An electric vehicle (1) has a charging flap (10) articulated on a support structure by way of a four-bar linkage arrangement (14) so that the charging flap (10) can be moved between a closed position (FIG. 3A) and an open position (FIG. 3F). To simplify the actuation of the charging flap, the mechanism for actuating the charging flap (10) has a push-push element (20) combined with a spring device (15) that is assigned to the four-bar linkage arrangement (14).

An electric vehicle (1) has a charging flap (10) articulated on a support structure by way of a four-bar linkage arrangement (14) so that the charging flap (10) can be moved between a closed position (FIG. 3A) and an open position (FIG. 3F). To simplify the actuation of the charging flap, the mechanism for actuating the charging flap (10) has a push-push element (20) combined with a spring device (15) that is assigned to the four-bar linkage arrangement (14).

A sealing plug for closing an opening in a component, in particular a body component of a motor vehicle, has a base body which is formed such that it can cover the opening and engage behind an edge of the opening. On the base body a sealing body is arranged, which includes a ring portion and several lamellae with free radial ends, which protrude from the ring portion and are flexible in circumferential direction. The sealing plug is pushed into the opening such that the rear-side latching lip engages behind the edge of the opening, wherein the lamellae of the sealing body are deformed in circumferential direction and center the sealing plug in the opening. After heating of the sealing plug a sealing material of the sealing body, which expands under the influence of heat, encloses the inner edge of the opening as well as radially adjoining regions of the front side and the rear side of the component around the entire circumference of the opening and completely fills the space formed between the supporting lip, the latching lip and the component.

A sealing plug for closing an opening in a component, in particular a body component of a motor vehicle, has a base body which is formed such that it can cover the opening and engage behind an edge of the opening. On the base body a sealing body is arranged, which includes a ring portion and several lamellae with free radial ends, which protrude from the ring portion and are flexible in circumferential direction. The sealing plug is pushed into the opening such that the rear-side latching lip engages behind the edge of the opening, wherein the lamellae of the sealing body are deformed in circumferential direction and center the sealing plug in the opening. After heating of the sealing plug a sealing material of the sealing body, which expands under the influence of heat, encloses the inner edge of the opening as well as radially adjoining regions of the front side and the rear side of the component around the entire circumference of the opening and completely fills the space formed between the supporting lip, the latching lip and the component.

The present invention relates to all terrain vehicles having at least a pair of laterally spaced apart seating surfaces.

The present invention relates to all terrain vehicles having at least a pair of laterally spaced apart seating surfaces.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacture of an assembly comprising: forming an assembly by coupling a first component (150) to a second component (110) in spaced apart relationship therewith by means of coupling means (131); providing thermally activated seal means between the components, the first component, second component and seal means being arranged such that a gap exists between the first and second components allowing fluid flow therethrough; and subjecting the assembly to heat thereby to cause the seal means to expand and bridge the gap between the first and second components thereby to form a fluid tight seal between them. The second component may be at least partially enclosed between the first and a third component (161), and the second component may provide an aperture at a location opposite a portion of the third component whereby expansion of a seal means (112S,114S) around the aperture causes the aperture to be sealed by the seal means and said portion of the third component.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacture of an assembly comprising: forming an assembly by coupling a first component (150) to a second component (110) in spaced apart relationship therewith by means of coupling means (131); providing thermally activated seal means between the components, the first component, second component and seal means being arranged such that a gap exists between the first and second components allowing fluid flow therethrough; and subjecting the assembly to heat thereby to cause the seal means to expand and bridge the gap between the first and second components thereby to form a fluid tight seal between them. The second component may be at least partially enclosed between the first and a third component (161), and the second component may provide an aperture at a location opposite a portion of the third component whereby expansion of a seal means (112S,114S) around the aperture causes the aperture to be sealed by the seal means and said portion of the third component.

A vehicle airflow control apparatus (900) has an air inlet (902) at the rear quarter glass (906) of the vehicle and ducting (908) leading via an openable joint (912) and rear ducting (912) past a bend (916) to an exit blowing aperture (918), a concertina element (928) allowing duct movement, the openable joint having a self-alignment cup (938) with wedging inner sides (944, 946), an interface seal connecting the rear ducting and the cup, a deployable spoiler (920) having a drive system (978), 10 outboard positional control of the spoiler being provided by a rod (998) with cone surfaces (1000, 1002).

A vehicle airflow control apparatus (900) has an air inlet (902) at the rear quarter glass (906) of the vehicle and ducting (908) leading via an openable joint (912) and rear ducting (912) past a bend (916) to an exit blowing aperture (918), a concertina element (928) allowing duct movement, the openable joint having a self-alignment cup (938) with wedging inner sides (944, 946), an interface seal connecting the rear ducting and the cup, a deployable spoiler (920) having a drive system (978), 10 outboard positional control of the spoiler being provided by a rod (998) with cone surfaces (1000, 1002).