Abstract: A cover assembly for covering a steering column of a telescoping steering assembly is provided. The cover assembly includes a roller portion, a blind portion, and a clip portion. The roller portion is attached within a meter panel, and includes a rod mounted between a pair of tensioners. The blind portion includes a film that is attached at a proximal end to the rod, such that the film is wound and unwound around the rod. The rod is biased by the tensioners to pull the film in a wound direction. At a distal end, the film is attached to the clip portion. The clip portion engages a hook in the film and attaches the film to a steering base. As the steering column moves in a linear, telescoping manner, the film covers the steering column while remaining taut.

Abstract: In an assist grip mounting structure, a pair of mounting parts 15 of an assist grip 10 are attached individually to a pair of mounted parts 5 on the roof side inner panel 2 side, and a coat hook part 20 projects from the one mounting part 15 side, a reinforcing plate 30 for reinforcing the coat hook part 20 overlaps a back surface 20U of the coat hook part 20.

Abstract: There is provided a sunroof device which can suppress any forgetfulness of closing of a roof panel through a simple switch manipulation when a shade panel is closed. The sunroof device has the roof panel which is driven by a roof-panel motor and is opened/closed in accordance with a manipulation of a roof-panel opening/closing switch, and the shade panel which is driven by a shade-panel motor and is opened/closed in accordance with a manipulation of a shade panel opening/closing switch. The roof-panel motor is driven together with the shade-panel motor to actuate the roof panel in the closed direction interlocking with the shade panel upon the shade-panel opening/closing switch receiving a manipulation input in the closed direction in a condition other than a condition in which both roof panel and shade panel are fully closed, and the roof panel is fully closed upon the shade panel becoming fully closed.

Abstract: A roof liner stiffener includes a rail and a first guide member. The rail is configured for attachment to a roof liner of a vehicle and includes a web and a plurality of ribs integral with the web. The first guide member is configured to support a first portion of an electrical wiring harness of a vehicle. The rail and the first guide member are integrally formed from a thermoplastic material as a unitary structure. The first guide member includes a first base and an elongate arm integral with, and extending away from, the first base. The elongate arm of the first guide member is bendable relative to the first base of the first guide member. Roof liner assemblies and vehicles are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle interior trim panel is provided with a rigid trim portion, a first flexible trim portion and a second flexible trim portion. The rigid trim portion includes a first opening and a second opening. The first flexible trim portion is attached to the rigid trim portion along an edge of the first opening. The first flexible trim portion at least partially covers the first opening. The second flexible trim portion is attached to the rigid trim portion along an edge of the second opening. The second flexible trim portion at least partially covers the second opening.

Abstract: A vehicle sunshade device is provided with guide rails arranged on both sides of an opening section provided on a vehicle roof and having guide grooves extending in a front-rear direction, a plurality of sunshade panels having sliders slidable along the guide grooves, and guide mechanisms for guiding the sliders of at least a rearmost sunshade panel of the sunshade panels upward or downward from the guide grooves in a transition from a spread-out state to a stored state. An elastic member is further provided on the vehicle roof and presses the rearmost sunshade panel on a front side sunshade panel, which is ahead of the rearmost sunshade panel, when the sliders of the rearmost sunshade panel enter the guide mechanisms.

Abstract: A magnetic fastener clip includes a base and a boss attached to the base. The boss has two or more ratchets. According to one embodiment, one end of the boss is attached to the base and the other end has the two or more ratchets. Alternatively, either or both ends may have the two or more ratchets. A magnetic fastener has a hole with suitable shape and diameter to adjustably fasten with at least one of the ratchets and adjustably fasten the magnetic fastener. An umbrella is positioned between the base and the magnetic fastener. The umbrella is operative to flex or compress appropriately to permit the magnetic fastener to engage at least one of the two or more ratchets. The magnetic fastener clip adapts to different surface curvatures and thicknesses. The magnetic fastener clip is operative for blind attachment into a structure, such as a vehicle chassis i.e. door frame, chassis or roof. The boss may optionally be welded to hold the magnetic fastener against the umbrella.

Abstract: A laminate product particularly useful in vehicular applications is described. The laminate product comprises a foam core having a first major surface and a second major surface. One or both of the major surfaces comprises a fibrous layer and an adhesive layer adhering the fibrous layer to the foam core. The process for producing the laminate product involves exposing an initial laminate product to infrared radiation. A portion of the adhesive layer between fibers in fibrous layer being ablated. The foam laminate product has improved sound absorption properties and while maintaining desirable strength and stiffness properties. In addition, in certain cases, the peel strength of the fibrous reinforcing layer to the foam core is significantly improved in the present foam laminate product compared to the conventional approaches.

