Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle door hinge having a hinge axis, the method including providing a first hinge part having a first arm and a second arm axially spaced from the first arm, the hinge axis passing through the first arm and the second arm. The method also includes bending a strip of material to form a second hinge part having a first end, a second end, and a bent section between the first end and the second end, the first end having a first section and the second end having a second section, the first section and the second section being parallel relative to one another. In addition, the method includes fixing the first section and the second section relative to one another, and disposing the bent section between the first and second arms about the hinge axis.

Abstract: A removable door check device for use for use with a door hinge for holding a vehicle door in an opened position. The removable door check device includes a body, a first contact element extending from the body and having a first contacting surface, and a second contact element extending from the body and having a second contacting surface facing the first contacting surface. The first and second contacting surfaces are moveable with respect to each other to permit release of the door check device. In addition, a door hinge includes a first hinge part, a second hinge part pivotally connected to the first hinge part, and a removable door check device. The removable door check device includes a first contact element having a first contacting surface configured to engage the first hinge part and a second contact element having a second contacting surface facing the first contacting surface and configured to engage the second hinge part when the door hinge is in the opened position.

Abstract: A removable door check device for holding a vehicle door hinge in an opened position includes a body, first and second leg portions extending from the body and disposed coplanar to the body, a protrusion portion extending from the body in a direction perpendicular to the body. In addition, a door hinge that includes a first hinge part, a second hinge part, a hinge pin passing through the first and second hinge parts and a removable door check device. The first and second hinge parts are pivotable about the hinge pin between an opened and a closed position. The removable door check device of the hinge is disposed on the hinge pin exterior to the first and second hinge parts engaging the second hinge part in the opened position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door hinge with a hinge axis includes a first hinge part and a second hinge part. The first hinge part has a first arm and a second arm axially spaced from the first arm with the hinge axis passing through the first arm and the second arm. The second hinge part includes a continuous strip of material having a first end, a second end, and a bent section between the first end and second end. The bent section is disposed between the first arm and second arm about the hinge axis. The first end has a first section and the second end has a second section. The first section and second section are parallel and fixed relative to each other.

Abstract: A removable door check device for use for use with a door hinge for holding a vehicle door in an opened position. The removable door check device includes a body, a first contact element extending from the body and having a first contacting surface, and a second contact element extending from the body and having a second contacting surface facing the first contacting surface. The first and second contacting surfaces are moveable with respect to each other to permit release of the door check device. In addition, a door hinge includes a first hinge part, a second hinge part pivotally connected to the first hinge part, and a removable door check device. The removable door check device includes a first contact element having a first contacting surface configured to engage the first hinge part and a second contact element having a second contacting surface facing the first contacting surface and configured to engage the second hinge part when the door hinge is in the opened position.

Abstract: A removable door check device for holding a vehicle door hinge in an opened position includes a body, first and second leg portions extending from the body and disposed coplanar to the body, a protrusion portion extending from the body in a direction perpendicular to the body. In addition, a door hinge that includes a first hinge part, a second hinge part, a hinge pin passing through the first and second hinge parts and a removable door check device. The first and second hinge parts are pivotable about the hinge pin between an opened and a closed position. The removable door check device of the hinge is disposed on the hinge pin exterior to the first and second hinge parts engaging the second hinge part in the opened position.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle door hinge having a hinge axis, the method including providing a first hinge part having a first arm and a second arm axially spaced from the first arm, the hinge axis passing through the first arm and the second arm. The method also includes bending a strip of material to form a second hinge part having a first end, a second end, and a bent section between the first end and the second end, the first end having a first section and the second end having a second section, the first section and the second section being parallel relative to one another. In addition, the method includes fixing the first section and the second section relative to one another, and disposing the bent section between the first and second arms about the hinge axis.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door hinge with a hinge axis includes a first hinge part and a second hinge part. The first hinge part has a first arm and a second arm axially spaced from the first arm with the hinge axis passing through the first arm and the second arm. The second hinge part includes a continuous strip of material having a first end, a second end, and a bent section between the first end and second end. The bent section is disposed between the first arm and second arm about the hinge axis. The first end has a first section and the second end has a second section. The first section and second section are parallel and fixed relative to each other.

Abstract: A parking brake system for a vehicle with a brake device for braking the vehicle, at least one cable actuating the brake device, and a motor actuating the cable. A strain gage is connected to the cable, the strain gage having an output, the strain gage output being a function of a strain in the cable. A controller receives an input from the strain gage output, the controller controlling the motor as a function of the strain gage output. In addition, a strain gage for an actuation cable in a vehicle includes a coil surrounding the cable, the coil having a diameter varying as a function of a force on the cable, and a circuit. The circuit includes a voltage supply for providing a voltage across the coil and a detector for measuring electrical changes in the circuit as a function of the diameter of the coil.

Abstract: A support mechanism for use in releasably stowing a load on a vehicle. The support mechanism includes a flexible member extending from the vehicle, and an annular fitting member having a receiving end for receiving the flexible member. An inside surface of the fitting member is tapered at the receiving end so that an inside diameter of the fitting member decreases with distance from the receiving end. In addition, a method for selectively moving a load on a vehicle from a stowed position to a released position using a supporting mechanism including a flexible member extending from the vehicle. The method includes providing an annular fitting member for receiving the flexible member, supporting the load using the fitting member, and moving the fitting member further away from the vehicle so as to bring the load into the released position.

Abstract: A spare tire storage assembly is provided for mounting on a vehicle and includes a support member that carries a spare tire, a primary support mechanism, a secondary support mechanism and a release member. A flexible member is connected on one end to the primary support mechanism and on the other end to the support member. The support member and spare tire are elevated by the primary support mechanism to a stowed position within the secondary support mechanism. The secondary support mechanism includes a resiliently biased latch member and an adjacent lance member that are positioned to engage and maintain the support member and spare tire in the stowed position should the primary support mechanism or flexible member fail. The release member is connected to the primary support mechanism and as is provided to engage and pivot the latch member permitting the spare tire to be lowered from the vehicle.

Abstract: A spare tire storage assembly is provided for mounting on a vehicle and includes a support member that carries a spare tire, a primary support mechanism, a secondary support mechanism and a release member. A flexible member is connected on one end to the primary support mechanism and on the other end to the support member. The support member and spare tire are elevated by the primary support mechanism to a stowed position within the secondary support mechanism. The secondary support mechanism includes a resiliently biased latch member and an adjacent lance member that are positioned to engage and maintain the support member and spare tire in the stowed position should the primary support mechanism or flexible member fail. The release member is connected to the primary support mechanism and as is provided to engage and pivot the latch member permitting the spare tire to be lowered from the vehicle.

Abstract: A torque-limiting slip mechanism for a spare tire carrier includes a camshaft with a plurality of mating surfaces and differently shaped intermediate segments, a tire carrier drive with an inner pocket circumscribed by an interior wall, and a plurality of free-floating arcuate spring elements having a central body and ends that are compressed between the mating surfaces of camshaft and the interior wall. The central body engages the camshaft and the free ends engage the interior wall. In practice the spring elements are automatically centered with respect to their mating surface before a torque is applied. When the torque is greater than the pre-determined torque, however, each spring element deforms elastically as it selectively engages mating surfaces and intermediate segments so that the camshaft rotates with respect to the carrier drive.