Abstract: An elongated trim strip is disclosed which includes an elongated mounting portion, an elongated decorative portion extending to one side of the mounting portion and a flexible connection between the two. At least one of the decorative portion and the mounting portion having means for joining the two portions together when the decorative portion is folded down upon the mounting portion. The mounting portion and the decorative portion are preferably configured to snap together.

Abstract: Passive apparatus for absorbing the kinetic energy of a collision to prot an underwater structure from damage in a collision which includes a ring suspended by a ring support system so that the ring is positioned between the structure and the expected path of potentially impacting objects. The ring support system includes eight rigid rods which have one end coupled to one of four symmetrically disposed supporting pylons by spherical sleeve bushings and their other end coupled by spherical rod ends to one of four standoff members that are fixed to the top surface of the ring at equal intervals around its circumference. A shock absorber is coupled between each supporting pylon and the ring midway between standoff members by spherical rod ends. The dimensions of the rigid rods and their attachment points to the supporting pylon and the ring are chosen so that the ring may pivot on the rods against the resistance of the shock absorbers in response to an impact, but cannot strike the enclosed object.

Abstract: A resinous molding for a vehicle body structure comprises a generally elongated body made of synthetic resin and having a cavity defined therein. The cavity extending inwardly from one surface of the elongated body and generally over the length of the molding. It also comprises a plurality of generally rectangular thin-walled flexible ribs integrally formed with the elongated body and protruding within the cavity from the bottom of the cavity with the longitudinal axis of each of the flexible ribs oriented generally widthwise of the molding. One side face of each of the flexible ribs opposite to the bottom of the cavity is adapted to be bonded to an outer surface of the vehicle body structure.

Abstract: A panel for an automotive vehicle and the method of making same. A main reinforcing member is bonded to an outer panel, the reinforcing member being made of a hardened thermosetting material. An auxiliary reinforcing member is attached to and covers the entire inner side of the main reinforcing member. A core element of foamed resin is encapsulated between the outer panel and the main reinforcing member and causes the latter to bulge in the inward direction to form a rib-like projection to strengthen the panel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded laminate and a method for making the laminate. Protective and decorative molding and trim strips for automotive vehicles and the like can be made from the laminate which comprises a body of an extruded thermoplastic material such as extruded polyvinylchloride and an extruded outer layer of a different and incompatible material with a tie sheet sandwiched therebetween. The tie sheet is a thin laminate of a layer compatible with the thermoplastic material of the body and a layer compatible with the material of the outer layer. Optionally, a decorative layer of metallized polyester and/or other material can be encapsulated between the tie sheet and the body or outer layer.

Abstract: A trim strip for vehicles comprising an elongated plastic body defining an interior channel and opposed base edges defining an opening to the channel and being disposed proximate the vehicle surface; an elongated flexible soft plastic element integrally secured to the body at each base edge between the body and the vehicle surface; a stainless steel foil bonded to the exterior surface of the body, the foil having opposed foil edges secured to respective base edges; engaging means for securing the body to the vehicle surface, the engaging means being disposed in the channel and having opposed edges adjacent the interior surface of the base edges; and complementary interlocking means on the adjacent surfaces of the respective base and engaging means edges for securing the engaging means to the body and preventing relative motion between the body and the engaging means caused by thermal deformation.

Abstract: In a molding composed of a molding body comprising a front surface, a bottom, a side portion and a hollow portion, and of an adhesive layer constituted at the bottom, the thin molding side portion extends along the front surface, and the bottom is provided with a projection which projects on one side or both sides of the bottom separate from the front surface and the molding side portion. When the front surface is pushed, the pushing force applied to the front surface produces the fulcrum of the bending moment at the molding side portion and the plane pressure from the fulcrum to the front surface in the direction towards the inside of the bottom, and at the same time the contact pressure applied to the point of action of force is distributed in the plane pressure distribution towards the front surface which attenuates from the peak value below the point of action of force to both sides gradually.

