Abstract: A folding tonneau cover apparatus including a cover assembly and a support frame assembly. The cover assembly having a plurality of rigid panels interconnected in series by a series of flexible hinges. Elongated support members having hinge support flanges help to secure the flexible hinges to the rigid panels. In preferred embodiments, the support flanges of the elongated support members cooperate with the underside of the respective rigid panels to which the support members are secured, to form a partial enclosure within which a side portion of the respective flexible hinge is secured. The cover assembly is secured to the support frame assembly to cover a cargo box of a pickup truck by a plurality of locking members when the support frame assembly is secured to sidewalls of the cargo box. Methods of making a tonneau cover apparatus and methods of folding and unfolding the cover assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle window apparatus for a vehicle body utilizing a frame having an elongated channel that holds a glass sheet. The glass sheet includes a resilient cover which interacts with the groove of the elongated channel and is held in the groove by a clamp. A gasket and a resilient member form a moisture barrier on either side of the frame.

Abstract: A system for managing lateral loads in a vehicle includes a crossmember and one or more structures that may be deformable. The crossmember is arranged laterally spanning a first longitudinal frame member, arranged on a first side of the vehicle, and a second longitudinal frame member of the vehicle, arranged on a second side of the vehicle. The structure is affixed to one lateral side of the vehicle, arranged longitudinally forward of the crossmember, arranged laterally outside of the first frame member, and is configured to deform during a small overlap collision. The structure, when under load, is configured to apply a lateral force on an end of the crossmember to cause lateral displacement of the vehicle. A vehicle may include a structure on each side of the vehicle to generate lateral displacement of the vehicle away from a colliding rigid barrier.

Abstract: A trailer door that opens by hinging downward to double as a ramp for loading/unloading cargo and an improved assistive means by which such doors are opened and closed is provided. An assembly comprising a ramp pull point that is set apart from the plane of the ramp/door, and/or is moved outward from its edge, changes the physics of the tension required for the assistive lift force for any given ramp/door which in turn allows the spring or cabling counter-weight mechanism to be deployed substantially removing it from blocking the sides of the ramp/door.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a device that can be used as a step on a vehicle. A vehicle step device and system can provide a vehicle step in a use disposition, and can retract and automatically return to the use disposition when impacted. Such a device and system can comprise a bracket that is fixed to a vehicle, such as at the bumper, and a step component that is slidably engaged with the bracket. A biasing component can be coupled between the step component and bracket, to apply a biasing force between the two, thereby keeping the step component in a sue position. Upon impact, the step can retract into the bracket, such as into the bumper, and after impact, the biasing component can return the step to the use position.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a forward collision may include: a front end module (FEM) upper side member having a first end combined with a FEM upper member and a second end formed to extend toward a fender; a FEM vertical member having a first end combined with a front side member combined along a length direction of a vehicle from a first end portion of the FEM upper member and a second end combined with the FEM upper member; and a front impact sensor (FIS) configured to sense an impact being applied from a front of the vehicle. In particular, the FEM upper side member and the FEM vertical member are combined to overlap the FEM upper member.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may comprise a base comprising an outer surface and a support comprising an outer surface and configured to move between a raised position and a lowered position. The component may comprise a light source to provide a lighted border around the support and/or illuminate walls of the cavity. The outer surface of the support and the outer surface of the base may comprise a substantially continuous surface when the support is in the raised position. The support may descend into the base to provide a cavity. The support may rotate and translate as it descends. The support may comprise a switch to send a signal to move the support. The component may comprise a pump and a valve. The component may comprise at least one of a console, floor console, tunnel console, armrest, instrument panel, door or door panel.

Abstract: A side-impact crash structure may be positioned proximate an end of a vehicle to reduce impact forces imparted to an occupant during a side collision. The side-impact crash structure may include energy absorbers positioned on lateral sides of the vehicle between the passenger compartment and a longitudinal end of the vehicle. The energy absorbers may be configured to absorb impact forces over a limited ride-down distance (the distance over which the deceleration occurs) to prevent damage to both the occupants and one or more components or systems of the vehicle. The energy absorbers can be configured to deform along an oblique axis of the vehicle under a compressive force. The side-impact crash structure may include one or more load spreaders disposed between the energy absorbers that disperse the impact force to other portions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hinge assembly can removably mount a tailgate to a vehicle. The hinge assembly includes a first bracket attached to a first part. The hinge assembly further includes an engagement member and a second bracket attached to a second part and including a resilient member. A pivot shaft pivotally connects the first and second brackets. The engagement member engages the resilient member when the first part is at a first position and disengages the resilient member when the first part is at a second position.

Abstract: An active aero panel assembly including at least one deployable panel, at least one drive mechanism, and at least one actuator. The active aero panel assembly improves aerodynamics.

Abstract: An articulating slanted back soft top assembly for 4-door and 2-door SUVs. A fabric cover is supported by a frame that is at least partially articulatable from at least a closed position to at least one open air position. The frame includes at least one forward fabric support bow member and at least one rearward fabric support bow member. The rear fabric support bow member being positioned when in the closed position in a manner which allows the fabric to clear a sport bar or “roll bar” member of a vehicle in the closed position such that a rear portion of the top is angled from the vertical when viewing the vehicle from the side.

