Abstract: A vehicle cargo bed extension device useable to increase the load bearing capacity of a vehicle cargo bed. The vehicle cargo bed extension device includes a rectangular deck attachable to a rectangular open deck frame having a rear beam and a front beam attached by side beams. A support frame having a horizontal attachment post for attaching the support frame to a trailer hitch supports the deck frame. A rear vertical post extends downwardly from the center rear of the deck frame to the rearward section of the horizontal attachment post. A front vertical post extends downwardly from the center of the deck frame front beam to a forward section of the horizontal attachment post, and outwardly inclined side bracing beams extend from the sides of the support beam to the side edges of the deck frame.

Abstract: A luggage area protection device includes a flexible flat article movably arranged between a compactly deposited rest position and an extracted functioning position. At the front end in the extraction direction, a dimensionally stable extraction part, extending transversely to the flat article extraction position, is provided. Guides are associated with the extraction part and move the latter between the extracted functioning position and the flat article rest position. The extraction part is lockable in the extracted flat article functioning position. The locking mechanisms, considered in the flat article extraction direction, are positioned approximately at the same height or behind an area portion defining the rest position of the extraction part.

Abstract: A rear boot (3) hood (4), for a convertible vehicle (1) swivels in relation to the bodyshell, via a first assembly element (13) capable of engaging in a detachable manner into a second assembly element (14) linked to the bodyshell. First and second runner surfaces (13a, 14a, 16c and 17a) work together at the end of the swivel movement of the hood. Means for locking/unlocking comprising first and second means for engaging (16 and 17) lock the hood in relation to the bodyshell. According to the invention, the first and second means for engaging (16 and 17) respectively have between them first and second contact surfaces with co-operative shapes, so that for at least the main part of its stroke, said first means for engaging (16) applies a substantially constant pressure on the corresponding second means for engaging (17).

Abstract: A bumper beam includes a metallic center beam mounted with a plurality of vertical members each integrally crossed by a horizontal member. A plastic outer beam encompasses an external side of the center beam and a plurality of ribs are mounted at the outside of the plastic outer beam. The bumper beam features of a bumper beam needed in times of a low speed collision and a high speed collision between the vehicle and a pedestrian. As a result, injuries to the pedestrian can be reduced during the low speed collision and an impact absorption performance of the vehicle can be maximized during the high speed collision. Thereby, safety of the pedestrian and occupants inside the vehicle are increased.

Abstract: A pick-up truck box extender flip gate is provided. The truck box extender flip gate of the current application is comprised of; 1) a tail gate attaching frame, 2) two side faces, each of which is comprised of one guide and one metal frame. 3) a first front face that is rotatably connected to the two guides, and 4) a second front face that is rotatably connected to the first front face via hinges. When the pick-up truck box extender flip gate is in retracted position, the two guides are embedded in two rectangular metal frames which are welded to both ends of the tail gate frame. The first front face and the second front face are overlapped with the tailgate-attaching frame when the flip gate is retracted. In extended position, the first front face and second front faces come out of the attaching frame to extend the pick-up truck cargo box space. The first and second front faces have racks for holding bicycle wheel or long ladder's leg.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a decorative design member or logo configured to affix to an existing vehicle door handle. Additionally, the current invention relates to a handle overlay configured to an existing vehicle door handle and a decorative design member affixed to the handle overlay. Furthermore, the decorative design member can be integrated into a handle overlay for the current invention. The invention also relates to a method for applying a decorative design member, logo or handle overlay to a vehicle door handle.

Abstract: A vehicle rear seating arrangement is described that includes a vehicle passenger compartment structure and a seat assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat attachment part, a seat bottom portion with an upper seating surface and a seat extension portion with an extension seating surface. The seat attachment part is fixedly attached to the vehicle passenger compartment structure. The seat extension portion is supported by the seat assembly for movement between a stowed position underneath the seat bottom portion and a seat extending position in which the upper seating surface and the extension seating surface are generally aligned.

Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus particularly adapted for motor vehicle front end structures for mitigating injuries of pedestrians struck by the vehicle. The apparatus incorporates a front grill which is moveable between extended and retracted positions. While it is in its extended position, the grill is designed to absorb energy from a pedestrian impact to reduce pedestrian injuries. The position of the grill is controlled by an actuator which responds to control inputs such as vehicle speed.

Abstract: Impact damper assembly for an automobile, in particular for supporting a bumper 5 on an automobile chassis, with an inner tube 2 movably arranged in an outer tube 3, wherein both tubes 2, 3 have an approximately mutually parallel taper 16, 19, wherein the taper 19 of the inner tube 2 is encompassed by the taper 16 of the outer tube 3, and wherein at least one of the two tubes 2, 3 can be deformed during the movement by the taper 16, 19 of the two tubes. The invention is characterized in that the impact damper assembly includes an additional deformable stiffening element 22.

