Abstract: A cable hoist system for a spare tire carrier in a vehicle includes a housing; a drive cable; a reel assembly; and a drive mechanism. A first gear assembly of the drive mechanism includes a control plate member connected to a first gear using at least two frangible connectors. The at least two frangible connectors connecting the control plate member and the first gear provides a frangible connection in the first gear assembly such that, when the first gear assembly is subject to a force exceeding a predetermined value caused by momentum of a spare tire applied through the reel assembly and a second gear of a second gear assembly, the at least two frangible connectors break to allow the first gear to move relative to the control plate member such that the second gear and the reel assembly can rotate to allow for pay out of the drive cable.

Abstract: A door check device for installation between a vehicle body and a vehicle door that swings in opposing opening and closing directions relative to the vehicle body is provided. The door check device comprises a housing assembly and an elongated link member. The housing assembly comprises a first mounting structure, and a plastic housing member containing a biasing structure, a first link member engaging structure and a second link member engaging structure therein. The plastic housing member has a first engagement structure. The first mounting structure includes a plastic cover that has a second engagement structure that is constructed and arranged to engage with the first engagement structure to form an area of contact therebetween. The plastic housing member and the plastic cover are secured by fusion of the materials to each other in the area of contact between the first and the second engagement structures.

Abstract: A cable hoist system for a spare tire carrier in a vehicle includes a housing; a drive cable; a reel assembly; and a drive mechanism. A first gear assembly of the drive mechanism includes a control plate member connected to a first gear using at least two frangible connectors. The at least two frangible connectors connecting the control plate member and the first gear provides a frangible connection in the first gear assembly such that, when the first gear assembly is subject to a force exceeding a predetermined value caused by momentum of a spare tire applied through the reel assembly and a second gear of a second gear assembly, the at least two frangible connectors break to allow the first gear to move relative to the control plate member such that the second gear and the reel assembly can rotate to allow for pay out of the drive cable.

Abstract: A door check device for installation between a vehicle body and a vehicle door that swings in opposing opening and closing directions relative to the vehicle body is provided. The door check device comprises a housing assembly and an elongated link member. The housing assembly comprises a first mounting structure, and a plastic housing member containing a biasing structure, a first link member engaging structure and a second link member engaging structure therein. The plastic housing member has a first engagement structure. The first mounting structure includes a plastic cover that has a second engagement structure that is constructed and arranged to engage with the first engagement structure to form an area of contact therebetween. The plastic housing member and the plastic cover are secured by fusion of the materials to each other in the area of contact between the first and the second engagement structures.

Abstract: A reel assembly for a chain hoist having a sprocket mounted to a drive portion of a reel. The sprocket is configured to distribute rotational force to links of a drive chain, such as for moving a spare tire in and out of an access position. The sprocket has a first axial half and a second axial half that are formed via a stamped materials and fixedly secured together centrally and mounted on the drive portion. The sprocket includes protrusions and pairs of fingers arranged around and extending radially from a perimeter thereof in an alternating configuration in a circumferential direction. Each protrusion is constructed and arranged to at least partially extend through and engage at least insides of alternate horizontal links of the chain. The pairs of fingers are configured to be circumferentially aligned and receive radially oriented links of the chain therebetween and contact the outsides thereof.

Abstract: An end fitting for a chain hoist with a drive chain. The end fitting is configured to receive and absorb forces transferred from the spare tire to the chain as well as maintain the structural integrity of the last chain link of the drive chain and prevent disassembly. The end fitting is formed from a link insert, whose body is inserted into a last link of the drive chain, and a support bracket. The body of the link insert is inserted partially through and surrounded by the last link of the drive chain, and the bracket, which at least partially surrounds both of the body of the link insert and the last link, prevents disassembly. The body of the link insert and the support bracket can be correspondingly shaped such that the link insert is substantially aligned with and against the support bracket.

Abstract: A reel assembly for a chain hoist having a sprocket mounted to a drive portion of a reel. The sprocket is configured to distribute rotational force to links of a drive chain, such as for moving a spare tire in and out of an access position. The sprocket has a first axial half and a second axial half that are formed via a stamped materials and fixedly secured together centrally and mounted on the drive portion. The sprocket includes protrusions and pairs of fingers arranged around and extending radially from a perimeter thereof in an alternating configuration in a circumferential direction. Each protrusion is constructed and arranged to at least partially extend through and engage at least insides of alternate horizontal links of the chain. The pairs of fingers are configured to be circumferentially aligned and receive radially oriented links of the chain therebetween and contact the outsides thereof.