Abstract: The noise generated by a snowmobile track in operation can be reduced and attenuated by arranging for the track elements such as the drive lugs and ground-engaging lugs to have a degree of non-uniformity in their repeating pattern and thus to avoid the generation of peak noise levels at particular frequencies.

Abstract: A retractable windshield for a scooter, in which an elongated compartment is formed between the front fairing and the sleeve of the fork of the scooter; the windshield can be inserted in the compartment by sliding longitudinally, and in front of the sleeve of the fork there are elements for guiding and locking the windshield in the lowered inactive condition and in the active raised condition.

Abstract: A cargo transportation apparatus includes an elongated body having a front end and a rear end and defining an interior cavity. The body is configured to selectively define at least three longitudinal compartments within the interior cavity and to provide access to each longitudinal compartment from the rear end. The apparatus also includes an air conditioning system configured to independently control temperature within at least two of the selectively definable longitudinal compartments.

Abstract: A grille guard for an automobile has at least one first grille guard member extending generally horizontally so as to protect a portion of an automobile's front and at least one second grille guard member extending generally vertically and attached to the first grille guard member. Each of the second grille guard members has a first generally planar member and a perpendicular second generally planar member generally defining a T-shaped cross-section. The second generally planar member has a plurality of openings formed therein, generally along the length thereof, the openings having a width which is greater than the width of the first generally planar member. The second generally planar member is attached to the first generally planar member by forming a weld between the second generally planar member and the first generally planar member within a plurality of the openings.

Abstract: A non-metallic roof for a work machine includes a rotationally molded plastic structure which encloses and seals the top portion of an operator's station of the work machine. The roof includes grab rails and light sockets which are integrally molded into the structure. A plurality of metallic bars and cooperating threaded fasteners connect the roof to the operator's station. A closed cell foam material seals the juncture between the roof and the top portion of the operator's station.

Abstract: A front-end spoiler arrangement formed on an under cover of a vehicle has to sufficiently reduce not only front lift acting on front wheels, but also air drag. The front-end spoiler arrangement comprises a front part, a ridge, a step, and a rear part. The step defines a space at the rear part. The front part and the step prevents an increase of the air drag, and air whirls s produced in the space generate downward force.

Abstract: A shopping cart wheel assembly having an anti-friction or ball bearing portion and also having a journal bearing. Under severe side loads or conditions of wear, the journal bearing takes over and prevents the wheel from moving significantly out of alignment.

Abstract: A shade cover for a motor vehicle, which is usable when the motor vehicle is in operation as well as parked or in storage. The cover includes a rigid panel with a top surface, a bottom surface, a body portion, and an edge portion and has an area greater than the area of the vehicle's roof. The cover further includes a securing member for attaching the panel in a spaced relationship and at its bottom surface to the motor vehicle's roof. A reflective outer layer extends continuously across the top surface throughout the area of the panel. The body portion of the panel has an area substantially equal to the area of the vehicle's roof and presents the periphery from which the edge portion extends angularly outwardly and downwardly for providing shade to the vehicle's interior. At least a portion of the edge portion is transparent to allow a passenger of the vehicle to see therethrough. The cover also includes a ventilating louver member formed in the panel.

Abstract: A rear bumper assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided, which includes a bumper bar, an energy absorbing mechanism, a bumper cover overlying the energy absorbing mechanism of the bumper bar, and a rigid extension panel secured to the vehicle body and positioned to present an abutting surface to a stop surface formed on the bumper cover at a position intermediate of a vertically extending part of the vehicle body and essentially coplanar with it to prevent contact between the bumper cover and the vertically extending portion of the vehicle body during impact-induced compression.

Abstract: A liner made of water sealing material is formed with a plurality of pockets. Each pocket is cut, and then the liner disposed next to the door with a respective pocket positioned over a component of a vehicle door to be sealed, e.g., a lock shaft. The pocket is collapsed around the component such that the excess material established by the now-collapsed pocket overlaps around the component, thereby establishing a water seal around the component.

Abstract: In the structure of a vehicle, torque boxes are provided for coupling extension sideframes and sidesills on right and left sides in the front of the vehicle cabin. The rear end portions of the suspension member are coupled to rear coupling portions provided in the torque boxes, and coupling points for coupling thereat with the suspension member of the rear coupling portions are provided outside in a widthwise direction of the vehicle relative to the center of a section of the extension sideframes, and inside in the car width direction than the center of a section of the sidesills. With this structure, a load to the rearward of the vehicle of the suspension member at the time of a front-end collision and a front-end offset collision of the vehicle can be efficiently dissipated and transmitted to the extension sideframe and the sidesill via the torque box, and any retreat of the suspension member can be suppressed with a light and simple structure.

