Abstract: A protective door guard beam for motor vehicles is disclosed, comprised of interfit beam segments, each welded to a respective door lock or hinge flange. The beam segments allow limited telescoping of the beam segments to avoid gross deformation of the door flanges during impact to prevent disengagement of the door lock. An interlock comes into engagement as the beam is deformed sufficiently to approach the inside of the door.

Abstract: An instrument panel structure includes a transversely extending support member to which a steering apparatus, a knee protector, or both a steering apparatus and a knee protector are attached for relieving a shock load applied to the knees of a driver upon a collision of an automotive vehicle. The instrument panel structure is provided with a reinforcement or retainer for rigidly reinforcing the support member so as to prevent upward deformation of the support member during a collision.

Abstract: A drag reducer to be mounted on the rear face of a truck or other vehicle. It is comprised of an enclosed bag in the shape of a truncated cone with one or more elastic cord(s) encircling it. Air is introduced into the drag reducer upon forward motion of the vehicle via a tube, the open end of which is facing the direction of motion. As air pressure is increased in the drag reducer with increasing forward velocity the tension in the surface of the bag causes the elastic cord(s) to be extended allowing the drag reducer to reach its fully expanded shape. At slow driving speeds the elastic cord(s) contract and prevent the drag reducer from falling or being blown by cross winds over the rear signal lights or license plate and from touching the road in the case of larger more aerodynamically effective drag reducers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a floor mat for automobile vehicle, avoiding wear of the driver's shoes during the driving operations.The floor mat is composed of a frame and a grid arrangement formed by segments defining openings therebetween. The face of the floor mat turned towards the floor of the vehicle has no bottom. The upper edge of the segments is preferably provided with bristles forming a brush.

Abstract: A deflector structure is arranged for mounting to a vertical rear panel of an associated vehicle, having rear panel windows directed therethrough. The air deflector structure is arranged for mounting above and below the windows, wherein each deflector member includes a first plate mounted to the rear panel, and a second plate hingedly mounted for pivotal movement to the first plate. Mounting is effected by mechanical fasteners, or alternatively mechanical fasteners in combination with magnetic mounting plates.

Abstract: An air current deflector shield is provided having a substantially horizontally disposed base portion and an integrally formed deflecting portion extending upwardly from the base portion so as to deflect air over the windshield of a motor vehicle. The shield is mounted to the hood of the vehicle with a plurality of quick release fasteners, including a grommet having a plurality of expandable legs, and a plunger slidably positioned within the grommet for movement between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the plunger is moved to the locked position, the legs of the grommet are expanded into frictional engagement with holes in the hood of the vehicle, so as to securely mount the shield upon the hood. When the plunger is moved to the unlocked position, the legs of the grommet are collapsible for withdrawal from the holes in the hood, such that the shield can be quickly and easily removed from the hood.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for increasing the fuel economy of motor vehicles having a cargo carrying bed with a movable tailgate panel. The apparatus adjustably positions the tailgate panel between the upstanding closed position and the horizontal loading position automatically in response to the force of wind or air pressure acting on the tailgate panel to reduce the air drag resistance on the motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a suitable biasing means, such as a mechanical spring or a conventional door closure, to adjustably position the tailgate.

Abstract: This dashboard comprises, inter alia, on the one hand, a rigid, self-supporting and permanent framework (10) with a box-section member, a virtually flat panel with a perimeter whose size is adapted to that of an opening in a partition wall (C.sub.1) of the structure so as to close it and be held therein by fixing zones, at least one support and at least one cavity and, on the other hand, a removably attached rigid cover (20) which fixes approximately the exterior shape of the dashboard and, finally, a removably attached lining (30) which matches this cover (20) and defines the appearance of the dashboard.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a convenient awning assembly for parked cars which mainly consists of a pair of fixing frames mounted on car roof near front and rear portions thereof, a driving motor case disposed between the two fixing frames near one lateral side of car roof, two manually-operated awning roller assemblies separately fixed to the fixing frames to provide retractable awnings which can be adhered to windshields by sucker means when they are pulled out; a side awning roller assembly which has an retractable awning connected to a pair of power-actuated bars controlled by the motor in the driving motor case, and two storage compartments each being parallelly attached to inner side of the two fixing frames. With the present invention, a driver can have a shaded place to take a rest at any time he parks the car at a safe place and can provide a temporary rain awning for passengers in rainy days.

Abstract: A cover and a method of manufacturing a cover for a vehicle accessory such as an illuminated vanity mirror visor. The cover includes a planar generally rectangular core, preferably of a fiberboard material, which is covered on opposite surfaces by an upholstery material. The combination of upholstery and core is placed in an injection molding machine and a rim is molded around the periphery of the upholstered core. The rim provides both the function of finishing the edge of the cover, as well as providing structural rigidity at the outer periphery of the cover for strength and stability. One edge of the rim may integrally include hinge means for pivotally attaching the cover to the accessory.

