Abstract: An apparatus and method for setting a door glass of a vehicle door to a vehicle body includes a frame for attachment to an inner panel of a vehicle door, at least one slide assembly to engage a vehicle body and to move a door glass of the vehicle door, and at least one locator on the slide assembly to locate and set the door glass relative to the vehicle body.

Abstract: Polynomial functions of acceleration and time are used to develop an air bag activation decision. The polynomial functions include windowing constraints, a spike detector to detect the oscillatory signal in side impacts, and an above bias delay detector to help detect low speed impacts.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly includes a two-piece pedal having an upper arm 44 and a lower arm 46 pivotably mounted with respect to each other and drivingly engaging a brake actuator piston rod 26. The upper arm 44 is cable connected to a brake actuator assembly 20 and is ineffective to transmit compressive loads longitudinal of the vehicle. Imposition of intrusive forces longitudinal of the vehicle can pivot the lower arm 46 upwardly toward a horizontal position.

Abstract: A bumper and front rail assembly includes first and second front rails with a steel cross-member extending therebetween. The steel cross-member has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. A steel forward member is secured to the cross-member and spans the length thereof. The forward member is configured to act as a spring for elastic deformation against the cross-member in a low energy impact. First and second steel crush cans are disposed in the cross-member adjacent the first and second front rails, respectively. The crush cans are configured for improved energy management and can be used with or without the energy absorbing bumper system described.

Abstract: A bumper and front rail assembly includes first and second front rails with a steel cross-member extending therebetween. The steel cross-member has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. A steel forward member is secured to the cross-member and spans the length thereof. The forward member is configured to act as a spring for elastic deformation against the cross-member in a low energy impact. First and second steel crush cans are disposed in the cross-member adjacent the first and second front rails, respectively. The crush cans are configured for improved energy management.

Abstract: An energy absorbing sling assembly 22 is provided for a seat belt component which includes an energy absorbing member 46, 47 carried with a mounting bolt 32 for pivotally mounting the sling assembly 22 with the energy absorbing member 46 being retained between the mounting bolt head 38 and the sling 28 and providing an access aperture 63 for tool engagement with a drive pocket 64 in the bolt 32.

Abstract: A lighting system for an automotive vehicle includes a remote laser light source coupled with a light transmitting fiber optic light guide which illuminates a thin sheet optical element tail lamp having a manifold portion, a kicker portion adjacent and substantially parallel to the manifold portion, and a turning prism adjacent to and in optical communication with the manifold and kicker portions for receiving light from the manifold portion and internally reflecting and redirecting light to the kicker portion.

Abstract: A front rail assembly includes first and second front rails extending longitudinally with respect to the vehicle. Each rail includes a front end, and comprises inner and outer rail members having substantially C-shaped cross-sections which are welded together to form the front rails. First and second plates are secured, respectively, within the first and second rails between the respective inner and outer rail members. The plates span the length of the first and second rails for improved energy absorption characteristics as a result of the double-box section formed.

Abstract: An automobile roof headliner includes a relatively stiff molded backing sheet and a relatively deformable foam panel adhesively secured to the undersurface of the backing sheet. Marginal edge areas of the foam panel in contact with hard side rails on the roof are provided with resilent deformable foam inserts that prevent the hard side rails from interfering with the energy-absorption action of the foam panel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for setting a door glass of a vehicle door to a vehicle body includes a frame for attachment to an inner panel of a vehicle door, at least one slide assembly to engage a vehicle body and to move a door glass of the vehicle door, and at least one locator on the slide assembly to locate and set the door glass relative to the vehicle body.

Abstract: An energy absorbing mounting fastener assembly is provided for a seat belt component particularly a seat belt sling assembly 22 which includes an energy absorbing member 46, 47 carried with a mounting bolt 32 for pivotally mounting the seat belt component with the energy absorbing member being retained between the mounting bolt head and the seat belt component and providing an access aperture 63 for tool engagement with the bolt 32 at a pocket 64.

Abstract: A combination tailgate and ramp assembly is provided for a pickup truck which includes a tailgate 28, a ramp 52, anchor means 32 in the form of a laterally extending anchor rod 44 accessible through a pair of windows 46, 48 in the tailgate 28 and mounting members 58, 60 pivotally engagable with the anchor rod 44 to provide a ramp surface to the inner surface 42 of the tailgate 28 upon insertion of the mounting members 58, 60 into pivotal engagement with the anchor rod 44.

Abstract: A latch assembly for the rear auxiliary door (18) of a pickup truck (10) includes a latch mechanism (34) having a lost motion mechanism (48, 76, 44, 60, 62, 58) which permits or prevents transmission of unlatching movement between a release handle (40) and a release lever (82).

Abstract: A tailgate construction for a pickup truck provides a tailgate 28 having an attachment means consisting of the rod 44 extending laterally of the tailgate 28 between its side portions 36, 38. A pair of windows 46, 48 is formed through an inner surface 42 of the tailgate to provide access to the rod for purpose of anchoring tie down mechanism.

Abstract: A reduced package depth low profile lighting system has a light source emitting light at a solid lens for shaping the light to conform to governmental lighting standards. The solid lens has a first surface comprised of a plurality of conic section cylinders. Each of the cylinders has a length first focal line, a second focal line and a cylinder line. The first focal line is tangent to a package curve preferably defined by a circle preferably in the horizontal plane of the vehicle. The circle has a center and a predetermined radius length. The center is coincidence with the light source. Each of conic cylinders substantially collimates light in the vertical plane while spreading light in the horizontal plane within a predetermined angle from the optical axis.

Abstract: A vehicle safety airbag is folded to an annular compact accordion-like configuration for placement around a conventional bag inflator. The bag folding operation involves axially stretching the bag, restraining localized areas of the stretched bag against radial expansion, and axially compressing the bag while moving the restraining devices together, such that annular accordion-like folds are formed in the bag.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting mechanism is provided for an automotive seat belt assembly which employs an energy absorbing cushion locally overlying the mounting bolt joining the seat belt assembly to a vehicle body pillar. The cushion is carried in a moveable trim portion which operates to move the mounting bolt vertically while maintaining juxtaposed relationship between the cushion and the mounting bolt.

Abstract: A reinforced door assembly for closing a door opening in a side of a body of a pick-up truck includes a first door pivotally connected to the body between an open and closed position and a second door pivotally connected to the body between an open position and a closed position. The reinforced door assembly also includes a rocker at a bottom portion of the door opening and a roof rail at a top portion of the door opening. The second door includes a vertical reinforcement assembly extending upwardly to the roof rail and downwardly to the rocker to overlap a floor of the pick-up truck to resist inward movement of the door from the closed position with respect to the body of the pick-up truck.

Abstract: The lighting system for an automotive vehicle has uses smooth conic section solids to form a beam pattern. In one aspect of the invention the A/C ratio of the conic section solids are varied to collimate the light emitted in the vertical direction and spread light in the horizontal direction. In another aspect of the invention the A/C ratio of a hyperbolic conic section may remain the same while adding fluting to the outer surface of the lens to provide beam redirection.

Abstract: A seamless side inflatable restraint deployment system for an occupant seated in a seat includes a side inflatable restraint module attached to a frame of the seat and having an inflatable restraint, a pad disposed adjacent the side inflatable restraint module having a deployment opening therein, and a tear initiator envelope enclosing the side inflatable restraint module and extending through the deployment opening to concentrate deployment forces of the inflatable restraint to form a desired exit location in a seat trim of the seat for the inflatable restraint to deploy therethrough.