Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for hinging a hood on a utility vehicle body so as to enable the hood to open upwardly and backwardly from the front end of the utility vehicle. A bracket made from steel is secured adhesively to an underside of the hood, which is made from a polymeric material, near a back end of the hood. A double-rocker, four-link mechanism includes a lower, fixed link having two opposite ends, each defined by a bracket mounted to the utility vehicle body, an upper, coupler link defined by a portion of the hood-mounted bracket and having two opposite ends, a comparatively longer, front link, and a comparatively shorter, back link. Each of the front and back links, which are rocker links, has a lower end connected pivotally to one of the opposite ends of the fixed link and an upper end connected pivotally to one of the opposite ends of the coupler link.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive for a flap provided on a vehicle, especially an engine hood. The drive comprises an electric motor, an actuation shaft that is connected to the flap, and a reduction gear by means of which the rotor of the electric motor is coupled to the actuation shaft. The drive further comprises an energy accumulator by means of which the actuation shaft can be driven independently of the electric motor. The reduction gear is configured in such a way that the actuation shaft is driven in a rotational direction only by the energy accumulator and the electric motor drives the actuation shaft in an opposite rotational direction, thereby supplying to the energy accumulator an energy that is needed to drive the actuation shaft in the rotational direction. The invention further relates to a pedestrian protection means provided on a vehicle and equipped with such a drive.

Abstract: A vehicular hood assembly comprising at least one actuator for lifting up a rear end of a hood to a given height when a vehicle s collides with a protective object. The actuator comprises a rod having a constricted portion with lower rigidity than the other part thereof. The actuator is operated responsive to collision of the vehicle with the protective object to cause the rod to lift the hood and when the protective object further encounters a secondary collision with the hood, an impact load exerted to the protective object and the hood is concentrated on the rod to cause the constricted portion of the rod to bend for thereby retaining the hood at its lifted position without causing the rod to return to its original position.

Abstract: A vehicle hood apparatus having an actuator for lifting a vehicle hood upon collision of an object with a vehicle. The actuator has an actuator block defining a cylinder therein. A locking member is urged to project into the cylinder. Upon such collision, a gas generator is operated to generate gas to raise a piston pin rapidly to lift the hood, whereupon the locking member projects into the cylinder to lock the piston pin in its raised position and hold the hood at its lifted position. As the locking member is included in the actuator, the piston pin does not have its locked position affected by the quality of work done for attaching the actuator to the vehicle body, as opposed to the case where it has to be locked to the vehicle body. As the locking and elastic members are held in the actuator block, the actuator is easier to assemble than when they have to be held on the piston pin.

Abstract: A vehicle hood apparatus is provided with a hood retaining mechanism including a linkage which is bendable and stretchable for retaining a hood in a lifted position when a vehicle collides with an object to be protected and the rear end of the hood is lifted. The linkage has an upper link and a lower link which are bendably and stretchably connected via a hinge. A stopper is included for preventing the lower link from falling rearward relative to the vehicle when the lower link and the upper link stretch. The hood apparatus further includes a ratchet mechanism for preventing the lower link and the upper link from shifting from the stretching state to a bending state to securely retain the lifted hood.

Abstract: A hood for earthmoving machines, such as a backhoe, includes a top panel and two side panels extending beneath and on opposite sides of the top panel to form a substantially upside down U-shaped shell resting on a frame of the vehicle to close the engine compartment of the backhoe. The side panels extend substantially parallel to a vertical centerline plane of the vehicle and are hinged to the frame of the vehicle to rotate, about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the vertical centerline plane of the vehicle, between an open position in which the side panel is located over the top panel to permit access to the engine compartment, and a closed position in which the side panel is located beneath the top panel to close the engine compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle bonnet hinge is provided, which includes a hinge arm having penetratingly formed coupling holes to be coupled with a bonnet in contact with a bottom surface of the bonnet at a top surface, and a first hinge hole and a second hinge hole penetratingly formed at a front part and a rear part of a surface of the hinge arm, a first link and a second link, of which upper end parts are respectively coupled with the first hinge hole and the second hinge hole of the hinge arm by axial pins, a hinge support formed with a hinge hole at a side to be rotatably coupled with a lower end part of the second link by the axial pin and coupling holes at both sides of a lower part to be coupled with a vehicle body by bolts in contact with a top surface of the vehicle body at a bottom surface, a slot formed longitudinally in the hinge support for preventing a hinge pin, which is coupled with the lower part of the first link, from deviating from a hinge center shaft when an external impact is applied, and a plate spring fi

