Abstract: A slide latch assembly (10) includes an elongated housing (18) that slidably receives a latch pawl (36) with a leaf spring (42) having a pair of legs (44) that bias the latch pawl toward a latched position. The construction of the housing (18) and the latch pawl (36) permit the latch assembly to have a relatively thin construction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for opening and closing regular shell covers, especially referring to open-close device suitable for installation on the cover of a metal shell, which provides a larger tenon and a smaller tenon on the shell cover, and on the inside at the smaller tenon provides a sliding lock member, also in the shell corresponding to the position of the larger tenon provides a rotary lock member, through pressing the rotary lock member after the closing of the shell cover, and pushing the lock piece of the lock member in the smaller tenon, making the lock piece locking into the lock hole of the rotary lock member in place, reverse steps to open.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inner handle assembly mounted on a sliding door of a car. An inner handle is fixed at a housing to rotate in both directions and always returned to a neutral position by an inner handle operation controlling mechanism. Therefore, if the inner handle is turned in the door opening direction or if the door closing direction from the neutral position, a door-open maintaining mechanism or a door-close maintaining mechanism is released. Therefore, only by applying power in any one direction of the inner handle, the sliding door can be easily opened or shut.

Abstract: A door latch operator mount comprises a coupling member and a bearing member. The coupling member includes a plurality radial flanges and an integral resilient arcuate tab member projecting angularly outwardly of the outer surface of the coupling member. The coupling member is mounted to a door for receiving the bearing member. The bearing member has an opening for rotatably receiving a shaft of the latch operator. The bearing member also includes a plurality of flanges and an arcuate channel which tapers in depth. When the bearing member is positioned against the coupling member, the distance of the bearing member flanges from the surface of the coupling member is less than the distance of the coupling member flanges form the surface. The tab member is received in the deeper portion of the arcuate channel.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle door striker plate (10) includes first and second plate parts (22,24) coupled together by an edge flange (26). A continuous slot (28) separates the plate parts except for two bendable portions (30,32). In use, second plate part (24) is welded to a door closing surface in predetermined arrangement then the door has certain manufacturing operations. Next, the door is removed from the body for accessory mounting (e.g., windows). Finally, on reattachment of the door to the body, any reattachment positional adjustment is accomplished by bending the portions (39, 32) by force application.

Abstract: A central console for a motor vehicle interior has a lower stowage compartment which can be closed by a lid module and is bounded laterally by side walls. The lid module can be pivoted about a pivot axis which is arranged at its rear end and runs in the transverse direction of the vehicle. An upper stowage compartment is arranged on the lower side of the lid module for accommodating a telephone device or other items and is covered by a first lid forming part of an armrest. A further upper stowage space is covered by a second lid which is designed as a further part of the armrest and can be pivoted about a pivot axis. The further upper stowage space is designed as part of the upper stowage compartment and together with the second lid is assigned to the lid module in such a manner that they can be pivoted together with the lid module.

Abstract: A center console assembly including a rear wall and a pair of sidewalls, the sidewalls being interconnected at a forward end thereof by a bar member assembly. The bar member assembly includes an upper bar member and a lower bar member. The upper bar member defines a first catch that a latch of an upper lid is releasably secured thereto. The lower bar member defines a second catch that a latch of a front panel assembly is secured thereto. The front panel assembly and sidewalls cooperate to releasably retain the front panel assembly in a partially open position or a full open position. The front panel assembly holds a mobile telephone and other small items, such stored items being accessible when the front panel assembly is in one of the open positions.

Abstract: A utility vehicle has a load-carrying platform, a pair of side plates, a gate, a pair of gate locking bolts each capable of engaging the side plate to hold the gate in the closed state, and a pair of handles each connected to the gate locking bolt. The gate locking bolt is axially movable in lateral directions between a locking position and a retracted position, and is biased toward the locking position by a spring. The gate locking bolt is capable of being urged toward the retracted position by the side plate when the gate is turned to be closed. The gate locking bolt is capable of being moved to the retracted position by operating the handle.

