Abstract: A mounting system for detachably storing ladders comprising at least one elongate member with a length and opposed first and second ends. The system also includes a ledge adapted to be movable along the length of the elongate member. A securing latch is provided which is adapted to be movable along the length of the elongate member. The securing latch is pivotally carried on the elongate member. The securing latch can have a gas spring with a body pivotally attached to the elongate member and a rod pivotally attached to the latch. The latch has a profile complimentary to a surface of said ladder.

Abstract: A ladder rack includes: a frame assembly mountable on a vehicle, the frame assembly having at least two cross bows each including a principal length extending between opposite first and second ends; a pivot bracket pivotally coupled to the first ends of each cross bow, each pivot bracket adapted to support one side rail of a ladder, and each pivot bracket being pivotally moveable between a first position corresponding to the stowage position and a second position corresponding to the loading/unloading position; a stationary bracket disposed on each cross bow intermediate the first and second ends thereof, each stationary bracket adapted to abut another side rail of a ladder in the stowage position; a torsion bar interconnecting the pivot brackets; and a manually operable handle coupled to one of the torsion bar or a pivot bracket for moving the pivot brackets between the stowage position and the loading/unloading position.

Abstract: A mounting system for detachably storing ladders comprising at least one elongate member with a length and opposed first and second ends. The system also includes a ledge adapted to be movable along the length of the elongate member. A securing latch is provided which is adapted to be movable along the length of the elongate member. The securing latch is pivotally carried on the elongate member, The securing latch can have a gas spring with a body pivotally attached to the elongate member and a rod pivotally attached to the latch. The latch has a profile complimentary to a surface of said ladder.

Abstract: A ladder rack includes: a frame assembly mountable on a vehicle, the frame assembly having at least two cross bows each including a principal length extending between opposite first and second ends; a pivot bracket pivotally coupled to the first ends of each cross bow, each pivot bracket adapted to support one side rail of a ladder, and each pivot bracket being pivotally moveable between a first position corresponding to the stowage position and a second position corresponding to the loading/unloading position; a stationary bracket disposed on each cross bow intermediate the first and second ends thereof, each stationary bracket adapted to abut another side rail of a ladder in the stowage position; a torsion bar interconnecting the pivot brackets; and a manually operable handle coupled to one of the torsion bar or a pivot bracket for moving the pivot brackets between the stowage position and the loading/unloading position.

Abstract: A partition for separating the cabin compartment from the cargo area in HHR-style vehicles where the cabin compartment is characterized by a deck having a front wall and recesses. The partition comprises a frame including a panel. The frame is securable to a front wall of the vehicle deck, and includes at least one support, each of the at least one supports receivable in one of the recesses of the deck.

Abstract: An automobile has a convertible top storage well closed by a tonneau cover. The top has a pair of spaced articulated side rail linkages interconnected by a plurality of spaced bows supporting a top cover. The rear bow engages the tonneau cover when the top is raised, and is pivoted up adjacent the rear rail to provide clearance for the tonneau cover to open when the top is raised and lowered. A top operating mechanism includes a bow control pressure linkage, comprising a pair of control links, interconnects the rear bow and each rear rail and the rear bow via a lost motion pivotal connection. The pressure linkage folds to raise the rear bow and unfolds to lower the rear bow. When fully unfolded, the pressure linkage moves overcenter to lock the rear bow in contact with the tonneau cover. When the pressure linkage folds to raise the rear bow, it initially moves back overcenter to unlock the rear bow. In one embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder connects between the automobile body and the upper control link.

Abstract: A vehicle convertible topstack comprises transverse bows and a header supported by spaced, articulated pivotally-interconnected front, center and rear side rails. The front and center side rails are aluminum extrusions each having a right-angle triangular hollow cross section in one embodiment. A C-shaped channel is formed on each triangle's outer hypotenuse and has inwardly-turned, facing flanges for mechanically retaining elongated window seals. The rear rail has a vertical I-shape, and can include a similar window seal retainer. In another embodiment, the front, center and rear rails each have a base and a C-shaped external seal retainer formed on a vertical leg, which forms a slot for receiving a wedge-shaped shims to adjust the angle of the leg and seal to the main body. The shims are formed of frangible sections that can be broken at the top of the slot to remove excess shim material.

Abstract: Apparatus for operating a five-bow convertible top includes two multi-purpose hydraulic cylinders which are connected by linkages to the rear rails to operate the top, to operate the rear bow, and to operate the tonneau. The cylinder rods are pivoted to a rear bow control link and to a power link. A gas spring biases the tonneau open, while an intermittent drive connected to the cylinder rods overcomes the biasing device to close the tonneau. During initial extension of the cylinder rods, the control link raises the rear bow; then the tonneau is unlatched and is raised by the intermittent drive. Simultaneously, the power link latches to and drives the rear rail to begin lowering the top. The tonneau then begins to close as the top is further lowered. The tonneau closes when the top is fully lowered. The cylinders are retracted to raise the top. Initially, the tonneau begins opening as the power link rotates the rear rail to begin raising the top.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for latching a convertible top header to a vehicle windshield header comprises a latch hook receiver mounted adjacent to each end of the windshield header and a pair of movable latch members each having a free end mounting a hook. A mounting bracket located adjacent to each end of the top header has an elongated base slot and an intersecting curvilinear branch slot adjacent to its outer end. A guide pin and a spaced drive pin are carried by each latch member. The guide pin is received within the base slot and the drive pin is received within the branch slot in the unlatched position. A drive link is connected to each latch member drive pin. Operation of the drive link pivots the latch members about the guide pins until the drive pins enter the base slots and terminally slide both pins toward the inner ends of the base slots to move the latch members from unlatched to latched positions.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for latching a convertible top headed to a windshield header includes an electric motor mounted centrally on the top header which is drivingly connected by flexible drive shafts to side-rail-mounted latch units. Each latch unit includes a transmission connected to a drive shaft and an output drive screw which drives a drive nut and an attached drive link. The drive link is pivotally attached to a side-rail-mounted bell crank that is pivoted to a J-hook. Selective operation of the electric motor will cause the drive screw to shift the drive nut and drive link to move the J-hook between an extended and retracted positions. In extended position, the J-hook can be retracted to engage a windshield header abutment to latch the headers together, or retracted within the side rail for top retraction.

Abstract: A vehicle seat adjusting apparatus for adjusting the angle of inclination of a seat and thereby adjusting passenger height and available leg room by rotating the seat about a single, centrally located, transverse or lateral axis. A latch mechanism normally holds the seat relative to the seat track rails. Release of the latch mechanism is effected through a manual lever at the outside of one seat rail. The lever draws a release assembly laterally of the seat to slide a release arm longitudinally of the seat. The seat may then be notched to a desired position with the aid of a bias spring assisting the seat movement. Release of the lever allows the latch mechanism bias to restore the latch action in the desired position. By using a central pivot, you adjust the attitude of the seat and, by virture of the motion pattern, the rear of the seat moves up or down thus raising or lowering the occupants eye level in the vehicle.