Abstract: A windshield protection and ice removal device comprises a pair of generally rectangular flexible wire frames enclosed by and supporting a nylon fabric coated by an outer layer of polyvinyl chloride. There are also a pair of opposed side view mirror “gloves” having expandable “wrists” and which are designed to enclose a vehicle's side view mirrors for securing the invention to the vehicle in a manner resistant to wind effects which might otherwise lift the cover from the windshield. Finally, the preferred embodiment also comprises a wire-connected belt terminating in a buckle which is designed to be trapped inside a vehicle's interior by the vehicle's door or side window to render the invention resistant to unauthorized removal from the vehicle's windshield. A relatively thick, cut-resistant wire runs through the belt to make it more difficult to cut the belt and sever it from the rest of the shield device.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied in as a canopy system for a vehicle, such as a golf cart. The invention may include nested support members and/or a housing.

Abstract: A retractable seat device includes a seat body having first and second ends rotatably connected to rear and front legs, respectively, first and second arms, and a link. When the first arm is rotated in a second direction, the rear leg and the front leg connected to the rear leg with the link are unfolded, a rear lock mechanism provided on the rear leg becomes engaged with a first striker provided on the vehicle floor, and then a front lock mechanism provided on the front leg becomes engaged with a second striker provided on the vehicle floor, so that the seat body is supported on the vehicle floor by the rear leg and the front leg. The rear lock mechanism has an interlock structure including a ratchet and a pawl, and the front lock mechanism has a hook lock structure including a hook.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device for a vehicle, absorbing an axial compression load by means of plastic deformation in order to absorb an impact energy, is hollowed and has an octagonal cross section.

Abstract: An air intake for a lawn and garden tractor has an opening with a screen covering the opening. A float panel is positioned adjacent to and spaced from the outer surface of the screen. The full surface area of the screen is available to pull in air, while limiting engine noise entering the environment and minimizing ingestion of excess grass and other debris.

Abstract: A fender for absorbing forces generated from an impact includes a depending attachment flange which comprises a vertically aligned section depending from an exterior portion of the fender and a horizontally aligned section depending from the vertically aligned section adapted for mounting to a vehicle wherein the vertically aligned section includes a plurality of contoured portions for enhancing the stiffness of the vertically aligned section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for opening and closing a door (2) which is arranged so that it can slide on a vehicle (3). The apparatus comprises an engaging element (5), such as a cable, connected to the door (2), and a drive wheel (6) designed to act upon the engaging element (5). A transmission (7) is operatively connected to the drive wheel (6) and the transmission (7) is designed to transmit power to the drive wheel (6) via at least a first gear and a second gear. In one embodiment the transmission may have a neutral position so that the drive wheel (6) can rotate freely. A position sensor (8) is connected to the sliding door (2) in order to detect when the sliding door (2) has reached a predetermined position in the door opening. The transmission (7) then changes gear from the first gear to the second gear. The invention also relates to a vehicle provided with the apparatus according to the invention and to a method of fitting the apparatus according to the invention to a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a sun visor for a motor vehicle. The method includes the steps of positioning a nail substantially parallel a longitudinal edge of a clamshell visor half and driving the nail though a clip rod positioned in a clip rod recess. The nail is preferably driven by sliding a visor pivot rod or attached slider against one end thereof, driving the nail through the clip rod and securing the same in the recess.

Abstract: A display unit for a motor vehicle comprises a screen and a guide member defining an arced track. The screen is movable with respect to the arced track between a retracted position, wherein the screen rests at a first angle with respect to vertical, and an extended position, wherein the screen extends upward and rests at a second angle with respect to vertical.

Abstract: A rear hood assembly system is proposed for vehicles. The rear hood assembly includes a multi-joint link assembly. The multi-joint link assembly couples the rear hood to a vehicle body. The multi-joint link assembly includes a locking link. The locking link can move between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking link is in the locked position, a rotary joint pivotably couples the locking link to the vehicle body to raise the rear edge of the rear hood. When the locking link is in the unlocked position, the rotary joint is unlocked.

Abstract: A collapsible entertainment system for integration into the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a frame adapted to be pivotably mounted to a passenger compartment component and a display. The display is characterized by having a viewing side for viewing by one or more passengers in a vehicle. The display is attached to the frame such that the display is moveable in two directions about the frame. The mobility of the display allows the entertainment system to be collapsed for stowing.

Abstract: An animal deflector system for propelling a deer/large animal away from the front portion of a moving vehicle wherein the system includes a brush guard member mounted on the front of a vehicle by a pair of compression springs connect on one end to the brush guard member and a pair of bearing plates affixed to the front of the vehicle, wherein a pair of pivotal lever members maintain the compression springs in a pre-loaded condition until a deer/large animal forcibly impacts the brush guard member.

Abstract: FIGS. 3a and 3b show two side elevation views of a vehicle passenger cabin defining a passenger space wherein are featured an actuation device, generally designated 2, balancing gas springs, generally designated 65, pivoting hinge member 4, inner weather seal 50, outer weather seal 51 and draught proof brush seal 62. In view generally designated 3a, a pivoting extension member 3 is shown in the retracted position for on-road driving. In view generally designated 3b, a pivoting extension member 3 is shown in the extended position for passenger access and use.

Abstract: A structure includes a support member and a toothed wheel which cooperate with each other to vertically moved a bed.

Abstract: In order to improve a convertible vehicle comprising a vehicle body with a passenger compartment, a roll-over protection device which is arranged behind a row of seats and has at least two uprights arranged transversely to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body at a distance from one another and rising above the vehicle body and at least one cross bar extending between at least two uprights, and a wind stop device which is arranged behind the at least one row of seats and reduces a flow of air through the at least one free space of the roll-over protection device, in such a manner that the wind stop device in combination with the roll-over protection device is easier to manage it is suggested that the wind stop device have a flat material guiding device and a wind-deflecting flat material held by the flat material guiding device, that the flat material guiding device hold the wind-deflecting flat material in an active position in a surface intersecting the uprights and thereby close the at least one fre

Abstract: A passenger vehicle is disclosed having a vehicle body with a first pillar extending upward from a lateral side of the body. A side member extends along the body and a second pillar extends upward and rearward from the side member. The second pillar has a lower end affixed to the side member between a front seating row and a rear seating row of the vehicle. An upper end of the second pillar is displaced adjacent to the rear seating row of the vehicle, and is spaced apart from the front seating row of the vehicle. The orientation of the second pillar maximizes impact strength, rear occupant ingress and egress between the pillars and a lateral range of vision for the driver.

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

Abstract: A fender for absorbing forces generated from an impact includes a depending attachment flange which comprises a vertically aligned section depending from an exterior portion of the fender and a horizontally aligned section depending from the vertically aligned section adapted for mounting to a vehicle wherein the vertically aligned section includes a plurality of contoured portions for enhancing the stiffness of the vertically aligned section.

Abstract: An underfloor storage structure for a vehicle comprises a floor panel (5) which includes a concave portion as a storage space (6), and which partially covers a port (7) of the storage space, a rotatable tray (36) disposed in the storage space (6), and at least one lid (8) for selectively closing the remaining portion of the port (7) of the storage space (6). A passenger seated in one of seats (2, 3) of the vehicle can freely and easily access pieces of luggage stored in the storage space (6) by rotating the rotatable tray (36).

Abstract: A tailgate assembly having an inner panel and an outer panel which is selectively coupled to the inner panel. The tailgate assembly further includes at least one stiffening member which is selectively and operatively contained between the panels and which increases the strength and durability of the tailgate assembly.