DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0049] FIGS. 1 - 6 show a first embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 7 - 17 show a second embodiment of the invention, and FIGS. 18 - 25 show a third embodiment of the invention.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1 and the first embodiment, a motor vehicle door, generally shown at 10 , includes a structural door body 12 having outer 14 and inner 16 sheet metal layers. A plurality of hardware components, including a power lock actuator and lock assembly 18 , an inside release cable 20 , an inside release handle 22 , an electric motor 24 , and a window regulator 26 , are positioned between the outer 14 and inner 16 sheet metal layers when the door 10 is fully assembled.

[0051] A trim panel 28 is secured to and extends over the inner sheet metal layer 16 to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance from the passenger cabin. The trim panel 28 is generally formed by a molding process, as is commonly known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,387,390; 5,397,409; 5,571,355; 5,885,662; 6,013,210; and 6,017,617. Trim panel 28 is contoured in the lower region to present a map pocket region. At the upper edge of this region, a map pocket opening 29 is provided. The opening 29 can be formed during the molding process or cut or trimmed after molding.

[0052] A secondary trim/hardware carrier component (alternatively referred to as a trim/carrier component for brevity), generally indicated at 30 , is formed separately from the trim panel 28 . Preferably, the trim/carrier component 30 is a map pocket component 32 , which is formed as a relatively rigid piece separate from the trim panel 28 . After complete assembly of the door 10 , the map pocket component 32 is accessible to a motor vehicle occupant for storage of items.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the map pocket component 32 has an inboard surface 34 facing away from the outer sheet metal layer 14 ( FIG. 2 ), and an outboard surface 36 facing the outer sheet metal layer 14 ( FIG. 3 ). A U-shaped pocket wall or shelf structure 38 is formed along the inboard surface 34 . Each of the plurality of hardware components is individually secured to the map pocket component 32 along the outboard surface 36 thereof to form a door module assembly, generally shown at 40 . The door module assembly 40 is assembled away from the rest of the motor vehicle door 10 . The map pocket component 32 is formed from a low cost “non-structural” material. This material provides enough structural integrity to enable the door module assembly 40 to be transported from a secondary assembly plant, where the door module assembly 40 is assembled, to an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), where the door module assembly 40 is mounted to the inner sheet metal layer 16 . However, the non-structural material is not designed to permanently support hardware components under stress, such as the window regulator, once deployed.

[0054] As the hardware components are secured to the map pocket component 32 to form the door module assembly 40 , each of the hardware components is also aligned along the map pocket component 32 . Thus, when the door module assembly 40 is mounted to the inner sheet metal layer 16 , each of the hardware components is correctly oriented relative to the rest of the door 10 .

[0055] In addition, after the door module assembly 40 has been assembled (and before mounting of the door module assembly 40 to the inner sheet metal layer 16 ), each of the hardware components may be individually tested for operational use. As a result, when the door module assembly 40 is secured to the structural door body 12 by the OEM, operability of the each of the hardware components is ensured.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 4 , access holes 42 are formed in the inner sheet metal layer 16 for receiving the door module assembly 40 . Any existing motor vehicle door may be easily modified for receiving the door module assembly 40 by forming the access holes by conventional means, such as stamping. It can be seen that two access holes 42 are formed, each having an irregular shape. It will be appreciated that both the number of access holes 42 and the shape of the access holes 42 may vary depending upon specific needs.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 5 , the door module assembly 40 is at least partially inserted into the access holes 42 to secure the door module assembly 40 to the inner sheet metal layer 16 . The door module assembly 40 may be secured to the inner sheet metal layer 16 by any conventional fasteners, such as bolts, screws, and the like. In the preferred embodiment, after the door module assembly 40 is mounted within the access holes 42 , a top portion 44 of each of the access holes 42 above and outside of an upper surface 46 of the map pocket component 32 remains exposed. An individual servicing the hardware components may reach through the top portions 44 of the access holes 42 to gain access to the plurality of hardware components. Consequently, many servicing jobs may be completed without disrupting or dismantling the door construction, resulting in greater integrity of construction following servicing.

