Lear Corporation

International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.

James Gregory

John David Youngs

Bogdan Radu

Mark Heinze

David Dooley

Richard David George

Dick George

Mike P Schoemann

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

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

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

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.

Articulating storage compartment

A method of attaching a component to a vehicle door includes first providing a carrier. The component, such as a lock-latch assembly or a window regulator assembly, is then attached to the carrier. The carrier is then attached to the vehicle door. Subsequent to attaching the carrier to the vehicle door, the component is attached to and supported by the vehicle door. The component can then be unattached from the carrier. The carrier may then be removed from the vehicle door subsequent to unattaching the component from the carrier, thereby providing access to the component, such as for repair or removal of the component.

Growing community of inventors

Harrison Township, MI, United States of America

James Gregory