Abstract: A roof arrangement for a motor vehicle, and which includes a roof module and a bodywork structure for receiving the roof module. The roof module has a roof outer skin and at least one load-bearing roof bow. The roof bow, on at least one lateral end thereof, includes a tongue extending vertically downward in an installed position. The bodywork structure includes an upwardly open channel in the installed position, the tongue being received in the channel.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement member for a vehicle body includes a bracket sized for mounting to a roof rail, spanning along the roof rail from a first pillar past a second pillar, and including a first support member extending inboard at a first roof bow. The bracket and the first roof bow are arranged such that the first support member transfers a load applied to the vehicle body to the first roof bow. The first support member may be shaped to conform to a shape of an end of the first roof bow that the first support member is secured thereto. A second roof bow may extend from the roof rail and the bracket may further include a second support member extending inboard at the second roof bow.

Abstract: A vehicular system is provided with a substantially hollow member having a long axis, a short axis, and an outer surface substantially parallel to the long axis. The outer surface includes a plurality of notched elements configured to reduce strain from bending the member in the direction of the short axis, e.g., by a stretch bending process. The hollow member may also include an outer surface that is curved substantially in the direction of the short axis. A method of making the vehicular assembly includes the steps: providing a substantially hollow member having a long axis, a short axis, and an outer surface substantially parallel to the long axis; cutting a plurality of notched elements into the outer surface; and bending the member such that the portion of the outer surface in proximity to the notched elements is in tension and curved in the short axis direction.

Abstract: A frame component of a vehicle, such as a header beam that couples between the A-pillars of a vehicle frame, includes an extruded hollow member having top and bottom exterior walls and side walls that together enclose an elongated internal volume of the hollow member. A pair of interior walls extends along the internal volume separating outer load sections adjacent to the side walls from a central attachment section. The outer load sections are void of apertures for supporting continuous load paths. A formation on the bottom exterior wall protrudes into the internal volume in the central attachment section. The formation includes an inset surface angled, located, and otherwise configured for attaching a subassembly to the frame component.

Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.

Abstract: A fastener for a machine frame is disclosed. The fastener may comprise a seat portion, at least one arm extending from the seat portion, and a back portion oriented to extend from the seat portion. The back portion may define an aperture therethrough. The fastener may also include a clip having a first side and a second side. The first side may define a window and the second side may include a flange that defines a port therethrough. The back portion may be sandwiched between the first and second sides of the clip and the window and port may each be generally aligned with the aperture.

Abstract: A canopy structure comprising a framework which includes a pair of spacedly disposed, curved tubes, a connecting member disposed between the respective forward ends of the two tubes, and a cross-member connectedly disposed between the two tubes at the highest point thereof. A forward horizontal beam is mounted on the cross-member and a rear horizontal beam is mounted at a position between the two tubes and to the rear of the forward horizontal beam. An adhesive strip is disposed upon each tube by enveloping means, and forward and rear glass panels are fixedly arranged on the canopy structure by means of said adhesive strips and by the forward and rear horizontal beams respectively. Also disclosed are a canopy assembly structure using a fixed column to fixedly connect one component having a metallic spacer with spacing holes to another component having mounting holes, and a cradle-type vehicle frame having a backrest framework.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a body including a pair of laterally spaced body members and a front roof rail and a rear roof rail spanning between the body members. The body members together with the front and rear roof rails support a roof structure. The body is formed of a steel or steel alloy. The roof structure includes a roof panel, a roof stiffener, a forward connecting member and a rearward connecting member. The roof structure is formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The roof structure is bonded to the body via an adhesive. A plurality of bolts is installed along adhesive application areas between the body and the roof structure. At least one bolt connects the forward connecting member to the front roof rail and at least one bolt connects the rearward connecting member to the rear roof rail.

Abstract: A vehicle structure body includes roof side rails 10 that extend in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle on both sides in a vehicle width direction, and center pillars 20 that are connected to rear end portions 10a of the roof side rails 10 and extend in a vertical direction of the vehicle. The cross-sectional area of the roof side rail 10 is substantially constant from the front end of the roof side rail 10 to a front position P in front of the center pillar 20, and the cross-sectional area of the roof side rail is reduced from the front position P to a position S immediately before a joint portion between the roof side rail 10 and the center pillar 20. When a collision load acts on the roof side rail 10, the roof side rail 10 is easily folded at a portion of which the cross-sectional area is reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the input of moment to the center pillar 20.

