Abstract: An automotive latch assembly includes an outer housing, a latching element at least partially housed within the outer housing, and at least one of a tie-down feature or bottle opener feature that is an aperture that extends through an element of the latching assembly.

Abstract: A dishwasher basket washes a cap, ring, and nipple (collectively, “the components”) of a baby bottle. A body holds the ring and nipple in position in non-contacting relationship with each other and a dishwasher and includes a restraint extending from an interior side wall of the body into an interior thereof and retaining the ring above a part of the nipple while allowing a remainder of the nipple to pass by the ring. A cover is disposed directly above and spaced from the body for holding the cap in position relative to the ring, nipple, and dishwasher and covering entirely the components and a remainder of the basket. A grid is disposed between the body and cover for spacing the nipple and ring from the cap and movable out of the way such that a vertical path defined by alignment of the components is clear for reassembly thereof.

Abstract: A push-on clip fastener for securing two components together, such as interior automotive components. The push-on clip fastener includes a housing, a cover and a spring. The housing may include an aperture, wherein the housing may be capable of being located over a stud to secure an interior automotive component there between. The cover may include a pair of legs, wherein the cover may be insertable into the housing. The legs may be inserted into the housing cause the spring to straighten. The spring may include a slot, wherein the slot may be aligned with the aperture in the housing. The straightening of the spring may cause a clamp load. The housing may also include projections located on each side of the housing. The cover may also include retaining features located on each side of the cover that may be engageable with the housing projections to secure the fastener together.

Abstract: An access port cover is described. The access sport cover may seal an aperture located in a vehicle body whereby the access port cover may also provide access to a terminal located within the body. The access port cover may include a cover, a hinge mechanism and a linkage mechanism. The cover may include an outer portion and an inner portion, wherein the inner portion may include a first and a second end. The hinge mechanism may be located on each end of the inner portion. The linkage mechanism may be connected to the hinge mechanism, wherein the linkage mechanism may the said cover towards and away from the aperture. The cover and the linkage mechanism may be rotated into and stored within the body when the cover is not sealing the aperture in a closed position.

Abstract: A basket of a dishwasher washes a cap, ring, and nipple (collectively, “the components”) of a baby bottle. The basket comprises a body configured to hold the ring and nipple in position in substantially non-contacting relationship with each other and relative to the dishwasher. A cover is disposed substantially directly above and spaced from the body and configured to hold the cap in position relative to the ring, nipple, and dishwasher and cover the components and a remainder of the basket. At least one grid is disposed between the body and cover and configured to space the nipple and ring from the cap. Water from the dishwasher can contact substantially all surface area of each of the components without the water collecting within the component. The components are substantially aligned with each other such that they can be easily and quickly reassembled with each other.

Abstract: A clamp forming apparatus capable of forming a clamp is shown and described. The clamp formed may have first and second engaging portions. The clamp forming apparatus may include at least one securing member. The clamp forming apparatus may also include a clamp positioning device operatively engaged with the at least one securing member, where at least one of the first or second engaging portions is supported by the clamp positioning device, and where a tangential load is applied around a circumference of the clamp and the at least one securing member secures at least one of the engaging portions of the clamp together in a direction generally normal to the tangential load.

Abstract: A push-on clip fastener for securing two components together, such as interior automotive components. The push-on clip fastener includes a housing, a cover and a spring. The housing may include an aperture, wherein the housing may be capable of being located over a stud to secure an interior automotive component there between. The cover may include a pair of legs, wherein the cover may be insertable into the housing. The legs may be inserted into the housing cause the spring to straighten. The spring may include a slot, wherein the slot may be aligned with the aperture in the housing. The straightening of the spring may cause a clamp load. The housing may also include projections located on each side of the housing. The cover may also include retaining features located on each side of the cover that may be engageable with the housing projections to secure the fastener together.

Abstract: A powered striker mechanism for mounting to a support structure and for engagement with a latch mechanism to close a door. The powered striker mechanism may include a striker and a drive mechanism. The striker may include a front post that is capable of engagement with the latch. The drive mechanism may be secured to a housing, wherein the drive mechanism is engaged with a worm gear to drive a cam. A taumel gear may be driven by the cam, wherein the taumel gear includes an output post. A slide plate may be located adjacent to the housing and a slot may be located in the slide plate, wherein the post may move the striker linearly along the slot to pull the door closed. The drive mechanism may alternatively utilize a rack and pinion configuration.

Abstract: A striker having a bumper for mounting to a support structure and for engagement with a latch mechanism is described. The striker includes improved noise and vibration control characteristics to reduce or eliminate chucking, squeak and rattle concerns. The striker may include a base, a bumper post, a post, a bridge, and a bumper. The base may include at least one aperture for connecting the base to the support structure. The bumper post may extend outwardly from the base. The post may extend outwardly from the base and be engageable with the latch mechanism. The bridge may extend between the bumper post and post at a distance away from the base, wherein the bridge may be engageable with a fishmouth of the latch mechanism. The bumper may be rotatably connected to the bumper post, wherein the bumper may be capable of wedged engagement with an entrance of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: An access port cover is described. The access sport cover may seal an aperture located in a vehicle body whereby the access port cover may also provide access to a terminal located within the body. The access port cover may include a cover, a hinge mechanism and a linkage mechanism. The cover may include an outer portion and an inner portion, wherein the inner portion may include a first and a second end. The hinge mechanism may be located on each end of the inner portion. The linkage mechanism may be connected to the hinge mechanism, wherein the linkage mechanism may the said cover towards and away from the aperture. The cover and the linkage mechanism may be rotated into and stored within the body when the cover is not sealing the aperture in a closed position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a striker with dampening features. The striker provides for improved noise and vibration control characteristics. The striker also reduces or eliminates chucking, squeak and rattle concerns in a door closure. The striker may include a base for mounting to a support structure, such as a vehicle. The striker may include a post capable of engaging the latch mechanism. The striker may also include a bridge that may extend between the back wall and the post. The striker may also have at least one protrusion located along a side of the bridge that is capable of engaging the latch mechanism. The striker may further include a wedge located adjacent the back wall and capable of wedged engagement with the fishmouth.