[0058] To complete assembly of the door 10 , the trim panel 28 , shown in FIG. 6 , is then mounted over the inner sheet metal layer 16 such that an inner surface 48 of the trim panel 28 faces the inner sheet metal layer 16 . The trim panel 28 overlays the door module assembly 40 . Map pocket opening 29 aligns with the upper edge of the map pocket wall 38 . Together, the trim panel 28 and the map pocket component 32 cooperate to define a map pocket.

[0059] A method for assembling the motor vehicle door 10 begins with securing each of the plurality of hardware components, including the inside release handle 18 , the inside release cable 20 , the power actuator and lock assembly 22 , the window regulator 24 , and the wiring harness 26 , to the secondary trim component 30 to form the door module assembly 40 . The secondary trim component 30 is formed separately from the trim panel 28 . During attachment of the hardware components to the secondary trim component 30 , the hardware components are aligned therealong so that the hardware components are properly oriented after complete assembly of the door 10 . The access holes 42 are formed in the inner sheet metal layer 16 by stamping or other conventional methods. The door module assembly 40 is then at least partially inserted into the access holes 42 of the inner sheet metal layer 16 for mounting to the structural door body 12 . The trim panel 28 is then secured over the door module assembly 40 to complete assembly of the door 10 . If servicing of any of the hardware components is required, the trim panel 28 may be detached from the inner sheet metal layer 16 to expose the door module assembly 40 , which is still mounted to the inner sheet metal layer 16 . Access to the hardware components may be gained by reaching through the top portions 44 of the access holes 42 , thus obviating the need for further disassembly of the door 10 .

[0060] In another method for assembling the motor vehicle door 10 , the method begins with securing each of the plurality of hardware components, including the inside release handle 18 , the inside release cable 20 , the power actuator and lock assembly 22 , the window regulator 24 , and the wiring harness 26 , to the map pocket component 32 . The map pocket component 32 is formed separately from the trim panel 28 . During attachment of the hardware components to the map pocket component 32 , the hardware components are aligned therealong so that the hardware components are properly oriented after complete assembly of the door 10 . The access holes 42 are formed in the inner sheet metal layer 16 by stamping or other conventional methods. The door module assembly 40 is then at least partially inserted into the access holes 42 of the inner sheet metal layer 16 for mounting to the structural door body 12 . The trim panel 28 is then secured over the door module assembly 40 to complete assembly of the door 10 . If servicing of any of the hardware components is required, the trim panel 28 may be detached from the inner sheet metal layer 16 to expose the door module assembly 40 , which is still mounted to the inner sheet metal layer 16 . Access to the hardware components may be gained by reaching through the access holes 42 , thus obviating the need for further disassembly of the door 10 .

[0061] A more sophisticated embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 - 18 . As seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B , the secondary trim/hardware carrier component of this embodiment, designated generally by ref. no. 130 , includes a number of additional integrally molded or formed components in addition to a map pocket body 132 . These additional components include: a speaker housing 150 and cover shroud 152 ; a side impact energy absorption structure 154 , comprising a lattice of integrally molded plastic ribs 156 ; a cavity 158 for housing a motor and cable drum; a latch presenter rail 204 , seen best in the detail view of FIG. 15B ; and at least one flap 162 provided by “living” hinge 163 , the illustrated embodiment having two such flaps 162 A and 162 B.

[0062] The trim/carrier component 130 of this embodiment includes a finished or visually pleasing “class A” surface 134 that is preferably consistent with the design theme used for the interior trim panels (described in greater detail below). A U-shaped pocket wall or shelf structure 138 is formed along the finished surface 134 , collectively providing map pocket body 132 . The remaining surface area 136 is not observable from the interior passenger compartment when the trim/carrier component 130 is installed and so can have a non-finished or non-class A surface to which a variety of hardware components are attached. The trim/carrier component 130 provides sufficient structural integrity to mount these hardware components for transport from a secondary assembly plant, as described in greater detail below, but does not otherwise aid or supplement the structural performance or characteristics of the structural door body (shown in FIG. 8 ), nor permanently support the hardware components under stress.