Abstract: The substitution of aluminum alloy roof panels for the low carbon steel roof panels most commonly used in motor vehicles is an attractive option for vehicle mass reduction. Often, however, the remainder of the vehicle body structure continues to be fabricated of steel. The combination of the aluminum alloy roof attached to the steel body may create compressive stresses in the aluminum roof when the body is subjected to elevated temperatures such as those required to cure or bake the paint applied to the body. These stresses may lead to unacceptable appearance features in the visible segment of the roof. By modifying the roof stamping to introduce a tabbed flange for attachment to the body and/or modifying the generally-vertical wall joining the flange to the roof interior, the stresses may be minimized and relocated to segments of the roof not normally visible.

Abstract: In a roof structure for the body of a motor vehicle with front roof pillars which are interconnected via a roof frame element, the roof frame element is arranged in a center section of the roof structure in relation to the connecting section thereof to the respective roof pillar so as to be set back in the longitudinal vehicle direction.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a roof panel having a segment that is formed of a thermoplastic material, a side panel having a segment that is formed of a metal, and a connection device. The roof panel may be connected to the side panel member by attaching the connection device to the side panel segment, heating the roof panel segment to melt at least a portion of it, enveloping the connection member within the melted portion of the roof panel segment; and, cooling the components.

Abstract: A body of a motor vehicle includes a lateral roof region that has an outer skin, an outer roof frame, and an inner roof frame, wherein the outer roof frame is arranged under the outer skin and the inner roof frame is arranged under the outer roof frame, and the outer skin, the outer roof frame, and the inner roof frame have a common welded flange, by means of which the outer skin and the outer and inner roof frames are connected to one another, and which is configured to receive an adhesive layer for a roof module having a roof module frame. An aspect of the invention is to provide an accident-optimized vehicle body at little expense that prevents a tearing off of the roof module, and is achieved in that the outer roof frame of the body is configured as a locking element for the roof module frame.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a pair of front pillars extending upward from a vehicle body. A pair of rails extends rearward from the pair of front pillars. A pair of rear pillars extends downward and rearward from the pair of rails to the vehicle body. A pair of roof panels is spaced apart along the vehicle body longitudinal axis, and each panel extends inboard from a respective rail. A transparent roof panel is interposed between the roof panels.

Abstract: A roof rail reinforcement device for a vehicle, may include at least a reinforcement attached to a roof rail to increase rigidity, and having a cut part formed by cutting a portion of a flange thereof to ensure therethrough a first sealer applying position formed at a distal end of the roof rail, thus allowing a mastic sealer to be applied to the distal end of the roof rail.

Abstract: A structure for a vehicle body upper portion, having sufficient rigidity, using a reduced number of parts, and capable of being assembled with reduced man-hours. A structure (15) for a vehicle body upper portion includes a roof rail (26) and a center pillar (27) which are connected together at respective ends thereof. The roof rail (26) is formed to have a closed cross-section by an upper member (31) and a lower member (32). An upper joint end section (45) of the upper member projects further toward the outside of the vehicle body than a lower joint end section (46) of the lower member. The center pillar (27) is formed to have a closed cross-section by an inner member (51) and an outer member (52). An outer joint end section (66) of the outer member extends up to the upper joint end section (45) while an inner joint end section (73) of the inner member extends up to the lower joint end section (46).

Abstract: A structural vehicular frame assembly includes an inner panel of interconnected flange members forming a first common plate of material and an outer panel of interconnected flange member forming a second common plate of material. Each of the flange members of the outer panel is joined to a respective one of the flange members of the inner panel in alignment therewith by one or more web members coupled between the inner panel and the outer panel such that the inner panel and the outer panel are spaced apart from one another and generally span alongside one another in a common direction of the frame assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle upper body structure includes an inner member and an outer member assembled together to form a roof side rail, a pillar and a roof cross rail joined together at a junction. The junction includes an inverted U-shaped reinforcement bracket having two legs joined to the inner member and a central web extending between the legs, and a reinforcement panel disposed between the inner and outer members and retained on an upper surface of the central web of the reinforcement bracket. The outer member is joined to an upper surface of the reinforcement panel.