Abstract: A truck bed extension that is convertible into a pair of ramps. The truck bed extension is comprised of a left truck bed extension and a right truck bed extension, each truck bed extension comprising a back wall section, a side wall extension section and a ramp lip. The side wall extension, ramp lip and back wall section are hinged together to allow the truck bed extensions to be straightened when detached from the truck bed and used as a dual ramp.

Abstract: A sun visor attachment for use in motor vehicles which can be easily affixed to a vehicle sun visor and uniquely includes a first extender member that can be quickly and easily vertically adjusted relative to the sun visor to block light rays entering the vehicle windshield proximate the upper and lower central portion thereof and a second extender member that can be easily adjusted horizontally relative to the sun visor to block light rays entering the vehicle through the areas on either side of the sun visor. The vertical movement of the first extender member is precisely controlled through the use of a novel, manually operated adjustment mechanism that includes a finger operated adjustment knob that can be easily operated by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A truck bed cover is adapted to be attached to a toolbox. The cover is hinged to the rearward portion of the toolbox, thereby leaving the toolbox accessible even when the cover is closed over the bed. A single hydraulic cylinder may be used to raise and lower the cover. The hydraulic cylinder is anchored using cross pins in elongated slots. The anchor points are allowed to move so that upon closing the cover the cylinder shifts into a position which does not consume much of the useful space within the bed. A recessed channel on the underside of the cover locks over the pickup bed sides and the tailgate. When closed, the hydraulic cylinder pulls the cover tightly against the pickup truck body—thereby securing the contents of the bed. In addition, certain elements of the invention can be adapted for use in a cover which is not attached to a toolbox.

Abstract: A tarpaulin tensioning arrangement includes a lever or leg mounted at one end to a framework extension. A crank having a threaded end is threadably engaged to the lever. The framework is moved to a tightened condition by rotating the crank until the lever or leg is engaged with a catch to hold one end of the lever or leg in a fixed position. Continued rotation of the crank causes the framework extension to move in a tensioning direction.

Abstract: A truck bed tarp support assembly for quick assembly to be positioned in a bed of a pickup truck to facilitate providing shelter over the pickup truck bed includes a plurality of tubes interconnected to from a support frame having a base that rests on the bottom of a pickup truck bed. A base portion of the support frame further has a pair of raised portions positioned to receive wheel wells in the pickup truck bed.

Abstract: With a cover device for a folding top compartment of a vehicle with a lowerable roof structure, in particular for a hardtop vehicle, it is possible to pivot the roof structure into the folding top compartment arranged behind the rear region in a back part of the vehicle bodywork. The compartment can be closed off with a folding top compartment lid which can be folded up towards the rear. A cover unit with a front cover part, a rear cover part, and two lateral cover parts can close a free space which is formed between the closed folding top compartment lid and the rear region. In order to simplify actuation of the individual cover parts, the front cover part is pivotably mounted on the vehicle bodywork, while the rear cover part is pivotably mounted on the front cover part and each of the lateral cover parts is pivotably mounted on the folding top compartment lid.

Abstract: The motor vehicle comprises a swinging door (PB) and a sliding door (PC) which are mounted in the frame (BA) of the vehicle without a central post between the swinging door and the sliding door. In this vehicle, a first lock (PS) is intended to connect the swinging door (PB) to the sliding door (PC), at least one second lock (DS) is intended to connect the swinging door to the frame of the vehicle, and at least one third lock (TS) is intended to connect the sliding door (PC) to the frame (BA) of the vehicle. The first lock has two latch bolts forming a gripper which closes around a striker thus allowing one of the two doors to be closed and/or opened independently of the other door.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piece of rear quarter bodywork (14) made as a single piece and comprising at least a portion made of translucent or transparent material that forms a quarter window (15). The piece of bodywork has another portion (17) contiguous with the quarter window (15) and forming glazing for lights suitable for protecting a light source that is located on the vehicle in the vicinity of the quarter window.

