Abstract: A shifter assembly includes a base. A light box is disposed about the base. The shifter assembly also includes a ratchet system for adjusting the light box relative to the base.

Abstract: A shift lock assembly including a shifter base and a shift lever having a pivot member that is associated with the shifter base. A detent member having an upper portion including engaging features is coupled to the pivot member. A lock lever having opposing sides and a first end pivotally attached to the shifter base and a second end adapted to contact the engaging features of the detent member is also included. At least one solenoid is connected to the lock lever for pivotally moving the lock lever relative to the detent member wherein the at least one solenoid moves the lock lever between low, middle and high positions in response to control parameters.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a transmission includes a transmission controller selectively actuating the transmission between a plurality of gear positions including a reverse position and at least two forward positions, a manually-operable gear shifter selectively providing first command signals to the transmission controller to actuate the transmission between at least a portion of the plurality of gear positions, and a voice recognition system selectively providing second command signals to the transmission controller to actuate the transmission between only a portion of the plurality of gear positions. Preferably, the voice commands actuate the transmission only between the forward gear positions.

Abstract: A vehicle leveling assembly includes a plurality of jack assemblies corresponding to four quadrants of a vehicle, and a plurality of sensors for determining jack position and rate of movement. A method of detecting contacting between the shafts of the jack assemblies and the ground includes measuring pulse width of current emitted by the hall effect sensor to monitor the speed of the shafts and recognizing contact with the ground when the shaft slows down. A method of detecting contacting between the shafts of the jack assemblies and the ground includes measuring the electric motor current signal and correlating a pulse from the current signal to the electric motor revolutions per minute and travel of the shafts. A method of calibrating the leveling assembly includes measuring a change in inclination as the jack assemblies are extended a known distance to determine the distance between the jack assemblies.

Abstract: A powered deck lid assembly includes a deck lid connected to a hinge mechanism for pivotal movement between open and closed positions relative to a trunk opening. A cable is associated with the deck lid and is lineally actuable pivotally moving the deck lid between the open and closed positions. The cable may be a push-pull cable.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing is disclosed for a motion transmitting cable assembly having a conduit and a core longitudinally movable within the conduit. The method includes the steps of securing a conduit abutment fitting to an end of the conduit, inserting the core through the conduit, placing an end of the core into a mold while the core is extending through the conduit, injection over-molding a core attachment onto the end of the core, removing the core attachment from the mold. Finally, at least a portion of a guide tube over the juncture of the core and the core attachment.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly is operative to provide a controlled payout of cable in response to an application of a minimum predetermined amount of force upon the tire carrier assembly. The tire carrier assembly includes a housing having a bottom wall and a side wall extending outwardly from the bottom wall defining an interior space. A rotation shaft is coupled to the housing and having a longitudinal axis. A sheave is coupled to the shaft and rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A gear member extends from the sheave and is rotatable therewith about the longitudinal axis. A pin fixedly secured to the housing. A torque plate has a gear portion epicyclically engaged with the gear member of the sheave. The torque plate has an arm portion extending generally radially outwardly with respect to the gear portion. The torque plate has a closed-ended slot formed in the arm portion and receiving the pin therethrough. The arm portion has legs extending along opposite sides of the slot.

Abstract: A control pedal assembly includes a first axle forming a first pivot axis and a first booster link pivotable about the first pivot axis. A control pedal has a second axle forming a second pivot axis, a pedal arm pivotable about the second pivot axis, and a pedal at a lower end of the pedal arm. A second booster link is pivotably connecting the pedal arm with the first booster link so that pivoting motion of the pedal arm about the second pivot axis pivots the booster link about the first pivot axis. A support member has a first end supporting the second axle on opposite sides of the pedal arm and the support member is pivotable about its second end. A drive assembly is operably connected to the control pedal to move the second axle in a fore-aft direction to adjust the control pedal in a fore-aft direction.

Abstract: A shift-by-wire shifter system includes a spring biased DTP lever engageable with a shifter lever assembly to move the shifter lever assembly to a park position. A DTP lock assembly secures the DTP lever so that the shifter lever assembly is selectively movable along the shift path during normal operation and releases the DTP lever so that the DTP lever moves the shifter lever assembly to the park position upon the loss of system power. A DTP actuator unlocks the shifter lever assembly and the DPT lock assembly upon the loss of system power so that the DTP lever automatically moves the shifter lever assembly to the park position upon the loss of system power. A power storage device is provided to release power to the DPT actuator upon the loss of system power.

Abstract: A power strut assembly for a vehicle includes a first strut member having joined outer walls that define an interior cavity. The first strut member extends from a first end to a second end. The first end includes a base wall joined to the outer walls. A second strut member also having joined outer walls defining an inner cavity extends from a first end to a second end. The second strut member is telescopically disposed within the interior cavity of the first strut member. A lead screw extends from a first end to a second end and is rotatively retained at the first end of the first strut member. The lead screw extends into the interior cavities of the first and second strut members. A clutch is retained by the second strut member and the lead screw is positioned to interact with the clutch.

