Abstract: There is disclosed herein a variable position wind deflector assembly adapted to be attached to a luggage rack or other portion of a motor vehicle including locking means for releasably securing the deflector in selected positions. The wind deflector assembly of the present invention includes a pair of spaced frame members having a deflector member extending therebetween. The frame members are each hingedly secured to support members and are provided with locking means for securing the deflector and associated frame members in one or more predetermined positions relative to the support means.

Abstract: Support arrangement for supporting side frames of a vehicle bounding a loading area thereof. Two L-shaped supports each have a first leg adapted to be upstandingly disposed outside and adjacent one of the side frames. A second leg is for horizontal mounting adjacent the under side of the loading area. A single double acting pressure medium cylinder mutually connects the two L-shaped supports to enable a horizontal displacement of the latter to be brought about towards and away from each other. Two additional double acting pressure medium cylinders each have a piston rod adapted to be pivotably mounted at its outer end adjacent the under side of the loading area. A guide arrangement provides a pivotable mounting for an end of the cylinder remote from the outer end of its piston rod and is connected to and spaced below the horizontal second leg of each of the L-shaped supports.

Abstract: A frame structure for a vehicle which includes two side members connected together by a torsional cross member and at least one other cross member is disclosed. The torsional cross member is secured to each of the side members in the rear portion of the frame, and cooperates with the side members to provide a liquid-impervious housing for the rear axle assembly of the vehicle. Because the torsional cross member has components oriented substantially parallel to and substantially perpendicular to the length of the side members, it provides the frame with multi-dimensional rigidity. In addition, because the torsional cross member combines the function of two members in prior art frame structures, the frame structure of the present invention has a lower center of gravity and is lighter than prior art frame structures.

Abstract: A lateral body panel covering for a passenger motor vehicle which covers the framework within the area between the front and/or rear vehicle ends and a lateral door opening; the area between a wheel casing and the door opening is thereby covered off by an independently detachable covering member which preferably consists of a non-metallic material.

Abstract: An air deflector of the type having a central deflector surface with hingedly attached lateral wings is supported in deployed position against a frame by upright struts foldable on a pivoted end and engaged in socketed relation to the frame at the opposite end, the struts being urged to remain in socketed engagement by normal wind forces. The lateral wings are held in deployed position by arms also fastened in socketed relation to the frame, and latches on the frame have wind vanes thereon for preventing the latches from becoming disengaged under vibration. A strap provides added tension to hold the deflector in deployed position, or to retain the deflector with wings folded under the central deflector surface in folded position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the position of a member jointed to a support such as an automotive-vehicle external rearview mirror member movable about two axes substantially perpendicular to one another defined in the plane of the mirror member by, on the one hand, a common main rotary joint and, on the other hand, by two secondary rotary joints, respectively. Two locking means each associated with an axis of rotation are selectively unlockable to ensure the rotation of said mirror member about either axis of rotation under the single control of an electro-magnet.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension stabilizing system having a frame, a wheel assembly having a wheel rotatable about an axis, the wheel assembly being pivotally connected to the frame offset of the axis, a brake assembly associated with the wheel assembly, the brake assembly being of a construction for braking the wheel in an engaged position, and a coupling connected between the frame and the wheel assembly for inhibiting oscillatory movement of the wheel assembly relative to the frame in response to movement of the brake assembly toward the engaged position.

Abstract: A cab intended for use as the operator's cab of a tree harvester vehicle has an access door in the leading surface of the cab. The cab door frame, and the access door, are defined by square tubes which are turned 45.degree. with respect to the plane of the door opening to define oblique interfaces between the door edge faces and the door opening faces.

Abstract: A device including a torsion bar rotatably mounted on the vehicle frame transversely thereof and a pair of rock arms extending integrally from the opposite ends of the torsion bar at right angles thereto and connected with a right and a left wheel, respectively. An abutment arm is fixed to the torsion bar at the middle thereof and engageable with a stop pad provided on the vehicle frame, when either or both of the wheels are moved down, to restrain further downward movement thereof. Thus, the spring rate of air springs associated with the respective wheels is in effect increased as the loads thereon are reduced, particularly in a lower load region.

Abstract: A roof lining element for cabins of automotive vehicles, notably automobiles, to reduce collision hazards in the head region of the driver or other vehicle occupants, the roof lining element comprising a substantially self-supporting integral structure including a frame for mounting said element near an interior surface of a roof portion of said cabin, and a frame cover means firmly connected to said frame; said frame including means for receiving and guiding at least two light screens or visors movable between an inoperative retracted position within said roof lining element and an operative extracted position; said frame cover means consisting at least in part of a shock-absorbing material and substantially covering the bottom side of said frame for providing in the head region of cabin occupants an impact-protecting surface free from protruding parts of any functional devices.

