Abstract: In a motor vehicle having a cargo area over an in-floor recess for storing a spare wheel and tire, a multiple height load floor system for covering the in-floor recess provides the option of selecting the depth of the recess. The floor system is adapted to allot a lesser volume to the in-floor recess for use with an undersized spare, or a greater volume when a full-size spare is provided. In a motor vehicle with folding seats, the folding seats are selectively raised or lowered to align with the upper surface of the load floor system in its selected position, in order to present a substantially flat surface for carrying cargo. The selective raising or lowering of the seats and the floor system can be achieved through manually actuated or electrically powered mechanisms.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for mounting a vehicle door structure to a vehicle body having first, second, third and fourth hinge members and a plurality of pin members. The first and fourth hinge members are coupled to the vehicle body and the vehicle door, respectively. The pin members pivotably couple the second and third hinge members to the first and fourth hinge members, permitting the vehicle door structure to pivot relative to the vehicle body between a closed position and an open position. The second and third hinge members are configured to resist a seal force that is exerted to the vehicle door by a weatherstrip seal to inhibit an outer surface of the vehicle door from skewing relative to an outer surface of the vehicle body in response to the seal force.

Abstract: A linearly moveable gear selector system is provided for controlling operation of a vehicle drivetrain component. The gear selector system is coupled to a transmission and/or transfer case unit and is configured to shift the drivetrain component into a desired mode of operation. The gear selector system includes a selector lever that is movable by an operator in a linear direction parallel to a lengthwise axis of the vehicle. The selector system includes a slidable guide shaft that produces a linear motion linked to the drivetrain component that is proportion in magnitude and direction as that of selector lever.

Abstract: A tailgate for a vehicle has an aperture formed therein. A panel member extends through the aperture and is pivotably coupled to the vehicle body. The panel member is arranged to simultaneously pivot relative to the vehicle body and slide relative to the tailgate as the tailgate is opened and closed. This allows the panel member to remain in a position covering at least a portion of a gap between the vehicle body and the tailgate, even when the tailgate is an open position.

Abstract: A wing mechanism for selectively exerting a downwardly directed force to a vehicle having a vehicle body. The wing mechanism includes a wing member, a pair of wing tips and a drive assembly. The pair of wing tips are moveably coupled to opposing ends the wing member and arranged to be moved by the drive assembly between a retracted position wherein the wing tips are retracted within a cavity in the wing member and a deployed position wherein each of the wing tips extends outwardly from the perimeter of the wing member.

Abstract: A linearly moveable gear selector system is provided for controlling operation of a vehicle drivetrain component. The gear selector system is coupled to a transmission and/or transfer case unit and is configured to shift the drivetrain component into a desired mode of operation. The gear selector system includes a selector lever that is movable by an operator in a linear direction parallel to a lengthwise axis of the vehicle. The selector system includes a slidable guide shaft that produces a linear motion linked to the drivetrain component that is proportion in magnitude and direction as that of selector lever.

Abstract: A wing mechanism for selectively exerting a downwardly directed force to a vehicle having a vehicle body. The wing mechanism includes a wing member, a pair of wing tips and a drive assembly. The pair of wing tips are moveably coupled to opposing ends the wing member and arranged to be moved by the drive assembly between a retracted position wherein the wing tips are retracted within a cavity in the wing member and a deployed position wherein each of the wing tips extends outwardly from the perimeter of the wing member.

Abstract: A tailgate for a vehicle having an aperture formed therein. A panel member extends through the aperture and is pivotably coupled to the vehicle body. The panel member is arranged to simultaneously pivot relative to the vehicle body and slide relative to the tailgate as the tailgate is opened and closed. This allows the panel member to remain in a position covering at least a portion of a gap between the vehicle body and the tailgate, even when the tailgate is an open position.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for mounting a vehicle door structure to a vehicle body having first, second, third and fourth hinge members and a plurality of pin members. The first and fourth hinge members are coupled to the vehicle body and the vehicle door, respectively. The pin members pivotably couple the second and third hinge members to the first and fourth hinge members, permitting the vehicle door structure to pivot relative to the vehicle body between a closed position and an open position. The second and third hinge members are configured to resist a seal force that is exerted to the vehicle door by a weatherstrip seal to inhibit an outer surface of the vehicle door from skewing relative to an outer surface of the vehicle body in response to the seal force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seating arrangement for a motor vehicle including a steering wheel, the seating arrangement includes a lower seat member, a seatback member and a theft deterrent system. The seatback member is coupled to the lower seat member for articulation between a first position and a second position such that the seatback member is oriented generally vertical in the first position and an upper portion of the seatback member is adapted to be disposed adjacent to the steering wheel when the seatback member is in the second position. The theft deterrent system is operative for selectively locking the seatback member in the second position.

Abstract: An electrical protection system on a power distribution side includes a control element of a series combination of a PTC device thermally coupled with a resistive device, and a relay coil coupled with relay contacts. If the relay contacts are open the only way in which they can be closed is by supplying current to the relay coil through a resistance-capacitance network. An electronic control module on a control side includes an electronic control module for monitoring a voltage present in the system, and a switch for opening a current path feeding the system upon detection of a fault condition. An indicator indicates presence of a sensed fault condition.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a vehicle having a tailgate structure, a hinge structure, a guide track and a panel structure. The hinge structure couples the tailgate structure to the vehicle body and is operable for rotating the tailgate structure between a generally vertical raised position and a generally horizontal lowered position. The guide track is coupled to at least one of the hinge structure and the tailgate structure. The panel structure is in sliding engagement with the guide track such that the panel structure is movable along the guide track between a retracted position wherein the panel structure is at least partially disposed between the inner member and the outer member and an extended position adapted to substantially close a horizontal gap between the tailgate structure and the body of the vehicle. Placement of the tailgate structure in the raised position causes the panel structure to move along the guide track to the retracted position.

Abstract: A wing mechanism for selectively exerting a downwardly directed force to a vehicle. The wing mechanism includes a wing member, an axle, a pair of pivot arms and a drive assembly. The wing member is adapted to be pivotably coupled to the vehicle body about a first axis. The axle is adapted to be pivotably coupled to the vehicle body about a second axis parallel to the first axis. Each of the pivot arms has a first end and a second end wherein the first end of each pivot arm is pivotably coupled to the wing member and the second end of each pivot arm is coupled for rotation with the axle. The drive assembly is coupled to the axle and operable for selectively positioning the axle in a rotational position to adjust an angular position of the wing structure.

Abstract: A digital verification system and method is described for verifying that the terminal connector assembly of an automobile's battery cable is properly connected to the connector assembly of a power distribution module (PDM). The terminal connector assembly is provided with an integrated CPA assembly having an engagement member, such as an elongated appendage. The PDM connector assembly is provided with a shorting bar that contacts a bus bar so as to cause a short circuit to occur when current is supplied to the PDM connector assembly through the battery's terminal connector assembly. A sense lead in contact with the shorting bar sends a response signal through a printed circuit board to a microprocessor indicating that electrical power is flowing though the short circuit. The CPA assembly can only be engaged when the terminal connector assembly is fully mated to the PDM connector assembly.