Abstract: A window frame assembly for use in a vehicle body panel. The assembly has a frame portion with an inner and an outer periphery. Two channels are provided in the inner periphery of the frame to support one or more sliding window panes and at least one fixed window pane. A channel is also provided in the outer periphery of the frame. The sliding window pane is adapted to close the central portion of the frame and is slidable to a position substantially adjacent one of the fixed window panes. A sealing member is received in the channel supporting the fixed window panes to provide a sealing interface with the sliding window pane, at least when it is closed. An elastomeric cover is supported from the channel in the outer periphery as well as that channel in the inner periphery of the frame in which the fixed window panes and the sealing member are received.

Abstract: A windshield glass molding for a vehicle is formed of synthetic resins and comprises a head molding provided with a head portion and a vertical leg extending downwardly from the head portion. The head portion is provided with an elongated hole in its under surface and with engaging projections on opposite sides of the elongated hole to form an engaging groove. The vertical leg is provided with a glass receiving tongue to form a glass insertion groove between the head portion and the glass receiving tongue. The glass molding also comprises an insertion leg portion which is provided with an insertion head for insertion into the engaging groove, a supporting leg having a rainwater guide portion formed in its side face, and a glass support piece having a glass insertion groove formed in its side surface.

Abstract: Rails are mounted to the tops of the sides, ends and tailgate of a pickup truck box. Each rail has an outwardly extending base resting on the top of the truck box. The rails are fastened to the box by screws extending through holes in the rails and outwardly into the inside wall of the truck box at the sides and ends. An upstanding, longitudinally-extending flange in an internal cavity in each of the side rails receives the hooked outer end of longitudinally movable anchors having clamping screws with knurled knobs thereon to clamp the anchors to the rails in any of an infinite number of possible positions longitudinally of the rails. Apertures in the anchors receive cargo strap or chain hooks or partition connectors or other accessories. An upwardly opening longitudinally extending groove in each of the side and end rails receives and secures a reinforced hem of a tonneau cover.

Abstract: A connecting apparatus for connecting a composite outer body panel of a vehicle to a composite underbody of a vehicle whereby the composite outer body panel is allowed to move relative to the composite underbody due to thermal expansion and contraction caused by the aforementioned members having different coefficients of linear thermal expansion. The connecting apparatus is subtle in appearance, hidden from outside the vehicle and simple to assemble and disassemble.

Abstract: A first plastic body panel has an appearance panel with an appearance surface and an adjoining edge. The body panel has a tongue projecting from the adjoining edge generally parallel and recessed from the appearance surface. The tongue has an appearance side and a hidden side with the hidden side having a plurality of ribs. A second plastic body panel has an appearance panel with an appearance surface and an adjoining edge. The second plastic body panel has an inboard "L" shaped flange spaced and generally parallel to the appearance panel at the adjoining edge. The appearance panel and the flange of the second body panel define a slot at the adjoining edge for receiving the tongue of the first plastic body panel for slideably connecting the panels with the ribs of the tongue engaging the inboard "L" shaped flange. The appearance surfaces are coplanar at the adjoining edges whereby the panels can move relative to each other while maintaining the appearance surfaces coplanar at the adjoining edges.

Abstract: A safety gate for a school bus or similar conveyance. The gate is mounted on the front bumper of the vehicle and includes a barrier both in front of the bumper and between the bumper and the front wheel of the bus. Both barriers can be dropped from a travel height, in which the bus can travel on the roads, to a lower or guard height in which the barrier is close to the surface of the road so that people--particularly children--cannot go over or beneath the barriers in a location out of the view of the driver.

Abstract: A collapsible, compact, sturdy, portable tent apparatus for extending the inside area of certain vehicles to allow camping or storage inside the vehicle, comprising of tent fabric and a compact tent frame. The tent fabric is weatherproof and is equipped with a waterproof gasket seal, a steeple to promote water drainage off the tent, a spare tire rack seal, a door flap and a mosquito net door flap. The tent frame is lightweight, collapsible and compact for ease of storage, and easily extended and connected for ease of erection.

Abstract: A power seat adjuster includes first and second spaced track assemblies, each formed of an upper track slidably mounted in a lower track anchored to a vehicle floor. Each upper track is integrally formed as a one-piece member and has at least one pair of spaced mounting flanges integrally formed as a part thereof and extending outward from the upper track. Aligned apertures are formed in the mounting flanges to connect a tubular member extending between the track assemblies to the upper track of each track assembly. Another pair of mounting flanges may be formed at the opposite end of each upper track for mounting a second tubular member between and to the upper tracks of the track assemblies.

Abstract: A sun-visor for motor vehicles having a sun-visor body which consists essentially of recyclable plastic material. A metallic detent spring is held in the sun-visor body and clamps a support shaft which detachably engages into a bearing opening of the sun-visor body. A rail over the top edge of the visor body and a foil covering over the visor body are also of recyclable plastic material.

Abstract: An automotive bumper includes a closed cross section impact bar having at least one open end. An insert formed as a plurality of interconnected molded cells is received in the open end and spans the distance between front and rear walls of the impact bar. A positioning rib prevents overtravel of the insert and tuning bumps are provided to create an interference fit between the insert and the impact bar. An energy absorber can be mounted on the impact bar and fitted with the positioning rib of the insert.