Abstract: A holding frame for use on vehicles wherein inserts, such as plastic sheets, are slidable into the holding frame and, if desired, lockable therein. The holding frame is three sided and receives panels therein which are of substantially the same shape as the frame and held in place between the frame and the vehicle surface. A locking member is positionable at the open end of the frame to prevent the panels from sliding out of the frame or being physically removed by unauthorized persons.In an alternative embodiment, an indentation is provided in an outer surface of the vehicle, such as the door, hood, trunk lid, etc., and an insert of substantially the same shape as the indentation is positioned in the indentation. The insert has a retaining member secured to the rear surface thereof which passes through the vehicle surface to the vehicle interior where it is secured to the vehicle.

Abstract: Molding made of high polymer material, formed as a hollow molding body from extrusion and installed to a substance through adhesive means on a rear surface of the molding body, characterized in that plural pieces of a projecting pillar are arranged to be projecting from an upper wall and a bottom wall of a hollow portion of the body in the longitudinal direction. When installing the molding to a substance, pressing force applied to the molding body is almost equally transmitted to the whole bottom surface of the body.The molding can restore adhesive force declined with the passage of time to the original state by applying pressing force from the molding surface even after installing to the substance as well as can perform adhesive function of the adhesive layer sufficiently.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lightweight laminate and a method for making the laminate. Protective and decorative molding and trim strips for automotive vehicles and the like can be made from the laminate which has a body comprising an extruded thermoplastic elastomer material and an extruded outer layer with a tie sheet sandwiched therebetween. The tie sheet is made with sheet lamination technique and is a laminate of a layer compatible with thermoplastic elastomer material and a layer compatible with the outer layer. Optionally, the outer layer can be transparent and a decorative layer of metallized polyester and/or other material can be encapsulated between the outer layer and the tie sheet.

Abstract: Integral formation of an elastic layer at the contact surface of a molding to a car body assures a reliable fitting of a molding to a car body avoiding the possibility of said molding becoming detached even though the fitting part of the car body is irregular in dimension and profile and prevents generation of noise from the fitted molding or damage of car body due to the fitting of a molding.

Abstract: Decorative extruded vinyl mouldings for protecting auto bodies commonly have a metallized strip of chrome-like appearance laminated to the exposed impact-absorbing surface of the moulding. During prolonged exposure to weathering, the metallized strip becomes dull and unattractive. In this invention, a liquid acrylic coating is applied over the entirety of the metallized strip and cured by utlra-violet radiation at the extrusion speed of the vinyl moulding.

Abstract: A protective and decorative molding for attachment to structures such as the sides of automobiles. The molding has an elongated channel-shaped plastic member, a foam which fills and extends beyond the inner channel of the plastic member, and a means for bonding the molding to an automobile body.

Abstract: A reversible push block-rear bumper assembly for attachment to a motor vehicle is provided in which a support unit having a forwardly inclined downwardly extending surface is secured to the underside of a vehicle in close proximity to the rear end of the vehicle. A block unit having an upper incline surface which can be mated with the forwardly incline downwardly extending surface of the support unit is also provided, such surfaces being adapted so that when the block unit and support unit are secured together, the block unit will either extend downwardly from the support unit in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the vehicle and thus function as a bumper or, upon rotating the block unit 180.degree. into a reverse position, the block unit will extend outwardly from the rear end portion of the vehicle for use as a push block. An extension unit for modifying the length as well, as the angular relationship of the block unit to the support means, is also provided.

Abstract: A shim is clamped between a component of a vehicle bumper assembly and a support member to provide a desired spacing for bumper alignment. The weight of the shim and the cost of material for its manufacture are minimized by forming the shim from sheet metal half the thickness or less of the desired spacing, and by folding the metal over inserts to provide multiple thicknesses in selected load bearing and other regions. A number of openings may be provided to further reduce the weight. Additional folded areas may be used for applications where loading is not restricted to areas adjacent the bolts, and ribs may be embossed in the shim to facilitate mounting of the shim and enhance its stiffness. The composite shim is finally "bumped" to give it a uniform taper.

