Abstract: A side structure for an automobile body has an A-pillar having a first portion which has a closed cross section and which is connected to a side sill and extends upwards, and a second portion which has a closed cross section and which is continuous with the first portion and extends along a slope therefrom, and a roof rail side member which has a closed cross section and which is continuous with the A-pillar and is connected to a B-pillar. The side reinforcing member having a closed cross section and a shape which is bent three-dimensionally and which is constituted by a single member in the axial direction and has undergone high frequency quenching is disposed so a to extend at least inside the second portion and inside the roof rail side member to be positioned to the rear of the connection with the B-pillar.

Abstract: A roof side rail is connected to a roof panel and includes a multi-sectional rail having a plurality of integrally formed ribs and bent along a shape of an upper portion of a side surface of a vehicle body, and a reinforcement rail that is combined with an inner side surface of the rail, an upper side flange is connected to the roof panel, and a lower side flange is engaged with a weather strip.

Abstract: To obtain a vehicular panel structure that can suppress changes in angles between vehicle frame members. Ribs (30) and (32) are formed in each corner portion on an undersurface side of a roof panel (28) in such a way as to straddle headers (38) and roof side rails (12). Engaging holes (34) are formed in both lengthwise direction end sides of each of the ribs (30) and (32), and weld nuts (36) disposed on the headers (38) and the roof side rails (12) are engaged with the engaging holes (34).

Abstract: A structure for a side portion of a vehicle body that is configured such that the ends of an arch member are mounted to rail members extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and such that a roof panel is supported by the arch member. The structure includes the rail members; the arch member, which extends in the width direction of the vehicle and the ends of which are mounted to the rail members; and the roof panel supported by the arch member. In each of the rail members, an outer extension section is integrally provided to a rail outer section and an inner extension section is integrally provided to a rail inner section. The arch member is provided with an arch upper member that can be installed on the outer extension section and an arch lower member that can be installed on the inner extension section.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle glazing assembly with noise and vibration reduction techniques, having: a panel; and a first layer of first stiffening material applied at a perimeter of the panel.

Abstract: A cargo container is disclosed having removable panels secured between roof bows that extend across the width of the cargo container. The roof bows may be constructed out of a metal or high strength composite material while the panels may be constructed from a similar high strength material or a lightweight plastic depending on the intended use of the trailer. A top sheet over the roof bows maybe required to secure the panels to the bows, or the top sheet may be optional for additional protection from the weather. Insulation may also be placed between the top sheet and panels if the container is to be used to carry refrigerated cargo.

Abstract: A foam molded product includes a mixture resin including, as base resins, a polypropylene-based resin with a long-chain branching structure and a weight mixing ratio of 60 to 80%, a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer with a styrene content of 15 to 40% and a weight mixing ratio of 15 to 35%, and a polyethylene-based resin with a long-chain branching structure, which has a density of not more than 0.930 g/cm3 and a weight mixing ratio of 5 to 25%.

Abstract: A vehicle body superstructure includes a roof side rail having a rail flange upon which a roof panel is mounted, a vertical rail wall that hangs down from the outer end of the rail flange in the vehicle width direction, a bottom rail wall that extends from the lower end of the vertical rail wall to the outside in the vehicle width direction, and a bulging section formed by allowing the bottom rail wall and the vertical rail wall to bulge toward the center in the vehicle width direction, in order to accommodate a slide rail for a sliding door. The outer end of a roof arch in the vehicle width direction is joined to the bulging section. First arch flanges are joined on the lower surface side of the rail flange. Second arch flanges are joined to the lower surface side of the of the bottom rail wall.

Abstract: A structure for coupling roof rails using a side two-buck structure includes a floor formed of a bottom of a vehicle body, side inner panels coupled to both side surfaces of the floor, and roof rails coupled to upper portions of the side inner panels. A method for coupling roof rails includes coupling side inner arms to side surfaces of a vehicle floor, coupling a cross shaped joint part to an upper portion of the side inner arm, coupling a side inner reinforcement part to outer surfaces of the side inner arm and the joint part, coupling the roof rail to an upper portion of the side inner reinforcement part and an upper surface of the joint part, coupling a side outer reinforcement panel to an outer portion of the side inner reinforcement part, and coupling a side outer panel to an outer portion of the side outer reinforcement panel.

