Abstract: The present invention is a step load bracket having a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion connected to the substantially horizontal portion. The present invention also includes at least one support member connected to the substantially vertical portion and the substantially horizontal portion. The support member provides support for a body component of a vehicle having a step, such as a fascia, when a load is applied to the fascia in a vertical direction, but has pre-determined crush characteristics when the fascia suffers from an impact load in a horizontal direction, such as during a rear-end collision.

Abstract: The present invention is a step load bracket having a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion connected to the substantially horizontal portion. The present invention also includes at least one support member connected to the substantially vertical portion and the substantially horizontal portion. The support member provides support for a body component of a vehicle having a step, such as a fascia, when a load is applied to the fascia in a vertical direction, but has pre-determined crush characteristics when the fascia suffers from an impact load in a horizontal direction, such as during a rear-end collision.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact in-tank fuel pump filter which forms a portion of a fuel pump and filter module for a vehicle. The fuel pump filter includes upper and lower filter housing members which cooperatively receive the filter element. Both housing members and the filter element are contoured to partially wrap around the fuel pump housing in order to maximize filter area and contaminate holding capacity while minimizing total filter size. The filter element is preferably pleated paper but may be any suitable high capacity filter media. The lower filter housing member includes an outlet fitting which mates with a complementarily configured inlet fitting and is secured by releasable snap-lock assemblies. The inlet fitting receives a fuel pump housing and includes passageways which direct fuel to the inlet of the fuel pump.

Abstract: A filter ring for use around the circumferential fuel and timing fluid inlets of a diesel engine fuel injector or similar fluid conducting body. In a first preferred embodiment, the filter ring includes first and second semi-annular, band-shaped filter portions, an integrally formed hinge for pivotally interconnecting the filter portions, and a snap latch mechanism for releasably connecting the opposite ends of the filter portions. In a second preferred embodiment, the filter ring includes a pair of substantially identical snap latch mechanisms for detachably interconnecting the filter portions. The snap latch mechanism is formed from a bead or projection that extends substantially along the entire height of the end of one of the filter portions, and a complimentarily shaped groove on the end of the other filter portion.

Abstract: A filter ring is provided that is particularly adapted for use around the circumferential fuel and timing fluid inlets of a diesel engine fuel injector. The filter ring includes first and second semi-annular, band-shaped filter portions, an integrally formed hinge means for pivotally interconnecting the filter portions, and a snap latch mechanism for detachably connecting the opposite ends of the filter portions. The snap latch mechanism is formed from a bead that extends substantially along the entire length of one of the filter portion ends, and a complementarily-shaped groove on the end of the other filter portion. The thickness of the bead and groove is less than the thickness of the opposite ends of the band-shaped filter portions so that the inner diameter of the resulting filter ring seats securely around a complementarily-shaped annular recess in the fuel injector.