Abstract: A vent register includes a set of vanes and a mechanical assembly. Each vane is pivotably affixed to a respective stationary point to be rotatable about the stationary point. The mechanical assembly interconnects the vanes so that all of the vanes rotate together in response to one of the vanes being actuated to rotate. At least one of the vanes has an orientation different than at least another one of the vanes such that the at least one of the vanes and the at least another one of the vanes point in different directions as the vanes are rotated.

Abstract: A vent register includes a control vane, top and bottom lazy vanes, and a cam having an opening and top and bottom slots. The control vane includes a pin slidingly received in the opening and is actuatable to pivot upward and generate a force acting on the cam thereby causing the cam to pivot to a tilted-down position and pivot downward and generate a force acting on the cam thereby causing the cam to pivot to a tilted-up position. The top vane includes a pin slidingly received in the top slot and is actuated by the cam pivoting to the tilted-down position to pivot upward whereby the top vane pivots with the control vane. The bottom vane includes a pin slidingly received in the bottom slot and is actuated by the cam pivoting to the tilted-up position to pivot downward whereby the bottom vane pivots downward with the control vane.

Abstract: A cargo tie-down assembly including a tie-down loop and a non-metallic, protective housing are provided. The housing includes an integrally molded, non-metallic base and side walls which define a pocket which is sized and shaped to receive and nominally retain the loop. A hinge hingedly connects the loop to the side walls within the pocket to allow the loop to rotate about a rotational axis between a retraced, protected position within the pocket and an extended, use position outside the pocket.

Abstract: A cargo tie-down assembly including a tie-down loop and a non-metallic, protective housing are provided. The housing includes an integrally molded, non-metallic base and side walls which define a pocket which is sized and shaped to receive and nominally retain the loop. A hinge hingedly connects the loop to the side walls within the pocket to allow the loop to rotate about a rotational axis between a retraced, protected position within the pocket and an extended, use position outside the pocket.

Abstract: An assembly capable of deploying an electronic device having a display screen from a stowed position towards a viewing position and simultaneously supporting the device and supplying electrical signals to the device in the viewing position within a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. A device holder is capable of movably holding the device and is supported for rotation about a rotational axis at a distal end of an elongated support. A bi-directional, electrically powered, linear actuator subassembly is mounted on a base and includes a motor-driven screw-drive and a threaded member mounted on the screw-drive to linearly move along a longitudinal axis of the screw-drive upon rotation of the screw-drive. The threaded member is connected to a proximal end of the elongated support to lift the elongated support to deploy the device along a predetermined, non-linear path upon rotation of the screw-drive.

Abstract: A floor mop includes a handle, a shaft coupled to the handle, and a plate attached to the shaft opposite the handle. The plate has a thickness that is minimum in a central portion adjacent an attachment to the shaft and increases in a lateral direction away from the central portion, the plate adapted to accommodate a cleaning pad thereon.

Abstract: An assembly capable of deploying stowed items in a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a door and a storage unit having an opening for allowing ingress and egress of items into and out of a storage compartment of the unit, respectively, in an open position of the door. A support member supported within the storage compartment is configured to movably hold an item in the storage compartment and is configured to allow the item to be readily removed from the unit in an extended position of the support member. An actuator is configured to controllably move the support member away from its retracted position towards its extended position through stored potential energy without consuming electrical energy. The door moves towards its open position during movement of support member towards its extended position.

Abstract: An assembly capable of deploying stowed items in a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a door and a storage unit having an opening for allowing ingress and egress of items into and out of a storage compartment of the unit, respectively, in an open position of the door. A support member supported within the storage compartment is configured to movably hold an item in the storage compartment and is configured to allow the item to be readily removed from the unit in an extended position of the support member. An actuator is configured to controllably move the support member away from its retracted position towards its extended position through stored potential energy without consuming electrical energy. The door moves towards its open position during movement of support member towards its extended position.

Abstract: An assembly capable of deploying an electronic device having a display screen from a stowed position towards a viewing position and simultaneously supporting the device and supplying electrical signals to the device in the viewing position within a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. A device holder is capable of movably holding the device and is supported for rotation about a rotational axis at a distal end of an elongated support. A bi-directional, electrically powered, linear actuator subassembly is mounted on a base and includes a motor-driven screw-drive and a threaded member mounted on the screw-drive to linearly move along a longitudinal axis of the screw-drive upon rotation of the screw-drive. The threaded member is connected to a proximal end of the elongated support to lift the elongated support to deploy the device along a predetermined, non-linear path upon rotation of the screw-drive.

Abstract: A floor mop includes a handle, a shaft coupled to the handle, and a plate attached to the shaft opposite the handle. The plate has a thickness that is minimum in a central portion adjacent an attachment to the shaft and increases in a lateral direction away from the central portion, the plate adapted to accommodate a cleaning pad thereon.

