Abstract: Housingless positive displacement pump assembly comprises one or more vane or gerotor type housingless positive displacement pump units, each comprising pump unit components. One or more retaining rods extend through axially aligned holes in a mounting flange at one end of the pump assembly and the pump unit components to hold the pump unit components in stacked relation to one another and connect the pump assembly to the mounting flange.

Abstract: Housingless positive displacement pump assembly comprises one or more vane or gerotor type housingless positive displacement pump units, each comprising pump unit components. One or more retaining rods extend through axially aligned holes in a mounting flange at one end of the pump assembly and the pump unit components to hold the pump unit components in stacked relation to one another and connect the pump assembly to the mounting flange.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological clutch assembly for use in an electromechanical system. The clutch assembly includes a motor having a shaft that is coupled to a magneto-rheological clutch. There is also included a gear plate that is attached to the clutch, as well as being connected to a contact plate and pinion gear. The pinion gear engages a corresponding connection of a power operator system. The magneto-rheological clutch prevents damage to the motor power operator system and panel by simulating a slipping condition when a load exceeding a specified tolerance is applied to the panel.

Abstract: A passenger van is equipped with a drive mechanism for power operation of a slideable side door. The drive mechanism has a flexible drive cable that travels in a closed loop that includes cable portions that travel through a center track in opposite directions. The center track supports and guides a roller assembly that is attached to the rear of the side door. The roller assembly carries a cinch mechanism that selectively connects the roller assembly to a portion of the cable that is traveling in one direction to open the sliding door and that selectively connects the roller assembly to a portion of the cable that is traveling in the opposite direction to close the sliding door. The cinch mechanism is normally disconnected from the cable so that the side door can be opened or closed manually very easily.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body. An elongated rack is mounted in a housing for longitudinal movement. A rotatable pinion meshes with the rack to move the rack longitudinally in one direction or the other depending on the direction of rotation of the pinion. A reversible motor rotates the pinion in opposite directions. The deck lid is attached to a pair of arms pivoted to the vehicle body. A link has one end pivoted to the rack and the opposite end pivoted to one of the arms. The deck lid is moved to open position in response to longitudinal movement of the rack in one direction or to closed position in response to longitudinal movement of the rack in the other direction.

Abstract: A latch handle assembly for permitting power or manual unlatching of a door latch. The assembly includes a latch handle for manual unlatching of the vehicle door. A mechanical linkage is attached to the latch handle and is adapted to interconnect with the door latch. The latch handle assembly also includes a switch disposed on the latch handle. The switch interconnects with a power-assisted unlatching mechanism that allows the switch to unlatch the door. Finally, there is a handle lock disposed adjacent the latch handle for disabling the latch handle in the normal condition when power is on and the power-assisted unlatching function is operable. The handle lock is operative to move from a locked position preventing the latch handle from moving, and an unlocked position allowing movement of the latch handle.

Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the vehicle pillars at the sides of the liftgate opening. Each drive unit includes a vertically oriented channel and a rack bar that moves in the channel. A link is universally attached to the rack bar at one end and universally attached to the liftgate at the opposite end. The rack bar is raised and lowered by a power unit that has a motor driven pinion gear that meshes with the rack bar. Raising and lowering the rack bar opens and closes the liftgate via the link.

Abstract: A vehicle has a power operated liftgate and at least one power unit comprising a fixed linear guide channel and a follower that moves in the guide channel. The follower is universally connected to a rod having at one end and the opposite end of the rod is universally connected to the vehicle lift gate. A flexible drive loop which is attached to the follower wraps part way around two pulleys at opposite ends of the guide channel. The flexible drive loop is driven by a bi-directional drive unit that includes a reversible electric motor, an electromagnetic clutch and a drive wheel that engages the flexible drive loop. The flexible drive loop may be a drive cable, a drive tape, or a drive chain or a combination of cable, tape and/or chain.

Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the vehicle pillars at the sides of the liftgate opening. Each drive unit includes a vertically oriented channel and a rack bar that moves in the channel. A link is universally attached to the rack bar at one end and universally attached to the liftgate at the opposite end. The rack bar is raised and lowered by a power unit that has a motor driven pinion gear that meshes with the rack bar. Raising and lowering the rack bar opens and closes the liftgate via the link.

Abstract: A power operating system opens and closes a vehicle liftgate that is pivotally attached to an aft end of a vehicle roof for pivotal movement between and open position and a closed position about a generally horizontal hinge axis. The power operating system has a gas spring strut counterbalance system and at least one drive unit that includes a reversible electric motor, a spool driven by the electric motor, a flexible web that has one end attached to the spool and an opposite end attached to the liftgate, and a pusher member that is driven by the electric motor between a retracted position and an extended position. The pusher member engages the liftgate and rotates the liftgate part way to the open position. The liftgate is closed by winding the flexible web onto the spool.

Abstract: A vehicle has a power operated liftgate and at least one power unit comprising a fixed linear guide channel and a follower that moves in the guide channel. The follower is universally connected to a rod having at one end and the opposite end of the rod is universally connected to the vehicle lift gate. A flexible drive loop which is attached to the follower wraps part way around two pulleys at opposite ends of the guide channel. The flexible drive loop is driven by a bi-directional drive unit that includes a reversible electric motor, an electromagnetic clutch and a drive wheel that engages the flexible drive loop. The flexible drive loop may be a drive cable, a drive tape, or a drive chain or a combination of cable, tape and/or chain.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body. An elongated rack is mounted in a housing for longitudinal movement. A rotatable pinion meshes with the rack to move the rack longitudinally in one direction or the other depending on the direction of rotation of the pinion. A reversible motor rotates the pinion in opposite directions. The deck lid is attached to a pair of arms pivoted to the vehicle body. A link has one end pivoted to the rack and the opposite end pivoted to one of the arms. The deck lid is moved to open position in response to longitudinal movement of the rack in one direction or to closed position in response to longitudinal movement of the rack in the other direction.

Abstract: A window regulator mechanism for raising and lowering a window that slides up and down in a hollow closure. The window regulator mechanism includes a base plate that supports a tape drive that pulls the window up and pulls the window down. The tape wraps around upper and lower rollers that rotate on axes that are substantially parallel to the length of the closure. Two slack take-up devices for the tape are disclosed. An alternate window regulator mechanism drives the tape with conformation and does not need any slack take-up.

Abstract: A self locking forkbolt for pivoting the end of a pivoting seat back frame to a vehicle body includes a pin that is locked into a slot by the end of a hook that swings on a pivot axis across the slot, from an open to a closed position. A locking lever fixed to the hook moves with the hook, and a cam lever pivoted to the same pivot axis, located on to of the locking lever, has a striker edge that is engaged by the pin first as the pin is pushed into the slot. The force transfer connection between the cam lever and the hook/locking lever is indirect, consisting of a spring that is compressed by the pivoting cam lever to, in turn, push on the hook. The locking lever pops into a latched position as the hook swings closed, and the spring remains at least slightly compressed, reducing rattle of the pin within the slot.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a locking mechanism and an unlatching mechanism that cooperate with each other and an inside handle lever so the door latch can be unlocked and unlatched by an inside door handle or the like.