Abstract: The vehicle body includes: a pair of left and right rear side members extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and a rear bumper beam which extends in a left-right direction of the vehicle body to be coupled to each rear side member at both ends, and bulges rearward toward a center of the left-right direction. The rear bumper beam has an intermediate body extending in the left-right direction at the center of the left-right direction, and inclined bodies which are displaced forward as expanding to the left and right toward the respectively corresponding rear side member from both ends of the intermediate body. A rearward surface of the intermediate body includes a vertical surface, and an inclined surface which is continuous from at least either an upper end or a lower end of the vertical surface and is displaced forward as separating from the vertical surface.

Abstract: A dual platform bumper system for a vehicle includes a bumper configured to couple to one of the door or another vehicle component, the bumper having first and second points of contact, and a platform configured to couple to the other of the door and the other vehicle component. The platform includes an upper contact platform and a lower contact platform. The upper contact platform is configured to contact the first point of contact when the door is moved to a closed position, and the lower contact platform is configured to contact the second point of contact when the door is moved to the closed position to facilitate preventing over-travel relative movement of the at least one door.

Abstract: A suspension limiter includes a diaphragm element configured to be placed in operable communication with a suspension such that a rate of increase in load per unit travel of compression of the suspension is reduced near a full travel of the suspension than would exist for the suspension if the diaphragm element were not present, the diaphragm element arranged to deform only elastically through the full travel of the suspension. Suspension arrangements and methods of loading suspension arrangements are also described.

Abstract: Because of the nature of autonomous vehicles, and in particular that they do not require manual inputs from a driver or passenger to control braking and steering, autonomous vehicle can include features that may not necessarily be useful or practical in a typical non-autonomous (or semi-autonomous vehicle) that would require such manual input.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as a pickup truck, includes a bed pillar and a tailgate pivotally engaging the bed pillar. A bumper includes a body secured to the bed pillar, a lever pivotally mounted to the body and having a pad, and a spring biasing the pad into contact with the tailgate in a closed position. The lever may pivot to push the tailgate rearward.

Abstract: A supplemental energy absorber is provided for a vehicle having a hood subjectable to an external force event and a body structure including a primary hood stop. The supplemental energy absorber includes a spring portion and a resilient portion. The spring portion is attachable to the body structure. The resilient portion is attached to the spring portion. The supplemental energy absorber is configured to cooperate with the hood and the primary hood stop to supplement energy absorption during the external force event.

Abstract: An adjustable bumper, adapted for supporting closure panels on a vehicle, is described. The bumper incorporates a shape memory polymer portion, which may be readily permanently reshaped by the steps of: heating above its transition temperature, deforming by application of a load, and cooling, while still under load, below its transition temperature. This behavior is exploited to enable adjustment of the adjustable bumper so that it may provide the desired closure panel support while accommodating vehicle to vehicle variations in the fit of the closure panel and the vehicle body.

Abstract: A hood overslam bumper assembly includes an overslam bumper having a cylindrical shape and having a screw thread groove formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof, a ring-carrier having a hole formed at the center thereof to have the overslam bumper inserted into an inner side surface thereof and having a screw thread formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof, the screw thread being coupled to the screw thread groove, and a housing having one side fixed to an insertion hole of a hood inner panel, having a hole formed at the center thereof to have the ring-carrier inserted into an inner side surface thereof, and having an elastic part provided on an outer peripheral surface thereof to fix the ring-carrier inserted into the inner side surface thereof.

Abstract: An overslam bumper comprising a coupling device, a base member fixed to the coupling device, a striking member defining a striking surface for receiving a load exerted thereon, and a linking member connecting the base member and the striking member. The overslam bumper is configured such that upon receipt of the load at the striking surface, the load is transferred through the striking member to the linking member to an extent that the linking member will deflect, and upon deflection of the linking member, the striking member is operable to abut the base member.

