Abstract: A dual composition bed liner (10) is disclosed which includes a unitary side and front wall member (11) formed of a resilient plastic, such as polyethylene, and which has a rubber bed mat (18) integrally attached to the unitary wall member (11). A plurality of "C" shaped retaining tabs (19) are formed along the upper edge of unitary wall member (11) to engage the underside of truck bed rail (24). Each of the left side (11a), right side (11c) and front wall (11b) panels have a lip (13) extending inwardly from their bottom edges. A mat retaining ridge channel (14) is formed in the underside of the lip (13) to receive a retaining ridge (19) formed along the marginal edge of the upper surface of the bed mat (18). A plurality of rivet recesses (15) are provided in the top and bottom of retaining ridge (19) and are positioned to align with similar rivet recesses (15) in the mat ridge channel (14).

Abstract: A vehicular roof drip moulding comprising a substantially U-shaped clamp portion adapted to be fitted onto a flange portion on the side body of an automotive vehicle in a clamped state, and a pressure contact portion extending from one side part of said clamp portion and coming in pressure contact with the side body under the effect of resilient force of the clamp portion. The other one of the pair of oppositely located pieces has a sectional height which is varied in correspondence to variation of height of the side body from location to location in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A rocker and various joint constructions are provided for a space frame on an automotive vehicle. Also, various methods are provided for constructing joints and joining subassemblies of a space frame together.

Abstract: An improved bearer joint in a vehicle bodywork consisting of extruded light metal bearer members connected together by cast metal joining elements. According to the invention, an end portion of at least one bearer member is received within a concave region of at least one joining element and is connected thereto at two connection points on either side of the coverage region so that the portion of the bearer member between the connection points and overlying the concave region acts as a tension member or steadying strut depending on the direction of the load. In a preferred embodiment, the improved bearer joint is the node connector type joining element located at the middle of the A post where the downwardly and obliquely oriented forward roof post joins the substantially vertically upright forward door post. The invention provides a rigid connection with high expansion and energy absorption capabilities, thereby strengthening an otherwise critical weak point in the vehicle roof structure.

Abstract: A storable cover for covering the cabin portion of a variety of vehicles, such as sedans, vans, and hatchbacks, carries storage means secured thereto to be disposed in a suitable compartment of the vehicle. The trailing edge of the cover is anchored inside the vehicle when the cover is disposed onto the vehicle. The storage means is affixed firmly inside the trunk or other rear compartment of the various vehicles, such as for example, sedans, hatchbacks, and vans so as to locate part of the over assembly within a locked compartment. The cover is deployed by being taken out of the storage means and fed from the trunk through the opening which is created between the raised closure member for the compartment and the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cargo bed cover in which two frames are used to provide a rigid fabric shell. The first frame is rigid and is constructed of metal piping or other suitable material. The second frame is constructed of flexible stock preferably having a substantially flat cross section and sewn into or secured to the fabric material. Acting as battens, the flexible stock tends to keep the fabric taut during wind pressure either through ambient conditions or through the vehicle's movement. The flexible frame is secured to the rigid frame through ties.

Abstract: An improved tailgate or vane for pickup trucks that provides reduced aerodynamic resistance compared to the standard pickup truck tailgate. In one embodiment, it rotates, about upper pivots, from vertical to horizontal during acceleration of the pickup truck to provide a horizontal low aerodynamic resistance flying tail effect at high speeds. The improved tailgate can, in the preferred embodiment, be locked in a vertical orientation to accomplish a standard tailgate function as a retainer for the aft end of the bed of the pickup. It can be locked or fixedly attached in a non-vertical orientation to provide a vertical force on the rear of the pickup truck. It is intended that the improved tailgate can be easily attached or removed using either the standard tailgate attachment hardware supplied with the pickup truck or with new hardware supplied with the improved tailgate.

Abstract: A multiple panel tailgate having panels which may be unfolded to cover a portion of the pick-up truck cargo bed. The multiple panels may be nested for storage in the primary tailgate panel.

Abstract: A vehicle arm rest comprising a frame portion having a vertical panel, with a cushion pad support extending outwardly therefrom and a horizontal slot adjacent the upper end, and a flexible strap having interlocking fabric sections adjacent an intermediate portion and a lower end portion and a friction projection adjacent the strap upper end. The arm rest is mounted on a vehicle door by slipping the upper end of the flexible strap between the vehicle window glass and the adjacent molding that extends along the window gap of the window ledge of the door inner panel. The friction projection on the strap upper end wedges against the underside of the molding to fix the upper end of the strap in place.

Abstract: Improvements in a truck van closure of the type having a flexible closure web with an opening therethrough and means for moving the web about the perimeter of the van between an inoperative position wherein access through the opening into the interior of the van is prevented and an operative position wherein access through the opening is allowed, the improvements comprising a means for tensioning the web in a vertical plane when the web is in its inoperative position, means for guiding the web along its path of travel between its operative and inoperative position and means for sealing the web against the entry of foreign materials into the van over the top of the web when the web is in its inoperative position.

Abstract: A door for an automotive vehicle includes a bracket that is mounted to an upper portion of a door panel and projects upwards from the door panel, a key cylinder for locking or unlocking the door where a key insert hole of the key cylinder is mounted to the bracket and is directed towards the outside of the automotive vehicle body, a door handle base that is mounted to the bracket so that it covers the key cylinder from the outside of the automotive vehicle body such that the door handle base has an aperture positioned opposite from the key insert hole of the key cylinder, and a door handle for opening or closing the door that is mounted to the door handle base.

