Abstract: A cover system for an automobile includes a flexible cover, preferably of nylon, having leading, trailing and side edge portions and of a suitable dimension to fit over the entire car body from the rear bumper to the front bumper and sides thereof. The flexible cover includes an elastic leader segment attached at a first end to the cover and spaced from the trailing edge thereof. A second end of the leader segment is attached to a rotatable spool housed in a containment tube. The spool is rotated for storing in the cover by a motor, by a spring-biased shaft arrangement or by a manually turnable crank, or combinations thereof. The containment tube may be pivotally mounted by straps within the interior of the trunk for storage therein and is adapted to be pivotally swung outwardly from the trunk to an operable position at the rear of the trunk lid. After the cover is applied to the automobile, the containment tube is swung back to the trunk compartment for safe storage.

Abstract: A plastic monocoque body assembly comprised of three pieces bonded toegther is provided for a lawn and garden-type vehicle. The body assembly incorporates hollow compartments to provide the frame-like strength necessary to withstand concentrated torsional and bending loads. Compartments are provided in the sides, center and front portions of the assembly with each compartment including walls comprised of at lest two of the three pieces which form the assembly.

Abstract: A combination roll cage and cover removably mounted to all-terrain vehicles providing protection to riders of such vehicles from road hazards, debris and the elements. The apparatus comprises a framework of square steel tubing welded together to form a cage having a front portion and overhead protection over which a weatherproof fabric cover having at least a front mounted window is placeable to form an enclosed cab. The framework is easily attachable to the existing front and rear structures of an all-terrain vehicle so as to cover and enclose the rider's area. The framework is useable with or without the cover for roll over protection and also provides a means to deflect branches and similar hazards away from the rider by virtue of the design of the front portion. At least one embodiment includes a rear mounted carrier rack.

Abstract: A tarp cover system including a pawl (44) and ratchet (26) mechanism for locking a tarp cover (6) in a rolled-up truck-body-uncovered condition, and a brake operating lever that is initially pivoted in one direction with one hand by the operator to release the pawl from the ratchet to unlock the rolled up cover, and is subsequently pivoted in the same direction by the same hand to brake the unwinding of the cover as it is spring-biased toward the truck-body-covered condition. To re-cover the truck body, a crank shaft (24) is rotated to rotate the roll in the cover-winding direction against the biasing force of the cover spring, the ratchet mechanism preventing uncontrolled unwinding of the cover.

Abstract: A windshield molding is installed in the space between a windshield and a periphery of a window opening of a vehicle body panel. The windshield molding comprises a pair of extruded side molding parts, a pair of extruded corner molding parts, and an extruded upper molding part integral with and extending between the side and corner molding parts. Each of side molding parts associated with each side edge of the windshield is larger in thickness compared to the upper and corner molding parts, having a water drain channel which extends in and along such large-thickness part.

Abstract: A molding including a molding body having a leg portion and a covering portion integrally provided on and extending along an upper side of the leg portion. The molding body is provided with a weir member longitudinally fitted along a desired section thereof. The molding body is formed with a groove which extends along only the desired section of said molding body. The groove may be formed on the leg portion and the covering portion. The molding is manufactured by extruding a molding material from a molding opening having a desired configuration. The groove is formed by selectively projecting a grooving tool into the molding opening during extruding the molding material from the molding opening.

Abstract: An automobile trunk lid having an air spoiler on its upper surface, both being made of a fiber-reinforced plastic and integrally molded in one piece. Since such a trunk lid with an integral air spoiler has no joint therebetween, it has an improved decorative effect and is free from the entry of dust and wax into a joint.

Abstract: A fastener for mounting a strip-like member to an automobile comprises an upper member and a lower member. The upper member serves to seal a space between a window opening of the vehicle body panels and a windshield. At a side fastener part, the upper member extends laterally to define a space for a water drain channel. The lower member supports a windshield molding to be mounted in the window opening to hold the windshield. The fastener is extruded in the strip shape.

Abstract: A truck body includes a rear wall, with the rear wall arranged to receive a plurality of "L" shaped air duct members, each including a first and second intercommunicating pneumatic conduit to direct air from side walls of the truck body to the rear wall to enhance cleaning of the rear wall of the truck minimizing separation of vacuum at a trailing surface of the truck to increasing resistance of a truck resulting in decreased fuel economy.

Abstract: A rear shelf module for a passenger car includes a plurality of transverse reinforcing channels forming electrical cable ducts or air conditioning ducts through the module for locating electrical conduits for connection to rear light and sound system components located respectively in fore and aft facing housing segments formed integrally of the rear shelf module and for directing heating, air conditioning and ventilation air to the rear passenger compartment.