Abstract: A bumper system for an automobile vehicle includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a beam and an energy absorber coupled to the beam. The beam has a top surface and a bottom surface, and is configured to attach to the vehicle. The energy absorber includes a body having a first side and an opposing second side, a plurality of crush lobes extending from the first side, and a plurality of vertical translational crush lobes extending from the second side. The second side faces the beam, and each vertical translational crush lobe engages the top surface or the bottom surface of the beam.

Abstract: A sensor system for protecting a door of a vehicle from damage includes an electronic sensor operable to detect when an object external to the vehicle is within close proximity to the door of the vehicle. The sensor system provides a signal indicative of the proximity of the external object. The sensor system also includes a blocking hinge mechanism coupled with the signal. The hinge mechanism blocks the opening of the door beyond a distance wherein the vehicle door would strike the object.

Abstract: A motor vehicle with a movable convertible top includes a control device for controlling a convertible top motion and a device for the recognition of the convertible top position. The device for convertible top position recognition continuously monitors the position of the convertible top. The position of a defined element of the convertible top is determined by means of at least one acceleration sensor that measures the current acceleration in relationship to the acceleration of free fall.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied as a cart canopy housing having a canopy storage portion, a roof engaging portion and a side panel portion extending from the roof engaging portion and from the canopy storage portion so as to enable partial concealment of a roof support when the housing is installed on a cart. The invention may also be embodied as a cart roof having a cover portion, a canopy storage portion, and a side panel portion extending from the cover portion and the canopy storage portion so as to enable partial concealment of a roof support when the cover portion is installed on a cart.

Abstract: A vehicle door has a supportive frame (10). A waist rail (14) and a side impact guard beam (22) are formed integrally with the supportive frame. The entire frame is made of high strength sheet steel. The door is produced by hot stamping a steel sheet blank into the shape of a supportive door frame that includes an integral waist rail (14) and a side impact guard beam (22), and hardening the shaped door frame while the frame remains in the shaping tools, and fastening an outer panel (31) to the finished door such that the side collision guard beam (22) of the frame will lie close to the outer panel (31).

Abstract: A vehicle bumper system includes a beam and a thermoformed energy absorber positioned on a face of the beam. The thermoformed energy absorber has a plurality of elongated crush boxes thermoformed from a base flange. Crush boxes near a center of the beam are up to about three inches deep, and as a result have side walls that are stretched when thermoformed, while crush boxes near ends of the beam are much shorter and hence not as thin. As a result, the center area has a softer impact intended to reduce pedestrian injury during impact.

Abstract: A motor vehicle chassis skirt panel provides for hiding components attached to the outside of the frame rails of a vehicle chassis in a first, closed position and allowing access when moved to a second open position. The chassis skirt panel is mounted below a truck body on at least one side of the vehicle and is set in a track allowing the panel to be moved back and forth.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a console provided in a center stacking area receiving one or more vehicle components including a media player. A trim bezel configured for use with the one or more vehicle components is secured to the console. An alignment mechanism cooperates with the media player and an opening in the trim bezel to load and unload removable media. The alignment mechanism includes a load funnel securable adjacent an opening in the media player and an eject funnel cooperating with an opening in the trim bezel.

Abstract: A windshield covering system includes a pair of tracks. Each of the tracks is attached to a roof of a vehicle. The tracks are each positioned adjacent to one of a pair of lateral sides of the roof and each extends along one of a pair of lateral edge of a windshield of the vehicle. A panel has a pair of side edges. Each of the side edges is positioned in one of the tracks. The panel is selectively positioned in a stored position over the roof or in an extended position extending downwardly over the windshield. The panel is opaque and comprises a resiliently flexible material.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved trim part, e.g. a bolster or trim plate, with integrated appliqué for use in a trim assembly, and to a continuous two-shot molding operation that may be performed utilizing a single mold assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the trim part, i.e. a bolster, includes a substrate formed by injecting a first material into a first shot mold cavity in a first shot of a molding operation. An appliqué is provided in a second shot mold cavity then a cover is formed between the substrate and appliqué by injecting into a mold chamber a second foamed material in a second shot of the molding operation. The formed cover is integrally molded to at least a portion of the substrate and the appliqué to form a trim part with integrated appliqué.

Abstract: A convertible motor vehicle first and second storage compartments extending transversely behind a seat. A rigid roof shell has two posts defining a rear opening. The first compartment extends laterally forward past the seat. Guide rails extend laterally in the first compartment forward past the seat. Respective guide slides on the rear end posts ride on the guide rails, and the roof shell is displaceable along the guide rails between an up position wholly out of the first storage compartment and a down position wholly in the first compartment with the guide slides laterally flanking the seat. A rear windshield fits in the opening between the posts. A guide in the second storage compartment displaces the rear windshield between a lowered position in the second compartment and a raised position fitting between the rear end posts of the windshield in the up position thereof and closing the rear opening.