Abstract: A hydroforming system includes a dual conical tube formed from a blank. The dual conical tube has a first end, a second end and a central portion positioned between the first and the second ends. The central portion has a smaller cross sectional area than the first and the second ends. A shaping die is adapted to receive the dual conical tube, and the shaping die is subject to pressurize such that the tube substantially approximates the shape of the shaping die.

Abstract: A tailgate for a vehicle has a supplemental tailgate that retracts within the tailgate and is extendable therefrom in order to provide different assist functions. The supplemental tailgate may include a pivotable molding, which mounts on a movable frame portion, a latching assembly, and a gravity latch assembly. When pivoted, the pivotable molding releases the latching assembly, allowing the supplemental tailgate to be moved to various extended positions. The gravity latch assembly engages the pivotable molding to prevent the pivotable molding from being pivoted when the tailgate is in the generally vertical closed position, and disengages the pivotable molding to allow for pivoting when the tailgate is in the generally horizontal open position.

Abstract: A bracket/pad anti-flutter grille bumper attached to a motor vehicle frame or front bumper to reduce the vibrations of a hood-mounted grille resulting from road forces or from slamming the hood shut. Alternative mounting of the bracket on an impact absorbing and collapsible bumper assembly allow for movement of the grille on impact, while maintaining the anti-flutter feature when the bumper returns to its normal position.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a door adapted to pivot about a generally horizontal pivot axis, with the door including a shell defining a space surrounded by the shell. The door is pivoted upon bearings located at each end of the door. A full floating torsion bar is provided and includes a first end rotationally grounded to the door shell and a second end engaged with and rotationally locked with a bearing inserts so that the torsion bar will be subjected to torsional loading as the door is pivoted. At least a portion of the torsion bar extends along an external recess defined by the door's inner and outer panels.

Abstract: An impact energy transmitting arrangement (10) for transmitting energy, which arises during impact between a vehicle (12) on which the arrangement (10) is mounted and a foreign body, to a vehicle structure (14). The arrangement includes first means (18) displaceable in a first direction, and second means (20) adapted for co-operation with the first means. The first and second means are operable such that the arrangement, below a first predetermined value of a parameter representative of the energy to be transmitted, presents a first resistance-to-displacement value and, above the first predetermined value, presents a second resistance-to-displacement value. The first resistance-to-displacement value is greater than the second resistance-to-displacement value. In this manner, a bumper assembly which is stiff at very low speeds is rendered less stiff at higher speeds which otherwise could cause injury to pedestrians.

Abstract: A composite pickup box for an automotive vehicle is constructed of extruded floor beams combined with extruded wall sections and extruded corner sections. An outer skin is attached to the wall sections in such manner as to cover the exterior portions of the wall sections and corner sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal profile (1), for a vehicle body section. The profile includes side walls (10a, 10b), a base plate (8) and two support walls (2a, 2b). The walls (2a, 2b, 10a, 10b) and base plate (8) constituting a sectional area with at least three hollow sections (6a, 6b, 7). The base plate (8) and said support walls (2a, 2b) constitute an internal section (7), of said metal profile with a substantially triangular sectional area. The internal triangular section (7) having substantially three corners (9, 11, 12).The invention also relates to a body section and a vehicle that includes the metal profile.

Abstract: The tire deflation device (30) includes a rail member (34) having a support portion (38) and a piercing portion (44). The piercing portion (44) of the rail member (34) extends toward a tire (20) and is located between the tire (20) and a protected portion (44) of the automotive vehicle (10). The piercing portion (44) is intended to puncture and deflate the tire (20) when a crush zone (18) is deformed inwardly so as to force the tire (20) into the piercing portion (44) of the rail member (34). The support portion (38) has at least one anchor member (32) fixedly attached thereto for securely mounting the rail member (34) to a side mount (12) of the automotive vehicle (10) within a middle rigid zone (14) thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle 7 is provided having a vehicle body 10 with an opening 16 having first and second ends 18, 20. The vehicle body 7 has a first door 22 and a second door 28, which has a latch connection 42 with the vehicle body between the first and second ends 18, 20. A release handle mechanism 54, accessible from an interior of the vehicle body is provided for the second door 28. The release handle mechanism 54 is also accessible from an exterior of the vehicle body when the first door 22 is open.

Abstract: A weather strip for use between a closure panel and the body of a vehicle includes a foundation bulb extending about the periphery of an opening in the body and a contactor bulb supported entirely by the foundation bulb and having a compliance which is less than the compliance of the foundation bulb such that the configuration of the contactor bulb remains relatively invariant as sidewalls of the foundation bulb deform in response to a compressive load imposed by the closure panel and the body opening panel.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a door adapted to pivot about a generally horizontal pivot axis, with the door including a shell defining a space surrounded by the shell. The door is pivoted upon bearings located at each end of the door. A torsion bar lift assist is provided with a vibration and noise isolator and damper, which is engaged about a central portion of the torsion bar. The damper prevents objectionable noise which could otherwise result in the event that the torsion bar strikes the shell of the door because of road-induced vibration.

Abstract: A bumper assembly (10) including a support (16) which is covered by a resilient shell part (41), the lower portion of the shell part (41) being backed by foam material (14) mounted on the support (16), with the upper portion of the shell being unsupported having a clearance zone (43) therebehind. A registration plate plinth 44 has an upright limb (47) to which a number plate (45) is secured and is mounted on the shell so that the lower portion of said limb (47) is supportable on the foam (14) and its upper portion is supportable only by the shell (41).

Abstract: The present invention provides a rear impact absorption system for a motor vehicle. The rear impact absorption system includes a rear body assembly including longitudinally extending rear rails including first and second portions having first and second respective heights relative to a generally horizontal plane, the first height being greater than the second height. The invention further provides a neutralizing member connectable to bridge the first and second heights of each rear rail so as to minimize the effect of a moment arm created by the first and second heights during a rear impact.