Abstract: Today when most passenger cars are fabricated without frames, many people are using vans and sports utility vehicles to pull trailers. These vehicles have improved efficiency and apparent power when equipped with a wind deflector. A wind deflector for such vehicles is disclosed which comprises a top member which is mounted on the rear portion of the vehicle and two side members having front side portions which extend downwardly from the top member along the sides of the vehicle. All said members curve outwardly from the front side portions thereof away from the vehicle. All members are molded from semi rigid plastic and have spaced braces on the rear interior side portion thereof. The top and side members are matably fitted together and releasably held together by buckles. The wind deflector is removably mounted on the vehicle using hook bolts, straps and bars which are fastened to the frame beneath the vehicle.

Abstract: An upper vehicle body structure having structural rigidity sufficient to prevent a sunroof unit from sinking has left and right roof side rails, each being formed into a closed cross-section by inner and outer rail panels, each of which has at least a vertical rail section and a horizontal rail section to which an inclining section and horizontal section of a bottom section of an attachment bracket. Roof reinforcements are secured at their bottom sections to the horizontal sections of the attachment brackets.

Abstract: An air guide device on the rear of a motor vehicle has an airfoil located between side elements. The device includes a spoiler unit located at a distance from the airfoil with an integrated air intake grille in a trunk lid. The spoiler unit is made in one piece with the side elements to hold the airfoil which runs crosswise. Intake openings for supplying engine air are located in each of the side elements.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle with a vehicle body surrounding a storage area and a storage surface has a bumper with a concealable step side and a fascia side. The bumper is mounted to the vehicle for movement between a fascia position and a step position. In the fascia position, the fascia side is substantially vertical and rearwardly facing, and the step side is substantially concealed from view with respect to the vehicle body. In the step position, the step side is presented substantially horizontal and vertically below the storage area surface to permit step access to the storage surface. The bumper is releasably latched to the vehicle when in the fascia position.

Abstract: A receiving arrangement for equipment and/or objects in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, has a shaft with inserts arranged therein above one another, such as a tray, a cassette box, an ashtray and the like. For a reliable holding of the inserts in the shaft, also in the case of a rear impact and while maintaining a simple mounting and demounting of the inserts, longitudinal guides are provided between each insert and the lateral shaft walls, for the drawer-type sliding-in and sliding-out of the inserts from the direction of the passenger compartment. A locking mechanism, which can be released only manually, is provided between each insert and the shaft and which engages automatically when the insert is slid in. The locking mechanisms are arranged in the shaft so that they are accessible for manual operation only after the removal of the insert disposed above from the shaft.

Abstract: A luggage compartment cover for a motor vehicle has a bearing shaft extending between two bucket-shaped side parts, which supports a flat structure that can be rolled and unrolled, such as a concealing cover. At least one of the side parts is axially movable with respect to a bearing axis of the bearing shaft between a release position, in which the side part is released from a mount which is integral with the vehicle, and a locking position, in which the side part is locked in the mount which is integral with the vehicle. At least one side part has a releasable lock for locking the side part in the release position. In another embodiment, the luggage compartment cover has a locking device which locks a side part axially relative to the bearing shaft and which is unlockable with an actuating button. In another embodiment, the luggage compartment cover has a releasable lock which is constructed in the manner of a ballpoint pen lock.

Abstract: An auxiliary sun visor formed of a transparent polarized shield is removably attached to conventional vehicle sun visor in a manner allowing it to be pivoted without simultaneous movement of the conventional sun visor.

Abstract: A tank cap which is pivotally supported, preferably about an approximately vertical axis, at an end portion of a tank inlet tray of an automotive vehicle, a carrier element of plastic material being provided having an outer circumference approximately corresponding to that of the tank cap and being pivotally supported by the inlet tray, and a cover element of sheet metal being attached to the outer surface of the carrier element.

Abstract: In a spare tire storage arrangement for vertically retaining a spare tire in a rear part of the vehicle body adjacent to a rear wheel house, a recess is provided in an upper part of the wheel house somewhat behind a highest point thereof, and a saddle member is provided behind the wheel house so that protrusion of the spare tire in both the rearward and lateral directions can be minimized. Therefore, this arrangement can be applied to a motor vehicle having rear wheels located extremely close to the rear end of the vehicle, and can maximize the effective volume of the luggage compartment. Also, owing to provision of the inclined supporting surfaces on the side panel, and the replaceable arrangement of the saddle member, it is possible to store spare tires of different sizes without any major modification.