Abstract: A variable curvature wiper comprises a wiper arm with a first and second distal ends. The first distal end is pivotally supported on a pivot post. A flexible wiper blade has a first end, a second end and a mounting hub. The mounting hub is pivotally attached to the second distal end of the wiper arm. A first push rod includes a first end attached to the first end of the wiper blade and a second end attached to a push rod pivot point. The push rod pivot point is spaced from the pivot post axis. Pivotal motion of the wiper arm about the pivot post axis in a first direction causes the first push rod to push against the first end and flex the wiper blade. Pivotal motion of the wiper arm about the pivot post axis in a second direction causes the first push rod to pull the first end of the wiper blade back toward a flat position.

Abstract: A variable curvature wiper comprises a wiper arm with a first and second distal ends. The first distal end is pivotally supported on a pivot post. A flexible wiper blade has a first end, a second end and a mounting hub. The mounting hub is pivotally attached to the second distal end of the wiper arm. A first push rod includes a first end attached to the first end of the wiper blade and a second end attached to a push rod pivot point. The push rod pivot point is spaced from the pivot post axis. Pivotal motion of the wiper arm about the pivot post axis in a first direction causes the first push rod to push against the first end and flex the wiper blade. Pivotal motion of the wiper arm about the pivot post axis in a second direction causes the first push rod to pull the first end of the wiper blade back toward a flat position.

Abstract: An assist handle assembly includes a bracket, and a handle. The bracket includes a tubular portion concentric with and extending along a vertical axis. The handle includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The vertical portion is partially disposed within and supported by the tubular portion, and is concentric with and extends along the vertical axis. The horizontal portion extends from an upper end of the vertical portion in a direction that is transverse to the vertical axis. The handle is rotatable about the vertical axis between a stowed position and an intermediate position, and is slideable axially along the vertical axis within the tubular portion of the bracket, between the intermediate position and a deployed position. A latching mechanism secures the handle relative to the bracket when in the deployed position.

Abstract: An assist handle assembly includes a bracket, and a handle. The bracket includes a tubular portion concentric with and extending along a vertical axis. The handle includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The vertical portion is partially disposed within and supported by the tubular portion, and is concentric with and extends along the vertical axis. The horizontal portion extends from an upper end of the vertical portion in a direction that is transverse to the vertical axis. The handle is rotatable about the vertical axis between a stowed position and an intermediate position, and is slideable axially along the vertical axis within the tubular portion of the bracket, between the intermediate position and a deployed position. A latching mechanism secures the handle relative to the bracket when in the deployed position.

Abstract: An endgate assembly includes a first panel that has a first hinge axis, a second panel hinged to the first panel at a second hinge axis that is spaced from and generally parallel with the first hinge axis, and a third panel hinged to the second panel at a third hinge axis and pivotable about the third hinge axis from a stowed position generally parallel with the second panel to a use position generally perpendicular to the second panel. The third panel has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion and the distal portion are divided by the third hinge axis. The second panel has a recess adjacent the third hinge axis that receives the proximal portion and has a first surface at the recess positioned to establish the use position of the third panel by contacting the proximal portion and reacting loading of the distal portion.

Abstract: An endgate assembly includes a first panel that has a first hinge axis, a second panel hinged to the first panel at a second hinge axis that is spaced from and generally parallel with the first hinge axis, and a third panel hinged to the second panel at a third hinge axis and pivotable about the third hinge axis from a stowed position generally parallel with the second panel to a use position generally perpendicular to the second panel. The third panel has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion and the distal portion are divided by the third hinge axis. The second panel has a recess adjacent the third hinge axis that receives the proximal portion and has a first surface at the recess positioned to establish the use position of the third panel by contacting the proximal portion and reacting loading of the distal portion.

Abstract: A seat assembly having a seatback and a head restraint is provided. The seat assembly includes a support member extending between the head restraint and the seatback. The support member is configured to attach the head restraint to the seatback, and may extend downward into the seatback. The support member separates the head restraint into a forward portion and a rearward portion. A receptacle cavity is defined within the rearward portion of the head restraint. The receptacle cavity is configured to receive one or more articles.

Abstract: A movable screen or visor for a window adjacent a trim liner includes a contour rod movable from a stowed position to a deployed position. The contour rod includes a forward end, an offset portion, and a rearward end opposite the forward end from the offset portion. The screen also includes a shade member operatively attached to the contour rod. The shade member is disposed within the trim liner when the contour rod is in the stowed position and is disposed outside of the trim liner in the deployed position. The shade member blocks a portion of the window when the contour rod is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A trim panel for an interior upper surface of a roof of a vehicle includes a plurality of hanging features disposed thereon. Each of the hanging features includes a slot defined by the trim panel, and a hanging portion extending across the slot. The hanging portion is configured to support a clothes hanger thereon. The trim panel may extend laterally across a width of the vehicle, transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and may be disposed adjacent a rear closure assembly, such as a hatchback of an SUV or other similar vehicle.

