Lear Corporation

Mark Fero

David J Prince

David Dooley

John E McConnell

Brian Cristea

Gordon L Ebbitt

Justin Putti

Paul G Deacon

Shuo Wang

Roland Woodcock

Randall A Gage

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an interior trim panel assembly having an integrated soft-touch area for improved aesthetic trim component quality. The method of manufacturing a trim panel assembly for the interior of a vehicle having an integrated soft-touch area of the present invention includes placing a molded trim panel including a coverstock having an exposed outer surface and a foam backing disposed opposite the outer surface and a rigid substrate having at least one aperture bonded to the coverstock into a mold cavity. The method of manufacture further includes separating the bonded coverstock and rigid polymer substrate in a localized area to define an internal chamber accessible by the aperture. The method of manufacture also includes injecting soft foam into the internal chamber through the aperture so as to be juxtaposed between the coverstock and the rigid polymer substrate in at least one predetermined location to define an integrated soft-touch area.

Vehicle interior trim panel assembly having an integrated soft-touch arm rest and method of manufacturing same

A sun visor for use with a motor vehicle includes a visor body having sufficient acoustic transmissibility such that the visor body is sufficiently sound transparent. The visor body further being sufficiently opaque so as to inhibit passage of light through the visor body.

Acoustically transparent visor

A headliner assembly for a vehicle. The headliner assembly includes a headliner body and a flexible air duct. The headliner body includes a vent aperture and first and second surfaces. The first surface is disposed adjacent to a roof of the vehicle and the second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. The flexible air duct includes an inlet for receiving pressurized air and a duct portion that channels pressurized air from the inlet to the vent aperture. The flexible air duct is attached to the first surface and inflates when air is provided through the inlet and at least partially deflates when air is not provided through the inlet.

Vehicle headliner with a flexible duct

A vehicle storage compartment includes a door with an interior face and exterior face. The exterior face of the door faces the interior of a vehicle. The vehicle storage compartment also includes a panel connected to the door, wherein the panel and the interior face of the door define a bin for the storage of goods. The panel is integrally formed with the door in a molding operation to form a single component. The vehicle storage compartment door and bin wherein are integrally formed by a counter-pressure molding process such that cell structures are formed in an interior of walls forming the door and the panel.

One piece vehicle storage compartment

The present invention provides for a two piece pivoting sun visor rod upon which sun visors are rotationally mounted, wherein the pivoting sun visor rod comprises a two piece sun visor rod having a pivot joint incorporated therein. Further, the present invention relates to a two piece sun visor rod having both a pivot joint and a means of electrically connecting a vanity light.

Two piece pivoting visor arm

Acoustical attenuating devices ( ) and method of forming them. The attenuating devices ( ) include an exterior layer ( ), a sound absorption layer ( ), and multiple perforated layers ( ) coupled to the sound absorption layer ( ). The perforated layers ( ) include a perforated structural layer ( ) and a perforated substrate layer ( ). The perforated structural layer ( ) and the perforated substrate layer ( ) provide structural stiffness and define multiple resonating tubes ( ) that attenuate sound.

Growing community of inventors

Clinton Township, MI, United States of America

Mark Fero