Abstract: A latch assembly adapted for use with a tire carrier including a wheel plate, and a lock bracket including an aperture and a cable disposed in the aperture and connected to the wheel plate. The latch assembly includes a lock housing, a cable guide adjacent the lock housing and a lock arm adjacent the cable guide member. The lock arm has one end, another end and a cam surface. The one end is pivotally connected to the cable guide member wherein, when another end is moved toward the lock bracket, the cam surface engages the lock bracket to pivot the lock arm to a locked position so that when the cable breaks, the lock arm engages the lock bracket.

Abstract: A self adjusting parking brake system which automatically removes slack from a parking brake cable includes a fixed support and a hand-operated lever pivotably connected to the support for movement between brake-releasing and brake-engaging positions. A locking mechanism releasably maintains the lever in the brake-engaging position. The locking mechanism includes a main ratchet having a plurality of ratchet teeth and a main pawl having a pawl tooth engaging the plurality of ratchet teeth. A self-adjust mechanism connects the cable with the lever. The self-adjust mechanism includes an adjuster ratchet having a plurality of ratchet teeth and an adjuster pawl having a plurality pawl teeth. Only one of the plurality of pawl teeth fully engages the ratchet teeth at any one time. The adjuster pawl pivots about a pivot axis and has an approach angle of greater than forty-five degrees.

Abstract: A seat track assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first or lower track assembly comprising a lower track, a second or upper track assembly operably connected to the lower track assembly and comprising an upper track movable relative to the first track, and a latch selectively movable from a latching position wherein the upper track is secured with respect to the lower track and an unlatching position wherein the upper track is movable with respect to the lower track. The upper track has a generally vertical side wall and the latch extends laterally adjacent the side wall. The latch includes an attachment portion secured to the upper track, a latch portion adapted to cooperate with the lower track to form an interlock therebetween and substantially prevent movement of the upper track relative to the lower track, and an intermediate portion connecting the attachment portion and the latch portion. The latch is preferably a unitary member formed of spring steel.

Abstract: A seat track assembly includes a first track having a mounting wall and first and second spaced apart side walls extending from the mounting wall, and a second track having a base flange and first and second spaced apart side flanges extending from the base flange. The side walls and the side flanges each have a pair of flat surfaces which cooperate to define a pair of load transmission channels. The load transmission channels are preferably square-shaped and oriented at 45 degrees. Load transmission elements are positioned in the load transmission channels. At least one of the first and second tracks produce an interference with the load transmission elements so that at least one of the first and second tracks is resiliently deflected by the load transmission elements to bias the load transmission elements into engagement with each of the four flat surfaces.

Abstract: A method of operating a control pedal assembly includes the steps providing a pair of adjustable control pedals. Each control pedal includes a first support and a second support having a lower arm and moveable relative to the first support to adjust the fore-aft position of the lower arm upon operation of a motor. A predetermined fore-aft relationship is provided between the lower arms of each of the pair of control pedals. The predetermined fore-aft relationship is maintained during operation of the motor to move the second supports relative to the first supports while adjusting the fore-aft position of the lower arms. The motor is stopped during operation if the predetermined fore-aft relationship between the lower arms is not maintained.

Abstract: A load floor seat assembly for an adjustable seat is disclosed movable from a normal position to a load floor position. A seat base is adapted to be attached to a motor vehicle floor, at least one seat back arm is pivotably mounted to the seat base about a seat back pivot, and a seat back is pivotably attached to the seat back arm about a load floor pivot. A load floor assembly is attached to the seat back so that in the normal position the seat back is generally perpendicular to the seat base, and in the load floor position the seat back is generally parallel with the seat base and rotated about the load floor pivot, so that the load floor assembly covers the seat back and the seat base.

Abstract: A check mechanism for a motor vehicle door includes a housing secured to either the vehicle frame or the door and a check arm secured to the other one of the vehicle frame and the door. The door check extends into the housing through an opening in the housing. A pair of opposed guides are located within the housing and engage opposite sides of the check arm. Each guide has a generally V-shaped portion, in cross-section, engaging the check arm to generally form a line contact between the guide and the check arm. Spring members such as elastomeric springs bias the guides toward each other and the check arm. The guides and the check arm are adapted to resist movement of the closure relative to the vehicle frame when the guide engages predetermined locations of the check arm. When the door is moved relative to the frame, the guides slide along the exterior surface of the check arm.

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 steering-column gearshift lever includes a molded tube comprised of a polymeric material and forming a conduit from an operative end to an attachment end, a metal insert secured to the attachment end which is sized and shaped for mechanical cooperation with components auxiliary to the lever, and a molded covering of polymeric material which extends over at least a portion of an exterior surface of the tube and the insert. The plastic tube and the plastic covering are formed in separate injection molding operations. The lever further includes an electrical switch supported by the operative end of the tube and wires connected to the electrical switch which pass through the conduit of the tube from the operative end to the attachment end. The wires extend from the attachment end of the tube through a passage in the insert where they can be suitably connected to auxiliary components at the steering column when the gearshift lever is attached to the steering column.

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: 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 transmission shifter for controlling the transmission of a motor vehicle in both and automatic mode and a manual (or “autostick”) shifting mode is disclosed, comprising a base having a detent surface provided with a series of detents, a cable actuator to which a cable would be connected to the transmission, a shifter lever connected to the base, movable along a first gear shift gate in the automatic mode and a second gear shift gate in the manual mode with the shift gates connected by a connecting gate, and a pawl mounted on the cable actuator, movable between an engaged position where the pawl engages the detent surface to a disengaged position where the pawl is free of the detent surface, such that as the shifter lever moves along the first gear shift gate the cable actuator moves with the shifter lever, and the shifter lever moves independent of the cable actuator as the shifter lever moves along the second gear shift gate.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a seat adjuster is used to adjust the longitudinal position of a vehicle seat between a plurality of positions. The drive assembly includes a first track mounted to a vehicle structure a second track that is supported for longitudinal movement relative to the first track. A bracket is fixed relative to the first track and has an opening through which a drive nut is inserted. The drive nut has a threaded central bore and is rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the drive nut moves relative to the bracket through the opening. In the second position the drive nut contacts the bracket to form a positive structural engagement between the drive nut and the bracket. A screw shaft has an elongated body with an external threaded surface that engages the threaded central bore in the drive nut to move the second track between a plurality of adjusted positions relative to the first track.

Abstract: An adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of a vehicle seat includes an inboard track assembly, an outboard track assembly spaced apart from the inboard track assembly, and at least one torque tube extending between the assemblies. The inboard and outboard track assemblies each have a first track fixed to a vehicle structure and a second track supported for longitudinal movement with respect to the first track to adjust horizontal seat position. A seat bottom mounted for horizontal movement with the second track. The torque tube is interconnected to the seat member by a linkage assembly to move the seat member between a lowered position and a raised position. An actuator is selectively actuated to supply rotational input to the torque tube. As the torque tube rotates, the linkage assembly moves the seat bottom in a vertical direction. The adjustment assembly includes at least one stop supported on one of the inboard or outboard track assemblies.