A vehicle spring assembly includes a cylindrical hollow cover defining an opening at each end. A spring is disposed within the cover, and fittings disposed at each end of the cover are configured to contain the spring within the cover. Each fitting defines an aperture. An elongated damper extends in part within the spring along a direction of elongation. The damper includes a pair of opposing end sections each extending through and projecting from the aperture of one of the fittings. Each end section defines a groove. One end section is connectable to a vehicle tailgate, and the other end section is connectable to a vehicle body. Fasteners securing the fittings to the cover are disposed adjacent the grooves defined in the damper end sections.

A vehicle spring assembly includes a cylindrical hollow cover defining an opening at each end. A spring is disposed within the cover, and fittings disposed at each end of the cover are configured to contain the spring within the cover. Each fitting defines an aperture. An elongated damper extends in part within the spring along a direction of elongation. The damper includes a pair of opposing end sections each extending through and projecting from the aperture of one of the fittings. Each end section defines a groove. One end section is connectable to a vehicle tailgate, and the other end section is connectable to a vehicle body. Fasteners securing the fittings to the cover are disposed adjacent the grooves defined in the damper end sections.

A retractable arm device, system, and method with a locking mechanism for preventing items placed in a device or receptacle from getting stuck, damaged, or torn. The retractable arm includes an inner tube, a pawl, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube slides within the outer tube and the pawl preventing the retractable arm from moving into an extended position under particular conditions. The retractable arm may be placed in a receptacle for items to prevent the door from being reopened before the door is fully closed.

A dishwashing appliance may include a cabinet, a tub, a door, a hinge, a spring linkage, and a clevis. The hinge may define a top edge, a bottom edge, and an arched cutout extending upward from the bottom edge. The arched cutout may have an entrance defined at the bottom edge, an apex disposed above the entrance, and an arcuate seat disposed below the apex. The spring linkage may extend from a first end to a second end. The first end may be mounted to the cabinet. The clevis may be disposed at the second end of the spring linkage in selective attachment with the hinge. The clevis may include a rigid leg and a connecting pin extending laterally from the rigid leg. The connecting pin may be received within the arcuate seat. The rigid leg may extend upward above the apex to cover the apex.

A dishwashing appliance may include a cabinet, a tub, a door, a hinge, a spring linkage, and a clevis. The hinge may define a top edge, a bottom edge, and an arched cutout extending upward from the bottom edge. The arched cutout may have an entrance defined at the bottom edge, an apex disposed above the entrance, and an arcuate seat disposed below the apex. The spring linkage may extend from a first end to a second end. The first end may be mounted to the cabinet. The clevis may be disposed at the second end of the spring linkage in selective attachment with the hinge. The clevis may include a rigid leg and a connecting pin extending laterally from the rigid leg. The connecting pin may be received within the arcuate seat. The rigid leg may extend upward above the apex to cover the apex.

Systems and devices to control rotational and/or arcuate motion are provided herein. In some examples, a hinge system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door. In some examples, a hinge system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door by employing a shear thickening fluid. In some examples, a door closure system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door by employing two opposing springs.

Systems and devices to control rotational and/or arcuate motion are provided herein. In some examples, a hinge system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door. In some examples, a hinge system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door by employing a shear thickening fluid. In some examples, a door closure system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door by employing two opposing springs.

PROBLEM: To provide a retaining device for which the magnitude of resistance when an engaging protrusion moves between elastic pieces can be adjusted. SOLUTION: The retaining device 4 is provided with: a receiving member 5 that is attached to a main body 1, and an engagement member 6 that is attached to a movable body 2. The receiving member 5 has: a base part 10 attached to the main body 1, a first elastic piece 11 supported by the base part 10, and a second elastic piece 12 supported by the base part 10. The engagement member 6 has an engaging protrusion 8 that passes between the first elastic piece 11 and the second elastic piece 12 and is retained at a retaining position P. An interval between the first elastic piece 11 and the second elastic piece 12 becomes narrower than the engaging protrusion 8 at a more forward side than the retaining position P. The first elastic piece 11 bends more easily than the second elastic piece 12 at a more forward side than the retaining position P.

PROBLEM: To provide a retaining device for which the magnitude of resistance when an engaging protrusion moves between elastic pieces can be adjusted. SOLUTION: The retaining device 4 is provided with: a receiving member 5 that is attached to a main body 1, and an engagement member 6 that is attached to a movable body 2. The receiving member 5 has: a base part 10 attached to the main body 1, a first elastic piece 11 supported by the base part 10, and a second elastic piece 12 supported by the base part 10. The engagement member 6 has an engaging protrusion 8 that passes between the first elastic piece 11 and the second elastic piece 12 and is retained at a retaining position P. An interval between the first elastic piece 11 and the second elastic piece 12 becomes narrower than the engaging protrusion 8 at a more forward side than the retaining position P. The first elastic piece 11 bends more easily than the second elastic piece 12 at a more forward side than the retaining position P.

A retractable arm device, system, and method with a locking mechanism for preventing items placed in a device or receptacle from getting stuck, damaged, or torn. The retractable arm includes an inner tube, a pawl, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube slides within the outer tube and the pawl preventing the retractable arm from moving into an extended position under particular conditions. The retractable arm may be placed in a receptacle for items to prevent the door from being reopened before the door is fully closed.