Abstract: A lightweight construction element (2) for a body of a motor vehicle (1) with a support frame (3) having four frame parts (5, 6, 7, 8), which essentially spans a square and with panelling (4) mounted on the support frame (3). The the support frame (3) is made of a fibre-reinforced plastic and has at least two intersecting braces (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20) that are designed according to bionic aspects and in which the intersection or intersections (15, 18) are connected and each of which join two of the frame parts (5, 6, 7, 8) perpendicular to one another with one another.

Abstract: A vehicle upper-body structure having a pillar reinforcement member which connects an upper portion of a pillar member and a roof reinforcement member to be reinforced, includes at least one latch portion (hook-shaped member) which is latched to the roof reinforcement member when the pillar reinforcement member is deformed by an external load, and the latch portion is provided to pass through the roof reinforcement member as a portion of the pillar reinforcement member. According to the vehicle upper-body structure, when the pillar reinforcement member is deformed by the external load, since the latch portion is latched to the roof reinforcement member, load transmission efficiency from the pillar reinforcement member to the roof reinforcement member can be improved. Moreover, compared to a case where joining is performed at one point, the number of components is not increased.

Abstract: The device is a vehicle with a carefully designed multi-layered roof and with a solar array consisting of at least five solar panels mounted on various parts of that roof. When the vehicle is being driven none of the solar panels will extend beyond the outer perimeter of the vehicle. When the vehicle is parked, the driver will be able to cause the at least four solar panels to be repositioned in such a way that their total footprint is more than twice the total footprint of the vehicle. This vehicle will also feature an onboard computer that can help the driver do a variety of tasks that are not normally necessary for typical vehicles and which involve levels of information processing which a normal person would be better off allowing the onboard computer to accomplish.

Abstract: A roof rail includes a support member configured to be assembled on a roof of a vehicle, a first cover made from synthetic resin material, the first cover including a lengthwise-direction first end portion which is fixed to the support member and a lengthwise-direction second end portion which is supported by the support member to be expandable and contractible in a vehicle front/rear direction, and a second cover made from synthetic resin material, the second cover being supported by the support member to be expandable and contractible in the vehicle front/rear direction, the second cover including a lengthwise-direction end portion which is assembled to the lengthwise-direction second end portion of the first cover, wherein an outer surface of the lengthwise-direction second end portion of the first cover and an outer surface of the lengthwise-direction end portion of the second cover are coplanar with each other.

Abstract: A weatherstrip is attached to a peripheral flange of a roof panel for sealing against a peripheral edge portion of a tailgate. The weatherstrip includes a base portion and is mounted to the roof panel by receiving the roof panel flange between an interior section and exterior section of the base portion. A tongue extends from the base portion toward the vehicle body and covers a space between the roof panel and the vehicle body. A generally tubular seal body extends from the base portion toward the peripheral edge portion of the tailgate. The seal body seals against the tailgate to prevent wind noise by closing a gap between a roof panel and tailgate. An arm extends from the base portion and is positioned between the roof panel and the vehicle body and is attached to an underside of the roof panel.

Abstract: A molding fixing assembly for securing a roof molding in a roof groove includes a bracket fixedly secured in the roof groove and a separate clip mounted to the molding. The bracket includes a base and a pair of arms extending substantially perpendicularly from opposed longitudinal side edges of the base. At least one of the arms includes a first retaining member and a second retaining member having a configuration different than the first retaining member. The clip includes a body having a pair of longitudinal sidewalls and a pair of end walls. At least one of the sidewalls has a post projecting therefrom. To connect the clip to the bracket, the sidewalls of the clip are positioned between the pair of arms of the bracket. The first retaining member engages one of the sidewalls of the clip and the second retaining member engages the post.

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

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

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a laminated glass panel, which includes at least two glass substrates and at least one intermediate layer made of a polymeric material arranged between the substrates, the method including in the following order: the bending of the substrates; the controlled cooling of the substrates; and the formation of a laminated assembly that includes the substrates and the intermediate layer; the cutting of the laminated assembly straight through the entire thickness thereof along a line on one of the main surfaces thereof, the controlled cooling including general controlled cooling and local controlled cooling of an area that includes the cutting line, the local controlled cooling being faster than the general controlled cooling.

