Abstract: The present disclosure provides a truck hood including a metal hood skin including at least an upper portion and a sidewall portion; and a frame supporting at least a portion of the metal hood skin including polymer and aluminum reinforcements. The polymer reinforcements include a front hood stiffener member positioned at a front end portion of the metal hood skin, a rear hood stiffener member positioned at a rear end portion of the metal hood skin and hood corner longitudinal members connecting the front hood stiffener member to the rear hood stiffener member. The aluminum reinforcements include front and rear frame extruded members positioned along the sidewalls of the metal hood skin and an arch extruded reinforcement positioned at the wheel arch. In one aspect of the disclosure, the truck hood further includes a pair of fenders formed of a metal skin that may be reinforced by a polymer fender mat.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin vehicle closure panel design that substantially reduces a thickness (panel gauge plus the perpendicular distance or depth between the panels) of a vehicle hood (5) and the impact effect on the head of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle hood (5) includes a hood shell (15) including an outer panel (25) and an inner panel (20); a unitary foam core (100) positioned between and bonded to the outer (25) and/or the inner panel (20) of the hood shell (15); and at least one recess (10) that corresponds to an underhood component (42). In another aspect of the invention, a vehicle hood (5) is provided in which a latch attachment member (60) and/or hinge members (70) are attached to inner surface (50) of the inner panel (20) of the hood shell (15).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a truck hood including a metal hood skin including at least an upper portion and a sidewall portion; and a frame supporting at least a portion of the metal hood skin including polymer and aluminum reinforcements. The polymer reinforcements include a front hood stiffener member positioned at a front end portion of the metal hood skin, a rear hood stiffener member positioned at a rear end portion of the metal hood skin and hood corner longitudinal members connecting the front hood stiffener member to the rear hood stiffener member. The aluminum reinforcements include front and rear frame extruded members positioned along the sidewalls of the metal hood skin and an arch extruded reinforcement positioned at the wheel arch. In one aspect of the disclosure, the truck hood further includes a pair of fenders formed of a metal skin that may be reinforced by a polymer fender mat.

Abstract: The present invention provides a truck hood including a metal hood skin including at least an upper portion and a sidewall portion; and a frame supporting at least a portion of the metal hood skin including polymer and aluminum reinforcements. The polymer reinforcements include a front hood stiffener member positioned at a front end portion of the metal hood skin, a rear hood stiffener member positioned at a rear end portion of the metal hood skin and hood corner longitudinal members connecting the front hood stiffener member to the rear hood stiffener member. The aluminum reinforcements include front and rear frame extruded members positioned along the sidewalls of the metal hood skin and an arch extruded reinforcement positioned at the wheel arch. In one aspect of the invention, the truck hood further includes a pair of fenders formed of a metal skin that may be reinforced by a polymer fender mat.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin vehicle closure panel design that substantially reduces a thickness (panel gauge plus the perpendicular distance or depth between the panels) of a vehicle hood (5) and the impact effect on the head of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle hood (5) includes a hood shell (15) including an outer panel (25) and an inner panel (20); a unitary foam core (100) positioned between and bonded to the outer (25) and/or the inner panel (20) of the hood shell (15); and at least one recess (10) that corresponds to an underhood component (42). In another aspect of the invention, a vehicle hood (5) is provided in which a latch attachment member (60) and/or hinge members (70) are attached to inner surface (50) of the inner panel (20) of the hood shell (15).

Abstract: A sliding door for vehicles including a space frame formed from a U-shaped extruded aluminum tube and a crossbeam to which inner and outer aluminum door panels are attached. Hardware for operation of the door is mounted on the exposed inside surface of the door. The overall weight of the door is about 20 pounds and the door is about 35 mm thick. A movable window assembly for such a door and a method of making are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a truck hood including a metal hood skin including at least an upper portion and a sidewall portion; and a frame supporting at least a portion of the metal hood skin including polymer and aluminum reinforcements. The polymer reinforcements include a front hood stiffener member positioned at a front end portion of the metal hood skin, a rear hood stiffener member positioned at a rear end portion of the metal hood skin and hood corner longitudinal members connecting the front hood stiffener member to the rear hood stiffener member. The aluminum reinforcements include front and rear frame extruded members positioned along the sidewalls of the metal hood skin and an arch extruded reinforcement positioned at the wheel arch. In one aspect of the invention, the truck hood further includes a pair of fenders formed of a metal skin that may be reinforced by a polymer fender mat.

Abstract: A reinforcement for a closure panel including an outer panel and an inner panel includes a palm area reinforcement for attachment to the outer panel and a latch area reinforcement for attachment to the inner panel, the latch area reinforcement being disposed on a depression in the reinforcement which is integral with the palm area reinforcement.

Abstract: An antenna is formed from one of the structural components of a vehicle with which the antenna is used. A preferred antenna is formed as a portion of a roof side rail of a vehicle.

Abstract: The modular front end forms the front portion of a motor vehicle. The modular front end includes a bulkhead defining a plurality of integrally formed attachment mounts. A drive train assembly carrying at least an engine of the motor vehicle is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts. A crash energy absorption assembly is attached to the attachment mounts on the bulkhead and generally extends around the drive train assembly. An apron assembly is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts and is generally positioned above the drive train assembly and crash energy absorption assembly.

Abstract: The modular front end forms the front portion of a motor vehicle. The modular front end includes a bulkhead defining a plurality of integrally formed attachment mounts. A drive train assembly carrying at least an engine of the motor vehicle is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts. A crash energy absorption assembly is attached to the attachment mounts on the bulkhead and generally extends around the drive train assembly. An apron assembly is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts and is generally positioned above the drive train assembly and crash energy absorption assembly.

Abstract: The liftgate for a motor vehicle includes a frame member, an inner panel, and an outer panel. The frame member is a U-shaped member formed by a cross member and a pair of spaced apart legs extending from the cross member. The inner panel is connected to the legs and extends part way up the legs of the frame member. The outer panel is connected to the inner panel and is positioned opposite the legs and an inner side of the inner panel. The outer panel also extends part way up the legs of the frame member. The frame member defines a window opening with the inner panel and the outer panel. The frame member forms the entire upper portion of the liftgate.

Abstract: A sliding door for vehicles including a space frame formed from a U-shaped extruded aluminum tube and a crossbeam to which inner and outer aluminum door panels are attached. An elongated hardware carrier beam defines a channel configured to receive vehicle door hardware mounted on the exposed inside surface of the door. The overall weight of the door is about 20 pounds and the door is up to about 35 mm thick.

Abstract: The bumper system is used on a motor vehicle and generally includes a bumper beam and an energy-absorbing bracket connected to the bumper beam. The bracket includes a hollow energy-absorbing body having a first end and a second end. The bracket body may be saddle-shaped between the first and second ends. The bracket body deforms during a collision involving the motor vehicle. In another embodiment, the bracket body may have a first cross sectional shape at the first end that transitions to a second cross sectional shape at the second end. The second shape may be different from the first shape, or be similar to the first shape, but be, for example, rotated about 90° from the first shape. The first shape may be elongated along a first axis and the second shape elongated along a second axis rotated about 90° from the first axis.

Abstract: The modular front end forms the front portion of a motor vehicle. The modular front end includes a bulkhead defining a plurality of integrally formed attachment mounts. A drive train assembly carrying at least an engine of the motor vehicle is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts. A crash energy absorption assembly is attached to the attachment mounts on the bulkhead and generally extends around the drive train assembly. An apron assembly is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts and is generally positioned above the drive train assembly and crash energy absorption assembly.

Abstract: The modular front end forms the front portion of a motor vehicle. The modular front end includes a bulkhead defining a plurality of integrally formed attachment mounts. A drive train assembly carrying at least an engine of the motor vehicle is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts. A crash energy absorption assembly is attached to the attachment mounts on the bulkhead and generally extends around the drive train assembly. An apron assembly is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts and is generally positioned above the drive train assembly and crash energy absorption assembly.

Abstract: The liftgate for a motor vehicle includes a frame member, an inner panel, and an outer panel. The frame member is a U-shaped member formed by a cross member and a pair of spaced apart legs extending from the cross member. The inner panel is connected to the legs and extends part way up the legs of the frame member. The outer panel is connected to the inner panel and is positioned opposite the legs and an inner side of the inner panel. The outer panel also extends part way up the legs of the frame member. The frame member defines a window opening with the inner panel and the outer panel. The frame member forms the entire upper portion of the liftgate.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer hitch including an aluminum tubular U-shaped strut and a cast aluminum receiver mounted thereto. Ends of the strut tube are flatted to form integral planar mounting flanges for mounting the hitch to a vehicle.

Abstract: The modular front end forms the front portion of a motor vehicle. The modular front end includes a bulkhead defining a plurality of integrally formed attachment mounts. A drive train assembly carrying at least an engine of the motor vehicle is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts. A crash energy absorption assembly is attached to the attachment mounts on the bulkhead and generally extends around the drive train assembly. An apron assembly is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts and is generally positioned above the drive train assembly and crash energy absorption assembly.

Abstract: The modular front end forms the front portion of a motor vehicle. The modular front end includes a bulkhead defining a plurality of integrally formed attachment mounts. A drive train assembly carrying at least an engine of the motor vehicle is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts. A crash energy absorption assembly is attached to the attachment mounts on the bulkhead and generally extends around the drive train assembly. An apron assembly is attached to the bulkhead at the attachment mounts and is generally positioned above the drive train assembly and crash energy absorption assembly.