Abstract: The invention proposes an arrangement of a motor vehicle front-end unit made of a plastics material on the vehicle body. The front-end unit is comprised of a bumper having a radiator grille integrally formed thereon and is force-lockingly retained on a body support frame at, at least, two lower and three upper mounting points in the region of the longitudinal body support member, and an upper cross member interconnecting the wheel wells in holes and oblong apertures, respectively.

Abstract: A pre-assembled module for the cockpit zone of a motor vehicle, especially a passenger car, which is adapted to be mounted as one single unit inside the vehicle body and which incorporates essentially the following components: an instrument board including all instruments and accessories commonly contained therein, fuse box and electric wiring, heater with controls and air distribution system; furthermore a steering system including steering wheel, steering column enclosure and steering support means; also pedals for clutch and brake, including mounting brackets. The vehicle body includes a fire wall and fire wall support member to which the aforementioned components and accessories are connected when in the installed position. The fire wall and fire wall support member are separated from the body shell and serve as an assembly base for the unit. In the installed position, the fire wall and fire wall support member are sealingly connected with the respective adjacent body panels.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an automotive vehicle having a preassembled module for the cockpit region thereof. The preassembled module includes a base which forms the fire wall of the vehicle and to which engine compartment accessories are preassembled, and a dashboard mounted to the base and to which passenger compartment accessories are preassembled. The module is connected to the vehicle by lowering the same through the windshield of the vehicle. The module at its ends and the side pillars of the vehicle have complementary mounting plate means which cooperate with each other to automatically center the module on the vehicle and the module is connected to the vehicle via mounting bolts which extend transversely of the vehicle and which connect the mounting plate means together.

Abstract: A window arrangement including a vertically adjustable window which is disposed flush with the adjacent body panels providing simplified manufacture and assembly and improved retention of the window sealing and guide strip in the window frame. For this purpose, the window sealing strip and the window guide strip are in the form of separate elongate elastic members. Each elongate elastic member is of a cross-sectional configuration that includes an essentially triangular hollow portion, one side of which being adapted for insertion into a channel of the window frame so as to be retained therein by compression.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a vehicle deck lid is disclosed. The hinge assembly includes a stationary hinge member, a hinge strap secured to the deck lid and pivotally connected to the stationary hinge member, a lever pivotally supported by the hinge member at a location spaced from the pivotal connection of the hinge strap, a torsion rod for biasing the lever into engagement with a roller rotatably carried by the hinge strap, the lever having a cam surface and the torsion rod having a bias such that it causes the deck lid to be automatically raised at a controlled rate upon the deck lid being opened.

Abstract: A swingable seat back, especially for use with motor vehicle seats, is being proposed. The seat back is latchable when in its upright position and can be folded down by being moved about a pivot axis which is variable in height. The pivot axis is formed by pivot bolts disposed on either side of the lower seat back portion and provided with collars. Said pivot bolts are adapted for engagement in respective guide slots provided in hinges secured to the vehicle body, and are caused to move in the guide slots when the seat back is folded down. The arrangement is such that one pair of bolts is guided in each of the slotted guide means, and that the slotted guide means are Y-shaped and arranged such that a first guide track is provided from which a second guide track, which is forming the fork of the Y-shape, is branching off, and wherein the second guide track is provided with an upwardly open mounting slot.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic wheel opening molding for a vehicle fender is disclosed. The molding is shaped complementary to the wheel opening and is L-shaped in cross section to define a first flange for abutting the fender on its exterior side and a second flange having a first portion which engages the rim of the fender along its underside and a second free end portion, the second flange having a circumferential groove to define a living hinge so that the free end portion of the second flange can be pulled to stretch the living hinge and then be folded over the rim along its top side to self-biasingly retain itself in place to securely attach the molding to the fender.

