Abstract: Disclosed is an outer skin reinforcement for an outer skin of a motor vehicle, wherein the outer skin reinforcement is formed of a brace, which extends parallel to the outer skin and is connected on connecting points in the vehicle in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the brace is connected to the outer skin via an adhesive layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an energy absorber, comprises: a plurality of crush lobes including a base and sides extending from the base to an outer wall; and a composite insert in the energy absorber. The insert comprises a second plastic material and reinforcement. The second plastic material is different than the crush lobe material. The insert is located at an area of the crush lobes, and wherein the area is the side and/or the outer wall. In another embodiment, an energy absorber comprises: a plastic frame; thermoplastic crush lobes extending from the frame, wherein the crush lobes comprise an outer wall, an extending wall, and a base; and a plastic insert located at an area having a volume of the crush lobes, wherein the insert occupies less than or equal to 90% of the area volume. The insert comprises reinforcement and a plastic material different than the thermoplastic crush lobes.

Abstract: A soft top fabric cover supported by an internal frame work provides a removal end support rail in closest range to a cargo bed tail gate, contains a latch system which allows coupling or uncoupling of the fabric cover from both left and right side longitudinal rails. Further, both left and right longitudinal rails incorporate a full length downward angled slot which accepts an incorporated receiver located on the outer edges of the fabric cover. Upon tensioning, the fabric cover is securely coupled to its internal frame work.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an energy attenuating seat assembly with multi-axis energy attenuation. In one embodiment the seat assembly comprises a seat with a back, a first energy attenuating support comprising a first seat guide, and a first energy attenuating link, the first energy attenuating support operatively disposed in a first direction with respect to the seat. The exemplary seat assembly further comprises a second energy attenuating support comprising a second seat guide, and a second energy attenuating link, the second energy attenuating support operatively disposed in a second direction with respect to the seat.

Abstract: A front vehicle body structure includes a bumper face that extends in a vehicle width direction and a license base that is formed separately from the bumper face and fixed to the bumper face. The license base includes a main body which allows a license plate to be attached to a front surface thereof, a leg portion that extends rearward from a rear surface of the main body, and a hinge portion that extends downward from a rear end of the leg portion and is capable of being bent upward. The license base is fixed to the bumper face by engaging the hinge portion that has been bent upward with the bumper face.

Abstract: A camping assembly is provided having a frame with a base and a superstructure, and a tent mounted on the frame superstructure, wherein the tent is configurable from a closed position for transport to an open position with the tent floor forming a cantilever relative to the frame. The camping assembly may be mounted on a typical vehicle trailer hitch by engaging the receiver, and braces extending from the frame superstructure to the vehicle act to stabilize the camping assembly during transport. The camping assembly may be used on or off of the vehicle. When the camping assembly is used off of the vehicle, it is supported on adjustable legs on outriggers, with the tent supported on top of the frame superstructure.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly includes a shock absorber, a utility part, and a flexible member. The shock absorber is provided to a vehicular interior part that is mounted on a compartment inner side of a body panel, and the shock absorber includes a mounting portion that is mounted to a compartment outer side surface of the vehicular interior part. The utility part is provided to the vehicular interior part. The flexible member covers a peripheral surface of the shock absorber, and a part of the flexible member is held by the vehicular interior part and the utility part to support and mount the shock absorber to the vehicular interior part.

Abstract: A tonneau system for a pickup bed comprising a bracket system connectable with a sidewall of the pickup bed and a plurality of hingeable sections pivotally coupled to each other to define a continuous surface. Each of the plurality of hingeable sections being connected to adjacent hingeable sections to permit at least some of the plurality of hingeable sections to be rolled together into a generally circular cross-section to selectively reveal the pickup bed.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a retractable top for a vehicle having an open top, including a left and a right rear roll bar projecting vertically from the rear floor above the height of the vertical walls, the roll bars projecting forward to join a transverse roll bar and forming a roll cage, the retractable top includes support members attached to two of the three horizontal sides. The retractable top includes linkage arms attached to the support members configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position, linkage arms including a bow arm that has a first tapered interconnection aperture, the first tapered interconnection aperture shaped to receive a first connector and recess the first connector such that an end of the first connector is flush with a first surface of the bow arm. The retractable top includes an enclosure material oriented to cover the open top when extended.

Abstract: A grab handle assembly for a vehicle has an asymmetrical handle that spans between a first end and a second end. The first end is operably coupled with an A-pillar of a frame of the vehicle. The second end is operably coupled with the A-pillar below the first end. The asymmetrical handle has a slanted portion and a curved portion, configured to provide a smooth downward transition between the A-pillar and the handle and to slidably deflect a forward moving object. The slanted portion extends down from the first end at a first angle. The curved portion protrudes outward and upward from the second end at a second angle to join the slanted portion. The first angle is less than the second angle and the first angle is less than thirty-five degrees, such that the first angle provides a smooth transition to the handle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a support structure formed of a chassis frame and a vehicle body. The chassis frame and vehicle body are bolted together by four bolt locations in the area of upper supports of the spring struts of the front and rear axle. The chassis frame and vehicle body are also glued to each other along segments of the support structure thereof extending parallel to each other, wherein adhesive surfaces are located in the area between the front and rear bolt locations. The adhesive in the middle area of the motor vehicle ensures a large surface area for force application from the chassis frame into the vehicle body and vice versa, which is supplemented by the bolt locations outside of the adhesive joint.

