Abstract: A system including mold pieces coupled together with breakaway bolts or other fasteners for facilitating the fabrication of composite parts for, e.g., aerospace vehicles. First and second mold pieces are coupled together to form a mold within which the composite part is fabricated from a composite material. A coefficient of thermal expansion of the mold pieces is higher than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the composite part. One or more breakaway fasteners couple together the mold pieces while the mold pieces and the composite material are heated, and then purposefully break and thereby decouple the mold pieces and release the composite part when the mold pieces are cooled. The fasteners may be constructed from polytetrafluoroethylene, may include a structural weakness to ensure breakage, may break into two or more pieces when under a tension or a sheering force, or may include threads that sheer when under a tension force.

Abstract: A system including mold pieces coupled together with breakaway bolts or other fasteners for facilitating the fabrication of composite parts for, e.g., aerospace vehicles. First and second mold pieces are coupled together to form a mold within which the composite part is fabricated from a composite material. A coefficient of thermal expansion of the mold pieces is higher than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the composite part. One or more breakaway fasteners couple together the mold pieces while the mold pieces and the composite material are heated, and then purposefully break and thereby decouple the mold pieces and release the composite part when the mold pieces are cooled. The fasteners may be constructed from polytetrafluoroethylene, may include a structural weakness to ensure breakage, may break into two or more pieces when under a tension or a sheering force, or may include threads that sheer when under a tension force.

Abstract: A magnetic bumper apparatus for constraining a vehicle closure to a vehicle closure interface includes first and second magnetic members configured for attachment to the closure and closure interface, and a non-magnetic bumper element interposed therebetween. Each magnetic member defines a plurality of spatially modulated magnetic fields (SMMF) in corresponding patterns to provide a cumulative SMMF attractive force and a cumulative SMMF repulsive force between the magnetic members and define a separation reference and an alignment reference. The magnetic members in magnetic proximity to each other constrain the closure to the closure interface with respect to the alignment and separation references to prevent contact between a closure surface and a closure interface surface and to define at least one alignment parameter therebetween.

Abstract: A magnetic bumper apparatus for constraining a vehicle closure to a vehicle closure interface includes first and second magnetic members configured for attachment to the closure and closure interface, and a non-magnetic bumper element interposed therebetween. Each magnetic member defines a plurality of spatially modulated magnetic fields (SMMF) in corresponding patterns to provide a cumulative SMMF attractive force and a cumulative SMMF repulsive force between the magnetic members and define a separation reference and an alignment reference. The magnetic members in magnetic proximity to each other constrain the closure to the closure interface with respect to the alignment and separation references to prevent contact between a closure surface and a closure interface surface and to define at least one alignment parameter therebetween.

Abstract: A closure assembly includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. The striker assembly includes a first wedge block and a second wedge block disposed opposite each other across a path. The first wedge block rotates about a first axis and includes a first cam surface defining a continuously variable distance to the first axis for engaging the latch mechanism. The second wedge block rotates about a second axis and includes a second cam surface defining a continuously variable distance from to the second axis for engaging the latch mechanism. Abutting engagement between the latch mechanism and the first cam surface limits lateral movement of the latch mechanism relative to the path in a first direction, and abutting engagement between the latch mechanism and the second cam surface limits lateral movement of the latch mechanism relative to the path in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A closure assembly includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. The striker assembly includes a first wedge block and a second wedge block disposed opposite each other across a path. The first wedge block rotates about a first axis and includes a first cam surface defining a continuously variable distance to the first axis for engaging the latch mechanism. The second wedge block rotates about a second axis and includes a second cam surface defining a continuously variable distance from to the second axis for engaging the latch mechanism. Abutting engagement between the latch mechanism and the first cam surface limits lateral movement of the latch mechanism relative to the path in a first direction, and abutting engagement between the latch mechanism and the second cam surface limits lateral movement of the latch mechanism relative to the path in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An end gates which provides access to a cargo area of an automotive vehicle has a pair of outwardly opening cups which receive a pair of opposed pins directed inwardly from the cargo area. The end gate is rotatable from a closed vertical position through substantially 90° to provide horizontal access to the cargo area. The pins on the cargo area are aligned with notches in the cups when the end gate is in an intermediate position so that the end gate may be removed from the cargo area. In order to prevent the end gate from becoming inadvertently detached from the cargo area, resilient retainer clips are provided that overlie the notches so as to lock the pins in the cups and retain the end gate on the vehicle. The resilient retainer clips are rotated out of alignment with the notches when it is desired to remove the end gate from the vehicle.

Abstract: An end gates which provides access to a cargo area of an automotive vehicle has a pair of outwardly opening cups which receive a pair of opposed pins directed inwardly from the cargo area. The end gate is rotatable from a closed vertical position through substantially 90° to provide horizontal access to the cargo area. The pins on the cargo area are aligned with notches in the cups when the end gate is in an intermediate position so that the end gate may be removed from the cargo area. In order to prevent the end gate from becoming inadvertently detached from the cargo area, resilient retainer clips are provided that overlie the notches so as to lock the pins in the cups and retain the end gate on the vehicle. The resilient retainer clips are rotated out of alignment with the notches when it is desired to remove the end gate from the vehicle.