Abstract: A side sill garnish at the outside of a side sill of a vehicle has a garnish main body as an outer surface of the side sill garnish; and a sound absorbing member provided on the inside of the garnish main body, and has a rigid member at an outer periphery of the sound absorbing member. The rigid member is attached to the garnish main body. Preferably, the sound absorbing member is made of a foam material, and the rigid member is formed by compressing the foam material. For example, the sound absorbing member, made of a foam material, has portions for fastening the sound absorbing member to the main body using clips; and these portions are formed by compressing the foam material. In another example, the sound absorbing member has rigid members on opposite sides in the outer periphery, and the rigid members are attached to the main body.

Abstract: A system and device of sliding panels contained in a frame that allows the panels to be stored in one part of the frame and moved to different parts when in use. Panels slide along horizontally and vertically within the frame so that various alternate placement of panels can close the frame, or create openings of different sizes, shapes and locations within the frame. The panels within this system can be used to enclose a vehicle or structure; to protect the interior of the structure and its occupants from inclement weather; miscellaneous intrusions such as insects, dirt and the like; as well as from firearm, chemical, and biological assault. The panels can be readily changed to accommodate to these needs by substituting a panel made of an appropriate material. If the panel system is used in modular form, even panel walls of buildings can be rapidly constructed. The device also can be used for a multi-panel display device.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle (RV) with a central actuator that controls locking and unlocking of a plurality of access doors. Each of the access doors has a locking member that is interconnected to the central actuator. Thus, the central actuator may be configured to lock or unlock selected group of doors simultaneously. The central actuator is located inside the RV, and controlling input to the central actuator may be from a remote transmitter, or by direct manipulation of the central actuator. The locking members and the central actuator may be linked mechanically, electromagnetically, hydraulically, pneumatically, or in any number of ways. The central actuator advantageously permits an RV user to lock or unlock groups or all of the access doors simultaneously while inside the RV, or by using the remote transmitter.

Abstract: The invention provides a motor vehicle bumper comprising: a shield presenting a first impact zone situated substantially at the same height as the knee of an adult pedestrian and, immediately below said first zone, a second impact zone situated substantially at the height as the tibia of an adult pedestrian; a beam placed behind the shield substantially at the same height as the knee of an adult pedestrian, in register with and at a certain distance from the shield; and interposed between the beam and the shield, at least one block made of a compressible material, the block having a front end disposed beside the shield and a rear end disposed beside the beam, and having a cross-section that increases from its front end towards its rear end. The front end of the block is disposed in register with the second impact zone of the shield.

Abstract: A bumper for a vehicle comprises a hollow tubular beam, and has two side rail mounting portions and a front impact portion disposed between and formed continuously with the side rail mounting portions. The front impact portion includes an initial impact region and two additional deforming regions, with the initial impact region being disposed between the additional deforming regions. The initial impact region has top and bottom surfaces that are generally flat and the additional deforming regions each have top and bottom surfaces that are generally convex.

Abstract: An automotive center stack panel assembly is provided comprising an inner retainer panel including a recessed display mount. A video display panel assembly is mounted to the recessed display mount and has a display angle orientation. At least one roller guide formed on the inner retainer panel. An outer main bezel is included having a bezel outer panel surface. A control panel is positioned between the inner retainer panel and the outer main bezel. A plurality of roller elements are positioned within the at least one roller guide and retained therein by the outer main bezel. The control panel is movable between a display hidden position and a display exposed position. The control panel covers the recessed display mount when in the display hidden position.

Abstract: A powered tailgate system in which a direct driven rack 44 is connected to one end of a rod 52, one end of a curved arm 54 is connected to the other end of the rod 52, the other end of the curved arm 54 is connected to a tailgate 15, an arm side slider portion 60 which curves concentrically with the curved arm 54 is provided on the curved arm 54, and a plurality of load receiving portions 87 to 90 adapted to be brought into sliding contact with the arm side slider portion 60 so as to receive a load are disposed on a vehicle body side at intervals along a traveling direction of the curved arm 54.

Abstract: A sun visor for a vehicle includes a shaft 10 angularly movably mounted on a roof surface within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a shielding plate angularly movably mounted on the shaft 10. A holder 30 and a stabilizer 70, in which the shaft 10 is angularly movably inserted, are provided at an end portion of the shielding plate, and a first projection 20A and a second projection 20B are formed on the shaft 10, and are spaced from each other in a direction of an axis of the shaft. The distance between the second projection 20B and the tubular portion 71 is larger than the distance between the first projection 20A and the bearing portion 33.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle having a housing, at least one part of the internal surface of which is covered by at least one lining panel (1), and objects (3, 4, 5) such as cables, flexible printed circuits, flexible flat cables or anti-vibration blocks which are disposed between the lining panel (1) and the housing. One of the faces of the lining panel(s) (1) is provided with loops and male anchoring elements, particularly hooks (8), which are used to fix the objects and/or housing, with which said hooks are associated, to the panel(s).

