Abstract: The present invention provides a power assisted cover actuator for operating a tonneau cover for an open bed of a truck, such as a pickup truck. The cover is hingably coupled to a distal end of the truck bed adjacent the truck cab. The power assisted cover actuator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises a track upon which a trolley is guided by a linear actuator. An end of an arm is pivotally coupled to the trolley and the cover. The linear actuator comprises a motor driven drive rod coupled to the trolley that extends to advance the trolley along the track from a lower position to a higher position which raises the arm to push the cover open. Retracting the drive rod reverses the direction of travel of the trolley from a higher position to a lower position lowering the arm and closing the cover.

Abstract: A vehicle security partition for use in vehicles to form a barrier between front and rear occupant areas.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly is provided for use with a utility vehicle having a cargo area formed by first and second sidewalls and a bed floor, with a tailgate opening at a rear end of the cargo area. The tailgate assembly includes a tailgate positioned in the tailgate opening. The tailgate is pivotally connected to the sidewalls along upper and lower axes to facilitate pivotal movement about the lower axis to a lowered position extending the bed floor, and pivotal movement about the upper axis to a raised position. At least one load assist mechanism is connected to the tailgate to provide a force to assist pivotal movement to the raised position.

Abstract: A cover for the bed of a truck/trailer including a plurality of cover segments carried by and secured to a frame secured to the portion of the truck/trailer surrounding the bed. Each of the segments being secured to and overlying the frame and a trough is formed between adjoining segments to channel water away, with the trough passing through slots in the frame and extending beyond the same.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a preferred embodiment of a panel retention device is provided. A further aspect of the present invention includes a base portion having a rib extending from less than an entirety of a periphery of a first surface to define an open recess. In another aspect of the present invention, the retention device has a pivot axis defining an elongated center of a torsion bar.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly is provided that includes a foundation having a pair of foundation halves. An upholstery cover extends over each of the foundation halves to form an outer of the sun visor. A vanity mirror brow is disposed over one of the foundation halves under the cover, such that a portion of the cover is raised off of the foundation. A vanity mirror assembly is disposed over the cover assembly adjacent the vanity mirror brow. The addition of the vanity mirror brow between the foundation and the cover gives the perception that at least a portion of the vanity mirror assembly is attractively recessed into the foundation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching an undercover to the underside of a car body floor panel having a plurality of studs, comprises tubular fasteners that are inserted into respective mounting holes of the undercover with diametral clearance and that are engaged with the studs. Each fastener comprises clips coupled to one another and having flanges that exert a predetermined clamping force on the undercover while permitting displacement of the undercover along the floor panel due to thermal deformation.

Abstract: A control panel assembly includes a housing having a recess formed therein. A panel is movably attached to said the housing. A control mechanism is mounted on the panel. The panel is movable between a first position in which the panel generally covers the recess, and a second position in which the recess is exposed. The panel is releasably locked in the first position by a latch mechanism.

Abstract: A memory switch of a rear seat position changing device is provided at a rear side door inside a passenger compartment. The memory switch has a reproduction switch and a return switch. The reproduction switch and the return switch are simultaneously operated to previously store information of a desired position mode detected with a plurality of sensors as reproduction position mode information in a rear seat control unit. To change first and second rear seats from a current position mode to the reproduction position mode, the reproduction switch is turned on for change into the reproduction position mode.

Abstract: A convertible cargo bed cover can function as both a tonneau cover and a cargo bed cap. The cover is raised by motorized elements to be substantially aligned with a roof of a passenger cabin of the vehicle. Side and rear window panels stored inside the cover can be installed to transform the cover to a cap to enlarge available enclosed cargo space. Rear pillars are installed at the rear corners of the tonneau cover in its raised position to complete the installation.

Abstract: A surface, which receives shocks when hit by a radio unit upon a vehicle collision, has grooves defined in a peripheral region thereof. The surface also has a protrusion in a region, which can possibly be hit by the radio unit. Upon a vehicle collision, a rear surface of the radio unit initially impinges upon the protrusion. Stresses are concentrated on the protrusion, developing a crack in a groove near the protrusion. Once the crack is developed, it easily spreads along the groove.

Abstract: A door intrusion beam is of laminated construction and has a base metal stamping with end flanges, with metal stamping being of an inverted generally U-shaped cross section. Slidable and nested on the base metal stamping are a plurality of slidable and stackable elongated plastic elements each having a generally M-shaped configuration. The first plastic element next to the metal stamping and all stackable elongated plastic elements are secured together by layers of adhesives where surfaces contact one another. The plastic elements are of varying length.

