Abstract: The invention relates to a console box arrangement for vehicles comprising a housing having a container and a lid, the lid being pivotably arranged about an axis with respect to the container, from a closed position to a fully opened position in which the container and the lid extend in opposite directions along generally the same longitudinal direction, said housing further includes a cupholder which is pivotable about the axis and shaped so as to accommodate and support a drinking glass, cup, bottle, can or similar object. The invention is characterized in that the cupholder includes a first holder component and a second holder component which are pivotable with respect to each other about the axis so that the first holder component can be accommodated in the container and the second holder component can be accommodated in the lid. By means of the invention, an improved console box arrangement is provided, which gives access to a cupholder for the occupants in both the front and rear seats.

Abstract: The invention provides a tailgate lift assist system and associated methods and apparatus that provide controlled force at various points as a tailgate is pivoted between open and closed position to assist the operator in both opening and closing the tailgate. The system is suitable for commercial mass production, and is preferably suitable for customer, dealer, or OEM installation.

Abstract: A pedestrian safety device for automotive vehicle (1) having a hood (2) being hinged and releasably latched to the vehicle body. An actuator member (6) is arranged transversally inside the upper forward region of the vehicle (1) and the ends of the actuator member respectively slideably hinged (11) in a respective inclining guide track (12a) extending rearwards within the vehicle (1). The hinges (11) are arranged to carry a respective first lifting member (14) arranged to carry a respective first lifting member (14) arranged for vertical sliding in respect to the vehicle body. The first lifting members (14) are arranged below the hood (2) such that they will be brought to uplift the hood (2) in the region of its leading edge (2a) upon the hinges (11) carrying it being translated up the inclining guide tracks (12a) as a result of collision impact on the actuator member (6).

Abstract: An automotive vehicle, such as a pickup truck, has a tailgate including 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 mounted upon bearing retainers located at each end of the door. A full floating torsion bar is provided and includes a first end rotationally grounded within the interior space of the door shell and a second end engaged with and rotationally locked with one of the bearing inserts so that the torsion bar will be subjected to torsional loading as the door is pivoted. Because of the full floating feature, the hinge function of the tailgate will not be impaired in the event that the torsion bar becomes fractured.

Abstract: A washer system which includes a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein. The drain port is in fluid communication with the freezable washer liquid when the first reservoir is in at least a full state. The washer system also includes a temperature sensor for measuring a critical temperature corresponding to approximately a freezing temperature of the freezable washer liquid, a drain plug sealingly communicating with the drain port, and an electrical control unit in operative communication with the temperature sensor and the drain plug. The electrical control unit controls the drain plug to drain the liquid from the first reservoir in response to the critical temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus to assist an operator in loading a bicycle onto a substantially vertical bicycle rack attached to an automotive vehicle, includes a base that attaches to the upper portion of the bicycle rack, and a substantially U-shaped hook, having one end that pivots at its base end and having another end that engages the inner rim portion of bicycle wheel when the bicycle is lifted into the proximity of the upper portion of the bicycle rack. The present apparatus and method of loading of a bicycle assists an operator in loading a bicycle by fully supporting the weight of the bicycle while the operator positions and secures the bicycle to the bicycle rack for transport.

Abstract: An automotive door assembly (10) includes an inner door (30) having an inner panel (40). The inner panel (40) has a first seat (44) and a second seat (46) integrally formed therein. The first seat (44) has a first side member (50) fixedly attached thereto for separating an exterior of the door assembly (10) from a door cavity thereof. The first side member (50) also reinforces the automotive door assembly (10). Likewise, the second seat (46) a second side member (90) has fixedly attached thereto for separating the exterior of the door assembly (10) from the door cavity thereof. The second side member (90) also reinforces the automotive door assembly (10). The inner panel (40), the first side member (50), and the second side member (90) have an outer door (18) attached thereto for enclosing the door cavity.