Abstract: A multi-component open-air vehicle roof structured to have a retractable enclosure storage compartment along a length of a driver's and passenger's side of the roof, and retractable enclosures to be supported and protected by the retractable enclosure storage compartments, and a rear-side retractable enclosure with a choice of having either rear-side roof supports shaped to act as a storage compartment or having a rear-side compartment as part of the rear-side edge area of the roof, either to act as a roof support storage compartment for the rear-side retractable enclosure when it is retracted. On each roof side there is a wing valence support for supporting a decorative valence and an optional lighting system. The retractable enclosures may be powered or manually controlled. The roof's ribbed, single-ply construction provides for a stronger roof with a plurality of storage compartments for a plurality of accessories within the ribs.

Abstract: A vehicle body top structure for enhancing the rigidity and strength of the intersections of side rails and a front rail. The vehicle body top structure is provided with left and right side rails provided so as to extend in the front-and-rear direction at the top part of a vehicle body side part, and a front rail extending left and right, one end part of which is joined to the left side rail, and the other end of which is joined to the right side rail. Thin-plate parts having a smaller plate thickness than thick-plate parts and thick-plate parts are disclosed at the one end and the other end of the front rail. The thin-plate parts are each connected to the left and right side rails.

Abstract: Left and right roof rails for supporting a roof panel include left and right inner rails; and left and right outer panels located on the outsides of the left and right inner rails in the width direction of the vehicle. Each of the outer panels is formed in a stepped shape and includes a stepped section at an intermediate stage and an upper outer flange at a lower stage. The upper outer flanges are joined to the upper surfaces of the associated inner rail. The left and right ends of the roof panel are joined to the stepped surfaces of the stepped sections by adhesion sections and temporarily securing sections. The temporarily securing sections are weld portions that provide temporary affixation until the adhesion sections can exhibit an adhesion force, and the temporarily securing sections are covered with filling agent layers that are filled into the stepped sections.

Abstract: A vehicle roof structure includes a vehicle body and a vehicle roof. The vehicle body includes an outer side panel, a body stiffener and an inner side panel. The vehicle roof includes a roof panel and a roof stiffener. A connection portion between the vehicle body and vehicle roof forms a roof ditch which extends along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle roof structure. The roof ditch includes a bottom which extends laterally between the vehicle body and vehicle roof. Structural welds associated only with the vehicle body and separate attachment welds only connecting the vehicle roof to the vehicle body are provided on the bottom of the roof ditch. The two welds allow multiple sheets of material to be applied in the roof ditch for crash regulations.

Abstract: A method of forming a header extension coupling a front header and a roof side inner includes: electrically heating a part of a material to a temperature of not less than a hardening temperature such that a front header side is heated to the temperature of not less than the hardening temperature and a roof side inner side is heated to a temperature of less than the hardening temperature; and press-forming the material after the electrical heating into the shape of the header extension; and hardening the material by quenching. In this way, a vehicle structure can be provided such that the bending mode under application of a load to the roof can be appropriately controlled, and productivity can be improved.

Abstract: A roof panel made of resin has lower flange portions that are bent toward a vehicle lower side from vehicle side end portions of a upper surface portion. Outer panels that structure roof side rails have groove portions that are concave and are formed along a vehicle longitudinal direction at vehicle transverse direction inner sides of curved surface portions, and inner side flange portions that are formed at final end portions that are further toward vehicle transverse direction inner sides than the groove portions. In a state in which the lower flange portions are disposed within the groove portions of the outer panels, the inner side flange portions of the outer panels and an inner surface of the upper surface portion of the roof panel are joined by an adhesive.

Abstract: A hybrid combination structure of a roof frame is provided. In particular, the hybrid combination structure of a roof frame is configured to include a roof frame made of a plastic material, a front reinforce panel made of a steel material and mounted at a front of the roof frame, a center reinforce panel made of a steel material and mounted at a middle of the roof frame, and a rear reinforce panel made of a steel material and mounted at a rear of the roof frame to provide the integral roof frame in which steel and plastic are combined with each other, thereby improving sag and torsion problems to improve support rigidity and reducing weight and costs to improve a value of the product.

