Abstract: A hinge for use in a motor vehicle, including first and second members pivotably coupled to each other. First and second position retainers are coupled between the first member and the second member to releasably secure the second member in a first holding position relative to the first member. The first position retainer has a first holding portion and the second position retainer has a second holding portion such that one of the first and second position retainers is structured and arranged to move relative to the other of the first and second position retainers such that the first and second holding portions move into and out from a first holding position. The first and second holding portions are structured and arranged to be releasably secured to each other in the first holding position.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a brake actuator for use in a motor vehicle. In a motor vehicle with one or more brakes activated by a cable system, there is a mounting bracket mounted in the motor vehicle. Movably mounted to the mounting bracket is a lever that can move in brake applying and brake releasing directions, and which is constructed to be connected to the brake cables. The lever applies tension to the brake cables when the lever is moved in the brake applying direction, and releases the tension when moved in the releasing direction. Mounted to either the lever or the mounting bracket is a retainer constructed to engage the other of the lever or the mounting bracket. The retainer acts to restrict the relative lateral movement of the lever and the mounting bracket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for pre-stressing the cable system of a vehicle brake actuating system.

Abstract: The present application discloses a cable connector for use in attaching an input cable to an actuator in a vehicle braking system.

Abstract: A brake actuator comprising: a mount including an input lever, a pivotal shaft; an operative output member connected to the shaft, a connector arm positioned adjacent the input lever and spaced axially from the output member; and an adjustable connection device, comprising: a link; a first connector connecting the link to the input lever, wherein the first connector comprises a seat provided on the input lever and supporting the link and a seat support structure between the input lever and the seat for supporting the seat; and a second connector connecting the link to the connector arm; to connect the input lever to the connector arm and the shaft via the link such that, when the output member is connected to one or more cables, movement of the input lever in either the applying or releasing directions pivots the shaft to apply or release tension to the cables.

Abstract: A retractable step assembly for use with a vehicle includes a mounting bracket for mounting the assembly in an operative position to the vehicle, a step pivotally connected to the mounting bracket so as to pivot about a substantially vertical pivot axis, a guide member provided on the step and movably mounted to the mounting bracket, and a lock assembly. The guide member is configured to rotate about and translate axially along the pivot axis relative to the mounting bracket to allow the step to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. The lock assembly includes a lock movable between a locked position locking the guide member against movement relative to the mounting bracket, and an unlocked position permitting the guide member to rotate about the pivot axis and translate axially along the pivot axis relative to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable ratio brake pedal actuating assembly with an early increase of geometric ratio or force ratio and a subsequent decrease. The actuating assembly comprises a mount, an arm, an input portion and an input connector. The input connector is operatively connected to the arm such that the ratio varies as the arm moves. The ratio reaches a maximum peak prior to moving 30% of the fully stroked position. Also provided is an actuating assembly that uses a cam guide structure with a contoured cam surface and a link member. A configuration of the contoured cam surface, a guide slot, and the link member are such that the ratio varies as the arm is moved. Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a cam guided booster pin linkage assembly that provides a variable pedal ratio.

Abstract: A brake cable tension monitoring assembly and method for use with a brake actuator installed in an operative position in a motor vehicle. The tension monitoring assembly for sensing tension applied to at least one brake cable connected to a brake actuator installed in an operative position in a vehicle. The brake actuator including a lever movable in applying and releasing directions and the brake actuator being constructed such that tensioning of the cable forces the lever in the releasing direction. The monitoring assembly including a sensing device including a sensor, the sensing device being removably positioned between the lever and a surface and constructed and arranged to sense the movement of the lever in the releasing direction when the cable is being tensioned while the sensing device directly contacts the lever and the surface.

Abstract: A brake actuating system in a motor vehicle having wheels and brakes for braking rotation of the wheels includes a cable system including a plurality of cables operatively connected to the brakes of the vehicle. An actuator is operatively connected to the cable system and is operable by an occupant of the vehicle for movement between applied and released positions to selectively increase and decrease the tension in the cables of the cable system to thereby activate and deactivate the brakes of the vehicle, respectively. A cable tensioner including a rotary input member is selectively and adjustably coupled to an input side cable of the cable system. The input member is rotatable in tensioning and releasing directions. The input side cable includes a retaining structure that prevents disengagement of the input member from the input side cable when the input member is rotated in the releasing direction.

Abstract: A separable, lift-off hinge for a vehicle door includes two separable brackets. Bushings mount to one of the brackets. Pins pivotally connect to the bushings to define the pivotal connection of the hinge. The pins removably mate with openings in the other bracket so that the brackets may be attached to each other and detached from each other by moving the brackets axially relative to each other. The pins and openings have complimentary non-circular cross-sections that prevent the pins from pivoting relative to the openings when the brackets are connected to each other. A fastener removably attaches to one of the pins to keep the brackets operatively connected to each other.

Abstract: A door hinge system for supporting a vehicle door on a vehicle body is provided that allows the door to moved between (a) a fully closed position wherein the door is positioned in covering relation with respect to a door opening in the vehicle body, (b) a fully opened position wherein the door is moved out of the covering relation and is positioned substantially alongside the vehicle body, and (c) an intermediate position between the fully open and fully closed positions wherein the door is moved out of the covering relation and extends generally outwardly away from the vehicle body. The hinge system includes a pair of hinge assemblies, which each include (a) a body mounting structure configured to be mounted to the vehicle body, (b) a door mounting structure configured to be mounted to the vehicle door, and (c) a dual pivot swing arm.

