Abstract: Provided is a power actuator system for actuating a closure member (1) such as a trunk lid which is compact in size and has a minimized protrusion. A first link (8) is connected to an output shaft of a powered actuator (7), and a free end of the first link is connected to an end of a second link (9). The other end of the second link is pivotally connected to a hinge arm (4) which is fixedly attached to a closure member and pivotally supports the closure member to a fixed part such as a vehicle body. The first link is adapted to extend substantially from the output shaft towards the closure member as the first link swing around the output shaft, and the second link extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the center line.

Abstract: A link assembly forming a 6 bar linkage is integrally combined with a spring having a laterally coiled strand to form a hinge that is particularly well adapted to be installed in a small footprint. Such a unit is well adapted for installation within a peripheral channel of a vehicle body opening and to prop the closure in its open position. The present invention also provides a method for reducing packaging footprint of a vehicle closure hinge by integrating the 6 bar linkage with the laterally coiled strand, and selecting a strand shaping to reduce radial dimension of the coil and the coil cross-section while maximizing the radial dimension of material in the strand.

Abstract: An opening and closing apparatus for vehicle lid includes a lower base adapted to be mounted on a body panel of the vehicle and arranged to an opening of an inner space of the vehicle, first and second hinge links rotatably connected to the lower base at each one end of the respective first and second hinge links, an upper base attached to the vehicle lid formed for closing the opening of the inner space and connected to each the other end of the respective first and second hinge links, a motor for providing a drive to the first hinge link, a drive transmitting member provided between the motor and the first hinge link for transmitting the drive from the motor to the first hinge link, a normally section torque transmitting mechanism provided between the drive transmitting member and the first hinge link for transmitting the drive to the first hinge link at a point of force reaction through the normally section torque transmitting mechanism after the drive transmitting member is rotated with a predetermined an

Abstract: In a pivotable vehicle lid support arrangement including an operating linkage, an operating member for opening and closing the lid and a drive unit for actuating the operating member, the operating linkage and the operating member are mounted with an end to a console and with their other ends to the vehicle lid, to which also the drive unit is mounted so as to form, together with the lid, a preassembled installation module and the operating arms of the linkage and the operating member are so arranged that they are disposed adjacent to, and essentially in parallel alignment with, the lid when the lid is in a closed position.

Abstract: A collapsible protective cover for the trunk of a motor vehicle that extends from the trunk and therebeyond to protect an individual from environmental elements while accessing the trunk. Self-contained telescopically extensible self-supporting multiple panel configurations with individual flexible side flaps can be easily and quickly deployed from inside the open trunk lid to provide a temporary cover for the trunk and the user as they remove or replace items in the trunk for a short period of time.

Abstract: A drive assembly moves a vehicle closure panel from an open to a closed condition. The drive assembly has a housing and a motor mounted on the housing. A drum and gear assembly is rotatably mounted on the housing. The drum and gear assembly has a drum having a helical groove, a gear in driving engagement with the motor, and a spring biasing the drum in a winding direction relative to the gear. The drum and gear have a lost motion connection therebetween. A cable has an end connected to the closure panel and an opposite end connected to the drum about the helical groove in the winding direction. The drum rotates in the winding direction relative to the stationary gear as the closure panel is manually moved from the open to the closed condition with the spring maintaining a cable tension. The drum and gear rotate together in the winding direction upon energizing the motor effecting powered movement of the closure panel to the closed condition.

Abstract: A power mechanism for opening and closing a vehicle trunk decklid includes power-operated guides that move the linkages on the decklid. The guides are moved by push-pull cables operated by a motor and disposed in a guide rail located in a trunk sill. The motor may be controlled by a controller that receives a user signal and operates the motor based on the signal.

Abstract: A vehicle trunk safety device indicates the presence of an individual within the trunk.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a two-way opening decklid assembly includes a frame and a decklid where the rear portion of the frame is unlatched from a vehicle when the frame is in its open position and is latched to the vehicle when the frame is in its closed position. In another aspect of the present invention, the decklid assembly includes a frame that is coupled to the vehicle with a linkage assembly that causes an entirety of the frame to undergo a lifting and tilting motion when moving between its closed and open position.

