Abstract: A vehicle body structure comprising: first and second members each having a hat-shaped cross section including a main wall, first and second side walls extending from the main wall; an opposing area in which the opening, first side wall and second side wall of the first member are opposed to and jointed to the opening, first side wall and second side wall of the second member, respectively, with a joint surface defined therebetween; and a non-opposing area in which one of the first and second members is shifted parallel to the joint surface, so that the first side wall of the first member is opposed to and jointed to the second side wall of the second member.

Abstract: A vehicle lower body structure (1) including a vehicle compartment; a windshield pillar (3) that is provided at the side portion the vehicle and that extends in the vehicle-height direction; a rocker (4) that is connected, at the front end portion, to the lower end portion of the windshield pillar (3) and the extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a floor tunnel member (5) that is provided at the lateral center portion of the vehicle and that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a floor cross-member (6) that is connected to the rocker (4) and the floor tunnel member (5) and that extends in the vehicle-width direction; and a floor panel (7) that is connected to the windshield pillar (3), the rocker (4), the floor tunnel member (5), and the floor cross-member (6) and that forms the floor of the vehicle compartment.

Abstract: A motorcycle seat covering system includes a motorcycle having a frame, handlebars, seat and rack extending rearward of the seat. A housing has a pair of end walls and a perimeter wall extending between the end walls. The housing has an elongated opening therein. A coupling assembly couples the housing to the handlebars. A spindle is mounted within the housing and extends through a sleeve. A biasing member biases rotation of the sleeve in a first direction with respect to the spindle. A flexible panel is attached to the sleeve and has a free end extending outwardly of the housing through the slot. The panel is rolled up onto the sleeve when the sleeve is rotated in the first direction. A fastener is attached to the free end and is releasably attached to the rack when the panel is pulled outwardly from the housing to cover the seat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cabriolet vehicle having a roof which is provided with lateral roof linkage parts and can be stowed away in the rear of the vehicle. At least one hold-down device acts on the roof linkage parts of the stowed roof and is associated with the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A slide/flip-up type automobile-seat is disclosed. The seat is provided with lock-release restricting mechanisms provided at lower rail members of a slide rail mechanism for keeping slide lock levers in unlockable states with respect to the lower rail members during flipping-up movement of an entire seat or in a state where the entire seat has been flipped up, and for keeping striker locks in states of being unallowable to be unlocked when the lock levers are in states of incompletely locked with respect to the lower rail members. Each of the lock-release mechanisms includes a restricting arm which includes an arm body, a rising-up piece rising up from one end portion of the arm body and having a height reaching a position under a rear end portion of corresponding one of the lock levers, and a retaining piece which is provided at a side edge of the arm body and to which a corresponding one of extension rods extending from the striker locks is connected.

Abstract: A rear facing wheelchair passenger station for securing a wheelchair in a large accessible transit vehicle. The station includes a forward excursion barrier for preventing forward movement of a wheelchair, lateral excursion barriers for preventing undesired lateral and rearward movement of the wheelchair, wall side flip seats which are adapted to covert the wheelchair passenger station for use by non-wheelchair persons, hand holds, high friction floor material for assisting in the prevention of movement of the wheelchair, and an electro-pneumatic control system.

Abstract: A drag reducing apparatus is hingedly mounted to the rear of a truck or trailer vehicle so that the apparatus can be pivoted clear of the rear doors of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a hinge assembly that allows the apparatus to open substantially flat against the side of the vehicle so as not to impede the full movement of the doors. The apparatus includes an arrangement of connected panels that are initially folded flat against the back of the vehicle but automatically open to a drag reducing configuration at a sufficient vehicle speed. The connected panels are further configured so that the force of gravity automatically returns the panels to their initial folded configuration when the vehicle speed falls below a threshold. The apparatus incorporates a modular construction that allows replacement of individual panel sections. The mounting frame is constructed to augment the drag reduction characteristics of the apparatus.

Abstract: The tiedown system has a single tensile member with cargo attachments on each end thereof. The tensile member passes through a series of guides affixed about the perimeter of the carrier (flatbed truck or trailer, etc.). The ends of the tensile member are secured removably to the rear of the cargo, e.g., the cargo rack of an all terrain vehicle (ATV). The medial portion of the tensile member is connected to a winch on the front of the ATV or other cargo, or alternatively the medial portion of the tensile member is passed through an opening on the front of the cargo, e.g., the forward cargo rack of the ATV, and connected to a winch anchored to the cargo bed of the carrier. The winch is actuated to draw up the tensile member, simultaneously pulling the rear and front of the cargo securely against the cargo bed of the carrier.

Abstract: A seal assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided that includes a seal and a molding whereby the seal is attached to the molding and the molding is attached to a rear-quarter window. The seal includes a pair of perpendicular bases and a resilient arc portion joining the perpendicular bases. The molding includes a U-shaped base, which receives the rear-quarter window and a support member. The support member is attached to the seal in such a manner to prevent excessive deformation of the seal when the door is in a closed position.

