Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

James Thomas Embach

Adrian B Chernoff

Joseph F Szczerba

Christopher E Borroni-Bird

Julien Montousse

Mohsen D Shabana

Kevin G Kolpasky

Therese A Tant

Jason Grant Tilk

Steven Morris

John C Ulicny

Wade W Bryant

Thomas A Jones

Andrew J Hanzel

Adrian Oana

Joseph W Cobble, Iii

Chet R Wisniewski

Simon Cox

Frederick I Johnson

Kurt Zeile

Christopher S Hilts

Benjamin Walsh

Pierre R Webster

Lawrence E Sully

Michael J Richardson

A vehicle is provided with on-demand seating to allow maximum cargo space in the passenger compartment when the seats are not needed. The seating is lightweight and compact, maximizing available cargo space and minimizing mass and fuel economy impact. The flexible seat may be stowed within body structure defining the passenger compartment, such as side trim panels or a vehicle floor. The body structure supports the flexible seat in a deployed position in which the flexible seat extends from the body structure into the passenger compartment. Roller mechanisms mounted within the body structure allow the seat to extend and retract from the passenger compartment. The seats may be inflatable, and may include pneumatic foam.

Vehicle seat on demand

A conformal grasp handle that molds itself to an applied load of an object, e.g., an end user's hands as they grip the conformal grasp handles. The conformal grasp handle retains the shape of the local deformation caused by the applied load until the handle is intentionally reshaped or the applied force of the object onto the handle is removed. As such, the grasp handles can advantageously be used to adapt to the individual user's anthropometric measurements, posture, hand position, and the like, among others. Suitable automotive applications include, but are not intended to be limited to, steering wheels, shift knobs, and the like.

Conformal grasp handle

A flexible trim panel attaches to a surface of a vehicle interior and includes a compression-molded thermoplastic foam layer and a textile fabric or synthetic leather layer, such as expanded polyurethane or PVC material. The panel has a compression-molded surface feature in an inner and outer layer, and may have a pocket and a zipper closure. An LED, EL ribbon, or other lighting device is connected to a transparent zipper closure. A composite trim panel is also provided having a compression-molded EVA foam layer and an outer layer. The layers form a composite piece that is attachable to a seat, an instrument panel, or a door. A vehicle interior includes a seat, an instrument panel, a door, and at least one composite trim panel. A transparent closure device connects to the composite trim panel, and a lighting device having a variable property is positioned adjacently to the transparent closure device.

Soft composite trim panel for a vehicle interior

The present invention includes a foot-operated accessory pedal located on the floor area of a vehicle interior. The accessory pedal is depressible to activate one of a plurality of vehicle functions. Further included with the present invention is a hand-operated input device operative to assign which of the plurality of vehicle functions the accessory pedal will influence upon selective depressions. Moreover, a display unit is included operative to indicate which of the plurality of vehicle functions the accessory pedal is operative to influence.

Vehicle accessory pedal and method

A driver control input device includes a support post and a steering ring rotatably supported with respect to the support post. A steering transducer is operatively connected between the steering ring and support post to convert mechanical rotation of the steering ring into non-mechanical steering control signals to be sent to a steer-by-wire system. A braking ring and acceleration ring may also be provided for generating non-mechanical braking and acceleration control signals.

Driver control input device for drive-by-wire system

An instrument panel for a vehicle defines a cavity. A storage console is selectively movable within the cavity to provide enhanced accessibility of stored items within the storage console. In an exemplary embodiment, the storage console is a drawer that is selectively movable from a stowed position inside the cavity to an extended position outside the cavity for access by a vehicle user in a passenger compartment. In another exemplary embodiment, the console is movable between an elevated position in which the console occupies space inaccessible to a vehicle user, and a lowered position in which the console is accessible through an opening in the instrument panel.

