Abstract: A vehicle bed storage device may include a rotatable beam. The beam is comprised of a pair of aligned tubular members. The beam is rotatable between a first position in which the storage device defines a vehicle bed divider and a second position in which the storage device defines an overhead storage rack. Rotatable joints connect the beam to the vehicle bed and allow the beam to be rotated between stops at the first position and the second position. At least one clamp maintains the aligned orientation of the tubular members of the beam. A sleeve based mounting interface may be applied to the tubular members of the beam to facilitate mounting various objects to the beam. Alternatively, a clamp-based mounting interface may be applied to the beam to facilitate mounting various objects to the beam.

Abstract: A power actuator for moving automotive closure panels between opened and closed positions. The actuator is particularly adapted for actuating the rear tailgate of a pickup truck type vehicle and includes an electric drive motor, a flexible cable assembly, and a strut assembly coupled to the hinge of the tailgate. Electrical control signals are applied to cause the opening and closing motion upon appropriate input electrical signals from vehicle mounted switches. The actuator assembly provides controlled opening rotational rate of the tailgate against the force of gravity through the application of a reduced electrical power level applied to the motor by a separate power source or by shunting the motor to an electrodynamic braking effect. Closing of the tailgate is caused by applying full power to the electric motor. The invention also involves the design of a hinge assembly which efficiently transfers torque between the vehicle body and closure panel, while allowing serviceability of the closure panel.

Abstract: A connector connecting structure for a detachable seat is provided which includes a floor-side hook provided rotatably on a floor, an arm coupled and fixed to the floor-side hook, and a floor-side connector provided on the arm, wherein a seat-side hook causes the floor-side hook in a collapsed state to rotate in a direction in which the floor-side hook erects together with the arm, so that a seat-side connector and the floor-side connector are connected to each other, when a seat is attached. The seat is caused to rotate such that the arm is erecting so as to bring both the connectors into connection with each other. The floor-side hook is provided with a semi-ring portion and a straight portion and is supported on the floor at an intermediate portion thereof by a shaft portion, and the arm is coupled and fixed to the floor-side hook via the shaft portion.

Abstract: A system and method to configure the back seats of a passenger vehicle to provide easy vehicle ingress and egress and to configure the back seats for a flat or near flat load (cargo) floor.

Abstract: A guide device-for a component of a motor vehicle, such as a sun visor, is used to move at least one cable to a connector in the visor. The guide device includes a cable guide having a ramp for displacing the, cable toward the connector.

Abstract: An electric tarping system for covering open transport containers comprising a tarp, an electric lift with moveable framework, and an electric motor. The electric lift raises or lowers to provide the tarp with the necessary height needed to adequately cover the open transport container. Once the height is reached, the tarp is either rolled or unrolled to cover or uncover the transport container.

Abstract: A system for positioning a tarpaulin on a flatbed is provided. According to one embodiment, the system comprises a lifting device and a tarpaulin positioning apparatus structured to be attached to the lifting device. The lifting device is structured to lift at least a portion of the tarpaulin positioning apparatus above the flatbed and to move the portion of the tarpaulin positioning apparatus over the length of the flatbed from one end to the other. The tarpaulin positioning apparatus is further structured to deploy the tarpaulin on the flatbed as the portion of the tarpaulin positioning apparatus is moved over the length of the flatbed from one end to the other by the lifting device.

Abstract: A component of an adjustment mechanism for a vehicle roof of a convertible, designed to be adjustable between a first position and a second position, which is exposed to alternating loads as a function of its position and is topologically and/or topographically adjusted to the loads acting on component for a predefined design space, so that a uniform stress distribution is at least approximately present in component, at least in critical load situations, and the component is designed in the areas with limited load with less use of material than in the areas with higher load, or with a recess.