[0063] The trim/carrier component 130 carries all of the hardware components required for the typical vehicle door. These include:

[0064] a window regulator, generally designated by ref. no. 126 , which includes one or more rails 164 , lift plates 166 and interconnecting drive system 168 including motor and cable drum 170 ;

[0065] a wiring harness 172 , which is attached to the secondary trim component 130 via integrally formed clips 174 ;

[0066] a lock assembly 118 ;

[0067] an inside release rod 120 ;

[0068] a speaker (not shown); and

[0069] a latch 176 ;

[0070] In addition, the trim/carrier component 130 carries a water-sealing bead 180 around the perimeter thereof. A robot preferably applies the sealing bead 180 , as known in the art per se. In the alternative, the seal can be an integrally formed part resulting, for example, from a foam co-injection process as known in the art. As another alternative, the seal can be a separately formed part that is friction-fitted into a detent formed around the outer perimeter of the trim/carrier component 130 . However provided, the sealing bead 180 engages the inner sheet metal layer of the door structure when the former is installed on the latter as described in greater detail below. The trim/carrier component 130 thus provides a water shielding function, insulating the inner trim components and interior of the vehicle from the exterior environment. Consequently, the motor 170 is installed on the dry side of the trim/hardware component with only the gearbox output shaft extending into the wet side, and all of the electrical connections to the motor 170 and other electrical components are made or carried on the dry side.

[0071] The trim/carrier component 130 is mounted to a structural door body 112 , shown in FIG. 8 , which has outer and inner sheet metal layers 114 , 116 . Note that in this embodiment, access holes 142 in the inner sheet metal layer 116 will be covered up by the trim/carrier component when it is installed to the door body 112 as shown in FIG. 9 and discussed in greater detail below. However, since the trim/hardware component 130 includes at least one moveable flap 162 , the interior space between the inner and outer sheet metal layers of the door body 112 can still be accessed to mount the hardware to the inner sheet metal layer 116 or to otherwise access hardware components disposed therein. See, in addition, U.S. Ser. No. 09/959,064 filed Apr. 19, 2000, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety, for further information regarding the benefits provided by integrated flaps.

[0072] As seen in FIG. 10 , the interior trim in this embodiment is provided by separate upper and lower trim panels 128 A, 128 B that are co-operatively installed onto the vehicle door body 112 , over the trim/hardware component 130 . The lower trim panel 128 B has a map pocket opening 129 which aligns with the upper edge of the map pocket wall 138 on the secondary trim component 130 , thus cooperatively defining a map pocket.

[0073] As seen best in FIG. 11 , the trim/carrier component 130 (including accompanying door hardware), the upper trim panel 128 A and the lower trim panel 128 B, which collectively form a door module assembly 140 , are provided as a single unit 186 for transport to an OEM from a secondary assembly plant. This architecture minimizes handling and assembly operations, as described in greater detail below. The transport unit 186 includes a releasable bracket 188 and hooks 190 for temporarily stacking the upper trim panel 128 A on the lower trim panel 128 B. The lower trim panel 128 B, in turn, is releasably stacked against the trim/carrier component 130 by a friction-fit interconnect structure. More specifically, as seen in FIG. 12 , the lower trim panel 128 B includes integrally formed shipping clips or hooks 192 and pockets 194 on the rear face thereof, and the trim/carrier component 130 has corresponding integrally formed pockets 196 and hooks 198 on the front face thereof. The hooks 192 on the lower trim panel 128 B mate with corresponding pockets 196 on the trim/carrier component 130 and the hooks 198 on the trim/carrier component 130 mate with corresponding pockets 194 on the lower trim panel 128 B (as schematically indicated by the stippled lines). When stacked in this manner, the lower trim panel 128 B is preferably offset against the trim/carrier component 130 so that the two parts may be easily separated.

