Abstract: Disclosed includes embodiments of a pulsed spray nozzle assembly, comprising a nozzle housing having a cavity with an inlet configured to receive a flow of fluid therein. A flow conditioning insert configured to be inserted inside the cavity of the housing to communicate fluid from the inlet to an interaction region downstream from the flow conditioning insert along an inlet axis within the housing, a step may extend from an inner surface of the cavity to assist to create turbulent flow in the interaction region. An outlet along the housing in communication with the interaction region, wherein the fluid is configured to be dispensed from the outlet having a pulsed spray pattern along an outlet axis that is generally perpendicular to the inlet axis.

Abstract: Provided is a storage system for a split-configuration tailgate. The storage system includes a deployable storage box for placement on one of the first and second doors. In some aspects, the deployable storage box includes a mounting system that permits the storage box to be removed from the split-configuration tailgate.

Abstract: A coupling for interconnecting a first pipe element and a second pipe element. The coupling comprises a first coupling member on the first pipe element, and a second coupling member on the second pipe element. The second coupling member is dimensioned to receive therein the first coupling member. The coupling also includes a retainer element having threads to engage the first coupling member to retain the first and second coupling members in a coupled state. The retainer element includes a lock feature to prevent inadvertent loosening rotation.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting a vehicle running board to a vehicle. The bracket includes an L-shaped main body having a bottom support panel adapted to receive and fixedly retain the running board, a top support panel adapted to be fixedly attached to an inboard surface of a vehicle rocker panel, and intermediate support panel adapted to be fixedly attached to a pinch weld formed as part of the rocker panel.

Abstract: A thermoformed article is disclosed that includes a self-supporting structural base layer, a covering applied to a first side of the base layer, and one or more secondary features co-injected upon a second side of the base layer. The covering and the secondary features of the thermoformed article are applied to the base layer during the same molding operation. Also disclosed is a process for forming a thermoformed article that includes placing a covering in a mold tool as a first layer, placing a self-supporting structural base layer in the mold tooling as a second layer, closing the mold tooling with the covering and base layer, and co-injecting upon a side of the base layer opposite to the covering one or more secondary features.

Abstract: Provided is an air cleaner apparatus for an automotive air induction system. The apparatus includes a housing having an upper housing member and a lower housing member. An inlet is provided on the lower housing member, while an outlet is provided on the upper housing member. The apparatus also includes a replaceable serviceable filter. The upper housing member and the lower housing member are connected at an interface therebetween to define an internal volume. The filter is mounted within the internal volume proximal the interface. The upper and lower housing members are maintained in an assembled state using a serviceable latch assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-chamber reservoir assembly. The assembly comprises a substantially torus-shaped housing defining an interior volume. The interior volume is subdivided with at least two sets of interior walls to define a plurality of fluid chambers. The plurality of fluid chambers are independent and separately operable.

Abstract: Provided is a composite sandwich panel. The composite sandwich panel includes a core, a first thermoplastic layer applied to a first side of the core, and a second thermoplastic layer applied to a second side of the core. The core is provided in the form of a wave board formed from natural fiber. Also provided is a process for manufacturing a composite sandwich panel. The process comprises extruding a first and second thermoplastic layer into respective flat sheets, forming a consolidated natural fibrous mat, and molding the consolidated natural fibrous mat into a consolidated core having a predetermined geometry. The first and second thermoplastic layers, as well as the consolidated core are heated to a predetermined molding temperature. The heated consolidated core is placed between the heated first and second thermoplastic layers, and the assembly is molded in a molding press into a desired shape determined by product design intent.

Abstract: Provided is a front trunk cargo storage system. The system includes a main body that defines a primary storage compartment, and a load floor drawer mounted upon a floor of the primary storage compartment. The primary storage compartment includes a forward opening, and the load floor drawer is configured to be slidable outwardly from the primary storage compartment through the forward opening.

Abstract: Cargo systems for use in a vehicle cargo compartment that provide a range of selectable cargo carrying configurations. A cargo shelf system includes a first support wall, a second support wall, at least one set of removable shelves supported between one of the support walls and an interior side panel of the vehicle, and a set of retractable shelves supported between the first and second support walls. A cargo divider system includes a tray bin attached to a frame structure of the vehicle, a load floor supported upon the tray bin, a flip-wall divider supported upon the tray bin, and a plurality of laterally displaceable divider walls. Another cargo divider system includes a storage bin, an independently moveable seat-side load floor, and an independently moveable gate-side load floor, the seat-side load floor and the gate-side load floor collectively covering the storage bin to form a generally planar continuous load floor.

Abstract: A multi-vessel reservoir assembly is provided. The multi-vessel reservoir assembly comprises a first fluid vessel, a second fluid vessel, and at least one linkage positioned between the first and second fluid vessels. The at least one linkage serves to maintain the first and second fluid vessels in fixed and spaced-apart relationship relative to one another. The first and second fluid vessels are independent and separately operable.

