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 member 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 member without moving the pawl from the engaged position thereof.

Abstract: A door check device, for installation between a motor vehicle body and a motor vehicle door that swings in opposing opening and closing directions relative to the vehicle body, with an improved roller is provided. The roller includes a metal core having an internal bore and a molded plastic bushing lining the internal bore such that the metal core and the plastic bushing include interlocked or bonded structures that essentially prevent the relative rotation between the metal core and the plastic bushing.

Abstract: A door check device includes a first link member engaging structure including a first link member engaging member mounted to a first carrier, a second link member engaging structure including a second link member engaging member mounted to a second carrier, a housing, and an elongated link member. The first engaging structure and the second engaging structure are each constructed and arranged such that, when the link member is caused to undergo a yaw movement relative to the housing generally along a yaw plane that extends in both the transverse direction and the longitudinal extent of the link member, the first and second carriers and the first and second engaging members mounted thereto, respectively, are allowed to rotate relative to the housing along with the link member such that the first and second engaging members remain in transverse relation to the link member.

Abstract: The present application relates to a variable ratio actuating assembly for operating an input element, such as a brake booster rod or some other element, on a vehicle.

Abstract: A brake actuation assembly for a vehicle is actuatable to apply and release tension to one or more elements that connect to a brake system of the vehicle. The brake actuation assembly includes an electrically powered brake actuator, a manually operable control, and a manual brake actuator. The electrically powered actuator includes a motor with a driveshaft for driving connection with the elements. The motor is actuatable to rotate the driveshaft in a brake-applying direction to apply tension to the elements and in a brake-releasing direction to release tension to the elements. The manual actuator includes a handle and a cable. The manual actuator is movable between an operative position wherein the cable connects the handle to the driveshaft to enable rotation of the handle to rotate the driveshaft in the brake-applying and brake-releasing directions via the cable, and an inoperative position wherein the handle is disconnected from the driveshaft.

Abstract: A vehicle jack for a vehicle includes (a) a load rest for engagement with an underside of the vehicle, (b) a base having a ground engaging surface, and (c) a raising and lowering mechanism. The jack is stored in a jack retaining space which is formed at least in part by a jack engaging surface of a post member of a mounting element extending from a structural member of the vehicle and the post member.

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 parking brake actuation assembly is provided including an electric motor and a first rotatable member operatively connected to the electric motor so as to enable the motor to rotate the first rotatable member in a brake applying rotational direction. The first rotatable member normally is prevented against rotation in a brake releasing rotational direction. A second rotatable member is rotatable relative to the first rotatable member and includes cable attachment structure for affixing a brake activation linkage thereto. A clutch spring is disposed between the first and second rotatable members and is configured to contract upon initiation of rotation of the first rotatable member in the brake applying direction so as to couple the second rotatable member to the first rotatable member for affecting rotation of the second rotatable member in the brake applying direction.

Abstract: A door check device, for installation between a motor vehicle body and a motor vehicle door that swings in opposing opening and closing directions relative to the vehicle body, with an improved roller is provided. The roller includes a metal core having an internal bore and a molded plastic bushing lining the internal bore such that the metal core and the plastic bushing include interlocked or bonded structures that essentially prevent the relative rotation between the metal core and the plastic bushing.

Abstract: A brake actuation assembly for a vehicle is actuatable to apply and release tension to one or more elements that connect to a brake system of the vehicle. The brake actuation assembly includes an electrically powered brake actuator, a manually operable control, and a manual brake actuator. The electrically powered actuator includes a motor with a driveshaft for driving connection with the elements. The motor is actuatable to rotate the driveshaft in a brake-applying direction to apply tension to the elements and in a brake-releasing direction to release tension to the elements. The manual actuator includes a handle and a cable. The manual actuator is movable between an operative position wherein the cable connects the handle to the driveshaft to enable rotation of the handle to rotate the driveshaft in the brake-applying and brake-releasing directions via the cable, and an inoperative position wherein the handle is disconnected from the driveshaft.

Abstract: The present application discloses a brake actuator for applying tension to a brake cable. The actuator includes: a mounting bracket; a brake actuator lever mounted for pivotal movement relative to the mounting bracket in brake applying and brake releasing directions; and a cam-and-drum member mounted for rotation relative to relative to the brake actuator lever. The cam-and-drum member is formed as one integral part including a protruding drum portion and a cam portion integral with the drum portion. The present application also discloses a brake actuator with a one-piece cam member.

