Abstract: A seat adjuster includes upper and lower track members having interfitting U-shape cross-section side portions which are slidably guided relative to each other by runners of low friction plastic material. The track members are slidably supported relative to each other by a shoe of the same material. A latch member includes a U-shaped locking portion which is receivable within slots in the side portions of the upper track member and a pair of a plurality of slots in the lower track member to releasably lock the track members to each other. Seat mounting brackets have hook shaped portions which are hooked to the base wall of the upper track member to releasably secure the brackets thereto. The brackets support a vehicle seat on the upper track member. One of the brackets has provisions for mounting seat belt restraints thereto with the loads imposed on the upper track member by such restraints being resisted by the interfitting side portions of the track members.

Abstract: A composite trim foundation panel of densified wood fibers and resin and a molded-in clip wherein the clip includes a base portion provided with outwardly flared segmented fingers which project from the inner surface thereof into the panel with the fingers and the base portion being both adhesively and mechanically bonded to the panel during densification of the panel in a mold. The clip also includes a return bent portion spaced from the base and provided with a slot for receiving the head of a fastener to mount the panel and clip to a vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle body sealing arrangement includes a primary weatherstrip having a carrier mounted to a door frame pinchweld and a weatherstrip mounted to the carrier and sealing against the inner wall of the door. A closeout strip includes a base portion releasably mounted to the carrier and a deflectable lip portion which engages the trim panel in the inner wall of the door to conceal the weatherstrip and the portion of the inner panel between the termination of the trim panel and such weatherstrip.

Abstract: A latch release arrangement for vehicle bodies which includes drive and driven members interconnected by a flexible cable for conjoint rotation. A key operated member releases the first latch directly or actuates the drive member to release the second latch through the driven member. An actuator can also operate the drive member to release the second latch through the driven member.

Abstract: Modular male and female drawbead structures comprise wafers of varying thickness which abut each other and are longitudinally wholly or partially aligned relative to each other in respective slots of die binders. The male structure has a body portion including a base wall and side walls which match and are spaced from like walls of a respective slot. A bead portion projects from an outer wall of the body portion and is joined thereby across concave shoulders. The female structure has a body portion including a base wall seating on the matching base wall of a respective slot and side walls which match and are spaced from like walls of a respective slot. A groove portion in the outer wall of the female module interfits with the bead portion and is joined to such outer wall by convex shoulders which match the concave shoulders.

Abstract: A vehicle body lamp mounting arrangement wherein a vehicle body lamp assembly includes linear retention flanges on its upper and lower walls which engage behind and in face to face relationship with linear retention flanges of a body lamp opening to releasably retain the lamp assembly within the opening against movement outboard thereof.

Abstract: A coating of viscous lubricant, such as silicone, is applied to the inner surface of a vehicle windshield after the onset of vehicle impact with an obstacle exceeding a predetermined level. The coating provides a lubricant film between the pieces of the fractured inner layer of the windshield and the head of an occupant should the occupant engage and fracture the windshield.

Abstract: A seat slide structure which includes upper and lower tracks, each formed of a pair of complementary opposite hand track members. The track members of the upper track interfit with the track members of the lower track and are normally interengaged therewith through a plastic spacer between the tracks. Occupancy of a seat supported by the slide structure compresses the spacer to release the upper track for movement relative to the lower track. The upper track is driven relative to the lower track by means of a gear housed between the members thereof and engageable with gear teeth of the spacer. Screwjack mechanisms are housed between the members of the upper track to support a seat thereon for vertical adjustment. The upper track members also support a gear mechanism to adjust the inclination of a seat back supported on the upper track.

Abstract: A vertical seat adjuster for vehicle seats includes a seat support bracket. The rear portion of the bracket is supported on the vehicle by a lever which is rotatable through a screwjack mechanism to raise and lower the rear portion of the bracket. The front portion of the bracket is likewise supported on the vehicle by a rotatable lever. The front portion of the bracket mounts a pair of lock plates which are movable between engaged and released positions with respect to a detent mounted to the vehicle in order to lock the front portion of the bracket against movement. Each lock plate includes a series of alternating notches and abutments, with the notches and abutments of the locking plates being offset with respect to the other whereby the notch of one lock plate engages the detent to lock the bracket against movement while the abutment of the other engages the detent to maintain the other lock plate in released position.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for upper and lower track members of a seat slide includes a flexible elongate member which is bowed by engagement with a longitudinal rib of the upper track member to engage roller end portions of the elongate member with flanges of the lower track member when the seat is unoccupied and engage bearing means between flanges of the track members to locate the components of the seat slide in rattle free relationship. When the seat is occupied, the upper track member is shifted downwardly to engage the roller end portions of the elongate member with the upper track member and provide rollers slidably supporting the upper track member on the lower track member.

Abstract: A seat slide structure includes upper and lower track members having U-shaped leg portions which interfit with each other. The track members are spaced and laterally located by plastic slides which fit between the base of the upper track member and the bights of the legs of the lower track member. A locking plate is vertically movable within the upper track member and includes spaced pairs of locking portions engageable with spaced pairs of locking notches in the bights of the legs of the lower track member to provide a dual latch locking the upper track member in a horizontal position relative to the lower track member. The latch member is releasably biased to locked position and is released by a locking lever engageable therewith upon pivoting movement of the lever relative to the upper track member.

Abstract: A fastener for interconnecting a door lock operating lever and an actuating rod includes two abutting members of plastic material interlocked with each other. The members cooperatively provide a longitudinally extending cylindrical cavity receiving the rod. One of the members has an integral extension which is releasably secured to the operating lever whereby the fastener interconnects the rod and the lever.

Abstract: A release arrangement for releasing the detent of a latch for an exterior vehicle body closure from the inside of the body. The release arrangement includes a manually operable pivotal handle connected by a cable to an auxiliary release lever for the detent and a pull handle also connected to the release lever by another cable. The pivotal handle is mounted to a support within the body and the pull handle is releasably stored on the support. Separate housings of a common sheath house the cables.

Abstract: A tilting seat back is mounted on a vehicle by a first hinge member which is pivoted to a second vehicle mounted hinge member. The first hinge member includes a plurality of teeth and a pawl mounted on the second hinge member is engageable with each of the teeth. The first hinge member holds the pawl in the path of one tooth when the seat back is in the upright position for engagement of the tooth with the pawl upon inertia actuated movement of the seat back to a tilted position. The pawl is released and positioned adjacent the rotative path of the other teeth for inertia actuated movement into engagement with the other teeth when the seat back is in a partially tilted position.

Abstract: Tire power loss is reduced in a vehicle wheel by coating the portion of the rim exposed to the interior inflated cavity of the tire and the opposite portion of the rim exposed to ambient with a coating of low thermal conductivity material covered by a coating of low emissivity. Further reductions in tire power loss can be obtained by coating the portions of the wheel disc exposed to ambient with the same material.