Abstract: A wiper system for clearing an outer surface of a window is disclosed and includes an arm, a frame, a blade, and an actuator operatively connected to the arm. The arm includes a parked position and defines a proximate end portion and a distal end portion. The arm is pivotable about the proximate end portion of the arm out of the parked position. The frame is pivotally connected to the distal end portion of the arm. The frame defines a lengthwise distance. The blade extends along at least a lengthwise portion of the frame. The blade defines an edge that is configured to contact the outer surface of the window when the arm is in the parked position. The actuator is configured to exert a force against the arm that is sufficient to urge the arm out of the parked position and away from the outer surface of the window.

Abstract: A console drawer assembly is provided for a vehicle that includes, in one example: a housing having a recess formed therein. The housing is configured to fit between a driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle. The console drawer assembly also includes a drawer that is oriented to open into a floor area associated with back seats of the vehicle; the drawer is configured to slidably move within the recess, the drawer being movable between an open position and a closed position. In addition, the console drawer assembly includes a first spring dampening mechanism mounted to the housing, the first spring dampening mechanism extends into the recess, and is oriented to make contact with an exterior surface of the drawer in a first pre-identified stress region, and to absorb vertical stress therefrom.

Abstract: A wiper system for clearing an outer surface of a window is disclosed and includes an arm, a frame, a blade, and an actuator operatively connected to the arm. The arm includes a parked position and defines a proximate end portion and a distal end portion. The arm is pivotable about the proximate end portion of the arm out of the parked position. The frame is pivotally connected to the distal end portion of the arm. The frame defines a lengthwise distance. The blade extends along at least a lengthwise portion of the frame. The blade defines an edge that is configured to contact the outer surface of the window when the arm is in the parked position. The actuator is configured to exert a force against the arm that is sufficient to urge the arm out of the parked position and away from the outer surface of the window.

Abstract: A console drawer assembly is provided for a vehicle that includes, in one example: a housing having a recess formed therein. The housing is configured to fit between a driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle. The console drawer assembly also includes a drawer that is oriented to open into a floor area associated with back seats of the vehicle; the drawer is configured to slidably move within the recess, the drawer being movable between an open position and a closed position. In addition, the console drawer assembly includes a first spring dampening mechanism mounted to the housing, the first spring dampening mechanism extends into the recess, and is oriented to make contact with an exterior surface of the drawer in a first pre-identified stress region, and to absorb vertical stress therefrom.

Abstract: A transmission shifter assembly includes a shifter and a shifter bezel. The shifter includes a shifter body and a shifter handle movably coupled to the shifter body. The shifter bezel includes a bezel body and defines a handle opening extending through the bezel body. The handle opening is sized to partially receive the shifter handle. The shifter handle extends through the handle opening. The transmission shifter assembly further includes a plurality of locating features, such as shock absorbers, interconnecting the shifter bezel and the shifter body in order to align the shifter bezel relative to the shifter.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a phone charger assembly that may include a housing assembly that may include a retainer body, a housing, a housing liner, a vent, and trim which may be constructed and arranged to house a cell phone. The housing may be dimensioned to store a multitude of cellphones in a vertical position. The phone charger assembly may further include a pawl assembly that may include a pawl ratchet, a plurality of screws, a pawl, and a release wherein the pawl assembly is constructed and arranged to raise and lower the housing within the phone charge assembly. Additionally, the phone charger assembly may include a gear rail assembly which may include at least one gear rail and at least one dampener. The gear rail assembly and pawl assembly may be constructed and arranged to raise and lower the housing within the phone charge assembly.

Abstract: A key catcher for a storage unit including a trim panel, a compartment housing, and an openable compartment door having a length and an outer surface includes a sweeper and a biasing member. The sweeper is connected to the compartment housing and is configured to conform to the outer surface of the compartment door along the length of the compartment door. The biasing member is connected to the compartment housing and the sweeper and is configured to urge the sweeper toward the outer surface of the compartment door. The sweeper contacts the outer surface of the compartment door along the length of the compartment door when the compartment door is in an open position, a closed position, and any position between the open and closed positions such that a small item, such as a key, credit card, or change, cannot fall between the openable door and the trim panel.

