Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Other

Chrysler Corporation

Thomas D Mihelich

George Walczowski

Brian Chaloult

James E Van Hout

Werner H Schneider

Sudhakar Kodali

Robert P Kuhr

Richard Kleinhoffer

Zdzislaw J Skorupa

Paul C Pellerito

John W Joyce

Thomas E Edson

Frank R Piatt

A partitioning system for use in the storage area of a vehicle is disclosed. The partitioning system includes a multipurpose shelf that can be positioned in a plurality of different locations. The shelf can be disposed (1) horizontally near the top of the rear row of seats to act as a security cover; (2) horizontally along the floor in the storage area; (3) horizontally to cooperate of a folded last row of seats to provide a generally flat surface from the end gate into the passenger area; (4) vertically and adjacent to the rear row of seats; and (5) horizontally, while the end gate is open, such that the shelf extends beyond the storage area as defined by a closed end gate. The shelf includes a pivotable support leg that may contact the vehicle body to support the shelf in this horizontal position that extends beyond the storage area defined by a closed end gate.

Multi-positional vehicle shelf

A partitioning system is for use in the storage area of a vehicle. The partitioning system includes a multipurpose shelf that can be positioned in a plurality of different locations. The shelf can be disposed (1) horizontally near the top of the rear row of seats to act as a security cover; (2) horizontally along the floor in the storage area; (3) horizontally to cooperate of a folded last row of seats to provide a generally flat surface from the end gate into the passenger area; (4) vertically and adjacent to the rear row of seats; and (5) horizontally, while the end gate is open, such that the shelf extends beyond the storage area as defined by a closed end gate. The shelf includes a pivotable support leg that may contact the vehicle body to support the shelf in this horizontal position that extends beyond the storage area defined by a closed end gate.

An energy absorbing interior trim component of plastics is attached to a supporting structural member of a vehicle by one or more special fastening devices. The trim component has a shell-like main housing defining an interior cavity that contains a plurality of laterally spaced energy absorbing ribs, which are designed to deform and collapse upon predetermined impact loads applied to the trim component. The ribs are strategically located and sized for optimized energy absorbing purposes and in accordance with the interior dimensions and shape of the trim component. Each fastening device comprises a steel spring clip having laterally spaced clamping jaw arms for easy installation and substantially permanent attachment to the ribs and having an attachment head which readily fastens into structure defining a narrow elongated slot in the supporting structural member. The trim component is inhibited from inadvertent disconnection from the structural member but can be removed for replacement or repair with simple tools. The energy of an impact load applied to the interior trim component is transferred to the energy absorbing ribs which collapse, tear or otherwise deform to dissipate the transferred impact energy. The fastening device is also designed to fold over to an out of the way position within the interior cavity of the trim component when the component is impacted. The trim component and fastener are an economical and readily manufacturable.

Energy absorbing trim component fastening system

A system for mounting an audio speaker within an automobile door, in which a bridge is mounted on and extends from a door interior support panel, and has an integral platform spaced from the support panel and surrounding a speaker opening. The body of the audio speaker is received within the bridge speaker opening, and mounting flange tabs on the speaker radially project from the speaker body and are releasably secured to the bridge platform. An exterior trim panel has a lip that surrounds a speaker opening in the trim panel. The trim panel lip is removably secured to the platform radially outwardly of the speaker, such that the trim panel and the speaker are removably secured to the platform independently of each other. A grill is removably secured to the trim panel overlying and enclosing the speaker opening in trim panel, and thus covering both the bridge platform and the speaker.

Audio speaker mounting system with improved mounting and sound isolation

Growing community of inventors

Troy, MI, United States of America

Thomas D Mihelich