Abstract: A parking brake assembly which includes a brake lever, a rotary clutch and a lock-release mechanism which cooperate to selectively lock and release a parking brake. The clutch allows actuation of the brake lever in one direction and prevents movement of the brake lever in an opposite direction. The lock-release mechanism allows selective movement of the rotary clutch and the brake lever together in the opposite direction. The rotary clutch may be disposed generally coaxially with a pivot axis of the brake lever.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly which includes a brake lever, a rotary clutch and a lock-release mechanism which cooperate to selectively lock and release a parking brake. The clutch allows actuation of the brake lever in one direction and prevents movement of the brake lever in an opposite direction. The lock-release mechanism allows selective movement of the rotary clutch and the brake lever together in the opposite direction. A gear mechanism is operatively coupled between the brake lever and the rotary clutch.

Abstract: A shifter mechanism for a motor vehicle includes a shifter lever, a park switch indicating when the shifter lever is out of a park position, and an electric actuator movable between a locking position and an unlocking position to lock and unlock the lever. An interlock switch indicates when the vehicle operator desires to move the lever. A controller moves the actuator when an ignition switch indicates an ignition is on, a brake switch indicates a brake pedal is pressed, and the interlock switch is actuated. The controller also moves the actuator when the lever is not in the park position and the interlock switch is actuated. The controller actuates a vehicle key lock actuator when the ignition switch indicates the vehicle ignition is on or when the park switch indicates that the lever is not in the park position.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for a window regulator motor includes a gear housing with a helical gear disposed in the gear housing. The helical gear includes first and second circumferential surfaces. An opposing pair of slots is formed through the first circumferential surface of the helical gear. A cushion is coupled to the helical gear. A cushion plate is in turn connected to the cushion. A pair of spaced locking pawls is pivotally attached to the helical gear and extends through the pair of slots formed through the first circumferential surface. The cushion plate includes a cam section formed thereon. The cam section contacts one of the pair of locking pawls in response to rotation between the helical gear and cushion plate wherein the locking pawl engages a gear housing preventing movement of the helical gear.

Abstract: A hinge member comprises a mounting portion to be secured to a vehicle body panel, and an extension portion having a fixed orientation relative to the mounting portion. The extension portion has a pivot-receiving slot defining a hinge pivot hole to receive a hinge pivot, and a slot portion extending from the hinge pivot hole. At least a portion of the pivot-receiving slot has a lateral dimension smaller than a diameter of the pivot hole. A hinge assembly includes a first hinge member pivotally joined to a second hinge member by a hinge pivot having a hinge pivot pin in a pivot pin bushing. Preferably, the pivot pin bushing shears under a pre-selected level of force or load to permit the pivot pin to be slidingly received in the slot. Embodiments of the hinge assemblies are well suited for hingedly mounting motor vehicle body panels to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A powered adjustable seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes a seat, an adjuster mechanism operatively connected to the seat to adjust the seat, a controller operatively connected to the drive motor of the adjuster mechanism to selectively adjust the seat, and a plurality of lights located below the seat and operatively connected to the controller to selectively illuminate the lights upon predetermined conditions. The lights are secured to a moving portion of the adjuster mechanism so that the lights move with the seat. Preferably, one of the lights is positioned to direct illumination in a forward direction toward operator pedals, one of the lights is positioned to direct illumination in a rearward direction toward a rear seat, and one of the lights is positioned to direct light in a lateral direction toward a vehicle door.

Abstract: A transom window assembly is provided that comprises a windowpane and an openable transom pane, the windowpane and the transom pane being adjacent to each other. A transom hinge hingedly connecting the windowpane and the transom pane to each other comprises a first hinge portion attached to the interior surface of the transom pane along a lower edge, preferably directly attached, and a second hinge portion attached to the interior surface of the windowpane along the transom opening edge. The transom window is capable of being swung between a closed position and an open position. Certain embodiments of the window assemblies have a flush appearance. Also provided are vehicles comprising a vehicle window assembly in accordance with those just described.

Abstract: A lift and secure latch assembly for a vehicle tailgate includes a pair of cables capable of applying upward force to the tailgate and a tensioning mechanism positioned within the tailgate and connected to the support members to apply tension thereto. One of the cables extends from a first lateral end of the tailgate and the other of the cables extends from a second lateral end of the tailgate. The tensioning mechanism is operable between a first position wherein the cables are retracted with the tailgate closed and a second position wherein the cables are extended with the tailgate open. The tensioning mechanism includes a spring member biasing the tensioning mechanism toward the first position. A latch selectively engages the tensioning mechanism to releasably secure the tensioning mechanism in the first position with the tailgate closed. Preferably, the latch is centrally positioned between lateral ends of the tailgate.

