Abstract: An automatic sliding door opening and closing system comprises a continuous, powered belted drive system and a clamp arrangement capable of fixably and releasably attaching the automotive sliding door to the belt drive system so as to be automatically driven along a predetermined path and capable of releasing the belt drive system under predetermined conditions. The powered belt drive system is located so as to be combined with one of the door's standard sliding door hinge systems. The clamp arrangement is a rotary device biased into a pinching engagement on the belt of the belt drive system via a cam and spring arrangement.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate lift system comprises an energy storage device located within a vehicle body and adapted to be pivotally anchored to the vehicle body at one end, a bellcrank arm that is pivotally attached to the energy storage device and rigidly attached to an actuation shaft that is coaxially aligned with a tailgate pivot axis, a pivot bracket assembly that incorporates a pivot bearing arrangement to facilitate a robust rotary joint about the tailgate pivot axis, and comprising a coupling arrangement between the tailgate and the actuation shaft, such that relative rotary motion of the tailgate and vehicle body results in linear movement of the energy storage device and maximum energy storage at the tailgate fully open position.

Abstract: An automotive hinge facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure by means of a single resilient member configured to carry all required structural and operational loadings.

Abstract: An automotive hinge adapted to facilitate removable attachment of a closure panel to a body structure comprises a door component comprising upper and lower door component pivot arms adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, a body component comprising upper and lower body component pivot doors adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, a common pivot axis around which the door component and body component are adapted to rotate in relation to each other, and a cylindrical protrusion adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally attached to and extended above the upper pivot arm of the body component, such that the door component is adapted to interleave over the body component, dimensionally locating the closure panel and the body structure by means of an external cylindrical bearing surface on the cylindrical protrusion, and is adapted to be held in assembly by means of a pivot pin which is adapted to extend through both said pivot arms of both said hinge components

Abstract: A door checking apparatus for an automobile comprising an array of needle bearings held in contact with a bearing surface comprising axially oriented grooves, by means of a resilient energy storage device; a cylindrical cage coaxially adjacent the bearing surface and comprising an axially oriented array of slots arranged to retain the needle bearings; means to impart rotary motion to the cylindrical cage to cause the needle bearings to move relative to the bearing surface to create a torque reaction in response to deflection of the resilient energy storage device as the needle bearings move into and out of the grooves; means to transmit the imparted torque from the bearing surface into an appropriate structure.

Abstract: A door checking and stopping apparatus for an automotive cargo door comprises a housing containing an energy storage device and guidance arrangement adapted to be rigidly mounted to a vehicular door, an arm containing a cam profile with detent positions, permanently pivotally connection to the body structure of the vehicle and configured to interface with the guidance arrangement in the housing, a striker device adapted to be rigidly mounted to a resilient member that is configured to constrain the striker from translational motion parallel to the arm centreline but to facilitate translational motion perpendicular to the arm centreline, a hook feature incorporated into the free end of the arm that is adapted to interlock with the striker, such that the resilient member biases the striker into engagement with the hook feature when the door reaches its predetermined intermediate stop position, providing adequate motion resistance until it is disengaged by simply forcing the resilient member so that the striker

Abstract: A vehicle door hinge-mounted prop clip for a vehicle hinge with split pins, comprises first and second interference lobes defining a undulating circumferential edge, said interference lobes being adapted to sequentially releasably contact a portion of the hinge as the door is rotated about first and second axial hinge pins from a closed position to an open position, said contact releasably compressing said interference lobes severally or simultaneously and generating sufficient frictional resistance to releasably hold the door in a partially or fully open position.

Abstract: A temporary vehicle door check mechanism suitable for use during vehicle painting operations comprises a hinge comprising door side and body side portions, and an intermediate bridge portion, all of which are rotatably connected at a common axis of rotation. A flexible prop button is mounted to either the door side or the body side portions of the hinge, and is adapted to releasably contact the intermediate bridge portion of the hinge as the door is rotated about the hinge, to releasably hold the door in a partially or fully open position.

Abstract: A method for temporarily connecting a body half and a door half of a hinge, said body half of said hinge including connecting means for receiving said door half of said hinge including connecting means for receiving the body half, one of said connecting means including a portion having disposed proximate the end thereof at least one groove for receiving a resilient flexible retainer; said method including the steps of; (a) fastening the hinge when assembled to a vehicle and a door so as to fasten the door with the vehicle temporarily; (b) painting the vehicle and door together while temporarily connected; (c) subjecting the vehicle and door and the resilient flexible retainer to heat such as that found in a curing process for a painting process for vehicles; (d) separating said body and door halves of said hinge by removing the retainer and separating said halves; (e) separating said door from said vehicle by separating the body half and the door half of said hinges.

Abstract: A power closure panel control apparatus is independent of closure panel configuration and capable of a diverse range of remote and direct activation. Sophisticated safety features utilize an adaptive strategy to facilitate highly sensitive obstruction detection by learning the closure system's force requirement and applying a safety margin to it. The control system allows the closure panel to operate in a totally manual mode.

