Abstract: A resilient detent mechanism for selectively maintaining a vehicle door in the open position is provided. The detent mechanism including a hinge pin receptacle adapted to allow insertive mounting with a door hinge by engagement with a hinge pin of the door hinge. The detent mechanism also includes a planar side surface to contact both the stationary and pivotal components of the door hinge. The detent also includes a working corner portion that contacts a portion of the door hinge and tends to maintain the vehicle door in the open position. The contact between the working corner portion and the stationary component of the door hinge can be overcome by a sufficient door closing effort.

Abstract: A rear view mirror includes a transparent front glass that covers a matrix display, for example an LCD display. The matrix display is translucent when activated and transparent when inactive, and behind the matrix display is a mirror-backed rear glass. Thus, light can pass through the matrix display and reflect back off the mirror-backed rear glass. Consequently, the rear view mirror can assume its conventional function of presenting images of objects that are behind the vehicle, while the pixels of the matrix display can be activated to superimpose alpha-numeric characters on the images. The characters can represent vehicle speed, time, radio station data, or other vehicle control data.

Abstract: A fixture adapted to set a decklid for an opening to a trunk of an automotive vehicle in an adjusted position such that when the decklid is closed relative to the opening a gap of predetermined width will be established between a side edge of a rim portion of the decklid and an adjacent side edge of the opening. The fixture includes a clamp body having a planar support surface and a clamping surface projecting away from the support surface. A clamp bar is mounted on the support surface of the body for reciprocal movement toward and away from the clamping surface to clamp the rim portion of the decklid and thereby secure the fixture to the decklid. A cam is mounted on the clamp body for moving the clamp bar. A blade is mounted on the clamp bar and extends along the side edge of the rim portion of the decklid. The blade is adapted to contact the edge of the opening when the decklid is closed.

Abstract: A spare tire storage compartment cover has at least two sections joined by a living hinge. When the cover is in place over the spare tire storage compartment, it is held in place by a hook and loop-type fastener system that secures the first section in place. The second section, located toward the rear of the vehicle when the cover is in place, can be rotated relative to the first section to allow access to the spare tire storage compartment. The first and second sections are preferably formed from wood, such as composition board, and a carpet is secured to both sections in conventional fashion, such as by adhesive. A plastic living hinge joins the first and second sections.

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 system for mounting a spare tire and a license plate to a motor vehicle includes a tire mounting member having a bracket fixedly attached to a rear surface of the motor vehicle. The system further includes a license plate carrier pivotally connected to the bracket for rotation about a pivot axis. The license plate carrier includes a display portion oriented in a substantially vertical plane and spaced from the rear surface of the motor vehicle. A plurality of threaded shafts rearwardly extend from the tire mounting member for mounting the spare tire thereto. The license plate carrier includes a boss portion for receiving one of the threaded shafts to thereby selectively prevents rotation of the license plate carrier about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A system for delivering fuel to a motor vehicle engine includes a fuel sending unit and a self-cleaning filter. The fuel sending unit is in fluid communication with the engine, which in the preferred embodiment is a fuel injected engine. A fuel regulator is provided interbetween the fuel sending unit and the engine which delivers a first portion of the fuel to the engine. A second portion of the fuel is delivered to the filter for the sending unit through a reverse path for purging the filter of debris collected from the fuel.

Abstract: A conveyor and picking tray assembly includes a conveyor frame mounting elongated upper and lower conveyors. The conveyors slope downward from their rear ends to their front ends. A picking tray frame adjacent to the front end of the conveyor frame mounts picking trays in general alignment with the upper and lower conveyors. The trays slope downward from one of their side edges to the other of their side edges in a direction transverse to the lengthwise dimension of the conveyors for the convenience of an operator working on an assembly line alongside the conveyor and picking tray assembly.

Abstract: In a fastened joint where two or more joint members are secured together, a method for improving the sealing properties of the joint. The method includes the incorporation of one or more depressions into at least one joint surface of the joint members. The depressions are positioned to reduce the tendency of the joint members to transmit clamping forces between non-sealing areas, thereby increasing the magnitude of the clamping forces transmitted through sealing areas and reducing the opportunity for leakage.

Abstract: A suspension system for a motor vehicle wherein an upper control arm on each side of the vehicle is located in an aperture within the vehicle frame and operably connected to a front axle. Each upper control arm is pivotably connected to the frame and is capable of rotating into the aperture in response to a force generated by contact of its respective wheel with an irregularity in the road surface during the operation of the motor vehicle. As the upper control arms are placed within the frame rails, interference between the control arms and other components located in the engine compartment is substantially eliminated. The substantial elimination of this interference reduces the design effort and lead time associated with the development of the vehicle frame and suspension system as well as integrating the engine into the vehicle. The ability to assemble and service the vehicle are likewise improved through the elimination of the entanglement between suspension components and engine components.

