molded body. The method of making a vehicle body panel includes blow molding all or a substantial portion of the vehicle body panel and then securing attachments to openings formed on the blow molded body or to peripheral portions of the blow molded body.

Abstract: A vehicle body front end preassembly and method of making a vehicle front end assembly is disclosed. The vehicle body front end preassembly includes a frame to which an integrated front end module formed by an injection molding process is secured. The integrated front end module extends transversely across the vehicle and is provided with a plurality of fastener receptacles that are integrally molded as part of the integrated front end module. A plurality of reinforcement ribs are integrally molded as part of the integrated front end module. Unpainted body panels are secured to some of the fastener receptacles. The frame, injection molded integrated front end module, and body panels are then hot dipped in an electro-coating bath. According to the method of the present invention, the integrated front end module is injection molded to include integrally molded fastener receptacle and integrally molded reinforcement ribs that are injection molded from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A vehicle body front end preassembly and method of making a vehicle front end assembly is disclosed. The vehicle body front end preassembly includes a frame to which an integrated front end module formed by an injection molding process is secured. The integrated front end module extends transversely across the vehicle and is provided with a plurality of fastener receptacles that are integrally molded as part of the integrated front end module. A plurality of reinforcement ribs are integrally molded as part of the integrated front end module. Unpainted body panels are secured to some of the fastener receptacles. The frame, injection molded integrated front end module, and body panels are then hot dipped in an electro-coating bath. According to the method of the present invention, the integrated front end module is injection molded to include integrally molded fastener receptacle and integrally molded reinforcement ribs that are injection molded from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A removable hardtop including inner and outer roof panels made of molded fiber reinforced sheet molding compound. An integral roll bar is formed in the inner roof panel. A hold down clamp and bracket having horizontal, vertical and transverse flanges mounted on a horizontal edge, vertical surface and transverse surface of a B pillar of a vehicle. A method of molding the inner and outer roof panels and assembling component parts to the inner and outer roof panels is also disclosed.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus method and system for molding a plastic article having inward or outward projections on the exterior surface. The injection mold has a first and second mold part adapted to move between a closed, molding position and an open, article-recovering position and which defines a mold cavity for an article to be molded. The first expandable cavity mold part has a base with an opening therethrough and a plurality of outwardly tapered arms extending from the base to an open end that extends into the mold cavity where it is held in place by a striker plate during the injection molding process. The second inner mandrel mold part has a one and other end adapted to move reciprocally and longitudinally within the base and arms of the expandable cavity element, the top end threaded to form the interior threaded surface of the injection molded article.

Abstract: An expandable cavity core element for use in a method and system for molding a plastic article having inward or outward projections on the exterior surface. The injection mold has an expandable cavity core element adapted to move between a closed, molding position and an open, article-recovering position and which defines a mold cavity for an article to be molded. The cavity element has a base with an opening therethrough and a plurality of outwardly tapered arms extending from the base to an open end that extends into the mold cavity where it is held in place by a striker plate during the injection molding process. The cavity element has an outer, tapered exterior surface length which is always equal to or larger than the total molding length of the interior molding cavity. The cavity element may include an outwardly tapered exterior surface or a multiple-tapered exterior surface, such as an outwardly tapered surface and then an inwardly tapered surface.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus method and system for molding a plastic article having inward or outward projections on the exterior surface. The injection mold has a first and second mold part adapted to move between a closed, molding position and an open, article-recovering position and which defines a mold cavity for an article to be molded. The first expandable cavity mold part has a base with an opening therethrough and a plurality of outwardly tapered arms extending from the base to an open end that extends into the mold cavity where it is held in place by a striker plate during the injection molding process. The second inner mandrel mold part has a one and other end adapted to move reciprocally and longitudinally within the base and arms of the expandable cavity element, the top end threaded to form the interior threaded surface of the injection molded article.