Abstract: A locking device is provided for a door of a motor vehicle. That locking device includes a pin having a first end fixed to the door and a second end including an enlarged head. The locking device also includes a receiver on a rocker panel of the motor vehicle. When the door is subjected to a side impact the pin extends into the receiver and is captured to lock the door closed. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for a motor vehicle door. The locking device includes a body having a base, a stake, a lever, a gusset and a rotational axis. A method of locking a motor vehicle door closed in response to a side impact is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle roof support structure including a pair of reinforcing truss members. The roof support structure includes a header, a roof bow, right and left roof rails, and a center roof support. The trusses form triangular reinforcing structures on the driver-side and passenger-side.

Abstract: A vehicle roof structure and door opening panel structure is disclosed that is reinforced with an upper reinforcement strip and a lower reinforcement strip. The roof panel, door opening panel and reinforcement strips are attached by an adhesive and by a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners are received in pierce nuts that are preassembled to the lower reinforcing strip.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly including a frame with an outrigger secured to the frame below a passenger compartment. The passenger compartment includes a plurality of pillars supporting a roof, a first rocker assembly and a second rocker assembly disposed on opposite sides of the passenger compartment. The outrigger is secured to the frame below the passenger compartment, inboard of the rocker assembly and outboard of the roof to protect the roof in side impact collisions. The outriggers transfer the side impact loads to the frame rails that are disposed inboard of the roof rails.

Abstract: A vehicle roof structure and door opening panel structure is disclosed that is reinforced with an upper reinforcement strip and a lower reinforcement strip. The roof panel, door opening panel and reinforcement strips are attached by an adhesive and by a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners are received in pierce nuts that are preassembled to the lower reinforcing strip.

Abstract: A door trim panel assembly includes a door trim panel and an armrest supported by the door trim panel. The armrest includes a top portion and a bottom portion each extending from the door trim panel, and a middle portion extending from the top portion to the bottom portion. The bottom portion has a wall thickness greater than a wall thickness of the top portion and greater than a wall thickness of the middle portion. The wall thickness of the top portion is less than the wall thickness of the middle portion.

Abstract: A door trim panel includes a panel and an armrest supported by the panel. The armrest includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion and the bottom portion each extend from the panel. The armrest includes a middle portion that extends from the top portion to the bottom portion. The bottom portion is thicker than both the top portion and the middle portion, and the middle portion is thicker than the top portion. The relative thicknesses of the top portion, the bottom portion, and the middle portion facilitate energy absorption and control the deformation mechanism during an impact. A door inner is disposed opposite the door trim panel, and a foam block is disposed between the door trim panel and the door inner. The foam block absorbs the residue of energy. The door trim panel includes shelves that extend from the door trim panel and that support part of the armrest to withstand a vertical load.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicle armrest includes an armrest substrate extending between a door frame and a door trim and defining an opening therebetween. The opening has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with the door frame. A plurality of support bands extends co-planar across the opening and parallel with the longitudinal axis. A plurality of stubs extends across each gap defined between adjacent support bands. Each stub is free of alignment with each other of the plurality of stubs in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of support bands. A cover member extends over the armrest substrate and the plurality of support bands, wherein the cover member is vertically supported proximate the opening by the plurality of parallel support bands and the plurality of stubs.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly including a frame with an outrigger secured to the frame below a passenger compartment. The passenger compartment includes a plurality of pillars supporting a roof, a first rocker assembly and a second rocker assembly disposed on opposite sides of the passenger compartment. The outrigger is secured to the frame below the passenger compartment, inboard of the rocker assembly and outboard of the roof to protect the roof in side impact collisions. The outriggers transfer the side impact loads to the frame rails that are disposed inboard of the roof rails.

Abstract: A vehicle roof support structure including a pair of reinforcing truss members. The roof support structure includes a header, a roof bow, right and left roof rails, and a center roof support. The trusses form triangular reinforcing structures on the driver-side and passenger-side.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicle armrest includes an armrest substrate extending between a door frame and a door trim and defining an opening therebetween. The opening has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with the door frame. A plurality of support bands extends co-planar across the opening and parallel with the longitudinal axis. A plurality of stubs extends across each gap defined between adjacent support bands. Each stub is free of alignment with each other of the plurality of stubs in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of support bands. A cover member extends over the armrest substrate and the plurality of support bands, wherein the cover member is vertically supported proximate the opening by the plurality of parallel support bands and the plurality of stubs.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicle armrest includes an armrest substrate extending between a door frame and a door trim and defining an opening therebetween. The opening has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with the door frame. A plurality of support bands extends co-planar across the opening and parallel with the longitudinal axis. A plurality of stubs extends across each gap defined between adjacent support bands. Each stub is free of alignment with each other of the plurality of stubs in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of support bands. A cover member extends over the armrest substrate and the plurality of support bands, wherein the cover member is vertically supported proximate the opening by the plurality of parallel support bands and the plurality of stubs.