Vehicle trim component storage compartment and method of making same

• US 20080073927A1
• Filed: 09/22/2006
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Adams, John L., Gage, Steve, Stables, Herb, Failla, David Michael, Simpson, Tracy L., Schoemann, Michael P., George, Richard D.
• Application Number:
  US11/525,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20080073927A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/37.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1635 using displaceable mould parts, e.g. retractable partition between adjacent mould cavities
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1676 using a soft material and a rigid material, e.g. making articles with a sealing part
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/76 Moulding on edges or extremities of the preformed part
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/22 Hinges , pivots
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3005 Body finishings
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/78 post or panel mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/02 Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners B60R13/01 takes precedence ; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories

Abstract

A vehicle trim component includes a substrate defining at least one wall of a storage compartment. The substrate has an edge surface which defines an opening into the storage compartment. A semi-rigid member extends outward of the edge surface and at least partially covers the opening to define a storage compartment closure. The semi-rigid member is manually deflectable between a closed position and an open position.

Claims

1. A vehicle trim component comprising:

a substrate defining at least one wall of a storage compartment, said substrate having an edge surface, said edge surface defining an opening into said storage compartment; and

a semi-rigid member extending outward of said edge surface and at least partially covering said opening to define a storage compartment closure, said semi-rigid member being manually deflectable between a closed position and an open position.

2. The vehicle trim component according to claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid member has a structure allowing said semi-rigid member to be manually deflected between said closed position and said open position such that no portion of said semi-rigid member is permanently deformed during said manual deflection.

3. The vehicle trim component according to claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid member is manually deflectable to said open position upon application of a first force by a vehicle occupant, said semi-rigid member resiliently returning to said closed position upon application of a second force by the vehicle occupant.

4. The vehicle trim component according to claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid member is manually deflectable to said open position upon application of a force by a vehicle occupant, said semi-rigid member resiliently returning to said closed position upon removal of said force by the vehicle occupant.

5. The vehicle trim component according to claim 1, wherein a portion of said flexible member forms a living hinge.

6. The vehicle trim component according to claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid member has a predetermined external contour.

7. The vehicle trim component according to claim 6, wherein said semi-rigid member is manually deflectable to said open position upon application of a first force by a vehicle occupant, said semi-rigid member resiliently returning to said closed position and said predetermined external contour upon application of a second force by the vehicle occupant.

8. The vehicle trim component according to claim 6, wherein said semi-rigid member is manually deflectable to said open position upon application of a force by a vehicle occupant, said semi-rigid member resiliently returning to said closed position and said predetermined external contour upon removal of said force by the vehicle occupant.

9. The vehicle trim component according to claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid member includes at least one reinforcing rib extending outwardly from a surface thereof.

10. The vehicle trim component according to claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid member is integrally molded within said opening.

11. A method of forming a vehicle trim component, the method comprising the steps of:

a. forming a substrate within a mold assembly, the substrate being formed from a first material and defining at least one wall of a storage compartment, the substrate having an edge surface which defines an opening into the storage compartment; and

b. forming a semi-rigid member within the mold assembly, the semi-rigid member being formed from a second material different from the first material and extending outward of the edge surface and at least partially covering the opening, the semi-rigid member being manually deflectable between a closed position and an open position and defining a storage compartment closure, thereby forming a vehicle trim component.

12. The method according to claim 11, further including the step of:

c. installing the vehicle trim component in a vehicle such that the storage compartment closure faces the vehicle interior, the semi-rigid member having a structure allowing the semi-rigid member to be manually deflected between the closed position and the open position such that no portion of the semi-rigid member is permanently deformed during the manual deflection.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the semi-rigid member is manually deflectable to the open position upon application of a first force by a vehicle occupant, the semi-rigid member resiliently returning to the closed position upon application of a second force by the vehicle occupant.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the semi-rigid member is manually deflectable to the open position upon application of a force by a vehicle occupant, the semi-rigid member resiliently returning to the closed position upon removal of the force by the vehicle occupant.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of forming a semi-rigid member further includes forming a living hinge in a portion of the flexible member.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the semi-rigid member is formed having a predetermined external contour.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the semi-rigid member is manually deflectable to the open position upon application of a first force by a vehicle occupant, the semi-rigid member resiliently returning to the closed position and the predetermined external contour upon application of a second force by the vehicle occupant.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the semi-rigid member is manually deflectable to the open position upon application of a force by a vehicle occupant, the semi-rigid member resiliently returning to the closed position and the predetermined external contour upon removal of the force by the vehicle occupant.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the semi-rigid member is formed having at least one reinforcing rib extending outwardly from a surface thereof.

20. A vehicle trim component comprising:

a substrate defining at least one wall of a storage compartment, said wall having an edge surface; and

a semi-rigid member extending outward of said edge surface to define a storage compartment closure, said semi-rigid member being manually deflectable between a closed position and an open position, wherein said semi-rigid member is manually deflectable to said open position upon application of a first force by a vehicle occupant, said semi-rigid member resiliently returning to said closed position upon application of a second force by the vehicle occupant, and wherein a portion of said flexible member forms a living hinge.