Abstract: A ventilation system for a composite head lamp that utilizes a one-way valve arrangement for permitting ventilating air to flow into and out of the headlamp but prevents splash water from entering the interior of the headlamp.

Abstract: A tow line arrangement for a motor vehicle that includes a pair of self-storing tow lines located behind the bumper and characterized in that each of the tow lines has a handle connected through a ring at the free end of the tow line so that the rings of the two tow lines can be combined at the longitudinal center line of the vehicle and thereby allow a straight-ahead tow by another vehicle.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a vehicle lamp housing which includes an integral hold-down member having a lock arm cooperating with a pawl formed on a support panel and also having a contact foot insertable into a slot adjacent the pawl for locking the lamp housing to the support panel.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier for a vehicle with a tailgate or other rear access assembly characterized in that the spare tire carrier is adapted to swing away outwardly from the vehicle and is provided with a swing-down device which allows a spare tire to be lowered into ground contact for easy removal of the spare tire. The swing-down device includes a tire support plate and an assist arm is pivotally coupled to the tire support plate for controlling the movement of the tire support plate when the latter is unlatched from the spare tire carrier.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp having a reflector housing member closed by a lens member which is snapped into locked engagement with the reflector housing member and serves to maintain the two members in a fixed relationship with each other during the curing of an adhesive located between the outer edges of the two members.

Abstract: An improved manual seat adjuster for selectively positioning a seat which requires as little space as possible to operate and that includes a primary and secondary locking arrangement for resisting greater than normal loading which may be experienced by the seat adjuster.

Abstract: A swing-out tail lamp for a vehicle providing access to the trunk compartment while the trunk lid is closed and being characterized by having the tail lamp supported along one side thereof by a hinge connected to the vehicle that allows the tail lamp to be moved from a closed position to an open position. The tail lamp is combined with a latch mechanism which serves to secure the tail lamp assembly to the vehicle when located in the closed position, and a spring detent is provided to maintain the tail lamp assembly in the open position.

Abstract: A leveling arrangement for a vehicle headlamp that includes a slot formed in the upper portion of the reflector member in which a spirit level member is located and combined with a spring clip which is fastened to the reflector member and to one end of the spirit level member and includes a leaf spring which continuously biases the other end of the spirit level member in one direction so that an adjustment screw threadably received by the spirit level member permits the aforementioned other end of the spirit level member to be raised or lowered for providing calibration of the spirit level member relative to the optical axis of the reflector member.

Abstract: A vehicle braking indicator system that provides a continuous lighting of the vehicle stop light under normal braking conditions but causes the stop light lamp to be intermittently lighted at a relatively high frequency when the anti-lock braking system of the vehicle is activated and maintains the intermittent lighting of the stop light lamp after the anti-lock braking system is deactivated.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp having a reflector housing member closed by a lens member which is locked to the reflector housing member by concealed fastener means and serves to maintain the two members in a fixed relationship with each other during the curing of an adhesive location between the outer edges of the two members.

Abstract: A mounting clip for securing a lamp housing to a support panel formed with a retainer slot having an access portion and a retainer portion, and in which the mounting clip has a hold-down portion adapted to be fixedly connected to the lamp housing and be inserted into the access portion of the retainer slot after which a movement of the lamp housing towards the retainer portion of the retainer slot causes a lock portion of the mounting clip to engage teeth provided in the retainer portion to lock the lamp housing to the support panel.

Abstract: A retainer arrangement for a replaceable lamp bulb assembly that cooperates with a vent formed in the reflector body of a headlamp for establishing a labyrinth type flow path for air to enter and exit the interior of the headlamp.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier for a sport utility vehicle with a drop tailgate is provided with a lock device that allows the spare tire carrier to be secured in position when the drop tailgate is in an open position. The lock device comprises a collar rotatably mounted on the spare tire carrier and a pin biased by a spring through a hole which holds the collar in position. A striker on the collar fits into a keeper in the form of a slot or a latching mechanism on a side of the drop tailgate to secure the spare tire carrier in position when the drop tailgate is in the open position.

Abstract: A power seat adjuster which allows a seat to be adjusted to a desired elevation and pitch replaces a lift plate of a lift assembly with a lift bar. The lift bar is slid into grooves on an upper channel of a top plate, and the top plate is connected to a rigid link. Jack screws with shafts that have a nonround portion are provided to take up torque and keep the lift bars from binding with the top plate so that there is no interference in the operation of the power seat adjuster.

Abstract: A retractable antiglare shield for an exterior rear view mirror that is mounted in a vehicle door and includes a flexible shield which can be stored in the door when not in use. This shield is supported on a roller mechanism and has its upper end formed with a support member which is insertable between the window and the door frame for maintaining the shield in the operative raised position.

Abstract: A lamp socket for a lamp bulb having a contact base that includes a right angle/single piece plastic socket portion having a tubular part into which a metallic ring-like member is insertable and serves the dual purpose of a lamp bulb retainer as well as the ground contact for the lamp bulb.

Abstract: A vehicle having a body section convertible between a closed van type configuration having an enclosed cargo space and a pickup truck configuration having an open cargo bed. An enclosure member is pivotally connected to the body section for pivotal movement between a closed and an open position, and a tailgate is pivotally connected to a rear of the body section for pivotal movement between a raised and a lowered position. When the enclosure member in the closed position and the tailgate is in the raised position, they cooperate to define the enclosed cargo space of the van configuration. To convert the vehicle to the pickup configuration, the tailgate is pivoted to the lowered position and the enclosure section is pivoted to the open position, with the result that the enclosure member serves as a cargo carrying member and thereby increases the longitudinal length of the cargo bed.

Abstract: A six way power seat adjuster assembly has a lock arm that in conjunction with a lower channel provides horizontal as well as vertical restraint for an occupant of a vehicle. The lock arm is slid into engagement with the lower channel by application of a force on an occupant restraint belt system with the result that the seat adjuster assembly transfers the force from the occupant restraint belt system to the vehicle body.

Abstract: An adjustment device for a headlamp assembly that provides aiming adjustment of the headlamp unit in a horizontal plane, after which the adjustment device can be set to visually indicate that the headlamp unit is at a zero ("O") reference marking and also permit re-calibration of the lamp unit if the latter is re-aimed.

Abstract: A lamp socket assembly for a wedge-type lamp bulb having latch means for the lamp bulb that is a separate part of the assembly and is insertable from the base of the lamp socket.