Abstract: A material applicator assembly 10 which includes a rotor member 12 having a plurality of dispenser apertures 20 and a deformable material application ring 23 around the outer periphery of the rotor member 12. The assembly 10 being rotatably coupled to a centrally mounted tubular member 40. Member 40 having at least one aperture through which an adhesive material 45 is forced into each of the plurality of apertures 20 as the rotor member 12 is rotated about member 40, thereby injecting the adhesive material 45 into the application ring 23 to deposit the adhesive material 45 upon components 60 having varying cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: A material applicator assembly 10 which includes a rotor member 12 having a plurality of dispenser apertures 20 and a deformable material application ring 23 around the outer periphery of the rotor member 12. The assembly 10 being rotatably coupled to a centrally mounted tubular member 40. Member 40 having at least one aperture through which an adhesive material 45 is forced into each of the plurality of apertures 20 as the rotor member 12 is rotated about member 40, thereby injecting the adhesive material 45 into the application ring 23 to deposit the adhesive material 45 upon components 60 having varying cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: A vehicle bed assembly 10 has a floor pan 18, a front wall 20, and substantially identical side walls 14, 16. The front wall 20 and the side walls 14, 16 are coupled to the floor pan 18. The vehicle bed assembly 10 further includes a rear wall 22 which is deployed upon a tailgate 21 which is selectively coupled to the floor pan 18, and a pair of substantially identical top rail members 100 which overlay and receive a unique one of the side walls 14, 16 and a bracket 210 which overlays and receives the front wall 20 and which is coupled to the top rail member 100 by a pair of end cap members 122. Particularly, the end cap members 122 and the top rail members 100 cooperatively provide a direct load path from any location on each of the side walls 14, 16 to the bracket 210 which may be coupled to a portion of the vehicle 12, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the sidewalls 14, 16 and the front wall 20.

Abstract: A vehicle bed assembly including a frontwall, a pair of sidewalls, a backwall, and a bed portion. The walls and the bed portion include stiffening ribs that cooperatively allow the bed assembly to be easily cleaned and allow the bed assembly to be formed from relatively lightweight material. The vehicle bed assembly further includes side mounting assemblies which allow the assembly to be secured to the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly having an inner panel and an outer panel which is selectively coupled to the inner panel. The tailgate assembly further includes at least one stiffening member which is selectively and operatively contained between the panels and which increases the strength and durability of the tailgate assembly.

Abstract: A vehicular bed assembly 12 and a method 100 for making the vehicular bed assembly 12 by a process which requires the use of a roll 103 of material 104. Particularly, material 104 from the roll 103 is continually fed through a stamping or mold assembly 110 which forms raised stiffening beads on the material 104. The material 104 is then continually fed through a cutter 118 in which the received material is 103 selectively cut, thereby forming panels or segments, such as and without limitation segment or panel 120, which are used to form the walls 14, 16, 20, 22 and which are further used to form the floor pan 18. In this manner, the methodology 100 allows for a variety of dissimilarly sized bed assemblies 12 to be easily and efficiently produced.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing energy dissipation in a vehicle steering column in a high energy impact. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a variable energy dissipation system on the vehicle steering column; (b) sensing at least one occupant condition; and (c) adjusting the variable energy dissipation system based upon the sensed occupant condition to optimize energy dissipation.

Abstract: A bumper and front rail assembly includes first and second front rails with a steel cross-member extending therebetween. The steel cross-member has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. A steel forward member is secured to the cross-member and spans the length thereof. The forward member is configured to act as a spring for elastic deformation against the cross-member in a low energy impact. First and second steel crush cans are disposed in the cross-member adjacent the first and second front rails, respectively. The crush cans are configured for improved energy management and can be used with or without the energy absorbing bumper system described.

Abstract: A bumper and front rail assembly includes first and second front rails with a steel cross-member extending therebetween. The steel cross-member has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. A steel forward member is secured to the cross-member and spans the length thereof. The forward member is configured to act as a spring for elastic deformation against the cross-member in a low energy impact. First and second steel crush cans are disposed in the cross-member adjacent the first and second front rails, respectively. The crush cans are configured for improved energy management.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly having an inner panel and an outer panel which is selectively coupled to the inner panel. The tailgate assembly further includes at least one stiffening member which is selectively and operatively contained between the panels and which increases the strength and durability of the tailgate assembly.