Abstract: A seat track assembly for an automotive seat positioner mechanism includes a threaded spindle fixed at one end to a lower track and a mating nut in a gear case on the spindle mounted to an upper track by a bracket attached thereto. The bracket is stabilized against crash forces by interfit portions on the bracket and side walls of the upper track. The spindle is directly attached to the lower track by fasteners passed through a flattened end of the spindle and a bottom wall of the lower track.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly for storing a spare tire on a vehicle which includes a carrier adapted for supporting the spare tire and a winch operatively connected to the carrier to raise and lower the carrier between a stowed position wherein the carrier is inaccessible and a deployed position wherein the carrier is accessible. The winch has a flexible member secured to the carrier and one of an electric motor and a manual device which selectively raises and lowers the carrier between the stowed and deployed positions. A monitoring device is located adjacent the winch and a control module is operably connected to the monitoring device to monitor movement of the carrier from the deployed position toward the stowed position.

Abstract: Articulating window assemblies are provided comprising, in combination, a windowpane and a hinge having a hinge axis. The hinge comprises a first hinge member that cooperates with a second hinge member and optionally with a hinge pin to form a hinge joint. The first hinge member has at least an encapsulation section with at least a first encapsulant void, optionally two or more encapsulant voids. A continuous body of encapsulant overlays at least a portion of an outward-facing surface of the encapsulation section, at least partially fills the first encapsulant void, overlays at least a portion of an inward-facing surface of the encapsulation section and overlaps either at least a portion of an external peripheral edge of the encapsulation section, a portion of a void edge defining a second encapsulation void, or both from both the outward-facing surface and the inward-facing surface. This provides a mechanical grip of the first hinge member by the encapsulant.

Abstract: An inclination-measuring apparatus for use with a motor vehicle includes a rotary sensor connected to the motor vehicle, the rotary sensor selected from one of a rotary position sensor and a rotary angle sensor, a pendulum and a controller. The pendulum has a pendulous mass being oriented to hang substantially aligned with the earth's gravitational forces. The movement of the pendulum providing an input to the rotary sensor to generate a signal to ascertain the inclination of the vehicle relative to the earth's gravitational forces. The signal is processed by the controller that is operatively connected to control one of an electric park brake, a chassis leveling device while parked, a lateral inclination device while the vehicle is operational and a longitudinal inclination device while the vehicle is operational.

Abstract: An actuating assembly for an electronic parking brake includes a housing and motor secured to the housing and having an output shaft. A cable assembly is rotatably driven by the motor. A cable is anchored at a first end to the cable assembly and wraps around the cable assembly as the cable assembly rotates in a first direction. A first spring is secured to the cable assembly such that it is rotatable with the cable assembly. A drum receives the first spring, which is engageable with an interior surface of the drum to prevent rotation of the cable assembly. A plurality of grooves is formed on a surface of the drum. At least one roller element is positioned in a groove of the drum. A spring housing receives the drum and is secured to the housing. Each of a plurality of apertures in the spring housing receives a roller element.

Abstract: A motor vehicle cable assembly includes a cable having a first end and a second end and an end fitting secured to the first end of the cable. A segmented chain has a first end and a second end, with the first end of the segmented chain being pivotally connected to the end fitting.

Abstract: A motor vehicle tire carrier actuator and retriever includes a first elongate member having a first end configured to mate with a rotatable shaft of a tire carrier. A second elongate member has a first end and a second end, with an aperture formed in a central portion of the second elongate member to receive a second end of the first elongate member to form a T-shaped actuator for the tire carrier in a first configuration. A recess is formed in the first end to receive the second end of the first elongate member in a second configuration to form a retriever for a tire positioned beneath a vehicle. A flange is formed at the second end of the second elongate member to grasp a tire beneath the vehicle in the second configuration.

Abstract: A reclining vehicle seat hinge assembly includes a first housing, a second housing having a plurality of teeth, a primary cam member having primary and secondary camming surfaces, a primary spring, and a secondary cam having at least one spring arm and a plurality of windows, with each window having at least one camming edge. 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 a camming edge, and into a disengaged position by a camming edge of the secondary cam. Each of a pair of secondary pawls is configured to be driven into an engaged position by a secondary camming surface of the primary cam and into a disengaged position by a camming edge of the secondary cam.

Abstract: A motor vehicle tire carrier includes a housing having an aperture. A drive shaft is rotatably secured to the housing. A spool is positioned in the housing and is rotatably driven by the drive shaft. A flexible elongate member has a first end secured to the spool, is wound about the spool, and extends through the aperture in the housing. A wheel plate is secured to a second end of the elongate member and is configured to support a motor vehicle tire. A crash plate is secured to the housing and has an aperture through which the elongate member extends, with the housing being secured to the crash plate. A guide member on the crash plate has an arcuate surface about which the elongate member will bend when the tire carrier is subject to a lateral force.

Abstract: A spare tire handling device mounted on a vehicle and adapted for moving a spare tire between a stored and an accessible position relative to the vehicle, and including a winch and a flexible member attached to the winch at one end and the other end to the spare tire. The device includes a tire carrier with a housing and one extending portion pivotally connected to the housing. The extending portion being movable from a retracted to an extended position. Additionally a biasing member urges the extending portion to an extended position. A secondary lock assembly and a rim spacer are also disclosed.

