Lear Corporation

International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.

International Automotive Components Group Gmbh

Bogdan Radu

Alan George Dry

John David Youngs

James Gregory

David Dooley

Mark Heinze

James R Mestemaker

Richard David George

Mike P Schoemann

Dick George

The present invention provides for an improved hardware carrier for use in a trim panel assembly, and a method of making the same. To this end, the hardware carrier includes a body having a front and back surface and a seal molded to the front surface of the body for contacting the doorframe structure of a motor vehicle to seal the carrier thereto. A two-shot molding process utilizing a single mold assembly is used to form the carrier, with the body being formed in the first shot and the seal being formed in the second shot so that the seal is bonded thereto. The molded seal advantageously is provided with a non-linear configuration, such as a substantially repeating v-shaped configuration, and includes a planar top surface. The non-linear configuration of the seal, in conjunction with the top planar surface, advantageously provides a substantial surface area for contacting the doorframe to prevent water leakage within the vehicle.

Automotive hardware carrier and method of making same

A door trim speaker grille with an electroluminescent lamp for use with an audio speaker of a vehicle. The electroluminescent lamp is positioned for emitting visible light through sound passages in the speaker grille. In certain embodiments of the invention, the electroluminescent lamp may be integrally molded with the speaker grille. One method of forming the door trim speaker grille is by an injection molding process that places the electroluminescent lamp as an insert in the mold cavity.

Door trim speaker grille with electroluminescent lamp and injection molding method of making same

An automotive storage compartment includes a compartment body defining a cavity and having an opening for accessing the cavity. The compartment body includes a first connecting member integrally formed therein. The storage compartment further includes a cover having a second connecting member integrally formed therein, the first connecting member cooperating with the second connecting member to moveably couple the cover to the compartment body. An electroluminescent lamp is molded to the compartment body to illuminate the cavity. A two-shot molding process may be used to form the storage compartment, with the compartment body and the first connecting member being formed in the first shot. The electroluminescent lamp is molded to the compartment body in the first shot. The cover and the second connecting member are then formed in the second shot so that the cover is pivotally coupled to the compartment body.

Automotive storage compartment having an electroluminescent lamp and method of making the same

An assembly for supporting an article in a vehicle includes a vehicle component. A support housing is pivotably connected to the component for movement between an adjacent position and an extended position. The assembly further includes a support member for laterally supporting an article. The support member is moveable relative to the support housing.

Assembly for supporting an article in a vehicle

An automotive interior component including an electroluminescent lamp capable of emitting visible light. The electroluminescent lamp of the component may integrally molded with a polymer body to define a unitary assembly. The interior component may be, for example, a bolster mounted to a door trim panel for concealing an opening in the door panel. The electroluminescent lamp is mounted to the door bolster and emits that visible light, when powered, for illuminating a portion of the door trim panel. A covering may be provided over the electroluminescent lamp through which the visible light is transmitted. The assembly of the interior component and the electroluminescent lamp may be formed by an injection molding process.

Door trim bolster with electroluminescent lamp and injection molding method of making same

A console for a vehicle includes a body defining a compartment and an opening therein. The console further includes a lid configured to cover the opening. The lid includes an armrest portion. A separate armrest extension is movably mounted relative to the body and the lid, wherein the armrest extension is movable between a storage position and a deployed position.

Vehicle console with armrest extension

A console for a vehicle is disclosed. The console includes a body defining an opening and also includes a lid that is configured to cover the opening and a panel that is movably mounted relative to the body. The panel is movable between a retracted position within the opening and an extended position away from the opening. The panel also has at least one receptacle formed therein. The receptacle is configured to receive an object therein.

Console and object holder assembly for a vehicle

The present invention provides for an improved sunvisor attachment, and to a two shot molding method for making the same, having a reduced number of parts and that is adapted to be coupled to a sunvisor for use as a sunvisor assembly in a vehicle. To this end, the sunvisor attachment includes a body and a cover with each including at least one integrally formed connecting member being pivotally coupled together so that the cover may be opened and closed to uncover and cover a mirror and/or light.

Sunvisor attachment for vehicles and method for making the same

The present invention provides for an improved automotive ashtray, and to a two shot molding method for making the same, having a reduced number of parts and that is adapted to be coupled to a substrate of an interior trim assembly, e.g. a door panel, in a vehicle. To this end, the ashtray includes a compartment body and a cover with each including at least one integrally formed connecting member being pivotally coupled together so that the cover may be moved between an open and a closed position for accessing a cavity within the body.

Automotive ashtray and method for making the same

A trim panel module for a vehicle. The trim panel module includes a carrier and a trim panel. The carrier has first and second attachment members. The trim panel has first and second mating members configured to engage the first and second attachment members. The trim panel is movable between a first position in which the first mating member and the first attachment member are engaged and a second position in which the first mating member and the first attachment member are disengaged to allow the trim panel to pivot with respect to the carrier.

Trim panel module

An automotive ashtray comprises a compartment body defining a cavity and having an opening for accessing the cavity. The compartment body includes a first connecting member integrally formed therein. The ashtray further includes a cover having a second connecting member integrally formed therein, the first connecting member cooperating with the second connecting member to moveably couple the cover to the compartment body. An electroluminescent lamp is molded to the compartment body to illuminate the cavity. A two-shot molding process may be used to form the ashtray, with the compartment body and the first connecting member being formed in the first shot. The electroluminescent lamp is molded to the compartment body in the first shot. The cover and the second connecting member are then formed in the second shot so that the cover is pivotally coupled to the compartment body.

Automotive ashtray having an electroluminescent lamp and method of making the same

An automotive door assembly comprises a door frame, an interior trim panel removably secured to the door frame by a plurality of connecting members, and one or more door accessories disposed between the door frame and the interior trim panel and connected to the door frame and interior trim panel by the connecting members. The connecting members include first engagement portions that fixedly attach the door accessories to the door frame, and second engagement portions that releasably attach the door frame and door accessories to the trim panel. The door accessories are initially supported on the interior trim panel for assembly onto the door frame when the trim panel is installed on the door frame. Thereafter, the door accessories remain fixed to the door frame when the trim panel is removed.

Modular automotive door trim panel construction

An automotive door trim assembly includes an interior door trim panel with an access opening that facilitates installing and servicing various accessories installed within the interior of an automotive door, between the door's exterior skin and the interior trim panel. The access opening is covered by an access panel that is slidably coupled to the interior trim panel for movement between a first position wherein the access panel is removable from the door trim panel to expose the access opening, and a second position wherein the access panel is secured to the door trim panel and covers the access opening. The access panel is coupled to the interior trim panel by cooperating first connecting members disposed on the interior trim panel and second connecting members disposed on the access panel.

Automotive door trim assembly with removable access panel

A cell phone storage pocket for a vehicle console comprising a hinged armrest, a flip under tray, and a hinged mechanism. This invention provides secure storage for a driver or passenger's cell phone while maintaining it in an easy to read location. Also, this cell phone storage pocket allows a user to keep the cell in an accessible location which can lead to safer driving habits.

Flip under cell phone holder

Disclosed is a low cost articulating map pocket or storage compartment that requires few manufacturing steps. The articulating map pocket provides for a closed locking detent feature and in one preferred embodiment a full open locking detent feature also.

Growing community of inventors

Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Bogdan Radu