Abstract: A fluid vent adapter for filling a reservoir is disclosed. The vent adapter includes a primary body having an upper portion and a lower portion, a central fill conduit for delivering a fluid into the reservoir, and a plurality of vent channels for permitting the egress of air from the reservoir during filling. The central fill conduit is connected to a plurality of radially spaced dispensing holes arranged on the lower portion. Upon inserting the vent adapter into an inlet port on the reservoir, a least a portion of the radially spaced dispensing holes are blocked. An outside diameter of the lower portion is dimensioned for a close tolerance fit relative to an inside diameter of the inlet port of the reservoir, to establish a substantially sealed relationship between the inside diameter and the dispensing holes being blocked.

Abstract: Provided is an accessory mounting system for use in a cargo bed of a pickup truck. The accessory mounting system comprises a cargo hold assembly and at least one accessory member for releasable attachment to the cargo hold assembly. The at least one accessory member is configured to confer a cargo holding functionality to the cargo hold assembly. The cargo hold assembly includes a base configured to be mounted to a side-wall portion of the cargo bed. The base includes a plurality of registration bosses, each being configured to receive a corresponding registration cavity provided on the at least one accessory member. The at least one accessory member may be mountable upon the base in more than one orientation.

Abstract: A tonneau cover for covering the opening of a cargo bed of a pickup truck. The tonneau cover includes a sandwich panel including a structural core, a first layered section, and a second layered section. The structural core has a top surface and a bottom surface. The first layered section is coupled to the top surface of the structural core, and a second layered section is coupled to the bottom surface of the structural core. Each of the first and second layered sections includes a reinforcement layer, and at least one of the reinforcement layers of the first and second layered sections is a carbon fiber mat. The tonneau cover may have a single panel configuration or a tri-panel configuration.

Abstract: An expandable cargo box assembly for mounting on a side wall section of a cargo bed of a pickup truck includes a base member for attaching the expandable cargo box assembly to the side wall section of the cargo bed, the base member having the form of an outer wall plate. Opposite the outer wall plate is an inner wall plate, the inner wall plate being displaceable from a first position to a second position, the first position defining a collapsed state, and the second position defining a deployed state. The outer and inner wall plates have operably associated therebetween a folding floor assembly, and the outer wall plate supports a forward folding wall and a rearward folding wall. Upon expanding the expandable cargo box assembly to a deployed state, the folding floor assembly and the forward and rearward folding walls are arranged to define an enclosure for receiving cargo.

Abstract: A tonneau cover for covering the opening of a cargo bed of a pickup truck. The tonneau cover includes a sandwich panel including a structural core, a first layered section, and a second layered section. The structural core has a top surface and a bottom surface. The first layered section is coupled to the top surface of the structural core, and a second layered section is coupled to the bottom surface of the structural core. Each of the first and second layered sections includes a reinforcement layer, and at least one of the reinforcement layers of the first and second layered sections is a carbon fiber mat. The tonneau cover may have a single panel configuration or a tri-panel configuration.

Abstract: Provided is fluid reservoir comprising a body having an inlet, an outlet, a fill aperture, and a fluid level indicator assembly. The fluid level indicator assembly is configured such at least an upper portion thereof extends external and above the body of the coolant reservoir. The fluid level indicator assembly includes a housing having a lower portion which extends into an interior volume of the body, and an upper portion, which is the portion that extends external and above the body.

Abstract: Provided is a cargo hold assembly for use in a cargo bed of a pickup truck. The cargo hold assembly comprises a base configured to be mounted to a side-wall portion of the cargo bed; and a clamping assembly pivotally mounted to the base. The clamping assembly provides a clamp mechanism including a top clamp arm and a bottom clamp arm, wherein the top clamp arm is moveable relative to the bottom clamp arm to permit the engagement and retention of cargo therebetween.

Abstract: Cargo systems for use in a vehicle cargo compartment that provide a range of selectable cargo carrying configurations. A cargo shelf system includes a first support wall, a second support wall, at least one set of removable shelves supported between one of the support walls and an interior side panel of the vehicle, and a set of retractable shelves supported between the first and second support walls. A cargo divider system includes a tray bin attached to a frame structure of the vehicle, a load floor supported upon the tray bin, a flip-wall divider supported upon the tray bin, and a plurality of laterally displaceable divider walls. Another cargo divider system includes a storage bin, an independently moveable seat-side load floor, and an independently moveable gate-side load floor, the seat-side load floor and the gate-side load floor collectively covering the storage bin to form a generally planar continuous load floor.

Abstract: A thermoformed article is disclosed that includes a self-supporting structural base layer, a covering applied to a first side of the base layer, and one or more secondary features co-injected upon a second side of the base layer. The covering and the secondary features of the thermoformed article are applied to the base layer during the same molding operation. Also disclosed is a process for forming a thermoformed article that includes placing a covering in a mold tool as a first layer, placing a self-supporting structural base layer in the mold tooling as a second layer, closing the mold tooling with the covering and base layer, and co-injecting upon a side of the base layer opposite to the covering one or more secondary features.