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 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 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for applying torque to turnable fasteners for fastening or removing a wheel on a motor vehicle. The tool has a first arm portion and a second arm portion movable to the first arm portion between longitudinally extended and longitudinally retracted positions.

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 high strength polymeric injection molded running board for an automotive vehicle is provided including a longitudinal base portion with an upper first surface and a lower second surface opposite the first surface, the upper surface supporting a foot of a vehicle occupant entering or exiting the vehicle. The running board also includes grip ridges integrally molded with the base portion on the first surface to increase the frictional interface between the first surface and the foot of the vehicle occupant entering or exiting the vehicle. The grip ridges have a crown region and an incline portion connecting the crown region with the first surface. The running board also includes reinforcing ribs for strengthening the base portion, the ribs extend from the base portion second surface and are joined to the second surface generally opposite the incline portion of the grip ridges.

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: 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: 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 stone pecking damage analyzer is provided which includes an enclosure frame. A pivotal first conveyor wheel is also provided. Spaced from the fixed conveyor wheel is a second conveyor wheel. A conveyor belt is fitted upon the two conveyor wheels. An automotive tire/wheel combination is mounted for rotation in contact with the conveyor belt planar surface. A variable speed motor torsionally coupled to the shaft powers the tire/wheel combination. A tubular conduit delivers stones to the conveyor's planar surface. An aggravator manipulates the tubular conduit to increase the delivery of stones to the conveyor. A deflector is also provided for redirecting stones delivered to the tire by the conveyor and thereafter accelerated by the tire. A mounting system hangs an automotive vehicle coated body panel in a position commensurate to its position with respect to the vehicle wheel well.

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: An improved vehicle pedal arm assembly made from a one or two-piece stamping of relatively thin gauge material. The preferred pedal arm assembly preferably includes an integral pedal pad. The opposite end of the stamping is formed or spread so that it is equal in width to the arms mating bracket. This arrangement allows for the assembly to pivot without a tubular hub, or spacer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a door check device comprising first and second link member engaging structures and a housing. The engaging structures engage opposing face surfaces of an elongated link member. The first engaging structure and the first opposing face surface are configured so as to engage with one another in a first transverse movement restricting relationship and the second engaging structure and the second opposing face surface are also so configured. The engaging structures each are constructed and arranged such that, when the link member is caused to undergo a yaw movement along a yaw plane, the engaging structures are allowed to move along with the link member to thereby facilitate the first and second engaging structures remaining engaged with the first and second face surfaces in the aforesaid first and second transverse movement restricting relationships, respectively.

Abstract: A parking brake actuating assembly that has a lockout structure constructed and arranged to enable a lockout operation to be performed by applying tension to the brake cable opposite the brake activating direction so as to rotate the take-up member in the cable slackening direction against the biasing force of the take-up spring until the take-up member reaches the lockout position and the lockout structure is caused to move towards and into the releasable retaining position thereof in response to the take-up member moving into the lockout position thereof to thereby releasably lock the take-up member in the lockout position thereof.

Abstract: A self-adjusting parking brake actuator for a vehicle is provided having an eccentrically-mounted self-adjust cam assembly. The cam assembly is mounted eccentrically to the lever axis to provide a variable mechanical advantage during actuator stroke. The eccentric offset for the self-adjusting cam is less than the outside radius of the cam to reduce the overall space requirements of the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a door check device comprising a first and second link member engaging structure and a housing. An elongated link member has a first opposing end that provides a connecting portion, a second opposing end, and an intermediate portion that extends between the first and second opposing ends thereof and provides first and second opposing face surfaces. The intermediate portion has first and second detent regions that extend generally in a transverse direction of the link member on the first and second opposing face surfaces thereof, respectively. Biasing structure is constructed and arranged to bias the first and second engaging structures relatively towards one another to thereby urge the engaging structures into engagement with the first and second opposing face surfaces of the intermediate link member portion, respectively.

Abstract: An improved vehicle pedal arm assembly made from a one or two-piece stamping of relatively thin gauge material. The preferred pedal arm assembly preferably includes an integral pedal pad. The opposite end of the stamping is formed or spread so that it is equal in width to the arms mating bracket. This arrangement allows for the assembly to pivot without a tubular hub, or spacer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a parking brake actuating assembly for installation in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a parking brake actuating assembly that has a brake positioning bracket for properly positioning brake cables relative to cable receiving portions of a brake equalizer.

Abstract: An improved vehicle pedal arm assembly made from a one or two-piece stamping of relatively thin gauge material. The preferred pedal arm assembly preferably includes an integral pedal pad. The opposite end of the stamping is formed or spread so that it is equal in width to the arms mating bracket. This arrangement allows for the assembly to pivot without a tubular hub, or spacer.