Abstract: An automotive door construction is configured so that a door trim 13 is divided into an upper trim 131 and a lower trim 132; a glass elevating mechanism 5 is installed on the inside surface of the lower trim 132 so that the upper end of a guide rail 7 projects upward from the upper edge of the lower trim 132; and the glass elevating mechanism 5 is inserted from the upper end of the guide rail 7 of the glass elevating mechanism 5 through a mount hole 2a in an inner panel 2, and is housed in a door bag portion 1b, and then the lower trim 132 is lowered along the inner panel 2, by which the glass elevating mechanism 5 and lower trim 132 are installed to the inner panel 2. By forming the relatively small mount hole 2a, which is shorter than the total length of the guide rail 7, in the inner panel 2, the modularized glass elevating mechanism 5 is incorporated in the door bag portion 1b.

Abstract: A vehicle frame system structure having one or more wholly or substantially vertical pillars, and one or more wholly or substantially horizontal inter-connected struts, wherein the bottom section of at least one of the vertical pillars is separable from the remaining section of that pillar is described. By having separable bottom sections, the bottom sections of such pillars, which are the sections of pillars which are most commonly damaged and need repair, can be quickly and easily replaced. The need for major surgery to the whole frame structure is therefore avoided.

Abstract: A device for controlling drag on a ground vehicle. The device consists of a porous skin or skins mounted on the trailing surface and/or aft portions of the ground vehicle. The porous skin is separated from the vehicle surface by a distance of at least the thickness of the porous skin. Alternately, the trailing surface, sides, and/or top surfaces of the ground vehicle may be porous. The device minimizes the strength of the separation in the base and wake regions of the ground vehicle, thus reducing drag.

Abstract: A deformation element is arranged in vehicle pillars and/or between an inside roof lining and a transverse roof support and comprises U-beam shaped elements connected through connecting ribs to form a unit. Reinforcement ribs are provided within the U-shaped beams of the deformation element.

Abstract: A side body structure for a compact car intended to increase its coupling strength by dispersing impact force applied to a rear side member is positioned at the rear side of a vehicle body. The side body structure has a rear side member mounted on both sides of a car body, a rear side lower member attached to an end of the rear side member, a side sill inner panel attached to a front portion of the rear side lower member, and a side member-reinforcing panel attached between the rear side member and the side sill inner panel and disposed to be parallel to a lower portion of the rear side lower member.

Abstract: A vehicle roof assembly includes a roof panel having longitudinal edges, each of which define a rim, structural bars disposed within and running along at least a portion of the rims, and frame rails running along at least a portion of each of the longitudinal edges. The rims abut the frame rails, and the structural bars are fixedly attached to the frame rails. Preferably, the rims are glued to the frame rails. The structural bars each include a web portion disposed between a contact surface abutting the roof panel, and a contact surface abutting the frame rails. Top-carriers including top-carrier cross braces are selectively attachable to the roof panel, and the structural bar. A roof liner is attached to a bottom surface of the roof panel, and an intermediate layer of plastic foam is disposed between the roof liner and the roof panel.

Abstract: A hinged handle, such as a breaker bar for an interior of an automobile vehicle. The hinged handle includes an arch hinged on at least one mechanism configured to fasten the arch on a support. The fastening mechanism includes an expandable pin and a stud engaged in the pin and that is movable between a first position in which the stud is idle and a second position in which the stud causes the pin to expand. The arch of the handle can be pivoted to strike the stud, causing the stud to move from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A foldable chair has a plastics seat pad, a plastics backrest, and a chair frame having a pair of metal front leg tubes and a pair of metal rear leg tubes. Each metal front leg tube and the corresponding metal rear leg tube are connected together. The plastics backrest has two lateral posts inserted in the metal front leg tubes. A support bar has two positioning ends connected to the metal front leg tubes. Two U-shaped frames are disposed on two positioning ends of the support bar. Each U-shaped frame is connected to the corresponding metal front leg tube and the corresponding metal rear leg tube. Each metal front leg tube has a blocking bar to block the plastics backrest.

Abstract: A unitary seat assembly for mounting a pair of seats on a bicycle includes a central longitudinal bar portion and a first and second vertical bar portion having different lengths which extend from the central bar portion. Bicycle seats are mounted on the ends of said first and second bar portions, one of said seats being above the pedals of the bicycle while the second seat is positioned either behind or in front of the first seat. The first seat is set at a height to permit the full downward extension of the riders legs when pedaling while the second seat is set at a height low enough to permit the rider's legs to comfortably reach the ground. The higher of the two seats may be pivotally mounted to facilitate moving to the lower seat.

