Abstract: A sandwich structure includes a deep-drawn outer skin and a plastic layer foamed onto the inner side of the outer skin. The plastic layer provides a decorative plastic film on its upper surface and a frame at its outer edge. An encircling canting about the plastic layer retains a sheathing that is provided over the entire flat area of the outer skin to increase the modulus of elasticity of the plastic layer.

Abstract: A roof molding mounting structure of a vehicle is constituted by a groove portion (2) formed along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a roof molding (8) arranged within the groove portion (2). The groove portion (2) is formed in an inverse structure in which a left wall portion (6) and a right wall portion (7) are inward inclined. The roof molding (8) has a head portion (12) positioned above the groove portion (2), a main lip (13) having a front end portion elastically in contact with at least one of the left wall portion (6) and the right wall portion (7) in a lower side of the head portion (12), and a leg portion (15) elastically in contact with a bottom surface of the groove portion (2). A leg portion (15) of the roof molding (8) is elastically deformable in a vertical direction of the groove portion (2), and has a hollow portion.

Abstract: A roof structure 2 is divided into three roof constituent parts, i.e., a front portion 2F, a center portion 2C and a rear portion 2R, and they are formed by casting and connected to each other and sub-assembled into the roof structure 2. Each of left and right body side structures 3 are divided into three roof constituent parts, i.e., a front portion 3F, a center portion 3C and a rear portion 3R, and they are formed by casting and connected to each other and sub-assembled into the body side structure 3. The roof structure 2 and the left and right body side structures 3 are assembled and connected to each other on a main line, thereby constituting an upper body 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle convertible roof structure with a folding roof which is movably guided in guide rails (23) in the area of the side members (11) on each side of the vehicle roof. The side members (11) have an extruded section (12) which bears the respective guide rail (23) on its inner side, an outer skin panel section (13) on its outer side and a door and/or window pane seal (14) on its bottom.

Abstract: Vehicle roof of an automobile such as a sedan or the like, with a top panel (2), a longitudinal beam (8) along each side of the vehicle serving as the connecting element between the top panel (2) and the side panels or side-wall posts (4-7), and a roof rail (3) protruding from the top panel (2) along either side of the vehicle for fastening top carrier cross members or similar elements. The longitudinal beam (8) and the roof rail (3) together constitute an integrated single-unit module (9) made from the same material.

Abstract: Vehicle roof of an automobile etc., with a top panel (1) which can be attached along its longitudinal edges (2) to the respective longitudinal beams (3) of the roof frame of the auto body. According to the invention, the top panel (1) of this vehicle roof is equipped along each longitudinal edge with a permanently attached structural bar (4) which serves as added support and by which the panel can be mounted on the longitudinal beams (3) of the roof frame.

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 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 have joining configurations that mate with each other at mutual places for joining. The process includes the steps of introducing the ceiling frame through an opening in the basic structure for a rear or front window, moving the ceiling frame upwardly into contact with matching configuration points for connection at least one of laterally on the longitudinal frames and on front and rear cross members, fixing the ceiling frame in place, and lowering the ceiling and the ceiling frame followed by the outer skin onto the corresponding matching configuration points for connection to the longitudinal frames laterally and onto the front and rear cross members and securing there permanently.

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 removable hardtop including inner and outer roof panels made of molded fiber reinforced sheet molding compound. An integral roll bar is formed in the inner roof panel. A hold down clamp and bracket having horizontal, vertical and transverse flanges mounted on a horizontal edge, vertical surface and transverse surface of a B pillar of a vehicle. A method of molding the inner and outer roof panels and assembling component parts to the inner and outer roof panels is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mounting a self-supporting vehicle roof (1) onto a body of a motor vehicle (2). The mounting method according to the invention utilizes a special, self-supporting roof construction of so-called sandwich type, which enables a complete roof (1), comprising both inner roof and outer roof, to be mounted as one of the last components in an assembly line for motor vehicles. After having been mounted, vehicle roofs (1) of the type which is utilized in the method according to the invention will constitute an integrated, load-bearing part of a vehicle body of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A sealing method and apparatus involves positioning sealant carriers in a gap between first and second components to be sealed. Sealant is applied to a first major surface of the sealant carriers. As the first and second components are tightened together, the carriers are compressed and cause sealant to travel from the first major surface and through the carriers to a second major surface which is opposed to the first major surface. The sealant carriers may be positioned on respective carrier supports while sealant is being applied to the first major surface of the sealant carriers. The supports are used in initially positioning the sealant carriers in place and then are removed prior to tightening the first and second components together. The supports may include alignment mechanisms for use in aligning the sealant carriers with one of the first and second components. The sealant adheres the sealant carriers to such one of the first and second components following removal of the supports.