Abstract: A slat assembly for automobile luggage racks comprises a slat and a mounting pad and is provided at each end with an endcap. The slat and mounting pad are configured to interengage securely. The slat comprises an extruded member forming an upper, partially dove-tailed central channel, and two parallel, downwardly open channels. The mounting pad is formed from a non-corroding material and is provided with mounting flanges for interengaging with the downwardly open channels of the slat. The slat assembly may further comprise a rub strip, contoured to nest securely within the central channel of the slat.

Abstract: A method of making vehicle bumper shims preferably using a progressive die wherein the areas which receive the clamping bolts are built up with separate pieces of the same temper steel commonly used to make a shim of one piece flat shim, and which are spot welded to the base piece and produce a shim of the same general type as shown in Farnam et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,561, but which can be tailored to varying thicknesses as required and most importantly, torque retention properties at least as high as a one piece flat shim. The invention includes also the articles produced by the above method.

Abstract: A two piece trim strip, especially adapted to be mechanically secured to an automobile bumper, is provided in which a soft resilient elongated carrier is formed to include, in cross-section, a lateral support carrying a pair of forwardly protruding protective rails, one rail on each side of the support, each of the rails being formed with an outwardly extending lateral channel adjacent the lateral support, and an elongated decorative strip is mounted on the carrier with its side edges in each of the channels when the rails are flexed outwardly to facilitate insertion of the decorative strip.

Abstract: An automotive trim strip laminate formed of a strip of polyester material bearing a layer of metallic material covered by a thin polyvinyl chloride layer bonded to a supporting substrate of a flexible plasticized polyvinyl chloride material is made so that the laminate can be thermally bonded to a support material along a curved path without any irregularity, which is recognized as caused by compression wrinkling from thermal stress along radially inner regions of the curved path. This is prevented by selecting the polyester strip and the thin polyvinyl chloride layer with physical characteristics and dimensions to provide the metallized polyester strip with sufficient dimensional stability relative to the polyvinyl chloride substrate to prevent any such compression wrinkling, and one preferred way is to make the thin polyvinyl chloride layer substantially unplasticized and formed of a smooth, medium impact material.

Abstract: A stone guard to protect the outwardly flared, curved edge of the rear fender of an automobile bordering the wheel opening against stone chipping. The stone guard comprises a body section having a cross-sectional configuration to conform to the contour of the portion of the fender bordering the curved edge, and the forward edge of the body section terminates in a flange which is positioned against the door jamb of the automobile. Extending downwardly from the body section is a lower flange which is adapted to be attached to the rocker panel of the automobile. Both the upper and rear edges of the body section are tapered in cross section and are disposed adjacent the curved edge of the fender bordering the wheel opening. Adhesive strips serve to secure the body section to the fender of the automobile.

Abstract: A shaped article composed of a substrate of an EVA copolymer and a coating of a paint containing an NCO-free radical bonded firmly to the substrate, said substrate being either(A) a shaped article of EVA copolymer having a vinyl acetate content of about 3 to about 35% by weight, the article having a coating on its surface formed from a solution of a resin selected from specified resins (a.sub.1), (a.sub.2), (a.sub.3) and (a.sub.4),(B) a shaped article of a blend of EVA copolymer having the vinyl acetate content as defined above with a resin selected from specified resins (b.sub.1), (b.sub.2), (b.sub.3) and (b.sub.4),(B') a shaped article of a graft copolymer of EVA having the vinyl acetate content as defined above, and grafted thereto, at least one specified monomer, or(B") a shaped article resulting from the saponification of the surface of a shaped article of EVA copolymer having the vinyl acetate content as defined above.

Abstract: A shim is clamped between a component of a vehicle bumper assembly and a support member to provide a desired spacing for bumper alignment. The weight of the shim and the cost of material for its manufacture are minimized by forming the shim from sheet metal half the thickness of the desired spacing, and by folding the metal to provide double thickness in selected load bearing regions. A number of openings may be provided in other regions further to reduce the weight. Additional folded areas may be used for applications where loading is not restricted to areas adjacent the bolts, and serrations may be embossed in the shim to facilitate mounting of the shim and enhance its stiffness.