Abstract: An anti-intrusion beam for incorporation into a vehicle door assembly is manufactured from an outer skin formed from laminated layers of composite materials having fiber reinforcement oriented in a directional pattern in each respective layer. The anisotropic beam includes body members having an interior core formed of high density foam plastic. The transversely corrugated beam includes attachment areas that have the same corrugated configuration which are fastened to mounting lugs of an inner door panel arranged in a corresponding corrugation. Variations in the thickness and formation of the layers of the outer skin can be used to control the failure of the beam during impact to provide a progressive predicable failure pattern for the beam. A frame catcher can be inserted into the body portions of the anti-intrusion beam to permit the transfer of impact forces to the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cargo containment apparatus is formed from a series of individual panels linked together to permit deployment in a variety of configurations for containing cargo items within a larger cargo area of an automotive vehicle. The linked panels of the cargo containment apparatus are pivotable relative to one another to permit substantial flexibility in the apparatus to attain a shape that corresponds to the items to be transported in the cargo area. The panels are can be formed with bag hooks that can be engaged with the handles of conventional plastic grocery bags and tote bags for effectively restraining movement thereof within the automotive cargo area. Pins on the bottom surfaces of the panels engage the carpet in the automotive cargo area to restrict the movement of the cargo containment apparatus within the automotive cargo area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multipurpose activity frame for a vehicle articulating roof rack system including a vehicle articulating roof rack system having a selectively removable portion operable between a stowed roof mounted position and a slideably and pivotally repositionable back end mounted position, a stationary top portion received by the selectively removable portion of the articulating roof rack system, and a rotatable bottom portion operable between a stowed vertical position and an open horizontal position received by the stationary top portion.

Abstract: A reinforced fastener assembly (18) for securing a vehicle seat (14, 16) to a vehicle sheet metal body structure (20) is provided. The reinforced fastener assembly (18) includes a mounting bracket (34) having a collar portion (36) for coupling to the vehicle sheet metal body structure (20) and distributing a load across a substantial portion of the vehicle sheet metal body structure (20). This mounting bracket (34) further includes an attachment portion (50) that has a vehicle seat fastener (52) extending therefrom. Finally, the reinforced fastener assembly (18) includes a tubular reinforcement member (78) that is coupled to and extends substantially across the collar portion (36) of the mounting bracket (34). This tubular reinforcement member (78) is intended to reinforce the collar portion (36) thereby allowing the collar portion (36) to distribute a load across a substantial portion of the vehicle sheet metal body structure (20).

Abstract: An automotive tailgate includes a door adapted to pivot about a generally horizontal pivot axis, with the door including a shell defining an interior space. The door is pivoted upon bearings mounted upon bearing retainers located at each end of the door. A full floating torsion bar is provided and includes a first end rotationally grounded within the interior of the door shell and a second end engaged with and rotationally locked with one of the bearing inserts so that the torsion bar will be subjected to torsional loading as the door is pivoted. Because the torsion bar is full floating, the operation of the tailgate hinges will not be impaired even if the torsion bar were to become fractured.

Abstract: A passenger compartment isolator system interposed between the engine compartment and passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle includes a dash panel having generally vertical and horizontal portions extending under the leading edge of the vehicle's windshield, and an isolator panel affixed to the horizontal and vertical portions of the dash panel on the engine compartment side of the dash panel.

Abstract: An automobile includes a door, inner and outer rocker panels, and a floor pan joined to the inner rocker panel. A structural frame extends under the body. A frame standoff member is mounted to the inner rocker panel and extends inboard to a frame rail. The frame standoff member is separated from the frame rail by a clearance gap. Once the gap is closed due to lateral deformation of the door, rocker panels, and floor pan, the frame standoff member will resist further deformation of the door and rocker panels without dynamically coupling the door or rocker panels to the frame rail during normal operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tow hitch rear bumper assembly for a motor vehicle includes a rear bumper for attachment to a frame of the motor vehicle and a tow hitch extending through and integral with the rear bumper.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cargo storage device for a vehicle having a passenger space and an end gate including a back end situated adjacent a rearward-most seat, at least one pair of sidewalls extending from the back end and having a plurality of storage units therein, a floor situated between the sidewalls and reconfigurable between a lowered position and a raised position, a door situated in the floor and pivotally operable between a closed position and an opened position, an organizational bin situated beneath the floor and having a plurality of dividers therein, and wherein at least two opposing storage units have identical tracks thereon.

Abstract: A windshield washer system for an automotive vehicle includes a washer fluid reservoir having washer fluid therein and a separator for receiving washer fluid from the reservoir and for adjusting the concentration of hydrocarbon additive within the fluid contained within the reservoir as a function of referenced temperature.

Abstract: A sound baffle affixed to the sheet metal at the engine compartment of an automobile chassis. The sound baffle is formed of a layer of sound absorbing material affixed to a rigid backing material manufactured from metal, plastic or other rigid material to provide structural support for attachment of the sound baffle to the sheet metal chassis structure. The sound baffle can be affixed to the sheet metal of the engine compartment by non-metallic push pins to provide an assembly that can be easily assembled and will be effective in use.