Abstract: In a sunroof system including a sunroof panel and a sunshade panel that is configured to avoid pinching a foreign object with the sunroof panel or sunshade panel, when a pinching by one of the panels is detected, the other panel is controlled according to the information on the pinching by the one panel and the condition of the other panel so as to prevent the pinching of the same foreign object by the other panel.

Abstract: A vehicle roof assembly includes a vehicle roof structure, an accessory frame and a moveable member. The vehicle roof structure includes a first roof section with a mounting slot and a second roof section with a mounting structure. The accessory frame includes a first frame end that includes a mounting flange, and a second frame end that includes a complementary mounting structure. The mounting flange engages the mounting slot to couple the accessory frame to the vehicle roof structure and to enable the accessory frame to pivot relative to the vehicle roof structure between a pre-installation position and an installed position where the complementary mounting structure engages the mounting structure. The movable member is coupled to the accessory frame and moves between a first position proximate to one of the first and second frame ends, and a second position proximate to the other of the first and second frame ends.

Abstract: Headliners for vehicles and vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes an enclosed passenger compartment at least partially bounded by a roof structure. A headliner may be attached to an inboard side of the roof structure. The headliner may include an acoustical attenuator portion attached to an inboard side of the roof structure and an acoustical reflector portion attached to an inboard side of the acoustical attenuator portion. The acoustical attenuator portion absorbs acoustic energy incident on an outboard surface of the roof structure and the acoustical reflector portion reflects acoustic energy incident on an inboard side of the acoustical reflector portion. The enclosed passenger compartment has a Speech Transmission Index greater than 0.56 for acoustic energy incident on the inboard side of the acoustical reflector portion.

Abstract: The multi-segmented headliner for a vehicle includes an elongated intermediate segment, an elongated first side segment, and an elongated second side segment. In one configuration the segments are separate and form the complete headliner on assembly inside the roof of the vehicle. In another configuration the segments are joined together in a single piece, with the side segments being movable relative to the intermediate segment. Both configurations permit the replacement of the headliner of a van or sport utility by moving the headliner either in separate segments, or folded if a single piece, through the opening defined by the rear door or liftgate of the vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided a deflector mechanism for a sunroof apparatus which can reduce the number of parts, assembling processes, and a production cost. The sunroof apparatus includes a pair of guide rails provided at both sides of an opening formed in a roof of a vehicle in a widthwise direction, a sunroof panel which slides along the guide rails, a resin-made front frame which interconnects front ends of the guide rails, and a deflector mechanism which ascends/descends along a front edge of the opening of the vehicle. The deflector mechanism includes a deflector including a pair of arms and a blade that connects these arms together, a pair of support members each of which supports a basal end of each arms, a retainer formed at a front frame, and an urging means which urges the deflector upwardly, and the retainer is formed together with the front frame.

Abstract: An air duct system which mates an air duct attached to the roof of an automotive vehicle and an air duct attached to a nonexposed surface of a headliner is provided. The air duct system is attached to an air supply which delivers directed air and is disposed between an inner surface of the roof and the nonexposed surface of the headliner. The headliner includes an opening into the passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle. The air duct system includes a first air duct and a second air duct. The first air duct is attached to the inner surface of the roof, and the second air duct is attached to the nonexposed surface of the headliner. Upon installation of the headliner to the roof a portal on the first air duct registers with a portal on the second air duct so as to provide an air flow passage between said first air duct and said second air duct.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a windscreen, a pull-out roller blind, more preferably sun roller blind, for covering this windscreen and a roof screen separate from the windscreen in the roof of the motor vehicle. The pull-out roller blind is also provided for covering the roof screen.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicular roof structure, which can adjust the quantity of daylighting and which can be set to give a sense of spaciousness to a passenger in the rear seat by the wide field of view from the vehicular upper side while blocking the incident light upon the front seat side. Three louvers are enabled to change their angles of inclination with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. If the individual louvers arranged at the blocking positions are oriented to slope in a slightly downward direction of the vehicle toward the rear side thereof, a passenger in a rear seat can see, while an incident light to the front seat side is being blocked by the three louvers, the outside of the upper side of the vehicle through the three inclined louvers.

