Abstract: A vehicle body structure having improved roof support characteristics is provided. The structure includes a roof rail integral to an A-pillar and a support pillar. The structure further includes a cross member. The A-pillar includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall therebetween. The roof rail extends downwardly at a front end of the roof rail and extends downwardly at a rear end of the roof rail. The roof rail is integral to a one piece hollow A-pillar at the front end of the roof rail. The support pillar also includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall therebetween. The support pillar also includes a tubular lower section that extends upwardly from the rocker. The upper section of the support pillar is integral to the rear end of the roof rail.

Abstract: A vehicle structural arrangement 10 is provided which provides improved roof strength and controlled energy absorption when a load is imposed on the roof structure 60. The vehicle structural arrangement includes an inner panel 12, an outer panel 14 and at least one bridge member 16 having a first region 32, a second region 34, and a middle region 36. The middle region 36 may be disposed between and is integral to the first region 32 and the second region 34. The first region 32 of the middle portion abuts the inner panel and the second region 34 of the middle portion abuts the outer panel.

Abstract: A structure for transferring energy during an automotive front end impact includes an upper load path structure having a first shotgun rail a second shotgun rail and an upper radiator bar extending therebetween, a lower load path structure having a first side rail a second side rail and a lower support member extending therebetween. During an impact, the upper radiator bar is configured to transfer energy to the first and second shotgun rails, and the lower support member is configured to transfer energy to the first and second side rails during an impact.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seat row arrangement for a vehicle, comprising two outer seats (5) and a central seat (4). It is defined in that the central seat (4d) can be displaced forward and/or rearward from the normal position between the two outer seats (5d) into a front and/or a rear seat position. It is thus possible for the vehicle occupants in the seat row to obtain more comfortable seat positions, which are offset in the longitudinal direction. The effect is produced immediately on displacing the central seat (4d), since the shoulders of the vehicle occupants are now no longer arranged in a row. Because the vehicle occupants are now no longer sitting directly shoulder to shoulder, the vehicle occupants have greater shoulder room and there is an immediate increase in their freedom of movement and feeling of space in the offset seat position.

Abstract: An automotive body includes a floor pan and a door for accessing a passenger compartment, a cross member attached to the floor pan and extending laterally under the floor pan, and a longitudinally extending frame rail underlying the floor and cross member. A flexible tensile member fastened between the frame rail and the cross member arrests lateral displacement of the door relative to the frame rail resulting from side impact upon the door.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying a rear cargo compartment of an automotive vehicle includes a decklid capable of enclosing for storage the vehicle's backlite. With or without to backlite enclosed within the decklid, the decklid may remain attached to the vehicle in its conventional position, may be moved to a stowage location within the vehicle, or may be detached from the automotive vehicle entirely and stowed in an external location.

Abstract: A lightweight windshield wiper installation system is provided wherein the system includes a re-usable mounting device in combination with a lightweight windshield wiper assembly which does not require a connecting member. The mounting device includes a mounting arm having a first end and a second end, a first retaining means, a second retaining means. The lightweight windshield wiper installation system may further include an arm linkage, and a release handle. The mounting arm is operative to position a lightweight windshield wiper system onto a vehicle which is removably attached to the mounting arm via the first retaining means and the second retaining means. The release handle cooperates with the first retaining means and the second retaining means via an arm linkage to hold and release the lightweight windshield wiper system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a convertible ladder and load platform including a vehicle articulating roof rack system having a selectively removable portion operable between a stowed roof mounted position and a slideably and pivotally repositionable back end mounted position, a stationary bottom portion received by the selectively removable portion of the articulating roof rack system, a removable top portion received by the stationary bottom portion, a frame received by the stationary bottom portion, and a plurality of rotatable steps operable between a vertically oriented ladder position and a horizontally oriented load platform position received by the frame.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a rear body opening that is closed by an upwardly-pivoting liftgate assembly that itself defines, when in a closed position, a secondary opening whose lowermost portion achieves a height on the vehicle significantly below the vehicle's beltline. The liftgate assembly also includes a pivotally-mounted liftglass assembly for closing the secondary opening, thereby permitting limited access through the secondary opening into an interior space of the vehicle. When the liftglass assembly is in its closed position, the lowermost edge of the liftglass assembly extends downwardly on the vehicle to a height significantly lower than the vehicle beltline. A raised feature of the liftglass assembly, preferably having a color and surface finish that is coordinated with a painted body surface, defines a step that is substantially aligned with the vehicle beltline to thereby aesthetically substantially continue the vehicle beltline across the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an automotive frame assembly (10) includes an inner rail (12) having an exterior side (26) and an interior side (30). First, the exterior side (26) of the inner rail (12) has fixedly attached thereto at least one flange (24) extending from a cross member (20). At least one two-sided fastener (28) is operatively applied to the exterior side (26) and the interior side (30) of the inner rail (12) so as to fixedly attach the flange (24) to the inner rail (12). Thereafter, the interior side (30) of the inner rail (12) has fixedly attached thereto at least one lip (32) extending from an outer rail (12″). Likewise, at least one two-sided fastener (28) is operatively applied to the exterior side (26) and the interior side (30) of the inner rail so as to fixedly attach the lip (32) to the inner rail (12).

