Abstract: A plastic vehicle body attachment system for a motor vehicle. The attachment system includes a metal support, a plastic panel having an aperture, and a fastener. The fastener is disposed in the aperture and detachably couples the plastic panel to the metal support. The fastener is smaller than the aperture by an amount that varies in relation to the distance between the fastener and a fixed point on the composite panel such that the size of the aperture increases as the distance between the fastener and the fixed point increases.

Abstract: An overcenter latch assembly for securing a moveable member including a bracket secured to a first member and a saddle secured to a second member in opposed relation to the bracket. The saddle includes longitudinally spaced apart, transversely extending recesses formed thereon. Each recess is formed with a transversely extending raceway ending in opposed inboard and outboard pivot sockets. A release cover is pivotally connected to the bracket. The release cover has a member pivotally secured thereon. The pivoting member has opposed extensions adapted to be received in the inboard pivot socket of the recess for pivotal movement of the release cover about an inboard axis in a latching direction from an initial unlatched position.

Abstract: An independent suspension system for a vehicle driving axle is disclosed which includes a leading lower control arm which pivots about an axis which is nearly perpendicular to the upper control arm pivot axis and which is nearly perpendicular to the vehicle center line. By providing this perpendicular relationship between the pivot axes of the upper and lower control arms, an imaginary steering point results. This new imaginary steering point allows for improved vertical wheel travel, while minimizing the distance of half shaft plunge. By improving the vertical wheel travel and minimizing the distance of half shaft plunge, the ride of the vehicle is improved.

Abstract: A motor vehicle body which includes a left-hand outer body panel, a left-hand inner body panel, a right-hand inner body panel, and a right-hand outer body panel. The four body panels are capable of being easily secured together at the longitudinal midline of the motor vehicle body. In another aspect, a motor vehicle body includes a plurality of interconnectable body panels including a body panel having a generally-vertical side and a horizontal appendage extending from the vertical side. The horizontal appendage is tapered circumferentially from its proximal end to its distal end. In another aspects a motor vehicle body has a plurality of interconnectable body panels including a body panel having an integral door frame member and an integral front fender liner having an integral inner splash shield. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the motor vehicle body may have a body panel having an integral roof frame member and an integral front fender liner having an integral inner splash shield.

Abstract: An automobile includes a plastic body and a steel frame bonded to the plastic body. The front suspension system of the automobile includes a "v"-shaped control arm coupled to a front wheel. An arm shaft extends between the "v" of the control arm and is engaged with a rubber cartridge press-fit into a cartridge housing that is affixed to the frame. Thereby, motion of the control arm is attenuated. A horizontally-mounted transversely-oriented shock absorber further interconnects the control arm and frame. This shock absorber orientation avoids transferring suspension system loads to the plastic body.

Abstract: An assembly of vehicle body members by injecting an adhesive into a predesigned channel cavity formed at the joint interface of the vehicle body members.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly including an outer contoured panel, an inner contoured panel, the panels being connected at their side and bottom edges, and a glass and regulator track assembly adapted to being assembled through the adjacent upper edges of the panels into the space between the panels and secured to the inner panel. A majority of the inner trim is molded integrally as the surface of the inner panel, with a separately applied trim element secured to the upper edge portion of the inner panel, and an arm rest secured to the inner panel at a central portion thereof, where no integrally molded trim exists.

Abstract: A door for an automobile having opposed molded plastic sides includes a steel door frame hingedly connected to the body. An outer panel is attached to the door frame, and a unitary injection-molded inner panel is also attached to the door frame to hide from view components such as latching mechanisms and window operators that are disposed between the panels. The inner panel is formed with a depression, and an elastic net covers the depression, to establish a storage compartment.

Abstract: A box-like coupler for coupling a first car body part to another which includes a box-like device having a closed perimeter of a plurality of sides and two open ends. The box-like coupler may have a center rib between the two open ends which extends to all of the sides of the plurality of sides. Another embodiment is a winged coupler for coupling a first car body part to another which includes a device having a first wing and a second wing connected to the first wing. Each wing of the device has at least one distal width which is greater than a proximal width of the same wing.

Abstract: A headlamp mounting system for an automobile includes respective headlamp housings for holding monofilament headlamps. Also, respective bases are attached to the automobile and each base is pivotably engaged with a respective one of the headlamp housings. An activating shaft extends between the headlamp housings and is connected to each, and an activating rod is connected to a radially protruding ear of the activating shaft. The activating rod is coupled to an operating knob in the passenger compartment, and the knob can be pushed and pulled as desired by an occupant to cause the activating rod to reciprocate and, thus, to rotate the activating shaft and hence pivot the headlamp housings. Thereby, the elevation angle of the headlamp beams is selectively established, with a high angle establishing a high beam orientation and a low angle establishing a low beam orientation. A spool having front and rear ends is pivotably engaged with the activating rod in the passenger compartment.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit for a motor vehicle is housed entirely inside a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The air conditioning unit includes a power generator inside an enclosure which also houses the air conditioning unit. The power generator is a small internal combustion engine that combusts the same fuel as the primary internal combustion engine which provides the motive force for the motor vehicle. The enclosure has an inlet port which allows ambient air to flow into the enclosure and an outlet port which allows the ambient air to exit the enclosure and the motor vehicle after it has been heated. The thermal energy received by the ambient air is transmitted from the internal air inside the passenger compartment and transferred to the ambient air via a fluid (refrigerant) which flows therebetween. The use of the power generator eliminates a drain of power on the primary internal combustion engine when the air conditioning unit is being used.

Abstract: An automobile has a plastic body bonded to a steel frame and a plastic molded unitary front end pivotably connected to the frame and releasably connectable by means of elastic straps to the body. The single-piece front end establishes the front hood, left and right front fenders, and front fascia of the automobile, thereby minimizing body joints and simplifying assembly. The front end can be pivoted at a pivot point located near the front fascia to a drive position to cover the engine of the automobile. In the drive position, a rear edge of the front end is closely spaced from the body, and the front end can be engaged with the body by means of the elastic straps. Further, the straps can be released from the body and the front end pivoted to a maintenance position, wherein the rear edge of the front end is distanced from the body to permit access to the engine of the automobile.

Abstract: An adjustable sling seat for a motor vehicle occupant compartment defined by a floor and an overhead roof structure. A flexible webbing has its forward end connected to a webbing storage roller assembly rotatably supported about a transverse axis on a floor mounted front anchorage mechanism while the webbing aft end is connected to a roof mounted rear anchorage mechanism. The webbing slack length, suspended between the front and rear anchorage mechanisms, defines a forward seat cushion surface portion and an aft seat back surface portion. A roller take-up spring clutch includes a pintle member, aligned on the roller axis, pivotally connecting one end of the roller to a clutch rotary control knob. Turning the knob rotates the roller in either direction, for shortening or lengthening the slack length, thereby either raising or lowering the seat cushion surface portion.

Abstract: A first car body part to be bonded to a second car body part. The first car body part includes a sealing wall and a supplemental wall having a first side end and a second side end. The sealing wall has a bonding surface to be bonded to a surface of the second car body part. The supplemental wall joins the sealing wall at the first and second side ends forming a void between the sealing wall and the supplemental wall. The joined sealing wall and supplemental wall form a tubular member having a top end and a bottom end. The sealing wall, the bonding surface, the supplemental wall, and the void may be elongated. The first car body part may have a top capping wall and a bottom capping wall, the top capping wall sealing the top end of the tubular member and the bottom capping wall sealing the bottom end of the tubular member, thereby fully enclosing the void. The first car body part may be, e.g., a side body panel, a door interior trim panel, an instrument panel, or a hardware panel.

Abstract: A convertible canvas top for an automobile having opposed molded plastic sides includes a top portion having a plurality of transversely oriented roof bows sewn into it and a trunk lid portion which depends downwardly from the top portion. The top portion is rollably engaged with the sides of the body for movement between an up configuration, wherein the top portion is taut throughout its length and extends between the sides of the body to cover the passenger compartment, and a down configuration, wherein the top portion is furled to expose the passenger compartment from above the automobile. Likewise, the trunk lid portion is rollably engaged with the plastic body for movement between an open configuration, wherein a rear edge of the trunk lid portion is raised to expose the passenger compartment from the rear, and a closed configuration, wherein the rear edge of the trunk lid portion is lowered such that the trunk lid portion covers the rear of the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle seat mounting mechanism including oppositely disposed pairs of parallel links between a base and a seat carrier, and a first air bag spring operatively connected between the base and the links for absorbing vertical-upward motion induced by road shocks, and a second air bag spring secured between the base and the seat carrier for absorbing vertical-downward motion induced by road shocks. A separate shock absorber mounted between the base and the seat carrier serves to dampen the springing action of the first and second air bag springs.

Abstract: A method of assembling vehicle body members by injecting an adhesive into a predesigned channel cavity formed at the joint interface of the vehicle body members.

Abstract: A headlamp mounting system for an automobile includes respective headlamp housings for holding monofilament headlamps. Also, respective bases are attached to the automobile and each base is pivotably engaged with a respective one of the headlamp housings. An activating shaft extends between the headlamp housings and is connected to each, and an activating rod is connected to a radially protruding ear of the activating shaft. The activating rod is coupled to an operating knob in the passenger compartment, and the knob can be pushed and pulled as desired by an occupant to cause the activating rod to reciprocate and, thus, to rotate the activating shaft and hence pivot the headlamp housings. Thereby, the elevation angle of the headlamp beams is selectively established, with a high angle establishing a high beam orientation and a low angle establishing a low beam orientation. A spool having front and rear ends is pivotably engaged with the activating rod in the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A lift type tailgate on a passenger van type vehicle body is operated by an electric motor powered actuator with an electronic control circuit utilizing a microprocessor operating under program control to respond to user-initiated opening and closing signals to move the tailgate in the selected direction. In the control circuit, feedback information to the microprocessor indicative of tailgate position is provided by a potentiometer coupled with the actuator motor and the microprocessor is programmed to operate with this information to stop the tailgate at a wide open position, a partially closed position and a fully closed position. Obstruction detection is performed by the microprocessor using an obstruction detection circuit and additionally by monitoring the position signal input from the potentiometer to stop the tailgate on encountering an obstacle.

Abstract: A tailgate is hinged to a passenger van type vehicle body above a substantially vertical rear access opening for swinging movement about a horizontal hinge axis. The tailgate is counterbalanced through its range of movement by spring devices and is opened and closed by a powered actuator mounted on a rear vehicle body pillar. The actuator includes a reversible electric motor driving a worm shaft that drives a worm gear to pivot a crankarm about an axis parallel to the hinge axis. A roller mounted on the crankarm is received in a guide channel that is fixed to the tailgate and extends at right angles to the hinge axis with the pivoting movement of the crankarm thereby translated into swinging tailgate opening and closing movement. The motor is connected with torque sensing circuitry that detects an excessive motor torque demand when the tailgate encounters an obstacle and stops the motor.