Abstract: A headliner assembly configured to retain a visor to the headliner. The headliner has an outer surface opposite an inner surface, and a visor rod aperture. The visor rod aperture is in communication with the inner and outer surface. The headliner assembly including a clip configured to retain an end portion of the visor rod. The clip is disposed on the inner surface of the headliner. The headliner assembly further includes a base having a first portion configured to retain the clip and a second portion. The outer edge of the second portion extends a predetermined distance from the first portion so as to create a moment in equal magnitude of the moment experienced by the clip when the visor rod is installed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle grab handle (10) having a handle (12) and at least one bearing support (14) for attaching the vehicle grab handle (10) to a vehicle body, a bearing section (18) of the handle (12) being pivotally mounted to the bearing support (14), two shaft stubs (22, 24) being provided on the bearing support (14) which define a pivot axis (S) for the handle (12) and which can be shifted along the pivot axis (S) from an initial position to a connection position, and the shaft stubs (22, 24) coupling the handle (12) and the bearing support (14) to one another in the connection position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dressed headliner for vehicles with a finished perimeter and a method for obtaining it method, without the addition of any adhesive or joining means where the finished perimeter obtained is a high quality finished perimeter with sharp contour.

Abstract: A retractable panel assembly includes a cover panel slidingly engaged with a rail assembly and having an open position and a closed position, where the cover panel translates along the rail assembly as the cover panel translates between open and closed positions. The retractable panel assembly further includes a shade located between the rail assembly and the cover panel, the shade having an engagement member, and a retention assembly having a retention member engaged with the engagement member of the shade, where, when the cover panel translates between open and closed positions, the retention member works in conjunction with the engagement member of the shade to prevent the shade from translating and the retention assembly retrains at least a second portion of the shade in a vertical direction.

Abstract: An energy absorber for an overhead system in a vehicle includes a molded member having one or more corrugated sections, the corrugated sections including a plurality of channels wherein the channels include a top wall and a pair of spaced apart horizontally extending side walls and a base portion extending between channels. The energy absorber may be tuned for a desired impact and be located between a vehicle roof and a headliner to provide occupant impact protection.

Abstract: A shade apparatus for a vehicle includes a guide rail mechanism adapted to be arranged along a side portion of an inner periphery of an opening formed in an interior ceiling member of the vehicle, a shade panel mechanism slidably supported by the guide rail mechanism, configured to open and close the opening of the interior ceiling member, and including first and second shade panels, an engaging member arranged at one of the first and second shade panels, and an elastic member arranged at the other of the first and second shade panels and including a fixing portion and a deformable portion. The first and second shade panels move as a unit in the moving direction after one of the first and second shade panels moves relative to the other of the first and second shade panels in the moving direction and the engaging member engages with the elastic member.

Abstract: A vehicle interior structure that may realize a more amenable vehicle interior space by making communication between occupants sitting on a pair of vehicle seats easier. The vehicle interior structure includes: a pair of vehicle seats; and a sound-reflecting communication unit for conveying a sound produced from occupants sitting, respectively, on the pair of vehicle seats to the other occupant, while reflecting and converging the sound. The sound-reflecting communication unit forms a concave shape along a virtual ellipse, focuses of which are respectively at positions of heads of the occupants.

Abstract: A headliner assembly for covering an inner surface of an automotive vehicle roof having an opening is provided. The headliner assembly includes a dimensionally stable substrate having an upper surface facing the inner surface of the roof, and an opposite lower surface. The substrate is secured to the opening of the roof at an attachment point. A reinforcement member having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface fixedly secured to the top surface of the substrate. The reinforcement member is disposed adjacent the attachment point to provide additional rigidity to a region of the substrate surrounding the attachment point.

Abstract: A slidable window assembly mounted within the roof of an automotive vehicle is provided. The roof includes an opening and the slidable window assembly includes a window panel having a catch. The window panel is slidably mounted within the roof and slidable between an open position and a closed position. The slidable window assembly further includes a sunshade disposed beneath the window panel. The sunshade is also slidable between an open and closed position. The sunshade has a first surface facing the window panel and a stop mounted on the first surface. The catch is operable to engage the stop so as to move the sunshade from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A vehicle component is provided that includes a console surface, at least one circuit board proximate the console surface, and an array of proximity sensors electrically connected to the at least one circuit board. Each of the proximity sensors emit a field that combine to form an activation field, wherein a lateral direction of the activation field extending approximately parallel to the console surface is greater than a longitudinal direction of the activation field extending approximately perpendicular to the console surface.

