Abstract: A highly accurate, long life, low cost gas sensor is disclosed, particularly useful for measuring carbon monoxide and other toxic gases in an environment. The gas sensor has a first, sensing electrode and a second, counting electrode. Positioned between the first and second electrodes is an ion conducting, solid electrolyte membrane. In response to the presence of a toxic gas introduced to the first electrode, an electric signal is produced between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electric signal changes in response to changes in the concentration of the toxic gas. Detection circuitry measures the electric signal to determine the concentration of the toxic gas. An electrically conductive, hydrophobic top membrane electrically connects the first electrode to the detection circuitry while preventing liquid water from contacting the first electrode. An electrically conductive, hydrophobic bottom membrane electrically connects the second electrode to the detection circuitry.

Abstract: A seat track assembly includes a first track and a second track operably engaging the first track so that the second track is slideable between a full forward position and a fill rearward position with respect to the first track. A locking device is supported on the second track and is moveable between a locked position where the locking device maintains the second track in a desired position relative to the first track and an unlocked position where the second track is movable relative to the first track. A release member is pivotally supported about a first axis and is movable between a normal position and a release position. The release member maintains the locking device in the unlocked position when the release member is in the release position. The seat track assembly also includes a rod rotatable about a second axis. The rod is operatively connected to the release member such that rotation of one of the rod or the release member rotates the other of the rod or the release member.

Abstract: A transmission shifter is disclosed for controlling a transmission of a motor vehicle by a cable in some instances and an electronic control in other instances. The transmission shifter has a base, a cable attachment bracket mounted on the base and pivotable about a first axis, and a shift lever pivotably mounted on the base. In a first segment of the first shift path the shift lever is movable in a cable-actuation mode and the shift lever urges the cable attachment bracket to pivot about the first axis, and in a second segment of the first shift path the shift lever is movable in an electronic-actuation mode and the shift lever does not urge the cable attachment bracket to pivot bout the first axis.

Abstract: A seat track assembly comprises a first seat track and a second seat track slidable relative to the first seat track along a longitudinal axis. An actuator has a handle, at least one leg extending from the handle, and a distal end portion. The actuator is movable between a locked position where the distal end portion engages the first seat track to lock the second seat track with respect to the first seat track, and an unlocked position where deflection of the leg moves the distal end portion out of engagement with the first seat track. This allows sliding adjustment of the second seat track with respect to the first seat track. Each seat track may have openings which are coaxially aligned when the actuator is in the locked position. In certain preferred embodiments a fixed member biasing mechanism may be used to urge the actuator out of engagement with the first seat track.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back supported for movement relative to the seat bottom such that seat position can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the vehicle. The seat assembly is mounted to a vehicle structure and includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track with the seat bottom being supported on the second track for movement with the second track. A support member presents a bearing surface that rotatably engages a bearing surface on the second track. At least one adjustment link is used to interconnect the support member and the seat bottom. The adjustment link is mounted on the support member for rotation therewith to provide vertical seat adjustment. A torque tube engages the support member to provide rotational input to the adjustment link.

Abstract: A chair having a self-leveling armrest is disclosed, comprising a seat bottom and a seat back which rotates between a full up position and a full back position. The arm is moveable between an up position and a down position, and is positioned generally parallel with the seat bottom when in the down position. A first link member is pivotably connected to the seat bottom and to a second link member, and the second link member is pivotably connected to the seat back. The arm is pivotable with the seat back, and in the down position the arm moves with the second link member so that the arm remains generally parallel with respect to the seat bottom as the seat back pivots. A pin extends from the arm and is generally parallel with the armrest member. The pin is received by a pin-receiving groove in the second link member.

