Abstract: An article attachment system for a vehicle includes an elongated rail attached to the interior of the vehicle. The rail has a partially enclosed space with at least one slide interface and a series of projections. A bracket engages the rail for mounting at least one article to the rail. A positioning device engages the bracket and has at least one extension movable between an engaged position for securing the article to the rail and a released position for moving the article relative to the rail.

Abstract: A isolation unit for a snowmobile connects to the forward frame members of the snowmobile and provides a plurality of receptacles and mounting points for receiving and securing various front-end components to the snowmobile. The isolation unit not only facilitates assembly and maintenance of the snowmobile but also protects and isolates vibration-sensitive components from the vibrations of the engine. The isolation unit is molded from plastic to accommodate a variety of components, including a hood, a console, a headlight, an ignition coil, fuel tank vent pipe, stepper motor, a km/MPH converter, an electrical wire harness, an electronic control unit, an exhaust pipe temperature sensor wires, a fuse box, an engine reverse buzzer, and a capacitor.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a fastening system include an object with a securement structure and a mounting structure fastened with respect to the securement structure. The fastening system further includes a bearing member with a first portion for bearing against the bearing surface of the securement structure and a second portion for bearing against the bearing surface of the mounting structure. The bearing member may be biased such that the bearing surfaces of the securement and mounting structures both simultaneously receive compressive force from the respective first and second portions of the bearing member.

Abstract: A mount assembly for use in an automotive suspension system, body mount, cradle mount, or other like device. The mount assembly includes a polyurethane elastomer carrier mounted to a frame and having a peripheral outer rim. A microcellular polyurethane insulator is coupled to the frame and extends beyond the peripheral outer rim. The polyurethane elastomer of the carrier has a first modulus of elasticity. The microcellular polyurethane of the insulator has a second modulus of elasticity that is less than the first modulus of elasticity of the carrier such that the mount assembly can provide two distinct rates of elasticity, or stiffness, for adequately isolating both low amplitude, high frequency vibrations and high amplitude, low frequency impacts.

Abstract: In certain example embodiments, a single type of vehicle frame member may be used for both first and second vehicle types, where the frame member includes at least one window frame opening defined therein. In making the first vehicle type, the window frame opening(s) is/are filled with windows in a known manner. When making the second vehicle type, one or more of the frame openings is/are filled with a colored polymer based insert which is of a color(s) which compliments the exterior color(s) of the vehicle. In other example embodiments (which may or may not be used in conjunction with the aforesaid embodiment), an attachment member for mounting an insert in a frame opening is designed to allow at least part of the attachment member to slide relative to an insert to which it is mounted. In certain instances, the attachment member may include a spring biased clip, while in other instances it may include a slidable stud support.

Abstract: A fastening system with an object including a securement structure with an extension element adapted to be compressed by a fastener. A portion of the securement structure extends above a first end of a compression reinforcement device. The extension element is adapted to be compressed by a fastener such that the portion of the securement structure is positioned substantially level with the first end and wherein the compression reinforcement device and the securement structure both receive compressive force from a fastener.

Abstract: An isolation mount for use in motor vehicles in which the mount is sandwiched between the subframe and body. The mount includes an elastomeric upper mount and lower mount and a threaded fastener drawing the two elastomeric mounts together. The upper mount has an insert member with an oblong shape in the lateral displacement direction of the vehicle. The oblong shape increases the volume of elastomer that can be used to respond to lateral forces and reduces the stresses developed on the elastomer. The lateral response rate is stiffer than the fore and aft response rate and both are stiffer than the vertical response rate.

Abstract: A cab body mounting (100) in a vehicle has a frame-side bracket (102) attached to a chassis frame side rail (18) and a body-side bracket (104) attached to a cab body rail (16). An elastomeric bushing (108) and a fastener (109) associate brackets 102, 104 so as to allow limited motion between them accompanied by bushing deformation. Bracket (102) has an upright wall (110) that is spaced a distance from an end (16E) of rail (16). A sufficiently large relative acceleration of the body on the frame, such as during a frontal impact, will cause an edge portion of bracket (104) to abut wall (110), which arrests further movement of the bracket in the fore-aft direction, and thereby shares the loading that is being imposed on the mounting due to the acceleration force. This occurs before the stress in the shank of fastener (109) reaches the characteristic maximum allowable shearing stress for the fastener material.

