Abstract: There is provided a composite load protection structure for protecting body-side impact-sensitive components of a vehicle from a strike by a load, the structure comprising: a core fabric layer; an impact-facing layer on one side of the core fabric layer and a body-facing stabilizing layer on the other side of the core fabric layer; and an adhesive to bond the impact-facing layer and the body-facing stabilizing layer on the opposed sides of the core fibre layer, wherein the core fabric layer has a lower stiffness and increased ductility than the impact-facing layer and the body-facing stabilizing layer.

Abstract: A composite running board for use with an automotive vehicle. The running board includes a step portion formed by a top deck and an aerodynamic bottom cover. A mounting portion is formed integrally with the step portion and includes a vertical mounting plate and a horizontal mounting plate for attaching the running board to the vehicle. A plurality of support ribs are sandwiched between the top deck and the bottom cover and connected to the mounting portion to provide structural rigidity to the running board.

Abstract: A roof spoiler mounting bracket assembly for mounting a roof spoiler to a roof panel of an automotive vehicle. The mounting bracket assembly comprises a vehicle-side bracket having upper and lower sides extending longitudinally between first and second ends and laterally between first and second edges. A spoiler-side bracket having upper and lower sides extends longitudinally between first and second ends and laterally between first and second edges. The spoiler-side bracket has a unitary recessed section for receiving the vehicle-side bracket at least partially therein and the spoiler-side bracket is fixedly secured to the roof spoiler, A first mounting bolt extends from the lower side of the vehicle-side bracket for fixedly securing the vehicle-side bracket to the roof panel.

Abstract: A body hanger bracket aligns and attaches an accent panel to a vehicle body panel. The hanger bracket includes selectively detachable first and second alignment tabs. The first alignment tab engages a horizontal indexing feature on the vehicle body panel for aligning the hanger bracket horizontally and the second alignment tab engages a vertical indexing feature on the vehicle body panel for aligning the hanger bracket vertically. After the hanger bracket is aligned and attached to the body panel, the first and second alignment tabs are detached. The accent panel is then attached to the hanger bracket.

Abstract: An handwell or handhole assembly comprises (a) a longitudinally extending tube constructed from an electrical insulating material and comprising an upper end, a lower end and a wire inlet; (b) an inner cover constructed from an electrical insulating material and securable to the upper end of the tube; and, (c) an outer cover constructed from an electrical insulating material and comprising an upper surface, a lower surface and a perimeter and releaseably securable to the inner cover.

Abstract: An access cover for a hand well or hand hole comprises a top member having an upper surface, a lower surface and a perimeter, the lower surface being configured to inhibit radial outward migration of wires positioned in the hand well, wherein the top member is constructed from an electrical insulating material. A method of using the access cover is provided.