Abstract: A wire harness guide for accurate placement of a wire harness onto a component and protection of the wire harness from rubbing against a surface in near proximity thereof is provided. The wire harness guide can include an elongated bracket having a channel portion extending along a length of the bracket, the channel portion located between an upper flange and a lower flange. The upper flange can extend along at least a portion of the elongated bracket, as can the lower flange. A side wall can extend between the upper flange and the lower flange and a bend extending transversely across the elongated bracket can be present.

Abstract: To inhibit the attractiveness of a ceiling material from deteriorating. According to a passenger compartment material structure (10), on a ceiling material (12), there is disposed a water guide portion (34) that guides water (W) flowing on a surface (32A) of an air barrier film (32) on a passenger compartment outer side toward a pillar garnish (14) to the pillar garnish (14). Consequently, even in a case where the water (W) has flowed on the surface 32A of the air barrier film 32 on the passenger compartment outer side toward the pillar garnish 14, this water guide portion (34) guides the water (W) to the pillar garnish 14, so the water (W) can be inhibited from reaching an end (28A) of an upholstery material (28) on the pillar garnish (14) side. Because of this, the water (W) can be inhibited from seeping out to a passenger compartment inner side of the upholstery material (28), so the attractiveness of the ceiling material (12) can be inhibited from deteriorating.

Abstract: A vehicle roof for a passenger car, the vehicle roof having a modular, multishell structure, the vehicle roof including a variably configurable functional shell for providing stiffness to the vehicle roof and configured to be directly attached to a body shell of the vehicle and for variable accommodation of functional elements; an outside roof skin configured to be fixed to an outside surface of the functional shell with a fixing means; and at least one inside lining element configured to be fixed to an inside surface of the functional shell.

Abstract: In a vehicle ceiling structure, a long reinforcing rib is attached to a ceiling member of the vehicle, the rib being made of a resin having a different coefficient of thermal expansion from that of the ceiling member. The reinforcing rib comprises a plurality of segmented ribs that are divided by a gap in a longitudinal direction. One segmented rib of adjoining segmented ribs and is formed, in upper and lower parts of a front end portion thereof, with an upper protrusion and a lower protrusion protruding in the longitudinal direction. One segmented rib and the other segmented rib fit with each other such that a lower face of the upper protrusion and an upper face of the lower protrusion of the one segmented rib respectively face a rear end portion of the other segmented rib in an up and down direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a roof structure in a vehicle, wherein the roof structure (100) is provided with printed electrical connection means (110) for connecting electrical devices in the vehicle. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a roof structure and to a system comprising an electrical device, a roof structure (100) with printed electrical connection means (110), a printed conductive pad (112, 212, 312, 412) and an electrical connector, wherein the electrical connector (530, 730) is pierced through the roof structure (100) to connect the electrical device with the conductive pad (112, 212, 312, 412).

Abstract: A method of forming members of fiber reinforced thermoplastic members via molding, the members including at least one hollow chamber, formed by water injection into the melt in the mold, to stiffen the finished member. The thermoplastic is preferably selected from a group comprising polypropylene, Nylon, PET, ABS, TPO, and thermoplastic polyurethane, while the reinforcing fibers are preferably selected from a group comprising glass, aramid, carbon, and natural fibers. Preferably, the extruded melt is produced such that the average length of the reinforcing fibers is less than four millimeters.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a vehicle headliner having localized compressed stiffeners to increase rigidity and decrease brittleness. The headliner compression stiffener adds rigidity to the headliner substrate without adding additional cost or additional weight. At least one compression stiffener is added to a vehicle headliner to an area of the vehicle headliner requiring increased rigidity qualities. The stiffener is an elongated indentation formed by firmly compressing an object into the substrate of a headliner. The substrate of the vehicle headliner includes a first predetermined density in areas where the stiffener is not located. A second density is localized in the headliner substrate in the area directly below the indentation of the stiffener. The predetermined first density is lower in measurement than the second density of the substrate directly below the indentation of the stiffener.

Abstract: A vehicle headliner includes an air permeable foam having open cells and a surface cover adhered to one side of the foam core. An air permeable hydrophobic layer is adhered to the opposite side of the foam core. The hydrophobic layer restricts liquid penetration and allows air permeation into the headliner for acoustic dampening.