Abstract: A body mount for a vehicle includes a rebound cushion assembly in which a first cushion portion provides a progressive rate buildup to provide travel rebound control and a second cushion portion prevents an upper cushion of the body mount from hitting against the vehicle frame. A clamp member partially encloses the first and second cushion portions. The portions are preferably inner and outer rings interconnected by a thin membrane that allows independent action. The first portion is an elongated member always in compression that has a minimal impact on the system rate and loaded height and the second ring comes into selective contact with the vehicle frame to prevent the upper cushion from being lifted from the vehicle frame.

Abstract: There is provided a shoulder anchor mounting structure of a vehicle. In the shoulder anchor mounting structure, a side roof rail extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle at a roof side of the vehicle is constructed such that an inner member and an outer member thereof form a closed section. A first reinforce that partitions the closed section is interposed between the inner member and the outer member, and a second reinforce that and has a peripheral edge thereof joined to the first reinforce is interposed between the first reinforce and the inner member. The second reinforce has a bottom wall joined to an inner surface wall of the inner member, and a shoulder anchor member of a seat belt is mounted on an abutment part where the bottom wall and the inner member abut on each other.

Abstract: A method for making a spacer assembly comprises: forming a plurality of projections along an edge of a portion of sheet metal; roll forming the portion of sheet metal into a tubular configuration; positioning the roll formed portion of sheet metal and a metal base member to which the roll formed portion of sheet metal is to be welded in a discharge welding apparatus having a pair of electrodes so that the projections of the roll formed portion of sheet metal contact a surface of the metal base member; providing a force so that the projections are disposed in forcible engagement with the surface of the metal base member; and supplying an electrical current between the pair of electrodes and through the roll formed portion of sheet metal and the metal base member so that the projections reach a molten metal stage and are subsequently solidified to enable the roll formed portion of sheet metal to be welded to the metal base member.

Abstract: A body mount for a vehicle includes a rebound cushion assembly in which a first cushion portion provides a progressive rate buildup to provide travel rebound control and a second cushion portion prevents an upper cushion of the body mount from hitting against the vehicle frame. A clamp member partially encloses the first and second cushion portions. The portions are preferably inner and outer rings interconnected by a thin membrane that allows independent action. The first portion is an elongated member always in compression that has a minimal impact on the system rate and loaded height and the second ring comes into selective contact with the vehicle frame to prevent the upper cushion from being lifted from the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A vehicle body mount comprised of a lower rebound mount and an upper load mount provides a method to fasten the rebound mount to the load mount in preparation for accommodation of a vehicle frame and vehicle body which may be radially eccentric mismatched. While continually maintaining the interlock function, the integral rebound mount and flexible interlock feature allows radial float of the rebound mount relative to the load mount, until the securing bolt seeks, engages, and is aligned with the body mounted nut, during assembly of the body to the frame. The rebound mount is defined by an extending interlock which is expandable at its outermost portion in order to engage the central opening of the upper load mount.

Abstract: A separate type of body and frame assembly includes a frame portion and a body portion. The frame portion includes a pair of side rails, each of which has a plurality of openings formed therethrough. A plurality of cross members extend between side rails and are secured thereto. Each of the cross members has first and second ends that extend through the openings formed through the side rails. Each of the first and second ends of the cross members is formed integrally and unitarily with the cross member and has a body mount structure, such as an aperture, formed therein or otherwise provided thereon. The ends of the cross members are initially inserted through the openings formed through the side rails. Then, such ends of the cross members are secured to the side rails, such as by electromagnetic pulse welding, to form the frame portion.