Abstract: In a convertible vehicle having a folding convertible top (16), whose rear side is affixed to a tensioning bow (20) laterally supported relative to the vehicle, and a rear trunk lid (14) laterally supported relative to the vehicle, wherein its front side is arranged in the vicinity of the tensioning bow in its closed state, the tensioning bow (20) can be brought into an upwardly pivoted position during the opening of the rear trunk lid (14) or when the rear trunk lid is opened, so that an opening for loading of a luggage compartment, which is arranged underneath the rear trunk lid and underneath the tensioning bow at least when the folding convertible top is closed, is enlarged.

Abstract: A method of making an integrated inner trim panel for a vehicle door and an inner trim panel made thereby are disclosed. The method includes sequentially spraying a skin layer, a padding layer, and applying a structural layer in an open mold that defines the facing surface of the inner panel of a door. The integrated inner trim panel may be provided with areas of greater and lesser padding. The skin layer may be formed from a reactant mixture of polyurethane. The padding layer may be a foam polyurethane composition. The structural layer may be a glass-reinforced polyurethane reactant mixture. The inner door panel is an integrated layered structure including a skin layer, a padding layer, and a structural layer. The padding layer may be varied in thickness to provide selectively variable padding in predetermined areas.

Abstract: A door control system and method for a vehicle door includes a power assist mechanism. The system starts a power assistance for opening of the vehicle door from a fully closed position when the vehicle door is moved by an operation of a door handle under a condition that a door lock being disengaged in association with the operation of the door handle. The power assistance force is supplied to the vehicle door by actuating the power assist mechanism when the vehicle door is judged to be not moving even after a preset time period lapsed from a counting of a time started from the operation of the door handle.

Abstract: A lubricating oil composition comprising a) an oil of lubricating viscosity having a viscosity index of at least about 95; b) at least one calcium detergent; c) at least one oil soluble titanium compound; d) at least one friction modifier; and e) at least one metal dihydrocarbyldithiophosphate compound. The composition has a Noack volatility of about 15 wt. % or less, and contains from about 0.05 to about 0.6 wt. % calcium from the calcium detergent, titanium metal in an amount of at least about 10 ppm up to about 1500 ppm titanium from the titanium compound, and phosphorus from the metal dihydrocarbyldithiophosphate compound in an amount up to about 0.1 wt. %.

Abstract: An auxiliary air foil device for mounting on a vehicle is disclosed. The air foil device includes an enclosure comprising a base plate, a plurality of side walls, and an air foil panel. The air foil panel is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the outside air flow will be substantially isolated from the volume within the enclosure. The open position provides access from outside of the enclosure to a volume within the enclosure. An actuator interconnects the underside of the air foil panel with the interior side of the base plate and allows for selective moving of the air foil panel between the open and closed positions. The actuator is pivotably connected to the base plate and the air foil panel, such that as the actuator changes length the rotational position of the air foil panel with respect to the base plate is also changed.

Abstract: An improved device for the reduction of aerodynamic drag and for improved performance of multiple component vehicles by reducing the pressure on the front face of the trailing vehicle or vehicle component by controlling the flow in the gap between the leading vehicle component and the trailing vehicle component. An improved device for generating a reduction in the drag force on a bluff face object moving through air. The device consist of the application of a plurality of forward extending surfaces that are positioned adjacent to one another on the forward facing surface of a bluff face object and are aligned parallel to the object center line and perpendicular to the local flow direction. The reduction in drag force results from the summation of a plurality of local reductions in drag force generated by the interaction of vortex structures emanating from the leading edges of the plurality of forward extending surfaces with the forward facing surface of a blunt face object.

Abstract: A folding type door is fitted in a cab box. Two door panels and are disposed substantially in the same vertical plane as a left side cover of an upper revolving structure when said door in a closed position. Catches and are provided in a left rear side section of the cab box. Provided on door panels and of the folding type door are strikers and to be attachably or detachably engaged with the catches and separately of each other. When the folding type door is opened, the respective door panels and are each retained in an open door position by engagement of two sets of strikers and and catches and which prevents rattling movements of each door panel to retain the folding type door in a stabilized state.