[0074] The preferred door assembly sequence is as follows: Referring to FIG. 13 A, the transport unit 186 is brought adjacent the door body 112 and the trim/carrier component 130 is located against the inner sheet metal layer 116 . The trim/carrier component has integrally molded tubules 184 projecting from the rear side thereof which are designed to be inserted into corresponding holes in the sheet metal. (See the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 16C ). In the process, the hardware located on the trim/carrier component 130 is inserted at least partially into the access holes 142 . The hardware is then secured to the inner sheet metal layer 116 by conventional fasteners such as bolts and screws, and the like. The flaps 162 on the trim/carrier component 130 may be utilized to gain access to the hardware located on the upper portion of the trim/carrier component 130 .

[0075] In the preferred embodiment the latch 176 is installed into an opening 200 of the door body 112 , as seen best in the detail perspective views of FIGS. 15 A- 15 C. In order to ease assembly, the latch 176 is preferably temporarily mounted on a presenter 202 that is slidable on the trim/carrier component 130 between an initial, park position, seen in FIG. 15 A, and an installed position, seen in FIG. 15C . In order to support this function, the trim/carrier component includes two integrally molded rails 204 A, 204 B. The presenter 202 includes two C-shaped channels 206 A, 206 B in its peripheral wall that glide on the rails 204 A, 204 B. The presenter 202 also includes one or more projecting pins (not explicitly shown) which support the latch 176 via bolt holes 177 . Articulated rods 208 are used to connect the latch to other components such as the door handle. To mount the latch 176 against the door body, the presenter 202 is slid from the park position to the install position, where the latch is disposed and properly oriented adjacent the opening 200 in the door body 112 . As the bolts are inserted into the bolt holes of the latch, the support pins and hence the presenter are backed out of the bolt holes, enabling the presenter 202 to be easily removed from the latch 176 . In addition, as one of the integral rails 204 B is shorter in length than the other rail 204 A, the presenter 202 may be removed from the secondary trim component 130 by an appropriate twisting motion, as symbolically represented by arrow 210 .

[0076] Once the hardware on the upper part of the trim/hardware component 130 is secured to the door body 12 , the upper trim panel 128 A is removed from the transport unit 186 . The hook 190 may be used to temporarily hang the upper trim panel 128 A on the door body 112 in a position higher than the installed position, as seen in FIG. 13B .

[0077] Next, as shown in FIG. 13 C, the lower trim panel 128 B is removed from the trim/carrier component 130 by releasing the shipping clips. If desired, one or more removable straps 212 may be used to interconnect the lower trim panel 128 B with the trim/carrier component 130 in order to hang the lower trim panel from the door body 112 in an out-of-the-way position, leaving access to the lower portion of the trim/carrier component. ( FIG. 14 shows one example of an interconnect structure 214 for securing a removable strap to a part.) The hardware components located on the lower portion of the trim/carrier component may then be secured to the inner sheet metal layer using conventional fasteners.

[0078] The straps 212 , if employed, are then removed, and the lower trim panel 128 B is located in a pre-configured orientation against the trim/carrier component 130 . For this purpose the lower trim panel 128 B preferably includes a series of integrally molded, keyed tubules 216 (shown in FIG. 16A ) projecting from the rear side thereof which mate with slightly larger correspondingly-shaped tubules 184 in the trim/carrier component and/or holes formed in the inner sheet metal layer. See also the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 16C . Each tubule/hole combination has a different key pattern, thus eliminating positional errors. Once located, the lower trim panel can then be secured to the inner sheet metal layer as known in the art per se. For example, the lower trim panel may include integrally molded clips or snap fasteners projecting from the rear side thereof for mating engagement in corresponding holes formed in the inner sheet metal layer.

