Abstract: A plastic hinged trim clip is described. The trim clip may secure two or more components together. The trim clip may include a body and a locking feature. The body may include a first end and a second end located on either side of a fold area. The locking feature may include a first hook located on the first end, and a second hook and first opening located on the second end. The first hook may engage with the second hook and the first opening. The locking feature may engage around one of the components. Each end may include an insertion portion to engage with another component. The locking feature may also include a third hook and a second opening that may engage with one another. The locking feature may increase the ratio of insertion to retention within the components to be greater than 1:2 or 1:3.

Abstract: A locked base trim clip is described. The trim clip may secure two or more components together, such as a blade and a panel. The trim clip may include an outer frame having a top portion and a base portion. The base portion may be capable of engagement with a first component. The trim clip may include at least one tongue that may extend outward from the top portion and may engage with a second component. The trim clip may include at least one tab extending outward from the base portion that may engage the first component. The trim clip may include at least one locking feature that may include an inner U-portion and an outer U-portion. The locking feature may increase the ratio of insertion to retention within the second component to be greater than 1:2 or 1:3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a body mount. The body mount that may include at least one clip, at least one plate and a sleeve. The clip may include a generally cylindrical body having a central aperture therethrough. The clip may further include at least one set of inwardly extending prongs. The clip may further include at least one set of outwardly extending prongs. The sleeve may have opposed openings capable of engaging a first clip and a second clip between their respective plates.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly for storing a spare tire includes a carrier for supporting the spare tire, a rotatable sheave, and a flexible member operably connecting the carrier to the sheave. The flexible member is wound upon and unwound from the sheave upon rotation of the sheave to raise and lower the carrier between a stowed position and a deployed position. A drive member is operably connected the sheave to selectively rotate the sheave. The connection between the sheave and the drive member is broken upon a predetermined torque indicative of a catastrophic event so that the sheave is freely rotatable to prevent failure of the flexible member. A preferred sheave has first and second portions that break away at the predetermined torque so that the reel is freely rotatable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clip having a general T-shape. The clip may be mounted to a deck board structure for engagement with a joist. The clip may include a base for mounting to a structure, such as a deck board, and barbs located on the base. The clip may also include a pair of supporting arms having clamping tabs with barbs. The barbs of the base and the clamping tabs may grip onto a joist. The clip may also include an aperture that is capable of connecting the base to the deck board. Once assembled with the deck board and joist, the clip may remain completely hidden from view after deck completion.

Abstract: A clip having a body portion and a fastener portion is provided. The clip has an opening extending therethrough that is securable to a trim panel post. The fastener portion is retained at least partially within the opening. One or more prongs of the fastener portion secure the trim panel post to the clip. One or more spring-arms on the body portion are biased in an outward direction and snap or other fit into the body panel to secure the body panel to the clip.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier assembly for a vehicle includes a housing having an aperture formed therein and a spool positioned in the housing. A drive shaft is connected to the spool, and a cable is wrapped about the spool. A cable guide assembly extends through the aperture and has a first portion positioned in the housing and a second portion positioned outside the housing. The first portion has an aperture extending therethrough. The second portion has an aperture extending therethrough that is in communication with the aperture in the first portion. The cable extends through the aperture in the first portion and the aperture in the second portion.

Abstract: A motor vehicle tire carrier actuator and retriever includes a first elongate member having a first end configured to mate with a rotatable shaft of a tire carrier. A second elongate member has a first end and a second end, with an aperture formed in a central portion of the second elongate member to receive a second end of the first elongate member to form a T-shaped actuator for the tire carrier in a first configuration. A recess is formed in the first end to receive the second end of the first elongate member in a second configuration to form a retriever for a tire positioned beneath a vehicle. A flange is formed at the second end of the second elongate member to grasp a tire beneath the vehicle in the second configuration.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly for storing a spare tire includes a carrier for supporting the spare tire, a rotatable sheave, and a flexible member operably connecting the carrier to the sheave. The flexible member is wound upon and unwound from the sheave upon rotation of the sheave to raise and lower the carrier between a stowed position and a deployed position. A drive member is operably connected the sheave to selectively rotate the sheave. The connection between the sheave and the drive member is broken upon a predetermined torque indicative of a catastrophic event so that the sheave is freely rotatable to prevent failure of the flexible member. A preferred sheave has first and second portions that break away at the predetermined torque so that the reel is freely rotatable.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier assembly for a vehicle includes a housing having an aperture formed therein and a spool positioned in the housing. A drive shaft is connected to the spool, and a cable is wrapped about the spool. A cable guide assembly extends through the aperture and has a first portion positioned in the housing and a second portion positioned outside the housing. The first portion has an aperture extending therethrough. The second portion has an aperture extending therethrough that is in communication with the aperture in the first portion. The cable extends through the aperture in the first portion and the aperture in the second portion.