Abstract: A molded composite panel for a vehicle and a method of constructing a panel assembly. The individual panels have laminated layers of abutting dissimilar materials including a core of material and outer layers of fibrous material molded on opposite sides of the core. The outer layers are molded at least in part about a plurality of connection features such that the connection features are carried by at least one of the outer layers or the core. The connection features of one panel are accessible for operable attachment to connection features of an adjacent panel to form a panel assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle hood for achieving generally predetermined deformation in an event of a front impact. The hood may include an outer panel including at least one raised section along rear and side edges of the hood for thereby defining a reverse power dome. An inner panel may be attached to the outer panel and include at least two laterally extending beams each of which extend substantially across a width of the hood respectively adjacent front and the rear edges. At least one crush initiator may be disposed adjacent each of the laterally extending beams for enabling generally predetermined deformation of the hood in the event of a front impact.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structural element (1), particularly a hybrid structural element, for a cross member of a vehicle, in which a base body (2) is provided, which is at least partially lined with plastic (4) and which is provided with at least one flow tap (8a to 8e). Said base body (2) is, in the area of the flow tap (8a to 8e), provided with a flow-guiding means (9).

Abstract: A roof structure for a trailer includes a roof sheet attached to top rails of the trailer, and a plurality of spaced apart roof bows attached to the roof sheet. The roof bows provide structural support to the roof structure and are mounted on the exterior of the trailer, such that the roof bows are exposed to the environment. The roof sheet faces the interior of the trailer and provides a smooth, snag-free interior surface on the inside of the trailer.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus which can be used to move a person supported on the apparatus between a lying position in which the apparatus is substantially flat on a support surface and a seating position supported by the apparatus. The apparatus includes a frame which supports sheet material on which the person is supported. The apparatus can be moved between said conditions with the person supported thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to an armchair tablet hinge system. According to the invention, the tablet (1) is mounted to an armrest of the armchair by means of a support (4), said support containing a hollow shaft (5). The end of the hollow shaft is provided with a head (6) to which the tablet (1) is articulated by means of a cam-shaped element (7). In addition, rod (10) is housed in the aforementioned shaft (5) and is pushed against the cam-shaped element (7) by means of a spring (11). Moreover, the end of the rod (10) can be inserted into a notch (13) in the cam (7) in order provisionally to block the rotation of the tablet (1).

Abstract: A console sliding armrest assembly for a vehicle includes a storage compartment having an opening for allowing ingress and egress of objects, and a console lid pivotally connected to the storage compartment. The lid may include a sliding armrest operatively engaged therewith. A guide assembly may be disposed within the lid for guiding the armrest, and may include a slider frame connected to the armrest. A guide plate may be connected to the lid for supporting the armrest, and a rail may be secured in the slider frame. The guide plate may be slidably engaged with the rail for allowing sliding movement of the armrest. A spring may be disposed between the slider frame and the rail, and may be engaged to either the slider frame or the rail for biasing the rail against the guide plate, and for thereby regulating tension in the guide assembly.

Abstract: A snowmobile seat configured to be disposed over a track tunnel of a snowmobile includes a base section including closed-cell foam configured to be disposed over the track tunnel of the snowmobile. A seat section including open-cell foam is disposed over at least a portion of the base section. The open-cell foam of the seat section is different than the closed-cell foam of the base section. A cover covers at least a portion of the seat section and the base section. At least one fastener secures the seat to the snowmobile.

Abstract: In a front part inside a seat cushion are arranged a catching member extending in a widthwise direction of the seat cushion and movable up and down, and inertial force transmission means for moving the catching member upward by the inertial force that acts on an inertial mass at the time of rapid deceleration. When a passenger sits on the seat cushion, the catching member moves down so as not to deteriorate the seat comfort, and at the time of rapid deceleration, the catching member moves up and stops the passenger's hips from moving forward. Thus it is reliably prevented that the passenger moves forward, without deteriorating the seat comfort, and the design is simple, lightweight, and low-cost.

