Abstract: A replacement hard-top for a convertible sport truck or utility vehicle. The replacement top has a lightweight shell member and has at least one channel dimensioned to receive the vehicle's factory installed weather-seal in a tight frictional fit in order to form a weather-tight junction between said top and said body. The replacement top also has at least one notch, carried by the rear panels of the shell member, that is dimensioned to receive the vehicle's tail-gate when said tail-gate is in a closed position thus forming a weather-tight junction between said top and said tail-gate. This allows the replacement top to be interchangeable with the soft convertible top without replacing the factory installed weather-seal.

Abstract: A tailgate ramp extends the tailgate with three hinged panels (13, 14, 15) able to fold out to a co-planar position whereat each hinge (51, 55) is braced by a system of struts (21, 26) and cables (22, 25) against opening past 180.degree.. The cables (22, 25) and struts (21, 26) are arranged to permit the outermost panel (15) to fold into between the other two (13, 14) to collapse into a pack against the inner face of the tailgate. The system of cables (21, 26) at each hinge (51, 55) can be passed around sheaves (29-32, 37-40) at each side of the ramp in a single length to balance loads on the ramp.

Abstract: A modular cab/sleeper structural assembly (31) for a truck-tractor vehicle (30) is provided which improves ride quality and structural integrity without substantially increasing the overall weight or sacrificing any advantages of separate cab and sleeper units. The assembly (31) includes a chassis frame (33) extending substantially longitudinal of the vehicle (30) and a cab unit (35) having a cab structural assembly (37) mounted to the chassis frame (33) by a first mount (42). A sleeper unit (38) having a sleeper structural assembly (40) is mounted to the chassis frame (33) by a second mount (43). A coupling member (41), coupled between the cab structural assembly (37) and the sleeper structural assembly (40) and independent of the chassis frame (33), rigidly couples the sleeper structural assembly (40) and the cab structural assembly (37) together to produce a substantially unified composite structure for increased structural integrity.

Abstract: An mounting apparatus for a vehicle cargo box is disclosed which provides for attachment of a tonneau cover to cover the cargo box and which provides for attachment of additional accessories to the cargo box above the tonneau cover. The apparatus includes mounting rails for the tonneau cover which are substantially covered by the cover and mounting brackets which are coupled to the rails and extend outward and above the rails for attaching additional accessories to the cargo box above the tonneau cover.

Abstract: A combination truck bed liner and fastening system for truck beds having one or more substantially vertical bed sidewalls and a front wall having a top rail with an outwardly facing lip. The combination includes a truck bed liner having a floor and integrally attached side and front walls extending upwardly therefrom to upper edges, and at least one slot formed adjacent that upper edge. At least one resilient snap-type clip having a hook end and stay end is provided, wherein compressive force is applied between the hook and stay ends in use by the inwardly biased nature of the clip. In attached condition, the hook end of the clip extends outwardly to lockingly overlie the truck bed rail, while the stay end overlies at least a portion of the upper edge of the liner and includes an outwardly protruding stay which interacts with the recess in the truck bed liner. As a result, the clip is compressively fitted over the upper edge of the liner and the rail to hold the liner in place without a need for drilling.

Abstract: A heavy duty truck bug and gravel shield that has minimum parts and a maximum deflecting ability. It also is designed to minimize shield vibration.

Abstract: Support frame cartridge for mounting between inner and outer door panels includes a plurality of push-on mounting studs for mounting a pair of energy-absorbing pads. Notches are provided in the belt line cross-member of the support frame cartridge to better utilize the energy-absorbing pads increasing the dynamic side-impact protection to an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sun visor having a sun-visor body with a stiffening at or close to the edge of the sun-visor body. The sun visor body and stiffening being comprised of polypropylene particle foam, the stiffening being substantially harder and stiffer than the remaining regions of the sun-visor body. A method and an apparatus for the manufacture thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A side door assembly is provided which includes a catch and striker reinforcement mechanism positioned between the free-edge of the door of the adjacent body panel of the vehicle. The striker cooperates with the catch to enhance engagement in response to the imposition of laterally imposed loads through providing a disc-like knob for engagement with catch plate upon deflection of adjacent body panels.

Abstract: A supplemental visor assembly includes first and second main panel and first and second extension panels. The first main panel is mountable against an existing sun visor panel by a pair of clips attached to the first main panel and releasably attachable to the existing sun visor panel. The first extension panel is mounted against the first main panel by a first pair of spaced strap members to undergo laterally slideable movement relative to the first main panel. The second main panel is hingedly mounted to one end edge of the first main panel to undergo pivotal movement between a stored position against the first main panel and first extension panel and a deployed position away therefrom. The second extension panel is mounted against the second main panel by a second pair of spaced strap members to undergo laterally slideable movement relative to the second main panel.

