Abstract:
In a blow molding process the mold halves are independently controlled and moved so that a parison may be extruded from an extrusion head and then one of two mold halves may be moved toward the parison. The parison may be grasped by a manipulator to manipulate a portion of the parison so as to overlie a second portion of the mold cavity. The mold is then closed and a standard blow molding procedure performed. The process enables production of reduced flash.
Abstract:
In general, it is difficult to mold properly sized automotive boots without flash to be removed from the top end thereof. In accordance with the present invention, such molding is achieved placing a tubular parison between a pair of mold halves, moving a blow pin assembly downwardly partly into the top end of the parison, closing the mold by moving the mold halves together, using fingers to stretch the open bottom end of the parison, moving a sizing mandrel into the bottom end of the parison, closing inserts on the bottom of the mold around the bottom end of the parison to size the latter, blowing the parison using air under pressure discharged from the blow pin, moving the blow pin assembly farther down into the parison to size and cut the top end of the parison, opening the inserts and removing the lower sizing mandrel, opening the mold, closing the stretching fingers, and removing the blow pin assembly from the boot, which is stripped from the mold.
Abstract:
In general, used thermoplastic liquid containers such as oil and solvent bottles are discarded. When recycling oil bottles, the usual practice is to wash the bottles with a solvent to remove oil therefrom. Washing of the bottles results in large quantities of used, oil-containing solvent, which present a disposal problem. A simple solution to the problem of recycling liquid containers with no preliminary washing or cleaning operation includes the steps of tumbling the bottles to promote liquid separation, shredding the bottles into small pieces and draining the liquid therefrom, grinding the pieces of plastic to yield a particulate thermoplastic, and mixing the particulate thermoplastic and any liquid remaining therein with an additive, e.g. an oil absorbent and a filler such as calcium carbonate, glass, mica or talc, and when the liquid is an oil, an absorbent to produce an extrudable mixture which can be used to form new containers.
Abstract:
An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.
Abstract:
This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of the bolster upon activation.
Abstract:
A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface. The plurality of generally laterally extending ribs structures have sufficient strength to inhibit bending of the bolster about a vertical plane when struck by a driver's knees at a point or points that are not directly aft of the bolster transfer surfaces, when the force is equal to or less than an amount specified by a test standard.
Abstract:
A process for making a molded running board assembly for installation on a vehicle includes blow molding the body of the running board and incorporating one or more additional components such as a step plate or a trim strip. The process involves placing the insert into the blow mold cavity in a subcavity, holding the insert by vacuum pressure and then extruding and blow molding a parison to simultaneously mold the running board and integrate the insert.
Abstract:
An instrument panel subassembly for use in an instrument panel assembly in a motor vehicle is provided. The subassembly includes first and second generally C-shaped energy absorption brackets. The brackets have an aft facing C-section and upper and lower mounting ends. The brackets include attachment means for attaching the brackets to a vehicle structural member. The subassembly further includes a glove box door having an aft surface and a forward surface, and a bin. The glove box door includes hinge means for providing hinged movement of the glove box door relative to the first and second brackets between open and closed positions. The bin is within the C-section of the brackets when the glove box door is in a hingedly closed position.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an automotive air filter assembly, in particular, an assembly which includes an air flow chamber portion and a liquid reservoir portion. The air flow portion includes a panel filter for filtering air flowing to an engine. The panel filter includes air filtration media and hydrocarbon absorption media to inhibit release of hydrocarbon vapours to the air on engine shut down. The air flow portion also may include resonance chambers for acoustic silencing purposes. The liquid reservoir portion can include a pump for delivery of fluid such as windshield washer fluid.
Abstract:
A process for making a molded running board assembly for installation on a vehicle includes blow molding the body of the running board and incorporating one or more additional components such as a step plate or a trim strip. The process involves placing the insert into the blow mold cavity in a subcavity, holding the insert by vacuum pressure and then extruding and blow molding a parison to simultaneously mold the running board and integrate the insert.