Abstract: There is provided a ceiling decorative panel that can be carried easily and reliably even if a dome lamp is disposed in an opening portion. The ceiling decorative panel of the present invention is disposed on an inside of a roof panel of a vehicle body. The ceiling decorative panel includes a recessed portion protruding toward a back face side of the ceiling decorative panel and having the opening portion at a bottom face. The recessed portion retains the dome lamp in itself. A grip that can be raised in a direction same as a protruding direction of the recessed portion so as to be gripped is disposed to be adjacent to the opening portion.

Abstract: A self-presenting device includes, a member in physical communication with a vehicle surface, wherein the member is configured to have a first form and a second form, wherein the first form is configured to store the member and the second form is configured to present the member, and an active material in operable communication with the member, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the member from the first form to the second form.

Abstract: A snap post for use in conjunction with a snap lid to attach a trim ring to an opening of a headliner of an automotive vehicle is provided. The snap post includes an elongated leg extending outwardly from the trim ring. The elongated leg has a barb for engaging with the snap lid disposed on a distal end thereof. A support structure provides the elongated leg with sufficient reinforcement to withstand the stress imposed during the installation of the headliner, yet provides sufficient flexibility for the quick and easy attachment of the trim ring to the opening of the headliner.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an interlocking mechanism of panels of a guide rail for roof panel and a guide rail for sunshade panel even in a case where both guide rails are mutually different in curvature. The interlocking mechanism enables the sunshade panel to move independently in an opening direction in either case of opening and closing of the roof panel, and prevent the sunshade panel from moving independently in a closing direction relative to the roof panel. The interlocking mechanism comprises an engaging member provided in the roof panel and an engaged member provided in the sunshade panel to engage with the engaging member. The engaging member and the engaged member are constituted to engage with each other in an upper-and-lower direction such that a relative position thereof varies according to a change of positional deviation between the first guide rail and the second guide rail.

Abstract: A vehicle roof bow assembly includes a roof bow member and a pair of telescoping mounting brackets. The roof bow member is configured to extend in a lateral side-to-side direction along an underside of a vehicle roof panel. The telescoping mounting brackets each have a first end and a second end with the first end having a side rail attachment flange configured for rigid attachment to a first vehicle roof side rail and a roof panel attachment flange configured for rigid attachment to the vehicle roof panel and the second end being attached to the roof bow member. The telescoping mounting brackets are disposed at opposite ends of the roof bow member.

Abstract: A vehicle pillar structure is provided with a pair of front pillars for extending upward and rearward from a vehicle body. A pair of rails extend rearward from the pair of front pillars. A pair of rear pillars extend downward and rearward from the pair of rails to the vehicle body. The pair of rear pillars each have a clearance aperture formed therethrough.

Abstract: A roof liner stiffener includes a rail and a first guide member. The rail is configured for attachment to a roof liner of a vehicle and includes a web and a plurality of ribs integral with the web. The first guide member is configured to support a first portion of an electrical wiring harness of a vehicle. The rail and the first guide member are integrally formed from a thermoplastic material as a unitary structure. The first guide member includes a first base and an elongate arm integral with, and extending away from, the first base. The elongate arm of the first guide member is bendable relative to the first base of the first guide member. Roof liner assemblies and vehicles are also provided.

Abstract: A seal attachment assembly for a vehicle sunroof comprises a seal including one of an outward extending protrusion and hook and a deflector body including the other of the protrusion and the hook. A cooperative relationship between the protrusion and the hook resists a movement of the seal away from the vehicle body. A double-sided adhesive tape secures a planar base portion of the seal to the vehicle body. A resilient lip extends outward from the seal in a direction away from the sunroof opening along an outer edge of the planar base portion. This resilient lip maintains an elastic engagement with the vehicle body to shelter the double-sided tape from exposure to elements. The protrusion extends outward from the seal along an inner edge of the planar portion in a direction toward the sunroof opening. A terminal end of the protrusion includes a rounded bulb section. An outer leg of the deflector body extends beyond the planar base portion of the seal.

Abstract: A joint structure for fixing between a sunroof and a headliner, may include a headliner defining an opening, wherein a portion of the headliner around the opening protrudes and is curved upwards to define the opening, and the headliner has a face fabric attached to a surface thereof, a bracket attached to an upper end portion and a lower portion of the headliner, outside of the opening, wherein the bracket has a support end portion protruding in a direction opposite to the opening, a clip into which the support end portion of the bracket is selectively fitted, and a sunroof frame coupled with an upper portion of the clip, wherein the sunroof is provided on the sunroof frame.

