Abstract: A utility rack for a vehicle is provided. The utility rack includes a platform, at least one support rail positioned on the platform, and a plurality of storage rails connected to the at least one support rail. The plurality of storage rails have a stowed position generally parallel to the upper surface, and a deployed position generally perpendicular to the upper surface. The plurality of storage rails are arranged to pivot between the stowed position and the deployed position.

Abstract: A door for a vehicle includes a door component, a first connection that connects the door component to the vehicle and allows the door component to move along a first path, and a second connection that connects the door component to the vehicle and allows the door component to move along a second path. The second path is different from the first path.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering fuel includes a fuel pump having a fuel inlet side and a fuel outlet side, and a fuel pumping mechanism operable to draw fuel from the fuel inlet side and pressurize the fuel for transmission to the fuel outlet side. A pressure regulator relieves pressure in the fuel outlet side when such pressure exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure. The pressure regulator includes a by-pass valve, a first fuel port between the fuel outlet side and the by-pass valve, and a second fuel port between the by-pass valve and the fuel inlet side. The by-pass valve is operative, in response to a pressure in the fuel outlet side in excess of the predetermined maximum pressure, to fluidly connect the first and second ports for the return of at least a portion of the fuel from the fuel outlet side to the fuel inlet side.

Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation valve assembly is provided. The positive crankcase ventilation valve assembly includes a housing having a first end and a second end and a flow path therebetween. A positive crankcase ventilation valve is provided and positioned relative to the housing first end and in fluid communication with the housing flow path. A baffle is provided and positioned in the housing and in fluid communication with the housing flow path, wherein the baffle is arranged to allow crankcase gases to flow through the baffle and into the positive crankcase ventilation valve while preventing engine oil from traveling beyond the baffle.

Abstract: A wiper arm assembly including a primary bow and at least one secondary bow with a claw on at least one end of the secondary bow arranged to hold and guide a wiper blade. The secondary bow is rotatably attached to one end of the primary bow by means of a pivot. The wiper blade is arranged in a curved configuration such that when placed in the claws, a force is exerted on the secondary bow in a longitudinal direction of the primary bow. The primary and secondary bows contact each other by means of a projection extending from either the primary or the secondary bow, with the projection arranged to impose a force on the secondary bow in a longitudinal direction away from the primary bow.

Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle that includes an engine comprises a controller having an input for receiving an engine torque input command indicative of a desired amount of torque to be generated by the engine, and an output for providing an engine torque output command to the engine. A torque sensor is operatively connected to the engine and the controller. The torque sensor is adapted to measure torque output of the engine and to transmit a signal indicative of the measured torque to the controller. The controller is configured to adjust the engine torque output command provided to the engine using torque feedback control based on the signal received from the torque sensor.

Abstract: A starter assist device for an engine has a first rotatable member for rotating a shaft of the engine in a starting direction. The starter assist device also has a second rotatable member arranged to rotate relative to the first rotatable member in a non-starting direction, and further arranged to rotate in conjunction with the first rotatable member in the starting direction. The starter assist device includes an energy transfer assembly having a torque supply for rotating the second rotatable member in the non-starting direction and an energy storage mechanism arranged to alternately store and release a quantity of energy used when rotating the second rotatable member in the non-starting direction. The energy storage mechanism is arranged to release the quantity of energy to rotate the second rotatable member in the starting direction, thereby causing the first rotatable member to rotate the shaft of the engine.

Abstract: A method and code for controlling the operation of a deactivatable valve lifter of an internal combustion engine includes determining an oil viscosity measure based upon an engine oil pressure achieved when the engine is operating at a warm engine idle operating condition; determining a minimum oil temperature for actuator operation based on a comparison of the oil viscosity measure with a stored value representing the oil's nominal viscosity; and enabling actuator operation when an instantaneous oil temperature is not less than the minimum oil temperature.

Abstract: A gear ratio selection method for a transmission in a motor vehicle includes detecting a power request, detecting a vehicle speed of the motor vehicle, and providing an engine speed of the motor vehicle. A first desired engine speed is calculated from a first variogram using the power request and the vehicle speed. A second desired engine speed is calculated from a second variogram using the power request and the vehicle speed. A blend factor is determined from the power request, the vehicle speed, and the engine speed. Finally, a blended desired engine speed is calculated from the first desired engine speed, the second desired engine speed, and the blend factor. The blended desired engine speed is used to determine a gear ratio for the continuously variable transmission.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly has a housing and a universal joint in a chamber within the housing. A diaphragm seal in the housing forms a wall of the chamber. The chamber is substantially sealed to exclude entry of foreign elements. The diaphragm seal is flexible to allow for expansion and contraction of the chamber due to changes in temperature to prevent any substantial increase or decrease in the pressure within the chamber.

Abstract: An integrated storage arrangement for a vehicle having a cargo bed with a load floor positioned external to a passenger cab of the vehicle is provided. The storage arrangement includes an access opening positioned in the load floor of the cargo bed. A storage recess is positioned in relation to and accessible through the access opening. The storage recess includes a drain assembly and a container retention mechanism. A panel is moveably attached to the load floor of the cargo bed and is arranged to cover the access opening such that in a closed position, the cover is positioned substantially parallel to and flush with the cargo bed load floor.

