Abstract: Front structure for a vehicle includes a unitary panel formed to define a vehicle cowl and a vehicle bulkhead. The vehicle cowl may form an air intake plenum. The unitary panel is configured to at least partially define a front compartment of the vehicle. An alternative unitary panel is formed to define a hood having inner and outer panel portions and, optionally, fenders. Another alternative unitary panel is formed to define a cowl, a bulkhead and a hood. The preferable method for forming the panels is quick plastic forming, superplastic forming or sheet hydroforming.

Abstract: A body cover, for a vehicle with a saddle seat, includes a cover main body disposed at a central part in a lateral direction of the vehicle, and fenders which are provided for covering wheels of the vehicle disposed at lateral sides, and which are attached to the cover main body. The fenders are attached to the cover main body in a state in which abutting surfaces of the fenders abut against side wall surfaces of the cover main body, respectively.

Abstract: A wheel house shell is adapted to and mounted on the contour of a motor vehicle wheel house and is provided with an air outlet opening having ribs or gills. A deflector is provided in front of the cool air outlet opening, as seen in the direction of rotation of the wheel, so that particles thrown directly from the wheel and sliding along the wheel house shell wall are guided laterally around rather than the cool air outlet opening.

Abstract: A step assembly for a vehicle includes a base member and at least one movable member. The base member and the at least one movable member each define a stepping surface on which a vehicle user may elevate himself. The movable member is repositionable with respect to the base member to selectively alter the length of the step assembly.

Abstract: A movable fender for a vehicle. The fender body is movable between at least first and second positions relative to the vehicle, and is removable so as to be readily installed, removed, and replaced. The fender body may be engaged with the vehicle via a mounting assembly. The fender body may be disposed at the first and second positions with either of a unique first and second mounting assemblies, with either of a first and a second mounting assembly having some common components, with a fully common mounting assembly, or with both first and second mounting assemblies simultaneously arranged on the fender bodies. The mounting assembly may include a bracket disposed between the vehicle and the fender body, and may include connectors for connecting the fender body in place. The mounting assembly may engage a first mounting location on the vehicle to dispose the fender body at the first position, and a second mounting location on the vehicle to dispose the fender body at the second position.

Abstract: A front fender structure includes an enclosure extension which extends from an enclosure extending vertically between a fender panel and an outer panel which forms a front pillar toward the upper part of a wheel arch edge portion of the fender panel; and a fender panel surface reinforcement portion which is provided on the enclosure extension along the inner surface of the fender panel.

Abstract: Coupling members include a first coupling portion (X) that couples rear quarter inner members to upper surfaces of rear suspension base members, a second coupling portion (Y) that couples upper surfaces of the rear suspension base members together, which are located on the right and the left in pairs, and a third coupling portion (Z) that joins the second coupling portion to couple the rear quarter inner members together, which are located on the right and the left in pairs, the coupling member being integrally formed, and there is formed a bulkhead structure in a portion surrounded by the first, second and third coupling portions.

Abstract: A front side-part structure of a vehicle includes a reinforcing member forming a closed section with a fender apron upper panel, fender apron inner panel, and front side member improves a coupling rigidity therebetween. Resulting from the improved rigidity, the fender apron upper panel firmly supports a front-end module, and limiting vibration generated from a coupling portion between the fender apron upper panel and front-end module. The improved rigidity also increasing the driving stabilization by firm stiffness of the vehicle body during a sudden stop or a turn.

Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle including a front fender configured to cover a front portion of a vehicle body of the vehicle, which is provided with a concave portion formed integrally in the front fender, the concave portion being configured to be recessed toward a front wheel and to open outward of the vehicle body to form a storage portion in which articles are placed for storage.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an improved front-end to body-side joint (10) for an automotive vehicle. This joint (10) includes an integral front end structure (12) having a fender attachment portion (16) and one or more hinge-reinforcement portions (14). The fender attachment portion (16) is coupled to a fender (24). Moreover, the hinge-reinforcement portions (14) are attached to a pillar member (28) of a vehicle body (46) for supporting a door (20). The integral front end structure (12) is a master-locating component for positioning the fender (24) and the door (20) in a predetermined configuration within the joint (10).

Abstract: For a compact tractor, a composite molded plastic floor and fender structure is supported on a chassis of the vehicle. The floor and fender structure includes a foot supporting region, a seat supporting region and two fenders all formed of a composite RIM plastic material. The unitary floor and fender structure simplifies manufacture of the tractor as well as providing a lightweight, durable structure.