Abstract: A front body structure for a vehicle including a substantially rectangular grid portion composed of a bulkhead upper center frame, front parts of a pair of upper members and a frame suspended between the pair of upper members and extending substantially parallel to the bulkhead center frame, where an opening of the grid portion is covered by a panel member formed of a rigid member such as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics.

Abstract: A pedestrian guard for a motor vehicle is designed to protect persons in the event of a collision with the motor vehicle. At least one profile section (2) with a honeycomb cross section is arranged between the component of the motor vehicle against which a person impacts in the event of collision with the motor vehicle, in particular, between the fender (1) and the component of the motor vehicle (5) to which the impacted component is connected. The profile section is produced of an aluminum material that is in a soft annealed state.

Abstract: The technology described herein provides a molded trim assembly located externally at the top of a liftgate structure to provide an aerodynamic and stylish overhang above the liftgate glass. Furthermore, the technology also provides a liftgate exterior module including a plug-in module containing a motorized window wiper arm assembly, a central high mounted stop light, and a washer fluid spray nozzle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support element (4) which can be mounted to an upper beam of the chassis of a motor vehicle. The inventive element comprises a body (6) and at least one upwardly-projecting breakable protuberance (7A, 7B) to which a front fender of the vehicle is to be fixed. The protuberance (7A, 7B) comprises: at least one front wall (28) which is connected to the body (6) by means of a frangible area (26), a rear wall which is also connected to the body (6) by means of the frangible area (26), and a third wall (29) which is connected to the body (6) by the frangible area (26) and which solidly connects the front wall (28) and the rear wall to one another.

Abstract: A vehicle cladding mounting arrangement and method for securing a cladding panel to a vehicle body include a plastic body cladding having a main panel portion and an integrally formed cladding clip structure extending from the main panel portion and a plastic support bracket having a body portion for overlaying the main panel portion of the body cladding and an integrally formed bracket clip structure extending from the body portion. A vehicle body defines a mounting aperture. The integrally formed bracket clip structure is received in the mounting aperture. The integrally formed cladding clip structure is also received in the mounting aperture.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure in which the rigidity of a flat floor panel is increased by increasing the rigidity of intersecting portions between a cross member and floor frames. A plurality of floor frames extending in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle body are aligned in straight rows in the longitudinal direction on either sides of a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction. Terminal ends of the plurality of floor frames are positioned in proximity to the cross member. The intersecting portions between the floor frames and the cross member are joined together by T-shaped connecting members in order to increase rigidity.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention includes a seat movable in a front-rear direction between an in-use position and a stored position. The seat is moved in the front-rear direction via a link. The link is coupled pivotally in the front-rear direction. One end of the link is coupled to a coupling member fixed to the seat. The other end of the link is coupled to a coupling member fixed to the floor. The link and the respective coupling members are coupled to each other using an axial member. The insertion hole is formed in a shape that inhibits the axial member from undergoing positional displacement in the front-rear direction within the insertion hole when the seat is at the in-use position and allows the axial member to undergo positional displacement in the front-rear direction within the insertion hole as the seat is moved from the in-use position to the stored position.

Abstract: A body structure for an automotive vehicle includes a side member, an outer back panel and an inner back panel. The side member extends generally vertically and defines a rear pillar of the vehicle. The side member has an inner flange. The outer back panel has a middle wall extending generally transversely in the vehicle. The outer back panel has a connecting wall extending from the middle wall. The inner back panel has a center wall extending generally transversely in the vehicle. The inner back panel has a connecting flange extending from the center wall. The inner back panel is spaced apart from the outer back panel to define a cavity in which a rear window is disposed. The connecting flange, connecting wall and inner flange are fixedly secured to each other to define a longitudinally extending seal that prevents liquid from passing between the cavity and an inside region of the vehicle.

Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle having a seat that pops up. A seat assembly has a front end section that is latched by a seat connection member. The seat assembly is elastically deformable in an upward-downward direction of the vehicle. The seat assembly is latched by a seat lock such that it is bent in the upward-downward direction when in a latched state.

Abstract: A cargo lid assembly for a vehicle is provided and includes a cargo lid, at least one lid-engaging member and at least one hinge member that is integral with a respective one of the at least one lid-engaging member and is configured for hinged connection to a body structure of a vehicle. The cargo lid includes an inner member and an outer member that cooperate to define a cavity. The assembly further includes at least one stiffener positioned within the cavity between the inner and outer members of the cargo lid. At least one lid-engaging member is secured to at least one stiffener.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle having an openable roof structure (1), said vehicle comprising a trunk lid (5), said trunk lid being supported by a guide linkage (6). The roof structure (1) is lowerable into a folding-top compartment (7) located in an upper region of the trunk (8) of the vehicle under said trunk lid. The vehicle also comprises a frame (9) on which said trunk lid (5) is articulated via said guide linkage (6). The frame (9) is supported to the lower rear end region of the bodywork by a flexural spring (10) enabling turning of the frame.