Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a housing, a cam disposed within the housing, and a plurality of pawls disposed within the housing. The housing includes a first plate and a second plate. The second plate includes a peripheral lip having an interior face that defines a plurality of teeth. Each of the plurality of pawls defines a central axis. Each of the plurality of pawls includes a plurality of pawl teeth. The plurality of pawl teeth include a first middle tooth positioned on a first side of the central axis and a second middle tooth positioned on an opposing second side of the central axis. The first middle tooth has a first flat face facing the central axis and a first curved face facing away from the central axis. The second middle tooth has a second flat face facing the central axis and a second curved face facing away from the central axis.

Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a housing, a pawl disposed within the housing, and a cam disposed within the housing. The pawl has a bottom profile include includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The cam includes a first lobe and a second lobe. The cam is configured to engage with the bottom profile of the cam to reposition the pawl between a first position and a second position. At least one of the first lobe or the second lobe of the cam is positioned between the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the pawl when the pawl is in the first position. The first lobe of the cam engages the first protrusion of the pawl and the second lobe of the cam engages the second protrusion of the pawl when the pawl is in the second position.

Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a housing, a cam disposed within the housing, and a plurality of pawls disposed within the housing. The housing includes a first plate and a second plate received by the first plate. The second plate includes a peripheral lip having an interior face that defines a plurality of teeth. Each of the plurality of pawls include first teeth positioned at opposing ends thereof and second teeth positioned between the first teeth. Each of the first teeth have a first flat face and a second flat face. The first teeth have a different profile than the second teeth. The cam is configured to engage with the plurality of pawls to reposition the plurality of pawls from a first position where the plurality of pawls do not engage with the second plate and a second position where the plurality of pawls engage with the second plate.

Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a housing, a cam disposed within the housing, and pawls disposed within the housing. The housing includes a first plate defining channels and a second plate received by the first plate. Each of the pawls is positioned within a respective channel. Each of the pawls has a first side profile defining a first notch and a second side profile defining a second notch. The cam is configured to engage with the pawls to translate the pawls along the channels such that the pawls engage with the second plate. The first notch and the second notch are configured to facilitate deformation of the first side profile and the second profile, respectively, as at least one of the first side profile or the second side profile engages with a sidewall of a respective channel under certain loading conditions to prevent disengagement of the pawls from the second plate.

Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a housing, a cam disposed within the housing, and a plurality of pawls disposed within the housing. The housing includes a first plate and a second plate. The second plate includes a peripheral lip having an interior face that defines a plurality of teeth. Each of the plurality of pawls defines a central axis. Each of the plurality of pawls includes a plurality of pawl teeth. The plurality of pawl teeth include a first middle tooth positioned on a first side of the central axis and a second middle tooth positioned on an opposing second side of the central axis. The first middle tooth has a first flat face facing the central axis and a first curved face facing away from the central axis. The second middle tooth has a second flat face facing the central axis and a second curved face facing away from the central axis.

Abstract: A carriage includes an elongated body having a first end and an opposing second end and a flange coupled to the first end of the elongated body. The flange includes a first portion having a first face and an opposing second face. The first portion defines a first aperture having a first diameter. The first portion includes (i) at least two first retainers protruding outward from the first face and extending at least partially over the first aperture and (ii) at least two second retainers protruding outward from the opposing second face and extending at least partially over the first aperture. The first retainers and the second retainers define a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. The first aperture, the first retainers, and the second retainers are configured to accommodate ball bearings having diameters between about 4.6 mm and about 5.4 mm.

Abstract: A track assembly includes a first track having first apertures, a second track having second apertures, and a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes a latch plate movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The latch plate includes first teeth that selectively extend through the first apertures and through at least one of the second apertures when the latch plate is in the engaged position. A gap is present between a first latch tooth of the first teeth and one of the first apertures when the latch plate is in the engaged position. The latch assembly includes an anti-chuck component coupled to the latch plate and including a second tooth that extends along a face of the first latch tooth. The second tooth extends laterally past both lateral edges of the first latch tooth to close the gap when the latch plate is in the engaged position.

Abstract: A track assembly includes a first track having a first support extending from a first surface of the first track. The first support includes a first curved end. The track assembly includes a second track slidably coupled to the first track. The second track includes a second support extending from a second surface of the second track. The second support includes a second curved end. The first support and the second support are positioned such that the second curved end interfaces with the first curved end.

Abstract: A track assembly includes a first track, a second track, and a latch assembly. The first track includes a plurality of first apertures. The second track includes a plurality of second apertures. The latch assembly includes a latch plate and an anti-chuck component. The latch plate includes a plurality of first teeth that selectively extend through the plurality of first apertures and through a subset of the plurality of second apertures. A gap is present between at least one of the plurality of first teeth and a side of a respective one of the plurality of first apertures when the latch plate is in the engaged position. The anti-chuck component is coupled to the latch plate. The latch plate includes one or more second teeth that engage at least one of the plurality of first apertures to close the gap.