Abstract: A bottom plate mounting hole is formed in one end side of a bottom plate portion of the fender panel with this bottom plate portion forming a line of partition between the fender panel and the bumper. A side plate mounting hole is also formed in the fender panel facing an inward surface in the vehicle transverse direction of the bumper. An upward protruding portion that is rotatably fittable in the bottom plate mounting hole is formed on one end side of the bumper spacer. A sideways protruding portion is also formed on the bumper spacer that, in a state in which the upward protruding portion has been fitted in the bottom plate mounting hole, is fittable into the side plate mounting hole as a result of the bumper spacer being rotated around the upward protruding portion. The bumper mounting structure enables a bumper spacer to be mounted accurately and easily on a fender panel.

Abstract: A gimp made of flexible, compressible material attaches an edge of a trim piece to a panel. The gimp is bonded to the panel without visual gaps between the gimp and the panel. The gimp has a slip connection to the trim piece. The slip connection is provided by a slot in the gimp slidably receiving the edge of the trim piece.

Abstract: A plastic fender has an upper first edge area and a second edge area extending at an approximately 90° angle thereto. The fender is fixed to the vehicle body in the second edge area by a screw. Furthermore, along the first and second edge areas, a plurality of spaced-apart elongated holes is provided, which admit a mounting section of a guide element which in turn is mounted to the vehicle body with a mounting screw. On the mounting sections of the guide elements, a guide edge covering, respectively, the opposite longitudinal edges of an elongated hole is provided such that, during thermal expansion, the fender can elongate unhindered. For this purpose, the longitudinal extent of the mounting section of the guide elements is shorter than the corresponding longitudinal extent of the elongated hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mount for securing a part to a support and for enabling the part to be positioned relative to its surroundings. The mount comprises: two pieces (6, 20) that are movable relative to each other parallel to a positioning axis (Y), one piece being for securing to the part and the other to the support; retaining means (22a, 26, 28) which prevent the two moving pieces from moving relative to each other and which release them only when the part (2) exerts against the support (4) a force that is greater than a given threshold in a direction parallel to the positioning axis; and locking means (31) suitable for being actuated to prevent the two moving pieces from moving relative to each other. The invention also provides a method of assembling a part to a support by means of such a mount.

Abstract: A model electric train car possessing various movable parts which allow the train car's pivotally-mounted truck and coupler assembly to maneuver around tight curves without interference from model train steps, skirts or other train car parts in close proximity to the train coupler, thereby, avoiding derailment of the toy train. The steps, skirts or other train parts to swing, slide, rotate, or otherwise move away from the truck and coupler assembly, being attached to the train car by pins, hinges, slides, snap connectors or the like to allow the free movement of the train parts.

Abstract: A flexible fender mounting assembly supports a fender on a vehicle. The assembly includes a vibration isolator with a hollow housing fixed to the vehicle, a rod attached to the fender and the isolator. The isolator also has a hollow resilient member received in the housing. A rigid hollow tube is received by the resilient member and extends to an outer end spaced apart from the resilient member. The rod is received by the tube and is welded to an end of the tube. The fender has a plurality of pairs of tabs, each pair of tabs forming a slot therebetween. The rod is received by the slots and is clamped to an inner surface of the fender by a clamps.

Abstract: The invention provides a sound-insulating part for a motor vehicle having an engine compartment and, beside the engine compartment, a clearance volume for accommodating vertical travel of a wheel of the vehicle, the part being characterized by the fact that it is arranged to form a sound screen between said engine compartment and said volume. The invention also provides a mudguard constituting such a sound-insulating part and a side module made from such a mudguard.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle (ATV) includes a plurality of wheels and a fender structure positioned over the wheels having a support portion designed as and defining a load-bearing surface. The fender structure may include a plurality of raised support portions that increase rigidity and load capacity. Additionally, it is not necessary to support either the fender structure or the support portion using the bumper of the ATV. The fender structure may be formed with plastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene or fiberglass-charged polyethylene, and may be manufactured using a blow-molding technique or an injection molding technique. The ATV may also include mud guards and a floor board that extends between the mud guards. The mud guards and the floor board may be formed as an integral or one piece unit with the fender structure. The mud guards can be injection molded or blow-molded while the fender structure can be blow-molded.

Abstract: A fender arrangement that is simple to manufacture and mount extends at least partially over the vehicle body and has an upper edge, and a reinforcement element including multiple sections positioned along the upper edge on the inside of the fender, the sections of the reinforcement element forming a hollow profile with the fender, where the reinforcement element is connected to the vehicle body via at least one connection section forming a hollow profile.

Abstract: A panel comprising at least one layer of thermoformable plastics material having separate regions of different thickness, is obtained by a method comprising the steps of: extruding of a sheet of plastics material with the addition to the said material of an expansion agent, the extrusion being conducted in conditions such as to avoid expansion of the material or to cause only partial expansion thereof; heating the thus-obtained sheet to a temperature such as to cause post expansion of the material; and thermoforming the sheet in a thermoforming cavity of complementary shape to the desired panel so that the thermoformed panel produced has in the regions of greater thickness an expanded cellular structure where the material has a lower density than the density of the material in the regions of lesser thickness.

Abstract: A structurally reinforced automobile body including damper stiffener extensions extending from the damper stiffeners to automobile body members rearward of the damper stiffeners, preferably opposite sides of the rear panel, the side panel outer extensions, the side panel outers or the rear frame members. A box-beam parcel shelf mounts at opposite sides to the region of the automobile body to which a suspension component attaches, such as the wheel house or rear inner panel. The box-beam parcel shelf substantially rigidities the automobile body, especially in combination with the damper stiffener extensions, which together form a contiguous structural reinforcement with the rear panel.

Abstract: A fender support system, including at least one molded fender support arrangement configured to couple to at least one fender arrangement, in which the fender support arrangement is configured to provide at least one of primary and secondary attachments for under-the-hood vehicle components.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle is provided with one or more wheel fenders that double as storage compartments. The fenders define a hollow volume into which a variety of desired items can be placed for storage. An access opening provides access to the hollow volume. A door can be attached to releasably close the access opening. A door can be hinged such that it is readily accessible by a driver of the ATV while seated on the ATV.

Abstract: A front structure of a vehicle includes a suspension cross member provided between left and right front side frames; wheel aprons, each provided between an upper side frame and the front side frame; and strut towers connected to the upper side frames, front side frames and wheel aprons. A pair of strut tower reinforcing members form vertically extending structures with closed hollow cross sections in cooperation with the strut towers. The structures with the closed cross hollow cross sections are arranged to correspond to ends of the suspension cross member with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assemblage of two pieces of bodywork each having a flange for coming into contact with the flange of the other piece, the flange of a first piece having a slot while the flange of a second piece carries a tenon presenting an engagement shape and extending towards the first piece. The assemblage also a fastener member for taking up a position against the flange of the first piece and which has an engagement shape complementary to that of the tenon so as to engage therewith. The invention also provides a piece of bodywork belonging to such an assemblage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device for fixing a car body element to the structure of a motor vehicle. The inventive device is of the type that comprises a panel (10) formed by a sheet (11) which defines a support face that is adapted to co-operate with the car body clement and,which comprises means (14, 15) for locking to the car body clement and frangible means (16) for releasing the car body element. Said device also comprises an element (30) for quarter-turn fixing in an opening in the structure which is used to hold the assembly formed by the panel (10) and the car body element.

Abstract: A horse trailer having a cover plate releasably secured to a fender such that the cover plate will provide a shield extending downwardly from the fender to cover the wheel well area and wheels against pawing and kicking of horses tied to the side of the trailer and extending upwardly from the fender to provide a support for an animal feed trough.

