A paint baking method includes a process for conveying a vehicle body while exposing the vehicle body to a hot air atmosphere to bake a wet coating film applied to the vehicle body. In the vehicle body, hinges and door offset members are attached between hinge fastening parts of the main shell body and hinge fastening parts of the side doors. The distance between the hinge fastening parts of the main shell body and the hinge fastening parts of the side door in a state in which the hinges and the door offset members are attached is longer than a distance between the hinge fastening parts of the main shell body and the hinge fastening parts of the side door in a finished vehicle state.

An apparatus is provided for an assembly fixture for positioning a component having a pivot pin including a rigid member, a fixed positioning pin affixed to a first point on the rigid member for insertion in a first locating hole in an assembly, a component restraint affixed to a second point on the rigid member for applying a force to the component for retaining the component in a fixed position and orientation with respect to the assembly fixture, and a pivot positioning pin coupled to a third point on the rigid member by a flexible mounting assembly, the flexible mounting assembly facilitating a linear movement of the pivot positioning pin along a linear path.

An apparatus for holding a hood of a vehicle open during e-coat application and painting. The apparatus includes a support incorporating first and second pairs of legs attached to spaced locations on right and left sides of an engine compartment. The two pairs of legs are connected at an upper portion of the legs. A hood support bar is connected to the upper portion of both the first and second pairs of legs and extends transversely across the engine compartment. A hood striker receiving bracket may be provided on the hood support bar. The apparatus is adjustable to position the hood striker receiving bracket in a range of vertical, transverse and longitudinal locations. The adjustability of the apparatus provides a flexible hood support that reduces thermal distortion or sag due to thermal load.

A device for temporarily holding an opening element in an ajar position relative to a stationary element of a body of a vehicle, including a body provided with at least one mounting method, and a retaining method including a tab a first end of which is designed to cooperate with a first flange of a housing and a second end of which provides a junction with the body, wherein the tab includes, between the first end and the second end, an intermediate area including at least one section configured to distribute stresses applied to the tab when the device is moved to the ajar position or the fully open position.

A double opening storage device includes: a box body; a lid member; an open/close mechanism for opening/closing the lid member around a first or second rotation shaft; and an actuation device provided at the lid member and receiving power from the box body side via a wiring member. The open/close mechanism has a hinge member having one end supported swingably around the first rotation shaft by the lid member and another end supported swingably around the second rotation shaft by the box body. In opening/closing the lid member around the first rotation shaft, the hinge member stays at the box body without following the lid member, and in opening/closing the lid member around the second rotation shaft, the hinge member swings from the box body, following the lid member. The wiring member has a hinge wiring portion extending and wired along the hinge member between the one and other ends.

An apparatus for use with a vehicle door having a latch includes a striker member configured to engage the latch, and a bumper positioned relative to the striker member such that if the door is moved to the closed position, the bumper absorbs the impact with the striker to avoid damage and excess sound. The apparatus enables the vehicle door to remain open without the vehicle's interior light or ignition key reminder chime being activated.

A door clip assembly that utilizes both reusable and disposable components, thereby minimizing material waste and providing significant cost savings. The bulk of the door clip assembly is manufactured from a reusable metal or plastic material that is resistant to both heat and chemicals so that it can be periodically paint stripped and/or cleaned and reused. Only the tip of the door clip assembly is manufactured from a disposable plastic or rubber material that is inexpensive so that it can be discarded, and that can safely contact an exposed surface and/or finish of a vehicle without damaging it. The door clip assembly is easy to install/remove and does not require a driver tool.

An apparatus is provided for an assembly fixture for positioning a component having a pivot pin including a rigid member, a fixed positioning pin affixed to a first point on the rigid member for insertion in a first locating hole in an assembly, a component restraint affixed to a second point on the rigid member for applying a force to the component for retaining the component in a fixed position and orientation with respect to the assembly fixture, and a pivot positioning pin coupled to a third point on the rigid member by a flexible mounting assembly, the flexible mounting assembly facilitating a linear movement of the pivot positioning pin along a linear path.

A device for holding an opening element in an ajar position relative to a fixed part of a body of a motor vehicle, the device including a first element having at least one connection member and a second element having at least one retention member having at least one elastically deformable body configured to cooperate with a second area of the at least one connection member so as to prevent the opening element from opening; the holding device comprises at least one protective wall defining a receiving recess in which the at least one elastically deformable body is at least partially housed. The invention also relates to a vehicle provided with at least one holding device of the type mentioned above.

An apparatus for use with a vehicle door having a latch includes a striker member configured to engage the latch, and a bumper positioned relative to the striker member such that if the door is moved to the closed position, the bumper absorbs the impact with the striker to avoid damage and excess sound. The apparatus enables the vehicle door to remain open without the vehicle's interior light or ignition key reminder chime being activated.