Abstract: A retractable step assembly for use with a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a mounting bracket for mounting the assembly in an operative position to the vehicle, a step pivotally connected to the mounting bracket so as to pivot about a substantially vertical pivot axis, a guide member provided on the step and movably mounted to the mounting bracket, and a lock assembly. The guide member is configured to rotate about and translate axially along the pivot axis relative to the mounting bracket to allow the step to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. The lock assembly includes a lock movable between a locked position locking the guide member against movement relative to the mounting bracket, and an unlocked position permitting the guide member to rotate about the pivot axis and translate axially along the pivot axis relative to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A brake actuating assembly for use in a vehicle includes a clutch assembly that includes a pinion provided on one of a lever and a mounting bracket of the actuating assembly. The pinion includes a shaft and a plurality of teeth that interact with an arcuate rack of teeth provided on the other of the lever and the mounting bracket. The clutch assembly also includes a torsion clutch spring that includes a plurality of coils wrapped around the shaft of the pinion, a fixed end at one end of the coils, and a free end at an opposite end of the coils. At least one of the shaft of the pinion and the spring is tapered in an axial direction thereof such that an interference fit between the spring and the shaft is lower near the free end of the spring than near the fixed end of the spring.

Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a vehicle includes a toothed stationary sector fixed to a mounting structure, a brake lever pivotably mounted to the sector, a pawl mounted to the brake lever for movement between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the teeth, an elongated, substantially rigid release member mounted to the brake lever for movement relative to the brake lever between normal and depressed positions, and a motion-absorbing spring connecting the release member to the pawl. When the brake lever is operatively connected to the vehicle brake cable and in a braking position thereof with the pawl in the engaged position thereof, moving the release member to the depressed position thereof without also moving the brake lever in the brake applying direction compresses the motion-absorbing spring without moving the pawl from the engaged position thereof.

Abstract: A brake actuating assembly for a vehicle having a brake system is disclosed. The assembly includes a mounting bracket for mounting the brake actuating assembly to the vehicle, and a pedal arm mounted to the mounting bracket for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. The pedal arm is connectable to the brake system such that movement of the pedal arm in a brake applying direction activates the brake system and movement of the pedal arm in a brake releasing direction de-activates the brake system. An arcuate rack of teeth is connected to the pedal arm, and a pawl that includes a tooth engages the rack. The assembly also includes a spring that has a first end that operatively connected to the pawl, and the second end that is operatively connected to the mounting bracket in an opening that includes a surface extending between a first stop and a second stop.

Abstract: A sensing device for sensing an amount of force transferred between a first element and a second element includes a first attachment structure and a second attachment structure mounted to the first attachment structure to enable relative linear movement between the first and second attachment structures. The first attachment structure is connected to the first element and the second attachment structure is connected to the second element. An actuating member is provided on one of the first and second attachment structures. A biasing structure is positioned between the first and second attachment structures enabling a force to be transferred from the first element and the first attachment structure to the second element and the second attachment structure. A sensor includes a first switch and a second switch each being adapted to be actuated by the actuating member.

Abstract: A polymeric running board for an automotive vehicle is provided. The running board has a polymeric platform for supporting a vehicle occupant's foot during entry or exit of a lateral side door of the vehicle. The platform is connected to the vehicle by J-shaped support brackets which are co-molded therewith. The running board provided is advantageous over prior running boards in that it is lighter and easier to assemble, reducing assembly time and cost.

Abstract: A retractable running board assembly is mounted to the frame of a vehicle. The running board is selectively extendable between a retracted position, which is close to the vehicle's frame, and a lower, laterally-outward extended position that facilitates easy entrance into and exit from the vehicle. A plurality of longitudinally spaced, selectively-actuated links connect the running board to the frame. A selectively-operable driving mechanism concertedly actuates each of the links to extend and retract the running board. When the driving mechanism is not operated, each link resists actuation and holds the running board in a fixed position relative to the frame.

Abstract: A retractable running board assembly is mounted to the frame of a vehicle. The running board is selectively extendable between a retracted position, which is close to the vehicle's frame, a lower, laterally-outward extended position that facilitates easy entrance into and exit from the vehicle and a roof-access position, higher and outward from the entrance position. A selectively-operable driving mechanism actuates a link to extend and retract the running board. When the driving mechanism is not operated, each link resists actuation and holds the running board in a fixed position relative to the frame.

Abstract: A retractable running board assembly is mounted to the frame of a vehicle. The running board is selectively extendable between a retracted position, which is close to the vehicle's frame, and a lower, laterally-outward extended position that facilitates easy entrance into and exit from the vehicle. A plurality of longitudinally spaced, selectively-actuated links connect the running board to the frame. A selectively-operable driving mechanism concertedly actuates each of the links to extend and retract the running board. When the driving mechanism is not operated, each link resists actuation and holds the running board in a fixed position relative to the frame.