Abstract: The apparatus includes at least one net member having opposed surfaces and the mounting surface includes one of a plurality of hook members and a plurality of loop members. One of the surfaces of the at least one net member includes the other of the plurality of hook members and the plurality of loop members. The at least one net member is operable to be alternately removed from and attached to the mounting surface and retain objects to the mounting surface. The net member is operable to be mounted to the mounting surface in a stowed position to provide a smooth appearance on the mounting surface when not retaining an object.

Abstract: A powder paint canister assembly includes a canister body having a color changer manifold, a purge ring, and at least one venturi pump attached thereto. The canister body interior includes a fluidization plate and a fluidization distribution plate adjacent a preferably oval inlet to the venturi pump for supplying powder material from the canister. The color changer manifold includes a plurality of manifold modules each having two pinch valve assemblies with quick disconnect inlet fittings for supplying powders of different colors. The purge air ring supplies purge air to the canister through a plurality of apertures of different orientations.

Abstract: A hollow beam for incorporation in an automotive vehicle frame is useful as a transmission cross member extending between side rails of the automotive vehicle frame. The hollow beam has first and second U-shaped channels, each comprising a base wall and a pair of side walls extending transversely from the base wall. The channel members are made of a thermosetting polyester which is reinforced with glass fibers. The side walls of the second channel are received within the sidewalls of the first channel and adhered thereto with epoxy to form a rigid, relatively light weight beam. The beam has figure-8 shaped aluminum inserts proximate the ends thereof for attaching the beam to the side rails of the automotive vehicle frame.

Abstract: A heat shield and gasket assembly has three members including a first heat shield, a second heat shield, and a gasket. Each of the members has a flange portion and the flange portion of the gasket is sandwiched between the flanges of the two heat shields. The flange portion of the gasket is thinner than the flange portions of the heat shields. The thinness of the gasket flange permits it to engage threaded assembly fasteners without compromising the thread integrity of the fasteners.

Abstract: A vehicle-motion based vehicle theft detection device uses preexisting vehicle motion sensors in combination with an engine immobilizer system to detect and deter potential vehicle theft. Depending on whether or not a valid ignition key is in use, the engine immobilizer system sends signals to an electronic module to enter either a “disarmed” or “armed” state. When a vehicle sensor relays a signal to an electronic module, the electronic module determines, based on this signal, if the vehicle is in motion. If a valid key is in use, the electronic module is in a disarmed state and takes no further action, as the motor vehicle is authorized for motion. If, however, a valid key is not in use, the electronic module is in an armed state, and activates the vehicle alarm system which, in turn, may activate an audible or visual alarm, activate a remote notification device, generate a tracking signal, and/or store evidence of unauthorized vehicle motion in memory.

Abstract: A time-based audio verification system used to verify the correct installation of an audio system in a vehicle is based on the principle that the distances between a pick-up microphone and each speaker within the vehicle are different. Sound travels at a constant rate, and the wave is measured that provides the time it takes the sound emanating from each speaker to travel to the microphone. Once it is determined where in the wave each speaker is located, the presence of each speaker in the vehicle can be determined. Additionally, the level of each speaker in the curve can be analyzed to determine individual speaker output quality.

Abstract: A sealer tape and clip assembly in accordance with the present invention is adapted to be disposed in a recess, defined by at least one interior surface. The assembly includes a sealer tape member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposed side surfaces. An aperture extends through the upper surface and the lower surface, and is disposed between but does not extend through the opposed side surfaces. A clip body includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The intermediate portion of the clip body is disposed in the aperture, the upper portion of the clip body engages the upper surface of the sealer tape member, and the lower portion of the clip body engages the lower surface of the sealer tape member. The sealer tape member sealingly bonds with the interior surface of the recess to secure the assembly in the recess.

Abstract: Headlamp assemblies utilize a solid optical body made of glass or another heat resistant, light transmissive material. The solid optical body has an axially positioned cavity therethrough which receives a bulb that injects light through a cylindrical wall of the cavity into the optical body. In order to reflect light from the bulb, the optical body has a rear surface which is coated with a reflecting material, such as aluminize or a dichroic material. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention in which a plastic lens is used, the optical body is made of glass with a dichroic coating configured so that the infrared component of light from the bulb is transmitted through the dichroic coating and emitted through the rear of the optical body. This reduces transmission of heat from the bulb to the plastic lens so that the lens can be positioned closer to the optical body, which decreases the fore/aft extent of the headlamp assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying multi-color powder paint material to an applicator in which at least one canister is used. This invention can be utilized with multiple or with a single color of powder paint material. The preferred system includes two canisters that alternate in supplying powder to the applicator. While one canister supplies powder to the applicator, the other canister is purged of the previous material and filled with the next material to be sprayed. The canister has an interior sized to store a predetermined quantity of powder material. During operation, a powder transfer pump and a color changer transfer powder material from a storage container/hopper to the canister interior. A venturi pump then supplies the applicator with powder. After the object is painted, purge air is opened and the canister is purged of the previous material. The canister is then ready to start another cycle.

Abstract: An auxiliary fuel dispensing system includes an auxiliary fuel pump disposed in a vehicle fuel tank. An auxiliary dispensing tube is connected at one end to the auxiliary fuel pump and at another end to an auxiliary dispensing location on the vehicle. One end of a fuel delivery hose is releasably connected to the end of the tube at the auxiliary dispensing location. Another end of the hose has a dispensing nozzle attached thereto. A means for selectively activating the pump is operable to pump fuel from the fuel tank, through the tube and the hose, and out the nozzle.

