Abstract: A dual rail adjuster arrangement is provided that is hidden beneath the floor. The adjuster can be used for front or rear seat applications and offers the necessary strength and stability that prior wheeled adjusters cannot. In addition, the present invention offers the ability to remove the seat so that a van cargo area can be cleared in a relatively simple manner. The adjuster arrangement is non-obtrusive, and the floor is left relatively flat when the seats are removed. In a preferred embodiment, the adjuster includes an elongate stationary rail that is substantially recessed below the vehicle floor. The rail is positioned into a formation in the floor or, if additional strength is necessary, into a reinforcement that extends below the floor. A slider rail is fitted at the stationary rail and is supported by roller ball bearings or other similar means interposed between the two rails.

Abstract: A grill guard which can be adapted to different vehicles includes a pair of horizontal tubes fastened to a pair of vertical side plates. The side plates are attached to the bumper of a vehicle by an L-shaped bracket attached to the lower end of each side plate, a triangular plate attached near the middle of each side plate, and an L-shaped bracket connecting each triangular plate to the bumper. Each side plate has a plurality of regularly shaped holes along the rear edge thereof for adjusting the vertical spacing of the triangular plate from the lower L-shaped bracket. A dog fastens the tubes to the side plates at each intersection thereof.

Abstract: An intrusion beam structure for reinforcing a vehicle door includes an elongated member adapted to be attached to a surface of the inner panel of a door frame that is substantially parallel to the axis defined by the elongated member. The elongated member includes first and second end portions interdisposed by a middle portion. The end portions are substantially identical and each taper away from the middle portion. In a first embodiment, the elongated member is unitarily formed and has a substantially circular cross-section. In a second embodiment, the elongated member includes first and second bar portions which substantially traverse the entire length of the elongated member and are disposed substantially parallel to each other. The first and second bar portions are separated by an intermediate structure.

Abstract: A power operated seat device comprises: a pair of lower rails for fixing to a floor of a vehicle, a pair of upper rails for mounting a seat cushion of the vehicle mounted slidably on the lower rails respectively, each of the upper rails having an upstanding flange portion with a notch, a pair of brackets each of which is mounted detachably to the side of the corresponding flange portion so as to cover the notch, a rotational rod rotatably supported at both ends thereof to the corresponding bracket, a power source for rotating the rotational rod, and an adjusting the height mechanism provided between one of the upper rails and the seat cushion, and which is connected to the rotational rod and adjusts the height of a portion of the seat cushion by rotating of the rod.

Abstract: Fender in particular for bicycles and motorcycles and designed to be fixed to the fork (3,25) and to be curved to surround at a distance the wheel (4) for a certain segment so as to prevent the projection of water and mud caused by rolling of the wheel on the ground from reaching the user of the bicycle or motorcycle.In accordance with the present invention the fender consists of an air tube (17,29) of inflatable material, a support (6,26) to which is fixed one end of the air tube (17,29), fixing means (13,14) designed to fix the support support (6,26) to the fork (3,25) of the bicycle or motorcycle and suitable means for inflating the air tube (17,29).

Abstract: The present invention includes a mounting assembly for securing an energy absorber unit to vehicular support. A collar having a hub portion is secured to the energy absorber. The hub portion includes at least one circumferential ramp and flange. A mounting plate having at least one tab is secured to the vehicular support. As the collar is placed adjacent the mounting plate, the ramp is rotated into a slip fit with the tab. Preferably, a locking projection of the mounting plate is received in an opening on the flange of the collar to prevent inadvertent rotation of the collar out of a secured position. Also, an alignment key and notch can be formed on the mounting plate and collar, respectively, to facilitate proper orientation of the collar during installation.

Abstract: Cab assemblies utilized on modern day construction vehicles normally include a myriad of sheet metal components that are welded or bolted together to provide the structural support and the mountings for the various components that comprise a cab. The number of components and the time required to fabricate and weld, or otherwise assemble them, is often quite extensive. The more piece-parts that are required in the configuration of a cab, the more time is required to complete the assembly process. This translates directly into the cost of a cab assembly. The present invention provides a cab assembly that utilizes a non-metallic floor member as an integral part of its structure. The floor member not only incorporates the hardware required for mounting various components housed within the cab assembly, it also provides support for the cab's windshield assembly. The windshield assembly is mounted between the floor member and a structural member positioned in the vicinity of the cab's roof.

Abstract: A tailgate enclosure device (10) for retaining a load carried in a cargo hold (12) of a pickup truck. The cargo hold (12) has a loading bed (14) and a pair of lateral walls (16, 18). The device (10) is swingable between a vertical closed and a horizontal open position about a pair of pivots (58, 60). The device (10) comprises a generally rectangular, tubular frame (20) having a pair of opposing long horizontal members (22, 24), one of which being disposed adjacent the loading bed (14). The device (10 ) also comprises a pair of opposing short members (26, 28) extending between the long members (22, 24), the short members (26, 28) being positionable adjacent the lateral walls (16, 18) when the device (10) is oriented in the closed position. Also, the device (10) has a generally elliptically shaped tubular frame (30) disposed within the rectangular frame (20) to impart rigidity to the device (10) without any significant increase in drag.

