Abstract: A motor vehicle has at least one vehicle occupant seat arranged laterally of a side member. The vehicle occupant seat is arranged on seat rails which extend in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and are fixedly connected by way of a seat underframe with a vehicle floor. The side member and the seat rail adjoining the side member have mutually assigned safety devices which are arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. The safety devices can be brought into an operative connection with one another such that the seat rail and the side member are connected by way of the safety devices during high dynamic stressing of the vehicle occupant seat and/or of the side member.

Abstract: An interior enclosure extends along a door frame of a sport utility vehicle from a rollover bar to a dashboard. The interior enclosure comprises two parallel bars. Each parallel bar has a horizontal portion with a rear edge which is adapted to mount to a rollover bar. Each parallel bar further has a leading portion which extends forwardly and downwardly from the horizontal portion. The distal end of the leading portion being mounted to a dashboard. A center cross bar extends between the two horizontal portions proximate to the leading portion.

Abstract: A window protector assembly that protects both the inside and outside of standard panes of glazing from vandalism or other damage. The assembly comprises a pane of glazing, a sheet of protective material on the inside and outside of the glazing, and a frame. The frame pivots on the outer side of the glazing for quick loading and unloading of the glazing and the protective sheet on the outside of the glazing, and the frame also pivots closed to seal the glazing and protective sheets securely within the window protector assembly. The frame also comprises a recess wherein the protective sheet on the inside of the glazing is positioned.

Abstract: A convertible top having right and left side rails that fold toward each other as the convertible top is retracted. A segmented one bow is articulated to allow the side rails to converge and move from an extended position wherein they extend longitudinally relative to the vehicle to a retracted position wherein the side rails extend transversely.

Abstract: An energy absorption, rotation and redirection system for use with a vehicle traveling astride a barrier, the vehicle including a front end with a bumper and first and second sides. The system includes a plurality of air bag actuating units mounted at specified locations along the front end and first and second sides of the vehicle. Preferably three air bag units are located at spaced intervals along the front bumper of the vehicle, with individual and additional air bags being located on the sides of the vehicle. An activator mechanism is associated with one or more of the actuating units for selectively instructing the inflation of an exterior air bag associated with the given bag actuating unit. The activator mechanism includes a reflective target strip applied along the barrier, as well as laser emitter/receptor units associated with each of the air bag actuating units.

Abstract: An arrangement for absorption of the energy of impact for road or rail bound vehicles contains an elongated insert (6)—in the form of a rigid lever or as part of a lever of length r and featuring two end faces (10, 11), the first end face (10) being attached to the long side of a section component (3) and the second face (11) coupled via a collision component (12) to an impact area (9) projecting out from the section component (3) in such a manner that a force of impact acting on the impact area (9), while displacing the collision component (12) in the direction of the force of impact, effects a rotational movement (D) of the insert (6) about a predetermined point of rotation (P) in the section component (3) and local bending of the section component (3) at the point of rotation (P).

Abstract: A vehicle body has a reconfigurable back panel and window system for use in an extended cab pickup truck or other similar vehicle in which the rear wall of the vehicle is adaptable for use in various optional configurations. A forward convertible compartment communicates with a rear cargo compartment through an access opening in a body frame. A lower closure panel, intermediate crossbar and upper window optionally close the opening to separate the compartments for passenger and cargo use. The window may be removed and stored in the panel, the panel may be pivoted open and the crossbar may be moved with the panel or remain to support the window, all permitting varying degrees of communication between the compartments for carrying passengers or cargo as desired.

Abstract: A body mount (10) for use with vehicle of the type including a frame (12) and a body (14). Body mount (10) includes a generally elongated hollow inner member (16) having a central and generally cylindrical channel (18), an outer jacket (20), and a resilient material (22) which is disposed between and which is fixedly coupled to inner member (16) and outer jacket (20), thereby connecting jacket (20) to member (16). Body mount (10) further includes a generally circular top washer or member (24), a generally circular bottom washer or member (26), and a stud or fastener (28) which extends through channel (18) and which includes an anti-rotation feature or tip (50) which allows the body (14) to be secured to the mount by use of a conventional hold-and-drive tool, and which substantially prevents relative rotation between inner member (16), outer member (20) and material (22).

Abstract: An improved canopy assembly for attaching a rearwardly extending protective canopy to a motorized golf cart of the type having a top covering the passenger seating area and an uncovered bag storage area reward of the seating area that includes a golf bag support bracket that prevents the golf bags from tipping over. The canopy assembly includes a mounting channel secured to the rearward portion of the top of the golf cart, a base member that attaches directly to the golf bag support bracket, a frame that pivotally attaches to the base member and a sheet of flexible water resistant material attached to the channel and suspended over the frame. The canopy assembly may be extended where the protective canopy substantially covers the cart's golf bag storage area protecting the bags from rainfall. The canopy assembly may be folded where the protective canopy is moved out of the way allowing golf clubs to be removed from the golf bags without hitting the canopy assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle door, in particular a tailgate (1), the door comprising an outside face (2) and an end face (4) opposite from a region where it is hinged to the vehicle. It includes a handle (10) integrated in the end face (4) and an opening (14) in the outside face (2) of the door to give access to said handle when the door is closed.

