Abstract: An approach to designing lightweight metal-polymer composite structures in a manner that decomposes the structure into at least two parts. In one specific embodiment, the approach is a manufacturing process for a vehicle that includes attaching an impact beam to a vehicle structure. The process includes providing a vehicle structure including a back plate of the impact beam being made of a suitable material, such as a metal, that can withstand high temperature processes. A front part of the impact beam including a front plate and a polymer core is attached to the back plate. The back plate is designed to provide structural integrity that allows the vehicle structure to go through the high temperature processes and/or the vehicle structure provides structural integrity that allows the back plate to go through the one or more processes. The back plate is also designed to provide desired functional characteristics of the beam.

Abstract: A tonneau cover system for a pickup truck cargo bed includes two longitudinal side rails attached to at least one fore and aft cross rail. Located at the outer edges of the cross rails are a series of individual holes having interconnection to an integrated slot used in the lateral adjustment of an adjustable clamp assembly. A series of clamp assembly are used to secure a tonneau cover system to the top wall surfaces of a pickup truck cargo bed.

Abstract: There are provided a cap having an expanded pad and an apparatus having a towing pipe provided with the cap. The cap includes a body having opened ends and an expanded pad attached to an inner circumferential surface of the body. The expanded pad does not close the opened ends of the body before being heated, expands when being heated, and closes the opened ends of the body after being heated. The body includes a ring-shaped ring plate and a plurality of legs that protrudes from one side of the ring plate and spaces apart from each other along a circumference of the ring plate. When the expanded pad is heated, ends of the legs are bent radially outwardly by expansion of the expanded pad. The body includes a head and a screw protruding from one side of the head. The head and screw are opened in a longitudinal direction of the body.

Abstract: An energy absorption member coupled between a vehicle front fender and a vehicle side structural member providing peak impact force resistance and energy absorption during an impact force imposed on the front fender. The energy absorption member extends continuously along the length of the front fender opposed from the side structural member to provide constant load along the entire length of the front fender. The energy absorption member may be a foamed block, a vertical, or horizontal oriented honeycomb structure or spaced hollow crush lobes.

Abstract: A front structure of a vehicle includes two side members extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle and a bumper beam located in front of the side members and extending in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The bumper beam is fixed to the side members and includes outer sections located outward in the lateral direction from the corresponding side members. A transfer portion extends generally rearward in the front-rear direction from at least one of the outer sections. An insertion portion is inserted into the at least one of the outer sections.

Abstract: A front grille includes a grille body having vertical fins and lateral fins each having a decorative surface formed on the front surface. The grille body has an attachment portion to which a decorative molding having a decorative surface formed on the front surface is attached. The front grille is used in one of a form in which the molding is attached to the grille body via the attachment portion and a form without such a molding. The attachment portion of the front grille is arranged behind the front surface of each lateral fin and configured by an engagement portion. A claw portion, which projects from a rear portion of the molding, is inserted into and engaged with the engagement portion.

Abstract: A top for an openable vehicle roof, includes a front section constructed coupleable to a windshield cross member of a vehicle, a rear section configured pivotal and/or lowerable, a flexible section arranged between the front section and the rear section, wherein at least one of the front section and the flexible section is configured shiftable, and a self-supporting pushing- and/or pulling device for moving the flexible section, wherein during an opening process of the top the flexible section is foldable above the rear section so that an outer surface of the flexible section faces an outer surface of the front section.

Abstract: An easily installed and removable wind deflecting device that also provides noise reduction and temperature control within the cockpit of a convertible automobile. The invention includes two major components: fitted vinyl or leather seat caps attached to a yoke and an auto safety glass wind diverter panel. The seat caps are jointed together by the yoke and a bottom yoke flap that extends downward to the center console of an automobile. The seat caps fit over the headrest portion of seats and removably secure the invention to the seats. The panel is held in place by snaps attached to a cooperating pair of central flaps provided on the yoke such that the snaps secure together through holes provided in the edge of the safety glass. Access openings provided in the back of the seat caps allow access to controls located on the headrest of the seats.

Abstract: A cargo management system for the interior of a vehicle having a removable hardtop may comprise two rails, a rack and a tray. The rails may comprise tie-down anchors. The tray may be secured to the rack using hook-and-loop fasteners.

Abstract: An under-floor frame system for a vehicle is provided that includes a main frame of carbon fiber composite materials that forms a closed quadrangle. A front of the main frame is a front bumper member, both sides are side members that extend from a front to a rear of the main frame, and a rear of which is a rear bumper member. A front cross member of carbon fiber composite materials extends along with a width direction of a vehicle, and connects the front portion of both side members of the main frame and a rear cross member which connects the rear portion of the side members. An additional side member of carbon fiber composite materials extends in the length direction of a vehicle, and is connected to the side member of the main frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a front structure of a vehicle body having a wheel installation strut and a side member which flanks an interior defined by the front car. The side member has a convex surface, by means of which it is fastened to an end of the wheel installation strut in multiple points. At least one point is offset relative to the other points towards the interior. As a result, a front structure with good stiffness for improved occupant protection can be provided, which can also be assembled in a simple manner.

