Abstract: A pickup truck bed with a vertically hinged passenger door mounted in a side panel thereof. The door permits passenger ingress and egress to the bed area, and conceals a gas cap behind the door and under the bed. Access to the gas cap and ingress and egress is controlled by a locking mechanism operatively associated with the door.

Abstract: A platform stanchion (13) easily lockable to the edge of the platform (10) of a truck has a canvas-cover supporting post (17) consisting of an upper pole (26) and a lower U-section (25) connected thereto. The stanchion (13) engages with the post (17) by means of a tapered upper portion (23) with a tongue at its top. For receiving the upper portion (23) of the stanchion, the U-section (25) of the post (17) has a mating tapered recess with an opening at the top for receiving the tongue. The stanchion (13) and the post (17) can be pivoted inwards and outwards relative to each other with the tongue located in the opening of the U-section serving as pivotal center. In the swung-in position with the stanchion (13) and the post (17) aligned with each other, the stanchion is accommodated in the U-section of the post.

Abstract: An unfolding ladder assembly for attachment to a tailgate is disclosed. The assembly includes a pair of plates for attachment to the outside of a tailgate, the plates providing surfaces against which edges of side frame members are biased in deployed position. Pivot pins are connected to the plates in spaced-apart relation, the pins engaging slots inside members of a step supporting frame. The frame is movable from a forward, deployed position where the pins engage rear portions of the slots, and the upper edges of said frame members, which form an obtuse angle with respect to the length of the frame, are biased upward against the plate surfaces. The step is projected rearward and downward from the tailgate by this means. A lower step frame supporting a second, lower step is pivotally attached to the lower end of the upper step frame. Notches in the side members of the lower step frame have surfaces that engage the upper step and hold the lower step in position.

Abstract: A modular headliner subassembly incorporating a substrate defining a first opening, a retainer ring sized to be mounted relative to the first opening, a console sized to fit partially within the opening and be mounted to the retainer ring, a pair of inboard sunshade supports for supporting the inboard end of the sunshades mounted to a modular headliner and retention clips mounted to the inboard sunshade support fastening means such that the substrate and retaining ring are secured between the base of the inboard sunshade support and the retention clip to mount the inboard sunshade support to the substrate prior to assembly of the modular headliner to the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A flat bed vehicle such as a tilt bed car carrier vehicle has side rails which may be positionable either in a raised position disposed above the bed platform and a lowered stowed position wherein the tops of the rails are disposed coextensive with the platform. The caps or tops of the rails are supported on posts and the ends of posts remote from the caps have cam followers which are positioned within respective cam tracks extending transversely beneath the bed floor. The cam tracks are configured so that the followers may be moved between first and second ends of the cam tracks selectively. At one end of each track the follower is located such that the respective post may be either in the upstanding operative position at the side of the bed, and at the other end of the track the follower is located such that the post is in the stowed position extending transversely beneath the floor of the bed with the cap of the rail positioned on a shelf of a longitudinally extending bracket at the edge of the side.

Abstract: A trailer air grill mounted in a front and opposing side walls of a trailer and having a front intake air grill with louvers in the front wall which direct the airflow at an angle toward the side wall discharge air grills. An interior V-shaped deflector barrier centered at the back of the front intake air grill further enhances the deflection of the airflow to the side wall discharge air grills.

Abstract: Air intakes, usually constituted by N.A.C.A. intakes, are formed in the sides of the motor vehicle immediately in front of each rear light unit. When the vehicle is moving, each of the intakes induces a flow of air towards the light unit. As it passes through flow-conditioning means, such as a deflector element mounted in a corner position on the light unit or a slot-like duct which passes through the light unit, this flow is transformed into a turbulent air flow. As it spreads into the space surrounding the surface of the light unit and/or flows over it, this air flow prevents the deposition of dirt on the light unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a spare tire on the exterior of a motor vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a support base which is capable of being rigidly affixed to the frame of a motor vehicle. The support base supports a swing down spare tire mounting bracket having means for mounting the spare tire. The spare tire mounting bracket is pivotally attached to the support base so that the mounting bracket can be pivotally swung about a generally horizontal axis between a first upright vehicle operating position and a second generally horizontally disposed vehicle access position. A catch means is also disclosed for releasably locking the swing-down bracket in its first upright position. In addition, bumper means affixed to the support base are disclosed for protecting the vehicle spare tire mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus is capable of supporting a table for holding food and drink when the mounting apparatus has been pivotally swung down to its second horizontally disposed position.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to enable a seat to be slidably mounted on the floor of a motor vehicle by robots. For this purpose, the seat is provided in the vicinity of a male hookup element (7) and a female hooking element (10, 13) with a guide element (11) having a bottom (14) and two divergent lateral walls (15). The bottom (14) and the adjacent part of the divergent walls (15) are located in the extension of the female element (10, 13) and ensure a correct positioning of the male element (7), even if the approach of the male element (7) resulting from the action of the robot is relatively unprecise.