Abstract: A damping stop for damping the rotation of two members connected by a hinge shaft is formed by a block of elastomeric material. The damping stop includes a fastening zone inserted forcibly into a seat situated between the first member and the hinge shaft, a contact zone that enters into contact with the second member after pivoting thereof around the hinge shaft in the direction of the first member, and a compression zone formed by a material void in the interior of the block of elastomeric material. The material void extends over the entire length of the damping stop in a direction parallel to the hinge shaft when the damping stop is inserted into the seat. The damping stop is used in a hinge of a vehicle.

Abstract: A hood bumper is provided and includes a first end including a body defining a longitudinal axis and a surface having an angular edge oriented along the longitudinal axis, a second end opposite the first end and including a skirt portion and a bumper portion protruding from a longitudinal end of the skirt portion in a protrusion direction defined along the longitudinal axis and an intermediate section interposed between the first and second ends. The intermediate section includes reverse-helical threading.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body and a closure panel moveably attached to the body. When the closure panel is in a closed position, a closure restraint system interconnects the body and the closure panel and restricts lateral movement of the closure panel relative to the body. The closure restraint system includes a fixed wedge block attached to one of the body and the closure panel, and a rotatable wedge block attached to the other of the body and the closure panel. The rotatable wedge block includes a curved cam surface, and is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the fixed wedge block when engaged by the fixed wedge block to move the contact between the fixed wedge block and the rotatable wedge block along the curved cam surface to maintain a consistent closing force for closing the closure panel.

Abstract: A tank inlet cover module is provided, which is installable in a motor vehicle, and a tank inlet cover mounted so it is pivotable thereon. The tank inlet cover module has a groove body having an end stop for limiting a pivot movement of the tank inlet cover. The tank inlet cover itself has a tank inlet cover body and a counter stop element, which interacts with the stop of the tank groove via a counter stop surface, furthermore, means being provided for damping a structure-borne noise propagation between counter stop element and the tank inlet cover body.

Abstract: A vehicle side protector provides a compact easily transported and deployed padded rod couplable to a vehicle providing a physical barrier to prevent damage to the side of the vehicle. The protector includes a collapsible rod assembly having a plurality of sections. A plurality of pads is coupled to the rod assembly. A front attachment line coupled to and extends from the rod assembly and a back attachment line is coupled to and extends from the rod assembly. A front attachment hook is coupled to the front attachment line and a back attachment hook coupled to the back attachment line.

Abstract: A damping stop for damping the rotation of two members connected by a hinge shaft is formed by a block of elastomeric material. The damping stop includes a fastening zone inserted forcibly into a seat situated between the first member and the hinge shaft, a contact zone that enters into contact with the second member after pivoting thereof around the hinge shaft in the direction of the first member, and a compression zone formed by a material void in the interior of the block of elastomeric material. The material void extends over the entire length of the damping stop in a direction parallel to the hinge shaft when the damping stop is inserted into the seat. The damping stop is used in a hinge of a vehicle.

Abstract: A protective shield for a vehicle is provided. The protective shield may include a plurality of shield panels configured to shield particular areas of a vehicle from damage, and a connecting member that connects the shield panels. The shield panels may be adjustable along a length of the connecting member. The shield panels may each include a planar main body, and at least one opening that extends through the planar main body, configured to receive the connecting member threaded therethrough. At least one magnet may be embedded in the planar main body of the panel shield, configured to magnetically adhere the shield panel to the vehicle. A clasp member may be disposed at each end of the connecting member. The connecting member may extend through each shield panel at least twice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roll bar for a cab-less construction machine, in particular a vibration roller, which is implemented so it is adjustable in height between an operating position and a transport position. The roll bar includes a pivotable tube bow, which comprises two vertical pivot tubes; two stand tubes, which are fixedly connected to the frame of the construction machine; two connection elements, via which the pivot tubes are connected to the stand tubes, the connection elements each comprising a stop surface, against which the pivot tube can be moved to, in particular pressed, in the operating position; a lock for clamping the pivot tube against the connection element in the operating position; a welding surface, to which the stand tube is materially bonded; and a pivot joint having a pivot axis, around which the pivot tubes are pivotable.