Abstract: A body mount for a vehicle includes a rebound cushion assembly in which a first cushion portion provides a progressive rate buildup to provide travel rebound control and a second cushion portion prevents an upper cushion of the body mount from hitting against the vehicle frame. A clamp member partially encloses the first and second cushion portions. The portions are preferably inner and outer rings interconnected by a thin membrane that allows independent action. The first portion is an elongated member always in compression that has a minimal impact on the system rate and loaded height and the second ring comes into selective contact with the vehicle frame to prevent the upper cushion from being lifted from the vehicle frame.

Abstract: In a bracket mounting structure is disclosed for mounting a bracket holding a center bearing of a propeller shaft to a vehicle body member by bolts and nuts. The structure contains a bush collar formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a flange in an upper end, fitted to the bolts and fixed to the vehicle body member by the bolts and the nuts. It also contains a pair of upper and lower rubber bushes fitted to an outer periphery of the bush collar and gripping the bracket there-between, and a washer provided in a lower end of the lower rubber bush among the rubber bushes. Outward protruding projections are provided in an outer peripheral edge of a lower end in the bush collar, and notches through which the projections can pass. Engagement portions with which the projections are engaged due to a relative rotation are provided in an inner periphery of the washer.

Abstract: An isolation mount for use in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The motor vehicle has a body portion and a subframe portion. The subframe has a through hole. The isolation mount includes a thimble member having a flanged portion and an axially extending tube portion. An annular foamed elastomeric member is adjacent to the thimble member. The annular member having a radially outwardly extending one end portion, an opposite end portion and an inner passage. The opposite end portion is acceptable in a slidable fit into the through hole from one side of the subframe portion to the other side. The opposite end portion being movable radially outwardly when the opposite end is axially advanced past said through hole and said one end portion being axially advanced to be adjacent to the one side of the subframe portion.

Abstract: A body mount for a vehicle includes a rebound cushion assembly in which a first cushion portion provides a progressive rate buildup to provide travel rebound control and a second cushion portion prevents an upper cushion of the body mount from hitting against the vehicle frame. A clamp member partially encloses the first and second cushion portions. The portions are preferably inner and outer rings interconnected by a thin membrane that allows independent action. The first portion is an elongated member always in compression that has a minimal impact on the system rate and loaded height and the second ring comes into selective contact with the vehicle frame to prevent the upper cushion from being lifted from the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A vehicle cab is resiliently suspended on a vehicle frame. Between the cab and the frame is arranged a device for limiting the mobility of the cab relative to the frame during operation and upon tilting of the cab. The device incorporates two stop surfaces fastened to the cab, and a movement limiter fastened to a stabilizer which is fastened to the frame. The movement limiter extends between the stop surfaces so that it shifts between them upon movement of the link arms. The cab's mobility is limited by the fact that contact occurs between the movement limiter and the stop surfaces.

Abstract: A body mount bushing connects the structural components of a frame portion of a vehicular body and frame assembly together and provides a mounting support for connecting a body portion of the assembly to the frame portion. Each of the body mount bushings includes a hollow cylindrical bushing portion having one or more V-shaped projections extending therefrom. An end of a first structural component and an end of a second structural component can be formed having respective recesses, within with the projections of the body mount bushing extend. The structural components may be secured to the projections of the body mount bushing by welding, riveting, bolting, and the like. The body mount bushings also provide a mounting support for connecting the body portion to the frame portion. To accomplish this, the bushing portions of the body mount bushings are sized to receive and support respective body mounts provided on the body portion of the vehicular body and frame assembly.

Abstract: A body mount (10) for use with vehicle of the type including a frame (12) and a body (14). Body mount (10) includes a generally elongated hollow inner member (16) having a central and generally cylindrical channel (18), an outer jacket (20), and a resilient material (22) which is disposed between and which is fixedly coupled to inner member (16) and outer jacket (20), thereby connecting jacket (20) to member (16). Body mount (10) further includes a generally circular top washer or member (24), a generally circular bottom washer or member (26), and a stud or fastener (28) which extends through channel (18) and which includes an anti-rotation feature or tip (50) which allows the body (14) to be secured to the mount by use of a conventional hold-and-drive tool, and which substantially prevents relative rotation between inner member (16), outer member (20) and material (22).

