This application is directed to systems and methods of locking and unlocking a hatch lid or any other type of opening having a hinged covering. In some embodiments, a blade is actuated by a motor or linear actuator. Blades of the inventive subject matter can include one or two racks that interact with one or two pinion gears. In embodiments having rotational motors, a pinion gear can be coupled with that motor and with a rack that can cause the blade to move when the motor turns. In embodiments having linear actuators, the linear actuator more directly causes the blade to move. Other embodiments of the inventive subject matter include a screw mechanism that can interact with a locker receptacle upon rotating a motor coupled thereto.

The inventive subject matter of this application is directed to system and methods that bring about the opening and closing of hatches, doors, windows, or other hinged openings. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter feature one or more levers that are coupled with a motor or linear actuator. Upon activating a motor or linear actuator, a lever coupled thereto (e.g., by a linkage) rotates, taking the system from a locked configuration to an unlocked configurations. In some embodiments, continued actuation brings the system from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

Systems and methods described in this application are directed to hatch lid actuation systems. Actuation systems of the inventive subject matter are configured to effect the opening and closing of lids that are hingedly coupled with an opening. An embodiment featuring a rotational actuator, e.g., a motor, as well as an embodiment featuring a linear actuator are described. Embodiments having rotational actuators can additionally feature a gearbox. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter can also include sensor packages that can determine various hatch lid conditions (e.g., whether a lid is open, closed, wet, etc.).

A latch mechanism for a vehicle storage box may include a pair of pawls fixed on opposite sides of a coupler and configured to cause inward translation of one pawl in response to actuation at the other pawl, and a sliding element arranged between each of the pawls and the coupler, the sliding element including at least one retention mechanism to fix the pawl to the sliding element and further including a biasing element to compress the pawl to further engage the pawl with the retention mechanism.

A latch mechanism for a vehicle storage box may include a pair of pawls fixed on opposite sides of a coupler and configured to cause inward translation of one pawl in response to actuation at the other pawl, and a sliding element arranged between each of the pawls and the coupler, the sliding element including at least one retention mechanism to fix the pawl to the sliding element and further including a biasing element to compress the pawl to further engage the pawl with the retention mechanism.

Inertial lock systems for push-push latch style vehicle drawers or storage bins including an inertia lock to maintain a drawer in a closed position under a g-force. A shaft is rotatably mounted on a drawer housing; an inertia member is mounted on the shaft; and a confining member is mounted on the shaft and disposed opposite to the inertia member. The confining member is configured to move to a position to restrict movement of a rotating latch of the drawer when a g-forced applied to the drawer exceeds a predetermined level.

Inertial lock systems for push-push latch style vehicle drawers or storage bins including an inertia lock to maintain a drawer in a closed position under a g-force. A shaft is rotatably mounted on a drawer housing; an inertia member is mounted on the shaft; and a confining member is mounted on the shaft and disposed opposite to the inertia member. The confining member is configured to move to a position to restrict movement of a rotating latch of the drawer when a g-forced applied to the drawer exceeds a predetermined level.

A vehicle with an integrated portable audio system includes an interior body defining an interior passenger compartment and a docking station having a back wall, an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls that define a receiving compartment. A wireless speaker is removably dockable with the docking station. When docked with the docking station, the wireless speaker is configured to connect to an audio system of the vehicle. When removed from the docking station, the wireless speaker is portable and configured to connect to a peripheral device for playing audio media on the wireless speaker.

A vehicle with an integrated portable audio system includes an interior body defining an interior passenger compartment and a docking station having a back wall, an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls that define a receiving compartment. A wireless speaker is removably dockable with the docking station. When docked with the docking station, the wireless speaker is configured to connect to an audio system of the vehicle. When removed from the docking station, the wireless speaker is portable and configured to connect to a peripheral device for playing audio media on the wireless speaker.

A vehicle safety system that is mounted within a vehicle and operably coupled thereto wherein the safety system inhibits operation of the vehicle during the presence of an accessible cellular phone. The present invention includes a controller that is operably coupled to at least two operation systems of the vehicle such as but not limited to the ignition system and the transmission system. A scanner is present within the passenger cabin and is configured to detect the presence of a cellular phone. A plurality of storage compartments are mounted within the vehicle and have at least one sensor disposed therein. The storage compartments are equipped with locking mechanisms wherein the locking mechanisms are further operably coupled to the controller. The controller must receive a first signal from the sensor and second signal from the locking mechanism to permit operation of the vehicle.