Abstract: A locking device with a holding device for a cover of a motor vehicle trunk is movable in a longitudinal guide and can be held in form-closed manner there by a movable projection. The projection is movable by an operating device and is rotatable about a fulcrum. The operating device includes an electromotive drive and a gear, which can be a non-self-locking gear.

Abstract: An interior shield that is located immediately beneath the lid of the storage compartment of a vehicle to prevent interior objects from damaging the lid. The storage compartment can be in the front of the vehicle or in the rear of the vehicle. The shield is made of strong lightweight material such as ABS plastic which can be removably attached to fit over the interior of the lid of the storage compartment by attaching means such as plastic clips.

Abstract: A device comprising, additionally to the main jack, a balancing jack designed to facilitate manual opening of the hood from the in a forward movement for storing luggage in the trunk, and manual closure of hood in the opposite direction. The balancing jack has its base linked to the main jack and the free end of its piston rod fixed in articulation to the hood. It is designed so as not to obstruct the operation of the main jack for automatically opening or closing the hood. The device further comprises a device for actuating the balancing jack to enable the hood to be manually opened or closed.

Abstract: A cabriolet vehicle with a convertible top (12), a stowage space (58) which uses part of the trunk space (60), and a convertible top hatch (30) formed as part of the trunk lid (34), in which the convertible top (12) can be moved between a closed position in which it covers the passenger compartment (14), and a stowage position in which it is held as a folded package in the stowage space (58) which is covered by the convertible top hatch (30). The position of the convertible top (12) can be adjusted upward into an intermediate position by moving the convertible top hatch (30). In the intermediate position, the folded package extends out of the stowage space (58), for providing increased access to the trunk space. The convertible top hatch (30) can be pivoted around a first pivoting device (40, 42, 44) for opening of the stowage space, and the trunk lid (34) can be pivoted around a second pivoting device (38) independently of the convertible top hatch (30) for opening the trunk (60).

Abstract: In a roof storage compartment cover for a storage compartment for a vehicle roof, which is movable between a closed position, in which it covers an interior vehicle space, and an open position, in which the roof is deposited in the storage compartment by a roof operating mechanism, the storage compartment cover is operable by a compartment cover operating mechanism which is mechanically linked to the roof operating mechanism by an over-dead-center operating structure, which, upon movement of the vehicle roof between the closed and storage positions, first raises the storage compartment cover to permit passage of the roof and then closes the storage compartment cover again.

Abstract: A stowage space cover of a convertible with a roof (2) which can be opened and lowered into a rear stowage space (3), the stowage space cover (8) containing two elements (9, 10) which are joined to one another, the first element (9) being pivotally supported on the front on the body by means of a pivot bearing (13, 14) so as to pivot up at its rear edge (20), the second element (10) being pivotally supported on the first element (9) so that its front edge (19) can be pivoted up out of its closed position, in which it covers a recess of the first element (9) for stowing of the roof, and can be pivoted up jointly with the first element (9) as the trunk lid. To improve the sequence of movements of the cover, the pivoting support (13, 14) of the first element (9) forms a movable pivoting axis.

Abstract: In a convertible vehicle with a vehicle body, a rear cover including a support frame supported on the vehicle body pivotally about a first pivot axis, a trunk lid supported on the support frame pivotally about a second pivot axis which is spaced from the first pivot axis, such that, upon opening the rear cover in a first phase of movement, the support frame is pivoted open and in a second phase of movement, the trunk lid is pivoted open on the support frame, all by a single actuating element.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for lifting and lowering a component of an automobile body that is hingedly and releasably attached to the automobile body at first and second attachment points. The lifting apparatus includes an extension member having first and second ends that is operable to move from a normally retracted position to an extended position. The first end of the extension member is pivotally attached to the component at a third attachment point and the second end of the extension member is pivotally attached to the automobile body. An actuator is operable to extend and retract the extension member. When a one of the first and second attachment points is released, the extension member moves from the retracted position to the extended position and moves the component to an open position about the other of the first and second attachment points.

Abstract: An actuating arrangement and method for opening and closing a hinged motor vehicle panel utilizes a controllable fluid drive and an uncontrolled fluid drive. The hinged motor vehicle panel is driven during opening from a starting position to a predetermined opening angle by the controlled fluid drive and, after reaching the predetermined angle of opening, is driven into its final position exclusively by the uncontrolled fluid drive.

