Abstract: An apparatus turns a front wheel of a vehicle inward during an offset frontal impact. The apparatus includes a first frame rail and a second frame rail spaced from each other. A bumper is supported by the first and second frame rails. A beam extends between and engages the first and second frame rails. The beam includes an extension extending from the first frame rail away from the second frame rail to a first end spaced from the first frame rail for being positioned forward of the front wheel and for being forced into the front wheel during the offset frontal impact.

Abstract: A vehicle frame component for limiting the movement of the wheel of the vehicle toward the cab of a cab on frame vehicle including a base member welded to openings in the frame side rail and extending outwardly and located proximal the wheel structure. In one embodiment the vehicle frame component is located forward of the wheel and includes a tire puncture device to deflate the tire during an offset front impact and in a second embodiment the vehicle frame component is located rearward of the wheel. The vehicle frame component has particular utility during an offset front impact where the offset is less than approximately twenty-five percent (25%) of the width of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bracket for protecting a flange of a body of a vehicle includes a first portion, a second portion, and a channel defined between the first and second portions. The channel receives the flange. The bracket includes a back side and adhesive disposed on the back side. A front side of the bracket is disposed opposite the back side. A transition surface on the front side slopes inwardly from the first portion to the second portion for deflecting a wheel away from the flange during an offset impact.

Abstract: A frame portion for a vehicle includes a pillar component extending along a first direction and a beam component at least partially extending along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The beam component has a rear end proximate the pillar component. The frame portion further includes a bracket coupled between the pillar component and the rear end of the beam component. The bracket spaces the beam component from the pillar component.

Abstract: A vehicle frame component for limiting the movement of the wheel of the vehicle toward the cab of a cab on frame vehicle including a base member welded to openings in the frame side rail and extending outwardly and located proximal the wheel structure. In one embodiment the vehicle frame component is located forward of the wheel and includes a tire puncture device to deflate the tire during an offset front impact and in a second embodiment the vehicle frame component is located rearward of the wheel. The vehicle frame component has particular utility during an offset front impact where the offset is less than approximately twenty-five percent (25%) of the width of the vehicle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle assembly that includes a strengthening member having a twelve-cornered cross section along at least a portion of the strengthening member, and an automotive component having a four-cornered cross section along at least a portion of the automotive component. The cross section of one of the strengthening member and the automotive component transitions between twelve corners and four corners to facilitate a connection between the strengthening member and the automotive component.

Abstract: A strengthening member for an automotive vehicle comprises a twelve-cornered cross section including sides and corners creating eight internal angles and four external angles. Each internal angle and each external angle is greater than 90°. At least a portion of the strengthening member tapers along its length.

Abstract: A frame portion for a vehicle includes a pillar component extending along a first direction and a beam component at least partially extending along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The beam component has a rear end proximate the pillar component. The frame portion further includes a bracket coupled between the pillar component and the rear end of the beam component. The bracket spaces the beam component from the pillar component.

Abstract: A reinforcement received between facing surfaces of adjacent panels that may be part of a hinge pillar of a vehicle such as a pickup truck and the panels may be aluminum. The reinforcement may be a one-piece molded structure. The reinforcement includes ribs that extend between the facing surfaces in a lattice arrangement defining a plurality of cells. The cells may have a number of transverse walls defining a perimeter of a polygon. The polygonal cells may have a facing wall on one side of the cell closing the cell. The facing wall may have an adhesive that is applied to the reinforcement and expanded in a paint bake oven to secure the reinforcement to the adjacent panels.

Abstract: An air vent is mounted in a vehicle window frame. The air vent includes a one-piece body having an interior face and an exterior face. An air pathway extends between a first opening in the interior face to a second opening in the exterior face. An elongated window channel is also provided in the body for receiving the window over which the air vent is mounted.

Abstract: An air vent is mounted in a vehicle window frame. The air vent includes a one-piece body having an interior face and an exterior face. A passive ventilation feature includes an air pathway that extends between a first opening in the interior face to a second opening in the exterior face. A forced air ventilation feature is carried by the body. The forced air ventilation feature includes a ventilation fan, an exhaust outlet and a closure for the exhaust outlet that is displaceable between open and closed positions.