Abstract: A tool storage device includes a tool storage portion fitted to a spare tire and having an opening and a tool storage bottom surface and shaped such that an opening size of the opening is greater than an area of the tool storage bottom surface, and the tool storage portion includes a middle storage portion and first and second side storage portions. The middle storage portion has a middle storage bottom surface and side walls and receives an elongated tool, and one of the side walls has a holder to hold the elongated tool. The first side storage portion has a first side storage bottom surface that is above a second side storage bottom surface of the second side storage portion. The middle storage bottom surface is below the second side storage bottom surface, and the first and second side storage bottom surfaces are above the holder.

Abstract: A pick-up truck tailgate is disclosed that is constructed of components made of aluminum alloys. A hinge reinforcement and hinge plate reinforce a lower corner of the tailgate. A transversely extending reinforcement, including a U-shaped body, is provided within the tailgate that reinforces the central portion of the tailgate. An access panel is provided on the inner panel of the tailgate and includes a hem and fasteners that are assembled to the inner panel through holes formed inboard of the hem.

Abstract: A vehicle stowage assembly including a storage compartment defining an opening to permit access to the compartment. A door is movably mounted proximate the opening. An actuator is operably connected to the door to move the door from an open position to a closed position. After the door has been opened, the actuator automatically closes the door after a predefined period of time has passed from the time at which the door was opened. The stowage assembly may include a mechanical timer or an electronic controller. The actuator may comprise a spring that biases the door towards the closed position, or the actuator may comprise an electric motor or other powered actuator. The assembly may include a sensor to prevent closure while in use and delay closing time.

Abstract: A first opening is formed in a vertical wall portion, and a second opening is formed in an underfloor. Airflow partially flows into the first opening and hits a rear face of an inclined wall portion, so as to be discharged from the second opening toward a vehicle rear side. The airflow that cannot enter the first opening flows toward the inclined wall portion along the vertical wall portion so that the airflow is drawn to the airflow flowing into the first opening. The airflow that cannot enter the first opening flows toward the vehicle rear side along the inclined wall portion. Detachment of the airflow from the inclined wall portion is restrained, and airflow flows toward the vehicle rear side along the underfloor of the vehicle. Air flowing from a side part of the vehicle into the rear wheel house restrains a decrease in steering stability.

Abstract: A trim member attachment structure for a vehicle includes a trim member, a base portion extending from the trim member and an end portion extending from the base portion. An engagement surface extends from a first side of the base portion and faces the trim member. A shoulder extends from the base portion on a second side of the base portion. A first end of the shoulder and a first end of the engagement surface are positioned at substantially equal distances along a length of the base portion.

Abstract: A tarp distributing apparatus includes a tarp guide device held in an immobile condition adjacent to and extending upright to above a rear location on a truck load bed so as to establish the height to which a tarp can be moved to above and over the rear of a cargo on the truck load bed, a tarp draught device mounted in a mobile condition adjacent to and extending upright to above the truck load bed forwardly of the tarp guide device so as to undergo movement relative thereto and along the truck load bed for engaging and pulling the tarp relative to the tarp guide device forwardly over the cargo, and an actuation mechanism configured to manipulate and move the tarp draught device relative to the tarp guide device and the cargo so as to accomplish distributing the tarp over at least a portion of the cargo.

Abstract: A hinge for the pivotable arrangement of a hood or panel on the support structure of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The hinge includes a basic part and a hinge arm pivotably mounted on the basic part at a hinge axis. The basic part includes a fastening portion which is fastened to the support structure. The basic part further includes at least one mounting bracket axially spaced from the fastening portion from at least one body outside panel.

Abstract: The tailgate drive includes a motor assembly in operable communication with a pickup tailgate that is adjustable between a manual mode of operation and an automatic mode of operation, where the motor assembly permits free rotation of the tailgate between the open and closed positions during manual mode of operation and wherein the motor assembly drives the tailgate body between the open and closed position during the automatic mode of operation.

Abstract: A floor portion structure that serves as a right foot protecting structure has a tibia pad that is provided at a portion, where a right foot of a vehicle occupant is placed, at a dash panel of a vehicle. In a case in which the tibia pad receives compressive load from the right foot at a time of a vehicle collision, the tibia pad is deformed in a shape that is inclined downwardly to the right such that a right side portion in a vehicle transverse direction at a region of contact with the right foot becomes lower than a left side portion, or is deformed such that the left side portion in the vehicle transverse direction at the region of contact with the right foot generates greater reaction force than the right side portion.