Abstract: An enclosed trailer for towing by an over the road truck is provided having increased internal width for a given external width. The side walls of the trailer are constructed from a series of vertically extending, spaced apart, rigid plates, preferably metallic plates, and metallic reinforcing members which have an inwardly projecting, vertically extending rib that is positioned between the adjacent edges of adjacent pairs of plates. The reinforcing members are riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the outside of a pair of plates. Furthermore, the plates and reinforcing members are also rigidly secured to vertically extending flanges of the longitudinally extending top and bottom beams which form the juncture between the side walls and the top wall, and the side walls and the bottom wall, respectively. Because all elements of the trailer side walls are rigidly joined to the top and bottom beams, the overall strength and rigidity of the trailer is increased.

Abstract: A vanity mirror (27) is carried by a primary sunshade (24) stored above the headliner (5) of a motor vehicle. Lighting (117) for use with the mirror is disposed in the headliner remote from the primary sunshade and mirror. Secondary sunshades (13) are stored in either the headliner or roof pillars for operation completely independently of the primary sunshade.

Abstract: A truck cab of the cab-over-engine design having equipment compartments adjacent the front of the engine compartment adjacent the radiator and grill. The equipment compartment includes an opening substantially at the front of the truck cab having a pivot-mounted corner panel for closing the equipment compartment and for forming an exterior surface of the truck cab. The pivot mounting pivots the corner panel forward as the corner panel rotates so that the corner panel may be rotated through approximately 180 degrees while also providing a surface flush with the remainder of the truck cab when the corner panel closes the equipment compartment.

Abstract: A safety captain window for a truck, which comprises: a captain window housing comprising inner, middle, and outer channel members, wherein the inner channel member comprises at least one slidable glass window member slidably movable within the inner channel member, the middle channel member comprises first and second fixed glass plate members fixedly mounted within the middle channel member so as to define an opening therein between the first and second fixed glass plate members, and the outer channel member comprises first and second channel sections separated by a safety screen means, whereby the safety screen means prevents the influx of solid matter through an opening formed when the at least one slidable glass window member is moved in a lateral direction within the inner channel member.

Abstract: A truck tractor-trailer assembly having reduced aerodynamic drag. The skins of the tractor cab and trailer extend longitudinally toward each other and terminate in opposed trailing and leading edges which are as close together as possible while still permitting a full range of yaw and upward pitch about a fifth wheel assembly coupling the trailer to the tractor. In addition to accommodating yaw and upward pitch, the tractor-trailer skin edges are separated by a minimum clearance distance determined by manufacturing tolerances, plus clearances in the fifth wheel assembly, plus elastic deformation of components, plus the range of maximum roll of the tractor frame. An optimal construction employing concentric spherical surfaces is shown, as are embodiments having minimum skin and volume gaps meeting other design criteria. A method of reducing aerodynamic drag by reducing tractor-trailer skin and volume gaps also is described.

Abstract: A windshield molding comprises a pair of extruded side molding parts, a pair of corner molding parts, and an extruded upper molding part integral with and extending between the side and corner molding parts. Each of the molding parts includes an exterior wing and a connecting portion. The exterior wing has an outward wing portion and an inward wing portion for covering the peripheral edge of a vehicle body panel and a peripheral edge of a windshield, respectively. The inward wing portion of each of the side molding part is increased its height to define a space between the peripheral surface of the windshield associated with a side panel. This space serves as a water drain channel for guiding rain water to a predetermined position.

Abstract: An improved vehicle bed assembly, and process of manufacture, which involves formation of the floor pan by roll forming, with the floor pan having strengthening ribs extending longitudinally throughout the entire length of the floor pan so as to terminate at the front and rear free edges thereof. The rear free edge of the floor pan cooperates with a rear sill member which has rib-end defining projections formed thereon and cooperating with the ends of the ribs on the floor pan for closing off said ribs and creating a transition to a flat horizontal surface defined on the rear sill member. The rib ends of the rear sill member preferably have guide portions which nest into and are fixedly secured, as by spot welding, to the rearward ends of the ribs defined on the floor pan.

Abstract: An apparatus which increases the amount of daylight entering a truck cab to provide additional cab illumination without directly shining on an operator, including a window located above the windshield and a header extending from the bottom part of the window into the vehicle cab to block the daylight from directly shining on an operator, in one embodiment of which the windshield and window are one piece of glass and include a glass area for marker lights.

Abstract: A storable cover for covering the cabin portion of a vehicle carries storage means secured thereto to be disposed in the trunk of the vehicle or other suitable compartment in a manner anchoring the trailing edge of the cover when the cover is disposed onto the vehicle. The storage means is affixed firmly inside the trunk of the vehicle so as to locate part of the cover 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 trunk lid and the rear windshield or body of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention herein pertains to a rigid, pivotable connector which spans the gap between a vehicle bed such as a vehicle truck bed and a the swingable tailgate joined thereto. The invention allows loading and unloading heavy articles conveniently across the tailgate and prevents cart wheels or the like from slipping into the gap between the tailgate and the truck bed. The connector is hinged to the truck bed and will span the gap between the bed and the tailgate to prevent debris from falling into the tailgate hinge therebeneath.

