Abstract: A motor vehicle having fold-down backrests on rear seats has a cross-member which is releasably connectable to the backrests in their upper region and can be releasably attached by its end regions to devices for securing it in the direction of travel fitted on opposed regions of the inner body shell of the vehicle. The attachment of the end regions to the securing devices is effected by connecting the cross-member in a force-locking manner to the opposed regions of the inner body. Thus, through the cross-member, forces can be transmitted in known manner between the backrests and the inner body shell of the vehicle, and in addition a stiff transverse connection is obtained between the opposed regions of the inner body shell of the vehicle, which leads in the assembled state to a reduction of vibrations or of droning noises that may occur.

Abstract: A door reinforcement system for closing an aperture in a side of a body of a pick-up truck includes a first door and a second door pivotally connected to the body and joined pillarlessly between an open position and a closed position, a vertical reinforcement beam disposed within one of the first door and the second door, and a door latch striker connected directly to the vertical reinforcement beam and a door latch connected to the other one of the first door and the second door to engage the door latch striker to resist inward movement of the first door and second door from the closed position with respect to the body of the pick-up truck.

Abstract: A vehicle hood movement dampening mechanism is pivotably connected between the vehicle and hood to exert a two-way cushioning action. The mechanism includes a variable length strut and a link arranged so that an internal resilient force element opposes increases in the strut length as the hood approaches its open and closed positions. The link exerts a pulling action on the variable length strut during either direction of hood movement.

Abstract: A reinforcement configuration is provided for an automotive body panel which is particularly useful in the reinforcement of vertical planar surfaces through which tooling holes are formed. In the invention reinforcement, a depression is formed about a tooling hole which includes certain lower surfaces formed to avoid the funneling of liquid coating such as paint which are typically applied to the vertically extending surface and the production of automotive vehicle bodies. Funneling is prevented either through providing a surface dispersing vertically running paint or by providing a reservoir for collecting vertically running paint.

Abstract: In a metallic section as reinforcement for a motor vehicle door which can be fixed to the vehicle door (at 3) by both ends, at least one end having a flat bearing surface and an open cross-section along an axially extending flat slope (15) and being brought to the finished length for installation by oblique forming to length of a continuous starting material made by section rolling, the section is made by section rolling a continuous starting material, namely, by cold rolling steel sheet (8) having a corrosion resistant coating on at least one side and the oblique forming to length is performed by crop cutting or laser beam cutting along a flat or angled oblique cut (15).

Abstract: An apparatus for assuring the proper seating of a seat belt mounting bolt 30 against a mounting tab 36 is provided that includes a cage member 56 receiving a drive tool 52 to abuttingly engage the tab 36 against a vehicle body panel 14 with the cage member 56 while drivingly engaging the bolt 30. Electrical contacts 66, 68 on the drive tool 52 engage the cage member 56 to provide an electrical signal indicating the bolt 30 is seated with respect to the tab 36.

Abstract: An automotive hood latch includes a striker carried by the hood latch and two separate latching members carried by the vehicle for alternate engagement with the striker, one of the latching members serving as a safety. The separate latching members are sequentially operated in the unlatching direction by double reciprocation of a remote cable operator. The motorist can release the hood from both latching members without leaving the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat back frame assembly includes a substantially U-shaped frame assembly incorporating a side impact airbag module as a structural, load-bearing component thereof. The substantially U-shaped frame assembly includes a curved top portion having opposing ends and a spacer attached to one of the opposing ends. The side impact airbag module has first and second ends, with the first end being attached to the other of the opposing ends. First and second support members are attached to the spacer and the second end of the airbag module, respectively, for securing the seat back frame assembly in the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle seat is provided. In one embodiment, the seat belt system includes a shoulder strap, a retractor for tensioning the shoulder strap at one end thereof, a seat belt buckle for securing the shoulder strap at the opposite end thereof, and an adjustable guide assembly for directing the shoulder strap across an occupant of the seat. The guide assembly includes a guide body having a webbing opening through which the shoulder strap extends and a push-button mechanism capable of positioning the guide body in any one of a plurality of rotational positions relative to the seat.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle body structure includes a structural member which forms a load-bearing portion of the vehicle and a trim component mounted to the structural member. A plurality of energy absorbing elements are mounted to the trim component and spaced relative to one another along the longitudinal length of the trim component. Each of the energy absorbing elements have a serpentine shape and extend from the trim component toward the structural member such that the distal ends of the energy absorbing elements are spaced from, but adjacent to, the structural member in non-contacting relationship therewith. The energy absorbing elements are deformable in response to a force which causes the distal end of the elements to contact the structural member to absorb and dissipate the energy generated by the force.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle body structure includes a structural member which forms a load-bearing structure on the vehicle. The structural member presents an edge extending generally toward the interior of the vehicle. A trim component is mounted to the structural member and covers the edge. A high density elastic sleeve is mounted to the edge and spaced from, but adjacent to, the trim component. The edge and the high density elastic sleeve are deformable in response to a force acting thereon to absorb and dissipate the energy generated by the forces.

