Abstract: A backhoe loader has an enclosed cab, the opposite sides of which are essentially formed by large side windows. Each side window is formed by front and rear window panels that are mirror images of one another and are joined at their inner edges by a vertical hinge structure that permits either the front or rear window panel to swing 180.degree. from a closed to an open position, one window panel being closed while the other is fully opened. The hinge structure is formed by a pair of pivots respectively attached to the upper and lower portions of the window frame and a pair of relatively narrow hinge elements swingable on the pivot pins.

Abstract: A package tray adapted to be mounted on the body structure of an automotive vehicle between the upper edge portion of the rear seat back and the rear window thereof. The package tray comprises a relatively rigid, substantially self-supporting panel having a plurality of spaced apart, downwardly projecting button-like pads on the bottom surface engageable with the body structure to preclude objectionable rattling or vibration.

Abstract: An automobile rigid convertible roof (4) retracts horizontally rearward over the rear part of the upper body. The rear end of the roof is supported by two external elongated struts (12L and 12R) which are permanently attached to the rear corners of the roof at their upper ends and retract with it as a unit. Strut bottom rollers (18) are guided by guides (22) mounted adjacent the vehicle rear deck. The struts (12) are outside of the vehicle cockpit enclosure. The retracted roof is moved horizontally so that the retracted roof panel does not interfere with rear vision from the cockpit and in the retracted position does not use any cockpit or vehicle trunk volume for roof storage.

Abstract: In a vehicle wiper system of the type having a frame tube fixed to the vehicle body, an improved mounting of a housing to the frame tube includes an inwardly tapered cradle portion on the housing that matches an inwardly tapered mounting portion of the tube, with deformable ribs on the housing cradle that are sheared by the tube when the housing is attached so as to assure solid, intimate contact between the housing and tube.

Abstract: A frameless truck cap lift door is disclosed having a concealed hinge structure and including a transparent window portion of generally uniform thickness having six holes, two of which extend along an upper edge thereof. There is a relatively rigid support bar having at least a pair of holes which are simutaneously alignable with the window holes. A pair of hinges are adapted to be fastened near an upper edge of the truck cap each hinge having a pivotable arm extending from the truck cap and terminating in an apertured flange. The spacing between the flanges when the hinges are fastened to the truck cap is substantially the same of the spacing between the holes in the support bar and the holes in the window whereby a pair of threaded fasteners may be passed each through the window, the support bar and one flange for securing the window pivotably to the cap.

Abstract: An overhead guard assembly for use on an materials handling vehicle provides the operator with protection against falling objects. The assembly includes first and second frame members supported by the vehicle and positioned on either side of the operator, and a plate member placed between and secured to the frame members over the head of the operator. A plurality of openings are formed in the plate member to provide the operator a clear view upwardly through said overhead guard. The openings in said overhead guard are arranged in rows and a plurality of strengthening ribs are placed in the plate member between the rows and extend from one frame member to the other. The strengthening ribs are formed by reverse bending the plate member to provide a rib surface orientated at an angle of approximately 50.degree. with respect to the horizontal to provide minimum visual obstruction to the operator.

Abstract: The present invention, an extendable, retractable endgate air foil, is a device for deflecting the flow of air through the bed (7) of a pickup truck or car up and over the endgate (1). The device includes rigid, overlapping panels (5) (10), which direct the air flow from the lower floor of the bed (7) over the inclined panels stretching from the wheelwells (9) to the top of the endgate (1) in order to reduce air drag on the otherwise upright, closed endgate. The air foil panels (5) (10) will also retract upwardly and rearwardly for pinning onto the bottom of the vehicle's endgate (1) in order to maximize load capacity in keeping with the intended purpose of the conventional truck bed and rear-end tailgate.

Abstract: A sliding parcel van door according to the present invention comprises a door panel, upper and lower tracks for supporting the door and permitting sliding movement thereof along a predefined path, and resilient seal members on first and second edges of the door. The door is disposed parallel to and a predetermined distance away from a supporting wall containing a passageway to be controlled by the door. The seal members are preferably resilient tubular members which extend from the door panel surface toward the supporting wall. A wedge-shaped jam is provided on each of the two vertical edges of the passageway facing the door. The supporting wall may have a wall treatment material, such as carpet or padding applied to the surface facing the door. A ridge on each jam extends forward of any wall treatment material. When the door is in its closed position, the wedge shaped jams engage and compress the tubular seal members, providing a force to hold the door in a secure, substantially non-vibrating position.

