Abstract: Many embodiments of a surgical tool are set forth herein that can be employed for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures and in remote access surgical procedures. The surgical tool has multiple bodies with one or more detachable structural interfaces that can be established between one or more pairs of the bodies. Certain locks, interlocks, and/or joints can be present in the surgical tool and among the bodies in various embodiments in order to provide certain functionalities during use.

Abstract: A plastic window assembly for use in a motor vehicle has a plastic panel and a motor. The motor is coupled to a gear and is operable to drive the gear to move the plastic panel in a first panel direction and in a second panel direction. In one variation, the plastic panel has portions forming at least one gear track to define a gear path. In another variation, the window assembly has a frame, and the frame has portions defining a track. The track has a central section and a terminal section, the central and terminal sections intersecting and being non-collinear. In another variation, the plastic window assembly has a flexible strip. A first end of the flexible strip is connected to the gear and a second end of the flexible strip is connected to the plastic panel.

Abstract: An automobile comfort armrest having a mounting shaft and a mechanical adjustment mechanism located between the two ends of the armrest is disclosed. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment button, an adjustment rod, a sector, a cam, and a pawl. The sector contains gear teeth, an adjustment slot, a stowing notch, and a release ramp to permit retrieval of the comfort armrest from its stowed position. The cam contains a peripheral raised portion, a biasing adjustment nodule, a pawl release ramp to assist the armrest in retreating to its stowed position, and an adjustment rod slot to allow the user to mechanically adjust the position of the armrest. The pawl contains an end with teeth to mesh with the sector teeth and an end with a pointed hook to fit into the notch located in the sector to facilitate a downward stowing position.

Abstract: An automobile comfort armrest having a mounting shaft and a mechanical adjustment mechanism located between the two ends of the armrest is disclosed. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment button, an adjustment rod, a sector, a cam, and a pawl. The sector contains gear teeth, an adjustment slot, a stowing notch, and a release ramp to permit retrieval of the comfort armrest from its stowed position. The cam contains a peripheral raised portion, a biasing adjustment nodule, a pawl release ramp to assist the armrest in retreating to its stowed position, and an adjustment rod slot to allow the user to mechanically adjust the position of the armrest. The pawl contains an end with teeth to mesh with the sector teeth and an end with a pointed hook to fit into the notch located in the sector to facilitate a downward stowing position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a linear actuator is disclosed in which the actuator is used to adjust the relative position of two relatively movable components of the seat assembly. The actuator includes a first part attached to one of the seat assembly components in the form of a lead screw with an external helical screw thread. A second part of the actuator, attached to the other seat component, includes a housing containing a spin nut threaded onto the lead screw. The second part further includes means for engaging the spin nut to prevent it from rotating along the lead screw and means for selectively releasing the spin nut to permit rotation about the lead screw and thereby relative movement of the actuator second part relative to the first part. A cam is mounted to the actuator second part to selectively engage and release the spin nut.