Abstract: A stop device is provided for a vehicle slide door for an opening of a vehicle side body structure. The slide door is guided in a front-to-rear direction by a sliding door mechanism which moves the slide door on a rail fixed to the side body structure. The stop device comprises a bracket for securing to the side body structure near a rear end of the lower rail. The bracket includes a base having a forward end portion and a rear end portion. A full stopper is mounted to the rear end portion of the bracket, and a mid-stopper is mounted to the forward end portion of the bracket. A strengthening member is connected to and extends at least partially outwardly from the base. The strengthening member is provided at least partially below the full stopper. The strengthening member has a generally stepped configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system are disclosed for protecting the side doors of an automobile when it is parked. The apparatus includes an elongated pad having two opposing ends and a central portion disposed between the two endings, and a protrusion extending from the central portion of the elongated pad and formed of a material sufficiently compressible to be shut within the door of an automobile. The system includes an elongated pad having two opposing ends and a central portion disposed between the two endings, and an adjustable protrusion extending from the central portion of the elongated pad, the adjustable protrusion movable to different locations along the length of the elongated pad, the protrusion is formed of a material sufficiently compressible to be shut within the door of an automobile.

Abstract: A stop arrangement for forming an adjustable stop between a first component and a second component that are movable in relation to each other, in particular between a vehicle body and a flap hinge-connected to it, including a fastening element which is connected to the first component and has a first threaded portion, and including a stop part, which serves as a stop for the second component and has a second threaded portion, which can be brought into engagement with the first threaded portion in such a way that, by turning the stop part, the distance of the latter from the first component can be set.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body frame, a closure connected to the vehicle body frame, a garnish connected to the vehicle body frame, and a closure stopper seat body disposed between the garnish and the vehicle body frame. The closure is movable between an open position and a closed position. The stopper seat body is configured to absorb an impact from the movable closure when the movable closure moves toward the closed position. The closure stopper seat body can be used with a number of different closures including a door, a tailgate, a trunk lid, and the like.

Abstract: An operator cab for heavy equipment is described to prevent a sliding door mounted on the cab from rocking or rattling in X, Y, and Z-axis directions due to a shock or vibration applied to the cab in a state that the sliding door is fully opened.

Abstract: A limit stop with an elastomer resilient element, which is to be secured on a door or lid and/or on an opposing stationary vehicle section for damping forces generated when the door or lid strikes stationary chassis parts of a motor vehicle. The limit stop includes an additional damping section disposed adjacent to and cooperating with the elastic resilient element in a spring deflection direction of the resilient element. The damping section comprises at least two chambers filled with a fluid and a nozzle plate arranged between the chambers with at least one channel extending through the nozzle plate and connecting the chambers. The fluid is displaced from one of the chambers into the other chamber during a spring deflection of the elastomer resilient element, thereby producing a pressure force which is caused by the buildup in pressure when the volume of one of the chambers decreases and augments the return force of the resilient element.

Abstract: An energy absorbing stopper assembly for an associated vehicle for absorbing at least a portion of the energy during an associated impact is provided. The associated vehicle includes a pivotally disposed closure and a body member toward which the closure is closable. The closure includes an open position and a closed position. The stopper assembly includes a stopper for supporting a non-hinged end of the closure when the closure is in the closed position. The stopper includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the stopper is in contact with one of the closure or the body member when the closure is in the closed position and is spaced apart therefrom when the closure is in the open position. A base for supporting the second end of the stopper is provided. The base is attached to the other of the closure or the body member. An energy absorbing joint is disposed adjacent the base and the other of the closure or the body member.

Abstract: A door structure of a vehicle, in which between the outer surfaces of a first garnish at a first door and a second garnish at a second door, a garnish gap, which joins a door gap between the door, is provided; the first door has a first garnish attachment part, and at an end of this part, said end facing the second door, an expanded part is provided, which protrudes toward the second door; the second door has a second garnish attachment part, and at an end of this part, said end facing the first door, a recessed part is provided, which is recessed in a direction away from the first door; and with respect to the garnish gap, a door joint between the first garnish attachment part and the second garnish attachment part is offset toward the second door in a direction in which the doors are arranged.