Abstract: An articulating decklid system for a vehicle with a retractable roof includes a first linkage member with a forward end pivotally interconnected with the vehicle body and a rearward end spaced therefrom. A decklid has a forward end and a rearward end, with the rearward end being pivotally connected to the rearward end of the first linkage member. A second linkage assembly has an upper end pivotally interconnected with the decklid and a lower end pivotally interconnected with the first linkage member between its forward and rearward ends. The second linkage assembly has a folded and an unfolded position. The system also includes an actuator. The system has a closed position with the rearward ends of the first linkage member and decklid adjacent the rearward end of the luggage compartment, the second linkage assembly folded, and the forward end of the decklid adjacent the forward end of the luggage compartment.

Abstract: There is provided a weather strip for a car without a metal insert which comprises a grip part having a U-shaped grip body in section and a seal part integrally molded to the outer surface of the grip part. The weather strip is installed to a flange provided to a door opening, a trunk portion and the like. The grip body is unprovided with a metal insert, and, at least, the bottom wall and the inner wall of the grip part is made of highly hardened rubber or resin having a hardness of more than Hs 90 degree.

Abstract: A motor vehicle, especially a sedan or a station wagon, with a tailgate (9) which is movably supported on the motor vehicle by a bearing means for closing and for clearing a rear loading opening (14) of the vehicle interior or trunk (3), and the tailgate (9) can be moved by the bearing means (16, 26) in a lowering or raising motion between its closed position and a lowered open position, in which it is located in essentially vertical alignment with the motor vehicle rear end of the motor vehicle (2). The tailgate (9) can be swung out to the rear around its bottom edge (24) in order to form a load-bearing surface. The swung-out tailgate (9) in the essentially horizontal swung-out position can be moved by the bearing means (16, 26) in lowering and raising motions as a means for raising and lowering cargo.

Abstract: A tonneau panel mechanism engages a stationary track in a closed position and disengages from the stationary track when in the open position. The tonneau panel exhibits a first stage of motion that includes both pivotal and non-pivotal motion and a second stage of motion that consists of substantially rotational motion about a pivot. The tonneau panel mechanism can include a linkage assembly with at least one link that engages with a stop on the tonneau panel to alter the motion of the tonneau panel between the first and second stages of motion. The tonneau panel can also use an at least four-bar linkage wherein at least two of the links move relative to one another during the first stage of motion and are locked together during a second stage of motion.

Abstract: A two-way opening modular decklid assembly is disclosed. The modular decklid assembly includes a frame and a decklid that are installed in a vehicle as a modular unit. The decklid assembly uses a simple at least four-bar non-scissor linkage assembly to attach a frame to the vehicle. The linkage assembly is operable to move the frame between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A safety system for opening a deck lid of a trunk compartment of vehicle includes a user operable device and a housing having an outer wall and a perimeter surface. The housing defines a recess therein, which is positioned below or behind a plane defined by the perimeter surface of the housing. The user operable device is positioned in the recess and below the plane defined by the perimeter surface such that the user operable device is actuable within the recess. The user operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid of the trunk compartment.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a lock with a movable locking element, particularly a rotary latch, which lock, in addition to being equipped with an electric unlocking device for the locking element, is equipped with a mechanical emergency unlocking device for the locking element. The emergency unlocking device includes a first pulling element which triggers the locking element independently of the electric unlocking device into a release position, in which release position a closing element is released which is fastened to a vehicle body part to be opened.

Abstract: A vehicle trunk release mechanism for releasing a trunk lid of a vehicle from within the interior of the trunk has a contact mat and an actuator, which is responsive to repeated contact with the contact mat.

Abstract: A convertible (1) with a roof (2), which can be stowed in the rear region (3) of the vehicle beneath a lid part (4), it being possible to open and close the lid part (4), on the one hand, for unblocking an opening (7) for the passage of the roof (2) adjacent to the front region (4a) of the lid part (4) and, on the other, for unblocking an opening (8) for luggage, adjacent to the rear end region (9), an auxiliary frame (11) being disposed beneath the lid part (4a) and connected in the, in the driving direction (F), pre-disposed area over a multiple joint (14) with the lid part (4) and mounted moveably with respect to the vehicle body in its rear region (12), wherein the multiple joint (14), while the opening (7) for the passage of the roof (2) is unblocked, is held in stood-up position which enlarges the distance between the lid part (4) and the auxiliary frame (11) relative to that of the closed position.