Abstract: A towel that is adapted to be mounted to a chair where the pouch region of the towel functions to hold the main body portion of the towel in a mobile configuration, and the pouch region further supports the head region of the towel onto the upright portion of the chair. The towel comprises a handle attached to the perimeter opening of the pouch portion and the handle is adapted to carry the towel.

Abstract: A child safety seat system having a child seat, a separable mounting plate, and a stroller frame incorporating a mounting plate. The mounting plate attaches to an automobile or similar seat by means of a standard adult seat belt. The child seat may be coupled to the separable mounting plate or the stroller frame mounting plate for transporting a child securely.

Abstract: A powered lumbar support device includes a resilient panel having a first flange and a second flange. The panel is biased in a forward direction for providing an arch in a seat back. A lumbar frame extends downwardly from a support element for slideably supporting the resilient panel. An extending member is affixed to the first flange and projects upwardly from the control module, which is retained in position by a compliant spring. The control module includes a drive mechanism for changing the arch in the basket by changing the distance between the first flange and the second flange by extending and retracting the extending member.

Abstract: A compliant back for a seating unit includes a rigid upright defining a track, and a flexible back shell configured to support a seated user's upper body, including a top pivot pivotally connected to a top section of the back shell and a pivot/slide member slidably connected to the track of the back shell. A biasing device is operably coupled to the pivot/slide member that biases the pivot/slide member toward a position where the flexible back shell protrudes forwardly to a shape chosen to optimally support a seated user.

Abstract: A car seat having a seat part and a central spring system for the seat part. The central spring system can be adjusted to vary the hardness of the seat part. Additionally, the car seat is provided with side reinforcements on the seat part that extend in the traveling direction, whose position or the position of their upper edge regions is adjustable in accordance with the hardness of the spring system of the seat. The adjustment of the spring system is such that a greater degree of hardness corresponds to a higher position of the upper edge regions of the side reinforcements.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a seat frame supporting a seat cushion, a pair of lateral slide units longitudinally spaced to each other and coupled to the seat frame for lateral sliding movement of the seat cushion, and a pair of longitudinal slide units laterally spaced to each other and adapted to be fixedly secured to a floor panel of a vehicle body for longitudinal sliding movement of the seat cushion. The lateral slide units is coupled to the longitudinal slide units. Also, the lateral slide units include front and rear stationary rails, which are longitudinally spaced to each other and supported with the longitudinal slide units, and front and rear movable rails, which are longitudinally spaced to each other and held in engagement with the stationary rails for the lateral sliding movement of the seat cushion, respectively, and the front and rear movable rails of the lateral slide units form a part of the seat frame.

Abstract: A chair back upright tilts about a pivot axis with respect to a chair seat plate and has a protrusion on the bottom portion thereof. When the occupant of a chair reclines, the protrusion on the back upright and a stop plate make contact with each other. The contact stops the tilting of the back upright. A lever handle, fixedly attached to the stop plate, can be rotated thereby providing more or less tilting of the back upright before contact between the protrusion and the stop plate occurs.

Abstract: A chair including a frame, a seat pivotally mounted on the frame, a spring construction effectively positioned between the seat and the frame, a first selectively actuatable latch positioned between the seat and the frame effective to maintain the seat latched in a less inclined position on the frame, a second selectively actuatable latch positioned between the seat and the frame effective to maintain the seat latched in a more inclined position on the frame against the bias of the spring construction, a foot rest pivotally mounted on the frame and movable between retracted and extended positions, and a cable secured to the foot rest for selectively retracting the foot rest to the retracted position.

Abstract: Slide rail for vehicle seat comprising two profiles, a latch and an unlocking device moveable into an active position to hold the latch in the unlocked position in order to allow the seat to slide forward, this unlocking device being then held in its active position by a pivoting hook. On this hook is mounted a pivoting actuator finger designed to retract elastically without causing the hook to pivot when it passes over a fixed stop when the seat slides forward, and to pivot in the opposite direction by releasing the hook when it meets the stop during a rearward movement of the seat.

