Abstract: A cargo area partition system for a vehicle includes a rear seat positioned within a cabin area of the vehicle and adjacent a cargo area in the vehicle. The rear seat includes a rear seat back that is pivotally positionable between an upright position and a substantially horizontal position. The system further includes a seat striker adapted to engage and to releasably fix the rear seat back in an upright position, and a partition panel configured to releasably engage the seat striker and define a partition in the cargo area when the rear seat back is positioned in the substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: A cargo area partition system for a vehicle includes a rear seat positioned within a cabin area of the vehicle and adjacent a cargo area in the vehicle. The rear seat includes a rear seat back that is pivotally positionable between an upright position and a substantially horizontal position. The system further includes a seat striker adapted to engage and to releasably fix the rear seat back in an upright position, and a partition panel configured to releasably engage the seat striker and define a partition in the cargo area when the rear seat back is positioned in the substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for attaching a hood to a body of a vehicle includes a body-side bracket fixedly attached to the body and a hood-side bracket fixedly attached to the hood. A pivot mechanism is configured to place the hinge assembly in: a stowed position, in which the hood is adjacent the body; an access position, in which the hood rotates toward a rear of the vehicle; and an active position, in which the hood rotates toward a front of the vehicle. The hinge assembly also includes an actuator that configured to move the pivot mechanism to, or toward, the active position. A pin is attached to the body-side bracket and an upstop link is attached to the hood-side bracket. The upstop link defines a slot. The pin becomes engaged with the slot when the pivot mechanism is in the active position.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for attaching a hood to a body of a vehicle includes a body-side bracket fixedly attached to the body and a hood-side bracket fixedly attached to the hood. A pivot mechanism is configured to place the hinge assembly in: a stowed position, in which the hood is adjacent the body; an access position, in which the hood rotates toward a rear of the vehicle; and an active position, in which the hood rotates toward a front of the vehicle. The hinge assembly also includes an actuator that configured to move the pivot mechanism to, or toward, the active position. A pin is attached to the body-side bracket and an upstop link is attached to the hood-side bracket. The upstop link defines a slot. The pin becomes engaged with the slot when the pivot mechanism is in the active position.

Abstract: A stud assembly is coupled between an underhood propulsion system and an underhood cover in order to manage energy from an external force applied to the underhood cover. The underhood cover is coupled over the underhood propulsion system. The stud assembly is coupled between the underhood propulsion system and the underhood cover and includes a polymeric isolator and a stud coupled to the polymeric isolator. The stud includes a shank and a head coupled to the shank. The head is coupled to the polymeric isolator. The stud assembly includes a boss coupled to the underhood cover. The boss is disposed adjacent the polymeric isolator. The shank includes a bending initiator feature in order to allow the shank to bend when the underhood cover is subjected to an external force.

Abstract: A stud assembly is coupled between an underhood propulsion system and an underhood cover in order to manage energy from an external force applied to the underhood cover. The underhood cover is coupled over the underhood propulsion system. The stud assembly is coupled between the underhood propulsion system and the underhood cover and includes a polymeric isolator and a stud coupled to the polymeric isolator. The stud includes a shank and a head coupled to the shank. The head is coupled to the polymeric isolator. The stud assembly includes a boss coupled to the underhood cover. The boss is disposed adjacent the polymeric isolator. The shank includes a bending initiator feature in order to allow the shank to bend when the underhood cover is subjected to an external force.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing structure is provided. The energy-absorbing structure includes a first panel member and a second panel member coupled together. The first panel member has a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The second panel member defines a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The second panel member further defines a first deformable wall extending from the first edge thereof and away from the first panel member and a second deformable wall extending from the second edge thereof and away from the first panel member. The first deformable wall defines a first plurality of apertures and the second deformable wall defines a second plurality of apertures. The first and second plurality of apertures may be defined as one of an array of perforations and a plurality of slots. The energy-absorbing structure may be provided as a hood for a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An absorbing bracket can be coupled to a vehicle body and can absorb energy from an external force applied to the vehicle body. In an embodiment, the energy absorbing bracket includes a bracket body at least partly made of a rigid material. The bracket body includes a deformable wall defining a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first edge is parallel to the second edge. The bracket body defines a plurality of slots extending through the deformable wall. Each slot extends along a slot axis. Further, each slot axis is obliquely angled relative to the first edge.