Abstract: A vehicle including an anti-chucking striker overmold for minimizing chucking of a vehicle door having a latch therein. The anti-chucking striker overmold may include a striker mount connected to a striker and including one or more wedges including a first portion contiguously engageable with a latch frameplate opening to minimize movement of the vehicle door relative to the striker in a first direction. The wedge may include a second portion formed line-to-line with a fishmouth opening of the latch to minimize movement of the vehicle door in a second direction.

Abstract: An automobile hood bumper includes a sleeve-like seat fitted with an axial passage and an external thread that can be screwed into a hole of a sheet-like support, an upper segment having a rest head and a shank. A connection member joins the shank to the seat to release said shank when an axial force acting on the upper segment exceeds a predetermined magnitude, whereby the shank moves into the axial passage until the rest head comes to rest at the associated end of said seat. A deceleration element is configured at the outside of the shank and/or in the axial passage to generate a decelerating force by friction and/or by elastic/plastic deformation and to decelerate the penetration of the shank into the axial passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the crash resistance of a motor vehicle in the vicinity of the front bodywork pillar (A-pillar), especially as regards forces which act in conjunction with an offset front impact (offset crash) on the bodywork. The invention also refers to a blocking element, as is used in such a method, and to a motor vehicle fitted with such a blocking element.

Abstract: A stop arrangement for forming an adjustable stop between a first component and a second component that are movable in relation to each other, in particular between a vehicle body and a flap hinge-connected to it, including a fastening element which is connected to the first component and has a first threaded portion, and including a stop part, which serves as a stop for the second component and has a second threaded portion, which can be brought into engagement with the first threaded portion in such a way that, by turning the stop part, the distance of the latter from the first component can be set.

Abstract: A body structure of a passenger car, and especially of a convertible, features at least one side door on each longitudinal side of the vehicle. The side door, when closed, connects to adjoining fixed pillars via hinges at one end and via a lock assembly at the other end. For improved crash resistance of the body structure of a passenger car, and especially of a convertible, with a rear engine in the event of a head-on collision, a buttress assembly is installed between the rearward rim of the side door and the adjoining lock-side pillar. The buttress assembly effectively holds the side door in its closed position in the event of a head-on collision, while at approximately the level of the buttress assembly, the side door is braced by a hollow strut that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A door closure prevention tool (20) interposed between a vehicle body (10) and a door (11) when the door must be brought to a slightly open position, wherein the door closure prevention tool (20) allows locking to be released by a robot arm (75), and movement from a slightly open position to a completely open position to be performed by the robot arm. A vehicle body coating method using the tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automobile hood bumper comprising, a sleeve-like seat (10) fitted with an axial passage (20) and an external thread (22) that can be screwed into a hole of a sheet-like support, an upper segment (12) having a rest head (26) and a shank (24), where a connection member (34) that joins the shank (24) to the seat (10) to release said shank when an axial force acting on the upper segment (12) exceeds a predetermined magnitude, whereby the shank (24) moves into the axial passage (20) until the rest head comes to rest at the associated end of said seat, a deceleration element configured at the outside of the shank (24) and/or in the axial passage (20) to generate a decelerating force by friction and/or by elastic/plastic deformation and to decelerate the penetration of the shank into the axial passage.

Abstract: A door shock absorber is disclosed. The door shock absorber is to be typically used with dump bodies with doors that frequently enter into contact with the rear external structure of the dump body. The shock absorber comprises a spring and an actuator supporting the spring for absorption of any impact between the door and the rear dump body structure or any other type of base structure. The spring retractably traverses a casing between a deployed position and a retracted position. The actuator actuates the spring between the deployed position, the retracted position, and at least one intermediate position between the deployed position and the retracted position.

Abstract: A check link assembly is operatively connectable to a door to provide resistance to the rotation of the door. The amount of resistance varies with the position of the door to provide at least one detent position. The check link assembly stores energy when the door is latched in its closed position, and is configured to release the energy when the door is unlatched so that the door moves toward its open position.

Abstract: A vehicle hood closure control and release system including a hood release mounted to a vehicle frame. The hood release may include a pivotally mounted hood release handle pivotable for unlatching a vehicle hood having a grille mounted thereon. A bumper may be integrally mounted to the hood release for resiliently contacting the grille and preventing slamming of the grille when the vehicle hood is moved from an open to a closed position.

