Abstract: A vehicle convertible top linkage assembly having improved means for controlling the articulation of the convertible top as it is raised and lowered. This linkage assembly includes a pair of pillar links that are pivotally coupled to the vehicle and a pair of balance links that control the articulation of the convertible top. The balance links are coupled to the linkage assembly by coupling means that simultaneously allow the balance links to be pivotally and longitudinally displaced. Longitudinal displacement of the balance links is accomplished by a variety of displacing means and serves the purpose of actuating the control links. These displacing means displace the balance link when the convertible top is being raised and lowered to provide various paths of movement.

Abstract: A sliding visor includes a visor body and slide assembly which includes a slide bar which slideably extends within the visor body. The slide bar includes an outwardly extending tab which extends within a guide mounted to the visor body for limiting the longitudinal motion of the visor body along the slide bar. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the visor core includes a resilient frictional engagement member which compressively engages the visor slide for providing friction and anti-rattle control for the visor in its movement with respect to the slide bar.

Abstract: A weatherstrip structure for an automotive vehicle includes a main body and a seal lip. The main body extends between first and second automotive components and retains the first automotive component at its one side. The seal lip extends from the main body between the main body and the second automotive component so as to define a space between the main body and the seal lip. The seal lip is elastically pressed onto the second automotive component so as to seal between the first and second automotive components. At least one elastic member is fixedly provided in the space. The rib member extends between the main body and the seal lip in a direction which is inclined relative to a direction along which a compressive force is applied to the rib member via the seal lip from the second automotive component.

Abstract: A multiple-panel multipurpose device that is installed on the dashboard of a vehicle to form, in its closed position, a protective layer during the operation of the vehicle. When the vehicle is at rest, the panels can be extended by a simple maneuver to cover virtually the entire windshield and protect the interior of the vehicle from harmful sun light. When the geometry of the dashboard permits, some of the space between the bottom panel of the device and the top of the dashboard can be utilized to provide additional utility functions or compartments for accessories. The invention is suitable for adaptation to any existing vehicle, including boats and airplanes.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for latching a convertible top headed to a windshield header includes an electric motor mounted centrally on the top header which is drivingly connected by flexible drive shafts to side-rail-mounted latch units. Each latch unit includes a transmission connected to a drive shaft and an output drive screw which drives a drive nut and an attached drive link. The drive link is pivotally attached to a side-rail-mounted bell crank that is pivoted to a J-hook. Selective operation of the electric motor will cause the drive screw to shift the drive nut and drive link to move the J-hook between an extended and retracted positions. In extended position, the J-hook can be retracted to engage a windshield header abutment to latch the headers together, or retracted within the side rail for top retraction.

Abstract: A cross member bumper beam and method of making it are disclosed. The cross member bumper beam is attached to the frame rails of a vehicle. The beam is made of first and second materials that are bonded together with an adhesive. The first step of the method is to form a cross member from the first material. The cross member has a channel shape, with at least one bent return first edge portion. The bent return first edge portion includes a latch portion. The second step of the method is to attach the cross member to the frame rails of the vehicle. The channel shape of the cross member is oriented generally away from the frame rails and exposes the bent first edge portion. The third step of the method is to form a bumper facebar from the second material. The bumper facebar also has a channel shape with at least one bent return second edge portion. The bent return second edge portion includes an attachment portion.

Abstract: Side frames are mountable on a truck and are retractable into a compact package. Each frame comprises anchor members to which support posts are pivoted and which slidably support a longitudinally extending rail at their upper ends. A plurality of load supporting members are removably attached between the rails of the side frames.

Abstract: A protective mat is provided for use in a vehicle having an interior carpeted floor. One end of the mat is attached to a storage assembly including a rod and a housing for enclosing rod and the mat be stored in coiled fashion upon the rod within the housing. The opposite end of the mat is provided with fasteners which, when engaged with the pile of the carpeted floor, attach the mat to the floor to prevent movement in a direction parallel to the floor.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a cover for an open-topped vehicle enclosure including at least one rail member resting on a top wall of the side wall of the enclosure. Mounted on the rail member is a cover attachment member engageable with a peripheral portion of a cover. The rail member is held in place on the side wall of the enclosure by cooperating upper and lower clamp members.

Abstract: A mounting device for a seat usable in a boat or other conveyance. The mounting is readily separable so that even though one part is firmly fastened to the conveyance and a second part to the seat, the seat is readily detached and removed from the conveyance. The ready detachability is accomplished with a relatively simple latch built into the mounting.

Abstract: Of the type which takes the form of a laminar body generally of rectangular shape, opaque and fitted at the upper part of the vehicle's windscreen and hinged, it being characterized by having a hollow interior over most of its area in which is located a translucent supplementary filter which can eject at the lower part of the sun visor thus providing an additional surface of protection against the light rays and having also a means of internal retention which can be released manually so as to give effect to a rapid ejection of the said supplementary filter from the laminar opaque sun visor.