Abstract: A track assembly includes a first track having a first inner surface, a first support coupled to the first inner surface, a second track having a second inner surface, and a second support coupled to the second inner surface. The second track is slidably coupled to the first track. The first support has a first free end that extends from the first inner surface at a downward sloping angle. The second support has a second free end that extends from the second inner surface at an upward sloping angle. The first support and the second support are positioned such that the second free end is disposed above the first free end.

Abstract: A track assembly includes a first track, a second track, and a latch assembly. The first track includes a plurality of first apertures. The second track includes a plurality of second apertures. The latch assembly includes a latch plate and an anti-chuck component. The latch plate includes a plurality of first teeth that selectively extend through the plurality of first apertures and through a subset of the plurality of second apertures. A gap is present between at least one of the plurality of first teeth and a side of a respective one of the plurality of first apertures when the latch plate is in the engaged position. The anti-chuck component is coupled to the latch plate. The latch plate includes one or more second teeth that engage at least one of the plurality of first apertures to close the gap.

Abstract: A track assembly includes a first track having a first inner surface, a first support coupled to the first inner surface, a second track having a second inner surface, and a second support coupled to the second inner surface. The second track is slidably coupled to the first track. The first support has a first free end that extends from the first inner surface at a downward sloping angle. The second support has a second free end that extends from the second inner surface at an upward sloping angle. The first support and the second support are positioned such that the second free end is disposed above the first free end.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprising a gimbaled vehicle sensor (100) having a gimbal (160) rotationally movable relative to a housing (120) fixed to a portion of the retractor, the retractor including a force generator (70) generating a radial force which upon movement of the gimbal creates a tangential torque to slow or damp the motion of the gimbal relative to the housing.

Abstract: A seating arrangement in which a modular seat/console that moves between a first space between front seats, an intermediate position, and a second space between rear seats. The seat/console may function as a seat in the second space, or in the intermediate position. In the intermediate position, the seat/console in the seat configuration may advantageously be used to support a child safety seat. The seat/console may also be configured as a console in either the rear seat, intermediate, or front seat positions. The seat/console is provided with an adjustable height support.

Abstract: A confluence calendar system and method is provided having a user platform with a user calendar having a number of events of importance to the user. Each of the user events can include date information, location information, and other event detail information. In addition, a serendipity server is provided for generating serendipitous events, based on information received from the user and third parties. The serendipity server sends the serendipitous events to the user for viewing, and for adding the serendipitous event to the user's calendar.

Abstract: A seating arrangement in which a modular seat/console that moves between a first space between front seats, an intermediate position, and a second space between rear seats. The seat/console may function as a seat in the second space, or in the intermediate position. In the intermediate position, the seat/console in the seat configuration may advantageously be used to support a child safety seat. The seat/console may also be configured as a console in either the rear seat, intermediate, or front seat positions. The seat/console is provided with an adjustable height support.

Abstract: A center seat console that moves between a forward position between front seats, an intermediate position, and a rear position between rear seats is disclosed. The seat/console may function as a seat in the rear seat position, or in the intermediate position. In the intermediate position, the seat/console in the seat configuration may advantageously be used to support a child safety seat. The seat/console may also be configured as a console in either the rear seat, intermediate, or front seat positions. The seat/console is provided with an adjustable height support that permits the seat/console to be lowered to fit beneath arm rests assembled to the front seats when it is desired to place the console between the front seats.

Abstract: A confluence calendar system and method is provided having a user platform with a user calendar having a number of events of importance to the user. Each of the user events can include date information, location information, and other event detail information. In addition, a serendipity server is provided for generating serendipitous events, based on information received from the user and third parties. The serendipity server sends the serendipitous events to the user for viewing, and for adding the serendipitous event to the user's calendar.

Abstract: A panel assembly for covering a storage recess in a vehicle floor includes a base panel and an extension panel. The base panel is adapted to be movable relative to the recess to cover a first portion of the recess. The extension panel is slidably mounted on the base panel and movable with the base panel. The extension panel is slidable between a retracted position in which a portion of the extension panel is adjacent the base panel, and an extended position such that the portion of the extension panel extends outwardly from the base panel and is adapted to cover a second portion of the recess.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is attached to a floor attachment bracket by pivoted front and rear leg assemblies is disclosed. A seat base frame, the floor attachment bracket and the front and rear leg assemblies form a four bar link that support the seat assembly on a floor pan of a vehicle. The floor pan defines a stowage well in which the seat assembly may be selectively stored. The four bar link may be rotated to a limited extent when the seat back frame is in its normal seating position to provide a tip and kneel position. In the tip and kneel position the seat is disposed intermediate the seating position and fully stowed position with the seat back upright to provide improved ingress and egress to areas of the vehicle behind the seat assembly.