[0079] Next, the upper trim panel 128 A is located in a pre-configured orientation against the door body 112 . More particularly, the lower trim panel 128 B preferably includes a flange 218 having one or more of the locating tubules 216 thereon which will be covered from view by the upper trim panel 128 A. The upper trim panel 128 A preferably includes somewhat smaller locating tubules 220 on the rear side of its lower perimeter for co-locating the upper trim panel against the now-installed lower trim panel by insertion of the smaller tubules 220 into the larger tubule 216 . Once located, the upper trim panel 128 A is then secured to the inner sheet metal layer 116 using, for example, integrally molded clips or snap fasteners projecting from the rear side thereof which matingly engage corresponding holes formed in the inner sheet metal layer. The upper trim panel is also preferably secured to the lower trim panel at the overlapped flange 218 using clips such as clips 230 shown in the detailed sectional view of FIG. 17 . The assembled door is shown in FIG. 10 .

[0080] Once assembled, the hardware components can typically be serviced by removing only the upper trim panel to thus expose the flaps of the trim/carrier component. These flaps may then be opened to allow access to various hardware components. For example, flap 162 B can be opened to allow access to the latch 176 . Advantageously, as the presenter 202 is discarded during installation, the latch can be easily removed for servicing by disconnecting the articulated rods and wiring harness.

[0081] FIGS. 18 - 24 show the most preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 18 shows a structural door body 312 comprising inner and outer sheet metal layers 316 , 314 . Access holes 342 A and 342 B are provided in the inner sheet metal layer 316 . Keyholes 306 are provided above the access holes for mounting window regulator rails 364 to the inner sheet metal layer 316 , as discussed in greater detail below. The inner sheet metal layer 316 presents a large surface area bridging the two access holes 342 A, 342 B, and includes a platform 308 which serves to structurally support a pull arm, as described in greater detail below. The inner sheet metal layer 316 also includes an irregularly shaped, closed loop plateau 310 surrounding the access holes. The plateau 310 provides a flat surface for sealingly mounting a secondary trim component/hardware carrier to the structural door body 312 , as described in greater detail below. A portion 322 of the plateau 310 is shaped in the form of a “W” (i.e., wiggly shaped) between the two access holes 342 A, 342 B, thus substantially avoiding the presentation of any laterally extending surface. In addition, two series of generally vertically orientated ribs 324 A, 324 B are formed in the inner sheet metal layer 316 in the bridge area, above and below the wiggly-shaped portion 322 of plateau 310 . Collectively, the ribs and the wiggly shaped portion of the plateau substantially cover the entire surface of the inner sheet metal layer 316 between the two access holes 342 A, 342 B so as to ensure that there is no consistent horizontal surface therebetween. In this manner, the inner sheet metal layer 316 does not provide a hinge that could arise as a result of the orthogonal forces applied to the pull arm platform 308 .

[0082] FIGS. 19A and 19B are exploded views of a door module 386 comprising a secondary trim/hardware carrier component 330 (referred to as “carrier” 330 , for brevity) and upper and lower interior trim panels 328 A and 328 B. In this embodiment, as described in greater detail below, the lower trim panel 328 B is shipped affixed or pre-assembled to the carrier 330 and the upper trim panel 328 A is articulated to the lower trim panel 328 B thus avoiding the need to lift or carry the components independently during assembly to the structural door body.

[0083] More particularly, carrier 330 includes the following integrally molded or formed components:

[0084] a map pocket body 332 , including a shelf structure 338 , having a class A finished surface;

[0085] a speaker housing 350 ;

[0086] a side impact energy absorption structure 354 , comprising a lattice of integrally molded ribs 356 (see FIG. 19 A);

[0087] a motor and cable drum mounting receptacle 358 ;

[0088] a latch presenter rail 304 (see FIG. 19 A); and

[0089] at least one flap 362 provided by “living” hinge 363 , the illustrated embodiment having two such flaps 362 A and 362 B.

