Abstract: A latch assembly includes a frame and a pawl including a surface for receiving a striker and being movably coupled to the frame between an open and a closed position. A trigger is mounted to the frame and is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein, in the locked position of the trigger, the trigger is positioned to retain the pawl in the closed position. A striker bar is movably coupled to the trigger and is positioned to be contacted by the striker, wherein the striker bar is configured to move in the course of moving the striker into the pawl. A device for sensing a position of the striker bar, wherein the position of the striker bar is indicative of the position of the striker and the position of the trigger.

Abstract: A latch assembly for mounting in an opening of a door and for releasably latching the door to a door frame. The latch assembly includes a housing that is mountable to the opening of the door. A lever is rotatably coupled to the housing between a deployed position and a retracted position. A lock plug is rotatably mounted within the housing, the lock plug having one end for receiving either a tool or key, and an opposite end having an engagement surface. A latching member is movably coupled to the housing, and is engaged with both the rotatable lock plug and the lever in the retracted position of the lever. A torsion spring biases the lock plug back to a starting position after the lock plug is rotated from the starting position using the tool or the key.

Abstract: A controlled motion hinge assembly having a base with a first actuator mount, a pivot arm with a second actuator mount, a hinge pivotally connecting the base to the pivot arm to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and an actuator shaft. The shaft has a first end, a second end, and a threaded body extending between the first and second ends. The first end is configured to receive a drive torque about the actuator shaft axis. The second end is rotatably connected to the second actuator mount, but fixed thereto along the actuator shaft axis. The threaded body engages a threaded bore of the first actuator mount such that rotation of the body causes the first actuator mount to move along the actuator shaft axis. Also provided is a pole assembly, and a method for retrofitting a pole, with a controlled motion hinge.

Abstract: A latch for capturing a striker. The latch includes a pawl mounted to rotate between a closed position and an open position, the pawl being biased to rotate toward the open position and configured to capture the striker when in the closed position. A trigger is mounted to rotate about a first axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, the trigger being biased to rotate toward the locked position and selectively positionable to contact the pawl when the pawl is in the closed position, thereby retaining the pawl in the closed position. An input cam is connected to the trigger. An output cam is positioned to contact the input cam, the output cam being mounted to rotate about a second axis and configured to rotate the input cam about the first axis. A motor is coupled for rotating the output cam about the second axis.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a frame and a pawl including a surface for receiving a striker and being movably coupled to the frame between an open and a closed position. A trigger is mounted to the frame and is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein, in the locked position of the trigger, the trigger is positioned to retain the pawl in the closed position. A striker bar is movably coupled to the trigger and is positioned to be contacted by the striker, wherein the striker bar is configured to move in the course of moving the striker into the pawl. A device for sensing a position of the striker bar, wherein the position of the striker bar is indicative of the position of the striker and the position of the trigger.

Abstract: A captive fastener attachable to a panel along a fastener axis is provided. The captive fastener includes a fastener having a head portion and a shaft extending from the head portion and along the fastener axis. The captive fastener also includes a knob having a proximal end portion engaged to the head portion of the fastener and an annular portion extending radially around the fastener axis and the shaft of the fastener. A ferrule is associated with the knob, the ferrule defining an opening extending along the fastener axis and receiving the shaft of the fastener. The ferrule has a proximal end portion configured to prevent separation of the knob from the ferrule along the fastener axis and a distal end portion configured for engagement to the panel. A spring is positioned to bias the knob or the fastener proximally relative to the ferrule and to inhibit tilting of the knob or the fastener relative to the fastener axis.

Abstract: A gear assembly configured to be driven by a motor and/or manual operation is disclosed. The gear assembly is configured to reduce or eliminate the effect of inertia of the motor on an output of the gear assembly and/or to dissociate a linear motion of the output relative to a rest position from an opposite rotational motion of an input of the gear assembly. The gear assembly may comprise a wheel configured to rotate about a wheel axis, and a drum and a locker both configured to move in response to rotation of the wheel. When both locker and drum are prevented from moving, the wheel continues to move. The gear assembly may comprise a gcar and a driver, both configured to rotate about a gear axis, and a spring disposed therebetween. When the linear motion causes the gear to move, the motion is not transferred to the driver.

Abstract: A counterbalanced system has first and second components e.g. vehicle panel pivotably connected to a vehicle. The counterbalanced system has a counterbalance assembly coupled to the first and second components. The counterbalance assembly includes at least one counterbalance subassembly having a cam secured to the first component, a cam bracket secured to the first second component, a bracket secured to the second component, and at least one torsion element extending between the cam bracket and the bracket. If two or more subassemblies are used, the torsion elements of each of the counterbalance subassemblies can extend along a common torsion axis or along parallel torsion axes spaced from a pivot axis. The counterbalance subassemblies are spaced from one another in a direction parallel to or along a common torsion axis. Each subassembly can be adjusted within a range of torque values. The counterbalanced system may comprise a hinge.

Abstract: A latch assembly having a base and a paddle. The paddle is rotatably connected to the base to pivot about a paddle axis and has a drive surface offset from the paddle axis. A catch pinion is rotatably connected to the base to rotate about a pinion axis that is generally perpendicular to the paddle axis. The catch pinion has an activation surface positioned such that movement of the drive surface generates a force on the activation surface to rotate the catch pinion about the pinion axis. The catch pinion may have a concave surface to receive a portion of the drive surface as the paddle rotates. A lock may be movably mounted to the paddle, and movable to engage a lock surface on the catch pinion to prevent the paddle from rotating. A lock may be provided to selectively disable the drive surface from rotating with the paddle.

