Abstract: A seat storage assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle having a floor, a roof, and a rear liftgate extending between the floor and the roof. A pair of spaced apart and parallel tracks is disposed along the floor and extends between fore and aft ends. A recess is formed in the floor rearward of the aft ends of the tracks. A second row seat is slidably engaged and pivotally coupled to the tracks for moving between forward and rearward seating positions, and a stowed position within the recess. A third row swing seat is pivotally coupled to the roof for moving between a seating position and a raised stowed position. Moving the third row swing seat into the raised stowed position enables the second row seat to move between the forward and rearward seating positions, and the stowed position within the recess.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for preventing a motor vehicle door from opening when a handle portion of a handle assembly moves with acceleration above a predetermined threshold relative to a base thereof. The locking device includes a lock cup fixedly secured to the base and having a plurality of teeth. The locking device also includes a spool rotatably coupled to the lock cup and operably connected to the handle portion. The spool includes a pawl rotatably mounted thereto. The locking device further includes an inertia element disposed between the lock cup and the spool. The inertia element is coupled to the pawl such that upon the acceleration above the predetermined threshold the inertia element lags rotation of the spool and forces the pawl into engagement with one of the plurality of teeth to stop movement of the handle portion relative to the base and prevent the door from opening.

Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive includes a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion. A riser mechanism extends between the seat cushion and a vehicle floor. The riser mechanism includes spaced apart front, center, and rear legs each pivotally movable at opposing upper and lower ends. A latch mechanism is operably coupled to each of the center legs for movement between a latched position preventing movement of the front, center, and rear legs relative to the floor and an unlatch position allowing pivotal movement of each of the front, center, and rear legs relative to the floor for moving the seat assembly between a seating position and at least one of an easy entry and forwardly dumped positions.

Abstract: A feed cake assembly includes at least a first portion formed from a first feed material combination and at least a second portion formed from a second feed material combination, the first portion and second portion being fused together to form the feed cake assembly. The first portion is preferably a seed cake portion formed from a first feed material combination and the second portion is preferably a flavor blend portion formed from a second feed material combination.

Abstract: A panel assembly for covering and uncovering an opening in a vehicle includes a guide rail extending longitudinally therealong. A panel extends between front and rear edges and is movable relative to the guide rail. A guide mechanism is slidably coupled to the guide rail. A carrier bracket is fixedly secured to the panel and slidably coupled to the guide mechanism. A latch is operatively coupled to the panel and slidably coupled to the guide rail. The latch is operable between a locked position preventing longitudinal movement of the panel and an unlocked position allowing longitudinal movement of the panel. A motor drives the guide mechanism forward along the guide rail moving the panel from a close position to a venting position, and rearward along the guide rail actuating the latch to the unlocked position and moving the panel from the close position to an open position.

Abstract: A dental handpiece is disclosed including a turbine construction creating a radial in flow of air onto the impeller blades about the whole circumference of the turbine. This generates additional torque and avoids asymmetrical thrust on the impeller wheel. A pair of axially spaced air bearings support the turbine. Air supply to the bearings is controlled in such a way that the air bearings are floated before drive air is supplied to the turbine and after drive air to the turbine has been shut off. This ensures that the air bearings are always operational irrespective of the operational state of the turbine. The handpiece has an improved ergonomic shape, especially the shape and configuration of the front or drive head, which provides additional tooth clearance and a better field of view. An angled swivel connection to the umbilical cord is provided which reduces physical strain on the dentist's wrist.

Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position. A rail bracket is fixedly secured to the vehicle and includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.

Abstract: A device for automatically compensating the length of cables comprises a length-variable receiving element (1, 3, 4) for a section of a pulling means (5), a spring element (2) for applying a tensile force on the received pulling means (5) and a locking element (4), which is rotatable relative to a section of the receiving element (1, 3) about an axis that agrees substantially with the axis of the pulling means, wherein the relative motions of two sections of the receiving device (3, 4) intended to bring about the length variations are coupled to the rotational motion of the locking element (4) by means of mechanical devices (311, 421) with clearance and detent elements (15, 43) substantially block the rotation of the locking element (4) in a direction of rotation.

Abstract: A trim set attachment assembly is provided comprising a retaining strip attached to a mesh panel encapsulated within a seat frame, and at least one tab extending from the trim set and securedly seating between the retaining strip and the mesh panel, thereby securing the trim set in relation to the mesh panel. The tab includes a trim piece seated within an anchor. The trim piece extends from the trim set to seat beneath the retraining strip atop the mesh panel, while the anchor prevents the trim piece from sliding out from under the retaining strip. The retaining strip includes a base, with at least one retainer extending from the base to secure the trim piece therebeneath. The retaining strip further includes a flange, with at least one connector extending through the mesh panel and the flange to connect the retaining strip to the mesh panel.

Abstract: A seat track assembly is provided for adjusting a seat assembly of an automotive vehicle having a lower track (12) having a plurality of locking windows (74), an upper track (14) slidably mounted to the lower track and having a plurality of first (70) and second (72) support apertures. A locking mechanism (80) is operatively coupled between the lower and upper tracks. The locking mechanism includes a plurality of pins (88) movable in and out of a locked position, wherein the pins project through the locking windows and are supported by the first and second support aperture in a double shearing condition to prevent sliding adjustment of the upper track relative in the lower track.

Abstract: A vehicle seat has a seat back and a seat cushion and a pair of recliners hingedly mounting the seat back to the seat cushion providing pivotal movement of a seat back relative to a seat cushion. Each of the recliners has a memory plate that holds the recliners in an unlocked condition during a predetermined amount of travel enabling return movement of the seat back from a forwardly folded position to a memory position. The memory position being within a range of recline seatback positions.

