Abstract: A system and method of controlling components of a vehicle are disclosed. The method includes the steps of sensing a current position of a rear closure panel with a closure panel position sensor, sensing a speed of the vehicle with a speed sensor, and sensing a current environmental condition with an environmental precipitation sensor. The method also includes adjusting a degree of openness of at least one window as a result of the closure panel position sensor indicating that the rear closure panel is in an open position, the speed sensor indicating that a speed of the vehicle is greater than zero kilometers per hour (kph), and the current environmental condition that is indicated by the environmental precipitation sensor.

Abstract: This extensible/contractible driving device includes a rotatable driving member configured to be rotated by drive force of a driving unit; a drive force-transmitting member connected to a leading end of the internal cylinder, configured to be driven by the rotatable driving member so as to move along a rotary shaft direction of the rotatable driving member; and an elastic member disposed in the periphery of the drive force-transmitting member, connected to the leading end of the internal cylinder, and configured to apply biasing force in the rotary shaft direction to the drive force-transmitting member. The rotatable driving member, the drive force-transmitting member, and the elastic member include an intervening member (24) stored in an inner space between external and internal cylinders, disposed in the periphery of the internal cylinder, and intervening between the internal cylinder and the external cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle drive for an adjusting element of a vehicle comprising a drive motor with a spindle-spindle nut gear arranged downstream for producing a drive force along a geometric spindle axis, wherein two connectors for transferring the drive force are provided, wherein an internal housing connected to the one connector and an external housing connected to the other connector are provided, and wherein during the motorized adjustment, the internal housing runs in a telescopic manner. It is proposed that at least one of the two housings, is designed to be at least in two parts and is provided via a first axial housing portion of a first housing part made of a first material and via a second axial housing portion of a second housing part made of a second material.

Abstract: A power optimizer system for power closure panels includes a closure panel power actuator system comprising at least a motor operatively connected to a lift-assist member and a closure panel counterbalancing member. A controller is configured at least to determine an optimal electrical current draw for the power actuator system according to one or more inputs relating at least to a vehicle ambient temperature and grade. One or more sensors are provided for providing the one or more inputs. The controller may also further be configured to receive a vehicle battery voltage condition input for calculating the optimum electrical current draw consistent with the environmental conditions to efficiently control the power actuator system motor. Methods of modeling/optimizing the appropriate electrical current draw for power closure systems operating in varying voltage, temperature and grade conditions relative to a vehicle, or other similar mechanisms are also described.

Abstract: A liftgate/decklid assembly for a motor vehicle includes a liftgate panel hingedly connected to the vehicle to define a liftgate swing arc. A decklid panel is hingedly connected to the liftgate panel to define a decklid swing arc. The decklid and liftgate panels are not aligned, causing the decklid swing arc to be different from the liftgate swing arc. The assembly further includes a liftgate/decklid assembly closure mechanism including an articulating latch member configured for translating as needed between an orientation normal to the liftgate swing arc and an orientation normal to the decklid swing arc prior to engaging a fixed angle striker.

Abstract: A device lor the transfer of a torque from an output shaft of a drive mounted on the body of a motor vehicle with a rotational axis of the output shaft and a hinge axis arranged flush with one another. The device includes a drive lever rotationaily connected to the output shaft of the drive, a connecting member on the drive lever extending from a connecting region of the drive lever. The connecting member includes a sliding block and an adapter part that is connected to a first half of a hinge and is provided with a journal. The journal rotates directly in, but independently of, the sliding block.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes a multi-piece frame. The multi-piece frame includes a left frame assembly, a right frame assembly, an upper frame member and a lower frame member. The upper frame member and lower frame member extend laterally along a respective top section and a bottom section of the frame for interconnecting the left and right frame assemblies. The multi-piece frame defines a generally continuous closed boxed structure which extends about a periphery of the multi-piece frame.

Abstract: An endgate for a pickup truck includes a lower portion movably mountable with respect to the body of the pickup truck. An upper portion of the endgate is movably mounted with respect to the lower portion to selectively alter the height of the endgate for improving access to the cargo bed of the pickup truck. The endgate preferably includes gooseneck hinges to pivotably interconnect the lower portion and the upper portion, and an electric latch and striker to selectively prevent their relative movement.

Abstract: A power actuator for lifting a pivotal lift gate closing an access opening in a motor vehicle body.

