Abstract: A liftgate arrangement including a thermoplastic inner panel with an outer surface and an inner surface. The liftgate arrangement further includes one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements connected to and extending across a portion of the outer surface of the inner panel. The one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements also includes a channel extending between two openings on the one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements. The one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements are used to strengthen the inner panel at desired locations.

Abstract: A liftgate arrangement (10) including a thermoplastic inner panel (12) with an outer surface and an inner surface. The liftgate arrangement further includes one or more blow molded reinforcements (18, 20) connected to and extending across a portion of the outer surface of the inner panel (12). The one or more blow molded reinforcements (18, 20) also includes a hollow channel (22, 22?) extending between two openings on the one or more blow molded reinforcements. The one or more blow molded reinforcements (18, 20) are used to strengthen the inner panel at desired locations.

Abstract: A liftgate arrangement including a thermoplastic inner panel with an outer surface and an inner surface. The liftgate arrangement further includes one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements connected to and extending across a portion of the outer surface of the inner panel. The one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements also includes a channel extending between two openings on the one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements. The one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements are used to strengthen the inner panel at desired locations.

Abstract: A THIXOMOLDING™ process and a die are utilized to fabricate a hinge assembly for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position. The hinge assembly includes a rail bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle and including inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.

Abstract: A solar collector assembly with at least one primary locator feature. The solar collector assembly has housing having at least one wall and at least one mirror for directing rays of light toward a secondary objective. Each mirror of the solar collector assembly has a back side and a reflective side and at least one primary locating feature for connecting the mirror to the housing. The primary locating feature has a guide bushing that is operably connected to the at least one wall of the housing. A stud of the primary locating feature has a first end connected to a mirror bracket and second end extending through the guide bushing. The stud has a longitudinal axis that extends between the mirror bracket and the guide bushing for allowing the mirror to be positioned along the longitudinal axis relative to the at least one wall of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is a thermoplastic composite liftgate system with reinforcements in key areas to allow the system to meet performance requirements, while lowering the tooling investment, lowering the system mass, and improving the styling flexibility. The present invention includes an inner panel and at least one bracket or reinforcement member connected to the inner panel such that when a force is applied to the bracket, the force is distributed to the inner panel.

Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position. A rail bracket is fixedly secured to the vehicle and includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position includes a rail bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle and including inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.

Abstract: A trim molding assembly including a component having an attachment portion, at least one retainer in which the component and the retainer attach to one another, at least one clip on the retainer, and at least one detent area on the component. The component contacts the retainer clip, such that the attachment portion of the component is placed between the clip and a plurality of surfaces of the retainer. The attachment portion of the component extends through a first detent area and connects a first detent side of the first detent area and a second detent side of the first detent area. The attachment portion has a greater length than the clip such that the component changes positions with respect to the retainer while maintaining the connection between the retainer and the component.

Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position. A rail bracket is fixedly secured to the vehicle and includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.

Abstract: A trim molding assembly including a component having an attachment portion, at least one retainer in which the component and the retainer attach to one another, at least one clip on the retainer, and at least one detent area on the component. The component contacts the retainer clip, such that the attachment portion of the component is placed between the clip and a plurality of surfaces of the retainer. The attachment portion of the component extends through a first detent area and connects a first detent side of the first detent area and a second detent side of the first detent area. The attachment portion has a greater length than the clip such that the component changes positions with respect to the retainer while maintaining the connection between the retainer and the component.

Abstract: A bracket assembly secures a running board to a rocker panel, which includes a pinch weld depending therefrom. The bracket assembly includes a receiving panel adapted to have the running board fixedly secured thereto. A rocker securing plate extends out from the receiving panel and is secured to the rocker panel. An intermediate securing tab extends outwardly between the receiving panel and the rocker securing plate for securing the bracket assembly to the pinch weld outboard thereof.

Abstract: An integrally molded, one-piece running board (10) is adapted for attachment to a motor vehicle (14). The running board (10) includes a stepping platform (16) having an upper surface (18) and a lower surface (20) extending along a longitudinal axis and laterally between outer and inner edges. A plurality of mounting projections (32) is molded with and extend laterally from the inner edge. The plurality of mounting projections (32) is securable to the motor vehicle for holding the stepping platform (16) thereagainst. A plurality of reinforcing ribs (52) extends between the lower surface (20) of the stepping platform (16) and the plurality of mounting projections (32) to support the running board as a downward force is applied to the upper surface of the stepping platform (16).

Abstract: An integrally molded, one-piece running board (10) is adapted for attachment to a motor vehicle (14). The running board (10) includes a stepping platform (16) having an upper surface (18) and a lower surface (20) extending along a longitudinal axis and laterally between outer and inner edges. A plurality of mounting projections (32) is molded with and extend laterally from the inner edge. The plurality of mounting projections (32) is securable to the motor vehicle for holding the stepping platform (16) thereagainst. A plurality of reinforcing ribs (52) extends between the lower surface (20) of the stepping platform (16) and the plurality of mounting projections (32) to support the running board as a downward force is applied to the upper surface of the stepping platform (16).