Abstract: A roof frame for a motor vehicle has a cowl frame with upper and lower segments and a plurality of chambers in each segment. An upper connecting surface is on top side of the free end of the lower segment. A lower connecting surface is opposite the upper connecting surface and is connected to a reinforcing element of an A pillar. The upper segment is arranged offset back from the lower segment of the cowl frame and is shortened by mechanical machining to form a step-shaped shoulder in which the outer roof frame is held.

Abstract: A vehicle body superstructure includes a first side rail member, a second side rail member, a roof member, and a gusset. The gusset includes a rail side surface, a roof side surface, a first claw, a second claw, and a bead. The rail side surface extends along a vertical direction of a vehicle body and is connected to the first and second side rail members. The roof side surface extends along a breadthways direction of the vehicle body and is connected to the roof member. The first claw is provided at a first longitudinal end of the gusset and locked in a first locking portion provided in the first side rail member. The second claw is provided at a second longitudinal end of the gusset and is locked in a second locking portion provided in the second side rail member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a roof structure in a vehicle, wherein the roof structure (100) is provided with printed electrical connection means (110) for connecting electrical devices in the vehicle. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a roof structure and to a system comprising an electrical device, a roof structure (100) with printed electrical connection means (110), a printed conductive pad (112, 212, 312, 412) and an electrical connector, wherein the electrical connector (530, 730) is pierced through the roof structure (100) to connect the electrical device with the conductive pad (112, 212, 312, 412).

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof side rail, roof arch, and roof panel. The roof side rail includes a mount portion extending inward in a vehicle-transversal direction and having a vehicle-transversally outer end portion of the roof panel mounted thereto. The roof arch includes a vehicle-transversally outer end portion that is located outside a vehicle-transversally inner end of the mount portion in the vehicle-transversal direction, joined with the roof side rail, and disposed at a position that is spaced apart downward from the vehicle-transversally outer end portion of the roof panel. At least one of the roof arch and the roof side rail includes a flange portion that extends toward the other one of the roof arch and the side rail and comes into contact with the other one of the roof arch and the roof side rail to restrict downward movement of the roof arch.

Abstract: A front pillar for an automobile includes an outer panel, an inner panel, and a hollow member disposed between the outer and inner panels. The outer panel has a roof-joining outer flange section projecting toward a roof skin flange section of a roof beyond the hollow member, and joined by spot welding to the roof skin flange section. A roof-joining extended flange section is joined by welding to at least two surfaces of the hollow member, extended to project toward the roof skin flange section beyond the hollow member and overlap the roof-joining outer flange section, and joined by spot welding to the roof skin flange section together with the roof-joining outer flange section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roof arrangement having a cover for closing the opening in a vehicle roof, a fixing plate, which is connected to the cover for fixing the cover to the vehicle roof, wherein the fixing plate is partially insert molded with a plastic material, so that the plastic material forms a water channel on the upper side of the plate. According to the invention it is characterized in that an injection-molded masking piece is formed on the underside of the fixing plate and the fixing plate in the area of the masking piece has at least one aperture, through which the plastic material of the water channel and of the masking piece can be connected to one another. The invention also relates to a suitable method for producing such a roof arrangement.

Abstract: A retainer adapted for disposition within a vehicle roof ditch between a first sidewall and a second sidewall to hold an elongate molding strip in covering relation to the vehicle roof ditch. The retainer includes at least one body portion adapted for disposition within the roof ditch in operative connection to a base portion of the roof ditch. The body portion has a length dimension adapted for orientation along a length segment of the roof ditch between a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The body portion includes an arrangement of molding attachment elements adapted to engage an underside of the elongate molding strip. The body portion further includes at least one spring biasing leg disposed at an elevation below the molding attachment elements, the spring biasing leg extends an operative length away from one side of the body portion for contacting, flexing relation with the first sidewall.

Abstract: A hybrid combination structure of a roof frame is provided. In particular, the hybrid combination structure of a roof frame is configured to include a roof frame made of a plastic material, a front reinforce panel made of a steel material and mounted at a front of the roof frame, a center reinforce panel made of a steel material and mounted at a middle of the roof frame, and a rear reinforce panel made of a steel material and mounted at a rear of the roof frame to provide the integral roof frame in which steel and plastic are combined with each other, thereby improving sag and torsion problems to improve support rigidity and reducing weight and costs to improve a value of the product.