Abstract: A plastic vehicle body attachment system for a motor vehicle. The attachment system includes a metal support, a plastic panel having an aperture, and a fastener. The fastener is disposed in the aperture and detachably couples the plastic panel to the metal support. The fastener is smaller than the aperture by an amount that varies in relation to the distance between the fastener and a fixed point on the composite panel such that the size of the aperture increases as the distance between the fastener and the fixed point increases.

Abstract: A frame mounting structure for frame body automotive vehicle constructed in such a way a chassis frame and a body frame are doubly coupled up and down at a coupling region therebetween such that structural strength at the body is reinforced and less influence by inertia is applied due to improved structural strength when the vehicle is running, thereby making it unnecessary to use plugs for concealing the through hole on the floor panel, shortening the assembly process, and reducing the manufacturing cost according to reduced number of necessary parts, the structure comprising: a chassis frame arranged lengthwise; a body frame assembled by way of screw coupling while an upper bush and a lower bush are mounted on the chassis frame; a double coupling member fitted and fixed through the upper bush and the lower bush; and coupling means fitted at an upper side of the double coupling member to be coupled to the double coupling member and fixed at the body frame.

Abstract: A frame mounting structure for frame body automotive vehicle constructed in such a way a chassis frame and a body frame are doubly coupled up and down at a coupling region therebetween such that structural strength at the body is reinforced and less influence by inertia is applied due to improved structural strength when the vehicle is running, thereby making it unnecessary to use plugs for concealing the through hole on the floor panel, shortening the assembly process, and reducing the manufacturing cost according to reduced number of necessary parts, the structure comprising: a chassis frame arranged lengthwise; a body frame assembled by way of screw coupling while an upper bush and a lower bush are mounted on the chassis frame; a double coupling member fitted and fixed through the upper bush and the lower bush; and coupling means fitted at an upper side of the double coupling member to be coupled to the double coupling member and fixed at the body frame.

Abstract: A cab mounting rubber wherein a stopper is inhibited from being seceded to eliminate such problems as decreased cap durability, shortened life and tilted cab, and rubber comprising: a stopper mounted at the boss; and a flange mounted at a space formed at one side of the stopper in order to prevent detachment of the stopper.

Abstract: A vehicle adapted for exclusively off-road operation and particularly useful as an airport ground support vehicle. The vehicle having an intermediate gross vehicle weight capacity generally in the range of approximately 6,000 to approximately 15,000 pounds. The vehicle having a frame for receiving a variety of vehicle accessories, such as a lavatory service tank, water service tank, maintenance lift or the like, and having a cab-portion for housing an operator of the vehicle located rearward of an engine. The vehicle including a drive train powered by the engine for powering the wheels of the vehicle, where the drive train, frame and engine are adapted to provide the vehicle with the intermediate gross vehicle weight capacity. The frame assembly may include a reinforced ramp resulting in the rear portion of the frame assembly having increased strength for supporting heavy loads while the front portion of the vehicle has lower profile accommodating ease of entry, exit and maneuverability.

Abstract: A cab suspension for a vehicle having a chassis supporting a cab with the cab being supported on the chassis at a forward location and at a rearward location so as to permit vertical movement of the rearward end of the cab relative to the chassis. Conventional forward support structures connect the forward end of the cab to the chassis. A rearward support structure or suspension unit connects the cab to the chassis at the rearward end of the cab to provide relative vertical movement therebetween. The structure comprises an elongated metal tube having its longitudinal axis disposed transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chassis with the tube being secured to the chassis. The tube has an elongated, resilient rubber or elastomeric cartridge positioned therein which has an elongated torsion bar extending therethrough which is in engagement therewith so that the cartridge restricts rotational movement of the torsion bar with respect to the tube.