Abstract: An automotive vehicle with a retractable top has a switch for operating the retractable top and windows, both, at the same time. The switch has circuitry for electrically coupling the switch with a power source, at least one vehicle window and the retractable top. The switch has a neutral position and first, second and third positions. When the switch is in its first position, the top moves from a first or cover position to a second retractable position. When the switch is in its second position, if necessary, the top continues to move to its lowered position while the at least one window is moved from a first or up position to a second or lowered position. In the third position, the switch moves the top from the second or lowered position to the first or cover position.

Abstract: A system and method for covering or uncovering a trailer comprising supports adapted to be operatively connected to the ends of a trailer to position a roller, with a cover attached thereto, from one side of the trailer to the other side to thereby cover the trailer and any cargo loaded thereon. The system and method may be performed by a single person anywhere along the transportation route, and the apparatus may be located at a terminal and moved from trailer to trailer. The system and method may also be used to selectively position straps over the top of cargo loaded on a trailer for securing cargo onto the trailer.

Abstract: In an automobile including front and rear seats (Sf) and (Sr) disposed at a longitudinal distance on a vehicle body floor (F), rearward-extending support arms (A) are provided at lower portions of sides of the front seat (Sf). The rear seat (Sr) includes a seat portion (3) which is connected at its front end to tip portions of the support arms (A) and pivotally turnable between a predetermined tilted-down position (3H) and a standing position (3S), and a seat back (4) which is connected at its lower end to a front end of a rear floor section (Fr) and pivotally turnable between a predetermined standing position (4S) and a tilted-down position (4H).

Abstract: A bumper system for a motor vehicle includes an energy absorber and a bumper beam connected to the energy absorber and for connection to vehicle structure and having a general B shape. The bumper system also includes a member disposed between the bumper beam and a rail of the motor vehicle to absorb energy during an impact with an object by the bumper system.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided with a load carrying platform at a rear portion of the vehicle. A cabin frame is mounted around a driver's seat and an engine is placed under the load carrying platform behind the driver's seat. A bonnet extends in front of the driver's seat, the bonnet being opening away from and closed toward the driver's seat. A storage case having an open, upper portion is provided to be closed by the bonnet. The storage case bonnet prevents the entry of rainwater into the storage case in spite of the large dimensions of the storage case, and permits inserting and withdrawing articles easily from the storage case from the driver's seat.

Abstract: In a side wall construction of a vehicle body, including an annular frame structure composed of a front pillar portion, a rear pillar portion, a roof side portion connecting upper ends of the front and rear pillar portions with one another, and a locker portion connecting lower ends of the front and rear pillar portions with one another, and a door adapted to selectively open or close the framed door opening, the door is longitudinally reinforced by a longitudinal reinforcement so that, when the front pillar portion is biased toward the rear pillar portion by a force longitudinal to the vehicle body, a larger part of the force is transmitted through the door than through the roof side portion.

Abstract: A brush guard attachment equipped with a centrally disposed, forwardly disposed pivotally mounted tote rack mounted to a front end of a vehicle protects the vehicle front end against brush damage. The attachment protects the vehicle against impacting damage when the tote rack is used in a toting position. The tote rack is positioned forwardly from protective brush rails and pivots from a pair of projecting vertical support members to a toting position when in use and non-toting position when not in use.

Abstract: A vehicle body closure assembly combines a hinge, that provides a plurality of pivot axes that are aligned with a common intersection point above a body opening closed by a closure panel hinged to the vehicle body, and a displacement limiter that controls the open position of the closure so that the hinge pieces maintain a stable alignment with respect to each other. Preferably, the hinge structure or adjacent supports include the displacement limiter. A panel mount defmes a first hinge axis, a body mount defines a second axis and a pair of links are pivotally secured together between the panel mount and the body mount to complete a hinge set. Preferably, a pair of hinge sets are secured to the hinge side of the closure panel to align said panel for movement in a non-interfering path with respect to body portions adjacent the path.

Abstract: An integrated heating ventilation and air conditioning unit (“HVAC”) and steering column support structure 10. Structure 10 is adapted to be operatively installed within a conventional automotive vehicle of the type including a conventional body assembly having an underbody platform or structure 12 and a steering assembly 14. Assembly 10 includes elongated lateral support structures or members 20, 22; an integrated “HVAC” duct/face plate/support structure or member 24; an “HVAC” housing or assembly 26; and support brackets 30, 32, and 34. Members 20, 22, and 24 and brackets 30-34 cooperate to support steering wheel assembly 18. Member 24 acts as both a support for the “HVAC” assembly 26 and a support for steering assembly 14.

Abstract: A profiled seal for sealing between a vertically sliding window pane and a roof frame of a convertible automobile comprises a length of profiled elastomer which is co- extruded with a metal reinforcement. The profiled seal has a three-dimensional shape and can be fixed to connection parts of the roof frame. A holding section having a U-shaped cross-section is part of the length of profiled elastomer and contains the embedded reinforcement which is likewise U-shaped in cross-section. A sealing section is formed laterally as one on a first limb of the holding section which can be placed in a self-clamping and sealing manner on an attachment flange. A foot formed as one on the first limb comprises on a first longitudinal edge adjacent to a free longitudinal edge of the first limb a longitudinal groove into which a dimensionally stable edge flange of a roof of the convertible engages.