Abstract: The present application relates to brake actuators, and more particularly to a brake actuator of the hand-operated type in which a hand grip is rotated to release a pawl for enabling brake releasing movement of a brake lever.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for mounting a vehicle jack in a stored position on a motor vehicle. The present application also discloses a combination of a vehicle and a jack stored on the vehicle, and a vehicle jack configured to be stored on a vehicle. Further, the present application also discloses a motor vehicle having an arrangement for retaining a vehicle jack thereon in a stored position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a door check device for installation between a motor vehicle body and a motor vehicle door that swings in opposing opening and closing directions relative to the vehicle body. The device comprises a first mounting structure that mounts on one of the vehicle door and the vehicle body and a second mounting structure that mounts on the other of the vehicle door and the vehicle body. The device also comprises first and second spaced apart cooperating structures and a link member having a detent provided on an intermediate portion thereof. The link member is received between the cooperating structures. The link member is carried by the first mounting structure and cooperating structures are carried by the second mounting structure such that the link member and the cooperating structures move relative to one another as the door is swung in the opposing opening and closing directions thereof. A spring structure is carried by the second mounting structure.

Abstract: A vehicle door hinge assembly that includes a body bracket, a door bracket, and, an interconnecting door bracket carrier. The door bracket carrier and the door bracket shift in unison from a fully closed position to an intermediate open position. The door bracket pivots in a swinging motion about the door bracket carrier from the intermediate open position to a fully open position. The hinge assembly further includes a motion restriction mechanism that restricts the door bracket from pivoting relative to the door bracket carrier when the door bracket carrier is not in the intermediate open position. Additionally, the motion restriction mechanism restricts the linkage assembly from moving relative to the body bracket until the door bracket has returned to the intermediate open position. A door attached to the hinge assembly moves first in a shifting motion and then in a swinging motion. The shifting motion moves the door laterally and outwardly relative to a vehicle body.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for mounting a vehicle jack in a stored position on a motor vehicle. The present application also discloses a combination of a vehicle and a jack stored on the vehicle, and a vehicle jack configured to be stored on a vehicle. Further, the present application also discloses a motor vehicle having an arrangement for retaining a vehicle jack thereon in a stored position.

Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided including a first hinge member including a first mounting structure to mount the first hinge member to one of a vehicle closure member and a vehicle body. The first hinge member includes a rotatable member. The rotatable member and the first mounting structure may be integrally formed together from a single piece of metal. The hinge assembly includes a second hinge member including a second mounting structure to mount the second hinge member to the other of the vehicle closure member and the vehicle body. The second hinge member includes a wall portion to define a rotatable member receiving space. The rotatable member receiving space is configured to rotatably receive the rotatable member for enabling the first and second hinge members to pivot relative to one another. The wall portion and the second mounting structure may be integrally formed together from a single piece of metal.

Abstract: A combination for use with a vehicle jack constructed and arranged to affect raising and lowering movements of the vehicle. The combination comprises an elongated rigid jack operating tool and a longitudinal entry tool retainer. The tool retainer is fixedly mounted to the vehicle. The tool retainer has a tool receiving space and a resiliently movable tool engaging structure providing a tool engaging surface. The tool and the tool retainer enable the tool to be mounted to the tool retainer by moving the tool in the longitudinal direction into the tool receiving space. The tool contacts the tool engaging structure and urges the tool engaging structure against the resiliency thereof to accommodate ingress of the tool into the tool receiving space. The tool engaging structure thereafter forcibly engages the tool engaging surface against an exterior surface of the tool to frictionally inhibit movement of the tool in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: A door check device includes a first link member engaging structure including a first link member engaging member mounted to a first carrier, a second link member engaging structure including a second link member engaging member mounted to a second carrier, a housing, and an elongated link member. The first engaging structure and the second engaging structure are each constructed and arranged such that, when the link member is caused to undergo a yaw movement relative to the housing generally along a yaw plane that extends in both the transverse direction and the longitudinal extent of the link member, the first and second carriers and the first and second engaging members mounted thereto, respectively, are allowed to rotate relative to the housing along with the link member such that the first and second engaging members remain in transverse relation to the link member.

Abstract: A door support system for supporting a vehicle door on a vehicle body for movement in opening and closing directions includes a door hinge system and an infinite door check system. The door hinge system includes a pair of first mounting structures and a pair of second mounting structures pivotally coupled to provide for movement of the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body. The infinite door check system includes first and second one-way check devices. The first one way check device applies a biasing force to resist movement of the vehicle door in the closing direction, and the second one way check device applies a biasing force to resist movement of the vehicle door in the opening direction. Each of the check devices includes a biasing structure that provide the biasing force and a clutch that enables or disables the application of the biasing force to the vehicle door.