Abstract: A body for a motor vehicle and a method for producing a motor vehicle body is provided. Such a body comprises two roof frame longitudinal profiles (6, 14), at least one roof frame cross profile (10) arranged between the roof frame longitudinal profiles (6, 14) and a body pillar (12), wherein in a connecting area (Y) a roof frame longitudinal profile (6; 14), a roof frame cross profile (10) and the body pillar (12) are connected or can be connected together using a mechanical connection. Here the roof frame longitudinal profile (6; 14) comprises a recess (16) in the connecting area (Y), as seen in a longitudinal section of the roof frame longitudinal profile (6; 14), the recess accommodating the roof frame cross profile (10), at least some areas of the circumferential contour of the profile being adapted to match the recess (16).

Abstract: A lateral impact energy transfer rail for an automotive vehicle and a body structure incorporating the same. The transfer rail includes a cross member having a gusset mounted at each end. The gussets opposing end of each gusset is attached to a roof side rail of the vehicle. The gussets are secured to the cross member by a fastener and an additional connection. The additional connection is laterally offset from the fastener.

Abstract: A roof ditch molding and a method of manufacture. The roof ditch molding may include a channel and a skin that are co-extruded from different polymeric materials.

Abstract: A vehicle reinforcing structure includes a roof member, a pillar member that has in its upper part an extension part that extends along the roof member, and a reinforcing member that is joined so as to bridge the extension part and the roof member. The reinforcing member has a first welded part welded to the extension part, and a second welded part welded to a front edge of the roof member. The first welded part and the second welded part are provided such that an imaginary area created with straight lines that connect the respective edges of the welded parts substantially fits within the area of the reinforcing member. The reinforcing member further has an open area on the vehicle interior side of the first welded part on the rear side of the second welded part, the open area being in contact neither with the pillar member nor with the roof member.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof ditch that is defined by a recessed support surface, first and second wall surfaces that extend longitudinally along sides of the recessed support surface. A cover includes a top portion that spans a width of the roof ditch between respective top edges thereof. The cover includes a cover attachment section and a molding attachment section. The cover attachment section couples the cover at a fixed position relative to the vehicle body panel. A molding member extends in a lengthwise direction along the roof ditch between the first and second wall surfaces. The molding member includes an attachment member mating with the molding attachment section of the cover to form a lengthwise movement connection that retains the cover to the molding member with a predetermined amount of movement along the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch.

Abstract: An opening portion is formed at a specified portion of a roof gusset which covers part of a panel joint portion from below. A pair of center-pillar side joint portions is provided at an outward end portion of the roof gusset, which is joined to a center pillar directly or via another panel member. A pair of first high-rigidity portions is provided at specified portions of the roof gusset which overlap the opening portion in a vehicle width direction and overlap the center-pillar joint portions in the vehicle longitudinal direction, respectively. A second high-rigidity portion is provided at an inward end portion of the roof gusset to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A roof frame for a motor vehicle has a cowl frame with upper and lower segments and a plurality of chambers in each segment. An upper connecting surface is on top side of the free end of the lower segment. A lower connecting surface is opposite the upper connecting surface and is connected to a reinforcing element of an A pillar. The upper segment is arranged offset back from the lower segment of the cowl frame and is shortened by mechanical machining to form a step-shaped shoulder in which the outer roof frame is held.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing composite material products is disclosed having at least the following operating steps: molding at least one plastic material spacer—having one or more inserts; molding at least one composite material product having at least the spacer; and mechanically working at least one of the inserts for forming at least one threaded hole therein. The present invention also relates to the products manufactured with this process.

