Abstract: A spare tire storage compartment cover has at least two sections joined by a living hinge. When the cover is in place over the spare tire storage compartment, it is held in place by a hook and loop-type fastener system that secures the first section in place. The second section, located toward the rear of the vehicle when the cover is in place, can be rotated relative to the first section to allow access to the spare tire storage compartment. The first and second sections are preferably formed from wood, such as composition board, and a carpet is secured to both sections in conventional fashion, such as by adhesive. A plastic living hinge joins the first and second sections.

Abstract: A differential assembly for a vehicle having a housing and a differential mechanism rotatably mounted in the housing. The differential mechanism includes a support shaft transversely disposed therein for supporting a pair of rotating cross gears. The rotation of the differential mechanism defines a differential spin axis and a support shaft spin plane. A pinion gear is also provided for rotatably driving the differential mechanism. The pinion gear extends from the housing and defines a pinion spin axis. The pinion spin axis is parallel to and offset from the support shaft spin plane. A pair of opposing bearings are then provided for rotatably supporting the differential mechanism. The pair of bearings is disposed in the housing, wherein one of the pair of bearings is substantially aligned with the pinion spin axis. This arrangement minimizes the size of the front differential and further improves the ground clearance and suspension travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle is provided with a tiered seating arrangement having first, second, and third seat assemblies. The second and third assemblies fold down to form a cargo carrying platform. The vehicle roof is raised above the second and third seat assemblies to provide appropriate headroom for the passengers.

Abstract: A stabilization system for stabilizing an openable member of a motor vehicle relative to vehicle structure of the motor vehicle when in a closed position. The stabilization system includes a first member for mounting on one of the openable member or the vehicle structure and a second member for mounting on the other of the openable member or the vehicle structure. The first member includes a generally solid base portion for mounting on the one of the openable member or the vehicle structure and a generally hollow outer portion. The second member includes a base portion for mounting on the other one of the openable member or the vehicle structure and a tapered outer portion.

Abstract: An airbag control system is provided to disable an airbag in a motor vehicle. The airbag control system includes an airbag control module, a switching circuit with a first circuit path and a second circuit path, and a switch selectively movable between an enabled position, which interconnects the first circuit path to the airbag control module to activate the airbag, and a disabled position, which interconnects the second circuit path to the airbag control module to prevent activation of the airbag. In addition, the system includes a third circuit path with a first resistor in series with a second resistor which is placed in parallel with a second contact of said switch. Alternatively, a controller is electrically connected through the third circuit path to the switch. The controller detects the position of the switch based on the resistance value it senses in the third circuit path.

Abstract: A communication bus test tool for motor vehicles having a plurality of electronic modules connected to a common communication bus in a body controller by a wiring harness. The wiring harness has an individual bus signal wire for the bus signal for each electronic module and at least one connector for connecting to a corresponding connector of the body controller. The wiring harness's connector has an individual terminal connected to each individual bus signal wire and the body controller's connector has terminals corresponding to the wiring harness' connector terminals. The bus test tool has a first connector for connecting to the wiring harness's connector with individual terminals corresponding to the individual terminals in the wiring harness connector including individual bus terminals corresponding to the terminals in the wiring harness connector connected to the bus signal wires.

Abstract: A method for managing the production of vehicle electrical schematics includes entering into a computer manual changes to preexisting schematics and to textual connector pages that pertain to the schematics. A computer program then reconciles the textual pages with the schematics, combines them, and then outputs a new version of the schematics with connector pages.

Abstract: A method for bypassing a controlled quantity of airflow around a throttle body of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle during periods of sudden deceleration of the vehicle. The method makes use of a bypass valve having an input end in communication with an air inlet of a throttle body of the engine and an outlet in communication with an air inlet of the intake manifold of the engine. When sudden closing of the throttle is sensed, or when the throttle is closed, the bypass valve is opened to a degree sufficient to enable an additional quantity of air to flow therethrough and into the inlet of the intake manifold. The invention significantly reduces the drop in engine rpm experienced during sudden deceleration of the vehicle, to thereby substantially reduce or eliminate powertrain vibration that results during sudden deceleration.

Abstract: A vehicle communications network is provided which includes a ground translation circuit and interfacing transmitter circuits that achieve smooth current sourcing transitions. Included is a communications bus such as a J1850 having multiple-access for interfacing with a plurality of electronics, preferably within a vehicle. Each transceiver has a transmitter and receiver interfaced with the bus. The transceiver is coupled via a resistive element to the communications bus and sources current onto the bus when the transmitter output voltage exceeds the bus voltage. The added resistance advantageously reduces changes in current which may otherwise exist on the communications bus when current sourcing switches on and off.

