Abstract: A rear vehicle-body structure of a vehicle comprises a storage compartment for storing an openable roof and a back window portion, a deck cover provided to cover over the storage compartment, the deck cover comprising a pair of right-and-left cover side wall portions which are provided to be spaced apart from each other in a vehicle width direction and stand upward and a header portion which is provided to interconnect respective upper ends of the cover side wall portions at a position close to, in a vehicle longitudinal direction, the roof, a cover opening/closing mechanism provided to move the deck cover upward, and a pair of right-and-left front-lower regulation structures provided to regulate positions of respective lower portions of the cover side wall portions relative to the vehicle body.

Abstract: An openable roof includes an expandable and retractable awning frame, and an awning cloth for covering the outside of the awning frame. The awning frame is provided with an awning bow which supports the awning cloth when the awning frame is expanded. The awning bow includes a pair of left and right leg portions extending in up and down directions, and an upper side portion which connects between upper ends of the leg portions in a vehicle width direction. Each of the leg portions of the awning bow is formed with two or more bent parts. At least one pair of the bent parts on each of the leg portions are configured such that moments generated in the awning bow due to a tensile force exerted from the awning cloth when the openable roof is in an expanded state act in such directions as to cancel out each other.

Abstract: The present application discloses a vehicle body rear portion structure for an automobile configured so that the rear deck cover opens or closes above a wheelhouse. The vehicle body rear portion structure includes a rear fender including an upper perimeter extending on an inner side in a vehicle width direction above the wheelhouse; a deck member extending in the vehicle width direction; and a support structure which supports the rear deck cover. The upper perimeter of the rear fender is connected to the deck member. The support structure includes a link mechanism, which opens and closes the rear deck cover, and a bracket portion including a mounting seat situated on an inner side with respect to a top portion of the wheelhouse in the vehicle width direction, the bracket portion supporting the link mechanism. The link mechanism is supported on the wheelhouse via the bracket portion.

Abstract: There are provided a pair of right-and-left front side frames which extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a pair of right-and-left apron reinforcements which extend straightly in the vehicle longitudinal direction above and outward, in a vehicle width direction, of the pair of front side frames, a pair of right-and-left fender panels which cover respective outward sides, in the vehicle width direction, of the pair of apron reinforcements, a pair of right-and-left connecting frames which connect respective front end portions of the pair of apron reinforcements to the front side frames, and a pair of right-and-left connecting brackets which connect respective front-end side portions of the pair of fender panels to the pair of apron reinforcements. The connecting bracket is arranged substantially at the same longitudinal position as a connection portion of the apron reinforcement and the connecting frame in a plan view.

Abstract: An underbody structure for a vehicle cargo bed is provided. The underbody structure includes a front cross member defining a forward end of the underbody structure, a rear cross member defining an opposite rearward end of the underbody structure, a first side member coupled between the front cross member and the rear cross member, and a second opposite side member coupled between the front cross member and the rear cross member. The underbody structure includes a center cross member coupled between the first and second side members, a first angled cross member oriented at a predetermined acute angle relative to the rear cross member, and a second angled cross member oriented at a predetermined acute angle relative to the rear cross member, where the first and second angled cross members are configured to match a load distribution of the vehicle cargo bed.

Abstract: A pair of tension adjustment blocks can include one or more positioning members receivable in the tension adjustment block mounting aperture to define a selected one of a plurality of distances from the aperture to a corresponding end of the tension adjustment block. When the tension adjustment blocks are selectively arranged in one of a plurality of orientations with one of the positioning members inserted into the tension adjustment block mounting aperture of each of the side rails to define a selected distance, the corresponding end of each tension adjustment block retains a header at a selected fore/aft position related to the selected distance that is different from the other adjustment tension adjustment block orientations and related distances.

Abstract: A rack system that is configured to allow the omission of cross bars. The cross bars can be easily removable and replaceable or can be adjustable along a length of the rack system. In some configurations, the rack system includes at least one side support arrangement comprising a first vertical support and a second vertical support. Two or more side support arrangements can be provided on each side of the truck bed. Pairs of support arrangements on one side of the truck bed can be connected by one or more longitudinal supports. Accessories, such as tool boxes or gas cans, can be connected to the one or more longitudinal supports.

Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a bumper reinforcement beam, a bumper energy absorber member coupled to a face of the bumper reinforcement beam, and a bumper cover reinforcement coupled to the bumper reinforcement beam, the bumper cover reinforcement including a base portion and an outward extending portion extending outward of the base portion in a vehicle longitudinal direction to an end, the bumper cover support portion including a horizontally extending portion and a vertically extending portion, where the at least one of the horizontally extending portion decreases in dimension in the vehicle lateral direction and the vertically extending portion decreases in dimension in the vehicle vertical direction.

Abstract: Provided is a bumper reinforcement to be mounted to side members arranged at both end portions of a vehicle in a vehicle width direction so as to extend in a vehicle front-and-rear direction, the bumper reinforcement including: a body section formed into a tubular shape so as to extend in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle, the body section having both end portions in the vehicle width direction, which are formed so as to extend in the vehicle width direction, and an intermediate portion in the vehicle width direction, which is formed in a protruding manner toward one of a front of the vehicle and a rear of the vehicle; and a mounting section to be mounted to one of a front end surface and a rear end surface of each of the side members, the mounting section being formed into a tubular shape extending in the vehicle width direction integrally with a side surface portion of each of the both end portions of the body section in the vehicle width direction, the side surface portion being opposed to the eac

Abstract: A rear impact guard configured to be coupled to a rear end of a trailer includes (i) a bumper support member having an upper end configured to be coupled to the rear end of the trailer, and (ii) a horizontal bumper mounted at a lower end of the bumper support member. The bumper support member includes a hollow, generally triangular prism member.