Abstract: In a support arrangement for a rear trunk lid of a convertable vehicle supported on a vehicle body so as to be selectively pivotable about a front pivot joint and a rear pivot joint, releasable trunk lid locking structures are provided at both ends of the trunk lid for selectively locking the front or rear end to the respective pivot joint and a control element is provided for operating the releasable locking structures in such a way that, upon locking of the front pivot joint, a rear actuator connected between the trunk lid and the vehicle body is moved into a non-functional position in which it is disengaged from the vehicle body and, upon unlocking of the front pivot joint, the rear actuator is moved to a functional position, in which it is engaged with the vehicle body.

Abstract: mechanisms each have an upper portion interconnected with the forward end of the decklid and a lower portion interconnected with the vehicle body. The front articulation mechanisms each have a latched position wherein the upper and lower portions are latchedly interconnected and an unlatched position wherein the upper and lower portions are separable. The upper portion includes a multilink hinge having a retracted position and an extended position. A rear articulation mechanism has an upper portion interconnected with the rearward end of the deck and a lower portion interconnected with the vehicle body. The rear articulation mechanism has a latched position wherein the upper and lower portions are latchedly interconnected and an unlatched position wherein the upper and lower portions are separable. The lower portion includes a multilink hinge having a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: In a pivotable vehicle lid support arrangement including an operating linkage, an operating member for opening and closing the lid and a drive unit for actuating the operating member, the operating linkage and the operating member are mounted with an end to a console and with their other ends to the vehicle lid, to which also the drive unit is mounted so as to form, together with the lid, a preassembled installation module and the operating arms of the linkage and the operating member are so arranged that they are disposed adjacent to, and essentially in parallel alignment with, the lid when the lid is in a closed position.

Abstract: A drivable flap hinge for connecting a flaps such as a front hood or a trunk lid, to a body of an automobile in an articulated manner. The drivable hinge includes a first retaining part for fixing to the flap, a second retaining part for fixing to the body, at least one connecting member, which is pivotably arranged on at least one of the two retaining parts with a joint, and a driving motor, which is drive-connected to a joint pin of the joint. The flap hinge advantageously enables a front gate or tail gate of an automobile to pivot in a driven manner as a result of the driven joint pin connecting the first retaining part and the connection member.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a carbody with a rear area provided with a trunk lid. A roof is stowable within the rear area of the convertible vehicle underneath the trunk lid. The trunk lid is movable in a first direction for releasing a passageway for the roof and in a second direction for releasing a receiving opening for luggage. The trunk lid is divided into several parts along at least one joint extending substantially in a transverse vehicle direction. When opening the trunk lid in the first direction, a frontmost one of the several parts of the trunk lid, viewed in a travel direction of the convertible vehicle, is moved in the travel direction at least partially into a position above a rear part of the lid.

Abstract: A vehicle closure body structure is provided with an outer panel, an inner panel opposed to the outer panel, with the outer panel and the inner panel forming a hollow structure of a closure body adapted to be mounted to an opening portion of a vehicle body through a hinge secured to the inner panel, a reinforce joined to the inner panel, inside the closure body, in at least a hinge fixing area thereof at which the hinge is fixed, and a tunneled portion formed in the reinforce to form a passage between the tunneled portion and the inner panel so as to permit wiring harness to be arranged therein.

Abstract: A safety sensing and/or release system for opening a closed compartment of a vehicle comprises a sensing element for sensing the presence of an occupant within the closed compartment of the vehicle, a control responsive to the sensing element, and a release system. The control is operable to provide an output signal in response to a detection of an occupant by the sensing element. The control may be selectably locked to limit providing an unintentional output signal. The release system is operable to open the closed compartment in response to the output signal of the control. The control may be selectably locked in response to an input signal indicative of at least one of the vehicle ignition being on and the vehicle moving, in order to prevent the compartment from unexpectedly opening while the vehicle is moving.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying a rear cargo compartment of an automotive vehicle includes a decklid capable of enclosing for storage the vehicle's backlite. With or without to backlite enclosed within the decklid, the decklid may remain attached to the vehicle in its conventional position, may be moved to a stowage location within the vehicle, or may be detached from the automotive vehicle entirely and stowed in an external location.

