Abstract: A light-emitting assembly includes an outer lens. The outer lens has a lens exterior surface and a lens interior surface. The outer lens also defines a window between the lens exterior surface and the lens interior surface. The light-emitting assembly additionally includes a light element fixed to the outer lens in the window. The light element is exposed on the lens exterior surface, and configured to direct a beam of light away from the outer lens exterior surface. Such a light-emitting assembly may be specifically adapted for use on a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A light-emitting assembly includes an outer lens. The outer lens has a lens exterior surface and a lens interior surface. The outer lens also defines a window between the lens exterior surface and the lens interior surface. The light-emitting assembly additionally includes a light element fixed to the outer lens in the window. The light element is exposed on the lens exterior surface, and configured to direct a beam of light away from the outer lens exterior surface. Such a light-emitting assembly may be specifically adapted for use on a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body, a housing disposed on the body, and an exterior lens coupled to the housing defining a cavity therebetween. The vehicle additionally includes an interior lens disposed in the cavity. The exterior and interior lenses have distinct first and second colors, respectively. The vehicle also includes a reflector disposed in the cavity. The reflector has an at least partially reflective coating disposed thereon and is positioned to reflect light from the interior lens and to the exterior lens. The vehicle further includes first and second light sources configured to emit light having a third color. The first light source is oriented to direct light through the exterior lens without passing through the interior lens, and the second light source is oriented to direct light through the interior lens, reflect from the reflector, and subsequently through the exterior lens.

Abstract: A lamp assembly includes an outer lens, a lamp housing connected to the outer lens, a projector assembly having a projector lens, a lighting source, and an anisotropic heat spreader. The lighting source is adjacent to and partially within the projector assembly, and has a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to one or more light-emitting diodes, each emitting the light. The heat spreader, for instance a sheet of polycrystalline graphite, is connected to the PCB and extends beyond a surface area of the PCB into a lamp cavity. The heat spreader is configured to direct heat away from an LED junction toward a predetermined lower temperature zone of the lamp cavity. A vehicle includes a body and the lamp assembly.

Abstract: A lamp assembly includes an outer lens, a lamp housing connected to the outer lens, a projector assembly having a projector lens, a lighting source, and an anisotropic heat spreader. The lighting source is adjacent to and partially within the projector assembly, and has a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to one or more light-emitting diodes, each emitting the light. The heat spreader, for instance a sheet of polycrystalline graphite, is connected to the PCB and extends beyond a surface area of the PCB into a lamp cavity. The heat spreader is configured to direct heat away from an LED junction toward a predetermined lower temperature zone of the lamp cavity. A vehicle includes a body and the lamp assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle midgate includes a generally U-shaped reinforcement member that cooperates with an inner panel and an outer panel to define a cavity for containing a selectively retractable window. The U-shaped reinforcement member has a closed cross section so as to form a channel separate from the cavity. The reinforcement member provides increased stiffness and improved water management inside the midgate.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and a second compartment for carrying cargo rearwardly adjacent the first compartment. The body includes a frame defining an opening between the first and second compartments. A window is fixed in an upper portion of the opening and a crossbar is fixed in the opening below the window. A midgate panel is pivotally connected in a lower portion of the opening for movement between a closed position covering the lower portion of the opening and an open position permitting access through the lower portion of the opening. A drive motor is operatively connected with the midgate panel for pivoting the midgate panel between the open and closed positions. A counterbalancing strut is operatively connected between the midgate panel and a body floor to bias the midgate panel toward the open and closed positions, alternatively, depending upon the pivoted position of the midgate panel.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and a second compartment for carrying cargo rearwardly adjacent the first compartment. The body includes a frame defining an opening between the first and second compartments. A window is fixed in an upper portion of the opening and a crossbar is fixed in the opening below the window. A midgate panel is pivotally connected in a lower portion of the opening for movement between a closed position covering the lower portion of the opening and an open position permitting access through the lower portion of the opening. A drive motor is operatively connected with the midgate panel for pivoting the midgate panel between the open and closed positions. A counterbalancing strut is operatively connected between the midgate panel and a body floor to bias the midgate panel toward the open and closed positions, alternatively, depending upon the pivoted position of the midgate panel.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and second compartment for carrying cargo rearwardly adjacent to the first compartment. The body includes a plurality of body components defining an opening between the first and second compartments. A structural support ring is attached in the opening and includes a pivotable midgate panel preassembled to the support ring to ease installation. At least one hinge is pivotably connected between the midgate panel and the support ring. At least one latch selectively secures the midgate panel in an upright closed position.

Abstract: A midgate in a truck or other vehicle has a power actuated window in a hinged midgate panel that has an optional pass through closure with inner and outer closure panels openable for transferring articles between compartments separated by the midgate without requiring opening or folding down of the midgate panel itself. An interlock system protects the window by requiring that the window be retracted into the midgate panel before the midgate latches can be released for folding down the midgate panel. It also prevents the window from being actuated unless the midgate panel is latched closed. The interlock system prevents the optional pass through closure from being opened unless the window is fully closed and also prevents the window from being lowered if either pass through door closure is open. The midgate may be applied to various types of multi-use vehicles; for example, open or closed body trucks, vans, station wagons, etc.

Abstract: A method of mounting a wheel flare or other body side molding on a motor vehicle body panel including the steps of forming the wheel flare or other body side molding with a face having a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive tape thereon covered by a protective film, mounting the wheel flare or other body side molding on the body panel for linear translation perpendicular to the body panel, removing the protective film from the pressure sensitive adhesive tape in a gap defined between the body panel and the face in a first position of the wheel flare or other body side molding relative to the body panel, linearly translating the wheel flare or other body side molding perpendicular to the body panel from the first position to a second position in which the face bears against the body panel with the pressure sensitive adhesive tape trapped therebetween and adhesively bonded to each, and rigidly clamping the wheel flare or other body side molding in the second position thereof to the body panel.