Abstract: A component of an actuatable apparatus has a substrate, a selectively light- transmissive opaque covering, and an illumination source. The opaque covering is applied to an obverse surface or a reverse surface of the substrate to selectively enable and prevent transmission of light therethrough. The illumination source is adjacent the reverse surface for illuminating a selected area of the substrate. The opaque covering is characterized by first and second portions collectively defining a pattern associated with the selected area. The first portion enables transmission of light therethrough, and the second portion prevents or impedes transmission of light therethrough. Actuation of the illumination source directs light through the first portion but not through the second portion to reveal the pattern. The opaque covering renders the pattern invisible when the illumination source is in the non- illuminated state, and visible when the illumination source is in the illuminated state.

Abstract: A vehicle having a cargo extender mounted to a rear portion thereof, preferably a minivan or a sport utility vehicle, is provided. The cargo extender is preferably slidable between a retracted position stowed in an aesthetically-pleasing manner within the rear portion of the vehicle and an extended position where any contents of the extender can be accessed. Further, the cargo extender can be pivoted to different angular positions (as opposed to the generally horizontal position in which it is stored) to provide additional functionality thereto.

Abstract: A tailgate of modular construction and employing an extender assembly. The tailgate employs a thick central molded plastic core structure and inner and outer cover sheets secured to inboard and outboard faces of the core structure. The core structure defines laterally spaced vertically extending channels and the extender assembly includes a pair of laterally spaced post assemblies slidably mounted in the respective channels of the core member and connected at their upper end by a bar member which fits in a pocket defined in the upper face of the tailgate with the extender assembly in its lowered position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door handle assembly including a first housing piece adapted to be mounted at one end of a bowl shaped depression formed in the outer skin of the vehicle door, a second housing piece adapted to be mounted at the other end of the depression in the outer skin, and an elongated handle pivotally mounted at one end thereof on the first housing piece and including a latch finger on the other end thereof received in a receptacle in the second housing piece to allow access to a latch actuator to control the latching and unlatching of the door.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door handle assembly, including a face plate positioned flush with the door outer surface. When operator pressure is applied to the face plate, the face plate pops out under spring pressure to a position where it may be gripped by the operator and pulled outwardly to unlatch the door and allow opening of the door. When the face plate is thereafter released, the face plate is returned to its flush position in the door by a damper mechanism which overcomes the face plate spring during the return movement of the door handle to return the face plate to its flush position.

Abstract: A fuel filler door assembly is provided for a motor vehicle facilitating rapid and inexpensive installation. Installation is accomplished by passing a tubular sleeve main body portion of a housing of the fuel filler door assembly through an aperture in a lip in an outer panel of the vehicle to pass circumferentially spaced keys on the sleeve through circumferentially spaced keyways provided in the lip, pass an aperture in an inner end wall of the housing over the free end of the filler tube of the vehicle fuel tank to seat the inner wall on a flange carried by the filler tube, and seat a flange provided on an outer end of the housing on the outer panel lip; turning the housing to move the keys under the panel lip and trap the lip between the flange and the keys; and passing a screw fastener through the end wall of the housing for engagement with the filler tube flange.

Abstract: A painting apparatus including a rack assembly mounted on a carriage and adapted to be moved on the carriage between a load station, a paint application station, and an unload station. The rack assembly includes a main rack assembly mounted for rotation about a central axis and a plurality of rack subassemblies carried by the main rack assembly and mounted for respective rotation about a plurality of subassembly axes spaced circumferentially about and parallel to the central axis. As the main rack assembly undergoes rotation about the central axis at the paint application station, the rack subassemblies simultaneously rotate about their subassembly axes so that the parts carried by the subassemblies undergo a compound rotation with the result that even intricate interior surfaces on the parts are given a uniform coating of paint.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door handle assembly for actuating a door latch of the vehicle. The assembly includes a housing adapted to be mounted on the vehicle door, a handle mounted on the door on the housing for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position, and a latch actuator mounted on the housing, operated by the handle, and operative to unlatch the vehicle door in response to opening movement of the handle. The handle and housing define coacting detent structures operative in response to closing movement of the handle to catch the handle on the housing in the closed position of the handle and thereby resist inadvertent opening movement of the handle in a side impact scenario while allowing forceful opening movement of the handle by an operator.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door handle assembly, including a face plate positioned flush with the door outer surface. When operator pressure is applied to the face plate, the face plate pops out under spring pressure to a position where it may be gripped by the operator and pulled outwardly to unlatch the door and allow opening of the door. When the face plate is thereafter released, the face plate is returned to its flush position in the door by a damper mechanism which overcomes the face plate spring during the return movement of the door handle to return the face plate to its flush position.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a pickup truck including an outer tailgate assembly, an inner tailgate module, and attachment means for securing the inner tailgate module to the outer tailgate assembly to form the completed tailgate. The outer tailgate assembly is formed in a metal forming operation of sheet metal material and the inner panel module is formed in a molding operation of a plastics material. The inner panel module mounts the handle assembly, the latch devices, and the linkage devices for actuation of the latch devices. The latch devices are initially positioned on the inner tailgate module but, following assembly of the inner tailgate module to the outer tailgate assembly, the latch devices are fixedly secured to the outer structural sidewalls defined by the outer tailgate assembly.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for use with a motor vehicle of the type including a cab and a cargo body positioned rearwardly of the cab and including side walls and a floor coacting at the rear of the cargo body to define a tailgate opening into which the tailgate is fitted. The tailgate assembly includes an extender assembly including a bar positioned proximate an upper edge of the tailgate and a pair of post assemblies extending downwardly from the bar into the tailgate proximate respective side edges of the tailgate. Each post assembly includes a lower post member articulated to an upper post member which in turn is connected to the bar. The bar may be raised to a position above the upper edge of the tailgate by sliding the post assemblies upwardly within guide tubes provided in the tailgate whereby to provide further vertical restraint for loads carried by the vehicle.

Abstract: A pivoting cup holder for supporting a beverage container in a vehicle. The cup holder comprises a flat movable drawer which can slide into and out of a retainer set into or below the dashboard or an armrest of an automobile. A semicircular indentation is formed in each side of the drawer. Pivotally mounted to the drawer are a pair of cup rings, each of which is formed with a curved edge complementary to the semicircular indentation. The cup rings are spring-loaded to rotate horizontally to a use position when the drawer is pulled outwardly of the retainer. In the use position the cup rings cooperate with the semicircular indentation to form complete circular retainers for supporting the side wall of a beverage container. The cup holder further comprises a spring loaded bail and cup support which, when the drawer is opened, vertically pivot to a position centered below the circular retainers to brace the bottom surface of the beverage container.