Abstract: An extruded bumper for a vehicle includes a top face, a bottom face generally opposing the top face, a front face, and a rear face generally opposing the front face. A bumper interior cavity is generally bounded by and defined between the top face, the bottom face, the front face, and the rear face. The bumper interior cavity has at least one partition located therein which is aligned in a longitudinal plane defined by a vehicle rail. The bumper can be extruded along either the x-axis or the z-axis.

Abstract: A cupholder assembly forms the forward support edge of an automotive vehicle seat. The cupholder assembly includes a lid member that is pivotally movable into a opened, operative position in which the lid member is positioned to rest on the floor carpet immediately beneath the cupholder to minimize vibrations and to provide support therefor. The cupholder assembly is formed with a breakaway hinge incorporating a stop mechanism to cease the rotation of the cupholder when the lid member is moved into the operative position. A three-tiered container holder structure accommodates a wide variety of sizes of cups, mugs and other drink containers. Once the lid member is pivoted into the open, operative position, an open support area of sufficient size to accommodate fast food containers is exposed immediately behind the container holders.

Abstract: An energy absorbing steering wheel is provided which reduces a vehicle occupant's injury in a collision. The energy absorbing steering wheel includes an armature, an inner foam member, a first plurality of exterior layers, and optionally a second plurality of exterior layers. The armature is mounted onto a steering column and is operative to provide a rigid steering wheel structure. The inner foam member surrounds the armature and has a first side and a second side. The first plurality of exterior layers is disposed on the first side of the inner foam member. The second plurality of exterior layers disposed on the second side of the inner foam member. The second plurality of exterior layers may be slidably engaged to the first plurality of exterior layers. Moreover, the first and second plurality of exterior layers define a plurality of apertures for disengaging the exterior layers upon impact with a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate limiter system for a vehicle includes a cargo bed, a tailgate pivotally attached to the cargo bed operable between a closed vertical position and a deployed horizontal position, a fixed pin having a head portion and a base portion, and a slotted bracket having a middle portion and end portions adapted to receive the pin when the tailgate is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A vehicle rack which supports different accessory having mounting pegs on a pickup truck bed is provided. The vehicle rack includes a plurality of retaining arms wherein each of the plurality of retaining arms are received within a stake pocket of the pickup truck bed. The invention further includes a panel and a locking member where the panel is integral with the plurality of retaining arms and may extend along a side wall of the pickup truck. The panel defines a plurality of apertures for receiving the mounting pegs of the at least one accessory. The locking member is moveably affixed to the panel, and has a plurality of obstructions which partial close the openings of the plurality of apertures when the locking member is slid into a locked position.

Abstract: A multiple configuration bulkhead for a cargo vehicle including an operator space having a seat with a seat back, a cargo space having a predetermined width and height adjacent the operator space, a stationary portion therebetween extending substantially the width and height of the cargo space having a cut out portion, and a removable upper portion detachably carried by the cut out portion of the stationary portion.

Abstract: An opening tool is provided for separating an outer panel of a tailgate, decklid, door or the like from an interior panel in a repair process. The opening tool may work in conjunction with a closing tool which operates to re-secure the outer panel to the interior panel once the necessary repairs have been completed. The removal tool includes a mounting arm, a blade, a shoulder and optionally, a scratch resistor. The mounting arm may be adaptable to be mounted upon an air hammer. Upon removal of the outer door panel, the blade is wedged between the outer door panel and the interior door panel. The blade is integral to the mounting arm and the shoulder. As the blade travels along the hem flange in the removal process, the shoulder maintains the position of the blade as it separates the outer door panel from the interior door panel.

Abstract: A cargo bed storage trunk for a vehicle including a cargo bed having a back end, a tailgate pivotally attached to the back end operable between a closed vertical position and an opened position, and a panel situated inside the cargo bed operable between a closed horizontal position and an opened position.