Abstract: A portable jig used in light frame construction has a rigid body formed from a resilient material that is approximately rectangular in shape with a central planar web with a peripheral, perpendicular flange, and at least three saddles, attached to the central planar web. The jig also possesses a vertical framing flange that extends from one of the saddles and is parallel to the central planar web. The longitudinal axes of at least two of the saddles are parallel to each other and are spaced apart in conformity with standard building code spacing. The longitudinal axis of at least one of the remaining saddles is perpendicular to the aforementioned parallel saddles. These saddles are used to position the vertical framing elements at the desired spacing and at the same time ensure that they perpendicular to the horizontal framing elements.

Abstract: A portable jig used in light frame construction has a rigid body formed from a resilient material that is approximately rectangular in shape with a central planar web with a peripheral, perpendicular flange, and at least three saddles, attached to the central planar web. The jig also possesses a vertical framing flange that extends from one of the saddles and is parallel to the central planar web. The longitudinal axes of at least two of the saddles are parallel to each other and are spaced apart in conformity with standard building code spacing. The longitudinal axis of at least one of the remaining saddles is perpendicular to the aforementioned parallel saddles. These saddles are used to position the vertical framing elements at the desired spacing and at the same time ensure that they perpendicular to the horizontal framing elements.

Abstract: An electromechanical strut is provided for moving a pivotal lift gate between an open position and a closed position relative to a motor vehicle body. The electromechanical strut includes a housing connected to one of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. An extensible shaft is slidably mounted to the housing. The extensible shaft is connected to the other of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. A drive mechanism includes a rotatable power screw. The drive mechanism converts rotary motion of the power screw into linear motion of the extensible shaft to move the extensible shaft between a retracted position corresponding to the closed position of the lift gate and an extended position corresponding to the open position of the lift gate. A power spring includes one end connected to the extensible shaft and another end connected to the housing for providing a mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the lift gate.

Abstract: An actuating device is provided for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof. The actuating device includes a telescopic arm having a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body. The first and second members are slidable relative to one another to move the actuating device between a retracted position corresponding with the closed position and an extended position corresponding with the open position. A screw is rotatable relative to the first member. The screw includes a cavity formed therewithin. A nut is secured to the second member and threadingly engages the screw such that rotation of the screw moves the second member towards and away from the first member to move the actuating device between the respective retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: An actuating device is provided for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof. The actuating device includes a telescopic arm having a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body. The first and second members are slidable relative to one another to move the actuating device between a retracted position corresponding with the closed position and an extended position corresponding with the open position. A screw is rotatable relative to the first member. The screw includes a cavity formed therewithin. A nut is secured to the second member and threadingly engages the screw such that rotation of the screw moves the second member towards and away from the first member to move the actuating device between the respective retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: An actuating device is provided for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof. The actuating device includes a telescopic arm having a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body. The first and second members are slidable relative to one another to move the actuating device between a retracted position corresponding with the closed position and an extended position corresponding with the open position. A screw is rotatable relative to the first member. The screw includes a cavity formed therewithin. A nut is secured to the second member and threadingly engages the screw such that rotation of the screw moves the second member towards and away from the first member to move the actuating device between the respective retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: An electromechanical strut is provided for moving a pivotal lift gate between an open position and a closed position relative to a motor vehicle body. The electromechanical strut includes a housing connected to one of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. An extensible shaft is slidably mounted to the housing. The extensible shaft is connected to the other of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. A drive mechanism includes a rotatable power screw. The drive mechanism converts rotary motion of the power screw into linear motion of the extensible shaft to move the extensible shaft between a retracted position corresponding to the closed position of the lift gate and an extended position corresponding to the open position of the lift gate. A power spring includes one end connected to the extensible shaft and another end connected to the housing for providing a mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the lift gate.

