Abstract: A structural assembly for an electric vehicle includes a vehicle frame and a battery structure. The vehicle frame is distinct from a vehicle body and includes a front section, a rear section and a mid-section disposed between the front and rear sections. The mid-section includes opposed longitudinal rails. The battery structure is configured to house power storage units and is disposed between the opposed longitudinal rails. The battery structure includes a battery housing secured to the opposed longitudinal rails of the mid-section. The mid-section and the battery housing are combined into a unitized structure that is removably secured to the front and rear sections of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A structural assembly for an electric vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a battery structure, a pair of mounting structures, and a plurality of fasteners. The vehicle frame includes opposed longitudinal rails. The battery structure is disposed between the opposed longitudinal rails and includes a battery housing configured to house power storage units. Each mounting structure is secured to a respective side of the battery housing and supports a corresponding longitudinal rail. The plurality of fasteners extend through a corresponding mounting structure of the pair of mounting structures and a corresponding longitudinal rail of the opposed longitudinal rails to secure the vehicle frame and the battery structure to each other. An outer periphery of the corresponding mounting structure is substantially flush with an outer periphery of the corresponding longitudinal rail.

Abstract: A battery pack support assembly includes a plurality of isolators disposed between an outer support frame of a battery pack and longitudinal rails of a vehicle frame. Each isolator includes a housing, an elastic body and a fastener. The housing defines a central opening and opposed flanges. The opposed flanges are secured to a respective longitudinal rail. The elastic body is disposed within the central opening of the housing. The fastener extends laterally through the central opening of the housing and secures the elastic body to the outer support frame of the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack support assembly includes a plurality of isolators disposed between an outer support frame of a battery pack and longitudinal rails of a vehicle frame. Each isolator includes a housing, an elastic body and a fastener. The housing defines a central opening and opposed flanges. The opposed flanges are secured to a respective longitudinal rail. The elastic body is disposed within the central opening of the housing. The fastener extends laterally through the central opening of the housing and secures the elastic body to the outer support frame of the battery pack.

Abstract: A pivotable vehicle trailer hitch assembly may include a tube frame operably coupled to a chassis of a vehicle and extending transversely across a rear portion of the vehicle, a hitch receiver operably coupled to the tube frame to support a ball mount, and a pivot assembly defining a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to a direction of extension of the tube frame. The pivot assembly may be operably coupled to the hitch receiver and the tube frame to pivot the hitch receiver and ball mount about the pivot axis from an extended position in which the hitch receiver and ball mount extend substantially perpendicular to tube frame, and a retracted position in which the hitch receiver and ball mount extend substantially parallel to the tube frame. The pivot assembly comprises an electrically operated linear actuator operable to transfer the hitch receiver and the ball mount between the extended position and the retracted position.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a door panel having a window receiver and an internal compartment, a window and a division bar. That regulator carried on the door panel displaces the window and division bar between a closed position projecting from the entry opening and an opened position fully concealed within the internal compartment of the door panel.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a door panel having a window receiver and an internal compartment, a window and a division bar pivotally mounted on the pivot. The apparatus also includes a regulator carried on the door panel. The regulator displaces the window and the division bar between a closed position projecting from the window receiver and an opened position concealed fully within the internal compartment of the door panel. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.

Abstract: An apparatus for partially covering a door or window opening in a vehicle comprises a collapsible cover. The cover may include a plurality of movable members adapted for moving along a support to at least partially expose the door or window opening. A plurality of movable members in the form of panels may be provided, along with actuators for rotating and/or moving one or more of the panels between the raised and collapsed configuration. One or more of the panels may be at least partially transparent or translucent, and seals may be provided for sealing the panels within the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a door panel and a division bar carried on the door panel. The division bar is displaceable between a stowed position, concealed within the door panel, and a deployed position projecting above the door panel. A biasing element biases the division bar toward the stowed position. A releasable locking feature secures the division bar in the deployed position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a door panel having a window receiver and an internal compartment, a window and a division bar pivotally mounted on the pivot. The apparatus also includes a regulator carried on the door panel. The regulator displaces the window and the division bar between a closed position projecting from the window receiver and an opened position concealed fully within the internal compartment of the door panel. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a door panel having a window receiver and an internal compartment, a window and a division bar. That regulator carried on the door panel displaces the window and division bar between a closed position projecting from the entry opening and an opened position fully concealed within the internal compartment of the door panel.

Abstract: A liftgate/decklid assembly for a motor vehicle includes a liftgate panel hingedly connected to the vehicle to define a liftgate swing arc. A decklid panel is hingedly connected to the liftgate panel to define a decklid swing arc. The decklid and liftgate panels are not aligned, causing the decklid swing arc to be different from the liftgate swing arc. The assembly further includes a liftgate/decklid assembly closure mechanism including an articulating striker configured for translation between a first orientation and a second orientation. The first orientation is normal to the liftgate swing arc and the second orientation is normal to the decklid swing arc.

Abstract: An apparatus for partially covering an end of a vehicle bed includes a tailgate comprising a frame adapted for moving between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the vehicle bed. The frame supports at least one member adapted for moving along the frame to at least partially expose the end of the vehicle bed without moving the frame to the lowered position. A plurality of movable members in the form of panels may be provided, along with actuators for rotating and/or moving one or more of the panels between the raised and collapsed configuration. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for partially covering a door or window opening in a vehicle comprises a collapsible cover. The cover may include a plurality of movable members adapted for moving along a support to at least partially expose the door or window opening. A plurality of movable members in the form of panels may be provided, along with actuators for rotating and/or moving one or more of the panels between the raised and collapsed configuration. One or more of the panels may be at least partially transparent or translucent, and seals may be provided for sealing the panels within the opening.

Abstract: A reclining seat includes a seat base coupled to a support surface. The seat base is moveable between extended and retracted positions as supported on a support roller by a guide rail disposed on an underside of the seat base. The guide rail includes a first support surface disposed at a first height, and a second support surface is disposed at a second height that is greater than the first height of the first support surface with a ramped portion disposed therebetween. The seat base is supported at the first support surface in the retracted position, and supported at the second support surface in the extended position. A seatback is coupled to a rear wall and is operable between upright and reclined positions. In the reclined position, the seatback is moved downward and away from the rear wall.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.

Abstract: A reclining seat includes a seat base coupled to a support surface. The seat base is moveable between extended and retracted positions as supported on a support roller by a guide rail disposed on an underside of the seat base. The guide rail includes a first support surface disposed at a first height, and a second support surface is disposed at a second height that is greater than the first height of the first support surface with a ramped portion disposed therebetween. The seat base is supported at the first support surface in the retracted position, and supported at the second support surface in the extended position. A seatback is coupled to a rear wall and is operable between upright and reclined positions. In the reclined position, the seatback is moved downward and away from the rear wall.