Abstract: A reversible seat assembly includes a pair of spaced apart risers. A seat cushion is operatively coupled to the risers for movement between a first inclined position wherein a front end is farther from the floor than a rear end and a second inclined position wherein the rear end is farther from the floor than the front end. A seat back is operatively coupled to the risers for movement between first and second upright positions adjacent the rear and front ends of the seat cushion, respectively. A seat cushion control mechanism includes a pair of forward and rearward linkages operatively coupled between the front and rear ends of the seat cushion and the risers for automatically controlling the seat cushion between the first and second inclined positions in response to movement of the seat back between the first and second upright positions thereby defining forward and rearward-facing seating positions.

Abstract: A rear frame assembly is provided for use in an automotive vehicle extending between upright side walls to define a trunk opening. The rear frame assembly includes a cross car beam extending laterally between the side walls of the vehicle. A sail panel is fixedly secured to the cross car beam. The sail panel includes symmetrically opposite flanges adapted to conform to the side walls of the vehicle to define a path for diverting a flow of water around the trunk opening. The sail panel includes a conically shaped concavity for engaging a conical protrusion on the vehicle for locating the rear frame assembly within the vehicle during installation of the rear frame assembly to the vehicle.

Abstract: A running board assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. The running board assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to be fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. The running board assembly also includes a step having a stepping surface. A link includes an upper end coupled to the mounting bracket and an opposing lower end coupled to the step. A light source is fixedly mounted to the link for illuminating the stepping surface to allow users to locate the step.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device (3) for actuating a membrane arranged in an opening to a space, and a vehicle having such a device. The membrane (1) has a first surface (1?) and a second opposite surface (1?), and is limited by an edge area. The device includes a first strip (5) to be attached to the first surface of the membrane in the edge area, and a second strip (6) to be attached to a surface of a frame portion extending around the opening. An exchanging number (8) is arranged between and connecting the first strip with the second strip. An actuating member (20) is arranged to transfer a reciprocating primary movement to the exchanging member converting the primary movement to a reciprocating secondary movement, which has a longer length of stroke than the primary movement and acts on the strips to move towards and away from each other.

Abstract: A retaining device for a sensor is mounted on a part having an opening, in particular, on an outer part of a motor vehicle. The retaining device includes an endplate attachable to an inner surface of the part and having an opening. The retaining device also includes a housing adjacent to the endplate for receiving at least part of the sensor. An additional member is mounted inside the opening in the endplate and includes a projection projecting outwards from the endplate. The additional member can be brought into engagement with the opening in the part such that the opening in the endplate is centrally aligned with respect to the opening in the part.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly has an inner sheet metal layer (16) which presents a substantially U-shaped structure. The inner sheet metal layer includes a latch mounting surface and at least one hinge mounting surface. An outer, substantially planar, sheet metal layer (14) is attached to the inner sheet metal layer to form a cavity. A structural reinforcement member (30) is disposed in the cavity to reinforce the inner and outer sheet metal layers, including reinforcements (44A, B and 28 A, B) for the latch and hinge mounting surfaces. A carrier assembly (60) is mounted to the structural reinforcement member, covering the U-shaped area, and a trim component (50) covers the carrier assembly. By incorporating the structural door member, the thickness of the inner and outer sheet metal layers can be reduced, for a net weight and reduced material cost savings.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for selectively latching a door to an automotive vehicle. The latch mechanism includes a latch hook movable between locked and unlocked positions relative to a striker bar fixedly secured to the vehicle. A release lever is operatively coupled between the latch hook and the latch mechanism for selectively actuating the latch hook between the locked and unlocked positions. An inertia lever is engagable with the release lever to prevent movement of the latch hook between the unlocked and locked positions. The inertia lever is movably coupled to the latch mechanism for movement in and out of engagement with the release lever in response to a threshold acceleration of the vehicle. A slot is formed in the release lever presenting sides engagable with the inertia lever to automatically rock the inertia lever in response to movement of the release lever to prevent seizing of the inertia lever within the latch mechanism due to lack of use.

Abstract: A supercharger (10) is positioned in the valley of an automobile engine (60) so that it fits under the engine hood (25). The supercharger (10) has a low profile air inlet (14) at the top that passes air to an inlet tube (16). The height of the inlet tube (16) decreases and its width expands as the inlet tube (16) extends away from the air inlet (14) to keep a low profile while minimizing restrictions to airflow. The inlet tube (16) supplies air to a compressor (18) at the bottom. The pressurized air flows through a large and thin intercooler (24) directly above the compressor (18). The cooled air is fed to long and straight intake manifold runners (28) positioned above the engine heads (61, 62) of the engine (60). The supercharger (10) provides a large volume of low pressure and low temperature air charge to the engine (60).

Abstract: A driver (4, 5) of a window lift mechanism to simplify subsequent adjustment of a window pane. The driver (4, 5) includes a flat receiving fork (7) having first and second sides (9, 10). A screw (14) extends through the receiving fork (7) for pulling the first and second sides (9, 10) together. In the vicinity of the axis of the screw (14), the first side (9) includes a number of openings (19). A pressure piece (13), which can be operated from outside of the first side (9), protrudes through the openings (19) into a gap (8) between the first and second sides (9, 10). The pressure piece (13) can be displaced in a substantially parallel direction to the axis of the screw (14). A threaded nut (11) contacts the pressure piece (13) to operate the pressure piece (13).