Abstract: An absorbing bracket can be coupled to a vehicle body and can absorb energy from an external force applied to the vehicle body. In an embodiment, the energy absorbing bracket includes a bracket body at least partly made of a rigid material. The bracket body includes a deformable wall defining a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first edge is parallel to the second edge. The bracket body defines a plurality of slots extending through the deformable wall. Each slot extends along a slot axis. Further, each slot axis is obliquely angled relative to the first edge.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a box extender for a pickup truck that has a box with a bed and a tailgate, where the tailgate extends the bed's length in a longitudinal direction when open. The box extender may have access doors. First and second side walls may be mounted to the box to pivot between a forward, stowed position along opposite walls of the box and a rearward, extended position above the tailgate. An end wall may be disposed above the tailgate between the first and second side walls and may include a first section that is hinged to the first side wall and a second section that is hinged to the second side wall. The side walls and the end wall may enclose a volume above the tailgate for cargo storage. The first and second sections of the end wall may be opened to access the box.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a box extender for a pickup truck that has a box with a bed and a tailgate, where the tailgate extends the bed's length in a longitudinal direction when open. The box extender may have access doors. First and second side walls may be mounted to the box to pivot between a forward, stowed position along opposite walls of the box and a rearward, extended position above the tailgate. An end wall may be disposed above the tailgate between the first and second side walls and may include a first section that is hinged to the first side wall and a second section that is hinged to the second side wall. The side walls and the end wall may enclose a volume above the tailgate for cargo storage. The first and second sections of the end wall may be opened to access the box.

Abstract: A multi-position endgate system includes a storage box wall and a storage box floor. A tailgate is mounted relative to the storage box floor and is pivotal about a tailgate axis. The tailgate is moveable between a fully-closed position proximal to the storage box wall and a fully-open position distal from the storage box wall. A cable mechanism has a first end pivotally attached to the tailgate and a second end pivotally attached to the storage box wall. A channel hook is attached to either the tailgate or the storage box wall at a connector. An arcuate ledge is spaced from the connector, by an arm, and defines a groove. The cable mechanism may be passed or routed through the groove of the arcuate ledge to selectively hold the tailgate in an intermediate position between the fully-closed and fully-open positions.

Abstract: An endgate cable mechanism includes an outer housing defining a longitudinal tunnel and an inner fitting slidably disposed within the longitudinal tunnel. A first transverse hole is in the outer housing. A second transverse hole, which is spaced longitudinally from the first transverse hole, is also defined in the outer housing. A plunger is selectively extendable from the inner fitting to engage with one of the first transverse hole and the second transverse hole. The endgate cable mechanism has a first effective length when the plunger is engaged with the first transverse hole and has a second effective length when the plunger is engaged with the second transverse hole.

Abstract: An endgate cable mechanism includes an outer housing defining a longitudinal tunnel and an inner fitting slidably disposed within the longitudinal tunnel. A first transverse hole is in the outer housing. A second transverse hole, which is spaced longitudinally from the first transverse hole, is also defined in the outer housing. A plunger is selectively extendable from the inner fitting to engage with one of the first transverse hole and the second transverse hole. The endgate cable mechanism has a first effective length when the plunger is engaged with the first transverse hole and has a second effective length when the plunger is engaged with the second transverse hole.

Abstract: An endgate system providing multiple positions or angles of the endgate relative to the cargo box is disclosed. An end piece for attaching a cable to an anchor point includes a fixed link attached to the cable and a rotating link operatively attached to the fixed link. The rotating link is rotatable about a pivot point between a first position and a second position relative to the fixed link. The second position of the rotatable link is more proximal to the cable than the first position. A primary keyway is formed in the rotating link and is configured to selectively mate with the anchor point in the first position.

Abstract: An endgate system providing multiple positions or angles of the endgate relative to the cargo box is disclosed. An end piece for attaching a cable to an anchor point includes a fixed link attached to the cable and a rotating link operatively attached to the fixed link. The rotating link is rotatable about a pivot point between a first position and a second position relative to the fixed link. The second position of the rotatable link is more proximal to the cable than the first position. A primary keyway is formed in the rotating link and is configured to selectively mate with the anchor point in the first position.