Abstract: A hinge assembly normally limits pivotal movement of a door within a first range and selectively permits pivotal movement of the door within a second, larger range. The hinge assembly includes a body hinge member fixedly attached to a frame and a door hinge member fixedly attached to the associated door. The body hinge member and the door hinge member are pivotally interconnected. The hinge assembly further includes a latch mechanism which normally limits pivotal movement of the door within the first range. Manual urging of the latch member to a release position selectively permits the door to be pivoted beyond the first range. The latching member is operable to automatically return to its latched position in response to closing of the door.

Abstract: A window assembly for a motor vehicle includes a window frame adapted to removably mount to a lower door assembly. The window assembly further includes a mounting arrangement for removably attaching the window frame to the lower door assembly such that substantially vertical translation of the window frame is required to remove the window frame. The window assembly further includes a stop surface which is carried by the motor vehicle. The stop surface is adapted to oppose vertical translation of the window frame when the lower door assembly is in the closed position. In one form, the stop surface is defined by a removable door frame assembly.

Abstract: A multi-functional vehicle door system includes a common lower door adapted to selectively cooperate with one of a door cassette and a side curtain assembly. The common lower door defines a cavity which opens adjacent an upper surface of the common lower door. The door cassette includes a frame defining a window opening and a lower portion adapted to be substantially inserted into the cavity of the common lower door. The side curtain assembly includes a frame and a flexible window. The frame includes a plurality of downwardly extending locating pins. One of the locating pins is adapted to engage an aperture provided in the upper surface of the common lower door. The other locating pins are adapted to engage apertures provided in a trim plug removably insertable into the opening of the common lower door.

Abstract: An energy absorbing mounting arrangement for a seat belt includes an anchorage assembly attached to a mounting plate. A D-ring is attached to the anchorage assembly and is operative for receiving a shoulder belt portion of the seat belt webbing. The anchorage assembly is preferably attached to the mounting plate at attachment points which are spaced apart on the mounting plate and are adapted to displace in an outboard direction when the anchorage assembly is subjected to a predetermined compression load. In one embodiment, the mounting plate is fixably attached to an inner side of the B-pillar and is formed to include a boss portion which passes through an aperture in the B-pillar. A fastener, such as a bolt, interconnects the anchorage assembly and the boss portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring a child seat within a motor vehicle includes an anchorage bar having a pair of child seat connector portions located at the seat bight of a seating unit for a motor vehicle. The seat connection portions are carried by an anchorage bar which is pivotally interconnected to mounting brackets which connect a seat back of the vehicle seat to the floor pan. The anchorage bar is upwardly pivoted.

Abstract: A tool for aligning a striker with a latch for a door on a motor vehicle includes a base member and a striker setter positioned perpendicular to an end of the base member. The tool also includes a suction cup for holding the tool onto the vehicle, and a latch setter extending outwardly from an end of the base member. The alignment tool further includes a striker lead-in at one end of the striker setter for positioning the striker relative to the latch.

Abstract: A body side sill molding attachment for a motor vehicle includes a main body portion, first flange and a second flange. The first flange upwardly extends and includes a plurality of ribs adapted to frictionally engage an inboard side of a downwardly extending flange of a motor vehicle sill. The second flange longitudinally extends along an upper edge of the main body portion and includes a plurality of apertures adapted to align with a corresponding plurality of slots provided in the motor vehicle sill. Each of the apertures and associated slots are adapted to align and receive a mechanical fastener for securing an upper edge of the body side sill molding attachment to the vehicle.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly for a motor vehicle is adapted to store a plurality of compact discs. The sun visor assembly includes a central core and an outer fabric cover. The outer fabric cover surrounds the central core. The outer fabric cover includes an upper fabric member having a continuous length. The upper fabric member is folded over on itself to define a plurality of shingled pockets. Each pocket includes an opening for receiving one of the plurality of compact discs.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connection to a fuel injector in a motor vehicle includes a terminal insulator having at least one passage to receive at least one box terminal staked wire and a connector position assurance member cooperating with the terminal insulator to detect and indicate an unmated condition of the terminal insulator to a mating connector of the fuel injector wherein the connector position assurance member includes a preload stop finger engageable with the terminal insulator to prevent the connector position assurance member from prematurely locking to the mating connector.