Abstract: A two-way opening modular decklid assembly is disclosed. The modular decklid assembly includes a frame and a decklid that are installed in a vehicle as a modular unit. The decklid assembly uses a simple at least four-bar non-scissor linkage assembly to attach a frame to the vehicle. The linkage assembly is operable to move the frame between open and closed positions.

Abstract: An actuation arrangement for movable parts on a vehicle, especially for trunk lids, rear hatches, hoods or the like, including at least one main support bracket (2) fastened to the vehicle, one hinge (3), one lever (1) connected to the movable part, which is swivably mounted to the hinge (3) in the main support bracket (2), and a driving device (4) coupled to said lever (1) with one of its ends to introduce a moment of rotation whereby a rigid extension piece (5) extends from the main support bracket (2) that is engaged by the opposite end of the driving device (4). Only the main support bracket (2) is fastened to the vehicle itself so that introduction of forces of the actuation arrangement into the vehicle body is avoided at simple and compact construction.

Abstract: A motor vehicle trunk door articulated to the ends of a first arm mounted pivoting, at its other end, about a vertical lateral pin integral with a body. The truck door moves from a closing position towards an opening position, substantially perpendicular to the closing position, by the first arm having a curved shape, and a second arm. One of the ends of the second arm is secured to the trunk door and the other end is mounted pivoting on a sliding sleeve mounted on a guide rail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for opening a lid of a trunk of a motor vehicle, there being mounted in the trunk an actuating element whose actuation results in the lid of the trunk being unlocked, if appropriate, and the lid being opened, the motor vehicle furthermore having a remotely operable closing system, and when the actuating element is actuated, the actuating element emits beams which correspond to the beams of the remotely operable closing system in such a manner that the lid is unlocked, if appropriate, and opened.

Abstract: A liftgate force control assembly (20) adjusts the force required to move a liftgate (12) that is pivotally secured to a motor vehicle (10) using a hinge (14). The liftgate force control assembly includes a track (42) that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A follower (46) is movably secured to the track. A strut (34, 36) has a movable end (26, 28) and a secured end (30, 32). The secured end (30, 32) is pivotally secured to the liftgate (12) and the movable end (26, 28) is pivotally secured to the follower (46). The strut (34, 36) defines a moment with respect to the hinge that secures the liftgate to the motor vehicle. A motor (50) is connected to the follower (46) to move the follower (46) along the track (42) changing the moment of the strut such that the force required to move the liftgate (12) changes as the moment changes.

Abstract: In a containment for receiving a removable vehicle top, including a containment cover, a containment cover operating mechanism for transferring the vehicle top between closed and open positions, a containment bottom movable between raised and lowered positions and a containment bottom operating mechanism, the containment bottom operating mechanism is coupled to the vehicle top in such a way that, during the transfer of the vehicle top from the closed to the open position, movement of a component of the vehicle top initiates the lowering of the containment bottom by uncoupling the containment bottom from its operating mechanism before the vehicle top enters the containment.

Abstract: A decklid hinge is provided for a rear compartment of a vehicle. The decklid hinge includes a body side strap adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle. The decklid hinge also includes a decklid side strap adapted to be connected to a decklid for closing a recess of the rear compartment. The decklid hinge includes a first link interconnecting the body side strap and the decklid strap for allowing rotation therebetween. The decklid hinge further includes a second link interconnecting the body side strap and the decklid strap for guiding pivoting action of the hinge along a predefined path. The decklid hinge includes a primary spring interconnecting the body side strap and the decklid strap to counterbalance a weight of the decklid when opening. The decklid hinge further includes a free-rise mechanism to allow the decklid to free-rise from a partial open position to a full open position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a flap, which is implemented, for example, as a tail gate, and is swivellably linked by way of a hinge device to the body of the motor vehicle, and opens and closes a flap opening, which hinge device comprises a body-side and a flap-side fitting part, and the two fitting parts are swivellably connected relative to one another by way of at least one multi-control-arm arrangement having at least two control arms. For adjusting the flap relative to the body of the motor vehicle, the flap-side fitting part for the fastening to the flap is provided with at least one oblong hole, and between the flap-side fitting part and the flap, an adjusting slide is arranged which has at least a second oblong hole, in which case a fastening element reaches through the two oblong holes and is fastened to the flap, and the second oblong hole extends at an angle (&agr;) with respect to the first oblong hole, this angle (&agr;) amounting to more than 0° and less than 90°.

