Abstract: A seat cushion and tray assembly attachable to a seat frame of a vehicle. The assembly includes a seat cushion pivotally mounted to the seat frame, a tray slidably connected to the seat cushion, a first leg pivotally fastened to the tray and pivotally mounted to the seat frame, and a second leg pivotally fastened to the tray and pivotally fastened to the seat cushion. Upon rotation of the seat cushion from a generally horizontal seat position to a rotated position, the seat cushion, the first leg, and the second leg cooperate to move the tray from a stored position to a generally horizontal deployed position.

Abstract: A tray assembly for a vehicle, having an anchor member, a tray member, a first link pivotally mounted to the anchor member and pivotally secured to the tray member, and a second link pivotally mounted to the anchor member and pivotally secured to the tray member. The first and second links cooperate to guide the tray member during a deployment of the tray member from a stored position to a use position. The tray assembly also includes a stop member having a pin coupled with the tray member and a cam with a notch coupled to one of the first and second links. The two portions of the stop member engage each other and retain the tray member in a use position after the deployment of the tray member.In one embodiment of the invention, the location of the pin of the stop member is selectively adjustable thereby allowing adjustment of the angle of the tray member relative to the anchor member.

Abstract: A tray-like container holder is slideably and pivotally coupled to one end of a pivot arm such that the container holder can both slide and pivot from a vertically stored position to a use position. The end of the pivot arm remote from the container holder includes an over-center spring which assists in moving and holding the container holder between a generally horizontal use position and a compactly stored vertical position.

Abstract: A shade control assembly cooperates with one edge of a shade mounted to a rigid bar for urging the shade into an extended use position from a roller. The control includes constant tension coil springs on opposite sides of the cross member for uniformly controlling opposite edges of the shade in its motion. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the springs are mounted within slotted guide channels and a guide member in each of the channels is slidably coupled to the cross member. In a preferred embodiment, the shade is retracted against the tension of the springs by a drive motor which rotates the roller thereby winding the shade upon itself for storage. In such embodiment to extend the shade, the motor is driven in a reverse direction, allowing the springs to unroll the free end of the shade from the roller, extending it for use.

Abstract: A storage system includes an elongated, generally rectangular housing which has a forward-facing surface in the vehicle defining the rear seat backs of a vehicle and which has an open opposite end for extending into the trunk of a vehicle. The housing is slidably mounted to move from a retracted position substantially within the vehicle trunk in which the forward-facing surface defines the rear seat back rests of the rear passenger area of a vehicle and an extended position in which the generally rectangular housing is moved forwardly to expand the available storage space within the trunk. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the generally rectangular storage housing includes at least one pivoted access door such that access can be obtained to the rectangular storage housing from within the rear seat passenger area of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the access means includes a pivoted top lid.

Abstract: An extendable door handle has a first end mounted in a stationary position to a vehicle door and a second end movably coupled to the door. A control member extends between the second end of the extendable strap handle and a door mounting mechanism for moving the second end of the door handle toward the first end when the door is opened, thereby extending the extendable strap door handle outwardly away from the door in a curved fashion making the handle more accessible for closing the door.

Abstract: A container holder assembly comprises a four-bar linkage which is mounted to a slide assembly slideably mounted within a frame such that when extended, the container holder defined by an upper link having an aperture therein and a lower link having a floor therein is raised above and extends outwardly from a vehicle armrest. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container holder includes a locking member for interengaging said frame when the container holder is pivoted to a use position, thereby locking the container holder in an extended use position once pivoted outwardly from the slide subassembly.

Abstract: A telephone mounting system includes a platform for receiving a cellular telephone handset. The platform is coupled to a bracket which pivots between a lowered position within a vehicle storage bin and an extended position from the storage bin and a mounting system coupling the platform to the bracket for rotating the platform as the bracket is moved from a stored to an extended position thereby rotating a telephone handset from a vertical stored position to a horizontal use position.

Abstract: A telephone mounting system includes a carriage which is mounted within the top or cover of a vehicle storage console or armrest and pivots from a stored position in which its decorative surface is substantially flush with the upper surface of the console or armrest to a use position in which the opposite side of the carriage is presented and holds a cellular telephone handset. Access for use of the telephone, therefore, is provided without opening the cover of the console or armrest and the cover can be moved independently of the telephone mount.

Abstract: A container holder assembly includes a base defining a recess, a container holder adapted to mateably cover the recess, and a hinge mechanism mounting the container holder to the base for movement between a storage position, a use position and a collapsed position. The hinge is configured to position the container holder against the base to cover the recess when in the storage position, and is further configured to lift and extend the container holder as the container holder is moved to the use position. In the use position, the container holder is extended away from the base and supported in a raised position with respect to the bottom of the recess with a container holding aperture forming portion of the container holder facing generally upwardly for use. An over-pressure release on the hinge prevents damage to the container holder by allowing the container holder to collapse from the use position upon application of an excessive load.

Abstract: A load binder with incremental adjustments that can adjust a load to within one quarter of one link, having a handle that extends into a curved cam with a recess, and a many sided variable pivot mounted within the recess and two opposed clevises attached to the cam. The incremental adjustments are made available by mounting the variable pivot asymmetrically about its axis. Providing the incremental adjustments abrogates the over or under tensioning of a link chain that has been historically associated with the lever type load binders.

Abstract: A latch arrangement is provided including a first stationary/component member, and at least one second member movably mounted to the first member for movement between an open position and a closed position, the second member including a wall section defining a planar track and an island defining a depression. A first spring biases the second member toward the open position. A latch is rotatably mounted on a pivot pin to the first member for oscillating movement and includes a follower mateably slideably disposed in the track. The follower is adapted to engage the depression to hold the second member in a closed position. The track includes inclined surfaces to direct the follower into the depression as the second member is moved from the open position to the closed position, and also includes inclined surfaces to direct the follower out of the depression as the second member is pressed and then released for movement to the open position.

Abstract: A container holder is provided including a receptacle member adapted for mounting in a vehicle. A container holder member is pivotally mounted in the receptacle, and a pair of arms are pivotally mounted on the container holder member. One of the arms includes a downwardly extending protrusion that engages a catch on the receptacle member so that the arm is moved between an extended position and a retracted position as the container holder member is moved between an open use position and a closed storage position, respectively. The second arm is operably interconnected with the first arm so that it operates in tandem with the arm as the one arm is moved. A push-open latch, spring, and damper are operably attached to the container holder member so that the container holder member automatically opens in a smooth and aesthetic manner when the container holder member is pressed and released.

Abstract: A load binder tool uses a pair of first and second coupler-tension members pivotal connected, at spaced apart centers, to an operating handle. A pair of major gear members engage a pair of minor gear members attached to the first coupler-tension member. A tension connector pin is journaled to both the major gear member and one end of the second coupler-tension member. The rotation of the connector pin about the axis of rotation of the major gear members creates an additional mechanical advantage. This rotation about the axis of rotation of the major gear members also causes the connector pin axis of rotation to be offset relative to the major gear axis of rotation in order to lock the load binder tool in the closed position using the tension applied to the load binding tension members or chains.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flexible mandrel for making tubular products comprising an elastomeric portion surrounding a reinforcing cable comprised of wire cables twisted around a non-metallic core. There is also disclosed a process for making a flexible mandrel and a process of making a hose using the flexible mandrel.