Abstract: A removable device for protecting parked automobile doors from dents, scuffs and scratches to its surface that may be caused by the doors of adjacent automobiles or other objects. The device consists of protective elements joined by a rope and mounted to the automobile by magnets. The device has a security tether which engages a locked door of an automobile to resist theft of the device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safety guard designed and adapted for use on the corners of vehicle doors to protect passengers from accidental contact with the sharp corner of a vehicle door. The door guard is particularly well suited to cars with a “bubble-wrap” design, which results in the tops of the vehicle doors having sharp corners that may be less than ninety degrees. At least two plates, preferably triangular in shape and made of plastic or some other suitable material, are joined together on at least one side thereof and installed on a vehicle door to cover potentially hazardous sharp metallic corners of the vehicle door. The door guard may be affixed to the door using glue, or the plates of the door guard may have pre-drilled openings for screws to attach the door guard to the door. Variations in the thickness and shape of the plates may be necessary to conform to different vehicle types without interfering with the operation of the door.

Abstract: A linkage mechanism operably associated with the front and rear doors of an automotive vehicle that pivots a bumper device into an interfering position with respect to the closing of the front door against the B-pillar of the vehicle when the rear door remains opened. The linkage mechanism includes a spring-loaded actuation lever that moves in response to the opening of the rear door to cause through connecting links the pivotal movement of the bumper device from a retracted position to an interfering position to interfere with the closing of the front door. The closing of the rear door causes the retraction of the pivoted bumper device to enable the closing of the front door. A manually activated stop lever is pivotally movable against the bumper device to prevent the pivotal movement thereof out of the retracted position even when the rear door is opened.

Abstract: A vehicle door wedge assembly includes a chassis and a slide moveable within the chassis. A non-metallic, elastomeric biasing element is provided to urge the slide toward one end of the chassis. The vehicle door wedge assembly with the chassis defines a slide path for the slide to move along, and the non-metallic, elastomeric biasing element is disposed between the chassis and the slide for urging the slide toward one end of the path.

Abstract: A vehicle error proof anti-chucking wedge assembly includes members having at least a first and optionally a second pin extending from an engagement side. The pins are positioned to limit installation of a right handed component to a first mating surface and a left handed component to a second mating surface of vehicle structure.

Abstract: A removable vehicle door protector includes an elongated rod that has a first end and a second end. The rod includes a first section and a second section wherein the first section is removably extendable into the second section so that the rod is selectively telescoping. A first coupler is attached to the first end of the rod for selectively attaching the first end to a first edge of a vehicle door. A second coupler is attached to the second end of the rod for selectively attaching the second end to a second edge of the door so that the rod extends between the first and second edges of the door.

Abstract: This removable roof, which is suited for a motor vehicle such as a passenger car, overarches a passenger space in a body of the passenger car and is held on fixed body structures of the body. The roof is provided with at least one locking device, is made of dimensionally rigid material, and includes two roof elements assembled in a median longitudinal plane of the passenger car. For optimization of the roof, each roof element has a locking apparatus and cooperates with a bracing apparatus which counteracts moments on a bracing apparatus lying on one of the fixed body structures, such as a roll bar device, upon actuation of a locking part of the locking apparatus to which a boundary wall of the roof element running adjacent to the locking apparatus is exposed.

Abstract: A vehicle door has a stop that can move between an urging position, in which it maintains a constant distance between a lower part of the door and the vehicle body when the door is closed, and a retracted position in which the stop does not maintain this constant distance between the lower part of the door and the vehicle body when the door is closed. The stop improves contact between the vehicle window surround and the vehicle body while the vehicle is moving, and can be retracted to make it easier to close the door.