Abstract: An independent suspension system is provided for coupling a set of wheels to a vehicle body structure. The system includes independently pivotable swing arms, a shock absorber assembly, a joining arm and tie rods. The swing arms are attached to the vehicle body structure and to a respective wheel and the shock absorber assembly is mounted to the vehicle structure. The shock absorber assembly includes a biasing element and a linkage coupled to the joining arm and the biasing element. The suspension system further includes a tie rod connecting each swing arm to the joining arm. The joining arm is arranged to move in a lengthwise vehicle direction under control of the biasing element in response to road input to both wheels, and rotate about an attachment point without lengthwise movement to allow the tie rods to translate in opposite lengthwise direction in response to leaning of the vehicle.

Abstract: An arrangement for expanding a cargo box of a pick-up truck vehicle is provided. The arrangement includes a wall that defines a cabin space on an internal side and a cargo box end on an external side, and the wall is arranged to be translateable from a first position to a second position. A latch mechanism is provided and attached to the wall. The latch mechanism is arranged to maintain the wall in the first position. A release mechanism is coupled to the latch mechanism and arranged to selectively release the wall from the first position such that the wall can translate into the cabin and towards a front of the vehicle to a second position and extend a length of the cargo box.

Abstract: An overhead console removably mounts to a rail system attached to a vehicle ceiling, the mounting system comprising a flange with a fixed projection on a first side, and a retractable catch on an opposing side. The fixed projection is adapted for inserting in a slot on its respective side rail. The retractable catch can be extended for insertion into a slot in its respective side rail. One embodiment of the retractable catch is a spring-loaded hook which is inserted into its slot against the bias of the spring, and engages the inside face of the slot under the force of the spring. The body of the hook bears on a lower side of the slot to hold the weight of the overhead console.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain has an engine coupled to an electronically-controlled automatic transmission. A method for controlling the vehicle powertrain during a transmission shift from a neutral gear to a drive gear detects a change in a signal indicative of a desired transmission gear change from a neutral gear to a drive gear. An engine idle speed is reduced by a predetermined RPM in response to the change in the signal. The transmission is shifted from the neutral gear into the drive gear upon the engine idle speed being reduced by the predetermined RPM.

Abstract: A seat arrangement for a cabin of a pick-up truck vehicle is provided. The seat arrangement includes a seat bottom member having a latch mechanism attached thereto. The latch mechanism is arranged to maintain the seat bottom member in a deployed seating position. A release mechanism is coupled to the latch mechanism and arranged to selectively release the seat bottom member from the deployed seating position. A track mechanism is attached to the seat bottom member and extends beyond a rear wall of the cabin into an adjoined cavity such that when the seat bottom member is selectively released, the seat bottom member can move along the track mechanism to a stowed position in the cavity adjoined to the cabin.

Abstract: An engine drive assembly includes a camshaft gear, and a first idler gear engaged with the camshaft gear. The engine drive assembly further includes a crankshaft gear engaged with the first idler gear and a second idler gear assembly engaged with the crankshaft gear. Additionally, the engine drive assembly includes a balance shaft gear engaged with the second idler gear. The crankshaft gear drives the camshaft gear via the first idler gear and the crankshaft gear drives the balance shaft gear via the second idler gear assembly.

Abstract: An evaporative emission control and leak detection system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system is in fluid communication with a fuel tank, an engine, and a carbon canister and includes an integrated valve module that is in fluid communication with the carbon canister and the atmosphere. The module provides for venting of the system when exposed to predetermined high negative and positive pressure conditions. The module includes a switch mechanism that is operable to indicate when the system is in a low negative pressure condition. The module further includes a one-way high negative pressure valve and a one-way high positive pressure valve coupled to a fluid passage that bypasses the high negative pressure valve and the switch. The high negative and high positive pressure valves are positioned in a stacked arrangement along a common axis in the valve module.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket for an engine is provided. The gasket includes an opening positioned in a gasket substrate and arranged to align with an engine oiling circuit passage to allow oil to flow from a cylinder block through the gasket to a cylinder head. The gasket further includes a filter element attached to the gasket relative to the opening and arranged to provide a barrier to debris in the oiling circuit.

Abstract: A cylinder deactivation arrangement for an engine is provided. The arrangement includes an engine with main oiling circuit passages and lifter oil gallery control circuit passages formed internal to a cylinder block of the engine. The lifter oil gallery control circuit is arranged so as to provide an oil flow path internal to the cylinder block from the main oiling circuit to the deactivating lifter. A lifter is positioned in the cylinder block and arranged in fluid communication with the lifter oil gallery control circuit. A control valve is positioned in the cylinder block and arranged in fluid communication with the main oiling circuit and the lifter oil gallery control circuit. The control valve is arranged to allow selective fluid communication of oil from the main oiling circuit to the lifter oil gallery control circuit to selectively control actuation of the lifter.