Abstract: A base for fixing the safety seating system in a passenger car has an external guiding member that more than equatorially encompasses an internal guiding member for a direct spherical guiding of a removable seated newly born infant. The infant is seated with respect to the geometrical pivoting center and an overall mass axis of the rotating portions such that neck bending and head whip lashing are minimized during a vehicle crash. The encompassing spherical and direct guiding provides for a free impact aligned reorientation of the seated infant unimpeded by adjacent elements of the car that are eventually forced into contact during crash. The direct spherical guiding provides also for a lightweight construction of the rotating portions with low momentum of inertia and consequently high responsiveness of the safety seating system.

Abstract: An electrical docking station for attachment to a vehicle seat. A variety of different modules each including circuitry for performing certain seat functions can be removably attached to the docking station. The docking station includes a connector plate for connecting the wires from the modules to the seat, as well as an attachment mechanism for mechanically attaching the docking station to the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seating system can be used within a variety of vehicles to reduce positional fatigue and other effects of long distance traveling. Such a system includes a typical vehicle seat mountable in a vehicle, at least two powered seat adjustment actuators, and an electrical controller. The actuators are moveable to alter the seating position formed by the seat, thereby reducing fatigue experienced by a vehicle traveler.

Abstract: A head rest cover is provided with a plush head having facial features and a movement mechanism supported within the plush head for moving at least one of the facial features, such as the eyes, nose, ears, mouth and eyebrows.

Abstract: A chair foot device for a wire frame chair stackable with other wire frame chairs includes a lower surface disposable on a support surface. An upper surface, opposite the lower surface is sized and shaped to carry the lower surface of an adjacent foot from an adjacently stacked upper chair. The chair foot also includes an alignment protrusion disposed on one of the lower and upper surfaces and an alignment indentation disposed on the other of the lower and upper surfaces. The alignment protrusion is sized and shaped to be receivable within an alignment indentation of a corresponding foot from an adjacently stacked chair. The foot is sized and shaped to carry an applied load from an adjacently stacked upper foot and to transfer the applied load to an adjacent load bearing surface. The foot is also sized and shaped to protect the wire frame chair from damage during stacking.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention concerns a lift-recliner chair comprising a base portion (12), a seat portion (14) pivotally connected to the base portion, a back portion (16) pivotally connected to the seat portion and a first actuator (62) for moving the seat portion with respect to the base portion and a second actuator (64) for moving the back portion with respect to the seat portion so as to alter the configuration of the chair. The actuators are substantially enclosed within the base portion of the chair between a pair of opposed structural base portion side panels (18) in all configurations of the chair. The seat portion is pivotally connected to the side panels (18) and is movable between a retracted and nested position within the base portion to an raised position in which it is telescopically extended from the base. The nested configuration can reduce the risk of entrapment between moving parts of the chair.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back portion, a cushion portion supported by a frame portion and provided to be movable, a supporting body included in the frame portion, a movable body included in the cushion portion and movable in the forward and backward direction, at least one guide wall provided at one of the supporting body and the movable body, and a sliding contact portion provided at the other one of the supporting body and the movable body and slidably movable, wherein the guide wall is formed, the sliding contact portion includes a main portion made of metal and a secondary portion deformed elastically, the secondary portion is interposed between the main portion and the guide wall and being in contact with the guide wall.

Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus for a vehicle includes a first plate held at one of a seat cushion frame and a seatback frame, a second plate held at the other one of the seat cushion frame and the seatback frame, a pole having an external tooth facing the internal tooth, a first protrusion provided at the pole, a restricting portion provided at the second plate so as to face the first, the restricting portion coming in contact with the first protrusion so that the internal tooth and the external tooth are prohibited from being engaged, a second protrusion provided at the pole, and a stopper portion provided at the second plate for keeping a rotational angle of the second plate relative to the first plate at a predetermined angle upon a contact with the second protrusion.

