Ventra Group, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150232072 | VARIABLE RATIO BRAKE PEDAL - Provided herein is a variable ratio pedal assembly for a vehicle for operating a push rod of a brake system, for example. The assembly includes at least one activation link connected via a pivot tube to an elongated lever structure of the pedal arm, an input link for connection to the push rod to activate the brake system that is operatively connected to the activation link, and an intermediate link connected to the input link and a vehicle bracket. The intermediate link pivots relative to the input link and the vehicle bracket, resulting in a variation in angle between the input link and the intermediate link. The variation in angle between the input link and the intermediate link creates a ratio that varies as the pedal arm is moved. | 08-20-2015 |
20140271067 | END FITTING ASSEMBLY FOR CHAIN HOIST - 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. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260766 | SAFETY RELEASE SYSTEM FOR PEDALS - Provided herein is a pedal assembly for a vehicle with an intermediate link releasably connected to an actuation link of a push rod. The push rod is connected to a pedal arm via the actuation link and the intermediate link. The intermediate link has two parallel links that are capable of movement from a first position to a second position during vehicle collision using a release lever. Upon rotation to its second position, the release lever disconnects and forces the parallel links of the intermediate link away from each other, thus disconnecting the push rod and pedal arm. Energy is prevented from being transmitted to the driver's foot, thereby reducing injury to the driver. An actuation mechanism, such as a reaction bracket, is mounted to a vehicle structure adjacent the release lever, and may actuate rotation of the lever. | 09-18-2014 |
20140072394 | REEL ASSEMBLY FOR CHAIN HOIST - 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. | 03-13-2014 |
20130119698 | FRICTION CONTROL IN HINGE ASSEMBLY - A vehicle hinge assembly including a first hinge member mounted to a vehicle body or a vehicle closure panel and a second hinge member mounted to the other of the vehicle body or the vehicle closure panel. A first contact member is fixed to the first hinge member and a second contact member is fixed to the second hinge member. The first contact member and the second contact member have first and second surfaces, respectively, that frictionally engage each other. The first contact member and the second contact member are arranged between the first hinge member and the second hinge member such that relative motion of the vehicle closure panel between an open position and a closed position causes relative frictional motion between the first contact member and the second contact member to provide a resistance for controlling the movement of the vehicle closure member. | 05-16-2013 |
20130055848 | BREAK-AWAY RETAINER FOR INSTALLATION OF PARK BRAKE - Provided is a retainer for assisting in installation of a parking brake actuator for use in a vehicle by limiting relative movement of an input lever and a mounting bracket. The retainer has a first part and a second part connected via frangible connection(s). The first part of the retainer is fixed relative to a mounting bracket and the second part is fixed relative to the input lever (via a pivot member). After installation, the lever is moved from its first, installation position to a second, in-use position. The application of force and movement of the lever rotates the pivot member, which rotates the second part of the retainer relative to the first part thereby breaking the frangible connection(s). The input lever of the brake actuator is then ready for use to apply or release brakes of the vehicle. | 03-07-2013 |
20120006143 | PARKING BRAKE CABLE AND ADJUST SYSTEM HAVING NO LOST CABLE TRAVEL - A self-adjusting parking brake actuator includes a brake lever that is movable between brake-released and brake-applied positions. In addition, the parking brake cable adjust system includes a self-adjustment assembly having a frame; a rack mounted for movement relative to the frame along a longitudinal direction of the rack in a tension direction and an opposite direction; a cable connector for operatively connecting the rack to a brake cable, a first resilient member biasing the rack relative to the frame along its longitudinal direction in the tensioning direction, a primary locking device configured to engage the rack and permit movement of the rack relative to the frame in the tensioning direction only; a secondary locking device moveable between (a) a locking to lock the primary locking device to prevent adjusting movement of the rack relative to the frame in the tensioning direction, and (b) a releasing position to permit the primary locking device to allow adjusting movement of the rack relative to the frame in the tensioning direction by the biasing of the resilient member; and a second resilient member biasing the secondary locking device to the locking position. | 01-12-2012 |