Vehicle instrument panel having movable storage compartment

The present invention provides a pneumatic foam cushion for use within a vehicle seat comprising a foam member with a contoured outer surface surrounded by an impermeable layer coextensive therewith. The impermeable layer, which may be a thermoplastic material, permits selective pressurization and depressurization of the foam member, and comprises a first impermeable member having a first contoured shape, and a second impermeable member having either the same shape as the first contoured shape, or a second contoured shape. The first and second impermeable members are matable around the foam member to form the impermeable layer. Preferably, the first and second impermeable members are heat sealed following placement around the foam member. A method of manufacturing a pneumatic foam cushion is also provided.

Pneumatic foam cushion

A multi-functional fob provides at least one of the features selected from a programmable lock/unlock button; a voice activated button; an ice-scraper; a credit card strip; and a rechargeable interface. One or a combination of the features may be integrated into a single fob. A fob-retaining device may be provided. Each fob function may be integrated into an electronic device such as a PDA, a cellular phone, a two-way radio, a wristwatch, a voice recorder, an audio player, a video player, or a multi-communication signal fob repeater. Optionally, the fob may have a compass and a timer. Additionally, a multi-functional fob communication system is provided to provide remote communications between a receiver in a fob-activated device and a remote electronic fob device.

Multi-functional fob

Headphone storage concepts provided include (i) a headrest forming a compartment configured for storage of an item within the compartment; (ii) a headrest cooperatively configured for receiving headphones such that the headphones are removably secured to the headrest; (iii) a headrest having earphones pivotably attached thereto; (iv) a seat forming a compartment (in wing bolsters or in an underseat, rearward-opening drawer) for storage of an item; and (v) headphones with rotatable earphones to provide a slimmer profile for storage.

Headphone structure and storage therefor

A superposed colors graphic providing a true, continuous color fade transition between two different colors achieved by applying first and second color graphics onto respectively different side surfaces of at least one transparent substrate, each color graphic having a respective color fade. The first and second color graphics are mutually aligned such that the color fade of each of the color graphics are mutually coextensive and superposed so as to thereby provide a continuous fade between the colors. The first and second color graphics may be applied to the respective substrate side surfaces by any suitable method, such as for example by silk screening, by lithography or by decorative film applique.

Superposed colors graphic for providing a continuous color fade transition between two colors

The apparatus includes at least one net member having opposed surfaces and the mounting surface includes one of a plurality of hook members and a plurality of loop members. One of the surfaces of the at least one net member includes the other of the plurality of hook members and the plurality of loop members. The at least one net member is operable to be alternately removed from and attached to the mounting surface and retain objects to the mounting surface. The net member is operable to be mounted to the mounting surface in a stowed position to provide a smooth appearance on the mounting surface when not retaining an object.

Apparatus for retaining objects on mounting surfaces

A vehicle driver control input assembly includes a seat with a steering wheel structure configured to provide non-mechanical steering signals to a steer-by-wire system. The steering wheel structure is collapsible underneath the seat for storage. First and second movable arm structures are connected to opposing sides of the seat and are movable between an upright position for use and a lowered position for storage. The movable arm structures include control input members to provide non-mechanical steering signals to the steer-by-wire system. A plurality of selectable driver control input devices may be interchangeably connected with the vehicle to provide steering, braking and/or acceleration signals to the vehicle as desired.

Vehicle with multiple driver interfaces

A modular occupant restraint system includes a container for the inflatable cushion and cover over the container, with the cover and container having split lines which separate their upper walls into outwardly and oppositely opening upper and lower pairs of flaps to permit deployment of the inflatable cushion. A switch assembly located between either or both pairs of flaps includes one or more membrane switches located between the flaps and respective keypads projecting outwardly of the cover flap for closing respective pairs of printed circuits on the upper and lower flexible members of the membrane switch to each other. The membrane switches are each connected across a mechanism to be operated and a source of power by flat conductors which extend outwardly of the module between the cover and container, preferably across the connected sides of the flaps.

Switch assembly for modular occupant restraint system

Apparatus for providing tactile feedback in response to the touch input command of a user to the touchscreen of a cathode ray tube in a CRT command and display system. An actuator is provided for imparting motion to the CRT when the actuator is energized. Energization occurs in response to a touch input command of the user to the touchscreen of the CRT. When energized, the actuator provides tactile feedback to the user by imparting motion to the CRT.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

James Thomas Embach