Abstract: A storage system for a pickup truck or similar vehicle including a bow and storage compartment that has two panels. The bow is mounted between the side walls of the vehicle to extend over the bed of the vehicle. A first of the two panels of the storage compartment is supported on the bow and depends substantially vertically downwardly. The second panel is attached to the first panel and extends rearwardly over the bed toward the tailgate. In use, loose items such as grocery bags can be placed on the second panel of the storage compartment and with the tailgate closed, the items will be held securely and safely in place between the first panel of the storage compartment and the closed tailgate. Tracks or channels can also be provided in rails on the side walls of the vehicle to receive and secure storage containers for the loose items.

Abstract: A device for tensioning a side tarpaulin on a mounting structure, such as a vehicle superstructure, includes an abutment element attachable to the mounting structure, at least one side tarpaulin tightener separate from the abutment element being attachable to the side tarpaulin and swivelable into the abutment element to a closed position therein so as to apply a desired tension to the side tarpaulin, and a latch mechanism pivotally attached to the side tarpaulin tightener and engageable with the abutment element upon swiveling of the side tarpaulin tightener to the closed position for releasably securing the side tarpaulin tightener to the abutment element at the closed position and for retaining the side tarpaulin tightener at the closed position independent of the tension exerted on the side tarpaulin.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a vehicle includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The outer panel has an exterior surface and an opposed bonding surface. The inner panel has an interior surface and an opposed mounting surface The mounting surface of the inner panel and the bonding surface of the outer panel are coupled at their periphery to form a shell. The shell defines a pocket. An electrical device may be positioned within the pocket and coupled to one of the inner and outer panels In one embodiment, a majority of the interior surface of the inner panel is exposed to the passenger compartment. In another embodiment, the inner panel includes an integrally molded wire to conduct electricity to the electrical device.

Abstract: A fuel-efficient tractor-trailer system for improving the fuel mileage of a tractor-trailer combination by improving the air resistance that occurs in the area between the rear of the tractor and the front of the semi-trailer. The fuel-efficient tractor-trailer system provides an improved roof extension, which automatically raises when the tractor is put into reverse gear and an improved wheel mechanism for assisting the side extensions to slide around the semi-trailer ends when the tractor-trailer is turning. The fuel-efficient tractor-trailer system requires only modification to the tractor and not the trailer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle having a fixed room and a slide-out room which extends and retracts relative to the fixed room. The fixed room includes a floor section, sidewall sections, and a roof section, and the slide-out room includes a floor section, sidewall sections, and a roof section. A slide-out extension mechanism extends and retracts the slide-out room in a cantilevered manner. In a fully retracted position, the roof section and two of the sidewall sections of the slide-out room are typically concealed from exterior view, and a third sidewall section of the slide-out room forms a portion of the sidewall section of the fixed room. Furthermore, the floor section of the slide-out room is flush with the floor section of the fixed room, and proximal ends of the sidewall sections of the slide-out room are flush with an inner surface of one of the sidewall sections of the fixed room when the slide-out room is fully extended.

Abstract: An energy absorbing bumper assembly is provided, including a tube member and a first energy absorbing element positioned within the tube member, including at least one flange portion that absorbs collision energy by deflecting vertically during collision.

Abstract: The sidewalls of a truck/trailer box are constructed from a plurality of panels (10, 12, 14) which are welded together where their vertical edges meet (82, 88, 90). The panels (10, 12, 14) are each extrusions and each includes thin side skins (24, 26 and 48, 50 and 56, 58) and thin webs (28, 52, 60). The top panel (10) may be formed to include an integral top rail (34). The bottom panel (14) may be formed to include one or two side rails (18, 18′ and 120). The regions that need to be welded are made thick enough to be welded. Other regions are too thin to be welded. The overall construction is lightweight and quite strong and facilitates construction of the truck/trailer box.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly for a motor vehicle having a passenger compartment with a floor. The motor vehicle has a front row of seats and a rear row of seats. The front row of seats is disposed in a forward portion of the passenger compartment and is interconnected to the floor. The rear row of seats is disposed in a rear portion of the passenger compartment, behind the front row of seats, and is interconnected to the floor. The rear row of seats includes the vehicle seat assembly and has at least a portion linearly translatable in a fore direction and an aft direction under a source of power. A switch assembly is located in the forward portion of the passenger compartment for selectively controlling linear translation of the portion of the seat assembly in the fore and aft directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible motor vehicle roof having a front roof section and a rear roof section, each roof section being pivotally mounted on the vehicle body by a lever mechanism. The rear roof section is mounted so as to pivot over the front roof section, and can be lowered jointly with the front roof section into a back stowage space or area in the motor vehicle. The rear roof section being supported with a pivoting capacity on at least one of the front roof section and the lever mechanism. Preferably, when the motor vehicle roof is in a closed position, at least one of the lever mechanism and the lever for the front roof section are located substantially vertical in an area of one side front edge of the front rear roof section.

Abstract: A door trim panel assembly and method of making same for attachment to structure of a vehicle includes a door trim panel and a carrier formed from a plastic material attached to the door trim panel and for attachment to the structure of the vehicle. The door trim panel assembly also includes a seal integral with the carrier for contacting the structure to seal the carrier to the structure.