Abstract: A striker assembly is provided for use with a lock assembly in latching a first body and a second body together and allowing at least one of the first and second bodies to pivotally move relative to the other of the first and second bodies. The lock assembly is mounted to the first body. The striker assembly includes a striker rotatably mounted to the second body and configured so that an associated latch of the lock assembly is selectively lockable to the striker to latch the first body to the second body. A lever extends from the striker and is engageable with the lock body so that the striker rotates when said at least one of the first and second bodies is pivotally moved relative to the other of the first and second bodies.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly adapted to be mounted along an open edge of a vehicle's load-carrying bed includes a stamped sheet metal frame having a reinforced cross-sectional shape with an inner side facing an associated vehicle's load-carrying bed and an outer side opposite the inner side. The tailgate assembly further includes a skin attached to the outer side of the frame.

Abstract: A striker assembly is provided for use with a lock assembly in latching a first body and a second body together and allowing at least one of the first and second bodies to pivotally move relative to the other of the first and second bodies. The lock assembly is mounted to the first body. The striker assembly includes a striker rotatably mounted to the second body and configured so that an associated latch of the lock assembly is selectively lockable to the striker to latch the first body to the second body. A lever extends from the striker and is engageable with the lock body so that the striker rotates when said at least one of the first and second bodies is pivotally moved relative to the other of the first and second bodies.

Abstract: A closure assembly is mounted on a vehicle and moveable between a closed position and at least one open position. The closure assembly includes a closure structure mounted to an associated vehicle for movement between the closed position and the at least one open position. A first lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. A second lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. One of the first and second lock assemblies includes a latch that requires overstroking to lock the latch in a latched position.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly is adapted to be mounted along an open edge of a vehicle's load-carrying bed for alternatively pivoting about (1) a first axis generally parallel with the open edge of the tailgate for movement between a closed position and a fold-open position and (2) a second axis generally normal relative to the first axis for movement between the closed position and a swing-open position. The tailgate assembly includes a tailgate, a dual-mode hinge assembly, a first hinge/lock assembly and a second hinge/lock assembly. The first hinge/lock assembly is selectively latched to an associated first hinge/lock striker and cooperates with the dual-mode hinge assembly to pivotally support the tailgate about a first pivot axis. The second hinge/lock assembly is selectively latched to an associated second hinge/lock striker and cooperates with the dual-mode hinge assembly to pivotally support the tailgate about a second pivot axis.

Abstract: A lock assembly for selectively locking to a striker on a vehicle includes a lock body defining a lock body recess for receiving the striker therein. A latch is rotatably mounted to the lock body for selectively locking the striker in the lock body recess. The latch is moveable between a latched position wherein the striker is locked in the lock body recess and an unlatched position wherein the striker is removable from the lock body recess. A ratchet is rotatably mounted to the lock body adjacent the latch for selectively locking the latch in the latched position. The ratchet is moveable between an engaged position wherein the ratchet locks the latch in the latched position and a disengaged position wherein the latch is moveable between the latched position and the unlatched position.

Abstract: A tailgate synchronizer for coordinating mechanical communication between first and second handles mounted to a tailgate and first and second lock assemblies that selectively lock the tailgate to a vehicle body includes a first lock assembly actuator lever rotatably mounted to the tailgate. The first lock assembly actuator lever is selectively movable by the first handle. The first lock assembly actuator lever is connected to the first lock assembly so that the first lock assembly actuator lever unlocks the first lock assembly when sufficiently moved by the first handle. A second lock assembly actuator lever is rotatably mounted to the tailgate and selectively movable by the second handle. The second lock assembly actuator lever is connected to the second lock assembly so that the second lock assembly actuator lever unlocks the second lock assembly when sufficiently moved by the second handle.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a bolt structure for use with a magnesium alloy member that can insulate between magnesium alloy members and steel or other bolts without lowering the bolt shaft power, and prevent occurrence of electrolytic corrosion with an electrolyte such as water. A cationic electrodeposition coating is also provided for the bolts structure, said coating having a film thickness of 15 ?m or more is provided at least on the surface of the magnesium alloy member contacting with a bolt head, a powder coating having a film thickness of 40 to 150 ?m is provided on the surface of the cationic electrodeposition coating, zinc-nickel plating and then cosmer treatment are carried out on the bolt, and an alumite-treated aluminum washer is interposed between the bolt head and the magnesium alloy member.

Abstract: A vehicle door (10) includes an inner door panel (11). The inner door panel includes a door frame (20) and elongated members (25, 26). The elongated members extend in a front-and-rear direction of a vehicle body. The elongated members have fragile sections (60) each extending in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body to provide a stepped portion. The fragile section fractures under the action of a fracturing stress produced when a compression force (FO) greater than predetermined intensity acts on the elongated members. One element of the elongated member having the thus fractured fragile section then moves to absorb the compression force, thereby enhancing a passenger protecting performance of the vehicle door.

Abstract: A vehicle door (10) includes a door frame (20), hinges (32) for attaching the door frame to a vehicle body (31) therethrough in such a manner that the door frame moves between open and closed positions, a door lock section (35) for holding the vehicle door in a closed position, and door beams (70) connected between the hinges and the door lock section. Each door beam includes a series a plural dividing members. The plural dividing members have their respective end portions (71b, 72a) overlapped with each other in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body and joined with each other in such a manner that the dividing members are movable relative to each other by a predetermined distance when a collision force acts on the doorbeam.

