Abstract: A damper assembly includes a fixed rack gear, a rotary gear damper having a gear engaged with the rack gear, and a tether movable with the damper along the rack gear and connected to the movable object to be controlled by the damper. A biasing element normally urges the damper away from anti-rotation locking members.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a fixed rack gear, a rotary gear damper having a gear engaged with the rack gear, and a tether movable with the damper along the rack gear and connected to the movable object to be controlled by the damper. A biasing element normally urges the damper away from anti-rotation locking members.

Abstract: A push button latch includes a housing, an actuator movable along a path substantially axial of the housing and a lock movable along a path transverse to the axial path. A spring biases the lock to a latching position, and structures in the lock and housing inhibit unintended opening of the latch.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a latch and a casing having a base integrally formed with outer walls, wherein a latch chamber is defined by the base and the outer walls. The casing securely retains the latch within the latch chamber and allows limited movement of the latch within the latch chamber during an impact. Thus, the latch may move within a storage bin door upon impact, thereby preventing unlatching.

Abstract: A movement prevention device for a vehicle door latch mechanism includes a body movable between blocking and non-blocking positions in response to sudden changes in inertia on the vehicle, such as during a side impact crash. The device interferes with movement of the handle to prevent unintended opening of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A push latch that may be used in automobile applications to open and close compartment doors or bins reduces the number of components typically found in prior art designs while retaining the same quality and function. The push latch of the invention further eliminates the use of metal pins and springs, provides an assembly that is easier to assemble and reduces the cost to manufacture. In one embodiment, the push latch generally includes the use of a housing, lock and button. The lock includes the use of a flexible spring arm and bosses, which will engage with cam slots in the button. In operation, when the button is pushed, the cam slots will force the bosses and the lock downward causing the release of the compartment door. When the button is released, the flexible spring arm forces the cylindrical bosses upward in the cam slots thus forcing the button and lock back to their original positions.

Abstract: A push-push latch assembly includes opposed gripper arms moved between opened and closed positions upon axial activation of a slide in a housing. The gripper arms have pin disposed in channels of the housing, the channels being angularly oriented to urge the gripper arms to fully closed and fully opened positions and for controlling the separation of the gripper arms for each position of the slide relative to the housing.

Abstract: A damper includes a housing, a cover, a rotor and a valve relatively rotatable with respect to the rotor. When rotated in one direction, a space between the valve and the rotor is opened to increase damper fluid flow and reduce damper resistance. When rotated in an opposite direction, the space between the valve and the rotor is closed to decrease damper fluid flow and increase damper resistance. A shaped flange on the rotor provides a changing space between the rotor and ribs in the housing when the rotor is rotated. The cover is self-centering on the housing.

Abstract: A retractable coat hook system that may be used within automobile interiors includes an integral damper and latch mechanisms. The coat hook of the coat hook system may be opened or closed by pushing on the hook. The integral damper gives the coat hook a slow, smooth motion as it opens and closes and latches to the coat hook housing. The retractable coat hook system reduces the number of components typically used with known coat hooks, resulting in reduced costs and improved assembly operations.

Abstract: A damper apparatus is disclosed for damping movement between a first and a second element. The apparatus includes an elongate housing secured to the first element, the housing having a first and a second end. The housing defines a bore which extends between the ends of the housing. A rotor is connected to the second element, the rotor including a first and a second portion. The first portion of the rotor is rotatably disposed within the bore of the housing. A biasing device has a first and a second termination, the biasing device extending between the second portion of the rotor and the housing for rotationally biasing the rotor relative to the housing. A seal is disposed between the first and second portions of the rotor. The seal cooperates with the bore for sealing the bore relative to the second portion of the rotor such that in use of the apparatus, damping fluid sealed within the bore by the seal dampens rotational movement of the rotor relative to the bore when the rotor is rotationally biased.

Abstract: A retractable coat hook system that may be used within automobile interiors includes an integral damper and latch mechanisms. The coat hook of the coat hook system may be opened or closed by pushing on the hook. The integral damper gives the coat hook a slow, smooth motion as it opens and closes and latches to the coat hook housing.

Abstract: A cosmetic container includes a drawer slidable into a pocket. A push-to-latch, push-to-unlatch latch mechanism is provided on the drawer and pocket.

Abstract: A damper includes a housing, a cover, a rotor and a valve relatively rotatable with respect to the rotor. When rotated in one direction, a space between the valve and the rotor is opened to increase damper fluid flow and reduce damper resistance. When rotated in an opposite direction, the space between the valve and the rotor is closed to decrease damper fluid flow and increase damper resistance. A shaped flange on the rotor provides a changing space between the rotor and ribs in the housing when the rotor is rotated. The cover is self-centering on the housing.

