Abstract: A battery tray for a battery powered vehicle includes a battery tray having a side wall. An impact absorbing structure is connected to the side wall. The impact absorbing structure includes at least one roll-formed member fixed to the side wall. The at least one roll-formed member is created from a single metal plate and includes a first plate portion roll-formed to create a first cavity and having a first flange created in a member central wall of the first plate portion. The first flange is fixed to the first plate portion. A second plate portion is roll-formed to create a second cavity and has a second flange at an end of the second plate portion fixed to the member central wall. A roll-formed U-shaped attachment member is fixed to the at least one roll-formed member.

Abstract: A battery tray for a battery powered vehicle includes a battery tray having a side wall. An impact absorbing structure is connected to the side wall. The impact absorbing structure includes at least one roll-formed member fixed to the side wall. The at least one roll-formed member is created from a single metal plate and includes a first plate portion roll-formed to create a first cavity and having a first flange created in a member central wall of the first plate portion. The first flange is fixed to the first plate portion. A second plate portion is roll-formed to create a second cavity and has a second flange at an end of the second plate portion fixed to the member central wall. A roll-formed U-shaped attachment member is fixed to the at least one roll-formed member.

Abstract: A motor vehicle window assembly. One implementation includes a wiper in electrical communication between a defrost grid of a movable window assembly and an elongate conductor of a guide rail assembly having a straight guide portion and an oblique guide portion, and in contact with the elongate conductor when the movable window assembly is in an open position. Another implementation includes an actuator cable including a core having a terminus coupled to a cable connector portion of a movable window assembly, wherein when the actuator cable is actuated, the movable window assembly moves in a direction extending away from an open position along a plane, toward a closed position out of the plane, and into the closed position in another plane such that the terminus of the core is carried out of the plane by the movable window assembly.

Abstract: A motor vehicle window assembly, one implementation of which includes a wiper in electrical communication between a defrost grid of a movable window and an elongate conductor of a guide rail assembly having a straight guide portion and an oblique guide portion, and in contact with the elongate conductor when the movable window is in an open position. At least one implementation of the window assembly includes an actuator cable including a core having a terminus coupled to a cable connector portion of the movable window, wherein when the actuator cable is actuated, the movable window moves in a direction extending away from the open position along a plane, toward a closed position out of the plane, and into the closed position in another plane such that the terminus of the core is carried out of the plane by the movable window.

Abstract: A motor vehicle window assembly. One implementation includes a wiper in electrical communication between a defrost grid of a movable window assembly and an elongate conductor of a guide rail assembly having a straight guide portion and an oblique guide portion, and in contact with the elongate conductor when the movable window assembly is in an open position. Another implementation includes an actuator cable including a core having a terminus coupled to a cable connector portion of a movable window assembly, wherein when the actuator cable is actuated, the movable window assembly moves in a direction extending away from an open position along a plane, toward a closed position out of the plane, and into the closed position in another plane such that the terminus of the core is carried out of the plane by the movable window assembly.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly is operative to provide a controlled payout of cable in response to an application of a minimum predetermined amount of force upon the tire carrier assembly. The tire carrier assembly includes a housing having a bottom wall and a side wall extending outwardly from the bottom wall defining an interior space. A rotation shaft is coupled to the housing and having a longitudinal axis. A sheave is coupled to the shaft and rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A gear member extends from the sheave and is rotatable therewith about the longitudinal axis. A pin fixedly secured to the housing. A torque plate has a gear portion epicyclically engaged with the gear member of the sheave. The torque plate has an arm portion extending generally radially outwardly with respect to the gear portion. The torque plate has a closed-ended slot formed in the arm portion and receiving the pin therethrough. The arm portion has legs extending along opposite sides of the slot.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly is operative to provide a controlled payout of cable in response to an application of a minimum predetermined amount of force upon the tire carrier assembly. The tire carrier assembly includes a housing having a bottom wall and a side wall extending outwardly from the bottom wall defining an interior space. A rotation shaft is coupled to the housing and having a longitudinal axis. A sheave is coupled to the shaft and rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A gear member extends from the sheave and is rotatable therewith about the longitudinal axis. A pin fixedly secured to the housing. A torque plate has a gear portion epicyclically engaged with the gear member of the sheave. The torque plate has an arm portion extending generally radially outwardly with respect to the gear portion. The torque plate has a closed-ended slot formed in the arm portion and receiving the pin therethrough. The arm portion has legs extending along opposite sides of the slot.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly for storing a spare tire on a vehicle which includes a carrier adapted for supporting the spare tire and a winch operatively connected to the carrier to raise and lower the carrier between a stowed position wherein the carrier is inaccessible and a deployed position wherein the carrier is accessible. The winch has a flexible member secured to the carrier and one of an electric motor and a manual device which selectively raises and lowers the carrier between the stowed and deployed positions. A sensor is activated when the carrier is in the stowed position. A warning indicator is operably connected to the sensor so that the warning indicator is activated and provides the operator with a warning when the carrier is out of the stowed position and the sensor is not activated.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly includes a rotation shaft and a housing have a bottom wall including a first aperture for receiving the rotation shaft. The housing also includes a sidewall extending upward from the bottom wall defining an interior space. The sidewall includes inner and outer surfaces. A sheave is disposed within the interior space of the housing and has a second aperture that receives the rotation shaft. The sheave also includes a gear member associated with it. Also included is a torque plate having a base, the base having opposing first and second surfaces and a third aperture formed therein. The third aperture has a gear portion formed around a periphery of the aperture. The torque plate also includes an arm portion projecting radially from the base. The gear portion of the torque plate is in operable engagement with the gear member of the sheave.