Abstract: An article of furniture including an adjustable back which is held in place by at least one support member and a seat member, a first end portion of the support member and a second end portion of the support member being adapted for mounting to the seat member and to the back, each support member being invertible in a manner such that the back is held in either a first position or a second position, the effective depth of the seat member as defined by the distance from a front edge to a rear edge proximate the back being greatest when the back is in the second position.

Abstract: A seatback assembly having an integral generally “U” shaped head/neck rest within its seatback that can be configured to accommodate a variety of positions while in use and incorporated into the seatback when not in use. The seat assembly has a seatback attached to a lower seat having a support arch and an opening. A generally “U” shaped head/neck rest is disposed within and pivotally attached to the seatback opening by a pair of mounting bars. The pivotal mount allows an open position for use and a closed position that is integral with the seatback. The mounting bars can be slidably mounted to the seatback and have locking mechanisms. Other features can include an internal frame, a pivotal attachment between the lower seat and seatback and the support arch can be made of tube steel and have padding.

Abstract: An adjustable headrest device includes a fixed base fixed to a backrest of a chair, a movable seat mounted to the fixed base and slidable along a vertical direction of the fixed base, a headrest attaching device mounted to the movable seat and slidable along a front/rear direction of the movable seat, and a headrest fixed to the headrest attaching device to move therewith. The movable seat is retainable in a desired level relative to the fixed base, and the headrest is retainable in a desired front/rear position relative to the movable base.

Abstract: A connector for securing two portions of a frame is disclosed. The connector is well suited for providing a low cost and reliable connection between first and second portions of a body support structure. In the preferred embodiment, the connector is used to secure the ground-engaging leg portions of a child's bouncer seat.

Abstract: An ergonomic seating unit is disclosed for promoting active and dynamic sitting and eliminating fatigue resulting from extended sitting. The seating unit comprises a substantially egg-shaped, or ball-shaped, fluid filled, deformable balloon forming a flexible, mobile seat which conforms to the shape of a user when sat upon, and a main frame for loosely containing the flexible balloon being freely removable from the main frame when the seating unit is unoccupied and being movably wedged in place by the main frame when the seat is occupied.

Abstract: A monolithic rail clip, formed from a single piece of material, comprises a plurality of integrated hooks spaced along an angled rail body for use in constructing a seat base. A pair of the rail clips are attached to a pair of opposing members of a frame of the seat base so that the integrated hooks form opposing pairs. A plurality of springs are attached to the hook pairs and stretch between the opposing members to define a resilient structure for supporting a furniture seat. Each rail clip is constructed by forming a plurality of tabs extending from one longitudinal edge of the rail body and bending the tabs to form the plurality of hooks. The integral construction of the hooks reduces the assembly time of each rail and seat base. The monolithic construction of the rail clip provides additional structural rigidity to the seat base.

Abstract: A human body support structure which provides a crossed series of cords mounted within an enclosed space formed by a rigid frame. Mounted on each of the cords are pins with a longitudinal axis of the pins being oriented perpendicular to the cords. Located between directly adjacent pins is a spacer with each spacer being mounted on a cord. The cords are slightly stretchable assuming a taut relationship when mounted relative to the frame. A human body is to be placed against and supported on the upper surface of the pins.

Abstract: The engagement between the first and second members is accomplished by the wedging of roller members so that the first and second members can be held rotationally fast to each other in a continuous manner or at any desired angular position. A pair of roller members are received in a chamber defined between the first and second members, and are normally urged into wedging engagement in the circumferential ends of the chamber under the spring force of a spring member, but may be disengaged so as to allow free relative rotation between the first and second members by displacing the roller members toward each other against the spring force of the spring member by using actuation members. Thus, the relative rotation in either direction can be prevented, and the releasing of the first and second members can be accomplished simply by slightly moving the roller members.

Abstract: A vehicles passenger safety device for use on vehicles such as airplanes and automobiles. In each embodiment of the invention, the device includes a seat strap assembly and a body strap assembly that are attached to a back-support portion. The seat strap assembly is adapted to secure the device onto the back-support of the existing vehicle seat. The seat strap assembly, which may include one or both of a horizontal strap and a strap web, rests over the vehicle seat. The body strap assembly is adapted to secure a passenger on the device. The body strap assembly includes a body strap or a crotch strap, or both. The body strap may be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. The device further includes at least one loop to receive the existing seat belt to secure the device. The loop may be part of the back-support portion or the body strap assembly.