Abstract: A storage compartment device for an interior panel part of a vehicle and having a housing with at least one access opening, through which a drawer is at least partially movable. The drawer has side walls and a base that is able to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position through the access opening of the housing. A guiding device is provided for moving the drawer between the retracted position and the extended position, which is constructed for guiding the drawer on moving between the retracted position and the extended position along a continuous curved path of movement.

Abstract: A bumper beam having increased bending strength achieved with a minimum increase in the weight of the bumper beam. The bumper beam (1) is mounted to the front of a vehicle, extends along a reference line (W), and is provided with a beam body (2) and a reinforcing plate (3). In at least one cross section perpendicular to the reference line (W), the reinforcing plate (3) extends linearly and the beam body (2) includes a pair of protrusions (2t, 2s) protruding, while surrounding an inner space, from the reinforcing plate (3) in a direction intersecting the reinforcing plate (3). If the Young's modulus and the density of the beam body (2) are Est and ?st, respectively, and the Young's modulus and the density of the reinforcing plate (3) are E2 and ?2, respectively, the expression (Est/?st3)<(E2/?23) is satisfied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle gap cover, such as a tailgate gap cover, for covering a gap defined between two moving components of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the gap cover is a tailgate gap cover for covering the tailgate gap defined between a truck bed and a gate of a truck. The tailgate gap cover includes a cover having a first edge portion, a second edge portion and an exposed portion therebetween. The first edge portion is connected to one of the gate and the truck bed while the second edge portion is slideably received at the other of the gate and the truck bed so that the exposed portion covers the tailgate gap.

Abstract: A frame for a cab of a mobile machine includes first and second primary tubes, formed by hydroforming, connected to first and second secondary tubes. The first primary tube includes first and second about vertically extending portions and an about horizontally extending portion. The about vertically extending portions are configured to be connected to the mobile machine, and the about horizontally extending portion is disposed between the about vertically extending portions. The second primary tube includes first and second about vertically extending portions and an about horizontally extending portion. The about vertically extending portions of the second primary tube are configured to be connected to the mobile machine, and the about horizontally extending portion of the second primary tube is disposed between the about vertically extending portions of the second primary tube.

Abstract: A radiator grille for a motor vehicle includes a basic support with a region for a marquee badge having an external contour that is, at least in regions, curved or oblique. A number of fins are held on the basic support, the number of fins are movable out of a closed position closing respective passage openings in the radiator grille into an open position uncovering the passage openings. In this case, at least one of the fins is displaceable in the direction of its longitudinal extent by bringing it from the closed position into the open position.

Abstract: A vehicle-body front structure includes a rectangular bulkhead that supports a radiator that is provided in a front part of a vehicle body. The bulkhead includes a pair of bulkhead side members arranged at both sides of the bulkhead and extending in a vehicle up-down direction, and a bulkhead lower member arranged at lower ends of the bulkhead side members and extending in a vehicle width direction. The bulkhead lower member has a smaller length than a distance between the pair of bulkhead side members. The bulkhead lower member includes a pair of extensions being respectively hung between the bulkhead lower member and the bulkhead side members in the vehicle width direction. The bulkhead lower member is joined to inner sides of the pair of extensions such that the extensions are hung in a vehicle front-rear direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle body structure in the region of the A-pillar and the windshield cross member, including an A-pillar on both sides of the body, wherein in the pillar construction of the A-pillar, the A-pillar has an A-pillar inner steel plate oriented approximately vertically and in the vehicle longitudinal direction. An approximately horizontal windshield cross member is connected at the ends thereof to the associated A-pillar inner steel plate by means of a welded connection. According to the invention, the windshield cross member is produced as a composite component made of an elongated aluminum beam having steel plate adapter parts that extend the aluminum beam at the ends thereof but are short in comparison to the overall beam length, and the steel plate adapter parts are connected to the associated A-pillar inner steel plate by means of the welded connection and to the aluminum beam by means of a riveted connection.

Abstract: An outer frame corresponds to a perimeter of a pickup truck bed. An plurality of upwardly bowed intermediate rail span between, and are coupled to, opposing sides of the outer frame. Each bowed intermediate rail is paired with a wire tension member that spans between, and is coupled to, each end of its paired intermediate rail member. A flexible textile member covers and is supported by the intermediate rail member and is coupled to the outer frame. The wire tension members operate to help reduce lateral deflection of the bowed intermediate rail members when a meaningful downward force is applied to the bowed intermediate rails. A method of assembling a tonneau cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: A connector securing a liner to a scuff in a container sidewall is disclosed. The connector is adapted to receive and secure various thicknesses of liners and scuffs. The connector is made of a light weight, high strength flexible material and well suited to secure non-metallic scuffs and non-metallic linings. The connector includes a transition piece that utilizes clamping force (pre-tightening force) to connect two different thicknesses of panels made of continuous glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic material. The connector includes a thick lower opening adapted to secure the scuff and a thin upper opening adapted to secure the liner. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the width of the lower opening is between 5.0 mm and 5.5 mm while the width of the upper opening is between 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm.