Abstract: A method for installing a fixed window on an automotive vehicle in which the window is adhesively secured by an adhesive, preferably uncured butyl rubber, within a trough defined by the body structure of the vehicle and in a manner such that the window is flush with the adjacent exterior surfaces of the body structure.

Abstract: A vehicle head rest is pivotally mounted on the vehicle roof. An occupant seat belt includes a shoulder belt having its upper end connected to the head rest so that lockup of the retractor locks the shoulder belt to tether the head rest at an occupant restraining position. The upper end of the shoulder belt may pass slidably through the head rest and have its end attached to the seat so that the occupant restraining load imposed on the seat belt is divided between the head rest and the seat. In addition, spiral spring may have an upper end wound around the pivot axis of the head rest, and intermediate portion extending slidably through the head rest and a lower end attached to the seat backs so that fore and aft adjusting movement of the seat winds and unwinds the spiral spring which in turn adjusts the head rest forwardly and rearwardly in coordination with the seat.

Abstract: A body panel joint finishing method to produce a finished body panel joint by molding a bead directly to a vehicle body in a single operation without any need for secondary processing to remove excess materials. The method utilizes a foamable plastic as the bead forming material to provide greatly improved sealing property for moisture prevention in the gaps of the sheet metal body panel joints.

Abstract: An aerodynamic rear view mirror includes a mirror glass mounted within a streamlined mirror housing having inboard and outboard side walls and top and bottom walls. The inboard side wall is concavely curved to define a rear portion nearly parallel with the door side window and a forward portion which curves inboard to reach around the pillar. The mirror housing is mounted on the vehicle body in generally parallel spaced relation relative the side window and the pillar to cooperate therewith in defining a curved airflow channel by which relatively clean air from in front of the windshield is ducted through the airflow channel around the pillar and onto the side window to thereby create an airflow barrier against foreign matter impingement on the side window and to streamline airflow from the front of the vehicle body around the side of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A passive restraint belt system in which one end of an occupant restraint belt is mounted on the vehicle body inboard the seat and the other end is mounted on the vehicle door so that belt is unwound from a retractor provided at one of the belt ends when the door opens to automatically move the belt somewhat forwardly of the occupant to facilitate occupant ingress and egress. An arm is associated with the belt and is pivotally mounted inboard the occupant for pivotal movement between a position in which the arm lowers the belt to the normal restraining position across the occupant lower torso and a pivotally raised position in which the lap belt is raised above the occupant lower torso to facilitate occupant ingress and egress.