Abstract: A metallic connector (48) secures the terminal end (50) of a first metallic tubular member (28) to an intermediate portion (52) of a second metallic tubular member (30). The connector (48) includes an end connection portion (54) having an opening (56) that receives the terminal end (50) of the first tubular member (28) and also includes a saddle portion (58) that extends from the end connection portion and receives the intermediate portion (52) of the second tubular member (30). Opposite ends (60) of the saddle portion (58) each includes a pair of spaced clamp attachers (62) for securing a clamp to permit the assembly by a connection (64) that includes a filler alloy (66) that is preferably a brazing material. The first and second tubular members (28,30) as well as the connector (48) are preferably made from stainless steel.

Abstract: A vehicle body construction (10) includes a tubular metallic space frame (11) to which panels are secured by adhesive connections (126) of elongated shapes. Each adhesive connection (126) includes elastomeric spacers (128) having a nominal thickness between the associated panel and tubular member in the range of 2 to 6 millimeters, and each adhesive connection also includes an adhesive (130) that extends between the associated panel and the tubular member intermediate the spacers and has a Shore A scale hardness in the range of 40 to 60.

Abstract: A vehicle vent (12) for exhausting air from a vehicle occupant compartment includes a float valve (32) that prevents water that enters an outlet (24) of the vent from passing into the vehicle through the vent inlet (20) but which has a drain passage (36) for permitting a limited flow of the water to a drain (38) on the vent inlet side of the float valve (32). The vent (12) preferably includes a fan (40) that is most preferably energized by a solar panel (48). Mounting of the vent (12) can be provided on the vehicle roof, on the roof just forward of a vehicle back window, or as part of a sunroof.

Abstract: A vehicle sunshade roof construction (16) is disclosed as including a transparent roof panel (28) and a sunshade (32) for opening and closing the area below the transparent roof panel. The sunshade (32) includes a plurality of laterally elongated blades (34) connected by a flexible sheet-like shade (38) and utilized in association with a pair of roof mounted guides (40) that support the sunshade for movement between the closed and open positions. In the closed position, the blades (34) are spaced with the shade (38) extending therebetween; and in the open position, the blades (34) are stored in a single vertical stack with the shade (38) folded therebetween at a location that exposes the occupant compartment to the transparent roof panel (28). A front end (32f) of the sunshade includes a handle (41) that is manually grasped to move the sunshade between the closed and open positions.

Abstract: A vehicle sunshade roof construction (16) is disclosed as including a transparent roof panel (28) and a sunshade (32) for opening and closing the area below the transparent roof panel. The sunshade includes a plurality of laterally elongated blades (34) connected by a flexible sheet-like shade (38) and utilized in association with a pair of roof mounted guides (40) that support the sunshade for movement between the closed and open positions. In the closed position, the blades (34) are spaced with the shade (38) extending therebetween; and in the open position, the blades (34) are stored in a stacked relationship with the shade (38) folded therebetween at a location that exposes the occupant compartment to the transparent roof panel (28). A power operated drive mechanism (42) is preferably provided for moving the sunshade between the closed and open positions and utilizes flexible drive tapes (48) and ramps (64) that make and uncouple connections (50) between the drive tapes and the sunshade blade ends (36).

Abstract: A vehicle (10) disclosed incorporates an improved drivetrain (18) for providing full time four wheel driving. The drivetrain (18) includes an engine (20) driving a transmission (22) including multiple gear paths (28) and a differential (30) located within a single oil bath (36) defined by a housing (34) of the transmission. Front and rear outputs (38,40) of the transmission (22) respectively drive front and rear axles (42,44) through associated front and rear differentials (46,48) to provide the full time four wheel driving. In the preferred construction, front and rear driveshafts (50,52) extend between the transmission outputs (33,40) and the front and rear differentials (46,48 ) to provide the driving. It is also possible for the transmission (22) to incorporate a viscous clutch (54) for limiting interaxle differential rotation in order to prevent one axle from spinning when one of its wheels loses traction.

Abstract: A trash bag holder (10) for holding a looped handle trash bag (12) is disclosed as including a pair of inverted U-shaped supports (16) supported by a pair of elongated bases (18). Each support (16) includes a pair of vertical legs (22) and an upper connecting portion (24) that extends between the legs. Upper bight portions (26) of the legs and ends (30) of each connecting portion (24) cooperate to define notches (31) that receive looped handles (14) of the trash bag to secure the bag handles. Lower distal ends (28) of the support legs are received within connection holes (34) in the base ends such that the bases (18) extend in a spaced and parallel relationship to each other to facilitate use of the holder on obstructed floor spaces. The supports (16) are preferably manufactured from bent metal wire while the bases (18) are preferably manufactured as injection moldings, with interfitting formations (36) and (38) of the supports and bases providing convenient storage of the trash bag holder.