Abstract: A seat mechanism including a deflectable latch flap mechanism formed integrally with a first seat pan member. The latch flap engages an indexing means for selectively securing the seat in a desired longitudinal position. A guide mechanism is provided for longitudinally guiding foot portions coupled with the seat mechanism during seat position adjustment. Mating portions are provided that generally prevent the guide mechanism from shifting laterally with respect to the seat mechanism under the weight of the operator.

Abstract: An improved fold-down tailgate for use on a truck-like vehicle is disclosed. The tailgate of the present invention employs a slotted work surface which permits the ready attachment of various construction implements, such as cargo ramps, extended work surfaces, and a wide variety of vises, clamps and tie-down devices. The tailgate provides improved functionality while maximizing the amount of cargo space in the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle door system (10) for reducing the impact of a person against the door when the vehicle undergoes a side impact. The system includes an inner door panel (14) mounted to a door frame (12) in spaced apart fashion. The inner panel (14) is mounted to the frame (12) with a plurality of shock absorbing fasteners (20) which absorbs some of the kinetic energy transmitted from the door frame to the person.

Abstract: A pick-up truck tailgate protector assembly (10) includes a sheet-like plastic panel (44) having a plurality of corrugations (46) formed integrally therein. A plurality of curved appendages (56) extend from the lower extremity (42) of the panel (44) for resiliently engaging the lower pivoted edge (24) of a vehicular tailgate (20). The panel (44) includes an upper extremity (40) having an L-shaped bead (60) extending the length thereof. The bead (60) is fixedly captured in an extruded aluminum channel (62). The channel (62) includes an integral uncinate member (50) for covering the upper swinging edge (22) of the tailgate (20).

Abstract: A plastic liner is provided for use in a vehicle luggage compartment. The liner has a bottom conforming generally to the shape of the luggage compartment floor, and integral rear, side and front walls, at least some of which generally conform to the walls of the luggage compartment. Integral or removable dividers may be provided to compartmentalize the liner. Grooves may be provided in the liner wall to support such dividers.

Abstract: A cover for a truck bed is disclosed herein having a base secured to the edge of the truck bed which includes a pair of side bars connected at their ends by front and rear bars. A flexible sheet of cover material is detachably connected to the respective bars by fasteners cooperatively aligned and placed about the peripheral edge marginal region of the cover and the respective bars. The base is releasably carried on the truck bed by clamps, latches or the like.

Abstract: An extended sun visor accessory for motor vehicle including central and side panels that are foldable into an inoperative position wherein the accessory may be stored in a space similar to that of a conventional vehicle sun visor employed for aircraft, shipcraft and various motor vehicles when inoperative and extended to cover a windshield for the vehicle. The extended sun visor panels are foldable along both vertical and horizontal fold lines, extending from the conventional vehicle sun visor first along horizontal folds that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle sun visor and then extending along vertical fold lines that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle sun visor to cover virtually the entire windshield thereof. Securing means retains the accessory when inoperative. The accessory may be constructed to attach to a vehicle sun visor or the vehicle sun visor may be constructed to house the invention within a recessed area contained within the vehicle sun visor.

Abstract: A vehicle rear view mirror rain shield comprising of a plurality of revolving blades attached to a plurality of rotary hubs, which are sleeved on a revolving shaft and inserted with one inside another, and operated by a motor which when opened has the shape of a sector of a circle to protect a vehicle rear view mirror from rain water is disclosed. A rubber packing is attached to the first blade to seal the gap between the rain shield and the adjacent window glass.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a molding to a vehicle body has a windshield supported by a pillar. The pillar has an outer pillar component and an inner pillar component with the components mounted together. A one piece energy absorbing bracket is interposed between the pillar and the molding. The energy absorbing bracket has a base mounted to the inner pillar component. A mounting portion of the bracket conforms to the shape of the molding and carries the molding. A support portion connects the mounting portion to the base and spaces the molding from the pillar. A foot of the bracket engages the pillar to provide stability of the bracket relative to the pillar. A buckling portion connects the mounting portion to the foot and is adapted to undergo deformation when subject to a force of impact transmitted through the molding. The components of the pillar each have a channel shape and open towards each other.

Abstract: A vehicle rear window reveal molding provided with a rearwardly facing groove serving as a repository for reflective material in which the overhang of an upper leg of the groove shelters the reflective material against ultraviolet deterioration but allows clear visibility thereof in its activated state when it emits light in response to ground level light of headlights from approaching vehicles impinging on the reflective material.