Abstract: A door checker includes a housing which has a base from which first and second opposing flanges extend. First and second guide pins are spaced apart from one another and are interconnected to the first and second flanges. A check arm extends through the base and is arranged between the first and second guide pins. The check arm is configured to move relative to the housing and includes a profile that corresponds to a variable door holding force. A bearing member is arranged on one side of the check arm and is slidably supported by the first and second guide pins. The bearing member coacts with the profile.

Abstract: An automotive door system includes a hinge that supports a door. A switch provides a first input in response to a user request to automatically open or close the door. An output shaft of a power drive module is connected to the door and a gearbox to provide an output torque that corresponds to a desired motion of the door about the hinge. A brake assembly is connected to a shaft member and has a normally closed position in which the shaft member is grounded to the housing and an open position that corresponds to one of a door closing mode and a door opening mode. A position sensor detects rotation of the output shaft and provides a second input in response thereto, which corresponds to a manually initiated movement of the door that exceeds a slip torque of the brake assembly in the normally closed position.

Abstract: An automotive hinge assembly adapted to facilitate motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure comprises a door component constructed from two press formed angle brackets structurally connected via a pivot pin and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle closure panel, a body component constructed from two press formed angle brackets structurally connected via a simple formed feature and the pivot pin and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body structure, such that the pivot pin structurally assembles the two hinge components, facilitates relative rotary motion between them and structurally connects the multiple press formed angle brackets so that the resulting assembly achieves a much higher material efficiency than the prior art with an associated significant cost reduction.

Abstract: An automotive hinge assembly adapted to facilitate motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure comprises a door component constructed from two press formed angle brackets structurally connected via a pivot pin and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle closure panel, a body component constructed from two press formed angle brackets structurally connected via a simple formed feature and the pivot pin and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body structure, such that the pivot pin structurally assembles the two hinge components, facilitates relative rotary motion between them and structurally connects the multiple press formed angle brackets so that the resulting assembly achieves a much higher material efficiency than the prior art with an associated significant cost reduction.

Abstract: An automotive door system includes a hinge supporting a door. A door check module interconnects to one of the vehicle and the door by a linkage assembly. An output shaft is connected to the linkage assembly and rotates relative to a door check module housing. The output shaft provides an output torque to check the door in a desired door position. A sensor detects rotation of the shaft and produces a signal in response thereto. A brake assembly includes a shaft member operatively connected to the output shaft. The brake assembly has a normally closed position in which the shaft member is grounded to the housing in a door check mode. The brake assembly includes an open position that corresponds to one of a door closing mode and a door opening mode. The brake assembly moves from the normally closed position to the open position in response to the signal.

Abstract: A bumper for a closure, such as a tailgate, acts between the tailgate and a frame to bias a striker in to engagement with a latch. The bumper is moved to a retracted position during closing to reduce the force needed to close the tailgate. After latching, the bumper is conditioned to an extended position to assert the bias between the tailgate and frame.

Abstract: A method is provided which forms a closed section hollow structural element by performing the following steps which include press forming an upper sheet metal component configured with two primary parallel downstanding interface flanges; press forming a lower sheet metal component configured with two primary parallel upstanding interface flanges; complementarily trimming the downstanding interface flanges and the upstanding interface flanges using five-axis laser cutting; and butt welding the interface flanges of the upper and lower sheet metal components to one another to form a continuous hollow structural element of variable cross section.

Abstract: A bumper for a closure, such as a tailgate, acts between the tailgate and a frame to bias a striker in to engagement with a latch. The bumper is moved to a retracted position during closing to reduce the force needed to close the tailgate. After latching, the bumper is conditioned to an extended position to assert the bias between the tailgate and frame.

Abstract: A bumper for a closure, such as a tailgate, acts between the tailgate and a frame to bias a striker in to engagement with a latch. The bumper is moved to a retracted position during closing to reduce the force needed to close the tailgate. After latching, the bumper is conditioned to an extended position to assert the bias between the tailgate and frame.