Abstract: A convertible automobile has a roof which can be deposited in a rear area of the vehicle under a trunk lid. To uncover an opening for the roof, the trunk lid is mounted on a lock member permitting movement in a first opening direction about a body-fast axis of rotation at a rear end such that it forms an acute angle (&agr;) with a vector of travel when in the open position. In order to free a loading opening to the trunk space, the lock member permits movement of the trunk lid 4 in a second opening direction such that the trunk lid forms in the open position an obtuse angle (&bgr;) with the vector of travel. A part bearing an axis of rotation is configured such that the lock member associated with the trunk lid is situated, when the trunk lid is in the closed position, ahead of the axis of rotation in the direction of travel and, upon the movement of the trunk lid in the first opening direction, the lock member is carried on a circular path around the central axis of rotation.

Abstract: A convertible has a car body and a lid part arranged to the rear of the car body. The convertible top can be stowed under the lid part. The lid part can open and close for releasing a through opening for the top adjacent to a forward end of the lid part and for releasing a loading opening for luggage adjacent to a rearward end of the lid part. An auxiliary frame is arranged underneath the lid part in a closed position of the lid part. The auxiliary frame is connected pivotably on the car body and is pivotable transversely to the travel direction about a pivot axis. The pivot axis of the auxiliary frame, in the travel direction of the convertible, is arranged in front of the rearward end of the lid part.

Abstract: A supporting framework of a rear cover may be pivoted up about a front transverse axis and a rear transverse axis, of a rear compartment in a bodywork of a passenger vehicle having a fold-away roof, the rear compartment being used for accommodating a roof or roof part and luggage. Due to a special kinematic arrangement of the supporting framework, the rear cover executes a lifting movement before it pivots about the rear transverse axis.

Abstract: In a support arrangement for a rear trunk lid of a convertible vehicle supported on a vehicle body so as to be selectively pivotable about a front pivot joint and a rear pivot joint, releasable trunk lid locking means are provided at both ends of the trunk lid for selectively locking the front or rear end to the respective pivot joint and a control element is provided for operating the releasable locking means in such a way that, upon locking of the front pivot joint, a rear actuator connected between the trunk lid and the vehicle body is moved into a non-functional position in which it is disengaged from the vehicle body and, upon unlocking of the front pivot joint, the rear actuator is moved to a functional position, in which it is engaged with the vehicle body.

Abstract: A door closer includes a striker, a latch mechanism, and an actuator that brings the striker into a standby position when the actuator performs a standby action and, brings the striker into a closed position when the actuator performs a closing operation. After the striker is located at the standby position and engaged with the latch mechanism, the striker is moved to the closed position, thereby closing the trunk lid with respect to the vehicle body. Between the actuator and the striker, the striker is held at the standby position when the actuator performs the standby action in a normal state. When a switching operation is performed, the striker is allowed to move to the closed position even when the actuator 30 performs the standby action.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a car body having a rear vehicle area with a trunk. The rear vehicle area has a roof compartment having a lid. The roof is stowable under the lid in the roof compartment. The lid of the roof compartment is movable for releasing a passageway for stowing the roof and for releasing a loading opening for the trunk. The lid of the roof compartment is of a multi-part configuration and has at least one joint between parts of the lid, wherein the at least one joint extends transversely to a travel direction of the convertible vehicle. For releasing the passageway for the roof, the parts are pivotable relative to one another in a pivot direction. At least one drive-effecting member acts on the parts in the pivot direction.

Abstract: A trailer including an inner frame that is made of metal, an outer shell that is made of a non-metal and that at least partially surrounds the inner frame, and at least one wheel rotatably secured to the inner frame. In a preferred embodiment, the outer shell is made of a plastic. The inner frame includes a lower frame portion with which the at least one wheel is rotatably secured, and an upper frame portion that supports at least a portion of the weight of the outer shell. Preferably, the upper frame portion includes a middle support member that extends upwardly from the lower frame portion, and a first bar assembly that is hingedly connected to the middle support member. In another embodiment, a second bar assembly is hingedly connected to the middle support member.