Chrysler Corporation

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Jeffrey S Rausch

Shawn Robert Williams

Larry W Bell

Joseph G Lemmon

Mark E Laesch

Jerry D Loman

Paul C Pellerito

Wayne A Conti

Randall C Querro

Thomas A Lariviere

Joseph Cottone

Jack C Higdon

Matthew W Liddane

James E Holtslag

James M Resovsky

A blow molded (HIC) formation with energy buffers provides absorption of vehicle occupant cranial impacts. A generally plastic, forced air, expanded formation defines a cavity, the formation walls being of varied geometric shapes having calculated wall thicknesses, each shape having an energy absorbing and resiliency characteristic. The formation of geometric shapes is positioned depending upon the vehicle stiffness characteristics and the degree of impact absorption required. Geometric shapes employed may consist of sinusoidal waveforms, a gabled design, or either of the preceding with an internal strengthening rib employed to alter formation impact absorbing characteristics. The formation contains an orifice to ensure that vehicle occupant energy is efficiently absorbed during the concurrent events of formation compaction and air expulsion through the orifice. The blow molded formation may be glued or otherwise suitably fastened to an automobile headliner, door panel, pillar, or other location.

Blow molded (HIC) formation with energy buffers

An energy absorption system for vehicle pillars. The energy absorption system includes a cover device attached to a pillar having an outer shell or side visible from the vehicle interior and an inner hidden side supporting a ladder-like structure which includes a spaced walls and spaced ribs integrally attached together. During energy absorption, the side walls absorb energy by bowing outward away from the ribs and occasionally tearing while energy is also absorbed by crushing distortion and tearing of the ribs from their attachment with the walls. Moreover, in an embodiment, at least one flow channel or passage for air is formed within the device laterally to the side of one of the walls. In another embodiment in which a seat belt attachment is utilized, the device forms a track for a slidable retention belt retention member.

Vehicle energy absorption

A removable storage system is disclosed having a storage receptacle, a plurality of tabs connected to the receptacle, and a plurality of receiving openings integral with an interior member of a vehicle for receiving the tabs and retaining the receptacle. The tabs further may consist of grooves culminating in channels.

Removable storage system

A split-installation drainage arrangement for a convertible vehicle topwell assembly adapted for storage of the top in a downwardly folded position. The plastic shell-like topwell includes a floor molded with right and left side water collecting areas each terminating in a drainage recess. A sub-assembly, adapted for transporting water from an associated recess to the exterior of the vehicle, includes a one-piece discharge fitting and a sealing grommet interconnected by a flexible drain tube. The tube has one end attached to an exit spout of the fitting and its other end adapted for insertion in a body panel aperture by means of a snap-in sealing grommet. The sub-assemblies are readily installed in the vehicle body prior to the installation of the topwell. Each fitting has a collar adapted for snap-in mounting in a body support panel oval-shaped aperture. As a result, the frusto-conical shaped drainage recess exterior male taper surface is located in self-aligned spaced relationship with the interior female taper surface of the subjacent frusto-conical shaped fitting obviating assembly line inter-connections between the floor recess and the support panel fitting.

Convertible vehicle topwell drainage arrangement

A topwell assembly for use with a convertible top on an automotive vehicle to store the top in a down position. The topwell assembly is made of molded, rigid unitary shell conforming to an environment of continuous and non-continuous surfaces. The shell has a support surface and a side wall surface projecting from the support surface for supporting the convertible top when the top is in a down, storage position.

Convertible vehicle topwell assembly

Growing community of inventors

Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Jeffrey S Rausch