Abstract: A braking device for braking a movement of a first vehicle part and a second vehicle part with respect to each other includes a housing element having an inner bore and a piston element having a shaft extending in the inner bore along a longitudinal axis and being mounted on the housing element such that the shaft is displaceable along the longitudinal axis with respect to the housing element along a displacement path. A braking element is arranged within the inner bore of the housing element and constituted to provide a friction force for braking a displacement movement of the piston element and the housing element with respect to each other at least within a portion of the displacement path. A tensioning device is constituted to radially, with respect to the longitudinal axis, act onto the braking element to provide a radial tensioning force.

Abstract: A motor vehicle rear end has left and right longitudinal beams (12, 14) forming load-bearing structures of the vehicle, and a receiving housing (18) is between the left and right longitudinal beams (12, 14) for accommodating a traction battery. The receiving housing (18) has left and right side walls (22, 24) and a central wall (26) running in a forward direction of travel. An impact profile (26) is connected to the longitudinal beams (12, 14) at the level of the receiving housing (18) and absorbs impact energy in the event of a rear-end crash. The impact profile (26) has a left and right predetermined buckling points (36, 38) that enable the impact profile (26) to buckle toward the receiving housing (18) in a rear-end crash. The impact profile (26) that buckles in a rear-end crash strikes the receiving housing (18) along the longitudinal extent of the central wall (25).

Abstract: A vehicle cargo box tonneau cover device includes two or more hard panels formed of thin-walled, friction welded polypropylene material hermetically enclosing extruded support beams. Each panel forms an upper surface falling on a common plane when in a deployed position. Adjacent panels are joined along their common edges by a multi-pin hinge disposed entirely below the upper surface to provide a flat overall appearance. The hinge has a first flange carried by a first panel, a second flange carried by an adjacent second panel, and an elongated free-moving link mounted to the first flange for relative rotation about a first axis and mounted to the second flange for relative rotation about a second axis. The two axes are spaced from and parallel to one another, whereby the hinge enables 180° freedom of rotation between the adjacent panels when transitioning between a planer deployed position and a folded retracted position.

Abstract: A method of hydroforming a vehicle rail from an extruded aluminum tube includes the steps of positioning the extruded aluminum tube into a hydroforming die and partially closing the hydroforming die. Next is the step of applying a liquid under a first level of pressure to the extruded aluminum tube in the hydroforming die. This is followed by engaging an inner radius of a bend in the extruded aluminum tube with the hydroforming die before completely closing the hydroforming die and increasing the level of liquid pressure in the workpiece to a second level to form and hydro-pierce a part from the extruded aluminum tube.

Abstract: A connection structure of a vehicle includes a fender apron upper extending in a length direction of the vehicle, a front side member extending in a length direction of the vehicle, a front reinforcement, a bumper, and a back beam mounted in an inner side of the bumper. A front end portion of the fender apron upper is connected to one end of the front reinforcement and a rear end portion of the fender apron upper is connected to at least one of a cowl and a front pillar. A front end portion of the front side member is connected to the back beam and a rear end portion of the front side member is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle body. The other end of the front reinforcement is coupled to a front side portion of the front side member in the length direction thereof.

Abstract: A truck bed cover and extender includes two panel assemblies each attached to the inside of one of the bed walls. A panel assembly includes one or more panels attached to a frame. Each assembly is configured to move through three positions: a stowed position, wherein the assembly is stowed inside the truck bed substantially against the wall to which it is attached; a horizontal position, wherein the assembly is substantially horizontal and wherein the assemblies cooperate to form a partial or complete cover of the bed's cargo area; and an extended position, wherein the assembly substantially vertical, extending above the truck bed.

Abstract: A wheel catcher assembly can inhibit a wheel from moving toward a passenger compartment of a vehicle when an external force is applied to the vehicle. The wheel catcher assembly generally includes an energy absorbing bracket and a plate coupled to the energy absorbing bracket. The energy absorbing bracket includes a plurality of ridges and grooves so as to define a waveform portion. The plate is coupled to the energy absorbing bracket at the ridges such that an external force applied to the wheel catcher assembly is transferable from the plate to the energy absorbing bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle construction, having a displaceable top which includes a linkage that, on each of its two sides, in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, and can have one link arrangement, the link arrangement being pivotably mounted at a main bearing that is fixed relative to the vehicle. In a closed position of the top, a top surface element abuts against a component part that is fixed relative to the vehicle via a sealing arrangement, wherein the sealing arrangement is arranged at a sealing carrier unit, which can be pivoted with respect to the component part that is fixed relative to the vehicle and with respect to the top surface element.

Abstract: A glove compartment includes a case main body; a lid body connected to the case main body by a hinge; and a lock mechanism locking the lid body to the case main body at a closed position relative to the case main body. The lock mechanism includes a fixation claw fixed to the lid body; and a movable claw slidably attached to the case main body. When the movable claw is located in an engagement position engaged with the fixation claw, the lid body is locked to the case main body. When the movable claw slidingly moves to a release position disengaging from the fixation claw, the lid body can be opened. A shielding wall is provided, which partially shields the movable claw relative to an outside when the lid body is located at the closed position, so as to prevent a theft of housed articles.

Abstract: A utility vehicle capable of providing a storage box without restricting the storage capacity of the cargo bed thereof. The utility vehicle includes one or a plurality of seat rows, a dumping-type cargo bed behind the seat row(s), and a storage box disposed in a space between a backrest of the seat row(s) and a front panel of the cargo bed.