Abstract: A motor vehicle configuration includes a folding roof and an electro-hydraulic system for moving the folding roof between a closed position and an open position. A roof actuation request for moving the folding roof from the closed position to the open position is blocked if the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in a period when the engine is off has reached a given maximum number in order to protect the vehicle battery. A display provides a driver alert information if the total number of roof actuation requests occurring in the period when the engine is off has reached the given maximum number. A method for controlling a power-operated vehicle roof is also provided.

Abstract: The rear door is for fitting to a motor vehicle having a rear chassis and a rear insurance impact absorber system suitable for absorbing insurance type impacts so as to prevent plastic deformation of the rear chassis of the vehicle. The door carries the rear impact absorber system of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for partitioning seats in a vehicle. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a first partition for separating the back row of seats from the front row of seat in a vehicle; and at least one mounting member for securing the partition to the front row seat. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for partitioning a seat from an adjoining seat, and further includes a second partition, attached to the first partition, and at least one mounting member attaching the second partition to the backseat. The present invention also includes methods for separating or partitioning pets, children, groceries, etc. from adjoining seats of a vehicle by using the apparatus described herein. Also embodied are systems, vehicles and kits that include the apparatus.

Abstract: A simultaneous single rail movement system for a vehicle door includes an outboard hinge arm, an inboard hinge arm, a rail, and a guide track. The outboard hinge arm includes a first outboard end and a second outboard end. The outboard hinge arm is pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure at the first outboard end. The outboard hinge arm includes a first region or point, and a second region or point. The inboard hinge arm includes a first inboard end and a second inboard end. The inboard hinge arm is pivotally mounted to a vehicle body structure at the first inboard end. The rail may be mounted to a vehicle door and is configured to receive the slide member. The slide member is pivotally mounted to the first point of the outboard hinge arm and the second inboard end. The guide track is adjacent to the rail and is configured to receive the second region or point of the outboard hinge arm. The guide track includes a substantially curved portion and a substantially linear portion.

Abstract: A retractable fitting assembly may include a cover that is rotatable around a first axis between closed and open positions, and a fitting that is rotatable around a second axis between closed and open positions. The first and second axes may be spaced apart and generally parallel. The direction of rotation of the fitting from the closed position to the open position may be opposite the direction of rotation of the cover from the closed position to the open position. In the closed position of the cover and the open position of the fitting, at least a portion of the cover abuts the fitting to thereby hinder rotation of the fitting.

Abstract: Vehicle headliners and methods of installation include headliners with a substrate layer having at least one handling component formed within the substrate layer, the handling component having a perforation between the handling component and the surrounding substrate layer, wherein the handling component aids in the handling of the headliner during installation.

Abstract: A utility trailer convertible between an open bed configuration and a cargo box configuration includes an open-bed trailer and a removable cargo box. The bed of the trailer includes multiple full-length, parallel, longitudinal grooves. Adjacent each groove is a rail that is elevated slightly above the elevation of the bed. The rails function both as deck protectors and friction reducers for the cargo box that is designed for a slide-in, non-interference fit between the walls of the trailer. The cargo box-has a sheathing covered frame with a door at the rear end thereof. Multiple anchors that align with the grooves, are attached to the underside of the cargo box frame. When properly positioned on the trailer, the anchors are removably securable to the bed. Multiple jacks can be used to elevate the cargo box and slide the trailer from beneath the cargo box.

Abstract: In the present frame structure of a trunk lid: the trunk lid has an outer panel and an inner panel, and is formed such that its cross-section is approximately L-shaped, with a top face part and a rear face part; left and right hinge installation sections are provided, and a lock installation section is provided in the left to right center of the rear face part; left and right beading parts are provided on the inner panel; and fastening parts of hinge arms are arranged diagonally along the lengthwise direction of the left and right beading parts.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has at least one illuminating device in a rear region and at least one wind-deflecting device likewise arranged in the rear region. The wind-deflecting device can be activated. According to the invention, the at least one wind-deflecting device is part of the rear illuminating device.

Abstract: A cushioning clip for receiving a movement of a movable member approaching a stationary member, including a cushioning part, for absorbing an impact force, and a mounting part for mounting the cushioning part to the stationary member. The cushioning part is formed of a flexible material exhibiting elasticity. The mounting part is formed of a rigid material exhibiting a predetermined rigidity. A hollow part is formed in the cushioning part. An inner wall of the hollow part is formed almost perpendicularly to the stationary member, and an apex part on a distal end side of the inner wall is flexed inwardly.