Abstract: A vehicle trim panel is secured to a vehicle structural panel by providing a vehicle trim fastener having spaced arms which embrace and overlie the legs on a mount which is seated over the edge of a vehicle structural panel. The embracing arms and corresponding legs prevent lateral shifting of the trim panel relative to the structural panel.

Abstract: A carrier mounting structure, in which knobs for connecting a lower frame of a carrier to a bumper cover are formed integrally with the lower frame so that a connection step between the knobs and the lower frame is omitted, thereby decreasing the number of steps of an overall assembly process and reducing the production cost of the carrier. The carrier mounting structure comprises a carrier provided in front of an engine compartment of a car body for fixing electric components of a car, a bumper cover located below the carrier for absorbing impact generated in external collision, and a plurality of knobs extended from a lower surface of the carrier and connected to the bumper cover, wherein the knobs are formed integrally with the carrier.

Abstract: A tailgate counterbalancing hinge assembly includes a linear torque rod, a first end assembly and a second end assembly. One end assembly pivotally retains the tailgate while permitting the torque rod to be rigidly coupled to the tailgate for movement with the tailgate about a pivot axis. The other end assembly pivotally retains the tailgate and permits the end of the torque rod o be rigidly retained with respect to the vehicle body. The assemblies are easily mounted in the vehicle using brackets that are secured to the tailgate and a vehicle body hinge pin to simplify installation and repair of the assembly.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for reducing the aerodynamic drag of vehicles are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments may include at least one fan for directing air into a lower pressure region behind a vehicle in motion in order to reduce pressure drag. Embodiments may also include one or more internal ducts for directing air from other parts of the vehicle to the at least one fan. In one embodiment, the operation of the at least one fan may be controlled based on sensed conditions, user control, or other means.

Abstract: A radiator grille (10) for mounting in a motor vehicle radiator grille arrangement and a method of producing same, includes radiator grille having a substantially rigid frame (11) and at least one bar element (12) arranged within the frame (11). The bar element includes at least one end (12a) which, in the unassembled state of the radiator grille (10), is spaced from a portion (18) of the frame (11) and in the mounted state of the radiator grille (10) is forced into contact with the portion (18). The end (12a) of the bar element (12) and the portion (18) of the frame (11) being movable relative to one another as a result of the external application of force.

Abstract: A system, method and media for reducing the aerodynamic drag of vehicles is disclosed. More particularly, at least one fan for directing air into a lower pressure region behind a vehicle in motion in order to reduce pressure drag is disclosed. Embodiments include one or more ducts from directing air from other parts of the vehicle to the at least one fan. In one embodiment, the operation of the at least one fan may be controlled based on sensed conditions, user control, or other means.

Abstract: The roof according to the present invention has a front part, a rear central element articulated to the front part of the roof, and two rear side elements that are installed free to move with respect to the central element. A front drive and guidance system is adapted to displace the side elements with respect to the central element when the front part of the roof is displaced with respect to the central element and includes two side connecting rods, each rod being installed free to rotate at the front part of the roof and relative to a displacement system designed to displace the corresponding side element relative to the central element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage bin assembly that is disposable in an opening formed in a vehicle dashboard. The assembly includes a bin portion having a pivotable door that selectably allows access to an interior storage area. A lid is disposed on the bin portion and includes front and rear edges. A slot is formed within the lid that extends perpendicularly between the front and rear edges wherein a centering pin formed on the top edge of the door cooperates with the slot to cause the door to remain centered relative to the opening formed in the vehicle dashboard. The centering pin and slot are such that they are at all times hidden from the user's view when the storage bin door is being opened or closed.

Abstract: A stand-up operator's platform for a truck-mounted aerial device wherein a turret is supported for rotation on the frame of the truck about a vertical axis. The stand-up operator's platform of this invention is secured to one side of the turret for rotation therewith which enables the operator, when standing on the platform of the stand-up operator's platform, to observe the operations of the aerial device regardless of the rotatable position of the turret thereof.

Abstract: A motorized recreational vehicle of unibody construction having at least one expandable living compartment with flush floor and full ceiling and an disposed within the body of the vehicle, a storage area or garage disposed within the vehicle body between the bottom and the floor and accessible through the openable rear end, an integral heat exchanging climate control system, a retractable exterior entrance stair, pneumatically actuated components, and deformable members.

Abstract: A vehicle front structure of the present invention includes a hood ridge extended along a fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle in an upper edge portion of a vehicle front, a front side member extended along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle in a lower edge portion of the vehicle front, and a strut housing located between the hood ridge and the front side member. Further, the structure includes a hood ridge lower front portion composed in a manner that a rear edge portion thereof is connected to a front-side surface of the strut housing, and that an upper edge portion thereof and a lower edge portion thereof are connected to the hood ridge and the front side member, respectively. The hood ridge lower front portion has a hood ridge lower front outer member and a hood ridge lower front inner member.