Abstract: A car cover has at least two supporting lines clamped to the four corners of the cover at the front and rear ends of the car. Additional clamping devices are slidable on these lines to provide additional support for the cover. Pulleys in the existing carport or garage superstructure provide access to both lines at one side of the vehicle so the cover can be manually hoisted to a stowed position clear of the car where it is ready for deployment onto the vehicle for periods of nonuse.

Abstract: A convertible cover for an open-top vehicle box such as a trailer or the box of a pick-up truck. The cover is removably secured to the box and has a top wall with at least one opening therein spaced from an edge of the top wall to form a seat section on the top wall intermediate the opening and an adjacent side edge of the top wall. A flat removable panel is secured in close fit on the top wall and overlies at least the opening. The panel is supportable elevated from the top wall to constitute a table top.

Abstract: A vanity mirror can be extended from the vehicle headliner and upon extension, can be pivoted about a generally vertical axis such that a single vanity mirror can be used by any of the rear seat passengers. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle roof includes a recess for receiving an illuminated vanity mirror assembly which is pivotally mounted at one edge to the recess for movement between a stored position substantially flush with a vehicle roofline to a lowered use position substantially orthogonal to the vehicle roof.

Abstract: A utility cage for vehicles is particularly shaped half octagon upwardly from a wide horizontal base. The cage is primarily designed for use on the bed of a pickup truck and has adjustable attachment fittings compatible with stake apertures in the pickup truck bed side walls. The cage has tubular frame support members and tubular framed panels fully covered on one side by expanded metal material. Conformingly shaped side panels removably pivotally attached to a frontal end panel and rear support members can be exchanged, reversed, and turned over for placement into a variety of use positions. A rear panel is upwardly hinged to the rear support members for opening, closing or removal. A reinforced removable top panel can be used as a secondary bed in a pickup truck, as a loading ramp, or as a table-like extension the pickup truck tailgate. The side panels can be turned upwardly and a covering placed over the caged area.

Abstract: A pair of support members are arranged for mounting on the floor of a vehicle cargo area and support a cargo box by rollers for movement between forward and rearward positions to provide easy access for loading and unloading the box at the rear of the cargo area. The support members and box have engaging latch portions providing latching notches for the box in forward, rearward and intermediate positions. Front and rear vertical axis rollers are provided on the box and support members, respectively, and have engagement with the other of the box and support members to provide a non-binding lateral stability. Also, longitudinally adjustable abutment means are provided to hold the box in a non-rattling forward latched position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a high strength, shock absorbing wheel generally comprising a two piece hub, preferably of molded construction, a unitary solid wheel molded onto the hub of the wheel, and axle shaft bearings pressed into a central aperture provided in the hub of the wheel. The hub of the wheel comprises two identical halves, divided along a plane of separation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the axle upon which the wheel will rotate, with each hub section including a plurality of apertures disposed about its outer rim to form a plurality of passageways through the outer rim of the assembled hub sections, and further including a plurality of concentric grooves disposed about its outer edge and face to form a plurality of keyways therein.

Abstract: A sectionalized pickup truck box cover composed of a plurality of transverse panels. A first transverse panel is placed on the most forward portion of a pickup truck box. A rear portion of the first panel top surface has a corrugated structure. The forward portion of a second transverse panel is placed over the corrugations to the extent desired by the user so as to assure a completed ensemble of the sectionalized panels that will adequately cover the pickup truck box. The transitional panels are added as needed to accomodate the length of the pickup truck box. Finally, a rear panel having a pivotal wind-spoiler lid or wind spoiler tailpiece is set over the rear end of the box so as to engage the rear portion of the last transition panel, the pickup tailgate is closed and the spoiler lid or spoiler tailpiece is lowered to secure the closed tailgate.

Abstract: A bench type rear seat has three sections independently movable about a common laterally extending pivot axis. The rear seat is positioned in a van or station wagon behind the front seat or seats where the driver sits. The sections include a pair of cushions that may function either as upright back rests, as posterior supports, or as bed cushions. The third section comprises a wrap around control bar that is used to establish the upright position of one of the cushions. By moving the sections, the seat can be configured so that passengers can face forwardly or rearwardly. The sections can also be moved to provide a flat bed. The wrap around control bar includes headrests and locking mechanisms for fixing the position of the upright back rest section. Adjustable headrests and arm rests are also provided. Shoulder type seat belts are connected to the control bar so that they may be used whether the seat is arranged for forward or rearward sitting.