Abstract: A mechanical latch for securing a moveable structure to a fixed is provided. The mechanical latch includes a movable catch pin and a proximity pin disposed within a housing cavity. Both pins are spring loaded to urge the pins towards the moveable structure, and both pins also include stops projecting therefrom to limit this movement. An insert member is attached to the housing between the pins and has an end which is engaged by the stops. In an engaged position, the catch pin interacts with a slot in the moveable structure. In the engaged position, the proximity pin and the moveable structure generate a gap between its stop and the insert which allows the other catch pin to be selectively drawn rearward from its latched condition. A peg carried by the catch pin is urged into the gap and against the insert which secures the catch pin in a latched condition.

Abstract: A framing structure for support of the rear suspension components of an automotive which includes a pair of generally vertically oriented suspension strut towers spaced laterally with respect to the vehicle and with each strut tower fixedly attached at lower end portions to a lower cross beam and fixedly attached at upper end portions to an upper cross beam and having an isolating structure at the upper end portion of each strut tower to which the upper end portion of a rear suspension component such as a shock absorber or a MacPherson suspension strut is attached in a manner isolating the suspension component from the strut tower and upper cross beam.

Abstract: A framing structure for the rear portion of an automotive, including a pair of spaced and generally vertically oriented suspension strut towers each tower fixed at lower and upper end portions to a lower cross beam and an upper cross beam respectively and with each cross beam extending the full width of the vehicle and with each beam having a closed cross-sectional configuration to providing a high degree of structural rigidity as a mounting platform for the left and right rear wheel suspensions. A yoke-like structure on the upper ends of each suspension strut tower supports an end portion of the upper cross beam, each yoke including a pair of spaced side walls between which an end portion of the beam extends so that in vehicle assembly the beam's end portions are positioned or floated in a respective yoke in sliding engagement between the spaced side walls which permits independent lateral shifting of the upper end portion of each strut tower into desired alignment with the vehicle and with one another.

Abstract: A framing structure for the rear portion of an automotive, including a pair of spaced and generally vertically oriented suspension strut towers each tower fixed at lower and upper end portions to a lower cross beam and an upper cross beam respectively and with each cross beam extending the full width of the vehicle and with each beam having a closed cross-sectional configuration to providing a high degree of structural rigidity as a mounting platform for the left and right rear wheel suspensions. A yoke-like structure on the upper ends of each suspension strut tower supports an end portion of the upper cross beam, each yoke including a pair of spaced side walls between which an end portion of the beam extends so that in vehicle assembly the beam's end portions are positioned or floated in a respective yoke in sliding engagement between the spaced side walls which permits independent lateral shifting of the upper end portion of each strut tower into desired alignment with the vehicle and with one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring rear shoulder belt loads to a frame of a motor vehicle includes a unitarily constructed reinforcement member. The reinforcement member is welded or otherwise fixedly attached to a C-pillar joint construction. The C-pillar joint construction includes an upwardly extending strut tower which is welded to a rail of the vehicle frame. The reinforcement member includes an upper end to which a turning loop of a rear seat belt assembly is attached, and a lower end to which a retractor mechanism of the seat belt assembly is attached. Loads from the seat belt are transferred from the reinforcement member through the strut tower and to the rail.

Abstract: A remote mirror adjustment mechanism for manually adjusting the position of a vehicle side rear-view mirror wherein the adjustment mechanism has a base member having an annular edge for engaging and mounting the adjustment mechanism to a substantially flat interior panel of the vehicle and forming a recessed space in the panel. The base member includes a concave socket for rotatably receiving a ball socket there against. An elongated arm member is mounted to the ball socket and biased from an actuation position with the arm member extending outwardly from the recessed space and beyond the annular edge to a rest position retracted in the recessed space and below the annular edge. A plurality of cables interconnect the ball socket and the side rear-view mirror to provide angular adjustment of the mirror when the arm member rotates the ball socket in the actuation position. A housing defining a cavity encloses the ball socket against the concave socket of the base member.

Abstract: A unitary cover includes a base and a cap portion which are moveable relative to one another into a closed operative condition to conceal a fastener head or nut. The generally flat base has an aperture therethrough for extension of the fastener's shank while the portions about the aperture serve as a washer for the fastener head or nut. The cap portion has an oblong and dome-like shape and shares a thin edge with an edge of the base which forms a living hinge therebetween to allow the base and cap to pivot between opened and closed operative positions with respect to one another. Free edge portions of the base and of the cap engage when moved into a closed operative position. Specifically, an inwardly projecting catch formation on the cap edge encounters a beveled formation on the base edge to flex the cap edge outward an allow the catch formation to be trapped by the bevel formation thereby securing the edges together.

Abstract: A framing structure for the rear portion of an automobile, including a pair of spaced and generally vertically oriented suspension strut towers each tower fixed at lower and upper end portions to a lower cross beam and a unitary upper cross beam respectively and with each cross beam extending the full width of the vehicle and with each beam having a closed cross-sectional configuration providing a high degree of structural rigidity as a mounting platform for the left and right rear wheel suspensions.

Abstract: A one-piece floating spring nut that has overlying upper and lower flattened leaves that extend from separated free ends into connection with a u-shaped spring hinge that resiliently joins the arms at their inboard ends. The upper leaf has a centralized nut locating and retaining collar extruded therefrom that also serves as a guide and through passage for a threaded fastener. The lower leaf has an extruded sleeve portion aligned with the locating and retaining collar, which is internally threaded to threadly receive the threaded fastener. The locating and retaining collar has a generally cylindrical configuration that extends with clearance into an opening in a support member to retain the spring nut in a pre-assembled position on the support member. The collar further cooperates with the edge of the enlarged opening to establish the amount of adjustment that the nut can float relative to the support.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a stiffening plate for a spare tire storage system that is supported by a plurality of protrusions in the form of raised beads in the tub floor. The plate is raised from the tub floor via the beads, the structure thus forming a "double thick" cross section that reduces low frequency vibration, while at the same time allowing drainage during the coating process from between the layers and which does not increase weight or cost.