Abstract: The invention comprises a bearing structure for the bodywork of a passenger car wherein front suspension strut mounts are arranged above front longitudinal bearers running down both sides of the vehicle body and are supported by vertical connecting members thereon. A hollow section bearer, acting as a suspension strut bearer, connects the suspension strut mount to a joining element (node) at the middle region of the forward doorpost. According to the invention, the suspension strut bearer is curved such that it will buckle due to a reduction in the radius of curvature in the event of a head-on collision. The buckling action of the suspension strut bearer reduces the force acting on the doorpost, thereby counteracting any possible stressing of the vehicle door. In a further embodiment of the invention, slots and/or notched grooves are provided in the side walls of hollow section bearer to promote the buckling process.

Abstract: A visor extender for use in combination with a vehicle visor which has a visor defining an internal cavity for housing a sheath which defines a channel and an opening. A blade which has a first end and a second end is movable along the channel between a retracted position substantially within the cavity and an extended position outside of the cavity. A grip means is located adjacent the first end of the blade for selectively moving the blade between the retracted position and the extended position. A limiting means is provided which cooperates with an opening in the sheath to limit movement of the blade in the extended position. A guide means is provided on the blade adjacent the second end for guiding movement of the blade on the sheath as the blade moves in the channel between the retracted position and the extended position.

Abstract: The vehicle sun visor position retainer is preferably a unitary, flexible, resilient, generally flat piece of plastic, wood, metal, rubber, ceramic or cermet having first and second horizontally extending members. The second member extends laterally of the first member adjacent one end of the first member. The two members are integrally connected together by a step portion which holds the second member below but generally parallel to the first member. The first member contains a generally central vertical hole therethrough adapted to receive the vertical rod portion of a vehicle sun visor bracket. The first member also defines a slot from the periphery of the first member to the hole. Preferably, the slot has outwardly diverging sides. Also preferably, a pair of detents narrow the slot adjacent the hole to hold the first member in place around the rod. Cut-away portions on opposite sides of the detents may increase the effective flexibility.

Abstract: An automotive sun visor including a visor member pivotably connectable adjacent a vehicle windshield and having a single viewing aperture defined by a frame connected around the perimeter of a hole formed through the visor member. The viewing aperture is positioned centrally nearer to the pivoted margin of the visor member and sized to allow the driver of the vehicle to observe a traffic signal through the viewing aperture. Various modification to the frame and the shape of the viewing aperture are also provided to further block observance of bright sunlight around a traffic signal.

Abstract: A storage container primarily for use as a tool or utility box for pick-up trucks. The container is located in the space between the rear wall of the truck cab and the front wall of the truck bed. The container is generally box-shaped with a mechanism to enable access within the container and a mechanism to releasably lock the container. The container also has a hollow lower bin with a mechanism to enable access to the bin. The lower bin can be used to store tools, small objects or containers of liquid which have a tendency to spill.

Abstract: A quickly attachable/detachable extension wall structure for a pickup truck has side panels which are attached to conventional stake pocket tie-downs having transverse apertures. Each side panel includes a lower slotted channel within which threaded nuts may slide. Flanged fasteners have a first "quick release" end for attachement to the tie-downs, and a second end which is attached to the slidable nuts in the side panels, for rigid attachement of the side panels to the tie-downs. A front panel is removably attachable to the side panels, and a rear panel is removably, swivelly attached to the side panels.

Abstract: A sunshield device for use in a parked vehicle to block sunlight from entering through the vehicle's windows is made of an assemblage of elongated panels. The panels are hingedly interconnected in a vertical array whereby the assemblage can be accordion folded to a compact storage state. The uppermost panel of the assemblage is provided with a suction cup adapted to attach to the window of the vehicle. The suction cup is provided with a mechanism extending through the uppermost panel for achieving release of the suction cup from the window.

Abstract: Impact intrusion barrier device for a vehicle door of the type which includes spaced inner, outer and side door panels defining a door cavity therebetween, and which is movably connected between forward and rear door pillar members. The device includes a beam member positioned in the door cavity and adapted to extend between the pillar members. The beam member is curved outwardly along a longitudinal axis thereof and has a pair of beam end portions which are operable to move longitudinally away from one another on adjacent outwardly facing surfaces of the side door panels or the pillar members when an inward force is applied to the beam member until the end portions contact abutment surfaces on the side door panels or the pillar members, thereby absorbing energy therefrom and initially directing the force laterally away from the interior of the vehicle and into the pillar members either directly or through the side door panels.

Abstract: A replacement hard-top for a convertible sport truck or utility vehicle. The replacement top has a lightweight shell member and has at least one channel dimensioned to receive the vehicle's factory installed weather-seal in a tight frictional fit in order to form a weather-tight junction between said top and said body. The replacement top also has at least one notch, carried by the rear panels of the shell member, that is dimensioned to receive the vehicle's tail-gate when said tail-gate is in a closed position thus forming a weather-tight junction between said top and said tail-gate. This allows the replacement top to be interchangeable with the soft convertible top without replacing the factory installed weather-seal.