Abstract: An expandable utility trailer system that included multiple trailer bed sections that are attached together to form a utility trailer of the desired size and disconnectable for storage in a small area. The expandable utility trailer system including a main trailer bed assembly, a front bed assembly, a back bed assembly; a number of side barrier sections, a brake light/turn signal circuit including a turn signal reverse operation switch, and a trailer tongue assembly.

Abstract: A truck bed extension that is convertible into a pair of ramps. The truck bed extension is comprised of a left truck bed extension and a right truck bed extension, each truck bed extension comprising a back wall section, a side wall extension section and a ramp lip. The side wall extension, ramp lip and back wall section are hinged together to allow the truck bed extensions to be straightened when detached from the truck bed and used as a dual ramp.

Abstract: A truck bed extension that is convertible into a ramp. The truck bed extension is comprised of three panels, including a back wall and two side walls, which are hinged together to allow the truck bed extension to be straightened when detached from the truck bed and used as a ramp or ladder. The truck bed extension also has a ramp lip, such that the ramp lip acts as an extension of the ramp and is positioned on the extended tailgate of the truck. This ramp lip reduces the angle of incline of the ramp and alleviates “bottoming out” of the wheeled vehicles moving in and out of the truck.

Abstract: A tailgate attachment for extending the cargo space of a load bed of a vehicle includes a back panel pivotally coupled to a bottom panel. The bottom panel is designed for resting on a tailgate of a load bed of a vehicle. First and second side panels are pivotally coupled to the back panel. Each of the side panels is designed for detachable attachment to an adjacent side wall of a vehicle when the tailgate of the vehicle is generally horizontal.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate comprises an upper section (18) and a lower section (24) which are joined by hinges (26). The hinges (26) include securing parts which lock behind latch pins (58) on the vehicle body, but are released from them when the lower section (24) is raised to an open position. This enables the two sections (18, 24) to be raised together.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two cylinder water well pumping system which uses the wind as a primary driving force with an alternate electric motor drive for use when the wind force is not adequate. The wind drives a square wheel turbine which in turn drives a swash plate which provides a cam surface which then drives a semaphore assembly directly or indirectly connected to sucker cables in turn connected to two pistons carried, respectively, in two cylinder sleeves. The inclined angle of the swash plate alternately drives the pistons to pump water from a well into a storage tank also serving as a mainmast supporting said turbine. In an alterenative embodiment, an electric motor is connected to drive an osillatable bar on a mechancial relay. The oscillatable bar is connected by cables to the semaphore assembly, and may be disconnected from the semaphore assembly by a solenoid. In this embodiment, the sucker cables are connected to the rockable bar in the mechanical relay rather than to the semaphore assembly.

Abstract: An elevator platform is mounted by means of lift arms and parallel arms to a frame mounted under the truck bed. On the frame, the normal pivot axis for the parallel arms is aligned vertically above the pivot axis for the lift arms; and the pivot axes on the platform are similarly vertically aligned when the platform is in the horizontal load position. One of the parallel arms is articulated having an elbow intermediate its ends; and a control strut is mounted on the truck to be swung into engagement with the articulated arm adjacent to its elbow while the platform is being raised from the ground position. When so engaged, the proximal link of the articulated arm is locked against further upward movement, so that further upward movement of the lift arms will cause the gate to rotate upward 90.degree. to a vertical storage position behind the truck bed. The frame pivot for the other parallel arm is mounted on an oscillating bracket, allowing that pivot to move to permit the rotation of the platform.

Abstract: In combination, a tail gate for a dump-type vehicle, such as a truck, wagon, semi-trailer or the like, of the type having an open box mounted for pivotal tilting movement relative to the vehicle frame and including a bed and upright side walls, and power and linkage means mounting the tail gate for movement relative to the box between a closed position wherein it embraces the bed and side walls in a box closing mode and a plurality of positions wherein it is raised rearwardly and upwardly relative to the box, and an extended bed position and a ramp position.

Abstract: An end closure for a rail car which comprises a pair of sliding doors mounted for movement between open and closed positions. One of the doors has a recess to clear a brake lever when the door is open. A panel is provided to close the recess when the door is closed. The panel is automatically moved to a position opening the recess when the door is opened and automatically moved to a position closing the recess when the door is closed.

Abstract: A two wheeled forage box is towed behind a harvesting machine and collects chaff silage or green chop and the like. When full it may be elevated around a hinge point so that it can be dumped into a truck. It has an overhang at the back which helps level the load in the truck and a gravity operated hinged rear door assembly which opens when the box is elevated by a pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies.