Abstract: A spring assist raising assembly includes a pivot pin with a noncircular cross section which is mounted to either a pivoted panel, such as a tailgate, or a stationary member, such as a vehicle body adjacent the tailgate. A spring-loaded rotatable socket is rotatably mounted to the other of the panel or member section and is keyed to receive the pivot pin and rotate with the rotation of the tailgate by such interconnection. The socket is coupled to a spiral torsion spring, in one embodiment of the invention, such that, as the panel or tailgate is lowered, the spiral torsion spring is loaded to provide a restorative force for assisting in the raising of the panel or tailgate.

Abstract: A spring assist raising assembly includes a pivot pin with a noncircular cross section which is mounted to either a pivoted panel, such as a tailgate, or a stationary member, such as a vehicle body adjacent the tailgate. A spring-loaded rotatable socket is rotatably mounted to the other of the panel or member section and is keyed to receive the pivot pin and rotate with the rotation of the tailgate by such interconnection. The socket is coupled to a spiral torsion spring, in one embodiment of the invention, such that, as the panel or tailgate is lowered, the spiral torsion spring is loaded to provide a restorative force for assisting in the raising of the panel or tailgate.

Abstract: A coupling member includes a body having a socket for receiving a mating ball with the body including a recess for receiving a cam member over which a generally C-shaped spring extends. The body includes slots for receiving the ends of the C-shaped spring which engage a ball for locking the coupling member to the ball. The cam includes a lever which is operator accessed for rotating the cam to move the spring from a locking position to an unlocking position with respect to the body and ball to which the body is coupled for allowing the end of the body attached, for example, to a gas assist strut to be removed from the mating ball.

Abstract: A coupling member includes a body having a socket for receiving a mating ball with the body including a recess for receiving a cam member over which a generally C-shaped spring extends. The body includes slots for receiving the ends of the C-shaped spring which engage a ball for locking the coupling member to the ball. The cam includes a lever which is operator accessed for rotating the cam to move the spring from a locking position to an unlocking position with respect to the body and ball to which the body is coupled for allowing the end of the body attached, for example, to a gas assist strut to be removed from the mating ball.

Abstract: A rotary actuator has a generally cylindrical housing for receiving one end of a control cable having an opposite end coupled to an actuator member of a device to control. Extending within the cylindrical housing is a rotating control handle having a spool which extends into the housing and engages one end of the cable, allowing the cable to wrap around the spool. Engaging an end of the spool within the cylindrical housing in one embodiment is a reversible ratchet disk which is biased against the housing by a compression spring engaging the disk on one side and engaging a locking end cap attached to the housing at the opposite side. The disk can be reversed to provide discrete ratchet stops at incremental positions of the control handle when in a first position or, if reversed, provides continuous reversible movement of the handle.