Abstract: A manual tarp enclosing system is disclosed for enclosing flat bed trailers which has an elongate track on each side and a plurality of U-shaped bows bridging the bed with one of the legs of the bow received in the track on each side of the bed for movement longitudinally in the track means. A cable positioning system for moving and positioning the bow is provided which comprises a closed loop of cable which extends along one side, across the width and down the other side of the bed as parallel double strands. A first bow is secured to one of the cable strands running parallel each of the tracks whereby on manually pulling on the loop of the cable, the first bow is moved towards the front or rear of the bed. A cover is secured to the first bow and at successive intervals to successive of the bows. On drawing the first bow, the cover extends or collapses in an accordion-like manner.

Abstract: A porthole van window to increase available daylight in which the window is initially adhesively attached to a first molding seated in the circular window opening and has a second molding attached to its peripheral edge, beneath which a curable sealant is deposited for firmly bonding the window to the side panel of the van.

Abstract: A swing-out tail lamp for a vehicle providing access to the trunk compartment while the trunk lid is closed and being characterized by having the tail lamp supported along one side thereof by a hinge connected to the vehicle that allows the tail lamp to be moved from a closed position to an open position. The tail lamp is combined with a latch mechanism which serves to secure the tail lamp assembly to the vehicle when located in the closed position, and a spring detent is provided to maintain the tail lamp assembly in the open position.

Abstract: A combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit is attached to a front edge of a window frame of an automobile door. The automobile deflector and side view mirror unit comprises a mirror housing secure to the window frame and supporting a side view mirror, and a shroud having a leading edge extending along the periphery of the front edge of the window frame and attached thereto. The shroud also has a curved portion for enclosing the side view mirror, the curved portion attached to the mirror housing.

Abstract: A cab for a driver of a large off-road machine in which the machine has a frame with a longitudinal axis in the direction of normal travel, the cab being formed of a superstructure of a generally rectangular box configuration, one lower edge of the cab superstructure being pivotally affixed to the machine frame about an axis of pivotation substantially parallel to the vehicle frame longitudinal axis and a limited displacement shock absorber attaching the cab superstructure other edge to the machine frame so that thereby in the event of rollover of the vehicle, the shock absorber absorbs energy to reduce the possibility of collapse of the superstructure to thereby provide increase safety to the machine operator. The cab is completed by a control instrument module removably attached to the superstructure front, an environment control module removably attachable to the superstructure back, and left and right door modules removably attachable to the superstructure left and right sides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a one piece self sustaining fastener for securing a protective liner to the bed of a pick-up truck, the liner having on its two opposite vertical sides openings for receiving individual fasteners, each fastener having an extending portion adapted to pass into an opening of the liner and pass around and out of contact with an adjacent horizontal projecting portion of the rail of the bed, the extending portion having a free end that by a flexing action engages the inside wall of the rail at a point close to but spaced from the upper inside wall of the rail, the fastener also has a base portion at the inner end of the extending portion, including a projecting surface that has a portion that exceeds the dimension of the opening and which engages the outside adjacent surface of the liner, the base portion also has a portion that acts as a pivot when inserting the fastener into the opening and an opposite portion that by thumb pressure assumes a snap locking position after which the extending portion a

Abstract: An improved bed finisher for being received in lieu of the tailgate of a conventional pickup truck is disclosed. The bed finisher comprises left and right uprights and a transverse member. The uprights mate with the standard tailgate mounting hardware of the pickup truck and conceal the hardware so as to provide an attractive and stylish appearance to the rear of the truck when the tailgate is removed. A cargo net or the like may be provided extending between the left and right uprights, allowing the assembly of the bed finisher and cargo net to be removed and replaced by the conventional tailgate very conveniently. The left and right upright members may each include a frame intended for mating with the tailgate mounting hardware of one or more standard trucks, and a cover member intended to mate identically with each of the various types of frame.

Abstract: A body panel for a vehicle has a sheet and an elongate supporting structural member of uniform cross sectional shape along its length connected to the sheet for support and for mounting of the sheet to the vehicle. The structural member lies against the sheet, so as to follow the curvature of the sheet. To provide a light yet strong structure, the structural member 3 has, as seen looking at the face of the sheet at least one bend. Two or more bends are preferred. The structural member is an extruded profile, which is adhesively secured to the sheet along its whole length.

Abstract: A vehicle door protector assembly consists of a pair of telescoping rods and a pair of cushion members mounted to the rods. The cushion members define facing surfaces which engage each other when the door protector assembly is mounted to the door. One of the cushion members preferably includes a male projection, and the other includes a female recess adapted to receive the male projection. The cushion member in which the female recess is formed can be cut to length according to the length of the door, to accomodate the vehicle door protector assembly being mounted to a wide range of door lengths. The assembly is sold in the form of a kit, and the cushion member in which the female recess is formed is cut to length according to the door length, while leaving the female recess exposed.