Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Russell C Fielding

Thomas S Moore

Del C Schroeder

Kenneth S Mack

John G Argeropoulos

David G Speth

Jeremy A Panasiewicz

John D Burns

Bernhard U Hoffmann

A rear seat assembly of a passenger cabin of a pick-up truck includes a rear seat cushion and a rear seat back, each rotatable such that a bottom surface of the rotated rear seat back can rest upon a rear end of the rotated seat cushion to provide a storage space beneath the rotated seat back and between the rotated seat cushion and a rear wall of the passenger cabin. The cargo bed of the truck may be extended into the storage space by providing an access door thereto in a front wall of the cargo bed in communication with a corresponding opening in the rear wall of the passenger cabin.

Flip seat arrangement having upper seat back pivot

A convertible cargo bed cover can function as both a tonneau cover and a cargo bed cap. The cover is raised by motorized elements to be substantially aligned with a roof of a passenger cabin of the vehicle. Side and rear window panels stored inside the cover can be installed to transform the cover to a cap to enlarge available enclosed cargo space. Rear pillars are installed at the rear corners of the tonneau cover in its raised position to complete the installation.

Convertible cover arrangement for vehicle cargo area

A vehicle closure member with an integrated step is provided for improving access to a vehicle cargo area. The vehicle closure member also includes an internal cavity, an orifice positioned in the internal cavity, and a track mechanism disposed in the internal cavity that is in alignment with the orifice. The track mechanism engages the step member which slideably extends through the orifice and pivots to a deployed position to provide a step for access to the vehicle cargo area. An interlock assembly can be provided to prevent closing of the vehicle closure member when the step member is in the deployed position.

Integrated step for a vehicle cargo area

A vehicle plastic body panel such as a vehicle hardtop is formed with an integral reinforcing component including a structural fiber material molded into the body panel. The reinforcing component provides internal structural support for the use of horizontal plastic body panels such as a roof or a hood panel without the panel sagging.

Two-piece vehicle hardtop having an integral structural headliner

A motor vehicle body including inner and outer body panels. The inner body panel and the outer body panel form at least one cavity therebetween. A structural cross woven fiber material is applied to the cavity formed between the inner and outer body panels in order to increase rigidity of the motor vehicle body. The cross woven or unidirectional fiber is fiberglass carbon fiber or other structural fibers which, in combination with resin (in fiber or powder form), becomes an integral part of the motor vehicle body structure when heat is applied.

Motor vehicle body structure using a woven fiber

A vehicle body panel having an outer skin and an inner skin. The inner skin and outer skin are connected by an intermediate spacer. A urethane foam is provided between the intermediate spacer and each of the inner and outer skins.

Engine hood assembly

A two piece vehicle panel construction is provided. The first and second piece of the vehicle panel are made by injection molding. The first and second piece cooperate to provide proper aesthetics, structural integrity, and increased sun load resistance. The proper positioning and alignment of the two piece construction is facilitated by at least two alignment fixtures that are nested within the first and second pieces.

Growing community of inventors

Clarkston, MI, United States of America

Russell C Fielding