Abstract: A shock absorbing portion is pivotally supported on a grip body and is fixed to a vehicle body steel plate. A claw portions are protruded inwardly from a first and second side surface portions of a cover for covering a bridge portion so as to be inclined toward a bottom portion at an acute angle with respect to a normal respectively, and are engaged with engagement holes of the bridge portion and are held and fixed thereto respectively, and the cover is fixed to the bridge portion such that an opening faces opposite to a vehicle compartment.

Abstract: A clip for attaching a cover member to cover a groove section includes a base plate attached to a bottom surface of the groove section, a pair of engaging sections projected from the base plate and engaging side engaging sections of the cover member, and an abutting piece section projected from the base plate and having a free end abutting against an inner surface of the cover member to restrain an excessive movement thereof. In the condition that the cover member is attached, a spring force of the free end is applied to the cover member so that friction between the cover member and the engaging sections of the clip at both sides of the trim is effectively increased. Accordingly, the trim can be held in the width direction without loosening.

Abstract: A one-piece monocoque vehicle rooftop deck system for the top of a vehicle that includes furniture and safety handrails.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a solar generator which is securely attached on the outside on the solid roof skin for producing solar current for the vehicle. The solar generator can be adjusted between a first spatially compact configuration and a second, less spatially compact configuration in which its active solar surface projected onto the plane of the roof is larger than in the first configuration. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle roof with an attachment element which runs in the lengthwise direction of the roof and which is mounted externally on the solid roof skin and which is made such that a mobile flat solar generator can be pushed into the attachment element and is held in the working configuration by it to produce solar current.

Abstract: A sandwich construction vehicle roof module with an inner shell applied to this made of a dimensionally stable foam plastic has, integrated in the inner shell and formed from its foam plastic, grilles for air outlet and/or air passage. The grilles are therefore not components to be produced separately and installed in the inner shell, but unobtrusive elements of the inner shell itself and allow dazzle-free indirect lighting of the vehicle interior and/or the passage of targeted air flows for the ventilation and air extraction system for the vehicle interior.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle includes a vehicle body and a covering mounted thereon. The covering includes a front framework section mounted on the front portion of the body, a rear framework section mounted on the rear portion of the vehicle body, and a top framework section interconnecting the front and rear sections. The front and rear framework sections are disposed in a collapsed folded state and are extendable and erectible, with the top framework section interconnecting the front and rear framework sections. A transparent flexible windscreen can be attached to the front framework section. Top, back, and side covers can be attached to the remainder of the framework, the framework being permanently mounted to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle roof module (2) with integral sunroof unit for mounting on a bodywork frame (16) is proposed, in which the sunroof frame (5) is attached to the inner shell (11) at a plurality of spaced points distributed around the roof opening (3) of the sunroof unit by means of elements (21) provided only at these points and connected firmly therewith. The inner shell (11) may be attached to the bodywork frame (16) in the same way as the sunroof frame (5) is attached to the inner shell (11).

Abstract: A sun visor arrangement is proposed whose bearing elements, consisting of a swivel/rotary bearing and a removable swivel bearing, are foamed into or onto an inner shell, formed from a foamed plastics material, of a motor vehicle roof module with their component parts on the roof side at the same time as the inner shell is foam molded, so that the sun visors can be preassembled at the inner shell of the roof module, wherein the swivel/rotary bearing is constructed for fastening the sun visors and the inner shell to a body frame.

Abstract: A vehicle roof intended in particular for motor vehicles and in particular a roof module (1) to be made separately from the bodywork (5) and to be combined with the bodywork, consisting essentially of a rigid roof skin, where appropriate with an applied foamed inner skin (3) made from plastics foam, and a decorative headliner (12) made from plastics foam. The roof module can be fitted with an integral sliding roof unit. The characteristic feature is that the headliner (12) is made separately from the roof module (1) and can be locked into place on to or released from the inner skin (3) or where appropriate the sliding roof frame of the sliding roof unit by means of complementary exactly fitted interlocking elements (9, 16), i.e. it can be exchanged.

Abstract: A roof component adapted to be secured to a vehicle body which includes a pair of roof rails secured to a roof module such that the roof component forms a single piece component. The roof module, in one embodiment, includes a openings for receiving therethrough each outermost end of each roof rail. The outermost ends are secured to separate body pillars of the vehicle body. The roof rail is secured by welding, adhesives or by threaded fasteners to the roof module. The roof component thus forms a modular component of the vehicle and eliminates the need for attaching the roof rail components in a subsequent manufacturing step after the assembly of the vehicle is completed.

