Abstract: A bed arrangement for a vehicle including a horizontally large floor member defined by a thin metal sheet having a plurality of raised stiffening ribs extending lengthwise thereof. The floor member has a cantilevered edge flange extending along a lengthwise side edge thereof, which edge flange protrudes downwardly below a bottom surface of the floor member. A hat-shaped cross rail is disposed transversely under said floor member, and has a pair of top flanges which supportingly engages the bottom surface of the floor member. The cross rail, where it crosses the edge flange, has a depression formed therein to provide clearance for the edge flange. The top flanges having flange sections which are deformed downwardly to define the profile of the depression while maintaining the continuity of the top flanges as they extend lengthwise of the cross rail.

Abstract: A double pivot notch-brake hinge for securing a door to a motor vehicle body, including a first leaf or connector securable to a door pillar of the vehicle body, a second leaf or connector securable to the door, and a U-shaped link pivotally connecting the first and the second leaves. The U-shaped link has two opposite legs at its respective ends, and gudgeons for receiving hinge pins and defining, respectively, pillar-side and door-side pivot connections of the U-shaped link with the first and the second connectors. The pillar and door side pivots are checked with a resistance pivot using a notch-brake mechanism, which allows controlled movement of the pivot.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a main floor and a slide-out portion which includes a slide-out floor. A flush floor slide-out mechanism may be used to move the slide-out portion between a retracted position where the slide-out floor is positioned adjacent to the main floor and an extended position where the slide-out floor is at least substantially flush with the main floor.

Abstract: A device having a drive (6) for pivoting a vehicle door or vehicle lid rotationally connected to a hinge bow (1) around a hinge axle (3). In order to build the device (5) in a compact manner, wherein no special reinforcement of the hinges of the vehicle door or vehicle lid is required for utilization of the device (5) in compliance with regulations, a drive (6) is provided with a drive shaft (7) that is arranged in an extension of the hinge axle, the drive shaft (7) being connected to a bow-shaped drive lever (9) that is arranged parallel to the hinge bow (1) and that can be fixed to the hinge bow (1).

Abstract: A windshield spacer basically has a mounting portion and a windshield supporting portion. The mounting portion has a fastening structure configured and arranged to be fixedly coupled to a vehicle body part. The windshield supporting portion is integrally formed with the mounting portion, and configured and arranged relative to the mounting portion to restrict a movement of a windshield in a direction substantially parallel to a main surface of the windshield and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main surface of the windshield. The windshield spacer preferably further includes a molding retaining portion integrally formed with the mounting portion, and configured and arranged relative to the mounting portion to rigidly retain a windshield molding.

Abstract: A vehicle sun visor includes a visor body, a horizontal rod mounted to the visor body, and a support arm. The support arm has a vertical rod and is rotatably mounted to a vehicle cabin ceiling. A bearing is mounted to one end of the vertical rod and rotatably receives the horizontal rod, so that the visor body can pivot about an axis of the vertical rod and can also pivot about an axis of the horizontal rod. A stopper mechanism prevents the visor body from moving in a first direction along the axis of the horizontal rod but permits the visor body to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first direction is a direction used for inserting the horizontal rod of the visor body into the horizontal bore of the bearing.

Abstract: Robot and remote controlled devices have been utilized for information gathering purposes. However these robotic vehicles lack efficiency because they are not capable of operating out of doors or where the sensors and apparatus located on the robots are subject to harsh environments. The present invention provides a new and unique manner of overcoming these problems by providing a platform system that is placed upon existing robots without requiring adjustments to these devices. The platform effectuates easy installation of a plurality of sensors and apparatus on its top surface while providing internal housing for its wires and components, thereby providing a water, dirt and dust resistant environment which leads to better equipment function and ease of maintenance and repair.

Abstract: Front structure for a vehicle includes a unitary panel formed to define a vehicle cowl and a vehicle bulkhead. The vehicle cowl may form an air intake plenum. The unitary panel is configured to at least partially define a front compartment of the vehicle. An alternative unitary panel is formed to define a hood having inner and outer panel portions and, optionally, fenders. Another alternative unitary panel is formed to define a cowl, a bulkhead and a hood. The preferable method for forming the panels is quick plastic forming, superplastic forming or sheet hydroforming.

Abstract: A torsion device for facilitating opening and closing a gate attached to a support. The device broadly includes a first section, a second section, and a coupling section. The second section includes an angled portion and a contact portion. The angled portion is operable to be substantially inserted into the gate such that the contact portion generally abuts an interior surface of the gate when the gate is substantially opened. The coupling section couples the first section and the second section such that opening of the gate causes a torsional force to be applied by the device to facilitate opening and closing of the gate. The abutting of the contact portion improves functionality and reduces damage to the gate caused by the torsional force.

Abstract: A visor assembly includes first and second coextensive shades formed from opaque material for reflecting sunlight outwardly and away from the vehicle. The shades are sized and shaped to become nested subjacent to a windshield and partially intercalated within a selected portion of the vehicle frame surrounding the windshield. The shades are situated within a slot of the vehicle and each shade includes an inner edge portion that is juxtaposed side-by-side and formed from rubber. First and second pairs of guide tracks are intercalated within the vehicle slot and conjoined to a top surface of the shades. The first pair of guide tracks lays adjacent to the vehicle slot and the second pair of guide tracks lays adjacent to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A power mechanism selectively positions the shades between retracted and extended positions. The user can extend and retract one shade while another shade remains stationary.