Abstract: A method of servicing an engine cylinder head having a cam sprocket mounted for rotation on a cam shaft includes the general steps of providing a sprocket mounting member, removably attaching the sprocket mounting member to the engine cylinder head, radially supporting the cam sprocket on the sprocket mounting member, removing the cam shaft from the engine cylinder head and maintaining a radial position of the cam sprocket.

Abstract: An exterior cladding attachment for a motor vehicle includes a main body portion and a plurality of carets integrally formed therewith which extend in an inboard direction. Each of the plurality of carets is adapted to engage an aperture provided in a body side panel of the motor vehicle and is formed to include a base portion and an engagement portion. The engagement portion passes through the associated aperture and has a stop surface for retaining the caret therein. The base portion includes first and second spaced apart sides having a thickness adjacent to the main body portion which is approximately 25% or less than the nominal thickness of the main body portion. To further secure the main body portion to the motor vehicle, the cladding attachment includes an adhesive strip disposed adjacent horizontally extending adjacent a lower edge of the main body portion.

Abstract: A tool for aligning a striker with a latch for a door on a motor vehicle includes a base member and a tool locating member positioned perpendicular to an end of the base member. The tool also includes a tool holding mechanism positioned on a front face of the tool locating member for holding the alignment tool onto the vehicle, and a striker locating arm extending outwardly from another end of the base member. The alignment tool further includes a striker lead-in at one end of the striker locating arm for positioning the striker relative to the latch, and a cross member extending between another end of the striker locating arm and the base member for receiving the latch.

Abstract: An adapter for mating two or more electrical circuit components to a power distribution box receptacle designed to receive a relay or other circuit component having at least four terminals. The adapter includes a hollow body formed of an electrically non-conductive material, a plurality of contacts disposed within the interior of the body, and means for positioning and frictionally engaging the circuit components so as to retain them within the adapter and with their terminals in electrical connection with the contacts. The contacts are in electrical connection with respective adapter terminals projecting from the adapter body in a configuration substantially identical with the terminals of the circuit component which the adapter replaces, so that the adapter terminals are matable with the receptacle to place the components in connection with circuitry internal to the power distribution box.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly tool includes a base and a frame pivotably coupled to the base. The frame is configured for holding a plurality of vehicle parts to be welded together. A motor is coupled to the frame via a gear system to move the frame relative to the base. Per the present disclosure, the base can be juxtaposed with a plurality of robotic welders, each having an end effector with six degrees of freedom, and the frame then moved relative to the base to essentially provide a seventh degree of freedom for welding the parts together. Also, the frame can be programmed to return, after welding, to one of several user-defined load positions, each of which load positions can be tailored to a respective individual for facilitating ergonomic loading of parts into the frame by the particular individual.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle is provided with a tiered seating arrangement having first, second, and third seat assemblies. The second and third assemblies fold down to form a cargo carrying platform. The vehicle roof is raised above the second and third seat assemblies to provide appropriate headroom for the passengers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a power sliding door in an automobile, such as a minivan, is disclosed. The invention is comprised in a control system that includes a user input interface for receiving sliding door actuation requests from a user. The actuation signals are carried to a body control module (BCM) where the request is broadcast to a power sliding door module (PSDM) over a serial data bus communications network meeting the SAE J1850 multiplex communications protocol standard. Upon receipt of the actuation message the PSDM monitors several operating conditions of the automobile and makes a determination whether or not to carry out the power sliding door activation request. Power sliding door actuation is controlled by the PSDM via electric motors located at or near the power doors. A power liftgate module (PLGM) controls the power liftgate actuation upon via electric motors located at or near the liftgate. The user input interface includes interior switches as well as a RKE system.

Abstract: Coolant pump service in a crowded engine compartment is provided by forming the side wall of the pump drive pulley with a centralized and radially lobed opening which can accommodate the radial arms of the drive hub that are normally connected by screws to the pulley side wall. The drive hub is fixed to the outboard end of the coolant pump drive shaft that extends through the housing of the pump that is removably secured by screws to the block of an internal combustion engine. The pump impeller is mounted on the inboard end of the drive shaft for fluid pumping operation in a coolant-receiving cavity in the coolant circuit of the engine. In the event of interference, which prevents or hampers the removal of the pulley axially from the drive shaft, the hub screws are removed and the pulley is turned into alignment with the lobes of the opening so that the pump housing screws are accessible.

Abstract: A support mechanism for supporting a door of a motor vehicle relative to a body portion of the motor vehicle as the door is rotated between an open position and a closed position about a horizontal axis includes an adjustable pneumatic strut. In a preferred form, the support mechanism includes a pair of substantially identical adjustable pneumatic struts. Each of the adjustable pneumatic struts includes a main body portion and a first end interconnected to the door of the vehicle. A second end of each of the adjustable pneumatic struts is interconnected to the body of the vehicle. In a preferred form, a first ball joint interconnects the first end to the rear hatch and a second ball joint interconnects the second end to the body.