Abstract: A buoyant pool chair supports a swimmer in an upright, semi-reclining or sitting position while the chair is floating in a swimming pool. Interconnected rigid frame members collectively form an open chair frame for supporting buoyant cushions. The buoyant cushions include layers of flexible cushion material secured together in overlapping relation, with the frame members being sandwiched between the overlapping layers. A layer of adhesive material bonds the overlapping cushion layers together and forms a water-tight seal around the frame members. A flexible layer of a water- resistant coating material is bonded to external surface portions of the buoyant cushions to provide a further protective layer and water-tight seal.

Abstract: A folding seat system includes a lower seat portion and a seat back pivotally coupled thereto such that the seat back collapses towards the lower seat portion and opens away from the lower seat portion. Coupled to the seat back is a lumbar support basket including an upper pivot rod pivotally coupled widthwise across the seat back and a lower push rod generally parallel to the pivot rod. The lumbar support basket extends outwardly when the push rod moves upwardly in response to engaging a platform on the lower seat portion and flattens when the push rod moves downwardly in response to disengaging the platform.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pole guide for a headrest of an automobile, which does not deform in high temperatures in welding in its manufacturing process, so that both side ends of the pole guide do not gape or warp at a joint thereof. The pole guide is obtained by pressing and forming a flat panel (31) on progressive dies, and the flat panel (31) is vertically provided with a fixing groove (32) at a upper part of a top end thereof, and provided with coupling elements (33) at both opposing side ends thereof to be engaged with each other.

Abstract: A seat comfort device to make it comfortable for children to ride in cars and/or to use with booster or child safety seats. Both sides of the device are provided with pillows for resting the user's head, and to prevent the child from falling over when the child is asleep.

Abstract: A head restraint system and a method for producing a vehicle head restraint system include an in situ molding process that includes disposing at least a portion of a structural frame within a head restraint pad cover. An automatic return system is also disposed within the pad cover. An uncured polymeric material is introduced inside the pad cover such that it is applied to at least a portion of the frame, the automatic return system, and at least a portion of the inside surface of the pad cover. The polymeric material will then cure, forming a head restraint pad.

Abstract: A retractable headrest for vehicle having a general versatility. All the components of a retracting mechanism for retracting a headrest body are provided inside the headrest body. Thus, any additional component does not need to be provided inside a seatback. Accordingly, even if the seatback can take various forms according to the type of a vehicle, yet the headrest body can be made retractable by an actuator simply by attaching the headrest to an upper portion of the seatback, using a pillar. Thus way, there can be provided a retractable headrest for vehicle with a high versatility.

Abstract: This invention is a kit from which a love seat type sofa can easily be assemble by a consumer at home with simple tools. It has a basal structural assembly that is an “E” shaped assembly of boards with a brace across the open part of the “E” and a board on which the seat cushions will rest, a rear structural assembly that presents the back of the sofa and the backrest against which the back cushions will rest, a number of bolts which is ideally ten, a number of pegs which is ideally four, at least one allen wrench, two arms, a base, a number of feet which is ideally four, and a number of cushions which is also ideally four. The allen wrench is adapted to drive the bolts. The basal structural assembly can be attached by bolts to the rear structural assembly. Pegs are then driven partially into the inner surfaces of the two arms using a hammer supplied by the customer. The arms are then driven onto the sides of the base and rear assemblies by means of corresponding holes into which the pegs fit.

Abstract: A tamper resistant attachment apparatus for attaching a backrest to a chair frame. A flap is foldably coupled to an edge of a chair backrest. The flap is foldable over onto the backrest into a folded position. The flap has a channel that fits around a frame of a chair when the flap is in the folded position. At least one aperture that extends through the flap can receive a corresponding pin that is coupled to the backrest when the flap is in the folded position. The at least one pin is deformable to secure the flap and backrest around the chair frame when the flap is in the folded position.

Abstract: A seat support apparatus includes a seat supporting beam unit which, to absorb a torque, has at least two force-absorbing elements, the longitudinal axes of which intersect in an intersecting point above at least one top side of the seat supporting beam unit.

Abstract: A construction machine for machining floor surfaces, wherein the machine includes a milling roll having a plurality of tool holders on a surface thereof. A tool, especially a straight shank tool, is received in a tool receiving element of the tool holder in an exchangeable manner. With this invention it is possible to change the tool in one such construction machine in a simplified manner. Thus, the milling roll is associated with a tool changing device, and the tool changing device dismounts each tool from the tool holder and/or mounts each tool in the tool holder.

Abstract: A series of paddlewheels and vehicles having specially shaped paddles and with tires around the outside circumference of the paddles, made to run on firm ground, such as roadways, dirt and packed sand and able to move directly into mud, bogs, marshes, snow, loose sand and water without the need to change equipment.

Abstract: A hub assembly for a disk brake of a bicycle includes a support shaft, a hub body pivotally mounted on the support shaft and provided with two drum disks, a mounting portion protruded from one of the drum disks, a threaded section protruded from the mounting portion, a brake disk rested on the end face of the mounting portion, and a chainwheel screwed onto the threaded section and pressed on the brake disk so that the brake disk is clamped between the mounting portion and the chainwheel closely. Thus, the brake disk is mounted on and detached from the hub body by screwing and unscrewing the chainwheel, so that the hub assembly is assembled and disassembled easily and rapidly, thereby facilitating a user assembling and disassembling the hub assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an axle bracket housing. In order to configure the latter in a cost-effective manner, the central support piece is rolled from sheet metal.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic retarder having a toroidal working chamber formed from a rotor impeller and a stator impeller. The stator impeller has a stator housing with a substantially ring-shaped evacuation channel formed in the stator housing. The stator impeller has a plurality of boreholes, which join the toroidal working chamber to the evacuation channel.

Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle brake includes a brake housing in which a hydraulic working pressure chamber is delimited by a brake piston, wherein the brake piston, in the applied condition, can be locked by means of a locking device, locking thereof being allowed by a relative movement of a force-transmitting element, wherein an energy accumulator cooperating with the brake piston is provided, which is comprised of a lockable accumulator pressure chamber, an accumulator piston delimiting the accumulator pressure chamber, and at least one spring element being supported on the accumulator piston. To perform a parking brake operation, the locking device is activated in that the force-transmitting element after a hydraulic pressure buildup is arrested by an electromagnetic or electromechanical actuator so that a relative movement between the accumulator pressure chamber and the force-transmitting element is rendered possible.

Abstract: When an abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality in a vehicle brake system, a heat generation suppression unit operates the motor intermittently to suppress heat generation by the motor. A pressure increase determination unit determines whether there is a need to increase pressure to the wheel cylinders of the brake system. When there is a need to increase pressure to the wheel cylinders, the heat generation suppression unit operates the motor. When there is no need to increase pressure to the wheel cylinders, the heat generation suppression unit stops the motor.

Abstract: An advanced braking system for an aircraft is disclosed. A controller calculates the braking required from each wheel in terms of force. A constant deceleration is achieved throughout a braking run by calculating the braking from other sources, principally aerodynamic drag, and commanding a complementary total level of braking from the wheel brakes. The performance of each wheel and brake are monitored during the braking run to determine whether their braking performance is limited by the brake discs or by the tyre-ground interaction and to see whether the wheel is approaching the maximum slip ratio after which a skid occurs. The controller uses this information to distribute the total demand for braking amongst the wheels. In doing this, it also aims to keep the braking demand symmetrical across the aircraft and not to overheat the brakes. The controller further measures the braking force provided by a wheel and controls its brake pressure accordingly to achieve the force desired.

Abstract: A vehicle brake device is configured to limit a drop in a final target braking force when an abrupt deceleration is performed by the driver. The vehicle brake device has a brake operating element, a master cylinder and a controller. The brake operating element is operated by the driver of a vehicle. The master cylinder is operatively coupled to the brake operating element to generate a fluid pressure in accordance with an operation of the brake operating element. The controller calculates a target deceleration rate based on the fluid pressure of the master cylinder and controls a braking force of the vehicle in accordance with the target deceleration rate. The controller is limits a decrease in the target deceleration rate during an abrupt deceleration caused by the operation of the brake operating element by the driver.