[0090] The secondary trim component 330 carries preferably all of the hardware components required for the typical vehicle door. These include:

[0091] a window regulator, generally designated by ref. no. 326 , which includes one or more rails 364 having bolts 365 partially installed therein, lift plates 366 and interconnecting drive system 368 including motor and cable drum 370 ;

[0092] a wiring harness 372 , which is attached to the secondary trim component 330 via integrally formed clips (not shown);

[0093] a lock assembly 318 ;

[0094] an inside release rod 320 ;

[0095] a speaker 352 ;

[0096] a latch 376 mounted to the secondary trim component via a latch presenter 302 , as previously described; and

[0097] a flexible water sealing bead 380 which may be provided as previously described.

[0098] In addition, brackets 374 A, 374 B are bolted to the window regulator rails 364 . Another bracket 378 , comprising orthogonal extension 379 , is also mounted to the carrier 330 using conventional fasteners. The purpose of these brackets is described in greater detail below.

[0099] Referring additionally to FIG. 20 , the lower trim panel 328 B has a map pocket opening 329 which, when aligned with the upper edge of the shelf structure 338 on carrier 330 , co-operatively defines a map pocket.

[0100] In this embodiment, the upper trim panel 328 A is joined, and more preferably articulated to the lower trim panel 328 B via hinges 388 . The hinges 388 are preferably formed from plastic and fastened to the upper and lower trim panels at the secondary assembly plant. Each hinge 388 has fold lines at 389 . This enables the upper trim panel to rotate about 180 degrees from a folded shipping position shown in FIGS. 19A & 19B (see also FIGS. 22 & 23 ), where the upper trim panel is co-located parallel to and suspended from the lower trim panel, to a vertical position shown in FIG. 20 , where the upper trim panel is inline with but above the lower trim panel, and finally to an installed position, where the two trim panels are flush and interconnected as shown in FIGS. 21 & 25 . In the installed position, the hinges 388 fold out of the way enabling the upper trim panel 328 A to overlap the carrier 330 .

[0101] The lower trim panel 328 B is fixed to carrier 330 at a secondary assembly plant, prior to assembly of the door module to the structural door body. The preferred means for interconnecting these components includes a plurality (preferably four) of hooks 390 integrally formed on the rear of the lower trim panel 328 B. These hooks 390 , which include integral side wedges 391 , snap-fit into resiliently walled sleeves 392 ( FIG. 19B ) integrally formed on carrier 330 , thus locking the two components together. With the hardware assembled onto the carrier 330 and the lower trim panel mounted 328 B to the carrier, the hardware module 386 forms a single transport unit shippable from the secondary assembly plant to the OEM plant. FIGS. 22A and 22B show the transport unit in opposing perspective views, and FIG. 23 is an end view of the transport unit. As indicated previously, providing all the door hardware and trim in a single transport unit considerably reduces handling and assembly operations.

[0102] The door module 386 is mounted to the structural door body 312 as follows. Moving flaps 362 A, 362 B out of the way, the installer first slides the top of the window regulator rails 364 into the access holes 342 A, 342 B of the inner sheet metal layer 316 and inserts the loosely fitted bolts 365 of the window regulator rails 365 into the keyholes 306 . Once this is accomplished the weight of the door module 386 is carried by the structural door body, as shown in FIG. 24 , which is supported by the vehicle. The keyholes 306 allow the door module 386 to be manipulated so as to enable the installer to bolt the lower portion of the lower trim panel 328 B to the structural door body 312 . Preferably, two bolts (not shown) are passed through guide conduits 394 ( FIG. 19A ) integrally formed in panel 328 B to mount the panel and brackets 374 A, 374 B against the inner sheet metal layer 316 via threaded holes 396 ( FIG. 18 ) formed therein. This orients the window regulator 326 and carrier 330 relative to the structural door body 312 , including juxtaposing the water-sealing bead 380 against the plateau 310 of the inner sheet metal layer 316 . After this step, the bolts 365 at the top of the window regulator rails 364 may be tightened down. In addition, as seen in FIG. 24 , the carrier 330 is preferably bolted (not shown) to the structural door body 312 at location 398 A, to fasten bracket 378 to platform 308 , location 398 B, to fasten motor 370 to tab 399 ( FIG. 18 ) of the inner sheet metal layer, and at locations 398 C, 398 D, ( FIG. 18 ) to fasten the speaker 352 to the inner sheet metal layer 316 .