Abstract: A latch assembly for use a tire carrier has a wheel plate and a lock bracket and an aperture and a flexible member disposed in the aperture and connected to a wheel plate. The latch assembly has a lock housing, a guide adjacent and a lock arm. The lock arm has one end, another end, a cam surface and a lower cam surface. The one end is pivotally connected to the guide. The lower cam surface extends past the bottom of the lock housing. The weight of the housing acts on a stop member attached to the flexible member, to form a force to urge the lock arms to an unlocked position. When another end is moved toward the lock bracket, the cam surface engages the lock bracket to pivot the lock arm to a locked position so that when the flexible member breaks, the lock arm engages the lock bracket.

Abstract: A spare tire handling device mounted on a vehicle and adapted for moving a spare tire between a stored and an accessible position relative to the vehicle, and including a winch and a flexible member attached to the winch at one end and the other end to the spare tire. The device includes a tire carrier with a housing and one extending portion pivotally connected to the housing. The extending portion being movable from a retracted to an extended position. Additionally a biasing member urges the extending portion to an extended position. A secondary lock assembly and a rim spacer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A motor vehicle tire carrier actuator and retriever includes a first elongate member having a first end configured to mate with a rotatable shaft of a tire carrier. A second elongate member has a first end and a second end, with an aperture formed in a central portion of the second elongate member to receive a second end of the first elongate member to form a T-shaped actuator for the tire carrier in a first configuration. A recess is formed in the first end to receive the second end of the first elongate member in a second configuration to form a retriever for a tire positioned beneath a vehicle. A flange is formed at the second end of the second elongate member to grasp a tire beneath the vehicle in the second configuration.

Abstract: A spare tire handling device mounted on a vehicle and adapted for moving a spare tire between a stored and an accessible position relative to the vehicle, and including a winch and a flexible member attached to the winch at one end and the other end to the spare tire. The device includes a tire carrier with a housing and one extending portion pivotally connected to the housing. The extending portion being movable from a retracted to an extended position. Additionally a biasing member urges the extending portion to an extended position. A secondary lock assembly and a rim spacer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spare tire handling device mounted on a vehicle and adapted for moving a spare tire between a stored and an accessible position relative to the vehicle, and including a winch and a flexible member attached to the winch at one end and the other end to the spare tire. The device includes a tire carrier with a housing and one extending portion pivotally connected to the housing. The extending portion being movable from a retracted to an extended position. Additionally a biasing member urges the extending portion to an extended position. A secondary lock assembly and a rim spacer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A latch assembly adapted for use with a tire carrier including a wheel plate, and a lock bracket including an aperture and a cable disposed in the aperture and connected to the wheel plate. The latch assembly includes a lock housing, a cable guide adjacent the lock housing and a lock arm adjacent the cable guide member. The lock arm has one end, another end and a cam surface. The one end is pivotally connected to the cable guide member wherein, when another end is moved toward the lock bracket, the cam surface engages the lock bracket to pivot the lock arm to a locked position so that when the cable breaks, the lock arm engages the lock bracket.

Abstract: A latch assembly for use a tire carrier has a wheel plate and a lock bracket and an aperture and a flexible member disposed in the aperture and connected to a wheel plate. The latch assembly has a lock housing, a guide adjacent and a lock arm. The lock arm has one end, another end, a cam surface and a lower cam surface. The one end is pivotally connected to the guide. The lower cam surface extends past the bottom of the lock housing. The weight of the housing acts on a stop member attached to the flexible member, to form a force to urge the lock arms to an unlocked position. When another end is moved toward the lock bracket, the cam surface engages the lock bracket to pivot the lock arm to a locked position so that when the flexible member breaks, the lock arm engages the lock bracket.

Abstract: A latch assembly adapted for use with a tire carrier including a wheel plate, and a lock bracket including an aperture and a cable disposed in the aperture and connected to the wheel plate. The latch assembly includes a lock housing, a cable guide adjacent the lock housing and a lock arm adjacent the cable guide member. The lock arm has one end, another end and a cam surface. The one end is pivotally connected to the cable guide member wherein, when another end is moved toward the lock bracket, the cam surface engages the lock bracket to pivot the lock arm to a locked position so that when the cable breaks, the lock arm engages the lock bracket.