Abstract: A step assembly for a vehicle has first and second arms pivotably attached to brackets which are mountable on the chassis or body of a vehicle. The arms pivot about coaxial axes defined by the brackets. A tread is mounted on the arms. The tread is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. Respective biasing elements act between each arm and bracket to bias the tread into the closed position. When the step assembly is mounted on the vehicle adjacent to a compartment defined by the vehicle body the tread acts as a door when in the closed position and a step when in the open position.

Abstract: A motor home seat lift apparatus is provided which is located within the vehicle at the front passenger door, which is foldable to a storage location adjacent to the dashboard and forward of the front passenger seat, and which unfolds for usage to place a lift seat adjacent to the level of the front passenger seat, from which a user can slide onto (or off of) the lift seat. The lift seat is then movable from the that level, downward and outward through the opened front passenger door, to a level comfortably adjacent the ground level, for the user to then stand upon when exiting the lift seat. In general, the apparatus includes a lift seat which moves laterally within the vehicle into and out of the door, and rotates up and down between the exterior ground level and the passenger seat level, above the passenger compartment floor.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component comprising a bin moveable relative to a base is disclosed. The bin may provide a closed position and an open position for bin access. The open position may comprise a side access state and an end access state comprising a front access state and/or a rear access state. The bin may move laterally relative to the base to provide the end access state. The bin may pivot relative to the base to provide the side access state. The component may comprise a carrier for the bin to extend relative to the base to provide the front access state. The base may comprise an end door assembly to open for the bin in the end access state. The bin may pivot with a side door assembly in the side access state. The component may comprise a console; floor console; center console; or storage compartment.

Abstract: A wall configured to couple to a shelter and extend around at least a portion of a perimeter of the shelter. The wall includes a first end having a first attachment mechanism configured to engage with a second attachment mechanism of the shelter, a second end opposite the first end, a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, and a third attachment mechanism coupled proximal to the second end and configured to engage with a fourth attachment mechanism disposed on the shelter to couple the wall to the shelter.

Abstract: To improve bending rigidity of a side sill against an inward load in a vehicle width direction during a lateral collision while suppressing a weight increase of the side sill, a vehicle side body structure includes: a side sill; a wheel house, a front lower portion; a center pillar; and a door formed to be opened at a position above the side sill and behind the center pillar. A rear portion of an impact bar provided to the door overlaps the rear portion of the side sill in side view when the door is closed. The side sill includes a reinforcing member reinforcing bending rigidity against an inward load. The side sill reinforcing member is provided in an intermediate portion of the side sill where the center pillar is located and the rear portion of the side sill in a longitudinal direction of the side sill.

Abstract: A sleeper panel is provided for use with each of the passenger and driver sides of a sleeper cab. The entire upper ends of the sleeper panels have a top flange which is secured to the underside of the sleeper cab. Structure is provided to maintain the curved portions of the sleeper panel in their desired radius of curvature. A cab panel is also described which is ideally suited for use on a truck cab so as to be positioned forwardly of the sleeper panels thereby providing an esthetic appearance to the vehicle.

Abstract: A roof console device for a vehicle is formed by fixing a console housing to a lower face of a front portion of a vehicle roof, inserting from below a roof module into a housing portion formed in the console housing, and joining them by concavo-convex engagement. A backward facing wall face of the roof module and a forward facing wall face of the console housing oppose each other across a gap. A recess portion is formed in one of the backward facing and forward facing wall faces, and a projecting portion is formed on the other. Therefore, even if the concavo-convex engagement is disengaged due to an impact of a secondary collision, the console housing moves and the recess and projecting portions are fitted together to thus allow the roof module to be retained by the console housing, thereby preventing the roof module from falling from the console housing.

Abstract: A boat trailer latch includes a top plate, a bottom plate, a V-notch formed in a front portion of the top and bottom plates, and a latching element having a tooth. The latching element is sandwiched between the top and bottom plates and configured to rotate through the V-notch. The latch also includes a pawl having a rounded notch configured to lock in the tooth of the latching element and prevent the latching element from rotating. The latching element is configured to rotate in a first direction in response to a boat bow hook entering the V-notch so that as the latching element continues to rotate in the first direction the latching element closes behind the boat bow hook, and the tooth of the latching element engages the notch of the pawl so that the latching element is prevented from rotating in a second opposing direction and releasing the bow hook.

Abstract: A vehicle rear body structure improves rigidity of a portion around a wheel house while suppressing an increase in body weight (number of components) as much as possible. While a wheel house inner is provided with a second inner side reinforcement extending in a vertical direction, in a wheel house outer, a bulged section, which is formed to be bulged to a cabin outer side, includes a wheel arch-shaped section formed in an arch shape to cover a rear wheel from above when seen in a vehicle side view. The wheel house outer is formed with an upward extending ridgeline section that extends upward above the wheel arch-shaped section along a bulged shape of the bulged section to the cabin outer side and at least a portion of which overlaps the second inner side reinforcement when seen in the vehicle side view.