Abstract: A damper apparatus is disclosed for damping movement between a first and a second element. The apparatus includes an elongate housing secured to the first element, the housing having a first and a second end. The housing defines a bore which extends between the ends of the housing. A rotor is connected to the second element, the rotor including a first and a second portion. The first portion of the rotor is rotatably disposed within the bore of the housing. A biasing device has a first and a second termination, the biasing device extending between the second portion of the rotor and the housing for rotationally biasing the rotor relative to the housing. A seal is disposed between the first and second portions of the rotor. The seal cooperates with the bore for sealing the bore relative to the second portion of the rotor such that in use of the apparatus, damping fluid sealed within the bore by the seal dampens rotational movement of the rotor relative to the bore when the rotor is rotationally biased.

Abstract: The door handle assembly includes a door handle which pivots about a pivot axis. A molded-in gear rack is formed on the door handle. The gears of the molded-in gear rack mesh with gears of a rotational damper so that the door handle pivots in concert with the rotation of the gears of the rotational damper. Furthermore, the rotational damper is generally cylindrical and further includes two pairs of radially outwardly extending wings. The rotational damper passes through an aperture in a damper support plate and the first pair of radially outwardly extending wings engage a first side of the damper support plate and engage or abut detent elements. The second pair of radially outwardly extending wings engage a second side of the damper support plate and limit the insertion of the damper through the damper support plate.

Abstract: The door handle assembly includes a door handle which pivots about a pivot axis. A molded-in gear rack is formed on the door handle. The gears of the molded-in gear rack mesh with gears of a rotational damper so that the door handle pivots in concert with the rotation of the gears of the rotational damper. Furthermore, the rotational damper is generally cylindrical and further includes two pairs of radially outwardly extending wings. The rotational damper passes through an aperture in a damper support plate and the first pair of radially outwardly extending wings engage a first side of the damper support plate and engage or abut detent elements. The second pair of radially outwardly extending wings engage a second side of the damper support plate and limit the insertion of the damper through the damper support plate.

Abstract: The door handle assembly includes a door handle which pivots about a pivot axis. A molded-in gear rack is formed on the door handle. The gears of the molded-in gear rack mesh with gears of a rotational damper so that the door handle pivots in concert with the rotation of the gears of the rotational damper. Furthermore, the rotational damper is generally cylindrical and further includes two pairs of radially outwardly extending wings. The rotational damper passes through an aperture in a damper support plate and the first pair of radially outwardly extending wings engage a first side of the damper support plate and engage or abut detent elements. The second pair of radially outwardly extending wings engage a second side of the damper support plate and limit the insertion of the damper through the damper support plate.

Abstract: A fiber optic lighting system connector for coupling a fiber optic cable to another fiber optic cable, or a light source, or a light fixture. The connector includes a sleeve member having a plurality of resilient fingers and an axial bore for receiving a fiber optic cable end portion. A cap is non-threadably coupled to the sleeve member and movable axially about the resilient fingers between first and second positions to constrict the resilient fingers about a fiber optic cable end portion or conductor member for axial retention thereof in the axial bore. The resilient fingers preferably include first and second recesses in corresponding side portions thereof, and a tooth disposed between and offset from the first and second recesses.

Abstract: The air damper includes a housing with cylindrical walls and a piston assembly reciprocating therein. The piston assembly includes an interior surface against which a seal abuts. The interior surface is textured in a grained pattern so that interstices are formed between the seal and the interior surface thereby forming an effective air passageway for damping. A cylindrical spacer spaces the interior surface from a retainer and the seal is engaged around the cylindrical spacer and between the retainer and the interior surface. An alternative embodiment inserts textile material through a damping orifice in order to vary the rate of damping.

Abstract: A fiber optic lighting system connector for coupling a fiber optic cable to another fiber optic cable, or a light source, or a light fixture. The connector includes a sleeve member having an axial bore for receiving a fiber optic cable, and a cap having an axial bore for receiving the fiber optic cable. The cap is rotatably coupled to the sleeve member, and a first ramped surface of the sleeve member is engagable with a plurality of fingers extending flexibly into the axial bore of the cap to move the plurality of fingers radially inwardly toward the fiber optic cable upon rotation of the cap. One or more teeth protruding from one or more of the plurality of fingers are engagable with the fiber optic cable to axially bias the fiber optic cable into the axial bore of the sleeve member toward another fiber optic cable, or toward a light source or light fixture conductor member retained in the axial bore of the sleeve member.