Abstract: The bumper system is used on a motor vehicle and generally includes a bumper beam and an energy-absorbing bracket connected to the bumper beam. The bracket includes a hollow energy-absorbing body having a first end and a second end. The bracket body may be saddle-shaped between the first and second ends. The bracket body deforms during a collision involving the motor vehicle. In another embodiment, the bracket body may have a first cross sectional shape at the first end that transitions to a second cross sectional shape at the second end. The second shape may be different from the first shape, or be similar to the first shape, but be, for example, rotated about 90° from the first shape. The first shape may be elongated along a first axis and the second shape elongated along a second axis rotated about 90° from the first axis.

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof including two rigid roof parts which are movable between a closed position in which they cover an interior vehicle space and an open position in which the roof parts are deposited in a storage compartment, an operating mechanism is provided which comprises a main pivot arm, which is pivotally supported on the vehicle body and a common carrier, which is supported on the main pivot arm by an operating structure which permits the common carrier to move relative to the main pivot arm and the rigid roof parts are supported on the common carrier such that they are movable together with the common carrier relative to the main pivot arm.

Abstract: A dual-compartment storage apparatus is a toolbox system for pickup trucks with a recessed receiving zone in the middle, wherein a wheel of a motorcycle to fit into the receiving zone and allows the entire motorcycle to fit in into the truck bed. Additionally, the tool box provides tie-down points to secure the motorcycle during transport and prevent it from moving about. Finally, a storage compartment across the back of the box holds a collapsible ramp to allow the motorcycle to roll into and out of the bed with a minimum of effort.

Abstract: A forward facing rear door assembly for a motor vehicle includes a forward facing rear door having a forward end and a rear end. The forward facing rear door assembly also includes a single hinge connected to the rear end of the forward facing rear door and for connection to a “C” pillar of a vehicle body to allow a forward end of the rear door to open and close a door opening in the vehicle body.

Abstract: A bumper structure comprise a bumper reinforcement, a bumper fascia extending along and located in front of the bumper reinforcement, and an impact absorber arranged between the bumper reinforcement and the bumper fascia. The bumper reinforcement extends in a lateral direction of a vehicular body and attached to the vehicular body. The bumper reinforcement has a front surface, stepped or tapered in shape, so that the bumper reinforcement retreats at a lower portion thereof more than at an upper portion thereof. The impact absorber has upper and lower portions so that the lower portion thereof is longer and stronger than the upper portion thereof. The impact absorber has a rear surface, stepped or tapered in shape, such that the rear surface of the lower portion projects toward the bumper reinforcement with respect to the rear surface of the upper portion so as to face the front surface of the bumper reinforcement.

Abstract: A bumper system for an automotive vehicle includes a rolled steel tube having a box or C-shaped cross section fixed to the forward ends of the side rails of the vehicle so as to extend transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal axis. The forward surface of the vehicle is formed by a plastic fascia which may have sloped surfaces for styling or aerodynamic reasons. The space between the forward end of the bumper bar and the fascia is filled with foam intended to absorb energy in an impact. To better match the sloped sections of the fascia, certain sections of the bumper bar are twisted about the longitudinal axis of the bar to create surfaces inclined relative to the vertical. The bars are formed by roll forming a steel web into an elongated member having generally vertical opposed faces. A section of the rolled member is heated above a metallurgical transition temperature.

Abstract: A side moulding which is readily manufactured and mounted on an exterior side surface of a body or door of a motor vehicle, and is free from the generation of noise during the running of the motor vehicle or upon the opening and closing of the door of the motor vehicle. The side moulding includes a main body, clips for mounting the main body to the body or door of the motor vehicle, and cushion members provided in a rear surface of the main body. Each of the cushion members includes a cushion part for achieving a cushioning operation against the main body, and the body or door of the motor vehicle, and a fitting part for fitting to each of rib parts provided in the rear surface of the main body.

Abstract: A safety stop member which consists of an L-shaped member, plural fasteners for fastening a first leg of the L to the floor surface, a second leg of the L being oriented in an upstanding relation relative to the first leg and to the floor surface and configured so that the upstanding second leg will interfere with and engage a safety bar on an emergency cot only when the safety bar is positioned adjacent a juncture between the first and second legs. An outwardly facing side of the second leg is oriented generally flush with an edge of the access opening so that when the emergency cot extends outwardly from the access opening in the cargo area and the safety bar engages the second leg, the base on the emergency cot will be sufficiently spaced outwardly of an outermost facing surface of a step bumper on the emergency vehicle to facilitate an unobstructed deployment of the base to the deployed position thereof.

Abstract: A structural member usable for a car capable of demonstrating excellent flexural strength and absorbed energy performance and, moreover, capable of realizing weight reduction and is a structural member for a car being formed with a high-tensile steel pipe having a material property of not less than 1,400 MPa in tensile strength and not less than 5% in elongation. The structural member has a closed section structure which is provided as the configuration of the cross section perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis. The cross-sectional configuration satisfies the following expression when a is defined as the maximum length of said cross-sectional configuration in the longitudinal direction, when b is defined as the maximum length thereof in the direction perpendicular to said direction, when L is defined as the circumferential length thereof, and when t is defined as the wall thickness of the steel pipe, 0.65?b/a?0.75, 0.014?t/L?0.