Abstract: Several different cross sections of beam having more than four sides are disclosed that may form a central portion of a beam having end portions that have four sides. The end portions of the beams may be received by frame rails. The central portion of the beam between the frame rails may be formed with more than four sides. The additional sides may be recessed beads or protruding ribs. Beams having arcuate recesses or arcuate ribs may be provided on the central portion of the beam. The end portions of the beams may extend outboard of the frame rails. The ribs or beads on the central portion of the beam may provide equivalent performance to four-sided beams having considerably thicker walls. Weight reduction is achieved because the central portion is made of a thinner material while retaining strength by forming beads or ribs in the central portion.

Abstract: A strengthening member for an automotive vehicle comprises a twelve-cornered cross section including sides and corners creating internal angles and external angles. To facilitate a connection between the strengthening member and the automotive component, one of the strengthening member and the automotive component may transition from the twelve-cornered cross section at a first end of the strengthening member to a four-cornered cross section at a second end of the strengthening member. An automotive assembly may include a strengthening member connected to an automotive component via a separate bridge connection member.

Abstract: A strengthening member for an automotive vehicle comprises a twelve-cornered cross section including sides and corners creating internal angles and external angles. Each internal angle ranges from about 100° to about 110° and each external angle ranges from about 105° to about 130°.

Abstract: A vehicle frame component for limiting the movement of the wheel of the vehicle toward the cab of a cab on frame vehicle including a base member welded to openings in the frame side rail and extending outwardly and located proximal the wheel structure. In one embodiment the vehicle frame component is located forward of the wheel and includes a tire puncture device to deflate the tire during an offset front impact and in a second embodiment the vehicle frame component is located rearward of the wheel. The vehicle frame component has particular utility during an offset front impact where the offset is less than approximately twenty-five percent (25%) of the width of the vehicle.

Abstract: Several different cross sections of beam having more than four sides are disclosed that may form a central portion of a beam having end portions that have four sides. The end portions of the beams may be received by frame rails. The central portion of the beam between the frame rails may be formed with more than four sides. The additional sides may be recessed beads or protruding ribs. Beams having arcuate recesses or arcuate ribs may be provided on the central portion of the beam. The end portions of the beams may extend outboard of the frame rails. The ribs or beads on the central portion of the beam may provide equivalent performance to four-sided beams having considerably thicker walls. Weight reduction is achieved because the central portion is made of a thinner material while retaining strength by forming beads or ribs in the central portion.

Abstract: A vehicle front end structure including a fender support rail that includes a plurality of slots defined by an outer wall of the rail that facilitates bending the rail in a transverse vehicle direction. A plurality of circular holes may be provided that are defined in the rail adjacent a bend in the rail to facilitate fracturing the rail in a collision event. A bracket is attached to the rail adjacent the circular holes to inhibit the rail in that area from bending in an outboard direction.

Abstract: A vehicle frame component for limiting the movement of the wheel of the vehicle toward the cab of a cab on frame vehicle including a base member welded to openings in the frame side rail and extending outwardly and located proximal the wheel structure. In one embodiment the vehicle frame component is located forward of the wheel and includes a tire puncture device to deflate the tire during an offset front impact and in a second embodiment the vehicle frame component is located rearward of the wheel. The vehicle frame component has particular utility during an offset front impact where the offset is less than approximately twenty-five percent (25%) of the width of the vehicle.

Abstract: A strengthening member for an automotive vehicle comprises an eight-cornered cross section including sides and corners. The sides comprise four straight sides and four curved sides. A length of each straight side ranges from about 10 mm to about 200 mm and a length of each curved side is about 10 mm to about 200 mm.

Abstract: A roof support for a vehicle is provided containing a first side roof rail; a transverse roof bow fixed to and extending from the first side roof rail; and a first brace fixed to the first side roof rail at a forward point on the first side roof rail, wherein the first brace extends to the transverse roof bow and is fixed to a first aft point on the transverse roof bow, thereby advantageously defining a first angle between the first side roof rail and the first brace. The roof support may further include a second side roof rail opposite the first side roof rail such that the roof bow laterally extends from the first side roof rail to the second side roof rail, wherein a second brace is connected in like manner.