Abstract: Vehicular upper-part structure includes left and right side roof rails located on opposite sides of a roof of a vehicle compartment, and a roof panel and roof arch member each joined at their opposite end portions to the side roof rails. Each of the side roof rails includes: an outer member; an inner member extending along the outer member, the inner member having a first vertical wall portion and a welding flange portion formed integrally with the first vertical wall portion, one of the opposite end portions of the roof arch member being joined to the welding flange portion by welding; and a second vertical wall portion formed by a stay member that is joined at its one end portion to the welding flange portion and supports a roof panel joint section having the roof panel joined thereto by welding.

Abstract: A hood scoop decoration kit includes a bezel trim member having a concave shape with first and second ends extending in a common direction from a center section thereof. The bezel trim member is attached to an exterior surface of a hood scoop adjacent a forward facing end thereof. A planar mesh member, having a trapezoidal shape, is attached to a forward facing end of a hood scoop. The kit includes an attachment device for securing the bezel trim and planar mesh members to the hood scoop. In one embodiment, an adhesive material is applied to the concave surface of the bezel trim member and to an edge of the mesh member to provide attachment of these members to the hood scoop. The adhesive material includes a fluid adhesive and/or a tape having opposed adhesive sides. Alternatively, mechanical fasteners are employed for securing the decorative members to the hood scoop.

Abstract: A roof structure for a vehicle can include a tailor-welded-blank, inner roof frame. The inner roof frame can include, at least in part, an elongated, transversely extending, intermediate roof rail having a first material thickness, and a plurality of reinforced roof rails. Each of the reinforced roof rails can extend away from the intermediate roof rail in a common direction toward a remote end of the inner roof frame. Each of the reinforced roof rails can have a different material thickness than the first material thickness of the intermediate roof rail.

Abstract: A motor vehicle equipped with a roof opening and a roof closing device that is displaceable between a closed position which closes the roof opening, and a stowed position that opens the roof opening. An additional roof closing device is provided that can close the roof opening when the roof closing device is in its stowed position. The roof closing device, in its stowed position, forms a functional assembly, in particular, at least one rear seat of the motor vehicle. The roof closing device is displaceably guided on vehicle-mounted guides mounted on longitudinal roof members on both sides of the roof opening, and on the lateral structures of the vehicle body. The roof closing device has two covers which are displaceably mounted on vehicle-mounted guides, can pivot relative to one another, and which, in the stowed position, form a seat surface or a backrest of at least one rear seat.

Abstract: A front pillar apparatus of a vehicle includes a panel portion supporting a windshield of the vehicle from an upper portion of the vehicle and a pillar portion connected to both ends of the panel portion to support the panel portion, wherein the panel portion includes an outer panel disposed in an outward direction of the vehicle and an inner panel disposed in an inward direction of the vehicle and formed to be extended in an direction of the outer panel, which apparatus has improved stiffness.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a front loader mounted at a front portion of the work vehicle to be vertically pivotable, a driving control device, and a canopy device for covering the driving control device from above, the canopy device including a roof disposed upwardly of the driving control device and a support body for supporting the roof. The roof includes a front visor portion which projects, in a plan view thereof, to a position same as or more forwardly of a front end portion of the driving control device. To a lower face of said front visor portion, there are attached a pair of right and left front illumination lamps, and there is provided an upper concave portion at the right/left center thereof. A lower face of the upper concave portion is formed as an inclined face which is inclined upward from a rear portion to a front edge of the front visor portion so as to be located at a higher position than the attaching position of the front illumination lamps.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes longitudinally extending elements such as roof side rail outer and inner members, a reinforcement member and a gusset that are part of a side impact energy management system for vehicles that include a sunroof. A laterally extending cross member is connected to the roof side rail members, and the roof side rail members are connected to an upper portion of an approximately vertical B-pillar. The cross-member is connected to the roof side rail members approximately perpendicular to the B-pillar, but longitudinally offset from the B-pillar. The reinforcement member extends between the roof side rail members to the cross-member.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a roof plate which has a transparent plastic area to which a peripheral plastic edge is molded which is used especially as a cover visor and which extends downward.

Abstract: A cab for a vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle, a tractor, or small construction vehicle, is constructed of twin-sheet plastic panels that can be easily assembled, preferably with snap-together interlocking features. One of the panels can be a door panel having a door hinged to a door frame to control passage through a doorway. Both the door and the door frame have spaced apart hinge knuckles that interleave along a hinge axis to allow the door to pivot about a hinge pin. The door and door frame can be molded in a single twin-sheet panel. The two walls of the panel are fused together along the outer periphery of the panel door portion and the inner periphery of the panel door frame portion. The door is separated from the door frame by cutting the each of the walls along a door perimeter between the door and door frame portions of the molded panel.

Abstract: A sun shade which can be removed or installed without tools and mounts to a universal mounting bracket on roll bars on tractors whether they lean forwards or backwards and employs a unique slot and notch system which provides a wide and safe range of adjustability.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for providing an overhead frame structure having two side frame members each with at least one protrusion and one or more cross members coupling the side frame members through interconnection with the protrusions. Each protrusion has a corrugated configuration. Each cross member has end portions each having a wall with corrugated configuration. Each wall is adapted to engage one of the protrusions. The end portions in each cross member are adapted to receive one of the pairs of opposing protrusions therein. The cross members are coupled between the side frame members with the engagement and subsequent securing of the protrusions to the end portions of the cross members.

Abstract: A body structure for a customized van is enhanced by providing a roof support element which is light in weight, strong, and easily shaped to conform to curved roof lines. The body structure comprises a rafter having upper and lower extruded rails and a plurality of gussets connected between the rails to join the rails in a single member. The rails are T-shaped in cross section with the upright of the T providing a point for connection of the gussets.

Abstract: This roof module is designed for installation on a vehicle body in which an opening of approximately the same dimensions as the roof has been made and it is composed of the original roof panel (1), with its end finish, a complete conventional interior trim (2), usually of larger dimensions than the afore-mentioned panel, as well as pre-installed interior accessories (3) and (3?). At its front and rear edges the roof panel (1) is provided with dished recesses (10) which engage underneath the front (4) and rear (5) body cross members, covering it at least, the cross members (4) and (5) being closed at the top with a panel (7) that covers them and provides the form and finish matching the exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle frame reinforcement system has a skeleton member designed to be secured to a vehicle frame, such as a roof or pillar section. An expandable material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcing foam, is disposed on the skeleton member. Once the system is attached to the frame, the foam expands and cures during an automobile assembly operation, bonding the reinforcement system to the frame. As a result, the reinforcement system provides enhanced load distribution over the vehicle frame without adding excessive weight.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a road-bound, horizontally fitted vehicle body with a roof unit having an outer skin and an inward facing ceiling, or an outer skin and an inward facing ceiling with a ceiling frame, whereby the roof unit is a unit ready for installation, and a basic structure having longitudinal frames, the ceiling and the outer skin along with the basic structure having joining configurations that mate with each other at mutual places for joining. The process includes the steps of introducing the roof unit containing the outer skin with joining configurations, the ceiling or the ceiling and the ceiling frame, in each case with fittings already mounted in place, through an opening between the longitudinal frames, bringing the roof unit into contact with corresponding, matching configuration points of the longitudinal frames by an upward movement and permanently jointing the roof unit there.

Abstract: A molded truck shell having side walls hinged along the top of the shell, allowing the entire side wall to pivot upwardly and outwardly, providing increased access to cargo stored in a truck bed. Additional lateral seams between the side wall and shell are located on the front and rear of the shell rather than on the side of the shell thereby further increasing the opening into the truck bed and creating a visually clean appearance. Water penetrating through the side wall hinge line is directed away from the interior of the truck bed by a moisture flange that conducts the water to the exterior of the truck.