Abstract: A position marking arrangement for a slidable vehicle seat 10, 12. The seat includes a first component 18 which is slidable relative to a fixed, second component 16. The seat component 18 has a datum mark 24 thereon and the fixed seat slide 16 has a surface 22 such that relative movement takes place between the datum mark and the surface when the seat slides. The surface has holes 28 for mounting thereon a marker 30 in a range of different positions, and the seat can be moved to any one of the different positions, with the positions being marked by one or more markers 30.

Abstract: A decorative emblem for a vehicle comprises an oval bezel and a transparent lens. A groove with an angled sidewall is formed in the top surface of the bezel. The sidewall forms an angle with the bottom wall of the groove between 88.degree.30' and 82.degree.30' around the oval bezel so that the sidewall overlies the bottom wall making the groove wider at its bottom than at its top to lock the lens in place. The lens covers the top surface and is formed thereon by pouring a liquid lens material on the top surface of the bezel filling the groove. The liquid lens material cures to a hardened condition and the angled sidewall locks the lens in position over the top surface. The lens is transparent so that colors and designs on the bezel are visible.

Abstract: A Vehicle steering wheel arrangement that includes a steering column (1) with a spindle (2) having fixed to its upper end a mounting hub (3). A steering wheel (8) is fastened to the mounting hub (3) to a free face (5) of which is attached an air-bag module (6). The steering wheel (8) has an integral cover (9) for the air-bag module (6) and has a cavity (10) beneath the cover (9) to permit the steering wheel (8) to be mounted over the air-bag module (6) and fastened to the mounting hub (3) after the attachment of the air-bag module (6) to the mounting hub (3) fixed to the spindle (2).

Abstract: An air extractor assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided which includes at least one depression (34) formed in a body panel (14) of an automotive vehicle (10) and including an aperture (52) formed through the depression. An air extractor valve (40) surrounds the depression (32) and includes a base (42) and a flap (44) for controlling fluid communication through the aperture (52) in response to increases in air pressure in the passenger compartment (16) of the vehicle (10) above atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A rear lighting system includes an elongated light source emitting light and a solid lens having an inner surface comprised of a hyperbolic cylinder, said hyperbolic cylinder having a first focal line and a second focal line and a cylinder length. The first focal line is coincident with the light source and the outer surface is comprised of a generally planar shape perpendicular to the horizontal plane and the vertical plane.

Abstract: A rear bumper assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided, which includes a bumper bar, an energy absorbing mechanism, a bumper cover overlying the energy absorbing mechanism of the bumper bar, and a rigid extension panel secured to the vehicle body and positioned to present an abutting surface to a stop surface formed on the bumper cover at a position intermediate of a vertically extending part of the vehicle body and essentially coplanar with it to prevent contact between the bumper cover and the vertically extending portion of the vehicle body during impact-induced compression.

Abstract: Headlamp system for an automotive vehicle has an individual lamp for illuminating a high intensity zone and a spread zone of an image surface. The system includes a first light source having a substantially elliptical reflector for directing light to a spread light zone on an image surface and a second light source having a filament mounted in an axial direction to the length. A second reflector has a generally elliptical shape, a first focus, a second focus and a magnification. The second reflector directs light to a high intensity zone on the image surface. A light shield having a generally planar surface is mounted substantially normal to the longitudinal axis substantially at the second focus. An aspheric lens having an aperture having a width is located between the shield and image surface. The maximum magnification of the filament at the aspheric lens is substantially the width of the aperture.

Abstract: An electrostatic shutter includes an input window, an electrical contact connected to the voltage source, a metallized polymer scroll having one end electrically connected to the electrical contact, an electrically and thermally conductive heat sink selectably connected to the voltage source and so that a potential difference exists between the electrical contact and the heat sink and an electrical insulator covering the heat sink. When a sufficient voltage potential exists between the scroll and the heat sink, the scroll unrolls so that the scroll is in direct contact with the input window and thermally coupled to the heat sink through the insulator and the input window.

Abstract: An inflatable occupant restraint system for an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a body structure having a laterally extending beam and an instrument panel carried with the body structure. The occupant restraint system includes an air bag module, an aperture formed in the instrument panel which receives the air bag module, and a trim portion of the instrument panel fixedly secured to the air bag module in overlying relationship thereto for closing the aperture. The occupant restraint system further includes a latch assembly having a portion thereof directly connected to the laterally extending beam and another portion thereof directly connected to the air bag module. The latch assembly releasably secures the air bag module to the beam.