Abstract: A cover assembly for a vehicle bed includes a first pair of track members mountable to side walls of the bed. A cover unit includes a second-pair of track members and a plurality of support members movably mounted on the second pair of track members. A cover is mounted to the support members. The cover unit is to be removably mounted in an operative position to the bed with the second pair of track members aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the cover. At least one motor is connected to the support members for selectively moving them. At least one fastener secures the cover unit in the operative position and is releasable to allow the cover unit to be removed from the bed.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a vehicle bed includes a first pair of track members mountable to side walls of the bed. A cover unit includes a second-pair of track members and a plurality of support members movably mounted on the second pair of track members. A cover is mounted to the support members. The cover unit is to be removably mounted in an operative position to the bed with the second pair of track members aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the cover. At least one motor is connected to the support members for selectively moving them. At least one fastener secures the cover unit in the operative position and is releasable to allow the cover unit to be removed from the bed.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a vehicle bed includes a first pair of track members mountable to side walls of the bed. A cover unit includes a second pair of track members and a plurality of support members movably mounted on the second pair of track members. A cover is mounted to the support members. The cover unit is to be removably mounted in an operative position to the bed with the second pair of track members aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the cover. At least one motor is connected to the support members for selectively moving them. At least one fastener secures the cover unit in the operative position and is releasable to allow the cover unit to be removed from the bed.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a vehicle bed includes a first pair of track members mountable to side walls of the bed. A cover unit includes a second pair of track members and a plurality of support members movably mounted on the second pair of track members. A cover is mounted to the support members. The cover unit is to be removably mounted in an operative position to the bed with the second pair of track members aligned with the first pair of track members so that the support members can move along the first and second pairs of track members to extend and retract the cover. At least one motor is connected to the support members for selectively moving them. At least one fastener secures the cover unit in the operative position and is releasable to allow the cover unit to be removed from the bed.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a vehicle bed includes first and second cover members and a pair of cover mounts constructed to mount the cover members to the vehicle bed. The cover mounts enable the cover members to be moved between (a) a closed position wherein the cover members extend between the side walls of the vehicle bed to close the upwardly facing opening of the vehicle bed, (b) an open position wherein the cover members extend upwardly from the side walls to uncover the upwardly facing opening of the vehicle bed, and (c) a storage position wherein the cover members are retracted downwardly from the open position into the vehicle bed. At least one motor is operatively connected to the cover members to move the cover members at least between the closed and open positions thereof.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a vehicle bed includes first and second cover members and a pair of cover mounts constructed to mount the cover members to the vehicle bed. The cover mounts enable the cover members to be moved between (a) a closed position wherein the cover members extend between the side walls of the vehicle bed to close the upwardly facing opening of the vehicle bed, (b) an open position wherein the cover members extend upwardly from the side walls to uncover the upwardly facing opening of the vehicle bed, and (c) a storage position wherein the cover members are retracted downwardly from the open position into the vehicle bed. At least one motor is operatively connected to the cover members to move the cover members at least between the closed and open positions thereof.

Abstract: A sunroof assembly is provided for a vehicle having a roof with an opening. The assembly includes a panel structure, a pair of lift arms coupled to the panel structure, and a pair of track members. Each lift arm has a pair of cam structures providing a camming surface on each opposing side thereof. A pair of lifting cam structures are slidably coupled to each track member and have supports positioned on each lateral side of its respective lift arm to resist deflection of the lift arms. The lifting cam structures have camming surfaces engaged with camming surfaces of the cam structures. The lifting cam structures and the camming surfaces of the lift arms are configured such that sliding movement of the lifting cam structures along the track members relative to the lift arms creates a camming action to raise the lift arms.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a vehicle bed includes track members, support members, a flexible cover, and a reversible motor. The support members are movably arranged on the track members such that (1) movement of a distal one of the support members in the opening or closing direction causes the distal support member to push or pull each of the other support members in a sequential manner in the opening or closing direction. A drive cable is engaged with a gear operatively connected to the motor in intermeshed relation such that (a) rotation of the gear by the motor in a first rotational direction pushes the cable in a distal direction to push the distal support member in the closing direction and (b) rotation of the gear in a second rotation direction pulls the cable in a proximal direction to pull the distal support member in the opening direction.

Abstract: A sunroof mechanism for a vehicle includes track members mounted to the roof at side edge portions of an opening in the vehicle roof. The sunroof mechanism also includes a sunroof panel moveable with respect to the opening in the roof between various operative positions. The track members each have a drive member receiving channel with a longitudinally extending opening. A rail assembly is coupled to the track members at end portions thereof and extends therebetween. Drive members are coupled to the rail assembly and are received within guide sheaths and the channels such that the sheaths and the channels each guide the drive members for axial movement therein. Portions of the guide sheaths are received in guide sheath receiving portions provided by the track members in axially spaced relation from the receiving channels. The axially spaced relation enables the guide sheaths to axially elongate due to thermal expansion.

