Abstract: A truck bed camper shell and hard tonneau cover device is provided which is activated for movement between a raised truck bed camper shell position and a lowered hard tonneau cover position by remote activation of actuators such as pneumatics or hydraulic cylinders or a screw drive mechanism.

Abstract: A windshield molding for insertion in the space between a windshield glass panel and a window opening of a vehicle body panel. The windshield molding structure includes a clasp portion, a bendable portion, and a channel lip portion. The clasp portion conformingly adheres to the edge of the windshield glass and the bendable portion engages the periphery of the window opening wherein the bendable portion bends and folds under the channel lip portion to provide an air-tight compression seal between the window glass and vehicle body panel, thereby minimizing undesirable air flow whistling and collection of dirt or other debris within the windshield molding structure. A windshield molding is also provided with a water drain channel which guides rainwater along the edge of the molding structure to prevent the water fluid from being sprayed onto the side windows.

Abstract: A cowl grille structure for positioning in a space between a lower edge of a motor vehicle windshield and a rear edge of a motor vehicle hood. In one embodiment the cowl grille structure includes a molded main body planar leaf screen portion, a washer fluid channel extending along the main body portion and molded integrally with the main body portion, and mounting structure molded integrally with the main body portion for receiving a windshield washer nozzle member with the nozzle member in fluid communication with the integral channel whereby windshield washer fluid may be delivered to the nozzle member through the integral channel. In a second embodiment the washer fluid channel is defined by a molding positioned along the rear edge of the main body leaf screen portion between the rear edge of the main body portion and the lower edge of the windshield.

Abstract: A controlled material transport method for carrying materials to and from workstations, test equipment, and processing and assembly tools in a common facility. The present invention includes a rigid “robot vehicle” mountable to a passive track system, which can be routed to service all processing tools on the factory floor. The robot vehicle includes a hoist assembly and gripper assembly, which together perform such functions as picking up magazines, placing magazines, and loading magazines into the processing tools. The hoist assembly is capable of functioning in an operational envelope, which includes any target location within a 3-axis Cartesian coordinate system, to the extent of the range of motion of the hoist assembly. The hoist assembly also provides rigid and controlled z-axis travel, while being compact when retracted. The gripper assembly facilitates loading of the magazines, especially chute style magazines, which are commonly found on many existing processing tools.

Abstract: A damper unit includes a gear having a core member projecting at a shaft core portion thereof and rotatably housed in a case, a string wound around the core member, a rotary damper engaging the gear for damping a rotational force of the gear, and a spring. One end of the spring is fixed to the case and the other end thereof is fixed to the core member so that an elastic force is accumulated when the string is pulled out.

Abstract: A module in the form of an applique is mountable on an exterior surface of a vehicle liftgate and provides a mounting platform for a plurality of components mountable on the liftgate in a single assembly operation. The components include at least two of light sources in the form of LEDs or incandescent bulbs, an actuatable switch, a camera and a wash fluid dispensing nozzle. The components are mounted on a substrate in the form of a printed circuit board or a lead frame attached to a substrate for mounting in a carrier. The carrier is affixed to the module and is alignable with apertures in the applique for transmission of light from the light sources exteriorly of the applique as well as to enable the camera to view a field of view through the lens. The electric switch is actuatable by a resilient membrane mounted on the carrier and actuatable exteriorly of the applique.

Abstract: A self-camming torque rod assembly for an endgate of a vehicle includes a dual-pivot hinge assembly connected to the endgate and a vehicle body of the vehicle and having a dual pivot to allow the endgate to pivot to a first open position and a second open position and to a closed position relative to the vehicle body. The self-camming torque rod assembly also includes a roller rotatably connected to the dual-pivot hinge assembly. The self-camming torque rod assembly further includes a self-camming torque rod to interface with the roller having a first portion for connection to the endgate and a second portion extending from the first portion and spaced from the roller when the endgate is in the closed position and cooperating with the roller when the endgate is moved between the closed position and the first open position and the second open position to counterbalance a weight of the endgate.

Abstract: A cam-type door latch assembly comprises a handle and an arm assembly terminating in a finger-like cam and pivotal to bring the cam into engagement with a conventional locking pin assembly. The arm assembly is selectively adjustable for lengthening or shortening the arm assembly, thereby adjusting the contact force between the cam and the locking pin and, consequently, the door closing force. The arm assembly comprises a sleeve enclosing a wedge nut and a cam arm having offsetting inclined faces which are tightened against each other with a threaded connector to lock the wedge nut and cam arm in position in the sleeve when the cam has been properly adjusted relative to the locking pin.

Abstract: A convertible roof is provided which includes a folding mechanism that couples a pair of adjacent roof rails together with at least two links to form a linkage assembly with at least four-bars without the adjacent pair of roof rails being directly connected to one another. A convertible roof having a folding mechanism that controls retraction of the convertible roof so that a portion of the convertible roof serves as a cover that conceals a portion of the convertible roof within the stowage compartment is also provided.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a folding roof which can be opened and lowered into a rear storage space. Partitioning of the rear storage space into a folding-top space and a residual luggage space is provided by a separating arrangement which includes a dimensionally stable covering element that can be shifted vertically from a use position into a non-use position when the folding top is stored. The covering element extends over a rear sub-length of the separating arrangement and can be displaced forwards into the non-use position shortening the length of the separating arrangement.

