Lear Corporation

Chrysler Corporation

International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.

Michael W Moran

Michael P Schoemann

Anthony Spagnuolo

Timothy Noggle

Alan George Dry

John David Youngs

Thomas J Susko

Carter S Cannon

Thomas W Spanos

Eric Stefan Mozer

Keith Hensley

Daryl Adams

Les A Gilewski

Jaswant Singh

Michael S Boyer

William L Manto

Daniel M Knight

John L Fox

Richard J Trombley

A blow molded structure comprising a body made out of a first polymeric material and an integrally molded, coextruded living hinge made out of a second, more flexible polymeric material. A method of making a blow molded article having a coextruded living hinge.

Blow molded article having an integrally molded living hinge and method of making the same

A mold assembly for forming a multi-shot molded part includes a mold system defining a mold cavity, and a retracting member disposed in the mold system selectively movable between extended and retracted positions in the mold cavity. A first molding material is injected in the mold cavity when the mold system is in a configuration with the retracting member in the extended position, forming a first portion of a molded part including a thin wall portion. A second molding material is injected in the mold cavity when the mold system is in another configuration with the retracting member in the retracted position, forming a second portion of the molded part and providing open cavity portions adjacent both surfaces of the thin wall portion. The second material penetrates the thin wall portion, filling the open cavity portions and forming a connection between the first and second portions of the molded part.

Multi-shot molding method and assembly

A mold and molding machine having a sensor and a control circuit for monitoring operation of the molding machine during a molding operation. The molding machine may be a blow molding machine that is used in an insert molding operation wherein a preformed insert is placed in the mold and the sensor is used to detect the condition within the mold such as the location of the insert. The insert sensor may be a microswitch, proximity sensor, or ultrasonic sensor. Other sensors such as temperature sensors or pressure sensors may also be incorporated in the mold.

Machine having sensors for controlling molding operation

A method of manufacturing a seat back includes placing a steel support structure within a mold and blow-molding a hollow plastic body onto the steel support structure to form a seat back with the steel support structure integrally supported within the body. The steel support structure may be a hollow, U-shaped steel tube having first and second attachment features at distal ends thereof for attachment to a lower seat structure.

Integral blow-molded, steel reinforced automotive seating structure

An underseat storage bin is used with a pivotable vehicle bench seat in a vehicle having a floor surface. The bench seat is pivotable between a horizontal seating position and an upright stowed position for providing access beneath the seat. The bench seat is supported on seat support members at opposing ends. The storage bin includes a blow-molded bin structure having first and second ends removably attachable to the seat support members. The bin structure includes a plurality of generally vertical compartment walls arranged to form a plurality of storage compartments. At least one of the storage compartments extends substantially the entire length of the bench seat for storing long items. The compartment walls form open bottoms therebetween, such that the vehicle floor surface forms the bottom of each storage compartment for supporting items stored in the storage bin.

Underseat storage bin

Growing community of inventors

Highland, MI, United States of America

Michael W Moran