Abstract: An outrigger assembly having a mounting portion mountable directly to a dump trailer suspension system. In one embodiment, the mounting portion is mounted directly to leaf springs of a suspension system. Two stabilizing arms are pivotably attached to the mounting portion. A driving mechanism is connected to the stabilizing arm and configured to move the stabilizing arms between an inward, stowed position, and an extended, stabilized position. The stabilizing arms being shaped and sized to engage the ground outboard of the dump trailer wheel base to increase the effective width of the dump trailer's support base, thereby stabilizing the dump trailer from tipping.

Abstract: A method of determining the position of unmanned mining vehicles. According to the method, control marks are provided in the mine, for positioning mining vehicles in production use by means of a marking device, such as a paint sprayer (14), provided in a specific measuring vehicle (3). The invention also relates to a measuring vehicle that is unmanned and comprises a measuring device for measuring a mine and also a marking device for providing a mine gallery with control marks.

Abstract: A bathing brush fabrication method includes the steps of (a) preparing at least one springy meshed tube concentrically arranged together, (b) turning a first end of the at least one springy meshed tube inside out toward a second end thereof and then turning the second end inside out over the first open end to form a combined end at one end and a folded end at the other end, (c) repeatedly folding combined end inside out to form a folded body having an inner layer and an outer layer, (e) preparing a flexible loop, and then inserting a part of the flexible loop in between the inner layer and outer layer of the folded body, and (f) fixedly fastening at least a part of the inner layer and the outer layer to a part of the flexible loop.

Abstract: In an hydraulic braking system for vehicles a pedal-operated booster-assisted hydraulic master cylinder assembly (1) is adapted to apply a vehicle brake (2) by the supply of hydraulic fluid under pressure to a brake actuator for operating the brake, and a proportional valve (50) is arranged to provide a quick-fill function for the brake actuator in response to a proportional pilot signal (40) from the master cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system has a gas pressure accumulator (10) comprising a housing (12), the interior of which is divided by metal bellows (16) into a gas-sensed gas chamber (20) and a fluid chamber (22). Via a feed line (24) a fluid may be supplied under pressure to and removed from the fluid chamber (22), wherein provided between the fluid chamber (22) and the feed line (24) is a valve arrangement (74), which closes when the pressure in the feed line (24) drops below a minimum value and opens when the pressure exceeds the minimum value. To increase the operational reliability of the gas pressure accumulator (10), the valve arrangement (74) closes when the pressure in the feed line (24) exceeds a maximum value and opens when the pressure drops below the maximum value.

Abstract: In an automotive anti-lock brake control system, solenoid portions of electromagnetic valves and an electronic control unit for controlling the energizing of an electric motor are accommodated in a cover which is joined to a housing. Provided on the substrate of the control unit are a positive side conductive line having a relay circuit interposed at a position along the length thereof and connected to the motor, and a negative side conductive line connected to the motor and allowed to function as a negative side power supply line for the substrate. The positive and negative side conductive lines are connected to ends of a battery via motor coupler terminals. A capacitor electric component acting as a countermeasure against the noise attributed to the electric motor is mounted on the substrate so as to provide a connection between the positive and negative side conductive lines.

Abstract: A device for mounting the coil assemblies of solenoid valves in the ECU's housing of an electronically controlled brake system for automobiles is disclosed. When mounting a coil assembly in the ECU's housing using the mounting device of this invention, the coil assembly is received in a cylindrical holder formed at the bottom wall of the ECU's housing. In such a case, two bosses formed on the bobbin of the coil assembly pass through two holes formed at the bottom wall of the ECU's housing, and one of the two bosses is plastically deformed at its lower end projecting outside an associated hole, thus forming a stopper preventing an undesired removal of the coil assembly from the housing. Due to the mounting device of this invention, it is possible to improve work efficiency while mounting the coil assemblies of solenoid valves in the ECU's housing, and so the production cost of the brake systems is reduced.