[0103] Next, various hardware connections may be made to other components of the door. For example, the latch presenter 302 may be actuated as previously described in order to move the latch 376 into position. An outside handle (not shown) and key cylinder (not shown) may be connected to the latch. The wiring harness 372 may also be fished through various holes in the structural door body 312 , which will vary depending on the application. Once these connections are made, the flaps 362 A, 362 B are fastened to the inner sheet metal layer via releasable friction-fit fasteners 401 ( FIG. 19A ), as known in the art per se, which enable the flaps to be subsequently re-opened.

[0104] Next, the upper trim panel 328 A is articulated to the vertical position, enabling the inside release handle on the panel to be attached to connecting rod 320 . The upper panel 328 A may then be moved to the installed position. To facilitate the smooth intermeshing of the upper and lower trim panels, the rear side of the upper trim panel 328 A includes a series of integrally molded pyramid-like or frusto-pyramidical lugs 400 which seat in correspondingly shaped receptacles 402 integrally formed on the rear side of the lower trim panel 328 B. The lower surface of the upper trim panel rests against a correspondingly shaped upper surface of the lower trim panel such that the trim appears to the observer as one continuous piece, as shown in FIG. 25 . Note that the upper trim panel may subsequently be easily moved into a position which is distanced from the carrier 330 , so as to enable access to various hardware components for subsequent servicing.

[0105] After the upper trim panel 328 A is placed in the installed position, the integrally formed pull handle 404 ( FIG. 25 ) is bolted (bolts not shown) to extension 379 of bracket 378 which, in turn, is fastened to platform 308 of inner sheet metal layer 316 . The upper trim panel 328 may also fastened to the inner sheet metal layer 316 or the carrier 330 at other locations, if desired. The number of such fastening points is, however, preferably minimized for ease of subsequent servicing operations.

[0106] FIGS. 26 A- 26 D show a preferred embodiment of a hinge 410 for articulating the upper and lower trim panels 328 A, 328 B. The hinge is shown in these drawings in various positions of operation from a folded position in FIG. 26A to a fully extended position in FIG. 26B . Referring to these drawings, the hinge 410 comprises a pintle member 412 and a gudgeon member 414 which provide pivotal motion about axis 415 . The pintle member 412 has a fold line at 416 and includes a shoe 420 having axle 422 . The shoe 420 is rotatingly interdigitated with a base member 424 that terminates in a plurality of hook-shaped projections 426 in which axle 422 is seated, thus enabling the pintle member 412 to pivot about axis 428 , which is orthogonal to axis 416 . The base member 424 depends from, and is preferably integrally formed with, the upper trim panel 328 A. Similarly, as seen best in FIG. 26 B, the gudgeon member 414 includes a fold line at 430 and is rotatingly interdigitated with the hook-shaped head 432 of an extension member 434 , thus enabling the gudgeon member 414 to pivot about axis 436 . As seen best in FIG. 26 B, the extension member 434 slides in a sheath 438 preferably integrally formed with the lower trim panel 328 B. This enables the trim panels to translate vertically with respect to one another. A releasable clip provided by a moveable cog 440 and a notch 442 cut into the extension member 434 maintains the extension member 434 in its sheath 438 when the hinge 410 is in its folded position. Note that hinge components 412 , 414 and 434 are readily inter-connectable and may be molded separately from the trim panels for subsequent installation thereon.

[0107] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.