Abstract: An actuating assembly for an electronic parking brake includes a housing and motor secured to the housing and having an output shaft. A cable assembly is rotatably driven by the motor. A cable is anchored at a first end to the cable assembly and wraps around the cable assembly as the cable assembly rotates in a first direction. A first spring is secured to the cable assembly such that it is rotatable with the cable assembly. A drum receives the first spring, which is engageable with an interior surface of the drum to prevent rotation of the cable assembly. A plurality of grooves is formed on a surface of the drum. At least one roller element is positioned in a groove of the drum. A spring housing receives the drum and is secured to the housing. Each of a plurality of apertures in the spring housing receives a roller element.

Abstract: An electrically powered actuator mechanism for operating a vehicle parking brake including a reversible electrical motor having output gearing driving a sector gear. A wrapped spring clutch drivingly connects the sector gear to an intermediate operator cable wind up wheel. The intermediate cable is connected to the brake cable to set the brakes when the operator cable is wound up by energization of the motor in one direction, with a load sensor turning off the motor when a predetermined tension load is reached. Locking motor gearing holds the brake in the set condition. Reversal of the motor unwinds the cable to release the parking brake. A self adjusting feature is provided by a pretensioned clock spring creating a torsional bias on the wind up wheel tending to maintain a predetermined tension in the brake cable. A spring clutch is released by engagement of a release arm to allow the clock spring to adjust the wind up wheel.

Abstract: A parking brake operated by an electric motor has a manual operator including a flexible cable core drivable with a tool to allow drive gearing driven by the electric motor, but which is disengaged from a driving connection to the gearing whenever the motor is energized by also energizing solenoid shifting a coupling to a disconnected position.

Abstract: A pantograph jack includes a base, a load rest, first and second lower arms each pivotably coupled at a first end to the base, and first and second upper arms each pivotably coupled at a first end to the load rest. Second ends of the first lower and upper arms are pivotably coupled at a first joint. Second ends of the second lower and upper arms are pivotably coupled at a second joint. A screw extends between the joints and operably moves the joints toward and away from each other upon rotation of the screw to raise and lower the load rest. A bearing spacer includes a flange forming a bearing engagement surface at a first end and a second end engaging the second joint. The drive screw has an abutment facing the bearing engagement surface. A bearing is located between the bearing engagement surface and the abutment.

Abstract: A drive-by-wire assembly for a motor vehicle including a foot engaging member configured to be engaged by a foot of a user. The foot engaging member is configured to remain substantially stationary when engaged by a foot of a user. A force measuring sensor is secured to the foot engaging member and is configured to provide an output signal based on a force applied by a foot of a user.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for releasing an automotive pedal in a crash includes mounting a pedal pivot pin by separable housing pieces fit to the pin to support the pedal for normal operation. One of the housing pieces is hinged to be able to swing away when disconnected from the other housing piece in a crash to release the pedal. The housing pieces are held together by locking clips gripping abutting upper portions of the housing pieces, the clips in turn held in position by a blocking portion of a retainer which is shifted in a crash to allow the clips to disengage. The surfaces gripped by the clips are sloped so that a reaction force on the pin creates a disengaging force on the clips to produce a very rapid release of the clips when the retainer is shifted in a crash. The retainer is located in its clip retention position by locating elements which are sheared off in a crash.

Abstract: A locking clip for locking an elongate piece to a structure has a first portion forming an aperture in a first plane for receiving a rod, tube or other elongate workpiece. The first portion has a first lock portion and an attachment member. The locking clip also has a second portion having an inside surface and a free end. The second portion is connected to the first portion via a hinge for movement (i.e., movement of the second portion of the locking clip relative to the first portion) in a second plane from a closed position to an open position. The second portion also has a second lock portion and a positioning pin extending inwardly from the inside surface. The second portion is lockable in the closed position by engagement of the first and second lock portions with each other.

Abstract: An awning-type insulated glazing assembly includes an insulated glazing having a first glazing pane and a second glazing pane mounted parallel to and spaced from the first glazing pane. The first glazing pane has a marginal portion extending beyond the second glazing pane in at least a first direction in a plane of the first glazing pane. A mounting hinge defines a hinge axis and is secured to the insulated glazing for hingedly mounting the insulated glazing for awning-type movement about the hinge axis. A window regulator is secured to the insulated glazing for controlling the awning-type movement of the insulated glazing about the hinge axis.

Abstract: A strain gauge retaining assembly is used for occupant weight sensing in a vehicle seat and includes a bracket having an aperture extending therethrough. A strain gauge has a body portion and a mounting portion extending from the body portion, with the mounting portion extending through the aperture. A spring clip is positioned between the bracket and an engaging surface of the mounting portion, and resiliently biases the body portion into engagement with the bracket.

Abstract: A control pedal assembly includes a first support and a second support adjustable in a fore-aft direction relative to the first support. At least one guide is carried by the second support and has a tapered engagement surface engaging the first support and moving along the first support as the second support is adjusted in the fore-aft direction. A spring member biases the tapered engagement surface of the at least one guide into engagement with the first support. A pedal is supported by the second support and is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis. The second support carries the pedal as the second support is adjusted in the fore-aft direction.