Abstract: A safety reflective trim strip includes a holding frame of any selected length having a holding channel therein into which one or more reflector lenses are inserted. The holding frame is cut to any desired length and includes special features for aid in its attachment to an object. End caps are provided to close the ends of the holding channel after the reflector lenses are inserted. The reflector lenses are either slid into the holding frame through one open end thereof or are snapped into the holding frame from the front.

Abstract: A tape strip is disclosed. This strip has an elongated strip portion having an outer face and an inner face with adhesive thereon. The elongated strip portion has a width not exceeding three-eighths of an inch. A pair of tape end portions are provided one at each end of the elongated strip portion. The pair of tape end portions have an outer face and an inner face with adhesive thereon. The tape end portions have a width dimension of at least one-half inch.

Abstract: A protective bumper for vehicle bodies is demountably attachable to vehicle bodies by suction cups. The demountable bumper includes either a light-weight body made of cellular polystyrene or inflatable tubes made of plastic. At least two suction cups are provided for fixing the demountable bumper to a body of a vehicle. In the tubular version, the suction cups are fixed to that one of two tubes which is to be positioned above the other on a vehicle, the lower of the two tubes is preferably of a somewhat larger diameter than the tube associated with the suction cups. In the cellular polystyrene embodiment, the lower portion of that surface of the body, which is to address the side of a vehicle, is formed with at least one curved protrusion. The suction cups in this instance are desirably positioned above the protrusion.

Abstract: A composite, movable fender includes first and second assemblies. The first assembly has a surface and an end portion and the second assembly has a working member. The second assembly is connected to the end portion of the first assembly and movable between first and second positions. The working member is spaced from the first assembly at the first position and the working member is supported by the first assembly surface at the second position.

Abstract: An extruded aluminum channel is formed with a wide central T-shaped groove and narrower outer T-shaped grooves transversely spaced on opposite sides of the central groove. A resilient vinyl bumper insert is formed with T-shaped in section projections which interlock in the outer grooves of the channel thereby securing the bumper to the channel. End caps are formed with tapered tangs which tightly fit into the central groove of the channel thereby securely fitting the end caps to the opposite ends of the channel. The ends of the channel and the corresponding end caps may be either square or slanted. The tangs of the end caps are formed with holes for fasteners such as pop rivets which extend through the holes in the tangs and also through registering holes drilled in the channel to attach the trim strip to a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable end cap for moldings formed of an element of a plastic material comprising a first portion intended to be inserted in a molding end and a second portion forming an abutment with said first portion and intended to project from the molding end. The first portion has a member for anchoring the plastic element in a hole provided in a wall to which said molding is to be applied and between said member and said second portion of the plastic element an yieldable section is provided which permits relative movements between said anchoring member and said second portion.

Abstract: A bicycle mudguard comprising a rigid substrate made of a synthetic resin material having good weather resistance, strength and rigidity, a surface layer of synthetic resin material having good weather resistance, and an intermediate layer disposed between said surface layer and substrate.

Abstract: An energy absorber unit including a cylinder, liquid in the cylinder, a piston for movement into the cylinder for providing a liquid energy absorbing capability, and relatively movable parts associated with the cylinder and having frictional engagement for additionally providing a dry energy absorbing capability. An energy absorbing unit including a tubular cylinder, a first tubular member slidable on the cylinder for carrying a force receiving member, and a second tubular member mounted on the first tubular member for mounting the first tubular member on a supporting member. An energy management system for a vehicle having a frame, an engine mounted on the frame and a bumper, including a first energy absorber unit mounted between the engine and the bumper and a plurality of second energy absorber units mounted between the bumper and the frame.