Abstract: A vehicle roof includes a preformed inner shell forming the roof lining. The lining is larger than the inside dimensions of the body opening bounded by the rails or sections of the closed body frame. The roof lining is flexible or elastic on the protruding areas, so that it is bendable for passage through the body opening bordered by the vehicle frame, with partial folding in the corner areas downward without permanent deformation and is designed to cover the vehicle frame. The protruding areas of the roof lining therefore form the coverings for the roof frame sections so that additional cover strips and cover sections are not required, even in the corners.

Abstract: A roof module for a motor vehicle, with an inner shell molded out of plastic foam which, in the vicinity of its support on the body framework, is divided into an upper layer which can be supported on the body framework and a lower layer that serves to line the body framework. Sun visors and handholds are pre-assembled on the lower layer. In order to improve and simplify assembly of the roof module on the vehicle body, it is envisaged that the upper layer, and thus the roof module as a whole, can be securely fixed to the body framework using just the fixing screws for the sun visors and the handholds. Preferably, captive fixing screws on the bearing elements of the sun visors and the handholds should also be able to be pre-assembled on the lower layer of the inner shell.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof module for attachment to the roof frame area of a motor vehicle body, with at least one cover (11) for selectively closing and exposing a roof opening in the roof module (11), with an electric motor drive (25, 26) for actuating the cover (11), and with a front apron (13) that forms a hollow profile component of a mounting frame of the roof module (10), and in which the electric motor drive (25, 26) is held at least partially within the apron (13).

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof part with a plastic outside skin which has been preformed by deep drawing and at least one other layer which is connected to the outside skin by an adhesive, a process and a molding tool for production thereof. A spacer part with a large volume and low weight is placed between the inside of the outside skin and a glass fiber mat which is used as another layer and is spaced apart from it. A liquid or foam adhesive which has been applied to the inside of the outside skin or the inside of the glass fiber mat diffuses into the spacer part. A very light and still very stable motor vehicle roof part with high production precision and surface quality results that has a plastic outside skin which, preferably, has already been colored according to the motor vehicle color.

Abstract: The method of making a vehicle body panel includes blow molding all or a substantial portion of the vehicle body panel and then securing attachments to openings formed on the blow molded body or to peripheral portions of the blow molded body.

Abstract: A vehicle roof module with integrated lighting system for the interior lighting has several light-conducting rods, preferably made from glass, and a light source is foam-molded into an inner shell of the roof interior, molded from foamed plastic and forming the roof module, so that only the light outlet surfaces of the light-emitting ends of the light-conducting rods are disposed in the visible surface of the roof interior. By a suitable choice of the number of light-conducting rods and the distribution pattern of the corresponding light outlet surfaces, both a uniform interior lighting and special lighting effects can be achieved.

Abstract: A roof construction for a vehicle is provided with a thermoplastic resin roof panel and a roof section of a body frame structure. The roof section has a wall inwardly of its periphery and a support flange extending from a lower end of the wall toward the periphery. The roof panel has an attachment flange on the support flange and held thereto by fasteners (or connectors). The roof construction can suppress inward displacement of the attachment flange caused due to deformation of the roof panel due to a considerable change in temperature.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a roof opening (18) between two lateral side members (14) attached to the vehicle, on which a pre-mounted roof module (10) which covers the roof opening is fixed. The roof module (10) is made on the two sides which engage the side members (14) such that a rigid top part (30) rests on the respective side member, while a lower, essentially rigid bottom part (28) which, however, is preferably flexible, at least in the edge area, fits under the respective side member. The vehicle roof is made such that the roof module, for attachment to the side members, can be pushed from the front or the rear into the side members.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a roof module (10) for attachment to the roof frame area of a motor vehicle body, with support edges (15) for the roof module (10) which inwardly adjoin the side rails (14) of the vehicle body, the roof module (10) having an outside roof skin (11) which has side edges (16) which are bent downward toward the support edges (15). On the roof skin (11), in the area of its side edges (16), there are connecting strips (18) which have bottoms for attachment to the support edges (15) of the roof frame area and which are joined to the roof skin (11), preferably by being injection molded or foamed on to it.

Abstract: Double-leafed hinged door type front and rear doors do not have a center pillar in a side opening. In order that one can open and close the front and rear doors independently of each other and in order to protect passengers by absorbing any impact caused by side collision, reinforcing members (10, 11) obtained from high tensile steel by hydroforming are provided near joint surfaces of the front door (2) and rear door (3) provided to the side opening of a car body (1).