Abstract: A vehicular structural member is provided from a closed section hollow element that utilizes a conventional clamshell configuration but eliminates the overlapped joint of the prior art. It has been proven that for large volume applications such as those dictated by the automotive industry, sheet metal press forming is the most cost-effective method of manufacturing structural components. The present disclosure eliminates the redundant material associated with overlapping or flange type joints in clamshell closed section hollow elements thereby reducing weight and cost.

Abstract: A bumper for a closure, such as a tailgate, acts between the tailgate and a frame to bias a striker in to engagement with a latch. The bumper is moved to a retracted position during closing to reduce the force needed to close the tailgate. After latching, the bumper is conditioned to an extended position to assert the bias between the tailgate and frame.

Abstract: A door check for an automobile has an arm with a cam formed between oppositely directed flanks. A unitary energy storage component cooperates with the arm to provide progressive resistance to opening and closing and a plurality of stable positions. The unitary energy storage component includes a pair of springs, each connected to shoes that bear against the flanks and load the springs in torsion as the shoes moves along the cam. The unitary energy storage component is formed as an integral unit to facilitate handling and assembly.

Abstract: A door check for an automobile has an arm with a cam formed between oppositely directed flanks. A unitary energy storage component cooperates with the arm to provide progressive resistance to opening and closing and a plurality of stable positions. The unitary energy storage component includes a pair of springs, each connected to shoes that bear against the flanks and load the springs in torsion as the shoes moves along the cam. The unitary energy storage component is formed as an integral unit to facilitate handling and assembly.

Abstract: An automatically adjustable fifth wheel assembly for a vehicle and trailer combination that adjusts the position of the trailer relative to the vehicle is disclosed.

Abstract: A cylinder mount assembly for a slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly comprises a slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly, a cylinder mount, a hydraulic cylinder, a first longitudinal support, and a second longitudinal support. The slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly has a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The cylinder mount is disposed adjacent at least two sides of a first frame cross member. The hydraulic cylinder is disposed between the cylinder mount and the slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly, and is attached to the cylinder mount. The first longitudinal support is disposed between the cylinder mount and a second frame cross member. The second longitudinal support is disposed between the cylinder mount and the second frame cross member. The cylinder mount is adapted to move laterally along the first frame cross member.

Abstract: A cylinder mount assembly for a slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly comprises a slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly, a cylinder mount, a hydraulic cylinder, a first longitudinal support, and a second longitudinal support. The slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly has a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The cylinder mount is disposed adjacent at least two sides of a first frame cross member. The hydraulic cylinder is disposed between the cylinder mount and the slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly, and is attached to the cylinder mount. The first longitudinal support is disposed between the cylinder mount and a second frame cross member. The second longitudinal support is disposed between the cylinder mount and the second frame cross member.

Abstract: An automatically adjustable fifth wheel assembly for a vehicle and trailer combination that adjusts the position of the trailer relative to the vehicle is disclosed.

Abstract: An automatically adjustable fifth wheel assembly for a vehicle and trailer combination that adjusts the position of the trailer relative to the vehicle is provided.

Abstract: A vehicular suspension arm, comprises an upper sheet metal stamped component with a first outer face and a first inner face, and a first central web portion with two opposites sides and first upstanding flange portions at opposites sides of the first web portion; a lower sheet metal stamped component with a second outer face and a second inner face, and a second central web portion with two opposite sides and second upstanding flange portions at the opposite sides of the second web portion. The first and second inner faces are adapted to contact each other along a substantial portion of the first and second web portions. The upper and lower stamped components adapted to be rigidly attached to each other to create a structural I-beam section. The thickness of each upstanding flange portion is at least equal to the combined thickness of the first and second web portions.

Abstract: An automotive hinge assembly adapted to facilitate motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure comprises a door component constructed from two press formed angle brackets structurally connected via a pivot pin and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle closure panel, a body component constructed from two press formed angle brackets structurally connected via a simple formed feature and the pivot pin and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body structure, such that the pivot pin structurally assembles the two hinge components, facilitates relative rotary motion between them and structurally connects the multiple press formed angle brackets so that the resulting assembly achieves a much higher material efficiency than the prior art with an associated significant cost reduction.