Abstract: A reclining vehicle seat hinge assembly includes a first housing, a second housing having a plurality of teeth, a primary cam member having a pair of primary camming surfaces, and a secondary cam having a plurality of camming surfaces and driveable by the primary cam. Each of a pair of primary pawls is configured to be driven into an engaged position by a primary camming surface of the primary cam and into a disengaged position by a corresponding camming surface of the secondary cam. Each of a pair of secondary pawls has the same construction as the primary pawls and is configured to be driven into engaged and disengaged positions by corresponding camming surfaces of the secondary cam.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat cushion, an adjuster mechanism and a seat back. The seat cushion has opposite front and rear ends. The adjuster mechanism is operatively coupled between the floor of the motor vehicle and the seat cushion. The adjuster mechanism allows selective adjustment of the seat cushion relative to the floor among a plurality of vertical positions. The seat back has an outer frame. The outer frame has spaced apart side members. The seat back has an inner frame slidably engaged with the side members for movement along a path defined by the side members. The inner frame of seat back is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion for movement of the inner frame relative to the outer frame along the path in response to corresponding adjustment of the seat cushion among the plurality of vertical positions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat linkage assembly includes a rod. The linkage has a first link with an aperture and a second link adjacent but spaced from the first link and having a slot. Additionally, a drive nut is adjacent the rod. The drive nut has a body portion, one end, another end and an aperture engaging the rod. The one end is inserted into the slot and the another end is inserted into the aperture. When the nut is disposed into the slot and aperture, the nut is rotated to engage the slot and the aperture so that the nut cannot be disengaged from the first link and the second link.

Abstract: A multifunction switching arrangement for an electronic transmission control which includes a button on a knob casing which can be moved in opposite circumferential directions and alternatively operates two switches in the assemblage which in turn causes an upshift or downshift of the transmission. When a button is advanced in an axial direction, a third switch is operated to activate or deactivate the transmission overdrive. in one embodiment only a single button is moved to operate all three switches, while in two other embodiments a separate push button in the end of the knob casing is used to control the third switch.

Abstract: An electric motor including a rotational sensor is provided. Certain examples of the rotational sensor are operative to output a sinusoidal signal that corresponds to the rotational position of the motor armature in response to the potential at a single point or multiple points on the commutator. Certain other examples of the motor and rotational sensor disclosed here are operative to provide multiple pulses per rotation of the armature, which can allow for finer adjustment of devices attached to the motor. The motor and rotational sensor provides a simpler and less costly design requiring fewer parts subject to mechanical failure.

Abstract: An electric actuator for an automatic transmission includes an adapter to transmit rotary motion between the adapter and the transmission. An electric motor has an output shaft operably connected the adapter by a gear set which includes a ring gear. A release mechanism includes a solenoid which selectively moves a lock member. In a first position, the lock member engages the ring gear to lock the ring gear so that the adapter is rotated by rotary motion of the output shaft and the adapter rotates to a predetermined zone about a desired gear position. In a second position, the lock member is out of engagement with the ring gear to permit rotation of the ring gear so that the adapter is rotated by internal forces of the transmission and the adapter automatically self-aligns to the exact desired gear position when the adapter is within the predetermined zone.

Abstract: A connection for a rod and pin includes a two piece housing molded from hard plastic which defining a cavity enclosing a soft elastomeric isolator on one end of the rod. The housing pieces also define a pin receiving cavity with retention prongs which engage and hold a pin inserted therein. The housing pieces are able to be snap fit assembled by interfitting prongs and receptacles formed on each housing piece. The housing pieces are molded together as one part, connected by an integral hinge allowing the housing parts to be swung into abutment with each other to be snap fit together.

Abstract: A fastener is used to connect a first link to a second link in a vehicle seat assembly. The fastener has a head portion and a body portion extending outwardly from the head portion and defining an external diameter. The body portion is generally cylindrical and has a central bore with an internal diameter that is less than the external diameter. The method for connecting the first link to the second link with the fastener includes the steps of inserting the central body portion through aligned apertures in the links to form a subassembly and holding the subassembly fixed while a tooling member applies a linear load to the distal end of the body portion. The tooling member is inserted into the central bore and deforms the body portion for engagement with the first and second links to allow relative rotational movement between the links while eliminating relative linear movement therebetween.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal includes an upper arm, a lower arm, and a drive assembly operatively connected to the lower arm to selectively move the lower arm relative to the upper arm. The drive assembly includes a drive screw, a drive nut cooperating with the drive screw such that the drive nut travels along the drive screw upon rotation of the drive screw, and an electric motor to selectively rotate the drive screw. A hall-effect sensor is located adjacent the drive screw and cooperates with a ring magnet rotatable with the drive screw to detect motion information, including distance and velocity information, upon rotation of the drive screw. The controller determines stall conditions of the lower pedal arm between the limits of travel based on the velocity information received during movement of the lower pedal arm to reduce injury or damage resulting from engagement with obstructions.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a motor vehicle includes a closure member, a guide track and a carrier operably secured to the guide track for movement along the guide track and carrying the closure member therewith. A rack has a plurality of teeth and extends along the guide track. A pinion gear is carried by the carrier and has teeth engaging the rack. A motor is operably connected to the pinion gear to selectively move the closure member from one position to another. The carrier includes at least one engagement member biased into engagement with the guide track to prevent binding of the carrier with the guide track and to maintain contact between the pinion gear and the rack.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat, seat mounting brackets for securing the seat to a vehicle structure, and a pair of laterally spaced apart track assemblies secured to the mounting brackets to selectively move the seat in a horizontal direction. A plurality of weight sensing devices are connected to the seat mounting brackets and a pair of mounting plates are supported by the weight sensing devices. A first pair of the weight sensing devices supports one of the pair of mounting plates and a second pair of the weight sensing devices supports the other of the pair of mounting plates. The weight sensing devices provide signals indicating occupancy of the seat. A seat belt is secured to at least one of the mounting plates so that loads of seat belt are transmitted through the mounting plates to the track assemblies and the mounting brackets.