Abstract: The present invention provides a door opening assist device comprising a spring-biased piston having a threaded bore mounted in a cylindrical housing by a threaded bolt. The piston retains a spring within the housing at a first end of the housing. The threaded bolt engages the piston from a second end of the housing. The piston is retained within the housing by the cooperative engagement between the spring urging the piston out of the first end and the head of the bolt in abutment with the second end. The door opening assist device is installed in a door frame of an automobile to push the door open a predetermined distance. The door opening assist device provides various mounting options. Upon closing the door, the door abuts and retracts the piston into the housing compressing the spring. Upon unlatching the door, the piston extends under spring bias in such a direction and with sufficient force to push the door to an open position a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A wedge system for stabilizing a liftgate of a vehicle relative to vehicle structure of the vehicle includes a first member for mounting on one of the liftgate and the vehicle structure. The wedge system also includes a second member for mounting on the other of the liftgate and the vehicle structure. The wedge system further includes a third member disposed between the first member and the second member and being movable and adjustable relative thereto to accommodate a gap between the liftgate and the vehicle structure and to stabilize the liftgate by providing a load path from the liftgate to the vehicle structure when the liftgate is in a closed position.

Abstract: A sealing structure for forming a seal between a weather strip attached to a door opening portion of a vehicle body, and a periphery of a vehicle door. The weather strip includes a base portion having a generally U-shaped cross-section for attachment to the door opening portion, and a tubular seal portion which expands from an outer side wall of the base portion. A projection is formed in the weather strip so as to project from the outer side wall of the base portion into an interior of the tubular seal portion so as to be spaced from an inner surface of a projecting top of a sealing wall of the tubular seal portion. When the vehicle door is closed, an inside surface of a periphery of a door panel contacts and presses the projecting top of the sealing wall, which faces the projecting end of the projection, while an inside surface of a door frame contacts and presses a side part of the sealing wall apart from the projecting top of the sealing wall.

Abstract: A weather strip for sealing an opening portion around an opening in a vehicle body against a periphery of a closing member for closing the opening in the vehicle body. The weather strip includes a base portion and a tubular seal portion which projects outwardly from an outer surface of the base portion. The tubular seal portion includes a pair of leg portions which project outwardly from the base portion, extending portions which extend from ends of the leg portions in opposite directions along the outer side wall to have an L-shaped cross-section with the leg portion, and a seal wall for connecting ends of the extending parts into an arc-shaped cross-section. The base portion and the leg portions are composed of a solid material while the seal wall is composed of a sponge material. A boundary between the solid material and sponge material is located in each of the extending portions of the tubular seal portion.

Abstract: A plate-shaped safety-component made of a composite material is equipped with support elements in opposite end regions of said component for anchoring to a supporting structure. To achieve an anchoring which allows for deformation of extension under an applied force, said support elements have bearing members made of honeycomb material disposed in at least one end region, are pressure loaded as a result of said anchoring forces (K), and in which the axial direction (T) of the honeycomb is aligned to the respective direction (R) of the anchoring force.

Abstract: A vibration protected tailgate structure for an automobile constructed to reduce generation of noise occurring in the opening direction of the tailgate, the structure including first and second guide bumpers, respectively, mounted at the tailgate and a body and contacted when the tailgate is closed thereby restricting vibration of the tailgate, the structure comprising: a hitching groove formed on one of the bumpers; and a hitching unit formed on the other bumper for being hitched by the hitching groove when the tailgate is closed thus restricting vibration of the tailgate and is detached from the hitching groove when the tailgate is opened.

Abstract: A vibration preventing structure of tailgate in an automobile wherein a plurality of hitching jaws formed at a first guide bumper are restricted by a rotary member of a second bumper guide at an automobile body when the tailgate is closed, while the jaws are detached when the tailgate is opened, thereby reducing the noise generated by vibration of the tailgate when the automobile is running, the structure comprising a first guide bumper protrusively coupled at a longitudinal end of the tailgate and sequentially formed with a plurality of hitching jaws; height adjustment device for adjusting a protruded height of the first guide bumper; a second guide bumper mounted at a body in order to allow the first guide bumper to be adhered when the tailgate is closed; a rotary member rotably mounted at the second guide bumper via a rotary axle and formed with a hook to be hitched by the hitching jaw of the first guide bumper; and operating device mounted at the second guide bumper for allowing the hook to be hitched by