Abstract: A roof and rack assembly (10) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel (12) received from polymeric organic material that has a top surface (14) and edges (16), (18) extending between a first or front (20) and a second or rear (22) ends of the roof panel (12). The roof panel (12) includes retaining elements (30) that are integrally formed and extend upwardly from the top surface (14) of the roof panel (12). The roof and rack assembly (10) further includes a track (24) for receiving a roof rack (26) and slidably adjusting the position of the roof rack (26) along the track (24), and a mounting member (28) for securing the track (24) to the retaining elements (30). The roof and rack assembly (10) provides an effective and a quick way of fastening the roof rack (26) to the roof panel (12) and is efficient, not time consuming and easy way to install the roof rack (26).

Abstract: A plastic thermostat housing having a vent passage including a valve portion (46), a cap portion (48), and an outlet portion (54), with the cap portion (48) being larger in cross sectional area than the cap, portion (48). A check valve (52) is inserted into the valve portion (46) and a cap (50) with a vent hole (56) is inserted into the cap portion (48) for retaining the check valve (52) in the vent passage. The assembly is characterized by the plastic material of the housing (12) being deformed into engagement with the cap (50) for retaining the cap (50) in the valve portion (48) of the vent passage. The cap (50) may comprise a plastic material to be fused to the housing (12).

Abstract: A roof and rack assembly (10) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel (12) received from polymeric organic material that has a top surface (14) and edges (16), (18) extending between a first or front (20) and a second or rear (22) ends of the roof panel (12). The roof panel (12) includes retaining elements (30) that are integrally formed and extend upwardly from the top surface (14) of the roof panel (12). The roof and rack assembly (10) further includes a track (24) for receiving a roof rack (26) and slidably adjusting the position of the roof rack (26) along the track (24), and a mounting member (28) for securing the track (24) to the retaining elements (30). The roof and rack assembly (10) provides an effective and a quick way of fastening the roof rack (26) to the roof panel (12) and is efficient, not time consuming and easy way to install the roof rack (26).

Abstract: A thermostat housing assembly (10) presents a mounting face (22) including n outer seal (26) disposed in an outer seal groove (24) and an inner seal (32) disposed in an inner seal groove (30). The outer seal (26) includes a lip (38) extending radially inwardly to a distal end cantilevered over the annular wall for retaining the flow control valve (14) in the recess (28). A channel (42) extends radially between the seal grooves (24) and (30) for receiving each of a plurality of spokes (40). A shoulder (46) on each of the spokes (40) snaps over an undercut (44) in each of the channels (42).