Abstract: A hose for transporting a fluid through a controlled bend and method of using same. In one application, the hose is adapted for incorporation into an automotive vehicle and has a generally straight portion and a bent portion. The bent portion is capable of maintaining a 90 degree bend without causing an "S" shape and provides a visually pleasing appearance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a steel stud to an aluminum member is disclosed. An aluminum member comprising a bore is provided, along with a steel stud, the stud comprising a tapered portion. An aluminum collar comprising a tapered bore for receiving the tapered portion of the stud is provided and placed proximate to the member such that the bores are aligned. The collar is secured to the member, via tack welding and the stud is inserted through the collar and the member such that the tapered portion of the stud engages with the tapered bore of the collar. A device is then attached to the end of the stud.

Abstract: A one piece topwell assembly that is attached to a structure of a automobile and receives a retracted convertible top is provided. The one piece topwell assembly comprises a needled fabric and a lightweight thermoplastic affixed to the needled fabric, with a tertiary spun bonded polyester laminate, and the needled fabric and lightweight thermoplastic and tertiary spun bonded polyester laminate shaped to form the one piece topwell assembly that is attached to the structure of the automobile and receives the retracted convertible top.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for selectively securing a movable panel to a stationary member. The latching mechanism includes a latch for attachment to the movable panel and a striker for attachment to the stationary member. The latch includes an actuation arm having a blade and a base plate defining an aperture. The striker includes a post having a bulbous end disposable in the aperture and a slot extending inwardly from the bulbous end. The actuation arm is coupled to the base plate for movement between an engaged position where the blade is operably disposed in the slot and a released position where the blade is operably removed from the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing undesirable powder accumulation on an electrostatic powder coating device is provided. The apparatus includes a pneumatic source for generating a pneumatic supply. The pneumatic supply is received and distributed by a pneumatic distribution device which provides the pneumatic supply to a pneumatic diffuser. The pneumatic diffuser directs a pneumatic stream at the electrostatic coating device such that undesirable powder accumulation on the electrostatic powder coating device is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for positioning a latch assembly and a striker on a motor vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus is designed to improve the fit of the tailgate to the side walls or truck body. A good fit is defined as the outer surface of the tailgate and the outer surface of the side wall being coplanar when the tailgate is in the closed position. The apparatus, by way of a first formation and first locating element, determines the position of the latch assembly with respect to outer surface of the tailgate. The apparatus, by way of a second formation and second locating element, also determines the location of the striker with respect to the outer surface of the side walls. The apparatus, by way of a body member, also determines the position of the striker with respect to the latch assembly and vice versa. By setting the latch assembly and the striker by the above relations, build variances of the tailgate and of the truck body are eliminated as a possible cause for a poor fit.

Abstract: A top system includes a hard top which may be operatively installed over a folded soft top. The top system allows delivery of both the hard top and the soft top to the customer. Additionally, the top system allows for an expanded range of uses of the associated motor vehicle. The owner/user can have the hard top on for greater comfort and less noise on long trips and on arrival, take the hard top off and have the soft top for local use with the benefit of open air driving. The soft top is ready to be moved to its operative position or retained in the stored position for available protection from the element from adverse weather conditions. The ability of the top system to allow the hard top to be operatively installed over the folded soft top is made possible largely in part due to the several unique aspects. For example, the soft top folds back and is contained within the boundaries of the body side of the motor vehicle and the tailgate area while having a low stack height.

Abstract: An apparatus for engaging a slotted pin comprising a cylindrical member defining a cylindrical axial pin bore and two tab slots spaced 180.degree. apart, the slots for a portion of their length connecting through the member to the bore, engaging tabs pivotally connected in the tab slots, means for biasing the tab members outwardly from the tab slots, and means for causing engagement of the tabs with the slots of a slotted pin inserted into the bore.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for determining the location of rows of seedlings planted during agricultural production is provided. The apparatus senses the position of a planting machine 102 during a planting operation. The apparatus transforms the planting machine position to seedling row locations and creates a database of the locations.In another aspect of the present invention, a method for determining the location of row of seedlings planted during agricultural production is provided. The method includes the steps of planting seedlings using a planting machine, sensing the position the planting machine and transforming the machine position to seedling row locations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method determines the position of a point on a work implement attached to and movable relative to a mobile machine. The apparatus includes a site coordinate system position sensor mounted on the mobile machine, a ground speed sensor mounted on the mobile machine, an implement position sensor mounted on the mobile machine and coupled to the work implement, and a pitch sensor mounted on the machine.

Abstract: An improved seat belt latchplate having a plurality or ribs in a web-guiding slot for resisting, roping and twisting of a seat belt webbing.