Abstract: A vacuum blocker for a movable roof panel is provided and moves between an open position and a closed position and between a seated position and a lifted position when in the closed position relative to an opening formed in a fixed roof panel of a vehicle. A seal member is supported by the fixed roof panel and forms a first seal at a junction of the fixed roof panel and the movable roof panel when the movable roof panel is in the seated position. A flap extends between the seal member and the movable roof panel and forms a second seal at a junction of the seal member and the movable roof panel when the movable roof panel is in the closed position and is moved from the seated position to the lifted position.

Abstract: A vacuum blocker for a movable roof panel is provided and moves between an open position and a closed position and between a seated position and a lifted position when in the closed position relative to an opening formed in a fixed roof panel of a vehicle. A seal member is supported by the fixed roof panel and forms a first seal at a junction of the fixed roof panel and the movable roof panel when the movable roof panel is in the seated position. A flap extends between the seal member and the movable roof panel and forms a second seal at a junction of the seal member and the movable roof panel when the movable roof panel is in the closed position and is moved from the seated position to the lifted position.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting side glass in a convertible vehicle body, prior to assembly of a convertible top on the vehicle body, includes a fixture adapted to engage multiple convertible top locating points on the vehicle's header and rear deck-lid shelf. Sensors mounted on the fixture detect the position of the raised side glass relative to the locating points and provide relative position information to an assembly operator, for example, through use of LED arrays, whereby the assembly operator can quickly set the side glass to a target position with which to achieve a desired side glass engagement with the convertible top, upon subsequent assembly of the convertible top to the vehicle body.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting side glass in a convertible vehicle body, prior to assembly of a convertible top on the vehicle body, includes a fixture adapted to engage multiple convertible top locating points on the vehicle's header and rear deck-lid shelf. Sensors mounted on the fixture detect the position of the raised side glass relative to the locating points and provide relative position information to an assembly operator, for example, through use of LED arrays, whereby the assembly operator can quickly set the side glass to a target position with which to achieve a desired side glass engagement with the convertible top, upon subsequent assembly of the convertible top to the vehicle body.

Abstract: An adjustable hydroformed sport bar including left and right outer bar elements and an inner bar element having a smaller diameter than the outer tbar elements. The inner bar element is able to slide inside the outer bar elements where it is adjustably fastened to each of the outer bar elements allowing the outer bar elements to be adjusted laterally with respect to the inner bar element with a bottom gap remaining between the inner bar element and the bottom of the outer bar elements. The left and right outer bar elements include expanded anchor sections to provide for greater yield strength for seat belt support.

Abstract: An adjustable hydroformed sport bar including left and right outer bar elements and an inner bar element having a smaller diameter than the outer tbar elements. The inner bar element is able to slide inside the outer bar elements where it is adjustably fastened to each of the outer bar elements allowing the outer bar elements to be adjusted laterally with respect to the inner bar element with a bottom gap remaining between the inner bar element and the bottom of the outer bar elements. The left and right outer bar elements include expanded anchor sections to provide for greater yield strength for seat belt support.

Abstract: A cross-car beam extends laterally between a pair of upwardly directed B-pillars on opposite sides of a vehicle passenger compartment and is structurally and functionally interconnected with each of the B-pillars. The cross-car beam provides the sole support for the rearward bottom portion of the front seat assemblies and preferably the hand brake, thus eliminating the need for stanchions supporting these assemblies. The cross-car beam is spaced above the floor of the passenger compartment and has a rearwardly and upwardly sloped portion of its lower surface, thus providing greatly enhanced foot space for rear seat passengers. In an alternate embodiment, the cross-car beam protrudes into at least a portion of each B-pillar assembly and can also be used to temporarily locate and support the body side aperture assembly prior to its being welded in its final location on the assembly line.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly for applying the brakes of an automotive vehicle comprises an elongated brake lever pivotally mounted on a bracket at a point adjacent the upper end of the brake lever permitting swinging movement of the lower end of the lever forwardly to a brake-applying position and rearwardly to a brake-release position. The brake lever has a head on the upper end and a pedal on the lower end. A brake lever displacement limiter comprises a tie-bar mounted on the bracket to provide an abutment positioned to be struck by the head of the lever to block rearward movement of the lower end of the lever beyond the brake-release position.

Abstract: A system for shielding electromagnetic waves, slowing radiant heat transfer, and attenuating mechanical noise emitted from within an engine compartment and a grommet for establishing an electrically conductive path from a hoodliner's conducting layer to ground. Provided in the present system is a hoodliner that has an electrically conducting material layer for shielding electromagnetic waves, and a fibrous material layer attached to the conducting material for slowing radiant heat transfer and attenuating mechanical noise emitted from the engine compartment.

Abstract: A system for mounting an audio speaker within an automobile door, in which a bridge is mounted on and extends from a door interior support panel, and has an integral platform spaced from the support panel and surrounding a speaker opening. The body of the audio speaker is received within the bridge speaker opening, and mounting flange tabs on the speaker radially project from the speaker body and are releasably secured to the bridge platform. An exterior trim panel has a lip that surrounds a speaker opening in the trim panel. The trim panel lip is removably secured to the platform radially outwardly of the speaker, such that the trim panel and the speaker are removably secured to the platform independently of each other. A grill is removably secured to the trim panel overlying and enclosing the speaker opening in trim panel, and thus covering both the bridge platform and the speaker.