Headliner system and method

Abstract

A headliner system includes a plurality of segments connected together and outlining a central opening and a central section received in the central opening. The central section is selected from a group of different panels incorporating different functional features.

1 . A headliner system, comprising:
 a plurality of segments connected together and outlining a central opening; and   a central section received in and closing said central opening.   
     
     
         2 . The headliner system of  claim 1  wherein said central section is selected from a group consisting of a noise, vibration and harshness panel, a radiant heat source panel, a reflective heat source panel, a multisection panel incorporating an overhead air bag grid system, a display panel, a central panel including a pull-down divider, an aesthetic panel, a panorama roof panel, a sun roof panel or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The headliner system of  claim 2 , wherein said noise, vibration and harshness panel, said radiant heat source panel, said reflective heat source panel, said multisection panel incorporating said overhead air bag grid system, said display panel, said central panel including a pull-down divide, said aesthetic panel, said panorama roof panel and said sun roof panel are interchangeable. 
     
     
         4 . The headliner system of  claim 3 , wherein each of said plurality of segments comprises (a) a unitary body including a substrate having an A surface and a B surface, (b) a secondary component carried on said B surface and (c) a laminated surface covering on said A surface. 
     
     
         5 . The headliner system of  claim 4 , wherein said plurality of segments include a first segment, a second segment, a third segment and a fourth segment. 
     
     
         6 . The headliner system of  claim 1 , wherein said central section is a noise, vibration and harshness panel. 
     
     
         7 . The headliner system of  claim 1 , wherein said central section is a radiant heat source panel. 
     
     
         8 . The headliner system of  claim 1 , wherein said central section is a reflective heat source panel. 
     
     
         9 . The headliner system of  claim 1 , wherein said central section is a multisection panel incorporating an overhead air bag grid system. 
     
     
         10 . The headliner system of  claim 1 , wherein said central section is a display panel. 
     
     
         11 . The headliner system of  claim 1 , wherein said central section is a central panel including a pull-down divider. 
     
     
         12 . The headliner system of  claim 1 , wherein said central section is an aesthetic panel. 
     
     
         13 . The headliner system of  claim 1 , wherein said central section is a panorama roof panel. 
     
     
         14 . The headliner system of  claim 1 , wherein said central section is a sun roof panel. 
     
     
         15 . A method of reducing headliner production costs for a motor vehicle product line, comprising:
 producing a plurality of headliner segments;   connecting said plurality of headliner segments together and outlining a central opening with said plurality of headliner segments; and   inserting a central section into said plurality of headliner segments.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , including configuring said central opening to receive any one of a plurality of different central sections incorporating different headliner features. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , including selecting said central section from a group of interchangeable central sections consisting of a noise, vibration and harshness panel, a radiant heat source panel, a reflective heat source panel, a multisection panel incorporating an overhead air bag grid system, a display panel, a central panel including a pull-down divider, an aesthetic panel, a panorama roof panel, a sun roof panel or combinations thereof, whereby a plurality of motor vehicles may be equipped with said different headliner features. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , including simultaneously thermoforming a blank into said plurality of headliner segments and injection molding a secondary component onto said headliner segments. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , including laminating a surface covering to said headliner segments.