Abstract: A method and apparatus for side impacting testing of motor vehicles at a sub-system level. By advancing a side impact barrier into the vehicle shell mounted on the fixture at a predetermined speed, full-scale crashworthiness for side impact collisions can be predicted, thereby significantly reducing development cost and time. The fixture includes a base for supporting the vehicle shell, a side portion for reinforcing a lateral side of the vehicle shell and protecting against deformation and a roll-over prevention structure. The fixture additionally includes a plurality of casters attached to the base.

Abstract: An apparatus for offset impact testing of vehicle components at a sub-system level includes a mobile unit and a vehicle sub-system. In an exemplary application, the vehicle sub-system includes a toe-board and a torque box. A mounting flange is secured to the vehicle sub-system and provides for releasable attachment of the vehicle sub-system to the mobile unit. By advancing the mobile unit into a rigid barrier at a predetermined speed, full-scale toe-board intrusion and torque box crush can be accurately predicted at a significantly reduced cost and time.

Abstract: A fog lamp assembly has a retainer for the fog lamp and is mounted in a socket in the plastic facia covering the front bumper of an automobile. The rear wall at the base of the socket covers only the lower portion of the base, providing an open space above the rear wall. The upper edge of the rear wall has laterally spaced notches, and studs projecting rearwardly from the retainer are secured in these notches by nuts. When the lamp and retainer are manipulated during installation and removal, the studs enter and exit the notches through the open tops of the notches and also through the open space above the rear wall. Preferably the rear part of the annular wall of the socket is cut away to provide an extension of the open space.