Abstract: One aspect is an insert molded torsion bar hinge including a cylindrical metal torsion bar with a main bar body, a portion of which extends along a torsion bar axis, a first contoured bar end and a second contoured bar end on opposite ends of the main bar body. A first hinged element of molded plastic and with a first knuckle, is molded directly over and encompasses the first contoured bar end such that the first contoured bar end is fixed within and not rotatable relative to the first hinged element. The first knuckle is molded directly over and encompassing a portion of the main bar body. A second hinged element of molded plastic and with a second knuckle is molded directly over and encompasses the second contoured bar end such that the second contoured bar end is fixed within and not rotatable relative to the second hinged element. The second knuckle is molded directly over and encompassing a portion of the main bar body. The first and second hinged elements rotate and produce a torsional spring torque.

Abstract: One aspect is an insert molded friction torque device with a rotatable shaft, a friction element mounted over the rotatable shaft in an interference fit, a rigid enclosure structure at least partially enclosing the friction elements, and a single-piece molded housing enclosing the friction element and at least partially enclosing the rigid enclosure structure such that a first portion of the housing is between the friction elements and the rigid enclosure structure within the rigid enclosure structure and a second portion of the housing is outside the rigid enclosure structure.

Abstract: One aspect is an actuator system having a rotatable drive shaft and a parallel axis friction brake engaged with the drive shaft and configured to provide a drag force on the rotatable drive shaft. The parallel axis friction brake further includes a brake housing and a friction assembly that has at least one parallel axis shaft and at least one clip pressed over the at least one parallel shaft in an interference fit. The friction assembly is engaged with the drive shaft and coupled to the brake housing, at least a portion of the friction assembly rotating with the rotatable drive shaft to create the drag force.

Abstract: One aspect is a wrap spring clutch with a rotatable input and a spring having a first and a second end and having an equilibrium state and a flexed state, the spring engaged with the input through one of the first and second ends such that the spring rotates with the input and with an input torque transmitted exclusively through one of the first and second ends when the input rotates. A damper mechanism is engaged with one of the first and second ends such that the damper mechanism causes the spring to change from its equilibrium to its flexed state when the input transitions from stationary to rotational, and such that the damper mechanism allows the spring to change from its flexed to its equilibrium state when the input transitions from rotational to stationary. A rotatable output is positioned relative to the spring such that the output synchronously rotates with the input when the spring is in its flexed state and rotates independently of the input when the spring is in its equilibrium state.

Abstract: One aspect is a detent hinge device having a first cam component with at least one spline and an axial cam face, the first cam component having a root diameter and an outer diameter. A second cam component has at least one spline and an axial cam face, the second cam component having a root diameter and an outer diameter. Each of the first and second cam components are aligned on an axis, wherein the cam faces of the first inner and first outer cam components face each other. An axial spring acts on the first cam component forcing it against the second cam component. An axial retention element securing each of the first and second cam components and axial spring on the axis. A first mounting bracket has splines on an inner surface. The first mounting bracket contains the first cam component such that the splines of the first mounting bracket engage the splines of the first cam component thereby transferring torque from the first cam component to the first mounting bracket via the splines.

Abstract: One aspect is an inertial lock friction hinge, including a shaft assembly having a shaft assembly recess and a friction assembly having a friction assembly recess. The shaft assembly and the friction assembly are rotatably coupled for relative frictional rotation. The hinge includes a restraining component positioned within the hinge such that when the hinge is in an unlocked condition the restraining component is not engaged with both the friction assembly recess and the shaft assembly recess so that the shaft assembly and the friction assembly are allowed to rotate relative to each. The restraining component is positioned such that when the inertial lock friction hinge is in a locked condition the restraining component is at least partially engaged with both the friction assembly recess and the shaft assembly recess so that the shaft assembly and the friction assembly are locked and prevented from relative rotation by the restraining component.

Abstract: One aspect is a wrap spring clutch with a rotatable input and a spring having a first and a second end and having an equilibrium state and a flexed state, the spring engaged with the input through one of the first and second ends such that the spring rotates with the input and with an input torque transmitted exclusively through one of the first and second ends when the input rotates. A damper mechanism is engaged with one of the first and second ends such that the damper mechanism causes the spring to change from its equilibrium to its flexed state when the input transitions from stationary to rotational, and such that the damper mechanism allows the spring to change from its flexed to its equilibrium state when the input transitions from rotational to stationary. A rotatable output is positioned relative to the spring such that the output synchronously rotates with the input when the spring is in its flexed state and rotates independently of the input when the spring is in its equilibrium state.

Abstract: One aspect is an overmolded hinge device having a first and a second shaft, each having first and second ends. A first friction element is mounted on the first shaft. A first molded housing is at least partially enclosing the first shaft and a second molded housing is at least partially enclosing the second shaft. A first molded outer link is at least partially enclosing each of the first and second shafts and a second molded outer link is at least partially enclosing each of the first and second shafts.

