Abstract: A vehicle beverage receptacle may include a beverage receptacle including a plurality of fingers protruding radially inwardly into the receptacle to maintain a beverage container within the receptacle, a band arranged around an outer perimeter of the receptacle and engaging a backside of the fingers to apply a radially inward force at the fingers, and a tension adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the tension of the band and adjust the force applied at the fingers.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating a spare tire and changing tools held in a well under a floorboard of a motor vehicle includes a light source and an activation switch. The activation switch is configured to turn on the light source when the floorboard is raised to access the spare tire and changing tools in the well. A related method of illuminating a spare tire held in a well under a floorboard of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating a cargo area of a motor vehicle includes a displaceable floor panel, a lift point on the floor panel, a first light source configured to illuminate that lift point and a second light source configured to illuminate a spare tire and tools contained in a well below the floor panel and a third light that illuminates a warning image located on the face oriented toward the rear of the motor vehicle when the floor panel is raised from the well.

Abstract: A storage assembly is provided herein. The storage assembly includes a console housing defined by a plurality of surfaces. A member extends along at least one of the plurality of surfaces and is movable along the console housing between a closed position and an open position. The member defines a storage compartment in the open position.

Abstract: A tire lift assembly including a body and a pair of moveable arms is provided. The body may include two handles. Each of the moveable arms extends from the body. Each arm may have an end to grasp a vehicle tire when in a first position and to release the vehicle tire when in a second position. Each of the movable arms may extend from the body at a living hinge to facilitate movement of each of the moveable arms. The body may be of a flexible material to facilitate movement of each of the pair of moveable arms. The body may further define a pair of handle through-holes. Each of the pair of handle through-holes may be located adjacent one of the two handles. Each of the pair of handle through-holes may be located adjacent a living hinge to facilitate pivotal movement of each of the moveable arms.

Abstract: A tonneau cover for a vehicle storage area includes a retractable screen that extends from a housing to define extended and retracted positions. A handle assembly is coupled to an outer edge of the retractable screen and has an expandable base that defines a collapsed position proximate the retractable screen and an expanded position that defines a storage volume.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a storage system is provided for use with a vehicle including a side wall and a rear wheel positioned below the side wall; the storage system includes a storage container receivable within an elongated space defined between inboard and outboard panels of the side wall, the storage container including front and rearward portions respectively positioned front and rear to the rearmost point of the rear wheel. The storage system may further include a leg portion for supporting the rearward portion of the storage container. The leg portion may be adjustable in length and may be attached to the elongated space or to the storage container.

Abstract: An illuminated center console has an outer bin, an inner bin positioned within the outer bin, a light source positioned within the outer bin and configured to emit light into the inner bin, a first and a second support member positioned above the inner and outer bins, and at least one wireless charger positioned proximate the inner bin.

Abstract: An illuminated window assembly that includes a glass substrate; a light barrier over the substrate having a reflective interior-facing and a tinted exterior-facing surface; a light-diffusing element over the barrier having first and second opposed edges; and an LED source or spaced LED sources configured to direct incident light into the first opposed edge. Further, a thickness of the element at the first opposed edge is greater than a thickness at the second opposed edge. The LED sources can also be directed into both the first and second opposed edges, wherein a thickness of the element at the first and the second opposed edge is greater than a thickness between the opposed edges.

Abstract: A tire lift assembly may include an upper plate, a rod, and a pair of handles. The rod may connect the upper plate to a trunk support surface spaced from the upper plate to receive a tire therebetween. Each of the pair of handles may be mounted for rotation to the upper plate and each may include a tab. Rotation of each of handles orients the respective tab for engagement and non-engagement with the tire. Each of the handles may be arranged with the upper plate so that the tabs define a dimension greater than a diameter of a rim through-hole of the tire when the tabs are rotated for engagement with the tire.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly including a visor body and a mirror panel pivotally connected to the visor body. The mirror panel includes a first mirror oriented in a first direction and a second mirror oriented in a second direction. The two mirrors have different magnification factors.

Abstract: A head restraint for a seating assembly of a vehicle comprising: an exterior surface; one or more interior wall surfaces disposed beneath the exterior surface forming an internal receptacle; an opening into the internal receptacle; the internal receptacle comprising a bottom; and the one or more interior wall surfaces are configured to prevent an object resting on the bottom from falling out of the internal receptacle through the opening during normal use of the vehicle.

Abstract: A lighting system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a controller in communication with at least one light source and an occupancy sensor. The controller is configured to control an activation emission output from the light source configured to charge a persistent luminescent portion. The controller is further configured to detect an occupancy of the vehicle and charge the luminescent portion by periodically outputting the activation emission. The controller determines the periodicity of the output based on the occupancy.

Abstract: An illuminated storage assembly disposed within a vehicle is provided herein. The illuminated storage assembly includes a housing defining a storage compartment laterally extending into an instrument panel. A cover is operably coupled to the housing to support the cover between open and closed positions. A light source is disposed within the illuminated storage assembly and is configured to illuminate a feature of the illuminated storage assembly based on the position of the cover.

Abstract: A cup holder assembly includes a pair of planar bodies each defining a rim, and a pair of fabric pouches that are each attached to one of the rims. The planar bodies are pivotably attached to each other and are configured such that, in a folded position, the rims are stacked and the fabric pouches are nested within each other, and in a deployed position, the rims and fabric pouches are side-by-side.

Abstract: A tire lift assembly may include an upper plate, a rod, and a pair of handles. The rod may connect the upper plate to a trunk support surface spaced from the upper plate to receive a tire therebetween. Each of the pair of handles may be mounted for rotation to the upper plate and each may include a tab. Rotation of each of handles orients the respective tab for engagement and non-engagement with the tire. Each of the handles may be arranged with the upper plate so that the tabs define a dimension greater than a diameter of a rim through-hole of the tire when the tabs are rotated for engagement with the tire.

Abstract: A door assembly includes a door and a pusher. The door defines a cavity. The pusher is fixed to the door in the cavity, and the pusher contains a non-Newtonian fluid. The door assembly may be installed in a vehicle. Because the pusher contains a non-Newtonian fluid, the pusher distributes force from the impact to an occupant in a manner that depends on a size of the occupant.

Abstract: A spare tire presentation device includes a guide, a carriage displaceable along the guide and a spare tire support on the carriage. The spare tire support is displaceable between a first position and a second position. A related method of accessing a spare tire is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a table that may be selectively stored in a portion of a vehicle console. An outer housing member having a storage cavity therein attaches to a side of the vehicle console. A support shaft supporting a table is mounted for sliding and rotational movement with respect to the vehicle console. The support shaft is slidable in a first direction from a storage position wherein the table is positioned in a vertical orientation in the cavity of the outer housing member. The support shaft is also rotatable 270 degrees from the storage position to move the table into a horizontal use position after removal from the storage position.

Abstract: An instrument panel storage system is provided for a motor vehicle. That storage system includes an instrument panel having a storage cavity defining a first docking station and a removable storage bin held in the cavity at the first docking station. Further the storage system includes one or more remote docking stations that allow the removable storage bin to be positioned at different locations within the motor vehicle as desired by the vehicle occupants.