Abstract: A core adjuster assembly includes an adjuster body having a pin engagement end and a locking end. The adjuster body has a central longitudinal bore and a lock cavity formed through an outer peripheral surface. A slider body is formed on an end of a rod and is disposed in the central longitudinal bore of the adjuster body. A primary lock member is disposed in the lock cavity and is moveable from a shipping position to a locked position. A secondary lock member is associated with the adjuster body and the primary lock member and is adapted to maintain the primary lock member in the shipping and locked positions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first structure, a pedal pivotably connected to the first structure for pivoting between rest and fully-applied positions, a control attachment connecting the pedal to a vehicle system to be controlled, a second structure located rearward of the pedal, and an engagement bracket connected to the pedal to engage the second structure upon rearward movement of the pedal during a vehicle frontal collision. The control attachment is connected to the engagement bracket and disengages from the pedal so that the pedal pivots independent of the control system when the engagement bracket strikes the second structure with a predetermined force. There is a constant distance between the engagement bracket and the second structure as the pedal pivots so that the position of the pedal does not affect the disengagement of the control attachment during the frontal collision.

Abstract: An integrated operator cable-connector and base housing for an automotive shifter mechanism includes a generally cylindrical opening in the base housing, an isolator installed onto one end of a steel sleeve compressed against one or more shoulders in the opening and held therein with a cap snap fitted to a protrusion on the base housing. A swivel tube has a head portion captured between facing partially spherical seats formed on an end of the isolator and an interior portion of the base housing respectively, and a rod laterally supported and slidable therein. The operator cable has its case crimped into a protruding end of the sleeve and its core wire passed through a plastic tubular insert in the sleeve, an opening in the end of the isolator, and the inside of the swivel tube to a rod to which it is attached to the rod slidable in the swivel tube.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly has at least one sliding pane mounted for travel along a travel path between a closed position in a first plane and an open position in an offset second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. The window assembly has travel guide apparatus for guiding its movement along the travel path between the open and closed positions. The travel guide apparatus includes a track defining an elongate slot corresponding to the travel path, a fixed guide surface having a fixed position relative to the track, e.g., a pivot pin, and components cooperatively operative as a cam and slide movement for guiding travel of the sliding pane between its open and closed positions. Typically, for generally rectilinear sliding panes, a track, guide surface and cam and slide movement are provided for each corner of the sliding pane.

Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle having a body panel comprises, in combination, a glazing panel having a peripheral edge, a gasket secured to the glazing panel for sealing the peripheral edge to the body panel, at least one clip receiver secured to the glazing panel near the peripheral edge, and at least one fastener clip clamping the clip receiver to the body panel. The fastener clip is preferably U-shaped having a pair of resilient legs receiving the body panel and the clip receiver therebetween. The fastener clip is preferably secured to the clip receiver in a manner in which the fastener clip is movable between a shipping position and a securing position. A detent is preferably formed between the fastener clip and the clip receiver to resist removal of the fastener clip from the clip receiver.

Abstract: A motor vehicle tire carrier includes a housing having an aperture. A drive shaft is rotatably secured to the housing. A spool is positioned in the housing and is rotatably driven by the drive shaft. A flexible elongate member has a first end secured to the spool, is wound about the spool, and extends through the aperture in the housing. A wheel plate is secured to a second end of the elongate member and is configured to support a motor vehicle tire. A crash plate is secured to the housing and has an aperture through which the elongate member extends, with the housing being secured to the crash plate. A guide member on the crash plate has an arcuate surface about which the elongate member will bend when the tire carrier is subject to a lateral force.

Abstract: Bevel-cornered cable eyelets suitable to be operatively fitted onto a moveable brake arm of a motor vehicle park brake mechanism have an eyelet portion forming a bevel-cornered opening and a cable connection portion integral with the eyelet portion. In typical motor vehicle park brake applications, good performance can be achieved with the front corners beveled at an angle of 35-55 degrees to the front surface. The opening of the cable eyelet to receive the brake arm has a fore-and-aft inside dimension smaller than the lateral inside dimension of the opening. The bevel surfaces resist turning of the eyelet relative to the brake arm during normal use. A motor vehicle park brake cable comprises an elongate brake cable having a first end suitable to be connected to a park brake actuator and a second end attached to a bevel-cornered cable eyelet. The eyelet is readily disengaged from the brake arm, e.g., for repairs, service, etc.

Abstract: A motor vehicle egress window comprises a circumferential outer frame forming an auxiliary egress opening for a motor vehicle passenger compartment and an inner frame unit. The outer frame has an outer frame member with an inner surface and at least a first striker pin. The inner frame unit is mounted to the outer frame for movement between closed and open positions has a circumferential inner frame, a glazing pane mounted to the inner frame, at least a first egress latch mounted to the inner frame, and a release mechanism. The egress latch is operative to latch to the striker pin to hold the inner frame unit in the closed position. The release mechanism includes a manually operative release handle, preferably mounted at an elevated position on a vertical side portion of the inner frame, and release linkage comprising at least a first link from the release handle to the first latch. In certain embodiments the inner and outer frames overlap radially for improved functionality.