Abstract: An electromechanical strut is provided for moving a pivotal lift gate between an open position and a closed position relative to a motor vehicle body. The electromechanical strut includes a housing connected to one of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. An extensible shaft is slidably mounted to the housing. The extensible shaft is connected to the other of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. A drive mechanism includes a rotatable power screw. The drive mechanism converts rotary motion of the power screw into linear motion of the extensible shaft to move the extensible shaft between a retracted position corresponding to the closed position of the lift gate and an extended position corresponding to the open position of the lift gate. A power spring includes one end connected to the extensible shaft and another end connected to the housing for providing a mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the lift gate.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly for a motor vehicle includes a bracket for mounting the adjustable pedal assembly to the motor vehicle. A pivot link is pivotally mounted to the bracket. The pivot link has a first guide slot and a first pin. A pedal is pivotally secured to the pivot link and includes an arm. The arm has a second guide slot and a second pin. The second guide slot works in conjunction with the first pin whereas the first guide slot works in conjunction with the second guide pin. Together, these pairings define the relative movement between the pivot link and the pedal arm. A drive assembly extends between said first pin and said second pin. The drive assembly slides the pedal arm relative to the pivot link to extend and retract the pedal with respect to the operator.

Abstract: A power striker mechanism (10) has a housing (22). A striker (18) is mounted on a striker plate (20) that is mounted on the housing for sliding movement between an inboard and an outboard position. A driver plate (44) is mounted to the housing for sliding movement in a direction orthogonal to the movement of the striker plate (20). An actuator (16) effects movement of the driver plate (44) to thereby effect movement of the striker plate (20) between the inboard and outboard positions. The striker plate (20) has a pin (36) and the driver plate has an S-shaped slot (42). The pin slidably engages the S-shaped slot. The S-shaped slot has end regions extending generally parallel to each other and in the orthogonal direction and is interconnected by a diagonally extending section. When the pin (36) is in the end regions of the S-shaped slot, forces imparted on the striker plate (20) are transmitted to the housing (22) and thereby preventing backlash of the actuator (16).

Abstract: A power striker mechanism (10) has a housing (16) adapted for mounting on a vehicle. A striker assembly (12) is mounted to the housing and constrained to slide between an inboard and outboard position. An outer link (42) is pivotally attached to the striker assembly (12). An inner link (48) is pivotally attached to the housing (16) and pivotally attached to the outer link (42). A cinching mechanism (14) linkably connects the inner (48) and outer links (42). Driving movement of the cinching mechanism (14) effects the inboard and outboard movement of the striker assembly (12). The driving movement is generally perpendicular to the inboard outboard movement of the striker assembly (12) thereby isolating the cinching mechanism (14) from loads imparted to the striker assembly (12).

Abstract: A power striker mechanism (10) has a housing (22). A striker (18) is mounted on a striker plate (20) that is mounted on the housing for sliding movement between an inboard and an outboard position. A driver plate (44) is mounted to the housing for sliding movement in a direction orthogonal to the movement of the striker plate (20). An actuator (16) effects movement of the driver plate (44) to thereby effect movement of the striker plate (20) between the inboard and outboard positions. The striker plate (20) has a pin (36) and the driver plate has an S-shaped slot (42). The pin slidably engages the S-shaped slot. The S-shaped slot has end regions extending generally parallel to each other and in the orthogonal direction and is interconnected by a diagonally extending section. When the pin (36) is in the end regions of the S-shaped slot, forces imparted on the striker plate (20) are transmitted to the housing (22) and thereby preventing backlash of the actuator (16).

Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly for a motor vehicle includes a bracket for mounting the adjustable pedal assembly to the motor vehicle. A pivot link is pivotally mounted to the bracket. The pivot link has a first guide slot and a first pin. A pedal is pivotally secured to the pivot link and includes an arm. The arm has a second guide slot and a second pin. The second guide slot works in conjunction with the first pin whereas the first guide slot works in conjunction with the second guide pin. Together, these pairings define the relative movement between the pivot link and the pedal arm. A drive assembly extends between said first pin and said second pin. The drive assembly slides the pedal arm relative to the pivot link to extend and retract the pedal with respect to the operator.

Abstract: A power striker mechanism (10) has a housing (16) adapted for mounting on a vehicle. A striker assembly (12) is mounted to the housing and constrained to slide between an inboard and outboard position. An outer link (42) is pivotally attached to the striker assembly (12). An inner link (48) is pivotally attached to the housing (16) and pivotally attached to the outer link (42). A cinching mechanism (14) linkably connects the inner (48) and outer links (42). Driving movement of the cinching mechanism (14) effects the inboard and outboard movement of the striker assembly (12). The driving movement is generally perpendicular to the inboard outboard movement of the striker assembly (12) thereby isolating the cinching mechanism (14) from loads imparted to the striker assembly (12).