Abstract: A method for temporarily connecting a body half and a door half of a hinge, said body half of said hinge including connecting means for receiving said door half of said hinge including connecting means for receiving the body half, one of said connecting means including a portion having disposed proximate the end thereof at least one groove for receiving a resilient flexible retainer;said method including the steps of;(a) fastening the hinge when assembled to a vehicle and a door so as to fasten the door with the vehicle temporarily;(b) painting the vehicle and door together while temporarily connected;(c) subjecting the vehicle and door and the resilient flexible retainer to heat such as that found in a curing process for a painting process for vehicles;(d) separating said body and door halves of said hinge by removing the retainer and separating said halves;(e) separating said door from said vehicle by separating the body half and the door half of said hinges.

Abstract: A removable detent mechanism to be utilized with a vehicle door hinge assembly for providing a temporary door check mechanism during painting of the vehicle body and door assembly. The detent mechanism is positioned between the door hinge pin and the vehicle hinge bracket. An interference lobe formed on the detent mechanism is engageable with a portion of the door hinge bracket to generate a detent force during the opening and closing of the door assembly relative to the vehicle body. The removable detent mechanism is provided with local stiffness features which enable adjustment of the detent force.

Abstract: A seat bracket and riser for a seat system includes interlocking portion which create a direct path for the resolution of any forces thereupon to the frame whiler reducing loads passing to the operating portions of the seat system.In a preferred embodiment the seat adjuster including a system of linkages utilizing the effect of a compensating member or the like which compensates for the arcuate motion of the system if left uncompensated. The invention finds particular application for compact assemblies.

Abstract: A hinge fastening structure and method of creating a hinge to box-section pillar joint which includes a fastener extending from the pillar outer panel to the pillar inner panel wherein the fastener includes first and second threaded portions of substantially identical pitch but different diameters adjacent to the head and the tip thereof respectively. The fastening structure and method may also be applicable for attaching other forms of hardware to box-section structures.

Abstract: A seat adjuster comprising a system of linkages utilizing the effect of a compensating primary link which compensates for the normally uncompensated arcuate motion of the primary links. The links are attached to the riser, or the seat bottom and cooperate with each other in motion through the compensating link which is attached to the riser if the links are attached to the seat bottom and vice versa. The motion of the compensating link combines with the motion of the primary links to provide a substantially linear fore and aft motion to the seat.

Abstract: A structural module (hardware cassette) is provided suitable for use in the assembly of a vehicle door. The module includes a latch mounting member, a pair of door hinge assembly components (a lower door hinge component and an upper door hinge component) vertically spaced from one another when mounted in a vehicle, and tubes connecting the hinge components to the latch mounting member, one tube being connecting the upper hinge to the latch mounting member and extending substantially from the upper hinge component to the latch mounting member when mounted in the vehicle and a pair of laterally spaced tubes connecting the lower hinge component and the latch mounting member.

Abstract: A check or stop for a moveable member, the check or stop comprising actuated means actuated by the moveable member, or alternatively by seperate actuating means, the actuated means being either fastened with the moveable member or being integral with the moveable member, automatic switching means to control the checking and release of the actuated means and the moveable member, the moveable member being moveable from a first state, wherein the moveable member is substantially static, checked, and exhibits a first value for a predetermined characteristic of the actuated means, to a second state wherein the moveable member is substantially in motion, unchecked, and exhibits a second value of the predetermined characteristic of the actuated means, the value of the predetermined characteristic of the actuated means being available to the automatic switching means, wherein when the moveable member is in a static state the first value of the predetermined characteristic available to the automatic switching means pr

Abstract: A take-up reel suitable for taking up cable as a coil. The reel includes a pair of plates and a central raised hub carrying an outer peripheral surface about which a cable may be wound. The central hub may be formed from one of the plates and may also carry a recess in the hub. An anchor secures one end of the cable between the plates and presents an abutment and locking surface. A cable follower is pivotally biased to engage the outer surface of the coil of cable being taken-up and let out from the take-up reel. The cable follower is adapted to abut an abutment when the cable has been substantially let out (played out) to preclude further rotation of the take-up reel.A torque limiter may be provided employing a spring plate and parallel oriented clutch plate in face to face abutting relation with the spring plate.The connection between the take-up reel and torque limiter is effected by a special pin construction to ensure maximum torque transfer to the reel from the torque limiter.

Abstract: A checking mechanism for a closure member and a frame, the closure member moveable in relation to the frame, the checking mechanism comprising a housing affixed to the closure member or the frame and having an opening therewith; a link member having a core and having two sides, the link member being fastened to either the frame or the closure member, the link member being moveable in relation to the housing and passing through the opening therewith; link engaging means secured with the housing proximate the opening at, at least one side of the link member, and retained in at least one compatible groove formed proximate at least one side of the link member for the positioning of the link member in relation to the housing, the grooves of the link member being formed by coating the core thereof with moldable material prior to assembly of the checking mechanism.

Abstract: An improved jack with overload prevention including a lead screw having a driven end and an upstanding integral boss proximate the driven end, the driven end comprising a body abutting the upstanding boss and including an opening therethrough for receiving the end of the lead screw, the body carrying slots, grooves or recesses radiating from the opening and being in communication with the opening and carrying material from the lead screw displaced into the grooves thereby securing the body to the lead screw.