Abstract: A seat assembly having a seatback and a head restraint is provided. The seat assembly includes a support member extending between the head restraint and the seatback. The support member is configured to attach the head restraint to the seatback, and may extend downward into the seatback. The support member separates the head restraint into a forward portion and a rearward portion. A receptacle cavity is defined within the rearward portion of the head restraint. The receptacle cavity is configured to receive one or more articles.

Abstract: A trim panel for an interior upper surface of a roof of a vehicle includes a plurality of hanging features disposed thereon. Each of the hanging features includes a slot defined by the trim panel, and a hanging portion extending across the slot. The hanging portion is configured to support a clothes hanger thereon. The trim panel may extend laterally across a width of the vehicle, transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and may be disposed adjacent a rear closure assembly, such as a hatchback of an SUV or other similar vehicle.

Abstract: A check link mechanism for a closure pivotally connected to a vehicle. The check link mechanism includes a check link rotatable about a central axis, and is operably connected to the vehicle. The check link has a cam surface and a free surface, which is rotated about the central axis relative to the cam surface. A detent assembly is configured to apply a substantially-constant detent force to the check link. An actuator is configured to selectively rotate the check link between at least a holding position and a free position. The holding position aligns the cam surface to be substantially perpendicular to the substantially-constant detent force, and the free position aligns the free surface to be substantially perpendicular to the substantially-constant detent force.

Abstract: An apparatus for a vehicle includes a first panel that defines a loading surface and has first and second sides. The apparatus also includes a support frame connected to the first panel and having first and second supports. A second panel is pivotably connected to the first panel. The first and second supports are configured to be selectively connectable to and releasable from the vehicle body. The apparatus is positionable in a stowed position when the supports are connected to the vehicle body. In the stowed position, the apparatus is within the interior cargo area and the first panel is substantially parallel with and above the floor. The apparatus is pivotable with respect to the vehicle body to a deployed position in which the supports are connected to the vehicle body and in which the apparatus extends at least partially out of the vehicle to provide additional cargo area.

Abstract: A check link mechanism for a closure pivotally connected to a vehicle. The check link mechanism includes a check link rotatable about a central axis, and is operably connected to the vehicle. The check link has a cam surface and a free surface, which is rotated about the central axis relative to the cam surface. A detent assembly is configured to apply a substantially-constant detent force to the check link. An actuator is configured to selectively rotate the check link between at least a holding position and a free position. The holding position aligns the cam surface to be substantially perpendicular to the substantially-constant detent force, and the free position aligns the free surface to be substantially perpendicular to the substantially-constant detent force.

Abstract: A movable screen or visor for a window adjacent a trim liner includes a contour rod movable from a stowed position to a deployed position. The contour rod includes a forward end, an offset portion, and a rearward end opposite the forward end from the offset portion. The screen also includes a shade member operatively attached to the contour rod. The shade member is disposed within the trim liner when the contour rod is in the stowed position and is disposed outside of the trim liner in the deployed position. The shade member blocks a portion of the window when the contour rod is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for connection to a vehicle body includes a first panel portion configured for hinged connection to the vehicle body, as well as a second panel portion hinged to the first panel portion. The second panel portion is configured to be pivoted from a first position in which the second panel portion is generally parallel with the first panel portion to a second position in which the second panel portion is generally perpendicular to the first panel portion to reduce a first height of the tailgate. In some embodiments, the tailgate assembly further includes a third panel portion hinged to the second panel portion and configured to be pivoted between a stowed position in which the third panel portion extends generally parallel with the second panel portion and a use position in which the third panel portion extends generally perpendicular to the second panel portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for a vehicle includes a first panel that defines a loading surface and has first and second sides. The apparatus also includes a support frame connected to the first panel and having first and second supports. A second panel is pivotably connected to the first panel. The first and second supports are configured to be selectively connectable to and releasable from the vehicle body. The apparatus is positionable in a stowed position when the supports are connected to the vehicle body. In the stowed position, the apparatus is within the interior cargo area and the first panel is substantially parallel with and above the floor. The apparatus is pivotable with respect to the vehicle body to a deployed position in which the supports are connected to the vehicle body and in which the apparatus extends at least partially out of the vehicle to provide additional cargo area.

Abstract: A roof rack system for a vehicle includes a first longitudinal bar and a second longitudinal bar disposed on opposite longitudinal sides of the vehicle. The first longitudinal bar defines a first guide channel, and the second longitudinal bar defines a second guide channel. The first guide channel and the second guide channel guide a transverse bar between a stowed position, wherein the transverse bar is flush with an exterior surface of the roof, and a deployed position, wherein the transverse bar is vertically spaced from the exterior surface of the roof.

Abstract: A rack system for a roof of a vehicle includes a pair of longitudinal bars extending along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and a pair of transverse bars attached to the longitudinal bars and extending across the vehicle. A plurality of riser assemblies pivotably interconnects the longitudinal bars to the roof, to raise and lower both the longitudinal bars and the transverse bars between a deployed position and a stowed position. When in the stowed position, the longitudinal bars and the transverse bars are flush with an exterior surface of the roof. When in the deployed position, the longitudinal bars and the transverse bars are spaced from the exterior surface of the roof.