Abstract: A hinge for pivotably mounting a panel to a vehicle body includes a panel attachment plate securable to the panel, a body attachment plate securable to the vehicle body, and an intermediate member pivotably attached between the body and panel attachment plates. The intermediate member has opposite sidewalls and a center flange extending between the sidewalls. The sidewalls engage the body attachment plate with the center flange spaced from the body attachment plate when the intermediate member is pivoted such that the sidewalls are positioned generally along the body attachment plate. The intermediate member may include a stop member for limiting pivotal movement of the panel attachment plate. The stop member may limit such pivotal movement at different positions by being cut to different sizes during manufacture of the hinge. The body attachment plate may provide a hinge portion that provides enhanced structural rigidity to the hinge.

Abstract: A jack extension tube preferably for vehicles is provided which comprises a tube having a first section with an open end and a second section spaced from the first section, the elongated tube made from a first material. A nut made from a second material less rigid than the first material is fixedly mounted in the first section, the nut having first and second opposed faces and a threaded bore therethrough. The threaded bore preferably terminates in the first and second faces of the nut. Extruded holes are provided in the second section adapted to receive a fastener, a jack screw is received in the first section open end and is threadably received in the threaded bore of the nut. The jack screw has at least one of an exposed end with a gear, an opposite end defining a stop which retains the nut on the jack screw when the nut is threaded to the opposite end of the jack screw, and a gear housing mounted adjacent to the screw.

Abstract: A jack extension tube preferably for vehicles is provided which comprises an elongated tube with a threaded nut securely mounted therein, and a jack screw received in an open end of the tube and threadably received in the threaded nut. The tube has a first flange extending inwardly adjacent an inner end of the threaded nut and a second flange extending inwardly adjacent an outer end of the threaded nut whereby the threaded nut is securely retained within the elongated tube between the first and second flanges. The threads on the threaded nut can be involute threads to reduce noise, wear and chucking between the nut and the screw. The threaded nut can be formed of a rigid synthetic resin material.

Abstract: A hinge especially suited for securing the rear gate of a vehicle to a vehicle body. The hinge is moveable between a retracted and an extended position. In the extended position, the hinge facilitates painting of the vehicle body and gate, especially the area between the vehicle body and gate, including the hinge itself. The hinge is maintained in the extended position without the need to insert a screw, or other extraneous member, into the hinge, thereby simplifying the painting procedure.

Abstract: A three-piece air horn assembly is provided including a die cast base configured for attachment to a vehicle, an intermediate tube, and a die cast bell, which pieces are interconnected by mechanical connections. In particular, the base includes a cylindrically-shaped hole with front and rear shoulders at each end, the rear shoulder being circumferentially non-uniform, and the tube includes a circumferentially extending ridge engaging the front shoulder and a flared end engaging the rear shoulder. The tube is extended into the hole in the base and the end is then flared into engagement with the non-uniform rear shoulder. Engagement of the flared end into the non-uniform rear shoulder prevents rotation of the tube on the base while the engagement of the flared end and the ridge with the front and rear shoulders, respectively, provides an axially secure connection.

Abstract: A mechanically joined connection includes a tubular extension having a wall defining an interior space, and an insert member having a protruding end, the protruding end being configured to be inserted into the interior space of the tubular extension. The protruding end has an irregular outer surface and the wall is inwardly extruded into close frictional contact with the irregular outer surface around the circumference of the tubular extension, whereby the tubular extension is frictionally and reliably retained on the insert member without the need for separate fasteners. In particular, a wiper pivot assembly for a vehicle is shown including a connecting tube and a pair of pivot forming members mechanically joined at the ends of the tube. Also, a jack extension tube for a vehicle seat is shown including a jack extension screw and nut, and an extension tube mechanically joined to the nut.

Abstract: An extendable hinge is provided including a hinge base attachable to a vehicle, a panel bracket attachable to a vehicle body panel such as rear gate or trunk lid, and a hinge member pivotally attachable to the hinge base and slideably attachable to the panel bracket. The hinge base and the hinge member include a "camelback" bend for increased strength. The panel bracket is configured with a low profile and the hinge member is configured to slideably receive the panel bracket so that a minimum amount of space is consumed and further so that the panel bracket can be slideably moved within the hinge member from an extended position which facilitates painting to a retracted position which positions the vehicle body panel for optimal aesthetics. Flanges on the hinge member and the panel bracket define integral stops that engage to limit the panel movement at the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A hinge for a vehicle includes a stationary sheet metal hinge base adapted to attach to a vehicle, a sheet metal panel bracket adapted to attach to a vehicle panel, and a sheet metal hinge member operably connecting the hinge base and panel bracket. The panel bracket is slideably attached to the hinge member and movable between an extended position and a retracted final assembly position. The hinge member is also pivotally connected to the hinge base and rotatably movable through an arcuate path including a panel open position, a panel closed position and at least one intermediate position therebetween. The hinge member, when the panel bracket is in the extended position, is movable to the intermediate position in the arcuate path so that the panel is spaced from the vehicle to facilitate painting of the panel and the vehicle. The hinge member, when the panel bracket is in the retracted position, is movable to locate the panel relative to the vehicle in a final assembly position.

Abstract: A jack extension tube for use on power seat adjuster mechanisms for vehicles is provided comprising an elongated tube having a first section and a second section spaced from the first section. A threaded member includes a knurled outer surface and is frictionally retained in the first section by inwardly extruding the tube onto the threaded member, the threaded member being engageable longitudinally from one end of said tube by a jack screw. The second section of the tube includes a pair of transversely oriented opposing apertures formed in the tube sidewalls and adapted to receive a pin-like member or fastener. The material defining the apertures is extruded in the transverse direction followed by collapsing the tube sidewalls so that the opposing flanges abut one another. Thus, the flanges provide a continuous, enlarged, work-hardened bearing surface to support the pin-like member or fastener.

Abstract: A hinge for a vehicle deck lid includes a housing, a pivot pin mounted therein, a hinge arm mounted on the pivot pin, a lift spring to bias the hinge arm toward an open position and thereby counterbalance the weight of the deck lid, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the tension in the lift spring. The adjustment mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism made up of pawls on the pivot pin and catches on the housing that allows one-way rotation of the pivot pin to more tightly wind the lift spring. The ratchet mechanism further includes a bias spring that biases the pawls and catches into engagement, the bias spring having a tension that can be overcome to release the ratchet mechanism and release the tension in the lift spring.

Abstract: A hinge arm for a vehicle includes a tubular member having a first portion for attaching a panel thereto, a second portion for pivotally mounting to the vehicle, and a third portion for rigidly interconnecting the first and second portions so that the panel can be stably moved in a defined arc between open and closed positions. The first portion is shaped to provide panel attachment and includes a flattened side, two lateral sides extending therefrom, and an opposite side that is partially deformed against the lateral sides to support the flat side. The second portion includes a flattened wall with a transverse hole establishing an axis of rotation, and an extruded support surface extruded from the wall around the hole to improve durability. The third portion rigidly interconnects the first and second portions, and is shaped to avoid interferences on the vehicle, receive wires for routing therein, and provide drainage for moisture collected therein.