Abstract: A communication system includes a miniaturized palmtop computer which is information-coupled to a programmable node positioned in an instrument panel of a vehicle. The computer is removably resident in a pod or pocket of the instrument panel and communicates with a node either wirelessly or via a connectorized bus. Redundant radio and HVAC displays form at least one surface of the pod for use by vehicle operators not using the computer option.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for attaching a first member to a second member which allows relative movement therebetween for positioning of the first member with respect to the second member. The present invention provides a cylindrical section having a first diameter at a first end expanding therefrom to a second diameter at a second end. A first elastic insulator surrounds the cylindrical section and laterally affixes it to the second member. The first elastic insulator is positioned between the bottom side of the first member and the top side of the second member for absorbing shock therebetween. A clip section inserted into and lockingly engaged to an internal bore of the cylindrical section. The clip section has a width to allow it to move laterally with respect to the first elastic insulator and the cylindrical section for aligning the first member and the second member. A second elastic insulator is positioned around and affixed to the clip section.

Abstract: A combination seat and armrest comprised of a support structure, which may be in the form of a container having an open top and bottom, and two cushion members which are pivotally connected to the support structure. Each cushion member may be pivoted between a generally flat position in which the second cushion member overlies the first and a generally upright position in which a storage compartment defined on the sides by the support structure may be accessed by front seated vehicle occupants. Several alternate embodiments are included which provide for additional storage or functional features, such as beverage container holders.

Abstract: An automatic transmission shift indicator system is provided to electrically indicate the selected gear of an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle. The shift indicator system includes a gear selector, transmission locking plate, a switch and a visual shift indicator. The gear selector connects to a locking plate in the transmission and is manually operative by the vehicle's driver to rotate the locking plate within a range of positions that correlate to each of the selectable transmission gears. The park neutral safety switch is modified to movably engage a stepped cam surface of the locking plate, so that each step corresponds to one of the selectable transmission gears. As the gear selector is shifted from gear to gear, the switch is actuated and thus transmits an electrical signal that is indicative of a selected transmission gear. The visual shift indicator decodes the selected transmission gear based on the resistance value of the electrical signal and displays the selected gear to the driver.

Abstract: A folding seat assembly is provided for a vehicle including a seat back and a seat bottom pivotally mounted relative to the seat back and movable between a seating position and a folded upright position. A detent mechanism provides a resistance to movement of the seat bottom from the folded upright position and the seating position. An inertia latch mechanism is provided for engaging the seat bottom in the folded upright position in response to a rapid deceleration of the vehicle such as caused by a collision.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle is provided with a vehicle body including a roof panel and a body side panel. The roof panel and the body side panel are attached to one another along an attachment seam. The roof panel and body side panel combine to form a recessed channel along opposite sides of the attachment seam. An elongated trim member is received within said channel, overlying a portion of the attachment seam between the roof panel and the body side panel. The body side panels extend from a windshield of the vehicle to a rear of the vehicle body including a door surround portion integrally formed as a unitary member with a rear quarter portion of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A tube assembly for an auxiliary heating and air conditioning system includes an inner tube extending longitudinally, an outer tube extending longitudinally and disposed over the inner tube, the outer tube including a plurality of ribs for locating the inner tube approximately concentric to the outer tube, at least one connector tube, and at least one connector interconnecting the at least one connector tube and the outer tube to allow fluid flow between the inner tube and the outer tube.

Abstract: An automotive bumper assembly preferably includes a resilient attachment strip secured to the bumper assembly's inner structural bumper member. The attachment strip includes resilient fingers with preferably hook-shaped edge portions that mate and interlock with preferably hook-shaped edge portions of an outer decorative fascia member. This configuration allows the fascia member to be conveniently snapped into place on the structural inner bumper member with only minimal clearance being needed for a secure attachment.

Abstract: A system for recording vehicle data from vehicles traversing a test track includes a plurality of locator beacons buried in respective well casings around the test track for transmitting location signals. Each beacon includes a transmitter and a microprocessor that controls the transmitter. Receivers are disposed in the test vehicles for receiving the location signals as the vehicles pass by the beacons, and a respective computer receives the position signals from each receiver and formats the signals as appropriate for the vehicle's onboard flight recorder. Then, after checking for signal fidelity the computer sends each signal to the flight recorder, which time stamps the position signals along with other data collected from the vehicle. In this way, data can be correlated to particular segments of the test track.

Abstract: A system for determining an energy-optimum route for a vehicle to take between an origin and a destination includes a computer onboard the vehicle. A global positioning system (GPS) transceiver is also onboard the vehicle for receiving vehicle position data from the satellite. The computer access a database containing both topographical map information and vehicle energy consumption data, and based thereon the computer determines and displays an energy-optimum route. The computer can also display information regarding nearby refueling stations. Also, the vehicle energy consumption data can be modified as appropriate based on the operation of the vehicle, to account for the particular vehicle's actual fuel consumption characteristics.

Abstract: An automatic transmission and transfer case operatively mounted in a four wheel drive vehicle controlled by a single selector lever that is moved to predetermined detented positions along a longitudinal gate to select the transmission drive ranges, reverse, neutral and park. A special pivot construction allows the selector lever to be moved laterally with respect to the normal longitudinal movement for transfer case gear ratio changes and neutral selection. A small lateral gate is employed to receive the selector lever located in alignment with the neutral detent position of the automatic transmission requiring the transmission to be in neutral when the transfer case is shifted. When moved into the lateral gate, the selector lever activates electronic controls effecting operation of a motor for shifting transfer case gear ratios and for selecting transfer case neutral.