An actuator system for a closure panel of a vehicle and method of operation are provided. The system includes a biasing member adapted to apply a biasing member force to the closure panel. The system also includes an actuator assembly comprising an actuator housing. The actuator assembly also includes a motor disposed in the actuator housing and configured to rotate a motor shaft operably coupled to an extensible member coupled to one of a body and the closure panel for opening or closing the closure panel. The system also includes an actuator controller configured to control the motor to output an adjusted force based on the biasing member force to move the closure panel.

A gaming system includes a housing having gaming components therein. The housing has a door opening and a door capable of rotating about a hinge axis defined by a set of hinge pins rigidly affixed to the housing. Attached to the door are a set of hinge arms having a set of specially shaped hinge slots positioned around the hinge pins. The hinge arms are additionally coupled to the housing by a set of spring components. When the housing door is not in a closed position, the spring components bias the door to an open position. When the housing door is in the closed position, the spring components bias the door in a direction defined by the hinge slots such that the door remains in a neutral position minimizing a spacing gap along one edge of the door. A set of roller guides align the door with a set of corresponding roller pins when the door approaches the closed position, and a locking mechanism is configured to latch the door to the housing in the closed position.

A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle includes a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. A spring-biased strut is operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion of the cargo box and located at an end region of the cargo box. The spring-biased strut includes two arms operatively interconnected for pivotation relative to one another and a biasing spring operatively interposed therebetween. The spring-biased strut is configured to control an assisting force to have a substantially zero magnitude when the lid portion is in the closed configuration.

An actuator for moving a movable furniture part includes at least one movably mounted actuating member for moving the movable furniture part, a spring device for applying a force to the actuating member, and a setting device by which a force of the spring device that acts on the actuating member can be set. The setting device has a threaded portion and a screw nut mounted adjustably between two end positions, and the force of the spring device acting on the actuating member can be set by adjusting the screw nut along the threaded portion. At least one supporting element is provided which relieves the screw nut in at least one of the two end positions of the force of the spring device.

An appliance hinge includes a control link subassembly operably connected between a base and a door mounting arm. The control link subassembly includes a control link with a first end pivotally connected to the door mounting arm and a second end spaced from the first end. The control link subassembly also includes a spring-arm including an outer end pivotally connected to the second end of the control link and an inner end engaged with the base and adapted for both pivoting and sliding movement relative to the base. The control link subassembly also includes a spring engaged with the spring-arm and exerting a biasing force on the spring-arm that urges said spring-arm toward its extended position. The spring-arm selectively moveable toward a retracted position. The hinge assembly further includes a link controller connected to the base. The spring biases the control link into abutment with the link controller.

A flap fitting includes a housing, on which a support arm is rotatably mounted, which includes a retaining element for fixing a flap, and an energy store, by means of which the support arm can be pre-tensioned in a rotational direction. The support arm is articulated to a drive lever which is articulated to a deflection lever, and the energy store is connected to an adjustable connection on the deflection lever via an articulation element. This allows the flap fitting to be flexibly adapted to the weight of a flap.

Method of operating a lid of a robotic vehicle. The lid is operable by a motor between an opened and a closed positions. When the lid is between the opened position and a first intermediary position, a first electric current having a first value is provided to the motor for exerting a first force on the lid. When the lid is between the first intermediary position and a second intermediary position, a second electric current, having a second value whose sign is opposite to a sign of the first value, is provided to the motor for exerting a second force on the lid. The second force is applied in an opposite direction of the first force. When the lid is between the second intermediary position and the closed position, a third electric current having a third value having a same sign than the first value is provided to the motor.

A vehicle hood hinge assembly includes a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket has a base flange and a side flange that extends upward from the base flange. The side flange has a rear end with a pivot shaft defining a main pivot axis. A front end of the side flange is spaced apart from the base flange and includes a pivot mount. The second bracket has a forward end and a rearward end. The rearward end is connected to the pivot shaft of the side flange of the first bracket for pivoting movement. A linear piston device is fixed to the pivot mount of the side flange of the first bracket. The second bracket is shaped and dimensioned such that during pivoting movements the linear piston has a non-contacting relationship with the second bracket.

A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle includes a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. A spring-biased strut is operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion of the cargo box and located at an end region of the cargo box. The spring-biased strut includes two arms operatively interconnected for pivotation relative to one another and a biasing spring operatively interposed therebetween. The spring-biased strut is configured to control an assisting force to have a substantially zero magnitude when the lid portion is in the closed configuration.

A lid hinge assembly for an appliance includes a base with a recess. A cam is rotatably supported in the recess and is adapted for rotation in first and second opposite angular directions. A spring is engaged between the base and the cam and biases the cam. The cam can include a camshaft rotatably seated in the recess, and the cam can include an enlarged head located on a first end of the camshaft on an inner axial end of the cam. The cam arm can project outwardly from a second end of the camshaft on a second outer end of the cam such that the central portion of the camshaft located between the enlarged head and the cam arm is seated in the recess. An optional damper can be located on the base and engaged by the cam to slow movement of the cam.