Abstract: A vehicle load-carrying bed includes a generally rectangular bed floor. A front wall extends upwardly adjacent a front edge of the bed floor. A first side wall extends upwardly adjacent a first side edge of the bed floor. A second side wall extends upwardly adjacent a second, opposite side edge of the bed floor. A tailgate is positioned along a rear edge of the bed floor and extends between the first and second sidewalls. A dual axis hinge pivotally connects the tailgate to the first side wall for movement about a first axis generally parallel with the rear edge of the bed floor and alternative movement about a second axis generally parallel with a vertical bed edge of the first side wall. The hinge includes a checker for urging the tailgate into preselected positions when the tailgate is moved about the second axis.

Abstract: A vehicle door (10) includes a door frame (20), hinges (32) for attaching the door frame to a vehicle body (31) therethrough in such a manner that the door frame moves between open and closed positions, a door lock section (35) for holding the vehicle door in a closed position, and door beams (70) connected between the hinges and the door lock section. Each door beam includes a series a plural dividing members. The plural dividing members have their respective end portions (71b, 72a) overlapped with each other in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body and joined with each other in such a manner that the dividing members are movable relative to each other by a predetermined distance when a collision force acts on the doorbeam.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for a closure includes an elongated seal strip having a longitudinal length and including a flexible and resilient seal portion defining a substantially hollow cavity. The sealing apparatus further includes a bumper member comprising a bumper element positioned within the cavity. Methods of making a sealing apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly adapted to be mounted along an open edge of a vehicle's load-carrying bed is provided. The tailgate is able to alternatively pivot about (1) an axis generally parallel with a bottom edge of the tailgate for movement between a closed position and a folded-open position and (2) an axis generally parallel with a lateral edge of the tailgate for movement between the closed position and a swing-open position. The tailgate assembly includes a stamped sheet metal frame having a reinforced cross-sectional shape with an inner side facing an associated vehicle's load-carrying bed and an outer side opposite the inner side. The tailgate assembly further includes a skin attached to the outer side of the frame.

Abstract: A vehicle load-carrying bed having a generally rectangular bed floor is provided. A front wall extends upwardly adjacent a front edge of the bed floor. A first side wall extends upwardly adjacent a first side edge of the bed floor. A second side wall extends upwardly adjacent a second, opposite side edge of the bed floor. A tailgate is positioned along a rear edge of the bed floor and extends between the first and second sidewalls. A dual axis hinge pivotally connects the tailgate to the first side wall for movement about a first axis generally parallel with the rear edge of the bed floor and alternative movement about a second axis generally parallel with a vertical bed edge of the first side wall. The hinge includes a checker for urging the tailgate into preselected positions when the tailgate is moved about the second axis.

Abstract: A vehicle door (10) includes an inner door panel (11). The inner door panel includes a door frame (20) and elongated members (25, 26). The elongated members extend in a front-and-rear direction of a vehicle body. The elongated members have fragile sections (60) each extending in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body to provide a stepped portion. The fragile section fractures under the action of a fracturing stress produced when a compression force (FO) greater than predetermined intensity acts on the elongated members. One element of the elongated member having the thus fractured fragile section then moves to absorb the compression force, thereby enhancing a passenger protecting performance of the vehicle door.

Abstract: Vehicle door (10) is provided which includes an inner door panel (11) made of a magnesium alloy. The magnesium alloy has relatively small toughness although it is light in weight. Passenger protecting cover (51) made of a material having greater toughness than the magnesium alloy is fixed to a portion of the inner door panel facing a seat (40) or its vicinity in overlapped relation to that portion. Such arrangements can reduce the weight of the vehicle door and enhance passenger protecting performance of the door.

Abstract: A C-pillar assembly for a vehicle that lacks a B-pillar, the C-pillar assembly including an inner reinforcement member, an outer reinforcement member, upper and lower hinge assemblies, and an outer garnish member. The outer reinforcement member is disposed over the inner reinforcement member. The inner and outer reinforcement members are secured to one another so as to define a C-pillar having, in cross section, a generally box-like shape. The outer reinforcement has an upper mounting location to which the upper hinge assembly is secured and a lower mounting location to which the lower hinge assembly is secured. A portion of the lower hinge assembly is disposed within a hinge pocket formed in the outer reinforcement member. The outer garnish member is secured to the outer reinforcement member and defines a slotted opening through which the lower hinge assembly extends.

Abstract: A C-pillar assembly for a vehicle that lacks a B-pillar, the C-pillar assembly including an inner reinforcement member, an outer reinforcement member, upper and lower hinge assemblies, and an outer garnish member. The outer reinforcement member is disposed over the inner reinforcement member. The inner and outer reinforcement members are secured to one another so as to define a C-pillar having, in cross section, a generally box-like shape. The outer reinforcement has an upper mounting location to which the upper hinge assembly is secured and a lower mounting location to which the lower hinge assembly is secured. A portion of the lower hinge assembly is disposed within a hinge pocket formed in the outer reinforcement member. The outer garnish member is secured to the outer reinforcement member and defines a slotted opening through which the lower hinge assembly extends.

Abstract: A hook and catch assembly for use in securing a door to a body of a vehicle. The hook and catch assembly includes a hook that is secured to the door, a rocker panel that the door engages, a catch that is secured to the rocker panel upper surface, and a rocker panel garnish that is disposed over the rocker panel upper surface and the catch. The hook is positioned such that, when the door is in a closed position, the hook extends through a slot in the rocker panel garnish and is received between the catch and said rocker panel upper surface.