Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Christopher R Freeman

Junichi Kanemaru

Patrick Joseph Ellison

Christopher D Hinz

Hirotomo Yamada

Timothy J Palesano

Jared S Kauffman

Brian A Penza

Benjamin Fulton

Kevin A Veverka

Marc J Powers

Rafael Teran, Jr

An access panel for a body of a vehicle is provided that includes a dome portion, a flat portion, and an extension portion. The dome portion has a reinforcing element. The extension portion extends from the flat portion. A floor panel structure for a vehicle is also provided that includes a metal sheet and an access panel. The metal sheet includes an aperture. The access panel includes a dome portion, a flat portion, and an extension portion. The access panel is coupled to the metal sheet over the aperture, and the flat portion and the extension portion are configured to transmit a downward force applied to the access panel to the metal sheet.

Structural access panel

A rear support structure for a vehicle includes a parcel cross-member and a brace assembly. The parcel cross-member extends from a first side structure to a second side structure of the vehicle and includes a first vertical member, a second vertical member, and an upper horizontal member that at least partially define an opening between the cargo area and the passenger compartment. The brace assembly includes a first brace extending across the opening and including a first end secured to the upper horizontal member adjacent a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and a second brace extending across the opening and including a first end secured to the upper horizontal member adjacent to the longitudinal centerline. The first brace further includes a second end secured to the first vertical member and the second brace includes a second end secured to the first vertical member.

Rear support structure for a vehicle

A combination closure and tabletop for a vehicle having a load-carrying bed and method includes a closure body pivotally and removably connected to a bed floor of the vehicle that defines a load bearing surface of a load-carrying bed on the vehicle. The closure body is connected to the bed floor when in a closure state for selectively providing and inhibiting access to a storage compartment disposed below the bed floor. The closure body is removable from the bed floor when in a tabletop state for use in a tabletop configuration. When in the closure state, the closure body is pivotable from the pivot closed position to a pivot open position. The pivot closed position is for inhibiting access into the storage compartment. The pivot open position is for providing access into the storage compartment. When in the tabletop state, the closure body is usable as a tabletop and access is provided into the storage compartment.

Combination closure and tabletop for a vehicle having a load-carrying bed and method

An air/water separator drain assembly is provided in a vehicle. The assembly includes a first opening (HVAC intake) beneath a cowl through which air proceeds for use in an environmental control system of the vehicle. A second opening or main drain opening is provided for draining water from the cowl in a first direction. A channel is disposed adjacent the drain opening for collecting water from the cowl. Auxiliary openings in the channel are smaller than the drain opening for removing water from the channel and from adjacent the drain opening.

Cowl air/water separator drain for automobile

Growing community of inventors

Dublin, OH, United States of America

Christopher R Freeman