Chivas Products Limited

Becker Group, Inc.

Richard A Phelps

Brian S Lorence

Ronald D Moore

David N Grabowski

James D Kavanaugh

Jeffrey A Weidman

Michael C Howard

To form a prebonded composite structure, a laminate composite is prepared by positioning a first layer of heat-activated adhesive between a first fabric layer and a second side of a pad and a second fabric layer is positioned adjacent a second side of the pad. The laminate composite is heated to produce a heated laminate composite and the heated laminate composite is positioned between an upper mold and a lower mold. The laminate composite is compressed between the upper and lower molds, thereby compressing the first layer of heat-activated adhesive between the pad and the first fabric layer. In one application, dielectric heat is applied to the laminate composite during the step of compressing the laminate composite.

Cold sealing process for soft trim products

To form a seam of attractive appearance, a heated platen having a shaped lip acts to engage and press the central surface of an adhesively-backed sheet of a polymeric fabric against the top appearance surface of a panel and the peripheral edge of the sheet into a groove formed in the surface, the platen activating the adhesive and the lip forcing a potion of the adhesive inwardly adjacent to the sheet edge against one wall of the groove. An insertion blade presses a portion of the sheet edge towards the bottom of the groove, the blade acting as a heat shield to space and protect the other wall of the groove from the heated platen.

Method and apparatus for producing trim panels

To form a seam of attractive appearance, a heated platen having a shaped lip acts to engage and press the central surface of an adhesively-backed sheet of a polymeric fabric against the top appearance surface of a panel and the peripheral edge of the sheet into a groove formed in the surface, the platen activating the adhesive and the lip forcing a portion of the adhesive inwardly adjacent to the sheet edge against one wall of the groove. An insertion blade presses a portion of the sheet edge towards the bottom of the groove, the blade acting as a heat shield to space and protect the other wall of the groove from the heated platen.

The present invention relates to a vehicle pocket assembly for attachment to the inner panel of a vehicle door and generally comprises a rigid backing member and an integral frontal member. The rigid backing member is adhered against the inner panel of the vehicle door and is provided with a decorative covering. The front member includes a substantially U-shaped frame having first and second side portions, a linearly expandable member including first and second partially adjustable overlapping slats which extend between the first and second side portions and a covering material which houses both the frame and the linearly expandable member. The vehicle pocket assembly is expandable by drawing the first and second slats toward the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Vehicle door pocket

An improved visor mount (16) removably fastens a visor to a panel (10) without the use of tools. The body has an outer portion (24), an inner portion (20), and an intermediate portion (23). The body includes a bore (26) to receive the visor handle (27). The inner portion includes a pair of wings (18, 19). The inner and intermediate portions are sized to pass through an oblong shaped first panel opening (14) in the panel; rotating the body to a fastened rotary orientation causes the wings to become misaligned with the panel opening to secure the body to the panel. A resiliently biased detent pin (17) is carried by one of the wings and automatically engages a second panel opening (15) when the body is at the fastened rotary orientation to automatically lock the visor mount in place.

Visor mount

This invention provides concealable cupholders (3, 5) with several beneficial aspects. Conveniently, the cupholders may be activated by actuating a push-to-release catch (24, 25) so that the cupholders move outwardly in a controlled manner from a housing with the appearance that it is being driven by an electric motor. The cupholders overlap one another in a compact manner within the housing. When moved out of the housing the cupholders may be maintained in the overlapping position such that they jointly support a single beverage or, alternatively a release mechanism (30) may be activated, by the use of, for example, a kick-out spring (10) to permit the secondary cupholder (5) to pivot to a position substantially disposed away from the primary cupholder (3) such that both cupholders may support different containers.

Nested container holders

A container holder having a shelf slidingly disposed in a housing, the shelf having a container holder. The shelf preferably is mounted so that it can both slide in and out of the housing and rotate about an axis other than the central axis of the housing. In one embodiment, two shelves are mounted one over the other in a single housing such that the shelves rotate away from each other when moved out of the housing. In another embodiment, two shelves are mounted side by side in a single housing.

Dual action cupholder

A bilateral beverage container (2) mounts within a hinged vehicle armrest (4). The container has an upper container housing (22), a lower container housing (26) and a hinged game surface (24) therebetween suitable for playing board games upon. The upper container housing includes a flap (34) that defines a compartment suitable for storing writing paper, magazines and the like. The lower container housing includes fixed and user-definable compartments (48, 50) for storing beverage containers (76), game pieces and other objects, and hinged lids (60) to cover the fixed compartments. The lower container housing includes a hinged bilateral tray (62) with openings (68) sized to receive beverage containers. The bilateral tray holds beverage containers in both a stowed position, overlying the hinged lids covering the fixed compartments, and in a deployed position, spaced apart from the lower container housing. A pivotally attached stirrup assembly (70) pivotally deploys from the bilateral tray when the tray is in the deployed position, to provide horizontal support for beverage containers within the openings in the tray.

Bilateral beverage container holder

A container holder (2) for use with a support (4) including a frame (8) slidable within a housing (6) movable between a vertical, storage position, and a horizontal, operational position. The housing (6) is a box-like configuration having a slot (18) formed at one end. The frame (8) includes an integral member (26) having an opening (28) to accommodate beverage containers such as cans and cups. When in the storage position, the frame (8) is retained within the housing (6) in a vertical position. As the frame (8) moves to its operational position, it is guided through the slot (18) and pivots to a horizontal, operational position, generally perpendicular to its vertical, storage position. This operation enables the container holder (2) to be conveniently stored in a narrow space. 9

Container holder

A termination structure for an assist strap includes a rectangular, ring-like mounting bracket used to secure an end of the assist strap and a generally U-shaped assist strap termination piece to a vehicle. The termination piece, which has first and second legs, and assist strap extend from opposite open ends of the bracket. The first leg, the end of the assist strap and the base of the bracket are fastened to each other and to the vehicle by a screw. The distal end of the second leg is positioned within the bracket so that the assist strap appears to have a loop at its end. The second leg has an L-shaped first fastener element secured to its interior surface which engages the upstanding head of the screw, which serves as a second fastener element. The fastener elements are positioned and sized so that the distal end of second leg, which is resilient, is compressed within the bracket to keep the fastener elements engaged to prevent removal of the distal end of the second leg.

Assist strap termination structure

An automotive casket handle includes a generally U-shaped frame, pivotally mounted to a support surface, and inside and outside cushion members secured to recesses in the frame. Each cushion member includes a structural strip, typically of steel, a cover, typically of preformed vinyl, and a foam strip positioned between the structural strip and the cover. The edges of the cover are captured between the structural strip and the frame. Thus, the exposed surface of the cover is smooth and seamless with rounded edges. One cushion member is secured to the frame by bendable tabs extending from the structural strip, passing through tab openings in the frame and then bent against the frame. The other cushion member is connected to the frame by the engagement of studs, extending from the structural strip, into push lock fasteners mounted to the frame.

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Ferndale, MI, United States of America

Richard A Phelps