Abstract: A key catcher for a storage unit including a trim panel, a compartment housing, and an openable compartment door having a length and an outer surface includes a sweeper and a biasing member. The sweeper is connected to the compartment housing and is configured to conform to the outer surface of the compartment door along the length of the compartment door. The biasing member is connected to the compartment housing and the sweeper and is configured to urge the sweeper toward the outer surface of the compartment door. The sweeper contacts the outer surface of the compartment door along the length of the compartment door when the compartment door is in an open position, a closed position, and any position between the open and closed positions such that a small item, such as a key, credit card, or change, cannot fall between the openable door and the trim panel.

Abstract: An adjustable device positioner is configured for storage and access of a variety of devices, each having a back, a first end, a second end, and a length. The device positioner includes a bin, a tray, and an end rest. The tray is disposed inside the bin and has a back rest surface. The tray is positioned such that the back rest surface supports the backs of the devices. The end rest is operatively connected to one of the bin and the tray. The end rest has an end rest surface configured to support the first ends of the devices. The end rest is movable to and lockable in a selected position to accommodate the lengths of the devices such that the second ends of the devices protrude from both the tray and the bin for easy hand access when the devices are stored in the adjustable device positioner.

Abstract: A transmission shifter assembly includes a shifter and a shifter bezel. The shifter includes a shifter body and a shifter handle movably coupled to the shifter body. The shifter bezel includes a bezel body and defines a handle opening extending through the bezel body. The handle opening is sized to partially receive the shifter handle. The shifter handle extends through the handle opening. The transmission shifter assembly further includes a plurality of locating features, such as shock absorbers, interconnecting the shifter bezel and the shifter body in order to align the shifter bezel relative to the shifter.

Abstract: An adjustable device positioner is configured for storage and access of a variety of devices, each having a back, a first end, a second end, and a length. The device positioner includes a bin, a tray, and an end rest. The tray is disposed inside the bin and has a back rest surface. The tray is positioned such that the back rest surface supports the backs of the devices. The end rest is operatively connected to one of the bin and the tray. The end rest has an end rest surface configured to support the first ends of the devices. The end rest is movable to and lockable in a selected position to accommodate the lengths of the devices such that the second ends of the devices protrude from both the tray and the bin for easy hand access when the devices are stored in the adjustable device positioner.

Abstract: An inertia locking mechanism for a bin having a bin lid and subjectable to an applied force resulting in an acceleration includes a housing attachable to the bin, a bracket attachable to the bin lid and having a locking feature, a locking pin, a biasing member, and a trigger. The locking pin is linearly moveable in the housing. The trigger has a triggering mass and is connected to the housing via a trigger pivot. The triggering mass is offset from the trigger pivot such that the triggering mass applies a torque to the trigger when the acceleration occurs in each of the front, rear, left, and right directions. The trigger is configured to release the locking pin when the acceleration exceeds a threshold acceleration such that the biasing member urges the locking pin into the locking feature of the bracket to lock the bin lid in a closed position.

Abstract: An inertia locking mechanism for a bin having a bin lid and subjectable to an applied force resulting in an acceleration includes a housing attachable to the bin, a bracket attachable to the bin lid and having a locking feature, a locking pin, a biasing member, and a trigger. The locking pin is linearly moveable in the housing. The trigger has a triggering mass and is connected to the housing via a trigger pivot. The triggering mass is offset from the trigger pivot such that the triggering mass applies a torque to the trigger when the acceleration occurs in each of the front, rear, left, and right directions. The trigger is configured to release the locking pin when the acceleration exceeds a threshold acceleration such that the biasing member urges the locking pin into the locking feature of the bracket to lock the bin lid in a closed position.

Abstract: In one aspect, an elastically averaged alignment system is provided. The system includes a first component including an alignment member, the alignment member including a base portion extending from an edge of the first component, and a connector portion coupled to the base portion. The system also includes a second component including a receiving member. The receiving member includes a pair of cantilever members extending from an edge of the second component and defines a receiving aperture configured to receive at least a portion of the alignment member to couple the first component and the second component. The alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that when the alignment member is inserted into the receiving aperture, the alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component edge relative to the second component edge.

Abstract: In one aspect, an elastically averaged alignment system is provided. The system includes a first component including an alignment member, the alignment member including a base portion extending from an edge of the first component, and a connector portion coupled to the base portion. The system also includes a second component including a receiving member. The receiving member includes a pair of cantilever members extending from an edge of the second component and defines a receiving aperture configured to receive at least a portion of the alignment member to couple the first component and the second component. The alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that when the alignment member is inserted into the receiving aperture, the alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component edge relative to the second component edge.