Abstract: A lower fender extension brace for mounting on truck hood fenders to prevent lower fender breakage and cracking. Lower fender extension brace comprises brace attachable to the inside of a hood fender of a truck or van to provide support to the front, corner, and side of said hood fender to reduce breaking and cracking in the hood fender. Lower fender extension brace that can be attached to the inside of a hood fender of a truck or van using rivets, nuts and bolts, molecular bonding, or high strength bonding tape.

Abstract: An over the highway vehicle having a forwardly pivotal cab mounted on a frame is disclosed. A latch assembly is interposed between the frame and the cab. The latch assembly includes coacting subassemblies including a catch for releasable retention by a latch. One of the subassemblies is connected to the frame and the other of the subassemblies is connected to the cab. The cab connected subassembly includes an impact absorbing yieldable element for normally maintaining a connected cab in a latched position. The element is extensible upon such vehicle experiencing a collision to allow controlled and limited forward tilting of the cab occasioned by the force of such a collision while maintaining the cab in a latched condition. A process of absorbing collision forces is also disclosed.

Abstract: When a vehicle collides with an object and the object is thereby thrown into impact on a hood of the vehicle, a vehicle hood apparatus detects the collision and causes actuators attached to the vehicle to operate to lift up a rear end of a hood of the vehicle so as to reduce the impact of the object thereon. The apparatus include a control unit for controlling the actuators. The control unit includes a hood lock determination means for determining whether a hood lock locks a front end of the hood in place. When the hood lock is in an unlocking state, the control unit prevents the actuators from operating. When the hood lock is in a locking state, the control unit operates the actuators.

Abstract: A torsion bar hood assist system for a vehicle which has a hood that pivots between an open and a closed position. The hood assist system includes a compact torsion mechanism with at least two torsion bar sections. The torsion mechanism of the hood assist system is mounted distant from a pivot axis of the hood. The torsion mechanism is engaged to the vehicle in a manner which allows the torsion mechanism to be mounted distant from the hood pivot axis and reduces the stresses imparted to the torsion mechanism when the hood is pivoted.

Abstract: A support mechanism supports a hood in a raised position with respect to a vehicle to which the hood is pivotally coupled. The support mechanism includes a pivotal lift rod coupled between the vehicle and the hood. The mechanism also includes a pair of arm members which are pivotally coupled to each other by a central pivot pin, and which are coupled between the vehicle and a central portion of the rod. A flat coil spring is coiled around the central pivot pin and is attached to the arm members. The spring is biased to pivot the hood upwardly. The lower end of the rod is anchored by a removable pivot pin, which, when removed, permits the hood to be raised approximately 90 degrees from it lowered position.

Abstract: A hood hinging structure of a vehicle is disclosed to minimize the level of an impact to be made on a pedestrian by changing a hinge structure that allows a hood to be rotatively opened or closed at a vehicle body when the pedestrian is hit by a hood having its hinge structure when the pedestrian is hit by the hinge structure.

