Abstract: A bed extension assembly for a vehicle includes a bed assembly having a bed floor, sidewalls disposed along sides of the bed floor and a split tailgate assembly disposed adjacent a rearward edge of the bed floor between the sidewalls. The split tailgate assembly includes a first door pivotally secured to one of the sidewalls and a second door pivotally secured to another of the sidewalls. A bed extender member is movably secured to the bed assembly for movement between a stowed position beneath the bed floor and in an extended position protruding rearwardly from the bed assembly.

Abstract: A hood lift device with a restraint system is disclosed. The system can include a catching hole configured to constrain an actuator tip within a hood after the hood lift device is deployed. By engaging the hood lift device with a hood, the hood may be restrained from contacting a windshield.

Abstract: A bed extension assembly for a vehicle includes a bed assembly having a bed floor, sidewalls disposed along sides of the bed floor and a split tailgate assembly disposed adjacent a rearward edge of the bed floor between the sidewalls. The split tailgate assembly includes a first door pivotally secured to one of the sidewalls and a second door pivotally secured to another of the sidewalls. A bed extender member is movably secured to the bed assembly for movement between a stowed position beneath the bed floor and in an extended position protruding rearwardly from the bed assembly.

Abstract: A method for preparing a motor vehicle for a crash test is disclosed. The method subjects the motor vehicle to a sequence of different tests and provides a system of staged modifications that can be made to help the motor vehicle pass the current test without invalidating test results obtained earlier in the sequence. In some cases, this method can be used to confirm that a particular motor vehicle qualifies for a certain crash test routine.

Abstract: A knee bolster includes a curved bracket mounted to an associated cross beam of the vehicle. A knee panel member is mounted to the curved bracket at a location spaced from the associated cross beam. The panel member includes a laterally extending wall spaced from the curved bracket and support legs extending between the laterally extending wall and the curved bracket.

Abstract: A knee bolster includes a curved bracket mounted to an associated cross beam of the vehicle. A knee panel member is mounted to the curved bracket at a location spaced from the associated cross beam. The panel member includes a laterally extending wall spaced from the curved bracket and support legs extending between the laterally extending wall and the curved bracket.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an vehicle airbag construction that reduces the incidence of an unrestrained passenger engaging the A-pillar during a high-speed crash. The present invention is also directed toward an airbag structure that reduces the risk of a restrained passenger's hands contacting the instrument panel. In accordance with the present invention, an airbag is formed so as to take on a generally hourglass shape when inflated. Thus, the inflated airbag of the present invention has a greater width dimension at the upper and lower ends thereof than at the middle. The enlarged width dimension at the airbag upper end prevents or minimizes contact between the passenger's head and the vehicle A-pillar. The enlarged width at the airbag lower end prevents or minimizes contact between the passenger's hands and the vehicle instrument panel.

Abstract: A brake assembly configured to bias the master cylinder to rotate upward in a crash which induces the brake pedal to rotate down and away from the driver. This is achieved with a reduced number of parts, an angle reservoir for the initial position, a localized crush zone in the booster all configured to use the assembly's contact with the lower dash panel as a fulcrum point inducing downward rotation of the brake pedal. The present invention takes geometric advantage of its position proximate the lower dash panel to sure that when the engine compartment portion is pushed rearward toward the occupant compartment, the localized crush zone of the booster case induces upward rotation of the master cylinder causing the booster to pivot about the lower dash panel and cause the parallel brackets to rotate downward.

Abstract: A cargo carrier incorporates at least one hinge assembly that permits the controlled opening and closing of the cargo carrier door. The hinge assembly includes a torsion bar that has one end fixed with respect to the cargo carrier floor and the other end fixed with respect to the door. One end of the torsion bar rotates with respect to the other end when the door is opened or closed. The door is of sufficient weight that controlled opening and closing of the door is not possible without the aid of the hinge assembly. The door is also allowed to open sufficiently such that the end of the door opposite the hinge can contact the ground thereby forming a ramp.

Abstract: A pedestrian bumper system and method can include an attachment bumper and an attachment bracket for connecting the attachment bumper to the existing vehicle bumper or existing vehicle frame. The attachment bumper can be configured to conform to the existing vehicle bumper such that the frontal crash mode of the vehicle is substantially unchanged. In addition, the attachment bumper can create a new front surface area that includes an area that is lower than the front area of the existing vehicle bumper. Thus, the bumper system can be configured to contact a pedestrian at a lower location to minimize injury during an accident. The bumper system can also be configured to be easily adapted to existing vehicles by either the consumer or the vehicle manufacturer to take advantage of easily modifying vehicles for different market and/or consumer requirements and tastes.

