Abstract:
A sliding window panel assembly for a motor vehicle. The assembly includes a stationary window panel having an opening formed therein, at least one guide rail coupled to the stationary window panel below the opening and above a bottom edge of the stationary window panel, a shoe slidably received within the guide rail and configured to slidably move within the guide rail, a movable window panel mounted onto the shoe such that the movable window panel slidably moves with the shoe. The movable window panel can slidably move with respect to the stationary panel along a movable panel path. The lead screw drive unit engages the shoe and is adapted to move the shoe and the movable panel along the movable panel path within the guide rail.
Abstract:
A slim profile covered pinned hinge is provided which comprises a first hinge member, a second hinge member, and a mechanically articulated cover. The first and second hinge members are pivotally connected by a pin. The first and second hinge members may each further comprise a leaf for attachment to a hinged object, a door or door jamb for example, and at least one knuckle through which the pin may be received. The cover may be elongated and has an internal cavity, thereby allowing the cover to be slipped over the hinge concealing the knuckles and joints therebetween of the hinge members. The cover has two ends and may be mechanically coupled to the pin at one or both ends. In one embodiment, at least one end of the pin may have at least two gears comprising a gear segment. The ends of the cover may have at least one gear rack to engage the gears on the end of the pin. Angularly opening and closing the first and second hinge members moves the cover with respect to the pin, providing additional clearance to allow for the leaves of the hinge members to swing as the hinge is operated.
Abstract:
A remotely controllable door operator system permitting active and passive use of a door includes a transmitter, a receiver, a master timing sequencing mechanism, a clutch-regulated prime mover that can actively move the door, and a mechanism that senses whether the door is fully closed. The door operator is controllable by depressing a single button on the transmitter, which sends a signal to the receiver. If the sense mechanism determines the door is fully closed, the receiver causes the timing mechanism to cause the prime mover to disengage the door latch and to commence actively opening the door for a first time period. The timing mechanism may be user adjusted to control the extent of the door opening by adjusting the length of the first time period.
Abstract:
Intumescent material in a continuous pinless hinge is provided. The intumescent material swells at a predetermined temperature triggering point and surrounds the hinge bearings. The intumescent material absorbs heat before it is transferred to the bearing, thereby increasing the time before the bearings fail.
Abstract:
An IV pole having an interior drag brake which selectively prevents downward movement or allows downward movement of the pole due to gravitational acceleration including a first pole member and at least a second pole member which telescopes into and out of the first pole member. The second pole member includes on its lower end an O-ring encircling the end, and a nylon split collar encircling the O-ring. In another embodiment, a seal is disposed between the first and second pole members and is operable to create an air cushion beneath the second pole member and within the first pole member. The seal can be an O-ring seal, a Quad-Ring.RTM. seal or a lip seal. A valve is disposed in the first pole member for bleeding off air between the first and second pole members, whereby the second pole member has a predetermined or selectively controllable rate of descent with respect to the first pole member.
Abstract:
An IV pole having an interior drag brake which selectively prevents downward movement or allows downward movement of the pole due to gravitational acceleration including a first pole member and at least a second pole member which telescopes into and out of the first pole member. The second pole member includes on its lower end an O-ring encircling the end, and a nylon split collar encircling the O-ring. In another embodiment, a seal is disposed between the first and second pole members and is operable to create an air cushion beneath the second pole member and within the first pole member. The seal can be an O-ring seal, a Quad- Ring.RTM. seal or a lip seal. A valve is disposed in the first pole member for bleeding off air between the first and second pole members, whereby the second pole member has a predetermined or selectively controllable rate of descent with respect to the first pole member.
Abstract:
Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a sliding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals. Control circuitry is preferably provided in the body and the door of the vehicle for supervising and carrying out the foregoing functions in an orderly manner in response to requests generated locally at the door or remotely by the driver from the console of the vehicle. A second, simpler, control system provides electrically-actuated mechanisms for unlatching the door and operating the door lock without the use of either a wireless communication system or a retractable electrical cable interconnecting the sliding door to the vehicle body.
Abstract:
Uniform compression of a refrigerator door seal against the peripheral surface of the cabinet opening is realized by a pair of spaced hinge assemblies coupled for synchronized operation which, in automatic response to opening the door, shifts the hinge axis outwardly prior to permitting pivotal movement of the door about the hinge axis, and requires the door to be moved linearly inwardly while being maintained parallel to the plane of the cabinet opening during final closing of the door.
Abstract:
Apparatus for automatically closing the deck lid of an automotive vehicle wherein the deck lid is manually moveable between open and closed positions and carries a latch operable to latch the lid closed and release the lid for opening movement. The apparatus of this invention is advantageous because it will not interfere with manual opening and closing of the lid. It includes a drive mechanism connected to the deck lid and operable when actuated from a remote location such as a switch inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, to move the deck lid downwardly to a nearly closed position. A moveable striker inside the trunk compartment is engageable with the latch in the nearly closed position of the deck and is operable to pull the deck lid downwardly to the closed position. In one embodiment of the invention the deck lid is also automatically opened by reversing the sequence of operation for closing in response to switch actuation to a remote location such as within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Abstract:
The supporting-wall-related part of the hinge is composed of a bottom piece and a top piece borne on the bottom piece and displaceable relative to the latter, horizontally into and out of the carcass interior. One of the link arms of the crosslink mechanism is directly pivotable on the front end of the top piece, i.e., the doorleaf end thereof, and one end of a lever is articulated on its rearward end portion pointing into the carcass interior while its other end is articulated to the rearward end of the other link arm. On the end of the lever that is articulated to the top piece a gear segment is formed, which meshes through an opening in the top piece with a rack provided on the bottom piece.