Abstract: A vehicle body has a first body portion forming an enclosed passenger compartment that includes a roof having a panel opening and a rear window opening. A rear window is fixed in a frame that is hingedly attached to the first body portion. A rigid roof panel is hingedly attached to the frame, forming a roof assembly that is movable between a storage position and a closed position. The roof assembly closes the panel opening and the rear window opening in the closed position. A second body portion forms a storage compartment external to the passenger compartment and is open adjacent the rear window opening. The roof assembly is movable to the storage position in the storage compartment, exposing the passenger compartment to outside air through the panel opening and the rear window opening.

Abstract: The present invention is a door sealing assembly for sealing a vehicle door to a body. The door includes a frameless door glass and a mirror patch adjacent a front edge of the door glass. The assembly includes a first seal member that is adapted to be attached to the vehicle body and sealingly engages the mirror patch, and a second seal member that is adapted to be attached to the vehicle body and sealingly engages the door glass. A third seal member is adapted to be attached to the mirror patch and sealingly engages the door glass and the second seal member.

Abstract: An HVAC duct is mounted within a pillar providing a frame element of a framing structure defining a passenger compartment of a vehicle such as a van, an SUV or a station wagon. The HVAC duct is stabilized within the pillar by a layer of structural foam or other cellular structure which is adhered to the interior surface of a wall of the pillar, for example, by heat expanded epoxy adhesive. In a method of assembling the HVAC duct and pillar, the duct is mounted on an interior wall portion of the pillar prior to enclosing the duct in the pillar by welding an exterior wall portion of the pillar to the interior wall portion of the pillar. Upon heating the pillar to bake the frame assembly after painting the frame assembly, the heat expandable epoxy expands and adheres to interior surfaces of the pillar walls. The resulting structure reduces structural intrusion into the passenger compartment by the duct and pillar assemblage, while increasing the cross-sectional area of the pillar.

Abstract: A method of joining tubular members together includes the steps of providing an internal tubular member, providing an external tubular member, and heating the external tubular member and/or cooling the internal tubular member. The method also includes the steps of joining the internal tubular member and second tubular member together to form an overlap region of a joined tubular member, and positioning the joined tubular member between open die halves mating with one another to define a tubular cavity portion. The method includes the steps of progressively closing the die halves to progressively deform the joined tubular member within the tubular cavity portion. The method includes the steps of applying hydraulic pressure to expand and conform the joined tubular member to the tubular cavity portion. The method also includes the steps of separating the die halves and removing the expanded joined tubular member from the die.

Abstract: A location control mechanism includes a striker having a preferably spherically shaped lock ball and a pair of mutually adjacent socket rollers, each socket roller having a complementing preferably hemispherically shaped semi-socket which collectively provide a single preferably spherically shaped lock socket when the rollers are appropriately rotated relative to each other. The striker is connected to a first component and the socket rollers are rotatably mounted to a second component, wherein the first and second components are positionally located relative to each other by action of the lock ball being trapped in the lock socket formed when the socket rollers have been appropriately rotated.

Abstract: A supplemental inflatable restraint system includes an air bag for use in a vehicle to restrain an occupant. The air bag is folded and may be placed in a steering wheel cover such that inflation of the air bag causes the air bag to be deployed from the cover by unfolding to define a substantially vertical contact surface for initial contact with the vehicle occupant. The air bag is folded into a modified fan/accordion configuration with terminal folds nested between intermediate folds so that the terminal folds escape before the intermediate folds. During inflation, the air bag unfolds upwardly and downwardly so that the substantially vertical contact surface is substantially parallel to a torso of the occupant.

Abstract: A hydrotapping power unit is disclosed that is operable to position and hold a hydrotapping tool in a home position adjacent a part while the part is being hydroformed in a die cavity, to then advance the tool to pierce a hole in the hydroformed part while the part remains in the die cavity and under pressure and then continue to advance the tool to inwardly extrude the part about the hole, to then further advance while also rotating the tool so that the tool is fed at a feed rate equal to the thread pitch of the tool to thereby form a thread in the pierced hole, and finally to retract while also rotating the tool but in the reverse direction and at the same feed rate to release the tool from the threaded hole.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for lifting and lowering a component of an automobile body that is hingedly and releasably attached to the automobile body at first and second attachment points. The lifting apparatus includes an extension member having first and second ends that is operable to move from a normally retracted position to an extended position. The first end of the extension member is pivotally attached to the component at a third attachment point and the second end of the extension member is pivotally attached to the automobile body. An actuator is operable to extend and retract the extension member. When a one of the first and second attachment points is released, the extension member moves from the retracted position to the extended position and moves the component to an open position about the other of the first and second attachment points.

Abstract: An endgate for a pickup truck includes a lower portion movably mountable with respect to the body of the pickup truck. An upper portion of the endgate is movably mounted with respect to the lower portion to selectively alter the height of the endgate for improving access to the cargo bed of the pickup truck. The endgate preferably includes gooseneck hinges to pivotably interconnect the lower portion and the upper portion, and an electric latch and striker to selectively prevent their relative movement.

Abstract: A cargo cover storage system for a vehicle that has a cargo bay that is at least partially defined by opposing sidewalls includes first and second rigid cover members adapted to cooperate with each other to at least partially cover and at least partially uncover the cargo bay. The cargo cover storage system further includes first and second bracket assemblies connectable and disconnectable from one of the sidewalls and configured to attach the cover members to one of the sidewalls in a stored position in which the cargo bay is at least partially uncovered. Preferably, the first and second cover members are not touching each other when in the stored position. A third cover member and third and fourth bracket assemblies may also be included within the cargo cover storage system. A method of storing a cargo cover is also provided.