Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Mark Beilman

Scott Stinson

Stuart C Salter

Paul Kenneth Dellock

Aaron Bradley Johnson

Travis S Garland

Terry Lobsinger

Edward Joseph Leonard Meszaros

David Thomas Patrick

Stephen Kowal

Andre Kunynetz

Gregory S Hawkins

Dean Robert Rife

Vehicle tie down assemblies may be provided for securing cargo and/or accessories at vehicle front ends. The tie down assemblies may be mounted to a vehicle fender without obstructing the opening and closing of the vehicle hood. Exemplary vehicle tie down assemblies may embody a multi-piece design that establishes a pass-through for receiving various tie downs. The tie down assemblies may additionally include one or more bolt assemblies for mounting accessories.

Vehicle front end tie down assemblies

A motor vehicle roof rack assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, side rails of a roof rack. The side rails each extend longitudinally from a first end portion to a second end portion. The assembly also includes crossbars of the roof rack. The roof rack is configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration, In the first configuration, the first end portions of the side rails are each coupled to a corner. In the second configuration, the first end portions of the side rails are each coupled to a rail extender.

Modular roof rack assembly and reconfiguration method

This disclosure relates to a running board for a motor vehicle, and in particular relates to a running board with a roof access step and a corresponding method of using the same. An example running board includes a deck having a first section and a second section. The first section is configured to move between a first position in which the first section is substantially flush with the second section, and a second position in which the first section is raised relative to the second section. In the second position, the first section of the deck provides a roof access step.

Running board with roof access step and method

A guard for a vehicle includes a support tube. A pivoting step includes a pivot tube portion movable about the support tube between a stowed position and a deployed position and a step portion. A spring member is disposed between the support tube and pivot tube biasing the pivot tube toward one of the stowed position and deployed position.

Vehicle rocker guard with integrated pivoting storable step

An exemplary vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a sensor device that detects a location of a structure outside a vehicle, a running board moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployed position is adjusted relative to the vehicle based on the location of the structure detected by the sensor. An exemplary running board deploying method includes, among other things, detecting a location of a structure outside a vehicle, and transitioning a running board from a stowed position to a deployed position. The deployed position is adjusted relative to the vehicle based on the location of the structure.

Deployable running board

A vehicle includes a running board operable between deployed and undeployed positions. The running board includes a light source. An energy storage device is electrically coupled to the light source. An inductive receiving coil is electrically coupled to the energy storage device. A transmitting coil is positioned proximate an exterior surface of the vehicle. The transmitting coil is configured to transmit a magnetic field to the receiver coil.

Growing community of inventors

South Lyon, MI, United States of America

Mark Beilman