Abstract: An air and water management system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The system includes an air opening allowing air to enter the engine room on a side of the motor vehicle, an engine cover covering at least one component associated with the engine of the motor vehicle, a rib extending from a top side of the engine cover creating a gutter on the engine cover between the rib and a side of the engine room, a water channel formed integrally in the engine cover adjacent and laterally inward of and parallel to the rib and including a drain longitudinally to the rear of the motor vehicle at a rearward portion of the water channel. Air entering the air opening flows over the rib and into the engine room of the motor vehicle. The rib blocks debris that enters the air opening from flowing into the engine room.

Abstract: An air and water management system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The system includes an air opening allowing air to enter the engine room on a side of the motor vehicle, an engine cover covering at least one component associated with the engine of the motor vehicle, a rib extending from a top side of the engine cover creating a gutter on the engine cover between the rib and a side of the engine room, a water channel formed integrally in the engine cover adjacent and laterally inward of and parallel to the rib and including a drain longitudinally to the rear of the motor vehicle at a rearward portion of the water channel. Air entering the air opening flows over the rib and into the engine room of the motor vehicle. The rib blocks debris that enters the air opening from flowing into the engine room.

Abstract: A convertible system includes a pair of movable side rails, each being connected to a structural pillar. A front header spans between forward ends of the side rails. A side rail latching mechanism releasably attaches the side rails to the structural pillars. A roof member includes a flexible, foldable roof panel and a panel header secured to and covered by the roof panel. The panel header has lateral end portions movably coupled to the side rails. The roof member is movable between a closed position, a pre-defined intermediate opened position, and a fully opened position. The roof member together with the side rails is further movable to a stowed position rearward of a vehicle occupant cabin. A roof member latch mechanism is mounted to the panel header for releasably attaching the panel header to the front header.

Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle comprises a vehicle door having an outside door panel, and a handle that is moveably mounted to the vehicle door. A latch actuator is operatively connected to the handle. Movement of the handle moves the latch actuator to an open position to allow opening of the door. An internal door part is connected to the outside door panel. The internal door part includes a contact area internally offset from the outside door panel. A counterbalancing member is cooperatively associated with the handle. During a crash condition causing deformation of the door and intrusion of the handle, the counterbalancing member engages the contact area of the internal door part to prevent the handle from moving the latch actuator to the open position.

Abstract: A weather seal for a door of a vehicle includes a base configured to be attached to the door. At least one seal lip extends longitudinally along the base and outwardly from the base, the seal lip configured to sealingly engage a door sill of the vehicle to close a gap formed between the door and the sill. At least one shield is coupled to at least one of the base and the seal lip. The shield is located proximate a predetermined exterior portion of a body of the vehicle when the door is proximate the sill, the shield covering the exterior body portion.

Abstract: A tailgate for the bed of a pickup truck has a generally U-shaped tailgate frame that is adapted to be coupled to the bed of the pickup truck and is pivotable about a first axis between a generally vertical closed position and a generally horizontal open position. A door assembly is coupled to the tailgate frame and is pivotable about a second axis generally normal relative to the first axis for movement between a closed position proximate the tailgate frame and an open position away from the tailgate frame.

Abstract: A vehicle window/garnish structure is described including a window/garnish and a trim structure, as well as a cost effective seal that covers body colored structures in the door cut line to maintain a consistent unbroken styling appearance.

Abstract: A vehicle window/garnish structure is described including a window/garnish and a trim structure, as well as a cost effective seal that covers body colored structures in the door cut line to maintain a consistent unbroken styling appearance.

Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle comprises a vehicle door having an outside door panel, and a handle that is moveably mounted to the vehicle door. A latch actuator is operatively connected to the handle. Movement of the handle moves the latch actuator to an open position to allow opening of the door. An internal door part is connected to the outside door panel. The internal door part includes a contact area internally offset from the outside door panel. A counterbalancing member is cooperatively associated with the handle. During a crash condition causing deformation of the door and intrusion of the handle, the counterbalancing member engages the contact area of the internal door part to prevent the handle from moving the latch actuator to the open position.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a vehicle frame, a moveable panel connected with and moveable with respect to the vehicle frame, and a seal connected with the vehicle frame. The moveable panel is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The seal includes a seal body having an external surface including an ambient-contacting section that is in contact with ambient when the moveable panel is in the closed position. The external surface of the seal body also includes a moveable-panel-contacting section that is in contact with the moveable panel when the moveable panel is in the closed position. The ambient-contacting section can move from a first orientation when the moveable panel is in the closed position toward a second orientation as the moveable panel contacts the moveable-panel-contacting section and moves toward the closed position. A seal for a vehicle and a roof assembly are also described.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a vehicle frame, a moveable panel connected with and moveable with respect to the vehicle frame, and a seal connected with the vehicle frame. The moveable panel is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The seal includes a seal body having an external surface including an ambient-contacting section that is in contact with ambient when the moveable panel is in the closed position. The external surface of the seal body also includes a moveable-panel-contacting section that is in contact with the moveable panel when the moveable panel is in the closed position. The ambient-contacting section can move from a first orientation when the moveable panel is in the closed position toward a second orientation as the moveable panel contacts the moveable-panel-contacting section and moves toward the closed position. A seal for a vehicle and a roof assembly are also described.

Abstract: A tailgate for the bed of a pickup truck has a generally U-shaped tailgate frame that is adapted to be coupled to the bed of the pickup truck and is pivotable about a first axis between a generally vertical closed position and a generally horizontal open position. A door assembly is coupled to the tailgate frame and is pivotable about a second axis generally normal relative to the first axis for movement between a closed position proximate the tailgate frame and an open position away from the tailgate frame.

Abstract: A weather seal for a door of a vehicle includes a base configured to be attached to the door. At least one seal lip extends longitudinally along the base and outwardly from the base, the seal lip configured to sealingly engage a door sill of the vehicle to close a gap formed between the door and the sill. At least one shield is coupled to at least one of the base and the seal lip. The shield is located proximate a predetermined exterior portion of a body of the vehicle when the door is proximate the sill, the shield covering the exterior body portion.