Abstract: A body suitable for motor vehicles, especially for passenger cars, comprises a passenger compartment with at least one supporting structure connected thereto, for example, for accommodating a driving unit and wheel guiding elements, the supporting structure being connected by a holder with the passenger compartment. To optimize this body, the supporting structure, having a connecting region to the passenger compartment, and a rear end region, is formed by an enveloping device of high strength, especially of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, the strength of which is optimized, the enveloping device surrounding the driving unit substantially all around.

Abstract: A vehicle seat of fold-down type which allows simultaneous flipping over of both seat back and seat cushion to their respective positions via an interlocking mechanism. The interlocking mechanism is operatively connected between the seat back and seat cushion, so that, for instance, upon folding the seat back down to a horizontal storage position, the seat cushion is automatically flipped over upwardly to an upright use position, without contact and interference therebetween. A seat cushion lock mechanism may be provided in such interlocking element so as to permit automatic locking and unlocking of the seat cushion to and from a vehicle body by folding the seat back downwardly and upwardly. In that fold-down seat, a headrest lock mechanism may be provided such that operation of a seat back lock mechanism causes quick operation of the headrest lock mechanism to unlock the headrest prior to the seat back being folded down.

Abstract: The sealing strip of the present invention includes a retention section having an upper hub, a first retention leg, a second retention leg rearward of the first retention leg, an upper recess rearward of the upper hub, and first and second lower recesses. The first lower recess is positioned between the first and second retention legs and the second lower recess is positioned rearward of the second retention leg. The sealing strip also includes a sealing section formed with the retention section. The invention is also related to a vehicle panel assembly including a first panel having a channel, a second panel, and a sealing strip coupled to the first panel. The sealing strip includes a retention section having an upper hub, a first retention leg, a second retention leg, an upper recess, and first and second lower recesses. The sealing strip again includes a sealing section which is integrally formed with the retention section.

Abstract: A door is moved in an opening direction at a first speed until the door reaches a decelerating area. A moving speed of the door in the opening direction is decelerated from the first speed to a second speed being lower than the first speed while the door has been moved in the decelerating area. The movement of the door is stopped when the door is moved beyond the decelerating area, the door comes in contact with an obstacle, and the moving speed of the door becomes lower than a predetermined speed corresponding to an open position of the door by a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A partition structure for a vehicle is disclosed. The partition structure is mainly composed of a partition panel provided between a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment, hinge mechanisms provided for connecting lower corners of the partition panel with a floor of the passenger and cargo compartments, a lock mechanism for supporting the partition panel in a closed state. The partition panel has a low rigidity energy absorption part provided at a lower center part. By this configuration, the partition panel is prevented from deforming even by the application of load thereto without increasing weight or manufacturing cost.

Abstract: In a vehicle with bumper which is attached to the vehicle transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle via a deformation element (10) the deformation element (10) exhibits two first side walls (28, 30) that are spaced apart, and are joined to second side walls (40,42) that are spaced apart. The first and second side walls (28, 30, 40, 42) feature first and second grooves (48a,b, 50a,b; 50a,b, 54a,b) that run transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are arranged in pairs opposite each other, each in a common plane. The first grooves (48a,b, 58a,b) extend over the whole breadth of the first side walls (28, 30) and the second grooves (52a,b, 54a,b) extend over only a middle part of the second side walls (40,42), leaving a region free at both edges. The first grooves (48a,b, 58a,b) are arranged in pairs in first planes and the second grooves (52a,b, 54a,b) are arranged in pairs in second planes situated between two subsequent first planes.

Abstract: A bumper system comprises a tubular roll-formed reinforcement beam. A hitch-supporting bracket has an inverted section shaped to fit downwardly onto the beam, and further has a laterally-extending second section. A hitch support tube is secured to the laterally-extending second section and has a hole for receiving a ball hitch for hauling a trailer. An energy absorber is attached to the beam, and includes a rear recess receiving the beam, a center section providing access to the hitch, and end sections that form steps on corners of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for storing cargo within a vehicle. The invention is characterized by a support device (2), attached or attachable in the cargo area (4) of the vehicle, for cargo receiving means (6). The support device (2) is pivotable, after the cargo receiving means (6) have been removed and/or collapsed flat, from a utilization position (A) lying on a cargo area floor (8), about a pivot axis (Y) extending in the vicinity of the cargo area floor (8) approximately parallel thereto, into a non-utilization position (B) lying approximately parallel to and in the vicinity of a vehicle partition (10) delimiting the cargo area (4), and thereby uncovering the vehicle floor (8).