Abstract: A skin construction positioned at the junction of a side wall with the roof of a passenger vehicle such as a railway passenger car, made of a simple extruded cant rail and a simple extruded side cover which are characterized by concealed attachment to the car body, readily removable attachment one to the other, and by a roof gutter in addition to an eaves drop gutter to be efficient against the worst weather conditions such as heavy and freezing rain and melting snow. The cant rail forms a roof gutter along the upper longitudinal edge thereof, the side cover forms an eaves drop gutter along the upper longitudinal edge thereof and is spaced from the side of the car to produce a longitudinal door closure and hanger space, the cant rail and side cover form a downward and an upward attachment flanges respectively which are removably secured flat against each other and by bolts laterally concealed inward of the eaves drop gutter.

Abstract: A vehicle sunshade support assembly including a support member pivotally mounted to the vehicle body. A horizontally extending portion of the support has a bore therein and a keyway opening to the bore. The sunshade is attached to a horizontally extending rod which has a molded bushing of plastic material on an end configured to snugly be inserted into the bore and keyway. The sunshade and rod are rotatable as a unit within the bushing which is prevented from rotating by interaction between a key portion thereon and the keyway. Aligned slots in the horizontal support portion and the bushing receive a resilient retainer which holds the bushing axially in the bore.

Abstract: Vehicle body structure having a cowl panel assembly extending transversely between a pair of transversely spaced front pillars, said cowl panel assembly having a windshield glass support portion to which a windshield glass is adhesively attached. The glass support portion is formed with a planar rearward extension, and a dashboard having a planar rearwardly extending upper flange is welded at the flange to the rearward extension of the cowl panel assembly. An instrument panel is connected at its front end with the rearward extension of the cowl panel or the upper flange of the dashboard panel.

Abstract: A vehicle axle mount includes an axle assembly with first and second pairs of aligned connection joints, a vehicle frame having first and second pairs of aligned connection joints with the first pairs of joints of the frame and axle assembly being coupled together, and a pair of connecting links coupled between the second pairs of joints of the frame and the axle assembly.

Abstract: An industrial truck has at least one axle with a road wheel mounted on each end. Each end of the axle is coupled to a sub-frame which is in turn coupled to the truck chassis by a main suspension spring and by an elastomeric spring.The sub-frame at one end of the axle is coupled to the axle by a pivot. The sub-frame at the other end of the axle is coupled to the axle by way of a strut whose length can be controllably varied.

Abstract: A truck tractor and trailer combination is disclosed having air deflector shields extending from the cab to the trailer and a drag reducer shield enclosing the rear end of the trailer whereby air drag against the truck tractor and trailer is substantially reduced.

Abstract: An automotive structural member which is especially intended for use as a fold down multipurpose vehicle seat back core but is not limited to such use.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension apparatus includes a shaft on which track frames are pivotally mounted, the shaft at the ends thereof having fitted on each end thereof a cap, the track frame on that end having secured thereto a retaining member with a plate in sealing relation with the track frame and disposed between the cap and retaining member.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus for a vehicle having left and right wheels and comprising a pair of left and right trailing arms connected to a respective wheel, and a pair of laterally extending left and right rotary shafts connected to respective arms. The outer ends of the shafts are supported in bearings on the vehicle to permit individual rotation of the shafts and corresponding rocking of the arms and a tubular coupling interconnects the rotary shafts at the inner ends thereof also to permit individual rotation of the shafts. The suspension apparatus can be of semi-trailing type in which case the rotary shafts have bends therein and their inner ends rotate in the coupling about axes which are inclined with respect to the axes of rotation of the shafts in the bearings.

Abstract: A roller frame support arrangement for a crawler tractor that includes a hub member secured to the roller frame and having a bore formed therein for receiving one end of an axle shaft. Bushing means are located in the bore and are interposed between the hub member and the axle shaft for absorbing radially directed loading. In addition, the hub member is formed with a radially extending flange located at its outer end that accommodates a disk-type plate fastened to the axle shaft. The disk-type plate has a pair of laterally spaced bearing surfaces for absorbing thrust loads imposed upon the roller frame. An end cap is secured to the flange and together with the latter provides a pair of bearing surfaces for engaging the disk-type plate.