Abstract: A windshield for a cycle, such as a motorcycle, bicycle or tricycle, having a dihedral leading surface to provide operator protection of wind, dust, bugs and debris. The windshield further comprises a pair of side panels extending from the dihedral leading surface to provide added stability to the cycle by providing a corrective steering force behind the axis of the cycle's fork to maintain the orientation of the fork into the wind. The windshield is securely attached to a cycle without the use of tools and with adequate strength to withstand the rigors of prolonged use. The attachment between the cycle and the windshield preferably includes a break-away feature to allow for one piece break-away of the windshield if subjected to rear impact from a cycle's rider or passenger during a crash.

Abstract: A convertible having a roof is provided with stiff parts, at least one rear roof part, and an upper roof part, which is mounted in front of the rear roof part relative to the direction of travel in the closed state and is located above a passenger area. The upper roof part of the convertible encompasses an at least substantially transparent plate member which can be displaced counter to the direction of travel like a sliding roof; is held parallel to a rear window that is embraced by the rear roof part in the open position thereof; and can be moved along with the roof in the parallel position in order to be opened and closed.

Abstract: An operator protective structure equipped on a cabin of construction machine is capable of moving the cabin along with a front guard by directly installing the front guard on the cabin fixed to an upper frame to protect the operator from an object penetrating into the front of the cabin. The cabin is provided with a bottom plate on a bottom thereof, mounted on an upper frame installed on a lower driving body and independently vibrated relative to the upper frame by connecting the bottom plate to the upper frame through vibration absorbing devices. The operator protective structure includes a front guide provided with a top bar and a bottom bar and installed up and down in front of the cabin to protect the cabin from objects penetrating into a front of the cabin and a top guide formed long on a ceiling of the cabin in a front and rear direction to protect the cabin from falling objects.

Abstract: A vehicle sun visor has a bearing disposed at an upper corner portion of a visor body. A sight-through portion is defined in a lower region of the visor body in order to enable observation through the sight-through portion. The sight-through portion extends at least between an eye point on the visor body and a central point of the lower region of the visor body. A mirror assembly is movable between a usable position and a storage position without interacting with the sun visor bearing. The usable position is disposed on or proximate to the eye point. The storage position is disposed in the upper region of the visor body. The mirror assembly in the usable position and the storage position does not cover the central point of the lower region.

Abstract: A bumper system includes a tubular beam and a thermoformed energy absorber with crush boxes formed into a base flange, such as by vacuum or thermal forming processes. The crush boxes have planar energy-absorbing sidewalls a depth of about 10 mm to 35 mm, wall thicknesses of about 1 mm to 3 mm, and are formed from polyethylene or other thermoform materials having a memory. The base flange can include thermoformed features engaging recesses in the beam, and is combinable with injection-molded or foam energy absorbers for design flexibility. In one form, the energy absorber includes a thermoformed first sheet forming crush boxes and a second sheet bonded to the first sheet to define apertured air pockets. Related methods of manufacture and impacting are also included.

Abstract: A top for a convertible vehicle, the top including a storage space for storing the top in an opened state of the top, an essentially shape-preserving covering member for covering the storage space in a closed state of the top, and a rear top section. The top section is arranged at least partially above the storage space in the closed state of the top, and the covering member is connected to the rear top section by at least one connecting member. Movement of the top section can move the covering member via the connecting member.

Abstract: An air deflector (10) is attached to a roof of a cab (2). A rear edge portion (12) of the air deflector has a configuration identical with an upper part of a vertical front face (4) of a van body (3) or a configuration closely resembling the upper part thereof, as viewed from the front. A marker lamp (40) is located on a ridge portion (32) of the air deflector in proximity to the rear edge portion. An upper surface (41) and a side surface (43) of the marker lamp are formed to continue an upper face (31) and a side face (33) of the air deflector, and a ridge portion (42) of the marker lamp is in alignment with the ridge portion of the air deflector. The air deflector can ensure visibility of the marker lamps, while preventing the flow of air from impinging on the upper corner areas of the front face of the van body, whereby the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle is improved.

Abstract: A foldable roof is disclosed, which is adapted to a convertible vehicle, and which includes first and second rigid roof elements connected to one another by a first articulation.

Abstract: An automatic opening and closing device including: a trunk lid; a drive unit which generates drive force for operating the opening and closing member; a hinge arm which is mounted between a rear fender and wheel house inner panel and the trunk lid; and a first link and a second link which transmit the drive force of the drive unit to the trunk lid. The drive unit is fitted to an edge portion of a trunk room aperture portion, and the first and second link are provided so as to straddle the hinge arm.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly adapted to be mounted along an open edge of a vehicle's load-carrying bed includes a stamped sheet metal frame having a reinforced cross-sectional shape with an inner side facing an associated vehicle's load-carrying bed and an outer side opposite the inner side. The tailgate assembly further includes a skin attached to the outer side of the frame.