Abstract: A seat track assembly for an adjustable seat with positive engagement is disclosed and has a lower track assembly with at least one lower track having a plurality of spaced slots and an upper track assembly with at least one lower track. The upper track is slidable over the lower track. A latch is movable from a latching position securing the upper track with respect to the lower track to an unlatching position where the upper track is free to slide over the lower track. The latch comprises a plurality of locking pawls mounted on the upper track, with each locking pawl having a first tooth and a second tooth and each tooth has a front face and a rear face. In the latching position the first tooth of a first one of the locking pawls is received within a first slot and the second tooth of the first one of the locking pawls is received within a second slot.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes an upper arm and a lower arm carrying a pedal. The lower arm is selectively moveable relative to the upper arm to adjust the position of the pedal relative to the upper arm. A drive screw is secured to the upper arm. A drive nut threadably engages the drive screw and is adapted to move axially along the drive screw upon rotation of the drive screw. A motor is operatively connected to the drive screw to selectively rotate the drive screw. The lower arm is operatively connected to the drive nut for fore-aft movement of the lower arm relative to the upper arm upon axial movement of the drive nut along the drive screw. A control system includes a sensor located at the drive screw and adapted to directly sense rotation of the drive screw and a controller in communication with the sensor to receive electrical signals from the sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle seat mounting assembly includes a locking device mounted on an first track that moves relative to a second track. The mounting device includes a plurality of locking pawls that engage one or more slots on the second track so that the first track, and the seat, are maintained in a fixed position relative to the second track. The locking device includes a first release member for disengaging the locking device and adjusting the position of the seat. The release member includes a wedge-shaped end exerting a force on the at least one locking pawl to substantially reduce free play between the first and the second track when in the locked position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back supported for movement relative to the seat bottom such that seat position can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the vehicle. The seat assembly is mounted a vehicle structure via inboard track and outboard track assemblies. Each track assembly includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track. The seat bottom is supported on the second tracks for movement with the second tracks. A locking mechanism is installed on at least one of the track assemblies. The locking mechanism has a spring that is mounted between the first and second tracks. The spring is biased into engagement with the first and second tracks to frictionally retain the second track in a locked position. A handle is manually actuated to move the locking mechanism from the locked position to an unlocked position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat mounting assembly includes a mounting pin rotatably retained in a support foot to removably retain a seat track assembly to a vehicle floor member. The support foot is located on the vehicle floor member and the mounting pin is moved downward through a slot in the vehicle floor member. The mounting pin is rotated within the support foot and released such that the biasing member moves the mounting pin upward into a receipt member. Another embodiment of the vehicle seat mounting assembly includes a pin having an engagement surface. The mounting pin is passed through the vehicle floor member an into a receipt member. To retain the mounting pin in the receipt member, a spring biased locking member engages the engagement surface of the mounting pin.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back that is supported with respect to a seat bottom. The seat bottom is supported on a track assembly that includes a seat adjuster for controlling movement of the seat back and bottom. The seat adjuster can move the seat in horizontal and/or vertical directions and can also be used to adjust the tilt of the seat. An electric motor is used to drive the seat adjuster. The motor supports a first connector and the seat adjuster supports a second connector. A flexible shaft is used to interconnect the first and second connectors to transmit power from the motor to the adjuster. The shaft has a first end and a second end with each of the ends defined by a helical body portion. The first connector and the first end are mated to interconnect the motor and the shaft and the second connector and the second end are mated to interconnect the seat adjuster and the shaft.

Abstract: A workpiece holder apparatus for either panels or cabinets is disclosed. The holder can be used for either panels or the like or cabinets and assists workers in holding the workpiece, raising the workpiece, and precisely positioning the workpiece into place, thereby facilitating the permanent affixing of the workpiece to the ceiling joist or wall studs and in the case of cabinets installation, against the wall itself. Thereafter, the workpiece holder apparatus can be quickly disassembled after the attachment of the workpiece to the ceiling joist or wall studs.

Abstract: A workpiece holder apparatus for either panels or cabinets is disclosed. The holder can be used for either panels or the like or cabinets and assists workers in holding the workpiece, raising the workpiece, and precisely positioning the workpiece into place, thereby facilitating the permanent affixing of the workpiece to the ceiling joist or wall studs and in the case of cabinets installation, against the wall itself. Thereafter, the workpiece holder apparatus can be quickly disassembled after the attachment of the workpiece to the ceiling joist or wall studs.

Abstract: A workpiece holder apparatus for either panels or cabinets is disclosed. The holder can be used for either panels or the like or cabinets and assists workers in holding the workpiece, raising the workpiece, and precisely positioning the workpiece into place, thereby facilitating the permanent affixing of the workpiece to the ceiling joist or wall studs and in the case of cabinets installation, against the wall itself. Thereafter, the workpiece holder apparatus can be quickly disassembled after the attachment of the workpiece to the ceiling joist or wall studs.

Abstract: A workpiece holder apparatus for either panels or cabinets is disclosed. The holder can be used for either panels or the like or cabinets and assists workers in holding the workpiece, raising the workpiece, and precisely positioning the workpiece into place, thereby facilitating the permanent affixing of the workpiece to the ceiling joist or wall studs and in the case of cabinets installation, against the wall itself. Thereafter, the workpiece holder apparatus can be quickly disassembled after the attachment of the workpiece to the ceiling joist or wall studs.