Abstract: A body panel assembly having an inner panel and an outer panel. The outer panel has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the inner panel. An adhesive is disposed between the inner panel and the outer panel. A portion of the outer panel is hemmed to the inner panel to join the inner and outer panels together. A scrim pad may be provided between inner and outer panels to inhibit galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: An assembly of a first and a second pieces of bodywork of plastics material, each piece having an edge for coming into contact with an edge of another piece, wherein the edge of the first piece has a slot while the edge of the second piece has a tongue extending towards the first piece and suitable for penetrating into the slot, so as to cause an end portion of the tongue to project beyond the slot, the tongue being pierced by a through orifice situated in its end portion, one of the two pieces being provided with a cotter attached to the one of the two pieces by a deformable link which enables the cotter to be engaged in the through orifice of the tongue once the tongue has been inserted in the slot, thereby retaining the tongue in the slot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mudguard for motor vehicles in general, comprising an external body (10) and an intrados (17) between ewhich a curved cavity (16) extending from a front sector to a rear sector of the mudguard is defined, with reference to the wheel (2, 3) where it is mounted. The mudguard is further provided with a manifold (18) and a pair of deflectros (19, 20) which convey air into the cavity, so as to evacurate the water sprayed by the vehicle wheels and preventing sprays towards the outside.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle with underbody and wheels mounted in wheelhouses which are guided on wheel guide elements coupled to the body, functional elements being mounted in the area of wheel dishes opening inward, and with wheel spoilers mounted on the underbody in front of the wheels in the direction of travel, for the sake of better deflection of environmental influences such as dirt particles, moisture, etc the wheel spoilers of at least one wheel axle per wheel ending in a structurally simple configuration in a deflecting strip extending more or less vertically downward, the deflecting strips being extended continuously inward and rearward at least to the vertical central plane of the wheels extending through the axes of rotation of the wheels.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assemblage of two pieces of bodywork (1, 2) each having a flange (5, 6) for pressing against the flange of the other piece. Each flange carries at least one tongue (11, 12) extending towards the other piece. A fastener member (20) is suitable for engaging around the tongues so to prevent them from moving relative to one another once said two pieces of bodywork are in a predetermined position in which they are united flange against flange. The invention also provides the pieces of bodywork constituting said assemblage.

Abstract: An aerodynamic stabilizer for motor vehicle includes at least one baffle plate in the vehicle wheel housing.

Abstract: A system for attaching a fender trim molding piece adapted to be held firmly and removably in place by a combination of hooked mounting fasteners. The hooked ends of the mounting fasteners hold the edge of the fender wheel well opening. The flat end of the fasteners are inserted through mounting holes or slots in the fender trim molding and are then pulled through the holes with a tool such as common pliers. The fasteners are then bent back over the fender trim towards the hooked end thereby trapping the fastener and leaving the fender trim piece attached to the edge of the wheel well.

Abstract: In order to provide a fender arrangement, which may be simple to manufacture and mount, and which extends at least partially over the vehicle body, having a fender, which has an upper edge, and a reinforcement element, including multiple sections, which is positioned along the upper edge on the inside of the fender, the sections of the reinforcement element forming a hollow profile with the fender, the reinforcement element is connected to the vehicle body via at least one connection section forming a hollow profile.

Abstract: A pickup truck has a rear vehicle body structure in which a fuel piping system is guided through a rear wheel apron along a cargo bed of the vehicle. A reinforcing member is jointed to the rear wheel apron such as to cover a part of the apron at which a hose of the fuel piping system is led out onto the cargo bed. A lower end of the reinforcing member is bent toward the vehicle body center to form a flange. The rear wheel apron and the rear floor panel are jointed together, with a side edge of the rear floor panel being superposed on the flange of the reinforcing member. The linking strength between the rear wheel apron and the cargo bed of the vehicle is thereby increased without adding any major change in the body design. While the rigidity around the rear wheel apron is improved, the structure does not inhibit the vehicle body from being deformed in a rear impact collision and is capable of protecting the fuel piping system from the impact.

Abstract: A motor vehicle body has an underbody and a wheelhouse at an outboard edge of the underbody, and a longitudinal member beneath the underbody and adjacent to the wheelhouse, the wheelhouse having an inboard surface spaced outboard from the longitudinal member, and a reinforcement extending between and secured to the inboard surface and the longitudinal member. The reinforcement increases the torsional stiffness of the body in the vicinity of the wheelhouse without intruding into the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular bed assembly 12 and a method 100 for making the vehicular bed assembly 12 by a process which requires the use of a roll 103 of material 104. Particularly, material 104 from the roll 103 is continually fed through a stamping or mold assembly 110 which forms raised stiffening beads on the material 104. The material 104 is then continually fed through a cutter 118 in which the received material is 103 selectively cut, thereby forming panels or segments, such as and without limitation segment or panel 120, which are used to form the walls 14, 16, 20, 22 and which are further used to form the floor pan 18. In this manner, the methodology 100 allows for a variety of dissimilarly sized bed assemblies 12 to be easily and efficiently produced.

Abstract: A method for attaching a cosmetic body panel to a composite cargo box without inclusion of a conventional integral lip. The cargo box sidewalls are formed without integral lips. A metallic lip member is bonded to the peripheral top rail at the top of the sidewalls, wherein the lip member is configured so as to mimic the surface contour (geometry) of a conventional integral lip, including the slot, notches and wedge shape thereof for like attaching of a cosmetic body panel thereto.