Abstract: A hood and fender assembly mounting and latch system for use with an over-the-highway tractor having a frame supporting an engine, a cab and a hood and fender assembly. A hinge pivotally connects the hood and fender assembly to the frame. A hex-shaped torsion bar and damper are used to assist in the opening and closing of the hood and fender assembly. The latch system includes a receiver assembly attached to the frame. A pin assembly is attached to the hood and fender assembly at a distal location relative to the hinge. The receiver assembly receives the pin assembly when the hood and fender assembly is in a position enclosing the engine and locates and maintains the hood and fender assembly in a predetermined position relative to the frame, independent of the cab. The receiver assembly has a lock lever which is movable between a latched position at which it engages the pin assembly and an unlatched position. A movable handle is located within the cab.

Abstract: The present invention is a front discharge transit mixer apparatus. In one form of the present invention the operator has an environment surrounde by a large viewing area so as to increase his ability to control the vehicle. Further, creature comforts include increased head room in the cab, air conditing, heat, and storage compartments. A total weight system is provided for assisting in maintaining the proper weight distribution of the apparatus for passage over roads and bridges.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided with a load carrying platform at a rear portion of the vehicle. A cabin frame is mounted around a driver's seat and an engine is placed under the load carrying platform behind the driver's seat. A bonnet extends in front of the driver's seat, the bonnet being opening away from and closed toward the driver's seat. A storage case having an open, upper portion is provided to be closed by the bonnet. The storage case bonnet prevents the entry of rainwater into the storage case in spite of the large dimensions of the storage case, and permits inserting and withdrawing articles easily from the storage case from the driver's seat.

Abstract: A tilt mechanism for pivoting a vehicle body panel relative to a vehicle chassis includes a pivot pin having a pivot pin axis. The pivot pin provides a single-point pivot attachment of the body panel to the chassis such that the body panel can articulate about the pivot pin axis relative to the chassis. A support member pivotably connects to the chassis about the pivot pin axis by the pivot pin. The support member has a tilt axis along a longitudinal extent of the support member. The tilt axis is perpendicular to the pivot pin axis. The support member supports the vehicle body panel weight through a pivotal connection between a support member end and the body panel. The pivotal connection allows the body panel to pivot relative to the chassis about the tilt axis via a bearing. A torsion bar is within the support member. One portion of the torsion bar is secured to the support member and another portion is secured to the body panel by a slot that receives a torsion bar end.

Abstract: A construction machine including a maneuvering seat on which an operator sits, a guard cover for supporting the maneuvering seat thereon, and a control box arranged on one side of the maneuvering seat. The control box having a control valve and an operating lever for operating the control valve. The control box turning about a turning fulcrum so as to facilitate getting on and off when an operator gets on and off from the maneuvering seat. The construction machine further including hydraulic hoses which hang from the control valve and are pulled out of the control box. The hydraulic hoses having bent portions externally of the control box, the bent portions being displaced when the control box turns to absorb the up and down movement of the hydraulic hoses. Accordingly, the up and down movement of the hydraulic hoses caused when the control box is forced up is absorbed by bent portions provided externally of the control box.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for a pick-up truck includes a cover that is manufactured by sandwiching a rectangular metal frame between an inner panel and an outer panel. The metal frame provides stability to the cover assembly as well as providing attachment points for the outer components of the tonneau cover assembly. The cover is pivotally attached to a pair of side rails using a four-bar linkage hinge, the four-bar linkage hinge causes the cover to move up from the pick-up box and away from the pick-up cab when the cover is opened. This up and away movement allows the cover to be positioned closer to the cab without causing interference between the cab and the cover when it pivots to its open position.

Abstract: A device for deploying the hood of an automotive vehicle upwardly in the event of impact with a pedestrian includes a hinge assembly secured to the vehicle structure below the trailing edge of the hood and a guide track extending forwardly. A hinge arm has a pivot end rotatably connected to the hood adjacent the trailing edge and a slide end engaging the track for movement therealong. A pyrotechnically powered actuator is mounted on the body structure in front of the hinge assembly and engages the hinge arm, the actuator having a retracted condition wherein the hinge arm is in the normal operating position and movable to an extended condition to urge the hinge arm to the raised position, the actuator acting along a line of action generally parallel with the track. During normal vehicle operations, the piston is retracted, the hinge arm slide end is adjacent the forward end of the track, and the pivot end is engaged with the retaining member permitting normal opening and closing of the hood.

Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for a motor vehicle includes left and right A-pillar covers hingingly attached to respective A-pillars. The A-pillar covers have a retracted condition wherein they lie close to respective vehicle A-pillars, and are movable to a deployed condition wherein they are spaced forwardly from the respective A-pillars. In the deployed condition, the A-pillar covers are able to deform and/or move rearward when struck by a pedestrian so as to absorb impact energy and thereby lessen the likelihood and/or severity of injury, as compared with direct impact with a conventional, stationary A-pillar. An actuator system includes a contact or non-contact sensor for indicating an actual or imminent collision with a pedestrian, and pyrotechnic devices that urge the A-pillar covers to the deployed condition prior to a pedestrian impact with the A-pillar covers. The hood and/or windshield may also deploy to a pedestrian-friendly position in conjunction with deployment of the A-pillar covers.

Abstract: A device for raising the hood of an automotive vehicle to increase the amount of space between the hood and underhood components to increase the energy absorbed by the hood during collision with a pedestrian. A pivot secured to the vehicle body structure engages a slot in a hinge secured to the hood. During normal vehicle operation, the pin is retained in a pin retention pocket at an upper end of the slot, and the slot narrows at a neck portion immediately below the pin retention pocket to prevent the hood from being lifted upwardly. A powered deployment cylinder is activated by a pedestrian impact detection system and urges the hood and the hinge upward relative to the body structure, the pivot sliding downward in the slot. The cylinder applies sufficient upward force to hood and/or hinge to force the pivot through the neck portion of the slot.

Abstract: A vehicle hood assembly includes a hood support having a top section joined to left and right side sections and to a front section. An outer panel assembly includes a finished top panel mounted on the top section, a finished front panel assembly mounted on the front section, a finished left side panel mounted on the left section, and a finished right side panel mounted on the right section. Each panel and its respective section form and enclose an air space therebetween. Thus, the inner support and the air space is interposed between the finished panels and the heat from the engine. As the hood is raised, the lower portions of the side panels engage a wear strip and are deflected laterally outwardly and away from each other. As the hood is lowered, the lower portions of the side panels move past the wear strip, and they move laterally inwardly and towards each other.

Abstract: A hood and fender assembly mounting and latch system for use with an over-the-highway tractor having a frame supporting an engine, a cab and a hood and fender assembly. A hinge pivotally connects the hood and fender assembly to the frame. A hex-shaped torsion bar and damper are used to assist in the opening and closing of the hood and fender assembly. The latch system includes a receiver assembly attached to the frame. A pin assembly is attached to the hood and fender assembly at a distal location relative to the hinge. The receiver assembly receives the pin assembly when the hood and fender assembly is in a position enclosing the engine and locates and maintains the hood and fender assembly in a predetermined position relative to the frame, independent of the cab. The receiver assembly has a lock lever which is movable between a latched position at which it engages the pin assembly and an unlatched position. A movable handle is located within the cab.

Abstract: In an automotive vehicle bonnet, that the bonnet 20 is held open by allowing a hook portion 52 at a distal end of an opening stay 50 extending from a body 14 side to be hooked up to the vicinity of a hinge 30R of the bonnet 20. A reinforcement member 60 is incorporated in the bonnet 20 for reinforcing a hook retaining portion 34 to which the distal end of the opening stay 50 is hooked up. The reinforcement member 60 is constituted by an extruded member having a closed cross section.

Abstract: A vehicular hood apparatus includes a hood provided on a front part of a vehicle, and an actuator. The hood is lifted a predetermined amount when the vehicle hits an obstacle. The actuator includes a piston rod for pushing the hood upwardly, and a rod retaining means. When the piston rod arrives in an uppermost position, the rod retaining means holds the piston rod in the uppermost position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a hood mobile relative to the chassis and at least one body component. Contact of the body component with the hood determines a position of the body component relative to the hood.

