Abstract: A liftgate arrangement including a thermoplastic inner panel with an outer surface and an inner surface. The liftgate arrangement further includes one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements connected to and extending across a portion of the outer surface of the inner panel. The one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements also includes a channel extending between two openings on the one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements. The one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements are used to strengthen the inner panel at desired locations.

Abstract: A liftgate structure having a composite inner panel with an outside surface having a lower perimeter surface area extending across the entire width of the composite liftgate structure. Connectable to the inner panel is a composite outer panel that has an inside surface with a lower perimeter surface area extending across substantially the entire width of the liftgate structure. Between the inner panel in the outer panel is a backing curtain. The backing curtain is connected to the outside surface of the inner panel such that the backing curtain is positioned between the outer panel on the inner panel and extends substantially across both the lower perimeter surface area of the inner panel and the lower perimeter surface area of the outer panel. The backing curtain prevents broken pieces of the outer panel for moving past the backing curtain in the event of an impact on the liftgate structure.

Abstract: A liftgate arrangement including a thermoplastic inner panel with an outer surface and an inner surface. The liftgate arrangement further includes one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements connected to and extending across a portion of the outer surface of the inner panel. The one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements also includes a channel extending between two openings on the one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements. The one or more carbon fiber sheet mold compound reinforcements are used to strengthen the inner panel at desired locations.

Abstract: An exterior body panel assembly having a Class A painted surface, mold-in color or non-Class A surface, and process of infrared welding components of the assembly. Panels of the assembly are placed on a nesting structure and the inside half of the structures are brought together with the other for a fit check. Panels are separated and an infrared heating fixture then heats the various areas to be heated on the panels. The areas on the panels are heated depending on the thicknesses of the parts at each area and surface geometries to be welded. The parts are immediately clamped back together under pressure for joining and cooling of the joined surfaces in the clamped arrangement.

Abstract: An exterior body panel assembly having a Class A painted surface, mold-in color or non-Class A surface, and process of infrared welding components of the assembly. Panels of the assembly are placed on a nesting structure and the inside half of the structures are brought together with the other for a fit check. Panels are separated and an infrared heating fixture then heats the various areas to be heated on the panels. The areas on the panels are heated depending on the thicknesses of the parts at each area and surface geometries to be welded. The parts are immediately clamped back together under pressure for joining and cooling of the joined surfaces in the clamped arrangement.

Abstract: An exterior body panel assembly having a Class A painted surface, mold-in color or non-Class A surface, and process of infrared welding components of the assembly. Panels of the assembly are placed on a nesting structure and the inside half of the structures are brought together with the other for a fit check. Panels are separated and an infrared heating fixture then heats the various areas to be heated on the panels. The areas on the panels are heated depending on the thicknesses of the parts at each area and surface geometries to be welded. The parts are immediately clamped back together under pressure for joining and cooling of the joined surfaces in the clamped arrangement.

Abstract: An exterior body panel assembly having a Class A painted surface, mold-in color or non-Class A surface, and process of infrared welding components of the assembly. Panels of the assembly are placed on a nesting structure and the inside half of the structures are brought together with the other for a fit check. Panels are separated and an infrared heating fixture then heats the various areas to be heated on the panels. The areas on the panels are heated depending on the thicknesses of the parts at each area and surface geometries to be welded. The parts are immediately clamped back together under pressure for joining and cooling of the joined surfaces in the clamped arrangement.

Abstract: A load bearing structural assembly comprising a threaded lead screw having a central axis, the lead screw having a mounting mechanism and an anchor mechanism affixed to one end thereof; the lead screw having mounted thereon a first drive nut having an opening therethrough, the first drive nut having a predetermined load bearing capacity, the structural assembly having a second drive nut having an opening therethrough the second nut affixed to the first drive nut, the second nut having a much greater predetermined load bearing capacity than the first drive nut; the structural assembly having a collet having an interior and exterior, the collet in communication with the exterior surface of the second drive nut upon the interior of the collet, having an opening therethrough, having a transmission mechanism affixed to the first drive nut and the collet, when the transmission mechanism subjects a load upon the first drive nut in a direction along the lead screw, such load will be subjected upon the collet which wi

Abstract: A method of fastening, at least one tubular element at, at least one portion thereof to an at least one member of predetermined thickness, the method comprising establishing at least one opening through the at least one member, the at least one opening extending through the thickness of the at least one member, providing recesses within the at least one member, the recesses of predetermined configuration and being disposed about the perimeter of the at least one opening through the at least one member, the recesses extending radially away from the at least one opening and across at least a portion of the thickness of the at least one member, inserting the at least one tubular element within the at least one opening; holding the at least one tubular element and the at least one member within a jig; establishing recesses within the jig proximate each abutting edge of each of the tubular elements and the at least one opening through the at least one member; applying a predetermined force upon the ends of the at

Abstract: An improved pivot assembly comprising a pivot mechanism upon which a seat adjuster pivots, a bracket mechanism having an elongated slot in which a fastening mechanism for the pivot mechanism is contained, a lining portion affixed to the bracket mechanism the lining portion having flanges extending through the elongated slot laterally away from the lining portion, the flanges having a predetermined curvature, a fastening mechanism passing through the lining portion, bracket mechanism and pivot mechanism, whereby when the fastening mechanism is affixed to the pivot mechanism through the bracket mechanism the flanges of the lining portion are biased against the fastening mechanism, thereby the tolerance of the improved pivot assembly are optimized to allow a minimum of play or chuck amongst the components therefor.