Abstract: A lightweight metal spoiler is integrated with a tailgate of an automotive vehicle. The integrated tailgate spoiler is formed from the same material as the frame or rear portion of the tailgate body, preferably aluminum, in one arrangement and from different materials in another arrangement. First and second spoiler portions are joined together along overlapping, mating, abutting edges. The first and second portions of the tailgate are brazed together at an acute angle and the unitary spoiler is fused to the rear portion of the tailgate body.

Abstract: A lightweight metal spoiler is integrated with a tailgate of an automotive vehicle. The integrated tailgate spoiler is formed from the same material as the frame or rear portion of the tailgate body, preferably aluminum, in one arrangement and from different materials in another arrangement. First and second spoiler portions are joined together along overlapping, mating, abutting edges. The first and second portions of the tailgate are brazed together at an acute angle and the unitary spoiler is fused to the rear portion of the tailgate body.

Abstract: A cap assembly for a vehicle includes a base and a cap pivotally mounted to the base. The base can define a recess for receiving a component therein to be captured by the cap. The cap is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The cap includes a locking feature that maintains the cap in the locked position and urges the cap to the locked position when nearly in the locked position. When the cap is in the locked position, the component is locked within the recess. When the cap is in the unlocked position, the component is removable from the recess.

Abstract: A vehicle door handle device for attaching to a door panel for operating a door latching device and a door locking device comprises an operation handle and a lock knob. The operation handle operates the latching device to unlatch and open the door. The lock knob operates the locking device to lock and unlock the door. An open cable links the operation handle to the latching device. A lock cable links the lock knob to the locking device. An inner handle housing houses the operation handle and the lock knob. The handle housing includes a cable support part defining a first space for receiving an end portion of the open cable, and a second space for receiving an end portion of the lock cable. The cable support part is configured to prevent one of the end portion of the open cable and the end portion of the lock cable from being received in one of the first space and the second space.

Abstract: A cap assembly for a vehicle includes a base and a cap pivotally mounted to the base. The base can define a recess for receiving a component therein to be captured by the cap. The cap is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The cap includes a locking feature that maintains the cap in the locked position and urges the cap to the locked position when nearly in the locked position. When the cap is in the locked position, the component is locked within the recess. When the cap is in the unlocked position, the component is removable from the recess.

Abstract: A vehicle door handle device for attaching to a door panel for operating a door latching device and a door locking device comprises an operation handle and a lock knob. The operation handle operates the latching device to unlatch and open the door. The lock knob operates the locking device to lock and unlock the door. An open cable links the operation handle to the latching device. A lock cable links the lock knob to the locking device. An inner handle housing houses the operation handle and the lock knob. The handle housing includes a cable support part defining a first space for receiving an end portion of the open cable, and a second space for receiving an end portion of the lock cable. The cable support part is configured to prevent one of the end portion of the open cable and the end portion of the lock cable from being received in one of the first space and the second space.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes a multi-piece frame. The multi-piece frame includes a left frame assembly, a right frame assembly, an upper frame member and a lower frame member. The upper frame member and lower frame member extend laterally along a respective top section and a bottom section of the frame for interconnecting the left and right frame assemblies. The multi-piece frame defines a generally continuous closed boxed structure which extends about a periphery of the multi-piece frame.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes a multi-piece frame. The multi-piece frame includes a left frame assembly, a right frame assembly, an upper frame member and a lower frame member. The upper frame member and lower frame member extend laterally along a respective top section and a bottom section of the frame for interconnecting the left and right frame assemblies. The multi-piece frame defines a generally continuous closed boxed structure which extends about a periphery of the multi-piece frame.

Abstract: A vehicle door checker is provided that includes a housing attachable to a vehicle door, an arm having a first portion attachable to the vehicle, and wherein a second portion of the arm moves through the housing when the door is moved. The door checker also includes at least one slider held within the housing that is in sliding contact with the second portion of the arm inside of the housing. At least one biasing member is held within the housing, the biasing member biasing the slider against the second portion of the arm. A water management dam provides a barrier in the housing such that water is prevented from accumulating within the housing and freezing, wherein such freezing would cause damage to the housing and/or prevent the biasing member and slider from moving.

Abstract: A laminated barrier is provided that can be easily attached to the frame of a vehicle door. The barrier reduces the passage of water, dust and sound into and through the vehicle door. The barrier is generally flat and includes a channel formed therein that aids in locating a bead of adhesive material, aligned with, but located on an opposite side of the barrier from the channel. The bead of adhesive material bonds the barrier to the door frame of the vehicle. The channel acts as a witness line and can be formed as part of an overall thermoforming step, or more simply by using a single heated die element during a step when the barrier is trimmed.

Abstract: A vehicle door checker is provided that includes a housing attachable to a vehicle door, an arm having a first portion attachable to the vehicle, and wherein a second portion of the arm moves through the housing when the door is moved. The door checker also includes at least one slider held within the housing that is in sliding contact with the second portion of the arm inside of the housing. At least one biasing member is held within the housing, the biasing member biasing the slider against the second portion of the arm. A water management dam provides a barrier in the housing such that water is prevented from accumulating within the housing and freezing, wherein such freezing would cause damage to the housing and/or prevent the biasing member and slider from moving.

Abstract: A vehicle door checker is provided that includes a housing attachable to a vehicle door, an arm having a first portion attachable to the vehicle, and wherein a second portion of the arm moves through the housing when the door is moved. The door checker also includes at least one slider held within the housing that is in sliding contact with the second portion of the arm inside of the housing. At least one biasing member is held within the housing, the biasing member biasing the slider against the second portion of the arm. A water management dam provides a barrier in the housing such that water is prevented from accumulating within the housing and freezing, wherein such freezing would cause damage to the housing and/or prevent the biasing member and slider from moving.

Abstract: A laminated barrier is provided that can be easily attached to the frame of a vehicle door. The barrier reduces the passage of water, dust and sound into and through the vehicle door. The barrier is generally flat and includes a channel formed therein that aids in locating a bead of adhesive material, aligned with, but located on an opposite side of the barrier from the channel. The bead of adhesive material bonds the barrier to the door frame of the vehicle. The channel acts as a witness line and can be formed as part of an overall thermoforming step, or more simply by using a single heated die element during a step when the barrier is trimmed.

Abstract: A vehicle door checker is provided that includes a housing attachable to a vehicle door, an arm having a first portion attachable to the vehicle, and wherein a second portion of the arm moves through the housing when the door is moved. The door checker also includes at least one slider held within the housing that is in sliding contact with the second portion of the arm inside of the housing. At least one biasing member is held within the housing, the biasing member biasing the slider against the second portion of the arm. A water management dam provides a barrier in the housing such that water is prevented from accumulating within the housing and freezing, wherein such freezing would cause damage to the housing and/or prevent the biasing member and slider from moving.