Abstract: A front bumper for a mobile vehicle that rotates to provide additional access to the vehicle engine. The rotating front bumper is provided in various embodiments, exemplifying possible modes of configuration and operation thereof. Specifically, methods of retaining the front bumper in a non-rotated position are presented, as are methods for preventing over-extension, and linkages that cause the front bumper to rotate when the hood is opened.

Abstract: A hood control apparatus includes a single dampening cylinder disposed along a fore-aft centerline of a forward tilting hood, one end of the cylinder being pivotably attached to the hood and another end pivotably engaging a mounting bracket for same engaged to an under hood cooling package frame in a manner to maintain the cylinder above the cooling package components at all times. A spring-loaded locking mechanism may be provided to automatically prevent retraction of the dampening cylinder when the hood is in a fully open position until it is desired to close the hood.

Abstract: A vehicle hood of the type disposed to open forwardly of said vehicle and pivot about a horizontal axis to expose an engine compartment thereof has a plastic composite exterior skin defining a portion of the engine compartment and including a forwardly located ambient air inlet to said engine compartment, and a generally vertical front reinforcement member bonded within the skin adjacent the ambient air inlet and having grillework integrally formed therein within the ambient air inlet, the grillework preferably being the only grillework. The front reinforcement further includes vehicle light housings integrally molded therewith and extending laterally to the fender area of the hood, the hood skin being bonded to the light housings. The light housings preferably receive both the headlight and the turn signal which are inserted through apertures in the exterior skin of the hood.

Abstract: In a hood for a conventional highway truck, induction air for the engine of the truck is drawn by the engine vacuum into the hood through air inlets therein at the upper corners of the grille opening defined by the front hood reinforcement to avoid the more severe road splash contamination. The air is drawn through several turns of ninety degree or smaller angle, including the inlets disposed perpendicularly to the path of travel, through a vertical duct adjacent the front reinforcement, a horizontal duct adjacent the fenders, a rear vertical duct, and the duct-defining rear reinforcement to a connection with the engine air cleaner. Both of the vertical ducts are provided with small drain holes adjacent their lower ends to permit heavier particles and water to drain therefrom. The ducts have been provided with large cross-sectional areas which, in addition to reducing air flow restriction, provide lower air flow velocity which further enables water and heavier particles to drop out of the air stream.

Abstract: A hood tilt retardation system comprising a shock absorber mounted on the side of upstanding member near the motor truck engine provides cushioning of the hood descent into its fully open or closed positions in the final segments thereof. This cushioning is augmented by a pair of springs attached to the hood and upstanding member for movement thereabout and functioning as a counterbalance to the hood weight during the hood reciprocal movement between its open and closed positions.