Abstract: A cargo enclosure including a floor having a plurality of edges including a first edge, a second edge and a third edge. At least two sidewalls, including a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall, connected to the first edge of the floor, the second sidewall connected to the second edge of the floor. At least one hinge is connected along the third edge of the floor, the at least one hinge being rotatable about an axis. A composite door is connected to the at least one hinge, the door having a closed position and the hinge having a plurality of torsion springs rotatable about the axis, the plurality of torsion springs biasing the composite door toward the closed position.

Abstract: A cargo enclosure including a floor having a plurality of edges including a first edge, a second edge and a third edge. At least two sidewalls, including a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall connected to the first edge of the floor, the second sidewall connected to the second edge of the floor. At least one hinge is connected along the third edge of the floor, the at least one hinge being rotatable about an axis. A composite door is connected to the at least one hinge, the door having a closed position and the hinge having a plurality of torsion springs rotatable about the axis, the plurality of torsion springs biasing the composite door toward the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to improve a cycle time of a Read Only Memory (ROM). Loading of each bit line is controlled such that no bit line has less than a specified loading fraction of a loading of a maximally loaded bit line. No additional space or additional circuitry is required. Four NFET pair arrangements are personalizable by via placement by a designer or design automation program. One of the NFET pair arrangements is usable to pad load on a bit line without altering a logical personalization of the bit line. Proper selection from the four NFET pair arrangements ensure that no bit line has less than the specified loading fraction of the loading of the maximally loaded bit line, as well as providing proper logical personality of the bit line.

Abstract: In an electronic device having a processor, a visual display, apparatus for entering data into said device, and an electronic memory, a method for reliably determining whether confidential handwritten or voice data entered into the electronic device for processing has been recognized by the device as representing a character the user intended to enter, comprising the steps of receiving a data entry, translating the entry into digital signals and combining the digital signals to create a character, saving the character in electronic memory, commencing a timing sequence, displaying the character on the visual display, awaiting the expiration of the timing sequence, and replacing the character with a mask character on the visual display and, if the character was incorrect, allowing the user to re-enter the character and, if the character was correct, accepting another character, and, when all characters have been entered, sending the saved characters to the processor for processing.

Abstract: A method for preparing a motor vehicle for a crash test is disclosed. The method subjects the motor vehicle to a sequence of different tests and provides a system of staged modifications that can be made to help the motor vehicle pass the current test without invalidating test results obtained earlier in the sequence. In some cases, this method can be used to confirm that a particular motor vehicle qualifies for a certain crash test routine.

Abstract: A method for crash testing a motor vehicle is disclosed. The method provides a crash test routine where an inflatable restraint is deployed using a single deployment pattern throughout at least one government regulation zone. This helps to prevent overlap of a transition zone and can help make the deployment of the inflatable restraint more predictable. This can increase occupant safety and simply testing.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for informing users that data associated with one or more concurrently-running components has changed. In a preferred embodiment, the system and method comprise a GUI that includes a plurality of tabs associated with independently selectable components. When data associated with a particular component changes, the component's tab is made to flash. The flashing continues until the user selects the component. In a second preferred embodiment, when the tab associated with the component whose data has changed is not currently displayed, a different GUI element is made to flash until the tab is displayed. Further, a user may be informed of the change in data by vibration of the electronic device or by an audible sound.

Abstract: A system and method for servoing on a moving target within a dynamic scene. According to one embodiment, the system includes a master variable pointing camera system and a plurality of slave variable pointing camera systems positioned around the scene. The system also includes a master control unit in communication with the master variable pointing camera system. The master control unit is for determining, based on parameters of the master variable pointing camera system, parameters for each of the slave variable pointing camera systems such that, at a point in time, the master variable pointing camera system and the slave variable pointing camera systems are aimed at the target and a size of the target in an image from each of the master variable pointing camera system and the slave variable pointing camera systems is substantially the same. The system also includes a plurality of slave camera control units in communication with the master control unit.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for informing users that data associated with one or more concurrently-running components has changed. In a preferred embodiment, the system and method comprise a GUI that includes a plurality of tabs associated with independently selectable components. When data associated with a particular component changes, the component's tab is made to flash. The flashing continues until the user selects the component. In a second preferred embodiment, when the tab associated with the component whose data has changed is not currently displayed, a different GUI element is made to flash until the tab is displayed.

Abstract: A cargo enclosure including a floor having a plurality of edges including a first edge, a second edge and a third edge. At least two sidewalls, including a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall connected to the first edge of the floor, the second sidewall connected to the second edge of the floor. At least one hinge is connected along the third edge of the floor, the at least one hinge being rotatable about an axis. A composite door is connected to the at least one hinge, the door having a closed position and the hinge having a plurality of torsion springs rotatable about the axis, the plurality of torsion springs biasing the composite door toward the closed position.