Abstract: A plastic panel assembly for use in a vehicle is provided including a sheet metal frame constructed and arranged to be coupled to a vehicle and a plastic panel mounted to the sheet metal frame. The plastic panel includes a plurality of pin members extending from a surface thereof and the frame includes a plurality of openings therethrough such that one pin member is disposed through an associated opening. Fastening structure is constructed and arranged with respect to the pin members to retain the plastic panel to the frame so that the panel is prevented from moving relative to the frame in a direction of extension of the pin members while the panel is permitted to move relative to the frame in a direction transverse to the direction of extension of the pin members, upon thermal expansion of the panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the assembly of a sliding sunroof frame and for the adjustment of a cover connected with it in a vehicle. The device has a tool that has one portion that can be introduced into the body of a vehicle and another portion that can be positioned above a roof opening of the vehicle. A positioning assembly for the sliding sunroof frame and the cover and various adjusting component with centering devices are provided on a floating frame on part of the tool positioned in the vehicle body, and allow fully automated raising and alignment, as well as fastening of the sliding sunroof frame to the vehicle roof and complete adjustment without play and fastening of the sliding sunroof cover to its tilting mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the assembly of a sliding sunroof frame and for the adjustment of a cover connected with it in a vehicle. The device has a tool that has one portion that can be introduced into the body of a vehicle and another portion that can be positioned above a roof opening of the vehicle. A positioning assembly for the sliding sunroof frame and the cover and various adjusting component with centering devices are provided on a floating frame on part of the tool positioned in the vehicle body, and allow fully automated raising and alignment, as well as fastening of the sliding sunroof frame to the vehicle roof and complete adjustment without play and fastening of the sliding sunroof cover to its tilting mechanism.

Abstract: A plastic panel assembly for use in a vehicle is provided including a frame structure defining a central opening therein disposed in a plane and a plastic panel structure disposed with respect to the frame structure so that a marginal peripheral portion thereof extending generally in the direction of extent of the plane is coextensive with a marginal peripheral portion of the frame structure and a central portion thereof extends in covering relation with the central opening. The frame structure has a coefficient of thermal expansion less than that of the plastic panel structure. A series of at least three pin and slot connections extend operatively between the coextensive peripheral portions of the structures and are disposed in spaced relation therealong for retaining the coextensive peripheral portions of the structures together.

Abstract: A wind deflector for use in a sunroof for a motor vehicle includes an elongate body having a plurality of openings formed therethrough and spaced along a longitudinal extent of the body. The openings are each defined by an upper portion, a lower portion, and a pair of side portions disposed on opposite sides of the opening. The upper portion has an operative surface that extends downwardly as it extends rearwardly relative to the motor vehicle so as to be able to direct air downwardly and rearwardly through the sunroof aperture when the elongate body is in the deployed position. The lower portion has an operative surface which extends downwardly as it extends rearwardly relative to the motor vehicle and which generally converges with the operative surface of the upper portion as the operative surfaces of the upper and lower portions extend downwardly and rearwardly so as to enable air to be funneled generally vertically and through the opening and through the sunroof aperture.

Abstract: A position encoding system is provided for controlling movement of a movable panel between predetermined positions. The panel is moved by a pair of cables coupled thereto. The system includes a housing assembly and a motor mounted with respect to the housing assembly. The motor has an output shaft rotatable in a forward direction and a reverse direction. Drive gear structure rotates in response to rotation of the output shaft. The drive gear structure cooperates with the pair of cables such that rotation of the drive gear structure moves the cables linearly and thus moves the panel. An encoder gear rotates continuously through multiple revolutions of the output shaft. The encoder gear includes a plurality of electrically conductive contacts on a surface thereof. An idler gear is coupled between the drive gear structure and the encoder gear so as to transfer motion of the drive gear structure to the encoder gear. A printed circuit board is mounted within the housing assembly and has a circuit thereon.

Abstract: A sensing system is provided which senses an obstruction between a closure member and a frame, regardless of the direction of the input force to the sensor, such that when the obstruction is sensed to be between the closure member and the frame, the operation of the closure member can be controlled to prevent further closing of the closure member upon the obstruction. The sensing system includes a membrane switch assembly which changes resistance when a force component caused by the obstruction is exerted on the switch assembly.

Abstract: A sun roof assembly for an opening in a vehicle roof in which a sun roof panel mounted on a pair of mounting arms is moved between closed and vented positions by an improved stable lifting mechanism which includes two pairs of cooperating lift members each a sliding member mounted in stable sliding relation on an associated track for rearward and forward movements with respect thereto between closed, vented and open positions and a pivoting member pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the associated mounting arm. Each cooperating pair of lift members have spaced first and second sliding connections therebetween constructed and arranged so that when the sliding member is moved between the closed and vented positions thereof the associated pivoting member is stably moved to pivot the associated mounting arm about the pivotal axis of the associated forward slide member between the closed and vented positions of the associated mounting arm.

Abstract: A removable roof assembly including a wind deflector structure of a size and shape to be mounted with respect to a passenger vehicle roof opening when a removable roof structure of the assembly is in its removed condition in an operative position extending above and along the forward end of the vehicle roof opening and above and rearwardly along the sides thereof such that the removable roof structure cannot be fully seated. A first mechanism is provided for retaining the wind deflector structure in its operative position and for enabling the wind deflector structure to be moved out of its operative position in response to a manual movement of the removable roof. The wind deflector is mounted to the vehicle roof by a system of at least three links defining four distinct pivot axes.