Abstract: An automobile in which an external appearance of a body of the automobile is formed to assume substantially identically shaped front and rear portions, and in which visors are provided at a front head portion and a rear head portion of a roof of the body. There is obtained an automobile of high utility value capable of decreasing manufacturing costs through rationalization of manufacturing operations, and of securing safety during driving and comfort within the automobile.

Abstract: Disclosed is a center pillar assembly of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An operator's cab in a construction machine in which hollow pillar portions are formed each with an outer panel and an inner panel bonded to each other and the hollow pillar portions constitute an operator's cab frame, includes at least one reinforcement member constituted of thin plate that is bonded to the outer panel and/or the inner panel to divide an internal space of each of the hollow pillar portions.

Abstract: For a motor vehicle roof module, preferably of sandwich construction comprising a rigid roof skin and an inner shell of PUR plastic applied as a foam to its inner surface, it is proposed to form recesses in the single layer area of the inner shell when applying the foam, in which functional components, such as loudspeakers, can be placed without a housing and can be secured by catches.

Abstract: A one piece rotational molded roof for a vehicle cab is provided in which separate inlet and outlet air ducts are molded in the roof. The ducts are formed by molding upper and lower panels that are widely spaced to form the ducts and which are closely spaced about the periphery of the ducts. After a solid surface layer is molded, a second resin charge containing a foaming agent is dropped in the mold. This resin coats interior of the solid surface layer and later foams. The foam expands and extends completely between the closely spaced upper and lower panels of the solid surface layer to seal between the inlet and outlet air ducts. The foam is rigid to strengthen the roof.

Abstract: A roof structure 2 is divided into three roof constituent parts, i.e., a front portion 2F, a center portion 2C and a rear portion 2R, and they are formed by casting and connected to each other and sub-assembled into the roof structure 2. Each of left and right body side structures 3 are divided into three roof constituent parts, i.e., a front portion 3F, a center portion 3C and a rear portion 3R, and they are formed by casting and connected to each other and sub-assembled into the body side structure 3. The roof structure 2 and the left and right body side structures 3 are assembled and connected to each other on a main line, thereby constituting an upper body 1.

Abstract: There is provided an attachment structure of a seat belt system for a rear seat in which a seat belt retractor can be attached without causing an increase in vehicle weight and an increase in manufacturing cost, and the use feeling of the seat belt system is not lowered. The seat belt retractor is fixed to a bracket in the vicinity of a coupling portion. The coupling portion is defined by a D-pillar at one side of the rear of a body shell, a side rail, and a rear rail.

Abstract: A vehicle body panel that is formed in part by a blow molding process. Attachments may be assembled to openings formed by cutting off part of a blow molded body. Alternatively, attachments such as seals or seal retainers may be secured to peripheral portions of the blow molded body. The method of making a vehicle body panel includes blow molding all or a substantial portion of the vehicle body panel and then securing attachments to openings formed on the blow molded body or to peripheral portions of the blow molded body.

Abstract: A vehicle with an adjustable roof for providing a vehicle with enhanced capacity by permitting adjustment of the position of the roof of the vehicle. The vehicle with an adjustable roof includes an enhanced transport vehicle system, which comprises a vehicle having a front and a rear. The vehicle has a body including a cab portion located toward the front of the vehicle. The cab portion has a roof section. The body also includes a cargo portion extending rearwardly from the cab portion. The cargo portion has a floor and a pair of laterally spaced side walls extending upwardly in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the floor. The floor has a rear end, and the cargo portion has a roof section extending rearwardly from the roof section of the cab portion to a rear edge of the roof section. The side walls have upper edges extending substantially parallel to each other, and the upper edge of the side walls extend rearwardly from the rear edge of the roof section of the cargo portion.

Abstract: A vehicle frame part in the shape of a hollow profile is disclosed, with a hollow profile made of light metal being expanded by high internal pressure deformation. A sleeve made of a material with a greater ductility than the light metal, especially a steel material, is slid onto the hollow profile. The sleeve is located on the hollow profile in such fashion that a predetermined area of the hollow profile is covered that is to be deformed during subsequent expansion with a high degree of deformation that exceeds the expandability of the light metal. The hollow profile is expanded by expansion by high internal pressure within this predetermined area to a degree beyond the bursting limit, whereupon the sleeve alone is expanded, subjected directly to high internal pressure at the burst point in the final shaped hollow profile, until the final shape of the part is reached in the area that is covered by the sleeve that is held at both ends in a press fit against the hollow profile.