Abstract: A panel-mounted latch module includes a cable extending from a housing of the latch module to deliver either power or signals either to or from the latch module. A rotatable member is rotatably connected to the housing. A pawl is mounted to the rotatable member and is moveable between a locked position to prevent access to the secured area and an unlocked position to permit access to the secured area. A sleeve is fixed to the housing and at least partially surrounds the rotatable member, such that the rotatable member rotates with respect to the sleeve. A fastener is configured to be mounted to the sleeve for attaching the latch module to the panel. A washer is positioned between the fastener and the panel. The washer has a channel through which the cable passes so as to either limit or prevent the fastener from compressing the cable.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a connector. The connecter includes a housing; a pipe at least partially disposed in the housing; and a base mounted to a first item and disposed to the housing to allow the housing to float between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position relative to the base, such that the pipe is connected to a second item in a floating manner along the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A vehicle glove box latch and a method of assembling thereof is disclosed. The latch includes an actuator mounted for movement relative to the vehicle glove box; a rotor coupled to the actuator and mounted for rotation about a rotor axis; and a pawl coupled to the rotor and movable along a pawl axis angled relative to the rotor axis. An engagement portion of the pawl engages an opening in a vehicle in which the vehicle glove box is mounted. A coupling portion of the pawl defines a recess for receiving a detent of the rotor and resisting unintended separation of the detent from the recess in a recess direction. A retainer of the rotor is positioned to limit movement of the coupling portion in the direction of the rotor axis and to resist unintended separation of the coupling portion from the detent in the direction of the rotor axis.

Abstract: A latch assembly having a base and a paddle. The paddle is rotatably connected to the base to pivot about a paddle axis and has a drive surface offset from the paddle axis. A catch pinion is rotatably connected to the base to rotate about a pinion axis that is generally perpendicular to the paddle axis. The catch pinion has an activation surface positioned such that movement of the drive surface generates a force on the activation surface to rotate the catch pinion about the pinion axis. The catch pinion may have a concave surface to receive a portion of the drive surface as the paddle rotates. A lock may be movably mounted to the paddle, and movable to engage a lock surface on the catch pinion to prevent the paddle from rotating. A lock may be provided to selectively disable the drive surface from rotating with the paddle.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, an assembly is configured to counterbalance components movable relative to one another, the assembly including a mounting bracket configured to be coupled to one of the components; a follower arm pivotally coupled to a follower arm mounting point on the mounting bracket; a follower coupled to a follower mounting point on the follower arm; means for exerting force between a force exerting means mounting point on the mounting bracket and a force exerting means mounting point on the follower arm; and a cam configured to be coupled to another one of the components in such a way that the follower contacts a cam profile of the cam.

Abstract: A latch system for capturing a striker, the latch system comprising an actuator, a position sensor, or a combination thereof is disclosed. The latch system includes a latch having a latch cam and a trigger; an actuator having a connector and a motor; and a sensor assembly having a sensing arm and a sensor. The latch cam of the latch is configured to capture the striker when in a closed position. The latch cam is retained in the closed position when the trigger of the latch is in the locked position. The trigger of the latch is moved from an unlocked position toward the locked position by the connector of the actuator when it is moved by the motor from the unlocking position toward the locking position. The sensing arm contacts the striker when the striker is captured by the latch system. The sensor is deactivated when the sensing arm is in one of the latched position or the unlatched position and activated when the sensing arm is in the other one of the latched position or the unlatched position.

Abstract: The present application discloses a connector, which is mounted to a first object and connected between an outlet device and an inlet device to direct a fluid. The connector comprises: a housing mounted to the first object; a pipeline penetrating the housing in a flow direction of the fluid and comprising an outlet end connected to the outlet device and an inlet end connected to the inlet device; a floating device disposed on the housing and floatingly connected to the pipeline, allowing the pipeline to float in the radial direction transverse to a flow direction of the fluid with respect to the housing. The present application also discloses a connecting system.

Abstract: A hinged system includes a preassembled hinge module for pivotally coupling a first component to a second component. The preassembled hinge module includes a shaft, a torque element frictionally engaging the shaft, and a housing. The housing includes a cover, a side wall, and a rear wall that define an interior space enclosed within the housing. The interior space receives the torque element inside the housing. The cover defines a first aperture, and the rear wall defines a second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture aligned with a pivot axis of the shaft. The shaft extends through at least the first aperture, the interior space, and the second aperture. The shaft is separate from, and configured to be mounted to, the first component. The housing is separate from, and configured to be mounted to, the second component.

Abstract: The present application discloses an adjustment assembly and a headrest. The adjustment assembly includes: a guiding rod; a fixing member, fixed to an end of the guiding rod; a driving portion, movably connected to the fixing member; and a first screw, engaged to the fixing member with threads, and the driving portion is connected to the fixing member by the first screw, wherein the driving portion includes a first motor, and the first motor is used to drive the driving portion to linearly move in respect to the fixing member along a direction close to or away from the fixing member. The adjustment assembly of the application can be adjusted electrically, such that the operation is convenient, and the structure is simple and reliable.

Abstract: The present application discloses a locking device comprising: a housing; a plunger inserted into the housing, movable and rotatable to transit between a locking position and an unlocking position, wherein when the plunger is in the unlocking position, the plunger is in a first rotating position and a first axial position, when the plunger is in the locking position, the plunger is in a second rotational position and a second axial position; a rotor accommodated in the housing and rotatable around a rotor rotation axis relative to the plunger between a engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein when the plunger is in the locking position, the rotor is rotatable to the engaged position to prevent the plunger from moving; and a motor accommodated in the housing and configured to drive the rotor to rotate. The present application further discloses a locking system.