Chrysler Corporation

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Robert M Schoen

Rickie A North

Peter D Greb

Kenneth S Deneau

Earl P Loveland

David R Carr

Bob Barkley

Paul Thompson

Istvan Rozsa

Haili Zhou

Cody McCloud

Nicol M Erickson

Rao Nuthalapati

Gregory E Thurk

Dale L Gratton

Pamela E Larson

Anthony J Anderson

A link rod flexibly connecting an exterior door handle of a motor vehicle and a door latching mechanism to prevent actuation of the door latching mechanism as the result of a lateral collision, the link rod comprising: a first section connected to the vehicle door handle; a second section operatively connected to the door latching mechanism; and a lateral connector operatively connecting the first section to the second section. The lateral connector may be a laterally flexible spring, laterally flexible synthetic material, or a hinge point.

Vehicle door latching mechanism having an improved link rod

As automotive vehicle frame can be strengthened by reinforcing the tubular frame elements that form the side door openings. A three dimensional core element and rigid foam can be incorporated into each tubular frame element to achieve a significant increase in the frame bending strength, without adding appreciable weight to the vehicle frame.

Reinforced vehicle framing

A vehicle steering assembly includes a mounting bracket for the steering column, such that during a crash situation friction surfaces on the steering column slides through an opening in a plastic block carried by the mounting bracket. The friction surfaces have an interference fit with the opening in the plastic block, so that during normal operation of the vehicle the steering column is effectively locked to the mounting bracket.

Collapsible steering assembly

A substantially acoustically transparent speaker grille is bonded or molded to a rear shelf panel located between the cabin and trunk of a vehicle. The grille is pressed into and laminated between a pair of resin impregnated sheets of fibrous material during a hot press molding operation. The grille and shelf panel is overlaid with a layer of covering fabric so as to present a smooth aesthetic appearance within the vehicle cabin.

Vehicle shelf trim panel with insert molded speaker grille

A suspension system for a motor vehicle includes a torsion member having a generally arcuate longitudinal axis. The suspension system further includes first and second control arms operatively interconnecting first and second vehicle wheels with a frame. The first and second control arms are mounted to the frame for pivotally movement. The torsion member directly connects the first and second control arms and is operative to selectively transfer torque therebetween in response to vertical displacement of the first and second wheels. When the first and second wheels are vertically displaced in unison, no torque is transferred between the control arms and the torsion member merely rotates about its generally arcuate longitudinal axis. When a difference in vertical displacement of the first and second wheels exist, for example, during cornering of the vehicle, each control arm would input opposite rotation in the torsion member, thereby generating a resisting torque.

Vehicle suspension system including arcuate torsion member

A mechanism for assisting the movement of a deck lid of a vehicle includes a transverse torsion bar centrally formed with a central segment oriented perpendicularly to the transverse dimension. A connecting link is pivotably engaged with the central segment and with the deck lid, to establish, along with the central segment, an articulating link interconnecting the torsion and the deck lid. The torsion bar includes left and right torsion elements that are mirror images of each other, with each torsion element including a respective outboard segment that is affixed to the body of the vehicle.

Deck lid control balance and lift assist

A mechanism for assisting the movement of a deck lid of a vehicle includes a transverse torsion bar centrally formed with a bight segment. A roller is rollably engaged with the bight segment, and the ends of the torsion bar are affixed to the body of the vehicle. A ratchet track is affixed to the deck lid, with the ratchet track including a plurality of longitudinally spaced detents for releasably receiving the roller therein as the deck lid is moved. The torsion bar assists a person in raising the deck lid, with the cooperation between the ratchet track and torsion bar tending to hold the deck lid in positions that are intermediate the fully open and fully closed positions when the person releases the deck lid.

Torsion bar assist with ratchet hold mechanism for automobile deck lids

A multi-link hinge assembly for a mounting a closure, such as a rear deck lid or front hood, to a vehicle body. An arrangement provides for readily adjusting the closure vertically upwardly from a position wherein the closure exterior surface is vertically lower than the adjacent body side structure exterior surface to a position where the closure exterior surface is in flush relation with the side structure exterior surface. The hinge assembly has a closure-half base plate secured to the underside of the closure and a body-half arm plate secured to an inner side wall of the side structure. A pair of first and second connecting links each have one end pivotally joined to a closure-half hinge base plate flange and an opposite end pivotally joined to the body-half arm plate. The base plate has a vertically disposed adjustment shank threadedly engaged in the base plate with the shank having a bumper head on its lower end contacting a stop flange of the body-half arm plate. The adjustment shank provides ready vertical upward adjustment of the closure exterior surface to its design position flush with the adjacent exterior surface of the body side structure.

Vehicle multi-link hinge flush positioning arrangement

A clip and bracket fastening arrangement for attaching a free end portion of a plastic facia fender panel member support wall to a subjacent rail of an automotive vehicle frame enabling controlled distortion free thermal expansion and contraction of the support wall relative to the metal frame. An attaching arrangement elongated retaining clip is fixed to the outboard surface of the support wall and the bracket adjustably mounted on the frame. The retaining clip, stamped from sheet metal, comprises an elongated web defining a clearance slot with the support wall. The bracket is double-L shaped defining a vertical head plate provided with a lower inboard extending base plate and an upper outboard extending step flange. The bracket is captured in a clearance slot defined by the clip web portion offset a predetermined dimension from the support wall outboard facing surface.

Plastic fender retainer arrangement

A clip and bracket retainer arrangement for attaching a plastic panel to the subjacent frame of an automotive vehicle enabling controlled distortion free thermal expansion and contraction of the plastic panel relative to the frame. The attaching arrangement includes a retaining clip fixed on an outboard surface of a panel support wall and an L-sectioned bracket comprising a vertical head plate and a horizontal base plate mounted to the frame. The retaining clip, having a U-shape in horizontal cross section, comprises an elongated web formed with foot portion at each end of the clip web. The pair of foot portions extend out of the plane of the web for engagement with the support wall outboard surface defining an elongated slotted clearance therewith. The bracket head plate has a rectangular aperture intermediate its ends defining a forward plate portion adapted for captured in the slotted clearance permitting vertical and longitudinal distortion free thermal growth of the plastic panel and clip relative to the bracket and vehicle frame.

Growing community of inventors

West Bloomfield, MI, United States of America

Robert M Schoen