Abstract: A front body structure is provided to disperse an impact load transmitted from a tire retreating while changing its direction, into a vehicle body effectively and also effect a great absorption of an impact energy. Forming a body framework on the lateral side of a vehicle cabin, a body side frame includes a side-frame inner panel inside the vehicle cabin and a side-frame outer panel outside the vehicle cabin. Extending from the vicinity of a joint between a side member and a dash panel to the body side frame, a torque box includes a torque-box inner panel inside the vehicle cabin and a torque-box outer panel outside the vehicle cabin. In arrangement, a front tire and a wheel are arranged on the side of the torque-box outer panel of the torque box. The body side frame is connected with the torque box so that a surface of the side-frame outer panel connects a surface of the torque-box outer panel.

Abstract: The invention provides a sound-insulating part for a motor vehicle having an engine compartment and, beside the engine compartment, a clearance volume for accommodating vertical travel of a wheel of the vehicle, the part being characterized by the fact that it is arranged to form a sound screen between said engine compartment and said volume. The invention also provides a mudguard constituting such a sound-insulating part and a side module made from such a mudguard.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mount for securing a part to a support and for enabling the part to be positioned relative to its surroundings.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement member for reinforcing a wheel well area of an automobile includes a carrier and a load distributing medium supported by the carrier. The carrier also may include a reinforced protrusion, two reinforced openings, and an outwardly extending flange. The flange includes a reinforced raised portion having a shape similar to that of the flange. The load distributing medium is a structural foam and preferably an epoxy-based resin. The preferred load distributing medium is L5206, L5207, L5208, or L5209 structural foam commercially available from L&L Products of Romeo, Mich.

Abstract: A vehicle front body structure including a framework member provided at a front end of an upper member which extends forwardly from a front pillar closest to a driver's seat. The framework member includes an inclined portion which extends forward over and beyond a front wheel, and a vertical portion which extends from a front end of the inclined portion in such a manner as to be suspended in front of the front wheel. When, in a collision between vehicles, a front side member of an oncoming vehicle collides with own vehicle at a position outside a front side member in a vehicle widthwise direction, a resulting impact is alleviated by the framework member, precluding the front pillar from being exerted with an excessive amount of impact force.

Abstract: An engine compartment splash panel for a vehicle is disposed generally between the engine of the vehicle and a nearby wheel to prevent water and debris from being flung from the nearby wheel onto the engine. The engine compartment splash panel and the panel-support components that mount it to the vehicle are constructed in such a manner that the engine compartment splash panel can be quickly and easily mounted to and removed from the vehicle to provide for expedient execution of service procedures. The engine compartment splash panel has a substantially rigid portion that defines and/or has mounted to it a number of locating features that have fixed positions relative to one another. The panel-support components define and/or have mounted to them a plurality of locating features that have fixed positions relative to one another and that are complimentary to the locating features of the engine compartment splash panel.

Abstract: An arrangement for an electrical outlet for an all terrain vehicle is provided. The all terrain vehicle comprises a frame defining an engine compartment. The frame is supported by at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. A fender assembly is disposed above one or more of the wheels and has a recess formed therein. An electrical outlet is at least partially disposed in the recess. The recess includes a sloping lower surface to facilitate drainage. A hood is disposed above the recess and protects the electrical outlet.

Abstract: A motor vehicle body has an underbody and a wheelhouse at an outboard edge of the underbody, and a longitudinal member beneath the underbody and adjacent to the wheelhouse, the wheelhouse having an inboard surface spaced outboard from the longitudinal member, and a reinforcement extending between and secured to the inboard surface and the longitudinal member. The reinforcement increases the torsional stiffness of the body in the vicinity of the wheelhouse without intruding into the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: For a compact tractor, a composite molded plastic floor and fender structure is supported on a chassis of the vehicle. The floor and fender structure includes a foot supporting region, a seat supporting region and two fenders all formed of a composite RIM plastic material. The unitary floor and fender structure simplifies manufacture of the tractor as well as providing a lightweight, durable structure.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement member for reinforcing a wheel well area of an automobile includes a carrier and a load distributing medium supported by the carrier. The carrier also may include a reinforced protrusion, two reinforced openings, and an outwardly extending flange. The flange includes a reinforced raised portion having a shape similar to that of the flange. The load distributing medium is a structural foam and preferably an epoxy-based resin. The preferred load distributing medium is L5206, L5207, L5208, or L5209 structural foam commercially available from L&L Products of Romeo, Mich.