20110079473 | BRAKE ACTUATOR WITH IMPROVED EFFICIENCY - A brake actuator for use in a motor vehicle having brakes actuable by a cable system with cables. The brake actuator includes a mounting bracket and an output member connected to the cables. The brake actuator includes an input lever mounted to the mounting bracket at a pivot for movement in brake applying and brake releasing directions. The pivot of the input lever is spaced axially from the output member and connected to the output member to effect movement of the output member. A plate is provided between the mounting bracket and the input lever and prevents contact between the mounting bracket and the input lever during movement between the brake applying and releasing directions. An additional plate is provided between the mounting bracket and a cover portion and prevents contact between the mounting bracket and the cover portion during movement between the brake applying and brake releasing directions. | 04-07-2011 |
20100180399 | HINGE WITH A VISCOUS ROTARY DAMPER - An assembly to pivotally connect an external vehicle closure panel to a vehicle body includes a first hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to one of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a second hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to the other of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a shaft that is constructed to pivotally connect the first hinge member to the second hinge member, and a viscous rotary damper. The damper includes a cover, a rotor, and a viscous material. The shaft connects to the rotor such that rotation of the external vehicle closure panel between a closing position and an opening position causes relative motion between the rotor and the cover of the viscous damper to provide a resistance for controlling the velocity of the external vehicle closure member. | 07-22-2010 |
20100154581 | POSITIVE RELEASE CRASH PEDAL MECHANISM - Provided herein is a pedal assembly for a vehicle with a push rod releasably connected to a pedal arm. The push rod is connected to the pedal arm via a pivoting reaction mount that is capable of rotating from a first position to a second position during vehicle collision. Upon rotation to the second position, the push rod is disconnected from the pedal arm, thereby reducing injury to the driver. The pivoting reaction mount may include a rotatable lever. An actuation mechanism, such as a reaction bracket, is mounted to a vehicle structure adjacent the push rod, and may actuate rotation of the pivoting reaction mount. | 06-24-2010 |
20090096246 | HINGE WITH A VISCOUS ROTARY DAMPER - An assembly to pivotally connect an external vehicle closure panel to a vehicle body includes a first hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to one of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a second hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to the other of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a shaft that is constructed to pivotally connect the first hinge member to the second hinge member, and a viscous rotary damper. The damper includes a cover, a rotor, and a viscous material. The shaft connects to the rotor such that rotation of the external vehicle closure panel between a closing position and an opening position causes relative motion between the rotor and the cover of the viscous damper to provide a resistance for controlling the velocity of the external vehicle closure member. | 04-16-2009 |
20090058131 | MOTION ASSIST MECHANISM FOR A VEHICLE TAILGATE - A motion assist hinge mechanism includes a first and second hinge part mounted to the tailgate and vehicle body, respectively. The first hinge part includes a first cam having a sloped engagement surface engaged with a sloped engagement surface of a second cam of the second hinge part, under the bias of a resilient member, for moving axially along a pivot axis. The second cam is fixed to the vehicle body against pivotal movement relative to the pivot axis. When the tailgate is moved from a lowered, open position towards a raised, closed position, the resilient member translates a torque assisting force to the tailgate. The surface of the second cam may also include a detent that mates with the surface of the first cam to lock the tailgate at an angle. | 03-05-2009 |
20090038081 | JACK, WINCH, AND TIRE RETRIEVAL TOOLS - A tool kit is provided to be stored in a vehicle to enable an operator in emergency situations to effect minor repairs, for example, to change a flat tire. The tool kit includes: a lug wrench, an extension, and a hook driver. The tools are used together to form three configurations. The first configuration being configured to activate a winch mechanism to raise and lower a tire mounted underneath a vehicle. The second configuration being configured to activate a portable jack. The third configuration being configured to grasp and retrieve the lowered spare tire. | 02-12-2009 |