Abstract: Hatchback for a motor vehicle comprises a bordering frame which is glued together with and surrounds at least in part an edge area of a window. The bordering frame, at least in a partial area of its circumferential course, has a covering part resting on the exterior side of the window and on the bordering frame. In order to provide such a hatchback which has a simple construction, can be manufactured fast and at low cost, and reliably meets the requirements with respect to tightness, a method of manufacture forms the covering part by direct foaming around the bordering frame and of an edge area of the window.

Abstract: An automotive visor includes a visor body with a slot for slidably receiving a panel which may include an illuminated vanity mirror. The panel is slidably mounted to the visor body and stabilizing structure assures that the panel moves smoothly between a stored position within the visor body and a use position extended from the visor body. In one embodiment the stabilizing structure includes cords which extend through the panel to opposite corners of the visor body. In another embodiment the stabilizing structure includes guide tracks and followers on the panel which are made of material to magnetically attract the followers to the tracks.

Abstract: The invention is a "duct-way" between the pickup truck cab and the bed cap, both with sliding glass windows. The invention is a sealed clear opening which allows the pickup truck sliding glass window to be closed. It is specifically for the sliding glass windows which face each other on a pickup truck cab (rear window) and a bed cap which also has a sliding glass window (front window on the cap).It is made of clear plastic or plexiglass which allows the driver to use his rear view mirror. The purpose of the duct-way is to allow for heat, air-conditioning, and communication to take place between the cab and cap. This unit is sealed from the weather and is able to be closed from the cab by closing the cab sliding glass window.

Abstract: An electrically-operated mechanism for locking a lid or filler cap associated with a fuel filler tube in an automotive vehicle. Switch mechanisms located in the driver compartment are used to remotely control a solenoid or reversible electric motor in the compartment containing the filler tube. The vehicle battery is used as the power source for the motor or solenoid.

Abstract: Mechanism and method for attaching an outer covering to a plastic shell are provided wherein an attachment mechanism is attached or integral with an inner surface of a shell half. The attachment mechanism secures the covering to prevent the covering from working loose prior to and during closure of the upper and lower shell halves. The mechanism is designed to maintain adequate tension on the cover fabric, yet allow fabric to be pulled out as required by a peripheral fabric retention system. The mechanism further includes one or more members which flex to allow an elongated implement and fabric to enter, but which grabs and retains the fabric when the elongated implement is withdrawn prior to and upon closing of the upper and lower shell halves.

Abstract: A vehicle door, for a passenger automobile which in the closed position has its door frame juxtaposed with the outwardly facing part of the threshold for the door opening of the vehicle body, is provided at the level of this threshold with a horizontal strut which can be corrugated for controlled collapse and extends normal to the door plane.

Abstract: A vertically displaceable rigid cover for a truck bed is connected to the truck bed by many of pair of linkages on each side of the truck bed. A fluid pressure actuated cylinder is associated with each linkage for lifting and lowering the rigid cover, and for causing a portion of each linkage to be received into and continuously urged against a vertical stop means mounted on the truck bed.

Abstract: A pull-to device pulls a vehicle closing component into a locked end position automatically in a final closing-movement phase. Whereas prior pull-to devices formed by a closure or even by a plurality of closures were effective only after the closing component has reached a pre-engagement position on the counter-component, here, during the closing movement, this pre-engagement position is assumed large independently of the closing accuracy of the closing component. For assistance, there is an additional pull-to device which consists of a leading catch coupling.

Abstract: A cab for rollover protection of 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.

Abstract: An apparatus wherein a transportable cargo vehicle mounts a hopper thereon, with a liner complementarily received within the hopper to minimize corrosion of the hopper structure. An access door in the hopper is aligned with an opening in the liner. A transparent cover structure is provided, including a pneumatic chamber to overlie the hopper and liner assemblage and enhance solar heating of contents within the hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus defining a generally "U" shaped convex structure mounted to an all-terrain vehicle, wherein the structure includes a wire grid mounted to a bottom "L" shaped framework, and the framework is provided with a rearwardly extending mounting bar for securement to an associated all-terrain vehicle. A modification of the invention includes a further guard securable to the guard during periods of non-use and mounted for extension relative thereto providing longitudinal adjustment as required.

Abstract: An expandable modular enclosure which allows substantial increase in the available interior size. An expanding floor section is provided within the enclosure assembly and extensible retractable modules are provided to extend laterally outwardly from the enclosure and supported in the extended mode by cantilever support arrangements which are movable on bearing assemblies to allow the extension and retraction of the modular segments.