Abstract: A pair of right-and-left center pillars, a pair of right-and-left roof side rails, and an inflator provided on the inside, in a vehicle width direction, of the roof side rails and capable of supplying a gas pressure to an airbag are provided. A roof reinforcing member which extends in the vehicle width direction over respective upper end portions of the center pillars or respective nearby portions to upper ends of the center pillars is provided, which includes a front concave portion and a rear concave portion which are concaved downward respectively. The inflator is arranged such that at least a portion of the inflator overlaps with the roof reinforcing member, and a depth of the rear concave portion overlapping with the inflator is shallower than that of the front concave portion positioned nearer the center pillars.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle upper structure which is capable of increasing, in a simple manner, a section modulus (resistive force) against a bending moment to be imposed on a roof reinforcement by a swinging phenomenon of a gusset occurring when a side impact load input into a center pillar and a roof side rail member is applied to the roof reinforcement from the gusset during a vehicle side impact event, to allow the load to be effectively dispersed to the roof reinforcement. The vehicle upper structure comprises a roof side rail member 4, a roof reinforcement 15 and a gusset 30, wherein an end of the gusset 30 on a side fastened to the roof reinforcement 15 has a shape which inclines with respect to a line L1 oriented in a vehicle front-rear direction, in top plan view.

Abstract: Provided a vehicle skeleton member including: a portion obtained by joining a plurality of members constituted by a composite material of a thermoplastic resin and a reinforcing fiber, and an axis parallel to a front-rear direction and/or a right-left direction of the vehicle body is included in a joined surface by vibration welding.

Abstract: To obtain a vehicular panel structure that can suppress changes in angles between vehicle frame members. Ribs (30) and (32) are formed in each corner portion on an undersurface side of a roof panel (28) in such a way as to straddle headers (38) and roof side rails (12). Engaging holes (34) are formed in both lengthwise direction end sides of each of the ribs (30) and (32), and weld nuts (36) disposed on the headers (38) and the roof side rails (12) are engaged with the engaging holes (34).

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof ditch and an elongated molding member. The roof ditch is defined by a recessed support surface and first and second wall surfaces extending longitudinally along opposite sides of the recessed support surface. The molding member includes a plurality of roof attachment portions securing the molding member longitudinally along the roof ditch. The molding member includes a top portion, a first lateral side extending downward from the top portion along the first wall surface of the roof ditch and a second lateral side extending downward from the top portion along the second wall surface of the roof ditch. The first and second lateral sides include a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart stabilizing projections extending downward from bottom edges of the first and second lateral sides into contact with the recessed support surface of the roof ditch.

Abstract: A molding for a vehicle side carrier structure has hat least one recess for receiving a securing means of a roof load carrier device, the cross section of the molding is configured so that a roof load carrier device is only detachably fastenable to the molding by engagement of at least one securing means provided on the roof load carrier device in the at least one recess of the molding, and at least one sensor device is configured for detecting a change of a magnetic field in the region of the recess. The present invention further relates to a roof carrier arrangement with the molding according to the invention for fastening a roof load carrier device and a method for controlling a driver assist or driver stabilizing program of a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof ditch and an elongated molding member. The roof ditch is defined by a recessed support surface and first and second wall surfaces extending longitudinally along opposite sides of the recessed support surface. The molding member includes a plurality of roof attachment portions securing the molding member longitudinally along the roof ditch. The molding member includes a top portion, a first lateral side extending downward from the top portion along the first wall surface of the roof ditch and a second lateral side extending downward from the top portion along the second wall surface of the roof ditch. The first and second lateral sides include a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart stabilizing projections extending downward from bottom edges of the first and second lateral into contact with the recessed support surface of the roof ditch.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof ditch and an elongated molding member that convers the roof ditch. Each of a plurality of fastening members extends upward from a recessed support surface of the roof ditch to a level that is below upper edges of first and second wall surfaces of the roof ditch. The molding member includes a main section and a plurality of attachment structures. The main section and the attachment structures are formed unitarily as a single monolithic element. The main section is located between upper edges of the first and second wall surfaces and laterally conceals the roof ditch. The attachment structures extending from the main section into the roof ditch and including a bottom wall defining an opening fixedly receiving a corresponding one of the fastening members.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof ditch that is defined by a recessed support surface, first and second wall surfaces that extend longitudinally along sides of the recessed support surface. A cover includes a top portion that spans a width of the roof ditch between respective top edges thereof. The cover includes a cover attachment section and a molding attachment section. The cover attachment section couples the cover at a fixed position relative to the vehicle body panel. A molding member extends in a lengthwise direction along the roof ditch between the first and second wall surfaces. The molding member includes an attachment member mating with the molding attachment section of the cover to form a lengthwise movement connection that retains the cover to the molding member with a predetermined amount of movement along the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch.