Abstract: A vehicle including a cabin and a centerline extending in forward and rearward directions and a transverse line intersecting the centerline. The vehicle includes a cross member extending in a first direction parallel to the transverse line. The vehicle also has an extruded floor that is connected to the cross member. The floor and the dash cross member partially define the cabin. The floor extends in a second direction, which is parallel to the centerline. The floor also has first and second side sills that are spaced from each other in the first direction and that extend in the second direction. Forward ends of the first and second side sills contact the cross member. At least one load-transmitting member is disposed between the cross member and the floor. Each one load-transmitting member applies an impact load from the cross member to the floor at a substantially right angle to the floor.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a front roof region which has a roof opening which may be closed by a sliding convertible top, having a rear roof region which includes roof columns connected to one another via a body crossmember, and having sliding guidance of the sliding convertible top along lateral guides of the front and rear roof regions, the sliding convertible top being guided roughly horizontally rearwardly in the front roof region and so as to be lowered downwardly into a stowage position in the rear roof region by the guides. The guides in the rear roof region are arranged on a side of the roof columns which faces the interior space of the motor vehicle, the sliding convertible top being guided in front of the body crossmember of the rear roof region between the roof columns.

Abstract: A storage visor including a body portion and a plurality of overlapping flaps coupled to the body portion and forming a plurality of storage slots located between adjacent ones of the flaps. The storage visor further includes an expandable pocket coupled to the body portion, the pocket including at least one surface made of an elastic material.

Abstract: A versatile loading arc system for a pickup truck comprising a bed extending between a front end adjacent the truck's cabin and a rear end and two side walls, the system comprising a front arc having a top bar extending between two side legs fixed at a front end of the bed and a rear arc having a top bar ending between two side legs. The rear arc is swingably supported by two swinging arms each pivotally hinged to sides of the bed at a location intermediate the rear end and the front end of the bed. The rear arc is swingably displaceable between a front position in which it adjoins the front arc, and at least one rear position in which it extends parallel at or adjacent the rear end of the bed.

Abstract: A waste chute and container assembly for use with a pickup truck. The truck includes a cab portion and a bed portion defined by at least a bottom, front wall and sides. A rear sliding window separates the cab and bed portions. The chute and container assembly includes a housing supported upon the truck bed portion and located proximate its front wall. The housing defines a substantially hollowed interior within which are defined a pair of opposing and extending track portions. A chute inlet is defined in a forwardly facing location of the housing, proximate the rear sliding window, and for receiving in inserting fashion items deposited by individuals seated within the cap portion. A waste container secures within the housing hollowed interior and is communicable by items placed in the chute inlet.

Abstract: A motor vehicle rear transverse part includes a generally vertically oriented element defining a frame closed by a rear window and an internal support structure and an external fitting panel and also including an equipment module directly mounted on the element and a wiper system for the rear window and a flashing light. The equipment module is received in a housing matching the element wherein it is mounted from outside.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for mounting a vehicle jack in a stored position on a motor vehicle. The present application also discloses a combination of a vehicle and a jack stored on the vehicle, and a vehicle jack configured to be stored on a vehicle. Further, the present application also discloses a motor vehicle having an arrangement for retaining a vehicle jack thereon in a stored position.

Abstract: A vehicle roof which can be adjusted between a closed position and an opening position has an adjusting device and at least one side window which during the transfer between the closed and opening position can be pivoted via a rotational joint by an actuating element. The actuating element is coupled on one side to the side window at a distance from the side-window rotational axis and is connected on its opposite side to an element of the adjusting device.

Abstract: A mount assembly and method are provided for securing a visor to a vehicle mounting surface. Initially, a vehicle mounting surface having an aperture formed therein is provided. A bracket assembly including a bracket having a first aperture, a pivot cavity formed therein, and a flexible leg attached are also provided. A pivot member has a bore formed therethrough and is pivotally mounted within the pivot cavity of the bracket. An arm is disposed within the bore of the pivot member. The arm is then moved in a first direction such that the pivot member pivots about the pivot axis until the pivot member is in a first position and the flexible leg is in an inwardly retracted position. The bracket assembly is then placed adjacent the mounting surface such that the flexible leg is inserted into the aperture in the mounting surface.

Abstract: A suspension system is for vehicles and its components such as vehicle cabs that at least partially form a load. The components are subject to accelerations in the starting and breaking directions. At least one suspension cylinder can be subject to a load. The fluid chambers of the cylinder are connected to a shock-absorbing device in a fluid conveying manner. The shock-absorbing device counteracts the free movement of the load and throttles the fluid flow linked with it. A sensor device is provided for controlling the shock-absorbing device, and is provided with a control mass that is subject to the accelerations. The sensor device acts upon at least one throttling device in such a way that the fluid flow is increasingly throttled when the acceleration is increasing. The suspension system is improved by the sensor device, next to the user-friendly basic suspension, providing a suspension that is able to guarantee safety even in extreme accelerations and helps to prevent dangerous driving conditions.

Abstract: A bumper system for vehicles includes a B-shaped tubular bumper beam with top and bottom mid-walls defining a channel in its front surface. A polymeric energy absorber has multiple box-shaped sections that abut the front surface of the bumper beam and further includes rearwardly-extending nose sections that extend into the channel. The nose sections include collapse-controlling kick walls that lie along the top and bottom mid-walls and that are connected to the box-shaped sections. Upon impact by an object against the bumper system, the kick walls press into the top and bottom mid-walls, resulting in a consistent and controlled collapse of the energy absorber and tubes of the bumper beam. In another form, an energy absorber having box-shaped sections is positioned on a face of the bumper beam and integral box-shaped end sections designed for a consistent and controlled collapse on impact.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement member for reinforcing a wheel well area of an automobile includes a carrier and a load distributing medium supported by the carrier. The carrier also may include a reinforced protrusion, two reinforced openings, and an outwardly extending flange. The flange includes a reinforced raised portion having a shape similar to that of the flange. The load distributing medium is a structural foam and preferably an epoxy-based resin. The preferred load distributing medium is L5206, L5207, L5208, or L5209 structural foam commercially available from L&L Products of Romeo, Mich.

Abstract: A lightweight pillar structure having high absorbing effect of impact energy is provided. A center pillar (12) made of a light alloy is formed of a pillar body (20) and a functional part mounting portion (22) integrally formed together. The functional part mounting portion (22) is a cylindrical hollow boss, and a slide rail (126) is mounted to a thread portion formed in an inner periphery of the cylindrical hollow boss. The slide rail (126) is formed so as not to project from an inner side face of a center pillar (12) of a passenger compartment inward of the passenger compartment. Ribs (30) as deformation control means are integrally formed on an upper portion (12D) of the center pillar (12). The ribs (30) control a deformation mode of the center pillar (12) against side impact.

Abstract: A sun-visor provided in a vehicle includes a sun-visor body, a shaft, and low strength region. The sun-visor body is used for blocking off the outside light. One end of the shaft is inserted into the sun-visor body and another end of the shaft is rotatably supported at the roof of the vehicle through a base. The low strength region of the shaft permits the sun-visor to be readily deformed by a side air bag deployed into the vehicle cabin, thereby achieving a certain inflation of the air bag irrespective of the position of the sun-visor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a live roller conveyor comprising a plurality of rollers driven by friction drive from a main drive shaft wherein at least some of said rollers are driven from the main drive shaft through a secondary drive shaft and there being control means to vary the torque transmitted between the main drive shaft and the secondary drive shaft.

Abstract: A convertible top for covering part of a passenger compartment of a land vehicle. The convertible top includes a retractable frame that retracts forwardly toward a permanent top section. The retractable frame is covered by a flexible cover and a rigid rear member moves longitudinally as the convertible top is moved between an extended and retracted position. The rigid rear member includes track followers that are moved in longitudinally extending tracks on the rear portion of the vehicle body. The retractable frame may be either a parallel bar expanding linkage, or telescoping slide supports.

Abstract: A precision guidance system for positioning motor vehicles on a motor vehicle support surface, such as a carrier for transportation. The guidance system includes primary guide members extending from the support surface, preferably located to engage the inner surfaces of the motor vehicle tires. The guidance system allows precisely positioning the motor vehicle on the support surface for purposes of engaging mating devices extending from the motor vehicle and the motor vehicle support surface, such mating devices including vehicle restraint means, electrical connections, and pneumatic or hydraulic connections.

Abstract: A plug for assisting in controlling the flow of one or more materials through an opening in a portion of an article of manufacture is disclosed. The plug may include a body portion for limiting the flow of one material through the opening. The plug may also include one or more support members for maintaining space between the portion of the article of manufacture and the body portion of the plug to allow flow of another material through the opening. In one preferred application, the plug is installed in an opening in a lower portion of a door of an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle pick-up bed is disclosed that can be folded into shape by hand. The pick-up bed includes a generally flat sheet of colored material molded together with a generally flat sheet of reinforced polymeric material. Preferably, the sheet of colored material is placed in the mold and the reinforced polymeric material is injected into the mold, onto the back of the colored sheet. During the molding process, the reinforced polymeric material and the colored material are formed or molded into a single, generally flat, solid component. The sheet of colored material adheres to the reinforced polymeric material. Once molded, the sides of the pick-up bed are folded into shape along hinge edges and connected to stay in place. Hinge edges could be formed by locating few or no reinforcing fibers in the reinforced polymeric material in the desired location of the hinge edges. The colored material is preferably.a paintless polymer film. Alternatively, the colored material is pre-painted aluminum.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper system includes a bumper beam and a polymeric energy absorber positioned on a front of the bumper beam. The energy absorber has multiple box-shaped sections and also has interconnecting sections positioned along the length that interconnect adjacent ones of the box-shaped sections. The box-shaped sections of the energy absorber, when cross-sectioned by a transverse plane, include top and bottom U-shaped sections formed by top parallel legs and a top vertical leg and by bottom parallel legs and a bottom vertical leg, respectively. End walls close ends of the box-shaped sections and stabilize the top and bottom U-shaped sections. The interconnecting sections include a tying wall that connects the end walls together. By this arrangement, the box-shaped sections provide a stable and reliable energy absorbing mechanism.