Abstract: A system and method for arranging a transport service is described. A server can determine, for each driver device of a plurality of driver devices in a given area, a first vector for that driver device based, at least in part, on a position of each client device of a set of client devices in the given area relative to that driver device. A request for transport service is received from a client device from the set of client devices. The server can determine, for each driver, a second vector for that driver based on the first vector and a position of the requesting client. A driver device is selected from the plurality of driver devices to perform the transport service based, at least in part, on the second vectors of the plurality of driver devices.

Abstract: A battery tray can include a deck, first and second longitudinal and side walls and a clamping member. The walls can extend from the deck and cooperate with each other to form a container area for receiving one of a first and a second battery, where the first battery has a longer length than the second battery. The second longitudinal and side walls can include respective first and second battery hold down members each having a rib for engaging one of the first and second batteries. The first longitudinal and side walls can include respective first and second ramped members for urging at least the first battery into engagement with the battery hold down members. The first clamping member can be removably coupled to the battery tray relative to one of the first longitudinal or side walls and can engage the first or second battery positioned on the deck.

Abstract: A battery tray can include a deck, first and second longitudinal and side walls and a clamping member. The walls can extend from the deck and cooperate with each other to form a container area for receiving one of a first and a second battery, where the first battery has a longer length than the second battery. The second longitudinal and side walls can include respective first and second battery hold down members each having a rib for engaging one of the first and second batteries. The first longitudinal and side walls can include respective first and second ramped members for urging at least the first battery into engagement with the battery hold down members. The first clamping member can be removably coupled to the battery tray relative to one of the first longitudinal or side walls and can engage the first or second battery positioned on the deck.

Abstract: A shift mechanism for a transmission in a vehicle includes a housing, a shift lever, a key cylinder and an actuator. The actuator operably connects to the key cylinder and is capable of movement between a first position that prevents the shift lever from changing shift positions, and a second position that allows the shift lever to change shift positions.

Abstract: A shift mechanism for a transmission in a vehicle includes a housing, a shift lever, a key cylinder and an actuator. The actuator operably connects to the key cylinder and is capable of movement between a first position that prevents the shift lever from changing shift positions, and a second position that allows the shift lever to change shift positions.

Abstract: An overhead console removably mounts to a rail system attached to a vehicle ceiling, the mounting system comprising a flange with a fixed projection on a first side, and a retractable catch on an opposing side. The fixed projection is adapted for inserting in a slot on its respective side rail. The retractable catch can be extended for insertion into a slot in its respective side rail. One embodiment of the retractable catch is a spring-loaded hook which is inserted into its slot against the bias of the spring, and engages the inside face of the slot under the force of the spring. The body of the hook bears on a lower side of the slot to hold the weight of the overhead console.

Abstract: An overhead console removably mounts to a rail system attached to a vehicle ceiling, the mounting system comprising a flange with a fixed projection on a first side, and a retractable catch on an opposing side. The fixed projection is adapted for inserting in a slot on its respective side rail. The retractable catch can be extended for insertion into a slot in its respective side rail. One embodiment of the retractable catch is a spring-loaded hook which is inserted into its slot against the bias of the spring, and engages the inside face of the slot under the force of the spring. The body of the hook bears on a lower side of the slot to hold the weight of the overhead console.

Abstract: A steering column mounting system that includes a mounting bracket fixedly attached to a steering column and at least one pull strap made of a resiliently bendable material, the pull strap having a first leg with a slot through which extends a fastener fixedly attached to a motor vehicle structure and having a free second leg substantially parallel to the first leg. The pull strap has at least two portions having different widths. The widths of the portions of the pull strap may be selected so as to provide a predetermined amount of resiliency to the unwinding of the pull straps. The widths of the portions of the pull strap may also be selected so as to provide differing amounts of resiliency at different stages of the unwinding of the pull straps. A support frame is attached to the mounting bracket and maintains the first leg and the second leg of the pull strap substantially parallel relative to each other.

Abstract: A steering column mounting system that includes a mounting bracket fixedly attached to a steering column and at least one pull strap made of a resiliently bendable material, the pull strap having a first leg with a slot through which extends a fastener fixedly attached to a motor vehicle structure and having a free second leg substantially parallel to the first leg. The pull strap has at least two portions having different widths. The widths of the portions of the pull strap may be selected so as to provide a predetermined amount of resiliency to the unwinding of the pull straps. The widths of the portions of the pull strap may also be selected so as to provide differing amounts of resiliency at different stages of the unwinding of the pull straps. A support frame is attached to the mounting bracket and maintains the first leg and the second leg of the pull strap substantially parallel relative to each other.

Abstract: A bias network for a radio frequency signal power amplifier. A current source is connected to a source of band gap voltage and produces a current proportional to the voltage. A reference voltage circuit receives the current and produces a voltage which is proportional to the current, as well as changes in temperature. An operational amplifier is used to connect the reference voltage to the power amplifier, so that the power amplifier is effectively isolated from the reference voltage circuit and current bearer circuit. A power amplifier breakdown protection circuit is connected across the output of the operational amplifier for diverting avalanche current produced form the power amplifier away from the power amplifier when the power amplifier output is mismatched through the antenna. Baseband signal transmission from the power amplifier to the bias network circuit is also significantly reduced, thus avoiding the generation of spurious radiation components.