Abstract: A motor vehicle body including inner and outer body panels. The inner body panel and the outer body panel form at least one cavity therebetween. A structural cross woven fiber material is applied to the cavity formed between the inner and outer body panels in order to increase rigidity of the motor vehicle body. The cross woven or unidirectional fiber is fiberglass carbon fiber or other structural fibers which, in combination with resin (in fiber or powder form), becomes an integral part of the motor vehicle body structure when heat is applied.

Abstract: A specialty vehicle is provided with first and second rails on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle that extend from the front portion of the vehicle above the passenger compartment to a rear portion of the vehicle. The first and second rails have a plurality of grooves on an inwardly facing side thereof for receiving a windshield, a sun visor and a sun shade in a sliding relationship to permit repositioning. A key hole slot is provided for receiving a seatbelt retractor, grab handle, side view mirror or other accessory on a downwardly facing side of the first and second rails. The sun shade is preferably retained on a roll. The sun shade is a flexible web reinforced by a plurality of longitudinally spaced ribs and a front roof bar. The sun visor may be formed in two parts and retained between a center track and one of the rails. A linearly driven reciprocating windshield wiper is provided on the rails.

Abstract: A top rail assembly (20) utilizes a support brace (22) and an awning mount groove (26) recessed in a rail body (24) to provide a strong top rail assembly (20) without using undue space or degrading aesthetics. The brace (22) extends between a side wall brace tab (72) and a roof brace tab (64) to reinforce the top rail body (24) and define a wire chase opening (76) between the brace (22) and a tansition section (74) of the body (24). The groove (26) is recessed into the rail body (24) and is defined by two opposed legs (80, 82) and a bottom segment (84) which are integral to the rail body (24).

Abstract: A rear roof rail reinforcement structure for automobile wherein a passage between an inner side panel at a corner side of the tailgate and an outer side panel is blocked to provide a reinforcing force, such that, in case an automobile is parked on a block of a footpath with only one wheel, a torsional stress is not applied to the tailgate to thereby facilite opening and closing of tailgate, and vibration generated from a running automobile is blocked by the passage to prevent in advance the noisy sound resounding phenomenon from being transmitted to a pillar panel, the rear roof rail reinforcement structure for automobile, the rear roof rail for automobile where an inner side panel and an outer side panel are detachably formed at a predetermined space therebetween, a rear roof lower rail is overlapped by and welded to the inner side panel and the outer side panel is overlapped by and welded to a rear roof upper rail and a roof panel, wherein the rear roof lower rail is bent at a tip end thereof and welded to

Abstract: A roof construction for a vehicle has a large-surface roof opening which is surrounded by vehicle-body-side member sections and which can be closed by at least one movable forward roof section and an adjoining tail gate. The forward roof section is displaceable toward the rear of the vehicle and under the tail gate by way of laterally arranged vehicle rails extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and by way of driving devices. In order to simplify and shorten assembly work at an assembly line, the at least one movable roof section, the assigned guide rails, the tail gate and the driving devices are accommodated by a surrounding carrying frame and, together with the carrying frame, form a prefabricated module. Together with the insertion of a surrounding sealing element, the prefabricated module is connected with the vehicle-body-side member sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a center pillar assembly of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A roof module for a motor vehicle, with an inner shell molded out of plastic foam which, in the vicinity of its support on the body framework, is divided into an upper layer which can be supported on the body framework and a lower layer that serves to line the body framework. Sun visors and handholds are pre-assembled on the lower layer. In order to improve and simplify assembly of the roof module on the vehicle body, it is envisaged that the upper layer, and thus the roof module as a whole, can be securely fixed to the body framework using just the fixing screws for the sun visors and the handholds. Preferably, captive fixing screws on the bearing elements of the sun visors and the handholds should also be able to be pre-assembled on the lower layer of the inner shell.

Abstract: A system of adjustable rooftop cowlings, folding safety handrails, hatchways, stairways, and furnishings affixed to the top of motorhomes.

Abstract: A shoulder belt is provided for a center seat in a vehicle. The belt extends from a retractor mounted to a frame in an upper rear corner of the vehicle. The belt is routed through a belt guide mounted to a roof arch above the seat. The belt extends from the retractor to the belt guide in a space between the roof and roof liner. The belt then extends through the belt guide into the passenger compartment. The belt has a detachable tongue secured in a detachable anchor so that the belt can be released and retracted into a storage compartment above the seat.