Abstract: A vehicle body stiffener comprises an assembly of an outer member and an inner stiffener member which are joined to form a closure for the body. The inner stiffener member is formed to carry tension, compressive and torsional loads from the vehicle body and two locating pins at the corners of one side of the assembly and two latch pins at the corners of the opposite side of the assembly engage complementary receptacles on the vehicle body to make the assembly act as a structural member of the body to transfer forces from the body to the assembly. The assembly is preferably pivotally connected to the vehicle body by a pair of hinges which allow the assembly to be opened to gain access to the vehicle body interior. The assembly can be an engine compartment hood, a trunk lid or other closure.

Abstract: A latch and mounting pin assembly (20) includes a latch housing (22) with an inner plate mounted to one side (28) and an outer plate mounted to an opposing side (26). Each of the plates include three apertures which are aligned with each other. Three mounting pins (36) are included with each pin extending through a corresponding pair of apertures. A head (38) is disposed on one end of each of the pins for abutting the outer plate. The latch and pin assembly is characterized by each mounting pin having an enlarged barrel portion extending from the head to a shoulder. The shoulder abuts the inner plate to orient the outer plate relative to the inner plate. There is also provided a threaded shank (50) extending outward from the shoulder to provide a means for mounting the assembly to a frame of a vehicle.

Abstract: An attachment clip (200) for a vehicle door latch assembly includes a first clip portion (102) with a first alignment member (118), a second clip portion (104) with a first alignment channel (122), and a resilient hinge (206) extending between the clip portions so as to allow the clip portions to close around an attachment member (40). The resilient hinge includes an alignment boss (228) integrally molded on the hinge and being disposed for engagement with one of the clip portions for forcing engagement upon closing of the clip portions.

Abstract: A striker assembly has a keeper and a mounting plate. The keeper has a generally U-shape. The mounting plate has a groove and at least one aperture for receiving a fastener for mounting the striker assembly to a mounting surface. The groove nestingly receives end portions of the keeper. The end portions and groove are configured to interlock together to resist relative lateral movement between the keeper and the mounting plate. The striker assembly is heat treated until the keeper has a hardness of about Rc 30-40.