Abstract: A storage or cargo system clamping assembly is utilized in a freight area of a motorized vehicle and semi-permanently attaches a storage system to the horizontal wooden slats found in the interior of a motorized vehicle. This storage system has vertically disposed struts for readily accepting a threaded screw-type member, which extends, non-restrictively, through the strut member whether a shelf leg or an iron frame and engages an L-shaped member having a threaded hole corresponding to the screw. Such a storage system and clamping assembly provides great versatility to freight and cargo vehicles, allowing for easy installation, adjustment, or removal of the storage system, without damaging the vehicle or leaving any telltale markings on the vehicle that would indicate that a storage system was utilized within the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes an inner panel, an outer panel joined to the inner panel and a door trim panel mounted on the inner panel to form a space therebetween. The vehicle door also includes a honeycomb shaped energy absorbing structure disposed in the space between the door trim panel and the inner panel for absorbing energy from a side collision type impact of the vehicle door.

Abstract: A bumper for vehicles, particularly motor vehicles, has a dimensionally stable support made of a light metal, which is profiled in an approximately U-shaped manner, and an elastic covering disposed in front of it, with impact absorbing flanges being arranged locally on the dimensionally stable support. In order to reduce the expenditures of time and cost during the manufacturing of the bumper, the impact absorbing flanges are constructed in one piece with the dimensionally stable support.

Abstract: A storage device for a bed of a pickup truck having a body with a storage area therein and a door affixed thereto. The door allows access to the storage area. A fluid-activated lifting mechanism is attached to the body at opposite ends of the body. The lifting mechanism serves to move the body from a first position in juxtaposition to the bed of the truck and a second position above the side wall of the truck. The door is positioned above the side wall in the second position. The body has an identation formed therein for extending over the wheel well of the truck. The body is positioned adjacent the side wall of the pickup truck such that the door is interposed between the body and the side wall in the first position. The lift mechanism includes a first hydraulic cylinder affixed to a first end of the body and a second hydraulic cylinder affixed to a second end of the body.

Abstract: An improved seat for a disabled driver or passenger of an automotive vehicle, is disclosed. The seat comprises a seat cushion including a stationary cushion component and a transport cushion component, the transport cushion component being constrained for movement in a path between a retracted position and an extended position. The transport cushion component is controlled by an operational system that includes a member having an extension member telescopically extendable from an end thereof and cable-drive means for moving the component between the retracted position and the extended position when under constant manual control. The manual actuator is accessible to constant manual control at the transport cushion and is recessed therein.

Abstract: A covering assembly adapted for use over a bed of a vehicle comprises a cover having sleeve structures extending longitudinally along opposite lateral edges of the cover and on opposite side walls of the vehicle, a pair of tension rod members and a plurality of tie-down devices. Each sleeve structure receives one tension rod member and the plurality of tie-down devices interconnects the tension rod members to the pickup truck so that the cover can maintain a taut condition over the bed of the vehicle. The covering assembly also includes a frame assembly and a plurality of insert adapters. The insert adapters are mounted into pre-existing stake pockets of the vehicle and the frame assembly is supported by the mounted insert adapters. A substitute cover is adapted to be positioned over the frame assembly to form a tent structure over the bed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A latch plate for swing doors of a truck is disclosed which is movable between a latch engaging position and a retracted position. The latch plate in its retracted position would not interfere with vertically movable parts of a tailgate lift.

Abstract: A cab and observation or hunting stand is temporarily attachable to and quickly and easily removable from the front and rear racks of an ATV. The cab may be enclosed for weather protection if desired; at least one openable window and latchable door are provided. The cab may include a foldable stand on top, for use as an observation and/or hunting stand. Seating is provided in the stand, along with provision for a removable shade. Stabilization for the stand is provided by at least one stabilizer bar and an access ladder for the stand, which also serves as an additional stabilizing device. The apparatus may be camouflaged if desired, and lighting may be included within the cab for low light level operations.

Abstract: A lining for an interior portion of an automotive vehicle door. The lining comprises a lining base panel including a base material, and a first skin material laminated to the base material. The lining base panel is partitioned into a plurality of contiguous surface areas by at least one groove. At least one of the surface areas serves as an installation section. At least one decorative member is bonded to the lining base panel and includes at least one rigid base panel formed in a shape corresponding to the installation section, and at least one second skin material covering the base panel. The decorative member is formed at its peripheral section with a flange which is tightly fitted in the groove of the lining base panel. The flange including the rigid base panel.

Abstract: An improved mounting assembly for automotive body panels includes a mounting plate (22) adjustably, fixably secured to an inner panel (16) and a slide plate (24), adjustably fixedly secured to an outer panel (12) and a slide arrangement (26) defined between the mounting plate (22) and slide plate (24) for facilitating adjustable movement therebetween.