Abstract: A method of installing a carpet member in a motor vehicle includes the general step of orienting the carpet member so that an underside faces upward. The method additionally includes the step of engaging an edge of the carpet member with a plurality of studs upwardly extending from the vehicle. The method of the present invention further includes the step of rotating the carpet member about the plurality of studs to conceal the plurality of studs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a windshield frame utilizing composite technology. More particularly, the windshield frame preferably comprises a fiber reinforced plastic molded upper frame section bonded with a structural grade adhesive to a fiber reinforced plastic molded lower frame section. According to the invention, steel reinforcements and tapping plates are bonded on or molded into the frame sections to stabilize the structure and provide hardware attachment points. Continuous carbon fibers may also be molded in the frame sections in critical high stress areas. The strength of the bonding between the frame sections is enhanced by a tongue and groove geometry along the interface. In addition, dowel pins and bushings are used to mechanically tie the frame sections together near body side attachment points.

Abstract: An open-top vehicle rear cross car beam body support arrangement for an open-top vehicle having a passenger compartment defined in part by a front floor pan ending in an elevated rear floor pan together with right and left rear inner wheelhouse panels. The beam arrangement includes forming each wheelhouse panel upper inboard portion with a recessed step defining opposed upstanding riser portions each having a lower edge terminating in an inboard extending tread portion. An upper horizontal gusset panel of the beam is welded to upper portions of spaced apart front and rear downstanding gusset panels, while lower flanges of the front and rear gusset panels are welded to the rear floor pan forming a closed section cross beam. The outboard ends of the upper gusset panel terminate in connector portions, each formed with an upstanding shroud having a top panel defined by fore and aft downstanding side walls together with an inboard wall.

Abstract: An add-on structural support arrangement for a convertible-type vehicle rear passenger shoulder belt system comprising a pair of mirror image composite pillars fixedly disposed at each rear corner of the rear seat compartment. Each pillar includes three vertically elongated sheet metal members, i.e. a forward seat attaching panel member, an intermediate anchor panel member, and an aft channel member, substantially coextensive in length and welded in flatwise abutment. A horizontal tie bar interconnects the upper ends of the forward panel members, while lower oblique wing of each anchor panel member is bolted to an associated portion of the body floor pan. A shoulder belt retractor is mounted on a lower rear face of each pillar while each aft channel member provides a vertically extending guideway for passage for its associated shoulder belt. The anchor panel is formed with a U-section in cross-sectional view defining a pair of side flanges each provided with a midpoint attachment ear.