Abstract: A roof rack assembly is provided for storage of items above a roof of a motor vehicle. The roof rack assembly includes a frame having front and rear guides extending across the roof. A front rail slidingly engages the front guide, and a rear rail slidingly engages the rear guide. A tray is coupled to the front and rear guides. The tray is movable between a storage position above the roof and a loading position alongside the motor vehicle. A plurality of drop down links extends between the tray and each of the front and rear rails. The plurality of drop down links maintains the tray in a horizontal orientation as the tray moves between the storage and loading positions. A scissor linkage extends between the plurality of drop down links to selectively lock the tray in the loading position.

Abstract: A roof rack assembly is provided for storing items above a roof of a motor vehicle. The roof rack assembly includes a pair of rails fixedly secured to the roof, parallel to each other. Each of the rails has a channel therealong. A tray includes a first end slidingly engaging the channel and a second end. The tray is movable between a storage position above the roof and a loading position along the side of the motor vehicle. A pair of pivot arms extends between a receiving end and a pivot end. The receiving end is pivotally coupled to the second end of the tray. A pair of mounting brackets are fixedly secured to the side of the motor vehicle and pivotally coupled to the pivot arms at the pivot end thereof. Each of the mounting brackets includes a stop for limiting pivotal movement of the pivot arms as the tray moves from the storage position to the loading position in order to maintain the tray in the loading position.

Abstract: A running board assembly accommodates access to a motor vehicle. The running board assembly includes a plurality of mounting brackets fixedly secured to the motor vehicle and extending therebelow. The running board assembly also includes a step movably secured to the plurality of brackets. The step defines a stepping surface and a peripheral edge extending around a portion of the stepping surface. The step is movable between a deployed position providing access to the stepping surface and a stowed position wherein the peripheral edge abuts the motor vehicle to cover the stepping surface during non-use.

Abstract: A vehicle roof panel includes a roof portion and roof rack portion with an integrally embossed portion defined by longitudinally extending spaced apart side portions. A side rail is attached to each of the side portions. A cross member has connectors for selectively and slidably interconnecting to the side rail thereby retaining the cross member elevated above the planar surface of the roof panel.

Abstract: A bed assembly for a motor vehicle includes a floor pan that defines a bed surface extending between longitudinal sides. Each of the longitudinal sides includes a side support surface spaced from and parallel to the bed surface. The bed assembly also includes a sidewall panel having a lower end defining a base surface disposed adjacent to and supported by the side support surface. In addition, the bed assembly includes a retention member extending along a portion of one of the longitudinal sides to secure the base surface to the side support surface. The retention member maintains the sidewall panel in abutting relation to the floor pan.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a passenger cab and a pickup truck cargo bed that extends outward from the passenger cab. The cargo bed comprises two opposing sidewalls, a front wall and a movable rear tailgate. A ramp assembly comprises panels, hinges, retainer brackets, and stiffeners and is stored in the cargo bed. The hinges rotatably interconnect the panels to each other and a single panel to the tailgate. The stiffeners reinforce the panels when in use and are otherwise stowed in the cargo bed. The retainer bracket holds the panels against the tailgate when in the stowed position.

Abstract: A storage assembly for a vehicle includes an open bed defined by opposing sidewalls, a front wall and a rear tailgate. The storage assembly also includes a tonneau cover that covers at least a portion of the open bed. The tonneau cover is movable between open and closed positions to provide selective access to the open bed. A plurality of brackets extends between the opposing sidewalls, the front wall and the rear tailgate. A storage bin is removably securable to the plurality of brackets. The storage bin creates a removable compartment within the open bed allowing items stored therein to be organized and removed as a group when desired.