Abstract: An article rack includes a frame structure with a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a first side and a second side. The frame structure first side includes an opening. The frame structure further includes a plurality of rail subassemblies each including a transverse rail member with a first, lower end located in proximity to the frame structure first side opening and an upper, second end located in proximity to the frame structure second side. The rail member slopes upwardly from its first end to its second end. Respective pairs of rail assemblies are associated with article receiving spaces which are accessible through the opening in the frame structure first side. An enclosure system opening can be selectively closed by a cover or door assembly. The article rack can be mounted on a truck or trailer chassis.

Abstract: An improved vehicle sun visor of double wall construction is open along its bottom and side edges, and frictionally engages a captive, slidable auxiliary sun shield. The shield can be pulled outwardly from the visor in varying degree at any point along the visor's open bottom and side edges to selectively and precisely block blinding sun glare which bypasses the visor. This enables a vehicle operator to maintain a clear, safer forward view, which will reduce the number of highway accidents caused by sun glare and will significantly increase driver comfort and peace of mind.

Abstract: A trailer or truck body has a floor sloped toward the rear to an opening and a tank located to receive liquid falling through the opening. A baffle is located between the opening and the main body of the tank and is designed to prevent liquid from splashing back into the body.

Abstract: A tailgate barrier for a pickup truck bed which can be removably located at multiple positions within the truck bed and may be locked by a cotter-key or a padlock for security as the mounting means are brackets suitably mounted in proximity to both sidewalls of the bed. The barrier is made in the form of a membrane which can be wrapped around its support members to accommodate any width of truck bed and can be located forward or rearward of the wheel wells.

Abstract: A plastic fender is stiffly and immovably attached to the body of a motor vehicle. The fender includes an attachment flange and a washer to be positioned between the fender attachment flange and a screw head. The washer includes at least one spherical cup-shaped impression that is pressed into the fender, resulting in positive locking which prevents movement of the fender. Stiff attachment can also be provided by a steel rail embedded in the attachment flange or steel rails attached to the sides of the attachment flange or by embedding the flange in a relatively stiff retaining part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light weight, high performance bumper for automobiles and the like. It consists of an I-beam reinforced by one or more ribs which add support to the front wall. The bumper is fabricated from fiber reinforced thermoplastic or thermoset materials.

Abstract: A motor vehicle body assembled from a plurality of metal frame profiles held together by node connector elements. Each metal frame profile includes an extruded metal portion and a pre-shaped sheet metal portion attached thereto to form a portion of the outer skin of the completed motor vehicle body. Each pre-shaped sheet metal portion is secured to the extruded metal portion so that it overlaps a part of the outer contour of the extruded metal portion to define an enclosed hollow space. This provides a box-type construction which increases strength and rigidity of the combined frame profile.

Abstract: A rear body structure of a vehicle body has a crushable reinforcement disposed inside a rear fender panel and extending in a lengthwise direction for structurally reinforcing a rear body portion of the vertical body. The crushable reinforcement is controlled so as to crush in an intended pattern during a rear-end collision. Consequently, the impact energy generated during the rear-end collision and applied to the automotive vehicle body is absorbed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding top for motor vehicles with a dimensionally stable rear window which, when the top is opened, can be folded down from an upright, position of use into a flat position of non-use. The top cover encloses the rear window and is connected along the lower edge side of the rear window and laterally thereto to a material retaining section arranged at the lower termination of the top. The rear window exhibits an axis of articulation extending approximately parallel to the lower edge side of the rear window which is displaced rearwards relative to the material retaining section during movement of the rear window toward a position of non-use. The axis of articulation is arranged to be displaceable to ensure the displaceability of the rear window.

Abstract: A foldable and removable top for a passenger vehicle. The top includes an overhead cover member and side curtains. The overhead cover member has a support arrangement including front and rear headers, transverse bow members, and side rails. The flexible and foldable fabric of the cover member is secured at its end portions to the front and rear headers and the bow members are secured across the middle section of the fabric between the side rails. One end of each side rail is pivotally mounted to the rear header and the other, free end is releasably securable to an end of the front header. When assembled, the side rails extend between the front and rear headers to hold them in a spaced-apart, extended position with the fabric of the cover member being drawn taut therebetween. The side curtains of the top are releasably securable to the overhead cover member and are also releasably securable to the vehicle itself by a unique hook and catch arrangement.

Abstract: An energy absorbing subassembly fastened securely to the front and rear of an automotive vehicle having a load isolation member extending laterally across the vehicle, and at least one load transferring web carried within the load isolation member. Impact forces are spread over a relatively large volume of load isolation material because loads are transferred there through the relatively large projected area of the load transferring web.

Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle for use in combination with at least one wiper assembly is disclosed. The wiper assembly has an arm coupled at one end to a propelling means and at an opposite end to a wiper blade assembly. The wiper assembly is adapted to traverse the window assembly between a first and second position. The window assembly includes a window panel, a gasket encapsulating at least a portion of the window panel for mounting and sealing the window panel in the vehicle, and an arresting structure extending from an upper surface of the gasket to engage the wiper assembly when in the first position.