Abstract: A lightweight automobile body structure is provided and includes a base assembly including an upper sheet and a lower sheet. The upper sheet has first and second series of upper reliefs formed therein and the lower sheet has first and second series of lower reliefs formed therein. The upper and lower sheets stacked adjacent one another, whereby the first series of upper reliefs are in flush contact with the first series of lower reliefs and the second series of upper reliefs are offset from the second series of lower reliefs for defining a space therebetween. First and second side panels are fixedly attached to the base assembly and extend therefrom for defining respective sides. A roof panel is fixedly attached between the first and second side panels for defining a roof.

Abstract: A truck bed extension device (10) for use with a truck (12) having a cargo bed structure, wherein the device (10) allows for carrying items which extend beyond or overhang the bed structure. The device (10) comprises a deck (24); a support structure (26); and a signaling system (28). The deck (24) is horizontally adjustable relative to the bed structure so as to allow for achieving a desired spacing therebetween. The deck (24) is also vertically offset when unloaded so as to be substantially flush when loaded. Because the device (10) or the load carried thereon may obstruct viewing of the truck's existing brake and turn signals, the signaling system (28) repeats these signals where they are more visible. A second embodiment of the device (110) provides a hitch structure (170) for coupling the truck with a trailer via the device (110).

Abstract: An interior system for a motor vehicle comprises two front seats and a rear seat disposed rearwardly of the front seats and adjustable through a range of positions including a forwardmost and a rearwardmost position. The system also includes a first console disposed between the two front seats, the first console having a substantially flat portion located lower than the rear seat and in general lateral alignment with the rear seat, the flat portion further located proximate the rear seat when the rear seat is in its forwardmost position. The first console further comprises attachment provisions for attaching a second console to the first console at least in part upon the substantially flat portion. In another aspect, an interior system for a motor vehicle comprises two front seats, a first console disposed between the two front seats and a second console removably attached to the first console.

Abstract: An all-weather guided vehicle system having a guideway including a single tube or a pair of parallel tubes capable of storing pressurized air. Vehicles are suspended below, above, or beside the tube(s) by way of carriages to which the vehicles are connected. Arcuate roller tracks between the vehicle and the carriage provide a banking mechanism for cornering. The tube(s) support continuous high-speed rails to receive suspension members extending from the carriage for air or wheeled suspension. Impulse vanes are provided on a vertical rod extending through a slotted opening in a propulsion channel for cooperation with air jet nozzles located within the channel to propel and brake the carriage. Embodiments having a fair-weather vehicle riding atop the deck and tire tracks for suspension and prevention of side sway are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle body has a roof-enclosed passenger compartment and a rear cargo compartment. The cargo compartment has a cover and a tailgate to close the cargo compartment. The cover is movable along a pair of tracks from its closed position on the cargo compartment to a stowed position on top of the passenger compartment. The cover has an intermediate position above the cargo compartment which serves as a camper top and with the addition of zip-on side covers converts the vehicle body to a camper. The intermediate position of the cover in conjunction with the roof of the vehicle body also provides support for hauling long cargo.

Abstract: An arrangement of equipment for a motor vehicle provided with at least one reserved space consisting of one or several side walls which are located between an opposing bottom and an opening. The reserved space in the arrangement accommodates a plurality of equipment elements respectively including at least one frame. The elements have dimensions that are equal to or multiples of a base and which fit into each other and/or do so against the side walls of the reserved space as a result of cooperation which occurs between first and second fastening devices which are provided on the frame of the elements and on the walls of the reserved space. The fixing devices are distributed in a regular manner according to the dimensions of the base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for absorbing impacts, particularly between a mobile machine (1) and an obstacle (2) or between two mobile machines, and comprises an energy absorbing structure (3), which is deployable by means of actuators (4), which are set into action by a way of control. The device is characterized in that the deployable structure (3) comprises at least one compressible beam (6) which, when the structure (3) is in deployed position, absorb energy generated by an impact, produced according to a specific direction (D) by way of the permanent axial compression thereof, the compressible beams (6) being connected to one another and/or to rigid guide elements (7) by joints (8, 9, 11) which allow for the rotational and/or translational movement of the beams (6) during deployment of the structure (3).

Abstract: An integrated overhead console system for a vehicle provides storage compartments and electronic devices such as map lights and infotainment systems. The vehicle headliner forms a console body portion of the console, and defines a space that has an opening. A retainer is located between the headliner and a vehicle roof panel. The storage compartments are covered by console doors, which attach directly to the retainer. The electronic devices also attach directly to the retainer, which eliminates the need for a large bezel. This reduces material costs and the weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular interior space module comprises an interior space lining part that has a large surface area and is visible from inside in a state when installed in a vehicle, the interior space lining part including an opening. The module further comprises an insert which is located in the opening and fastened to the interior space lining part, the insert having an outer housing in which at least one electrical component is arranged. At least one exposed electrical contact surface area is provided on the interior space lining part arranged directly on an edge of the opening, the insert having a fastener for attaching the insert to the interior space lining part. The fastener includes a cooperating contact configured such that the contact surface area contacts the cooperating contact in an electrically conductive manner through fastening the insert in the opening.

Abstract: A housing for a member disposed at a vehicle exterior is formed by assembling a plurality of parts substantially in a vehicle longitudinal direction. At a matching portion when the plurality of parts are assembled together substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a housing outer side end portion of a matching surface substantially at a vehicle frontward side is displaced further outward than a housing outer side end portion of a matching surface substantially at a vehicle rearward side. Or, the housing outer side end portion of the matching surface substantially at the vehicle rearward side may have a curved surface or a flat surface.