Abstract: A front end assembly for a motor vehicle having spaced apart upper and lower side rails includes an elongated upper cross member adapted to be fixedly secured to and extend between the spaced apart upper side rails. The upper cross member has a mounting surface extending the length thereof. The front end assembly also includes an elongated lower cross member adapted be fixedly secured to and extend between the spaced apart lower side rails. The lower cross member has a mounting surface extending along the length thereof. In addition, the front end assembly includes a component integration panel having upper and lower mounting portions for complementary mating engagement with the mounting surfaces of the respective upper and lower cross members to position the component integration panel between the upper and lower side rails and provide support to the component integration panel.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly is securable to a vehicle having a cargo bed defined by a pair of opposing sidewalls extending between a fixed forward wall and a movable rear tailgate. The tonneau cover assembly includes a plurality of rigid panels. The panels are securable to the sidewalls for covering the cargo bed. An attachment bracket couples one of the panels to the tailgate to provide a loading ramp that extends between the cargo bed and ground. The tonneau cover assembly includes at least one elongated stiffener bracket that is attachable to the plurality of panels. The elongated stiffener bracket locks the panels in the ramp position during use as a loading ramp to the cargo bed.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly is adapted to be secured to a vehicle having a cargo bed and side walls. The tonneau cover assembly includes a panel that extends between two sides, a front edge and a back edge. The panel is movable between open and closed positions. A hinge mechanism includes first and second attachment brackets wherein the second attachment bracket is secured to the panel. A link mechanism extends between two ends wherein the first end is secured to the panel. A storage tray is secured to the first attachment bracket and the second link end. The storage tray is supported by the panel and moves relative to the panel when the panel moves.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly is securable to a vehicle having a cargo bed defined by a pair of opposing sidewalls extending between a fixed forward wall and a movable rear tailgate. The tonneau cover assembly includes a plurality of rigid panels. The panels are securable to the sidewalls for covering the cargo bed. An attachment bracket couples one of the panels to the tailgate to provide a loading ramp that extends between the cargo bed and ground. The tonneau cover assembly includes at least one elongated stiffener bracket that is attachable to the plurality of panels. The elongated stiffener bracket locks the panels in the ramp position during use as a loading ramp to the cargo bed.

Abstract: A storage assembly is disclosed for a vehicle having an open bed defined by opposing sidewalls, a front wall and a rear tailgate. The storage assembly includes a tonneau cover that covers at least a portion of the open bed. The tonneau cover is movable between open and closed positions to provide selective access to the open bed. A plurality of brackets extend between the opposing sidewalls, the front wall and the rear tailgate. A storage bin is removably securable to the brackets. The storage bin creates a removable compartment within the open bed allowing items stored therein to be organized and removed as a group when desired.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a passenger cab and a pickup truck cargo bed that extends outward from the passenger cab. The cargo bed comprises two opposing sidewalls, a front wall and a movable rear tailgate. A ramp assembly comprises panels, hinges, retainer brackets, and stiffeners and is stored in the cargo bed. The hinges rotatably interconnect the panels to each other and a single panel to the tailgate. The stiffeners reinforce the panels when in use and are otherwise stowed in the cargo bed. The retainer bracket holds the panels against the tailgate when in the stowed position.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly is adapted to be secured to a vehicle having a cargo bed and side walls. The tonneau cover assembly includes a panel that extends between two sides, a front edge and a back edge. The panel is movable between open and closed positions. A hinge mechanism includes first and second attachment brackets wherein the second attachment bracket is secured to the panel. A link mechanism extends between two ends wherein the first end is secured to the panel. A storage tray is secured to the first attachment bracket and the second link end. The storage tray is supported by the panel and moves relative to the panel when the panel moves.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for molding composite automotive trim members having a layer of a first material and a backing member made of a second thermoplastic material. The first material is introduced to the mold in the form of an elastic sheet having a show surface. This sheet is placed in the mold and the second thermoplastic material is subsequently injected into the mold cavity. This causes the second thermoplastic material to bond to one side of the sheet and forces the show surface on the opposite side of the sheet into abutting engagement with the mold surface, thereby creating the trim member. The second thermoplastic material forms a backing member that provides structural support for the sheet. The sheet forms an outer layer for the trim member. Note that the show surface on the sheet remains intact during and after injection and therefore provides a show surface for the trim member.

Abstract: A molding having an attractive end portion or other portion with a formed contour is provided by the steps of providing an extruded elongated molding. Thereafter a portion of the molding is removed for forming a cavity. A second core material is injection molded into the cavity while reshaping the molding to a desired shape. A molding of the present invention has a first core with a relatively thin skin extruded thereover and a second core material in a reshaped portion of the molding. Alternatively, a molding can be made from a solid extrusion with a replacement of a core of the solid extrusion at a portion of the molding to be reformed.

Abstract: A weatherstrip for attachment to the body of a vehicle having a flange edge, such as a door, is located at an interface between the flange edge and a movable window. The weatherstrip consists of a longitudinally extending molding formed by an injection molding process which has in cross-section a first and second leg joined together by a web to define a U-shaped and a first channel between the first and second legs. At least one retainer clip may be integrally formed with the molding to define a second channel which is smaller than the first channel for accepting the flange edge.