Abstract: One aspect is an overmolded hinge device having a first and a second shaft, each having first and second ends. A first friction element is mounted on the first shaft. A first molded housing is at least partially enclosing the first shaft and a second molded housing is at least partially enclosing the second shaft. A first molded outer link is at least partially enclosing each of the first and second shafts and a second molded outer link is at least partially enclosing each of the first and second shafts.

Abstract: One aspect is ring clip assembly including at least one ring clip having a ring portion surrounding an arm, the arm configured to define an aperture. The ring portion and the arm is separated thereby defining a slot between them. A shaft extends through the aperture in an interference fit, the arm configured to radially flex without contact from the ring portion. The ring portion has transmission elements on its outer perimeter configured to transmit movement to another member.

Abstract: One aspect is a torque element retention system with a housing having an opening. A torque assembly has a shaft and a torque element stacked along the shaft and is configured substantially within the opening of the housing. The torque element has an arm portion and a foot portion and the opening has an arm opening section configured to receive the arm portion of the torque element and a foot retention section configured to receive the foot portion of the torque element. The torque element retention system has a system axis through the center of the shaft and extending through the foot retention section. The at least one of the first and second foot end portions of the foot retention section includes first and second non-parallel segments having no normal length to chord length ratio greater than 0.5.

Abstract: One aspect is ring clip assembly including at least one ring clip having a ring portion surrounding an arm, the arm configured to define an aperture. The ring portion and the arm is separated thereby defining a slot between them. A shaft extends through the aperture in an interference fit, the arm configured to radially flex without contact from the ring portion. The ring portion has transmission elements on its outer perimeter configured to transmit movement to another member.

Abstract: One aspect is a multi-axis clip hinge with a rotatable member having a spherical portion with a greatest outer diameter and a coupling portion for articulating said member. A clip is provided having an arm defining an inside diameter and comprising a connecting portion. The inside diameter of the arm is less than the greatest outer diameter of the spherical portion of the rotatable member and is engaged therewith such that it interferes with and grips the outside diameter of the spherical portion. A housing is configured to engage the connection portion of the clip thereby securing the clip to the housing. At least one of the clip and the housing prevents relative translational movement of the clip relative to the spherical portion yet allows the spherical portion to rotate in three axes of rotation relative to the clip.

Abstract: A device includes first and second elements. The first element includes a cross-linked thermoplastic. The second element is configured to engage and to strain the first element by a predetermined amount. The first and second elements are configured to move relative to each other and such that movement of the first and second elements produces a substantially repeatable shearing force between the first and second elements.

Abstract: A roller lock device has a shaft and a housing configured over the shaft for selective relative movement thereto. A plurality of rollers is configured between the housing and the shaft, at least some of which are substantially conically shaped. A cage is configured between the housing and the shaft and adjacent the rollers such that the rollers are at least partially constrained from movement by the cage. A control is configured to move the rollers axially thereby engaging and disengaging the roller lock. The housing has ramps configured to receive the rollers, the ramps having a curved contour.

Abstract: One aspect is a detent device with a first hub having an axis and comprising a first feature having both a radial and an axial dimension relative to the hub axis, and having a first hub connection portion. A second hub is located co-axially outside the first hub and comprises a second feature having both a radial and an axial dimension relative to the hub axis, the second feature of the second hub touching the first feature of the first hub when the features are aligned. The second hub has a second hub connection portion. The first and second features have complementary mating geometries. The detent device is configured such that when relative movement is provided to the first and second hub connection portions, a circumferential strain energy of the second hub changes, providing a variable force between the two connection portions depending on their relative position.

Abstract: One aspect is a friction hinge system including a housing having an inner surface, an outer surface and defining a substantially cylindrical opening and a longitudinal slot. A torque element assembly is configured within the housing and configured to extend through the slot thereby securing the torque element assembly relative to the housing.

Abstract: One aspect is a multi-axis clip hinge with a rotatable member having a spherical portion with a greatest outer diameter and a coupling portion for articulating said member. A clip is provided having an arm defining an inside diameter and comprising a connecting portion. The inside diameter of the arm is less than the greatest outer diameter of the spherical portion of the rotatable member and is engaged therewith such that it interferes with and grips the outside diameter of the spherical portion. A housing is configured to engage the connection portion of the clip thereby securing the clip to the housing. At least one of the clip and the housing prevents relative translational movement of the clip relative to the spherical portion yet allows the spherical portion to rotate in three axes of rotation relative to the clip.

Abstract: A roller lock device has a shaft and a housing configured over the shaft for selective relative movement thereto. A plurality of rollers is configured between the housing and the shaft, at least some of which are substantially conically shaped. A cage is configured between the housing and the shaft and adjacent the rollers such that the rollers are at least partially constrained from movement by the cage. A control is configured to move the rollers axially thereby engaging and disengaging the roller lock. The housing has ramps configured to receive the rollers, the ramps having a curved contour.