Abstract:
An activating mechanism is provided for use with a four-link hinge of the type typically used for closure of a vehicle movable deck, such as a trunk lid or engine compartment hood. A lower link bracket is secured to the vehicle body and an upper link bracket is secured to the movable deck. Pivoting links may be connected between the upper and lower link brackets.
Abstract:
A track system for extended rearward movement of a vehicle door is provided. The track system has an upper track coupled to the vehicle above the opening that the door closes. An upper roller assembly moves within the upper track and is connected by an upper extension assembly to the door. The upper extension assembly has an outer extension member coupled to the door and an inner extension member coupled to the roller assembly. The outer and inner extension members move relative to one another to allow the door to open more fully. Lower and/or middle tracks, and corresponding roller assemblies and extension assemblies may also be provided.
Abstract:
A motorcycle cargo storage system is disclosed having a lid that is translatable and rotatable relative to a compartment body to permit for the lid to be fully cleared of the access opening of the cargo storage system. The system may further include a securing system that selectively holds the lid of the cargo storage system in a closed position relative to the compartment body.
Abstract:
A hood latch having an extra-long fishmouth for enabling a vehicle hood to deflect downwardly upon impact, such as when hit by a pedestrian in a frontal crash. To prevent this deflection when the hood is slammed shut in ordinary use, a stop lever is pivotally mounted to the latch housing. The stop lever features first and second arms defining a slot therein. One arm has a proboscis thereon and is biased to align the slot with the fishmouth, with the proboscis jutting into the fishmouth. The proboscis receives an impact from the striker and rotates the stop lever to a blocking position wherein the non-proboscis arm intercepts the striker and prevents it from reaching the bottom end of the fishmouth. In the closed position the ratchet retains the striker at an intermediate depth in the fishmouth, enabling the striker to travel toward the bottom end thereof.
Abstract:
A track system for extended rearward movement of a vehicle door is provided. The track system has an upper track coupled to the vehicle above the opening that the door closes. An upper roller assembly moves within the upper track and is connected by an upper extension assembly to the door. The upper extension assembly has an outer extension member coupled to the door and an inner extension member coupled to the roller assembly. The outer and inner extension members move relative to one another to allow the door to open more fully. Lower and/or middle tracks, and corresponding roller assemblies and extension assemblies may also be provided.
Abstract:
A motorcycle cargo storage system is disclosed having a lid that is translatable and rotatable relative to a compartment body to permit for the lid to be fully cleared of the access opening of the cargo storage system. The system may further include a securing system that selectively holds the lid of the cargo storage system in a closed position relative to the compartment body.
Abstract:
A hood latch having an extra-long fishmouth for enabling a vehicle hood to deflect downwardly upon impact, such as when hit by a pedestrian in a frontal crash. To prevent this deflection when the hood is slammed shut in ordinary use, a stop lever is pivotally mounted to the latch housing. The stop lever features first and second arms defining a slot therein. One arm has a proboscis thereon and is biased to align the slot with the fishmouth, with the proboscis jutting into the fishmouth. The proboscis receives an impact from the striker and rotates the stop lever to a blocking position wherein the non-proboscis arm intercepts the striker and prevents it from reaching the bottom end of the fishmouth. In the closed position the ratchet retains the striker at an intermediate depth in the fishmouth, enabling the striker to travel toward the bottom end thereof.
Abstract:
A vehicle door latch assembly is moveable between an unlocked condition, a locked condition and a double locked condition. The door latch assembly has a support housing with a cover having a projecting block. A cam is rotatably mounted to the cover and includes an integral notch defining a pair of stops for selective engagement with the block. A rocker is movably mounted to the cover for selectively engaging at least one of the stops of the notch within the cam. A first controller rotates the cam into selective engagement with the block and the rocker for defining the unlocked condition and the locked condition, respectively, of the door lock. A second controller rotates the rocker to release the rocker from one of the stops of the notch to allow further rotation of the cam from the locked condition to the double locked condition.
Abstract:
A vehicle door latch assembly moveable between an unlocked condition, a locked condition and a double locked condition. The door latch assembly has a support housing with a cover having a projecting block. A ratchet is mounted to the support housing between a latched position and an unlatched position. A pawl is mounted to the support housing and is moveable between a blocking position securing the ratchet in the latched position and a release position permitting the ratchet to pivot toward the unlatched position. A release mechanism is mounted to the support housing for moving the pawl into the release position. A coupler is couples between the pawl and the release mechanism. The coupler moves between an engaged position aligned with the release mechanism and a disengaged position spaced from the release mechanism. A cam is rotatably mounted to the cover and includes an integral notch defining a pair of stops for selective engagement with the block. A transfer element is mounted to the cam and engages the coupler for transferring the rotation of the cam into the movement of the coupler. A rocker is movably mounted to the cover for selectively engaging the notch of the cam. A first controller rotates the cam and moves the transfer element between a first position wherein one of the stops engages one side of the block and the rocker continues to engage the notch with the coupler aligned with the release mechanism for defining the unlatched condition of the door lock; a second position wherein the rocker engages the other stop to prevent further rotation of the cam with the coupler disengaged with the release mechanism to define the first locked condition; and a third position wherein the other stop engages the other side of the block and the rocker is released from the notch with the coupler disengaged further from the release mechanism to define the second locked condition. A second controller rotates the rocker to release the rocker from the notch during rotation of the cam from the second position to the third position.