Abstract: An awning supported on roof panel for use outdoors mainly includes an automatic shade roller, a plurality of supporting frames, and a plurality of adjustable sucker units coupled with the supporting frames. Each of the supporting frames is provided at two lateral sides with two elongated slots, in which the sucker units may be shifted to a desired position relative to the supporting frame. The supporting frame is integrally provided below each lateral side with two vertical framing walls, and at a central top portion with a raised pad that has two mortises formed at two diagonally opposite corners. With the above arrangements, the shade roller, the supporting frames, and the sucker units may be easily assembled for mounting on a roof panel to provide an awning for use outdoors without using any tool.

Abstract: An external protection system for a vehicle includes a plurality of external guards in communication with a passenger compartment. The plurality of guards are spaced a distance away from the passenger compartment such that a crush zone exists between each of the plurality of guards and the passenger compartment. This provides a lightweight vehicle with an increased level of protection.

Abstract: Integral structures are formed using a combination of both metal and plastic. These materials are secured together by the unique design of the metal in areas of contact with the plastic. Ribbed structures in which metal is suitably joined with injection molded plastic are also contemplated herein.

Abstract: A semi-trailer for transporting salvageable materials is disclosed including a platform having multiple compartments thereon. A first sidewall extends along a platform first side and is supported by front and rear end walls and a partition wall spaced apart between the platform end walls. A second sidewall is pivotably mounted for movement between a closed position along a platform second side, and a raised position for side loading of materials when the semi-trailer is stationary. The second sidewall is supported by forward, middle, and rear upper segments extending laterally above the platform. Each upper segment is pivotably connected to upper portions of the first sidewall to provide clamshell movement of the second sidewall above the platform. A lifting mechanism includes a plurality of lifting cylinders positioned proximal of front and rear end walls and the partition wall for raising the second sidewall to provide unhindered side access to each compartments.

Abstract: An armrest for use with a window crevasse in a door of an automobile. The armrest includes a rectangular base, a central hinge, a rear panel, a pair of braces and a cushion. The base has a front edge, a right side edge, a rear edge and a left side edge. The cushion is located on top of the base and the hinge is mounted along the rear edge between the base and the panel. To install the armrest, a user lowers a window until it is fully recessed in the window crevasse, positions the armrest, inserts the panel into the window crevasse, lifts up the base until it is perpendicular to the door, pushes an upper end of each brace into the cushion until the lower end rests against the door and locks the braces into an extended position.

Abstract: This invention pertains fasteners which are characterized by easy insertion and extraordinarily difficult separation of items that they attach together. This is achieved by a combination of snapping segments with an elastic body disposed at least under the head of the fastener. The snapping segments may comprise anti-opening and/or anti-sliding portions, which immensely increase the strength with which the fasteners hold the objects together. The elastic body in the vicinity of the bottom section of the fasteners also provides water and gas proof properties, as well as elimination of squeaking noises. Vehicles comprising objects connected together by the fastening devices described and claimed herein are part of the instant invention.

Abstract: An entertainment system comprises a media source, and a housing for supporting the media source, wherein the housing is coupled to an inner portion of a seat of a vehicle, and the media source is capable of being selectively connected to and disconnected from the housing.

Abstract: An automobile, in particular those considered as a Personal Luxury Car, Performance Car, “Pony Car”/Sports Car, or Grand Touring car, that seems as a two door coupe, by appearing to have only left and right front doors, but in actuality has four doors; where the left and right rear doors are “hidden”, and appear as solid rear quarter panels, but have selective hinge points or pivot points along the roof line or at the rear bumper/tail/light/trunk area, or at some location to that allows the rear quarter panel, to move away from the car's rear seating area and provide passenger entry/exit.

Abstract: A motor vehicle provides redirection of the slipstream to keep side windows of the vehicle clear of grime thrown into the path of the vehicle as spray or carried by precipitation. Redirection of the slipstream is provided by a turbulence or eddy generating protrusions extending into the slipstream from the vehicle's A-pillars. The protrusions or contours may be formed integrally with the encapsulation molding attached around the circumference of the vehicle's windshield.

Abstract: A semi-trailer for transport of recyclable materials including a wheeled undercarriage having a platform mounted thereon with dimensions sufficient for stacking a plurality of crushed vehicles thereon. A contained area having an open top is bounded by a fixed sidewall having front and rear end walls attached perpendicular thereto, and a second sidewall pivotably mounted for movement between a closed position parallel to the fixed sidewall and a raised position above the platform. The second sidewall is supported by front and rear upper segments extending adjacently above and pivotably connected to respective front and rear end walls, for clamshell movement relative to the platform. Hydraulic members extend from mid-portions of front and rear end walls and connect to front and rear upper segments for raising the second sidewall to provide unhindered side access. The second sidewall is moved to the closed position for contained transport of recyclable materials over public roads.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for extending a slide-out section of a vehicle includes a pair of rail supports secured to a vehicle frame and a pair of rail members connected to the slide-out section with one rail member slidably engaging each rail support. Each rail member is driven by engagement of a rotary member with a linear intermeshing member, such as dedicated rack and pinion arrangements. A shaft connects the rotary engagers so that movement of the rail members is synchronized using a single drive unit. A pair of rollers are mounted to each rail support, one roller on each side of the racks, to support the rack relative to the associated rotary engager.