Abstract: An improved pick-up truck includes an integral auxiliary load compartment positioned between the cab and the load box of the pick-up, the auxiliary load compartment having lateral side walls which extend in parallel planar relationship with adjacent portions of the cab and load box.

Abstract: A slide-out visor includes a double acting slide mechanism which includes first and second slide members pivotally coupled to one another with the first slide member slidably mounted to a vehicle support member. The second slide member is slidably mounted to a visor panel such that the visor is extended by withdrawing the panel with the first and second slide members moving along guide means in the vehicle support member and visor panel respectively. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the slide members include spring means which provide a controlled engaging surface between the slide members and the guide means formed in the vehicle support member and visor panel respectively. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring means are metallic leaf springs and an overlying arm of polymeric material extends between the metal spring and the guide means to provide a lubricious polymeric interface for the slide members with respect to the supporting structure and the visor panel.

Abstract: A visor system includes a generally planar visor body having parallel guide rails extending along opposite sides and extending beyond the visor body. The rails preferably have a circular cross-section and are slideably received in a pair of spaced polymeric guide tracks having slots of corresponding cross-section. The guide tracks in the preferred embodiment are defined by extruded members mounted in parallel spaced relationship to each other on the vehicle headliner for sliding movement of the visor panel in the space between the vehicle roof and the headliner. In a preferred embodiment, the guide rails are defined by a polymeric U-shaped circular rod extending around three sides of the visor panel and can be integrally formed with the visor panel or separately attached thereto.

Abstract: This cargo bay cover is a convenient, water-resistant, soft cover for a cargo bay. The cover is designed with five easily removable support arms (38) covered with a lightweight, water-resistant material (20). The support arms are steadied by rigid support brackets (32,34) which fit tightly around the upper side-wall ridge (82) of the cargo bay. Tension caused by the design of the support arms (38) pressing against the support brackets (32,34), and the stabilizer members (36), steady the cover during use. When the cover is not needed it can be removed, rolled up (FIG. 7), and stored in a handy storage bag (80).

Abstract: A structural reinforced injection-molded fiberglass visor shell has a laterally extending upper member which extends frontwardly above and provides shade to a vehicle windshield. Three attachment pods extend downwardly from the upper member and have pod floors which conform to the geometry of a vehicle cab upper surface. Side walls extend upwardly from the pod floors and are connected to the upper member. Access holes are provided in the upper member for the insertion of fasteners through the pod floors into the vehicle cab surface. Alternatively, the pod floors may be adhesively attached to the cab by means of structural adhesive tape or bolt-retaining strips adhesively taped the cab surface. The same visor shell may be economically manufactured for a wide variety of vehicles by substituting different pods configured for a particular make of vehicle.

Abstract: A partition system forming a separate enclosable storage compartment is mountable within an open storage bed of a vehicle having a floor, an end wall, and two parallel side walls. The partition system includes a partition wall stationarily fastened in the bed at an intermediate distance from the end wall. The partition wall along with the two side walls and end wall of the bed form the four vertical walls of the storage compartment while the bed floor is also the floor of the compartment. The open top of the compartment has a horizontally slidable lid for selective enclosure thereof. Positioned above the compartment is a fairing which provides a covering for the compartment and reduces drag from the passenger cab while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A footrest apparatus for supporting the calves of a passenger seated in the rear seat of an automobile includes a stationary plate secured to the floor of the vehicle, a link mechanism turnably provided on a forward end of the stationary plate, a footrest member turnably connected to a rearward end of the stationary plate and connected to one end of the link mechanism, a screw turned by a drive source via a reduction device, and a nut threadedly engaged with the screw. The link mechanism is turned by relative movement of the nut to move the footrest member up and down about the rearward end thereof.

Abstract: A bumper fascia molding and method of making the same is accomplished by providing a trim strip with an overall T shape in cross section. The trim strip has a body portion and a stem. The trim strip is positioned onto a channel within the bumper fascia molding. A force is exerted on the decorative face to seat the trim strip in position in the bumper fascia molding. While the force is exerted, a securement mechanism is passed through the bumper fascia molding channel and trim strip to secure the trim strip within the bumper fascia channel. Read through is substantially eliminated on the outer decorative surface at the securement points.

Abstract: A cover assembly for the rear compartment of a pickup truck consisting of three rectangular panels arranged longitudinally along the top of the compartment. The center panel is substantially fixed and the side panels are pivotally attached along their inside edges to the outside edges of the center panel and are moveable from a closed to an open position. A flange extends beyond the perimeter of the cover and overlaps the top surfaces of the truck bed providing support for the cover. A horizontal member is attached to the rear edge of the center panel and in combination with a vertical member at each end provides support for the rear of the cover when the tailgate is open.

Abstract: An improved floor configuration for the interior rear portion of a motor vehicle wherein at least one region, made of a fracture-prone material such as plastic and typically the spare tire cavity or foot recess cavity region, is covered by a sealing cover assembly having properties of high ultimate elongation, fluid impermeability (both liquid and gas impermeable), and good crack or tear-resistance. In one embodiment, the sealing member comprises a carpet having a flexible, stretchable backing layer, preferably a plastic sheet having high ultimate elongation, high yield strength and good resistance to hydrocarbons.