Abstract: In an arrangement for a vertically adjustable window pane which is disposed flush with the adjacent body panels, the guide means for the window pane are to be inserted into the guide tracks laterally from the outboard side of the vehicle. This objective is being achieved in that the guide means on the rearward edge of the window pane is disposed in a forwardly pointing direction and is adapted to engage into a rearwardly facing opening of an elongate guide member, and in that the projecting guide portions of the guide means on the forward edge of the window pane are adapted for insertion substantially transversely of the window pane into the associated guide track through openings provided therein and are guided within the guide track in all directions.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a vehicle door and window assembly in which the door has a pair of spaced, arcuate sheet metal guide rails and the window adjacent its side edges is secured to a pair of plastic guides which are slidable on the rails for movement through a path of a given radius and with the guides maintaining the windows substantially flush with the adjacent side door structure. The plastic guides have a transverse dimension, as measured between the rails and the outer window surface, which progressively increases proceeding from their upper ends toward their lower ends so that the window has a radius which is greater than the radius of its path of movement whereby the window is moved away from its outer belt line seal when lowered into the door and whereby the window moves both upwardly and outwardly as it is being raised so that it is also substantially flush with the outer belt line of the door when in its closed position.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a vehicle seat assembly comprising a tubular frame means for a seat and backrest, a seat and backrest comprised of side by side elastomeric filaments prestretched across the seat frame and backrest frame and secured to the frame portions and a cover means to cover the seat and backrest whereby a thin seat is provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a left and right tail lamp assembly for an automotive vehicle. Each left and right tail lamp assembly includes a tail lamp means having an outer lens. The tail lamp means, upon being attached to a common rear housing on the vehicle by fasteners, are also caused to be moved forwardly against stops on the housing to seat the same so that adjacent ends of the lenses are flush with each other and such that the lenses are in alignment with adjacent body structure of the vehicle.

Abstract: A jump seat assembly is disclosed for use with vehicles, such as pickup trucks having extended cabs to provide for cargo space rearwardly of the front seat. The seat assembly is foldable into a recess in the side of the cab when stored so that it is flush with the adjacent interior trim structure. The seat assembly is supported in a cantilever fashion when moved to its seating position and is swingable about a skewed axis away from the rear of the cab when moved to its seating position so as to be located wholly outside of the recess and provide more room for a seated passenger.

Abstract: A shroud top vent grille is releasably retained or attached to the front fenders of a vehicle by a retainer means. The retainer means comprises a pair of headed weld studs welded to an inner wall of the fender a predetermined distance below its upper external surface and a one piece plastic retainer member which can be readily secured to the weld studs and which is adapted to releasably retain the shroud top vent grille in place and so that it is flush with the adjacent external fender while preventing rattling.

Abstract: A pressure compensating flow control valve assembly for providing a constant flow rate for fluids having a high solids content is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a housing comprising first and second housing members having an inlet and an outlet, respectively, a deflectable diaphragm clamped between the housing members and which divides the housing into first and second chambers, and a control valve means carried by the diaphragm which includes a fixed control orifice in communication with the second chamber and outlet and a poppet valve for throttling flow of fluids from the inlet to the first chamber. The control valve means is constructed such that the fluid is caused to be moved in a tortuous path through the valve assembly so as to prevent or minimize solids in the fluid from settling out.

Abstract: A vacuum pump assembly which is driven by pulsating exhaust gases emanating from an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The pump assembly includes a double-acting pump means for pumping air from a vacuum source and having a reciprocable pumping member, an actuating means including a reciprocable actuating member drivingly connected to the pumping member and which is driven through first and second strokes to move the pumping member through first and second strokes, respectively, one side of the actuating member being in communication with the exhaust gases and with the actuating and pumping members being movable through their first strokes during the pressure increasing phase of each pressure pulsation and being moved through their second strokes by a nonlinear variable rate air spring means during each pressure decreasing phase of each pressure pulsation.

Abstract: A vacuum pump assembly which is driven by pulsating exhaust gases emanating from an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The pump assembly includes a staged pump means for pumping air from a vacuum source and having a reciprocable pumping member, an actuating means including a reciprocable actuating member drivingly connected to the pumping member and which is driven through first and second strokes to move the pumping member through first and second strokes, respectively, one side of the actuating member being in communication with the exhaust gases and with the actuating and pumping members being movable through their first strokes during the pressure increasing phase of each pressure pulsation and being moved through their second strokes by a nonlinear variable rate spring means during each pressure decreasing phase of each pressure pulsation whereby the pump assembly is operable to pump air from the vacuum source throughout a wide range of engine speeds and loads including high speeds and loads.

Abstract: A recirculating paint apparatus comprising a main body provided with a plurality of radially extending openings in communication with a main axially extending delivery channel, and a plurality of selectively operable valve assemblies for controlling communication between different color paints and the delivery channel is disclosed. Each paint is recirculated through its associated valve assembly right up to its valve for controlling flow through an orifice in communication with the common delivery channel so that all areas are subject to recirculating flow and any settling out of pigments or solids in the paint is prevented or minimized.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable window panel, especially for use in a door of a motor vehicle, which is arranged so as to be flush with the adjacent parts of the vehicle body and in which the guide means thereof as well as the window sealing means are disposed inboard of the window panel.

Abstract: A two-piece electrical connector means for detachably connecting an ignition cable or the like having a plurality of high tensile strength, nonconductive strands coated with an electrically conductive material to a mating stud terminal is disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum pump assembly which is driven by pulsating exhaust gases emanating from an internal combustion engine is disclosed.