Abstract: A roll sunshade device, which includes a screen for shadowing an inner opening of a roof of a vehicle, a rotating body which is disposed ahead of the inner opening or behind the inner opening in a front-rear direction of the vehicle and rotates freely around an axis in a vehicle width direction, a turning member which is disposed at a predetermined distance from the rotating body in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and rotates freely around an axis in the vehicle width direction, and two circular wires which are disposed on both sides of the inner opening in the vehicle width direction, respectively and hung between the rotating body and the turning member, in which both edge portions of the screen in the vehicle width direction are supported by the two circular wires, respectively, and when the screen is slid in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from a state where the screen shadows the inner opening, the screen is folded along an outer circumferential surface of the turning member.

Abstract: A positioning structure for a blind cover which is arranged between a guide rail and an outer roof panel of a vehicle in a sunshade device for the vehicle, the blind cover including: a plate shaped shielding portion which is arranged between the guide rail and the outer roof panel and a supporting portion which is inserted into an installation groove formed in the guide rail, wherein the supporting portion includes a engagement portion which is flexible in a groove width direction of the installation groove, and the engagement portion is fit into an engaged portion which is an opening formed in the installation groove to position the blind cover with respect to the guide rail.

Abstract: A vehicle roof structure which can regulate the quantity of lighting while ensuring appearance quality when viewed from the compartment. When a roll shade is arranged at a retreat position, incident light penetrates a glass roof thence penetrates a supporting member and a closing member exhibiting translucency and finally penetrates an opaque skin material exhibiting translucency. Since the opaque skin material covers a ceiling matrix on the inside of the compartment and closes the ceiling opening continuously from the inside of the compartment, if a roll shade is arranged at the light shielding position, the ceiling opening cannot be distinguished easily by a crewman when the crewman looks the vehicle roof side from the inside of the compartment and it is recognized as continuous interior.

Abstract: In a vehicle roof system for closing and opening a roof opening (2a) formed in a fixed roof panel (2) of a vehicle with a moveable roof panel (4), an onboard device (30) is located in a laterally central part of the fixed roof panel (2) adjacent to a front edge of the roof opening, and an electric motor (24) for actuating the moveable roof panel is also located adjacent to the front edge of the roof opening but in a laterally offset and longitudinally overlapping relationship with the onboard device. As the electric motor and onboard device do not overlap each other in plan view, the thickness of the roof can be minimized. As the electric motor and onboard device overlap each other in side view, the distance between the upper edge of the front windshield and the front edge of the roof opening can be minimized, and this improves the field of view of the vehicle occupants.

Abstract: An articulating hook assembly adapted to pivot between open and closed positions as desired. The assembly includes a support frame, a hook pivot base of cloven construction projecting outwardly away from the support frame and a support hook adapted to pivotally engage the hook pivot base. The hook pivot base includes a pair of ear members separated by a variable width gap. At least one ear member includes a contoured inner face with a pattern of variable height surface structures including at least a first depression and a second depression with a raised height platform disposed between the first depression and a second depression. A projection finger on the support hook rides in sandwiched relation within the variable width gap such that upon rotation of the support hook between open and closed positions, the finger projection moves across the raised height platform surface between the first depression and a second depression.

Abstract: A vehicle panel with a folded-over or wrapped edge is disclosed. The vehicle panel comprises a main body portion. The main body portion includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is formed of a substantially rigid material and has a first surface, a second surface and an edge. The second layer is coupled to the second surface of the first layer and formed of a substantially flexible material. The vehicle panel also comprises a flap integrally formed with the main body portion at the edge and comprises at least the second layer. The vehicle panel further comprises a hinge separating the flap from the main body portion, the hinge is defined by at least a portion of the first layer having a reduced thickness. The flap is folded back about the hinge towards the first surface of the first layer to substantially conceal the edge.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing deformation element is provided for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, wherein the deformation element in the mounted state is arranged in a collision region between a covering part and a vehicle body, and more particularly, between a headliner and a vehicle roof. The deformation element has an essentially U-shaped profile, on free end regions of which is disposed a flange at least in certain regions. A plurality of cutouts or recesses are provided in the flanges on each free end region.