Abstract: A hood opening and closing apparatus of a forklift truck comprises a turning lever integrally fixed to the hood, the lever extending backward from a turning axis of the hood during the hood closing, and a damper arranged in a space defined between the compartment room, a battery room or an engine room, and the counterweight of the truck. The damper is arranged to urge the turning lever downward. A link is further provided within the space to transmit the damper force to the turning lever. According to the above construction, the hood opening and closing apparatus is not necessarily arranged in the compartment room, but in the space between the compartment room and the counterweight, and not exposed outside the truck.

Abstract: A hinge assembly has a first hinge rod unit and a second hinge rod unit. The first hinge rod unit is fixed at its upper end to the bottom of a hood by means of a first hinge pin and at its lower end to a fender apron by means of a second hinge pin. The second hinge rod unit is fixed at its upper end to the bottom of the hood by means of a third hinge pin and at its lower end to the fender apron by means of a fourth hinge pin. The first and third hinge pins are spaced apart by a first interval, while the second and fourth hinge pins are spaced apart by a second interval longer than the first interval. Each of the first and second hinge rod units comprises a first hollow hinge rod, a second hinge rod slidably inserted into the first hinge rod, and a means for locking the second hinge rod to the first hinge rod, that is breakable when a force greater than a predetermined certain amount is applied.

Abstract: A support (10) for the bonnet (6) of a motor vehicle (5) in which a plastic hinge member (11) is snap fitted into an elongate aperture (21, 22) in a structural member (20) of the motor vehicle (5). The invention therefore provides a simple and quick to fit support for the bonnet of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An arrangement for locking an engine bonnet firmly to a vehicle cab for reducing stresses on the bonnet and on the locking arrangement. The arrangement includes a first locking part fastened to the cab and a second locking part fastened to the bonnet. The first part includes a spindle supported between arms of a yoke. Facing convex dished guide surfaces at least one of which is resilient are disposed at the spindle. The receiving portion on the cab has two spaced apart plates each with a recess in it for receiving the spindle extending across them. The plates are placed so that the dished guide surfaces on the yoke of the receiving portion are engaged with the plates for guiding the spindle into the recess and for holding them against relative motion.

Abstract: A pedestrian safety device for automotive vehicles with a deployable hood consists of a pedestrian safety module beneath the leading edge of the hood, and a hinge assembly at the trailing edge of the hood. The hood is latched to the module. In case of a pedestrian impact at the leading edge of the hood the module is mechanically released to rotate, so that the hood is lowered at the leading edge. Simultaneously the rotational impulse of the hood is used to uplift the trailing edge of the hood. A two bar link at the rear hinge assembly is released by the hood impulse and enables uplifting of the trailing edge of the hood, and locks the hood in a deployed position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a work vehicle, such as a tractor, having a frame, a compartment, a hood coupled to the frame and configured to at least partially cover the compartment when disposed in a closed position; and a mechanism coupling the hood to the frame, the mechanism configured to move the hood between the closed position and at least one at least partially opened position, the mechanism including at least one four-bar linkage, a first bar of the linkage including a portion of the frame and a second bar of the linkage including a portion of the hood, the vehicle further having a support member configured to engage the at least one linkage at predetermined positions and thereby immobilize the hood against further changes in position.

Abstract: A body panel assembly for a tractor engine hood comprises a top panel (8), side panels (12) and a front grille panel (18). Forward ends of the top and side panels are secured to a frame (3) mounted on or integral with the front of the tractor chassis (1). The grille panel (18) is mounted at least partially by releasable means on an alignment member or members (17, 26) whose exact position may be adjusted during the assembly process to ensure accurate alignment of the front grille panel (18) to the side panel (12).