Abstract: A system for passing cables between a body and door of a motor vehicle. The system includes a flexible sheath containing electrical cables, ends of the sheath being connected to an edge wall of the door and a fixed wall of the body respectively. The flexible sheath includes an axially-extensible part having one end fixed to the body and another end connected to the edge wall of the door at the edge of a cable passage hole disposed in the edge wall, such that the extensible part lengthens when the door is opened. Moreover, the cables include a free length inside the door such that they can slide in the sheath to absorb variations in the length of the sheath as the door pivots. The sheath extends beyond the end of the axially-deformable part fixed to the body, by a flexibly-deformable part with an end connected to the body at the cable passage in the wall of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for marketing automobiles. The device comprises a receptacle (preferably tubular) that may be attached to the automobile without risk of damage to the automobile. The receptacle may be used to contain documents providing information about the automobile to prospective purchasers.

Abstract: Trim elements affixable to a vehicle body provide protection to the vehicle body from dents. Each of the trim elements comprises an outer shell of determinate length wherein the outer shell has a conformable wall for interfacing with a vehicle body and a convex wall affixed to outer edges of the conformable wall. This outer shell defines an interior void that is filled with energy absorbing foam.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a tarpaulin so as to selectively cover and uncover a top aperture of a container the device being usable in combination with an actuator providing a rotational motion, the device comprising: a rod for rolling the tarpaulin therearound and for unrolling the tarpaulin therefrom; a rod rotating component having a substantially elongated configuration, the rod rotating component defining a component longitudinal axis, the rod rotating component being linkable to the actuator so as to be rotatable therewith about the rod longitudinal axis, the rod rotating component being operatively coupled to the rod in a manner such that rotating the rod rotating component about the component longitudinal axis rotates the rod about the rod longitudinal axis, the rod rotating component being pivotable relatively to the actuator and configurable between a component shortest configuration and a component longest configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure of an assist handle mounting bracket for absorbing the impact of a vehicle which is provided between a head lining and a roof side rail panel and to which an assist handle is coupled by a fixing member. A structure of an assist handle mounting bracket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can alleviate the impact during the collision of the head of a passenger and the assist handle so as to minimize injury to the passenger.

Abstract: A cargo carrier for temporary attachment atop the bed of a fifth wheel tractor and temporarily replace the trailer includes a mounting frame, means for removably anchoring the mounting frame to the tractor such that the rails encircle the fifth wheel, and an upwardly open container for carrying articles removably secured to the mounting frame. The mounting frame includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails, and a pair of transversely extending forward and rearward cross-rails. The container includes a bottom, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of end walls, the walls being generally perpendicular to and removably connected to the bottom and to one another to form an upwardly open rectangular shaped structure.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a hollow reinforcing beam (1) for the cockpit of a vehicle. This beam (1) constitutes a member through which air originating from a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system flows, and for this purpose comprises at least one air intake opening (21) and a plurality of outlet openings (23, 24, 26, 27, 29) for discharging the admitted air. This beam (1) is made up of an integral body stretching longitudinally in a constant direction which at its ends comprises windows (8, 9) for the longitudinal introduction of members for the selective distribution of the air admitted into the beam (1), and which is equipped at its ends with tips (12, 13) for reinforcing the beam (1) and fixing it to the cockpit of the vehicle.

Abstract: A stowable seat assembly for a vehicle, the seat assembly including a seat, a seat receiving recess in a floor of a vehicle, an upper riser mechanism, a lower riser mechanism and a panel. The upper riser mechanism is coupled to the seat for movement of the seat between an elevated position and a collapsed position. The lower riser mechanism is coupled to the seat receiving recess for movement of the seat between a collapsed position and a stowed position. The panel is positioned between, and coupled to, the upper and lower riser mechanisms. The panel is arranged to conceal the seat receiving recess when the seat is in an elevated position, and is movable into the seat receiving recess when the seat is in a collapsed position to permit the seat to be stowed in the seat receiving recess.

Abstract: A protective guard assembly for the protection of vehicles from parking lot damage is provided. The protective apparatus may comprise a pair of extendable rotator arms with a tensioned cable extended therebetween. In its non-deployed position, the present invention may be mounted underneath the vehicle to maintain the outer appearance of the vehicle. In its deployed position, the present invention may provide a pair of fore and aft canted arms with the tensioned cable therebetween, such arms having extended from underneath said vehicle and rotated upward to extend said cable at approximately the height of the outermost portion of the generally curved vehicle body. Alternatively, the present invention may comprise a pair of shorter extendable arms rotated in an upward manner and extended from each of the front and rear bumpers, or extended from and retracted into the front and rear bumpers, along the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A wheel supported grain wagon includes a container with sloping side walls extending to an incline bottom wall, and a gravity discharge opening is formed within one of the side walls adjacent the bottom wall. A door panel is supported by tracks for movement between an upper open position and a lower close position covering the opening. A grain discharge chute extends from the opening and has opposite side walls connected by a bottom wall. The chute is adjustably supported by a pair of horizontally aligned pivot pins projecting into corresponding slots within a pair of side support brackets secured to the container. The slots extend generally perpendicular to the side wall and have longitudinally spaced bottom notches which selectively receive the pivot pins in response to manually lifting and shifting the discharge chute for selectively positioning the outer edge of the discharge chute at different elevations.