Abstract: A motor vehicle, particularly a pickup truck type vehicle, having a rear-side cargo area which is provided with a separate cargo space module displaceably supported on the vehicle body such that it can be moved between a rear position which adjoins the rear of the cargo area and a forward position near the motor vehicle cab. The cargo space module can be supported to swing by means of a lever arrangement attached to the motor vehicle body. Preferably, the cargo space module has a fixed bottom, a fixed right-side wall, and a fixed left-side wall and is further provided with a front wall, a rear wall, and a cover, each of which is movable from an open to a closed position adjacent the cargo space module.

Abstract: A vehicle roof mounted video display is disclosed. The display is rotatable 180° about a first axis, between a stored position within a housing and a second position in which the display lies flat against the vehicle roof. The display is also rotatable at least 60°, and preferably 90°, about a second axis that intersects and is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. Each axis includes self-tensioning hinges to hold the display in any position. The display self aligns as it reaches either of the first and second positions so that the display is substantially parallel to the roof. When the display is in the storage position, the display screen faces, and is safely enclosed by, the housing. The invention also includes a number of built-in features to provide passengers with a wide range of entertainment options.

Abstract: An energy absorbing impact system is designed for vehicle bumpers and the like, and includes a base member connected with a vehicle frame, and having a central opening therein. An impact receiving member is spaced apart from the base member, and is connected with a vehicle bumper. An invertible, tubular energy absorbing crush member is positioned between the base and impact receiving member, and includes a generally square lateral cross-sectional shape, with flat face portions disposed between opposite corner portions.

Abstract: A multi-piece applique for a pillar (e.g., B-pillar) or other suitable structure of a vehicle. An applique is a decorative member which is fastened to a vehicle surface (e.g., to a door frame structure adjacent a pillar) in order to add styling and/or to functionally cover unsightly portions of the vehicle. In certain embodiments of this invention, the applique includes multiple pieces. Optionally, different pieces may be painted different colors (e.g., a first piece red or green, and a second piece black or silver). In such a manner, a multi-color applique is provided that is easy to mount on a vehicle and is aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly having a rounded member partially defining the outer edge of the sun visor which forms a more user-friendly edge than existing sun visor designs. The sun visor is formed from a substantially flat foundation that is folded unto itself thereby forming two foundation halves. The halves have corresponding shapes that define the edge of the sun visor. An upholstery cover covers the foundation and forms an exterior surface of the sun visor. A bead member is attached to the foundation and includes a stem portion that attaches to the foundation. The bead member also includes the rounded member whose surface forms a substantially semicircular cross section which faces away from the sun visor. In one embodiment, the rounded member is integrally formed with the foundation, itself, and this embodiment therefore does not include an additional bead member.

Abstract: A sun visor (10.1) for a vehicle, having a holding unit (12.1) which can be fastened to the interior, and an antidazzle unit (14.1) which is arranged on the holding unit (12.1), has a visor body (16.1) of essentially planar design and can be moved, for antidazzle purposes, from a retracted position into a functional position, the sun visor being arranged in particular between a driver's sun visor and a front-passenger's sun visor, is distinguished in that the visor body (16.1) has at least one moveable surface unit (18.1) which increases the surface of the visor body (16.1), when the visor body (16.1) is moved from the retracted position to the functional position, and conversely reduces the surface of the visor body (16.1) when it is moved from the functional position into the retracted position.

Abstract: The invention is based on a windshield wiper system having at least one wiper bearing that is secured to a body of a vehicle via at least one bracing region (20). It is proposed that the bearing housing (10) of the wiper bearing has three bracing regions (20, 22, 24), specifically a first bracing region (20), which includes a longitudinal axis (18) of the bearing housing (10) and is provided on an end that is oriented toward a wiper, and a second bracing region (22) and third bracing region (24), which are provided axially offset toward the other end relative to the first bracing region and are disposed approximately diametrically opposite one another with regard to the longitudinal axis (18) of the bearing housing (10).

Abstract: A frame is for temporary installation in a trunk, which is situated behind the rear seats of a vehicle and opens up into the passenger compartment of this vehicle. In order to horizontally align the frame inside the trunk opening, the size of the frame is adapted to the opening so that the frame encloses the trunk opening as completely as possible. Insert parts may be inserted into the frame as needed. Together with the insert parts placed in the frame, the trunk is horizontally covered in the upward direction. The cover is simultaneously used to partition the trunk into two superposed, separately loadable regions.

Abstract: A removable bi-section cargo cover system comprises a molded floor mat and at least two detachable straps. The bi-section cargo cover system is used in a vehicle where the cargo area is convertible from a full sized to a reduced sized cargo area. The molded floor mat component includes a fold line extending from one side edge to an opposed side edge which creates two sections. The detachable straps hold the molded floor mat to the auxiliary seat backs. When the auxiliary seats are folded-down in a subfloor of the cargo area, the molded floor mat is in a planar mode overlying substantially the full sized cargo area floor surface. When the auxiliary seats are folded-up, the mold floor mat is in a right angle mode overlying substantially the reduced sized cargo area floor surface and the seat backs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crash rail for a vehicle. The crash rail has a root portion which can be anchored to a part of the vehicle, a tip portion which is spaced apart from the root portion and which is located nearer a potential impact point of the vehicle when the root portion is anchored to the said part of the vehicle and a middle portion which extends from the root portion to the tip portion. The crash rail comprises a wall which defines a groove or a cavity in the crash rail. The groove or the cavity in the crash rail has a cross-sectional area which increases gradually from the tip portion to the root portion. The wall has a thickness which increases gradually from the tip portion to the root portion. The wall is composed of a composite material having fibers set in a resin material. The crash rail can be crushed when the vehicle impacts with another object to thereby absorb energy of the impact.