Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a cover assembly for use with a vehicular plate member. The cover assembly includes a pad that is over-molded to a resilient member. The pad includes a primary contact member having an exterior surface with a relatively high coefficient of friction and disposed to be frictionally engagable with the vehicle operator's foot, the primary contact member being abradable through frictional engagement with the operator's foot. The pad can also include a connector member that is configured for attachment to the plate member. The cover assembly can also include a secondary contact member between the exterior surface of the primary contact member and the plate member. The secondary contact member is disposed completely below the primary contact member and thereby hidden from view prior to abrasion of the primary contact member, but disposed to frictionally engage the operator's foot subsequent to abrasion of the primary contact member.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a cover assembly for use with a vehicular plate member. The cover assembly includes a pad that is over-molded to a resilient member. The pad includes a primary contact member having an exterior surface with a relatively high coefficient of friction and disposed to be frictionally engagable with the vehicle operator's foot, the primary contact member being abradable through frictional engagement with the operator's foot. The pad can also include a connector member that is configured for attachment to the plate member. The cover assembly can also include a secondary contact member between the exterior surface of the primary contact member and the plate member. The secondary contact member is disposed completely below the primary contact member and thereby hidden from view prior to abrasion of the primary contact member, but disposed to frictionally engage the operator's foot subsequent to abrasion of the primary contact member.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly may include a housing having a cavity, a friction seat received within the cavity, and a ball stud having a ball that frictionally contacts the friction seat. In one embodiment, a friction control mechanism moves the friction seat within the cavity to adjust the friction between the ball and the friction seat. In another embodiment, both the cavity and an outer surface of the friction seat may be substantially frustoconically shaped.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly may include a housing having a cavity, a friction seat received within the cavity, and a ball stud having a ball that frictionally contacts the friction seat. In one embodiment, a friction control mechanism moves the friction seat within the cavity to adjust the friction between the ball and the friction seat. In another embodiment, both the cavity and an outer surface of the friction seat may be substantially frustoconically shaped.