Lear Corporation

Android Industries LLC

George Bernard Byma

Bari W Brown

John Marstan Tiesler

David M Fox

Alan Sturt

Arun Chickmenahalli

Timothy R Hubbert

Joseph J Grajewski

Lawrence J Lawson

Robert Reece

Jack M Van Ert

John Edward Donnay

Ramsey Richard Niazy

John F Mola

Yu-Jin J Song

Grant Colyn

Te Phan

John J Gabrysiak

A system is disclosed. The system includes a fluid reservoir containing a volume of fluid, a bell housing that forms a chamber, a workpiece having a first surface portion and a second surface portion, and a pressure manipulating sub-system in fluid communication with the chamber of the bell housing. The bell housing is arranged relative to the fluid reservoir such that a lower end of the bell housing is at least partially submerged in the fluid thereby sealing the chamber of the bell housing from atmosphere. The bell housing is arranged relative to the fluid reservoir such that the second surface portion of the workpiece is disposed within the chamber of the bell housing that is sealed from atmosphere. A method is also disclosed. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Working tank with vacuum assist

A method is disclosed. The method includes the step of determining a spatial location of a match-mark region of each of a tire and a wheel, wherein at least one of the tire and the wheel does not include a physical match mark formed upon a surface or within a body portion of the tire and the wheel. A system is also disclosed. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Apparatus, system and method for determining a spatial location of a match-mark region of each of a tire and a wheel

An overhead console assembly mounted to a headliner in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The overhead console assembly includes an overhead console housing configured for attachment adjacent to a lower surface of the headliner or frame of the vehicle roof. The console housing includes a lower surface, at least one channel in the lower surface and opposing pivotally mounted first and second doors at least partially covering the lower surface. At least one storage module is releasably securable and adjustably positionable within the channel in the overhead console housing. The at least one storage module includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall extending therebetween defining a receiving area therebetween accessible through an opening in the sidewall. An accessory module removably mountable within the receiving area of the storage module housing receives and stores items.

Overhead console assembly

The present invention is directed toward providing a headliner for a motor vehicle comprising an interior layer adapted to present a surface that is exposed to the interior of the vehicle, a flexible film assembly that is supported by the interior layer opposite to the interior of the vehicle; and a fill layer adapted to be flowed over the flexible film and subsequently hardened to form a main supporting body of the headliner. The flexible film assembly has a first film layer adapted to establish a generally flat base surface that is mounted to the interior layer and a second film layer supported on the first film layer having a plurality of voids formed by portions of the second film layer that are spaced from said first film layer at predetermined intervals so as to establish an undulating upper surface of the film assembly. The plurality of voids are adapted to act as a plurality of resonating cavities to attenuate acoustical frequencies within the vehicle.

Acoustically attenuating headliner and method for making same

A method for forming a headliner assembly includes forming a main body blank having a periphery in a shape corresponding to a desired shape of the headliner assembly, the mold has a correspondingly shaped surface with a recess including an intermediate wall portion. The method includes introducing foam into the recess to simultaneously form at least one foam beam enclosing a selected component area, and join the at least one beam to the main body. The intermediate wall can be an accessory, and the beam may be formed to surround the component area. Additional foam application may be included to acoustically control the headliner's response to buzz, squeaks and rattles.

Foam in place urethane for structural headliners

A method of manufacturing a foamed plastic article includes disposing a release film on a mold surface of a mold cavity. At least a portion of a bushing is inserted through the release film to form an aperture in the release film. The bushing defines an inlet for foamable material. The mold cavity is then sealed. The foamable material is then injected into the mold cavity through the inlet, wherein the foamable material is conformed to the shape of the mold cavity.

Method and apparatus for injection foam molding

An impact absorbing member having a contact wall and base wall that are separated by first and second spacing walls. The spacing walls are oriented to be not aligned with the anticipated direction of an impact force. The spacing walls may be flat, curved, or formed in the shape of a bellows. The base wall may be provided with an adhesive or may include additional fastening features such as holes through which glue or fasteners may pass or may be formed as fastening rosettes.

Energy absorbing structure for automobile interior

A cushion structure having multiple indentation load deflection areas created by using inflatable preformed containers within a base cushion foam and method for making same. The invention can be utilized to make cushions for use with separately manufactured upholstery covers as well as for pour-in-place or foam-in-cover upholstered cushions. Such cushions are suitable for use in commercial and residential furniture as well as automobiles, buses, trains and aircraft.

Multiple indentation load deflection foam molding

An impact absorbing and method for making the same. The impact absorbing assembly for vehicle interiors includes a body having tabs that are connected to the body by a bendable hinge. The body may be either secured to a structural member, a vehicle seat, a trim piece or may be formed integrally from part of a structural component making up part of the vehicle. The impact absorbing assembly may be disposed behind a covering layer or seat back shell.

Impact absorbing assembly for vehicle interior systems and seat backs

A variable opacity sunscreen. The sunscreen includes sunshade body having a plurality of apertures therethrough. A blade slidable relative to the sunshade body is provided. The blade includes a plurality of apertures and a blade slot therethrough. The sunscreen further includes a lever cooperable with the blade slot to slide the blade relative to the sunshade body so that the apertures and the blade move relative to the apertures in the sunshade body to vary the opacity of a sunscreen across its entire surface or a part thereof.

Variable sunscreen for a vehicle

A headliner assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided. The headliner assembly utilizes a pre-formed headliner and a preformed inflatable permanent air duct liner which is molded in place using foam to substantially surround and adhere said air duct liner to said headliner.

Foam in place integral air duct

An impact absorbing assembly for vehicle interiors comprises a body having tabs that are connected to the body by a bendable hinge. The body may be either secured to a structural member, a trim piece or may be formed integrally from part of a structural component making up part of the vehicle. The impact absorbing assembly may be disposed behind a covering layer. A method of making an impact absorbing assembly with sheet metal forming processes and method of absorbing impacts is also disclosed.

Impact absorbing assembly for automobile interior systems

A vehicle headliner assembly includes a headliner attachable to the vehicle interior roof. The headliner includes a plurality of material layers. At least one audio speaker is sandwiched between the material layers. The speaker has a thickness of less than approximately 8 millimeters. A subwoofer may be provided elsewhere in the vehicle to complete the audio system.

Method of making a vehicle headliner assembly with integral speakers

A variable shade sun screen having first and second relatively movable sheets with alignable or offsetable matrices of translucent and opaque portions to selectively vary the opacity of the sun screen. The invention can be used in a sun visor, a sunroof, or adjacent any vehicle surface.

Variable sun screen for a vehicle

An automotive interior trim product, for example a headliner, and method of producing such a product. The product comprising an energy management element which is adapted to be secured to an automotive interior to provide an energy management function. The energy management element is fabricated from a material comprising an array of fused or bonded tube-like members, and comprises a one-piece unitary structure with zones of differing physical properties. The zones of differing physical properties provide different levels of energy management which are matched to the requirements of the interior. The differing physical properties and so differing levels of energy management in the different zones being produced by molding of the unitary element. Alternatively, and/or in addition within the fused array differing types of tube-like members may be used in the differing zones. Such differing types of tubes may have different wall thicknesses, different diameters/dimensions.

Growing community of inventors

Clarkston, MI, United States of America

George Bernard Byma