Abstract: A simplified, economical vehicle is disclosed. A steerable front wheel, on the side of the vehicle toward the center of a roadway, is turned by motorcycle-like steering forks. A single powered rear wheel, aligned with the front wheel in a fore-and-aft driving axis, is driven, without a differential, by an electric motor or other motive power. In three of the inventive forms there is only the one front wheel; in another, preferred form there is at least one other front wheel, on the side of the driving axis away from the center of the roadway. It is optionally on the ground all the time during land travel -- or, optionally, normally clear of the ground and contacting it only when the vehicle tilts dangerously toward this wheel. It is swivelly mounted for turning into the plane of vehicle motion. Optionally, there is a second front castor wheel, on the side of the steerable wheel toward the roadway center.

Abstract: A composite trim strip structure comprising two adhesively bonded, non-coextensive body portions, the first body portion being a narrow strip having decorative longitudinal side strips and a second, wider body portion adapted to receive the first body portion and form additional, parallel, longitudinally decorative strips on either side of the first body portion. Each body portion is backed with elastomeric adhesive layers. When the trim strip is assembled and adhered to the side of a car, the plural adhesive layers serve to distribute impact force and the trim strip better resists separation from the car when impacted.

Abstract: An impact barrier designed specially to be installed at the rear of a vehicle such as a truck, has a generally rectangular, stiff enclosure open at the bottom. There is a support connected between the enclosure and the back of the vehicle so that the enclosure projects rearwardly behind the vehicle at about the expected area of impact of a following collision. Within the enclosure is a plurality of energy dissipating elements or cells arranged within the enclosure in substantial abutment with each other and with the enclosure sides. The dissipating elements are individually made of a frangible or powdering material. The enclosure support preferably includes a snubber for damping out vertical oscillations in the device.

Abstract: Body side molding for automotive vehicles comprising a plastic body formed with at least one broad channel which communicates with the bottom of the molding to enable its bottom surface to conform to curved surfaces without distorting the top of the molding. This permits the molding to be permanently adhered to the variety of contours presented by automotive vehicles.

Abstract: An energy absorber which comprises in cross-section at least one limb of rubber-plastic composite material comprising a layer of rubber and a layer of plastics, said layers being united together and each extending substantially in the direction of the length of the limb, and the layer of plastics material being capable of absorbing more energy than the layer of rubber during deformation of the limb by bending or buckling.

Abstract: An energy absorption unit wherein a piston is movably mounted in a compressible solid chamber, the piston including first and second passages, the compressible solid material to be conducted only through said first passages during low energy damping levels, a valve means connected to said piston through a shear pin assembly, said valve means normally closing said second passages, at a predetermined high energy level said shear pin assembly being caused to fail also permitting conductance of said compressible solid material through said second passages.

Abstract: An elongate body of elastomeric material of substantially uniform width and thickness has support plates fixedly attached to opposite ends of the body of elastomeric material. The plates are oriented substantially parallel to each other and normal to the longitudinal axis of the body of elastomeric material. A rigid wedge member is mounted within and transversely of the body of elastomeric material between and in spaced relation to the plates. The wedge member forms a wedge angle in the body of elastomeric material for controlling the direction of buckling.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns crush resistant bumpers suitable for use on vehicles. There is disclosed a resilient bumper cushion rigidly mounted on the vehicle and having an outwardly facing impact surface. A flexible belt is connected to the cushion in the vicinity of the impact surface and extends along the entire length of the cushion. The belt is connected to the cushion at points lying along the entire length of the interface between the belt and the cushion in order to disperse localized impact forces throughout the cushion.

Abstract: A system constituted of a retractable bumper coupled with a hydraulic shock absorber the shock absorption characteristic of which is governed by a pressurized gas, a weight sensor for sensing the vehicle gross weight, a pressure regulator for the pressurized gas, a carriage mechanism which supports the shock absorber and can move it in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and an electrical control unit for controlling both the pressure regulator and the carriage mechanism in response to the signal from the weight sensor, so that the energy absorption capacity of the system in a collision of the vehicle represented by the product of the resistance offered against a retracting movement of the bumper by the shock absorber and the distance travelled by the bumper until coming into contact with the vehicle body can be varied depending on the weight of the vehicle payload.