A trailer door that opens by hinging downward to double as a ramp for loading/unloading cargo and an improved assistive means by which such doors are opened and closed is provided. An assembly comprising a ramp pull point that is set apart from the plane of the ramp/door, and/or is moved outward from its edge, changes the physics of the tension required for the assistive lift force for any given ramp/door which in turn allows the spring or cabling counter-weight mechanism to be deployed substantially removing it from blocking the sides of the ramp/door.

A window vent assist mechanism for use with a vent window operable in a closed position and in a vented position can include a first support configured to connect to a header of a window frame and a second support configured to connect to an upper rail of a window vent disposed in the window frame. The window vent assist mechanism also includes a biasing member disposed between the header of the window frame and the upper rail of the window vent and nearer to an inner side of the vent window and a center of gravity of the window vent. The biasing member is configured to exert a force to urge the window vent to move relative to the window frame to reduce an operating force required to move the window vent to the vented position.

A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a cargo box, a tailgate moveable relative to the cargo box between an open position and a closed position, and a cable affixed to the cargo box and the tailgate. At least a portion of the cable includes a shape-memory material. Additionally, the motor vehicle includes a controller configured to activate the shape-memory material when the tailgate moves between the open and closed positions. A method is also disclosed.

An apparatus for automatically opening and closing a trunk lid includes a drum member connected to a first cable and rotatably coupled to a drum bracket fastened to a hinge arm, a power latch cinching actuator including an output gear configured to be rotated by a motor embedded in a housing, and an elastic spring having a first end coupled to the drum member and a second end configured to be coupled to the trunk lid, wherein the first cable is coupled to the output gear and is configured to rotate the drum member in a first direction when the output gear is rotated.

A lid counterbalance assembly for a grill, the grill including a lid and a base, the lid counterbalance assembly including a pulley assembly including at least one pulley, the pulley assembly rotatably connected to the base, a spring connected to the pulley assembly via a first line, and a second line including a first end connected to the pulley assembly and a second end connected to the lid, wherein the second end is rotatable and translatable with respect to the lid.

A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge has a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall. A channel is located between the first and second side walls. First and second notch portions are respectively located in the first and second side walls. A rotating cam is supported on the base and has a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, a first end located in the first notch portion and a second end located in the second notch portion. A biasing spring has an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base. A spring rod includes an outer end operatively coupled to the spring and an inner end operatively coupled to the lever. The lever also pivotally connects to the lobe of the cam. A damper assembly is connected to the base and having a piston which is moved between a first position and a second position by the lever contacting the piston. The piston damps movement of the counterbalance assembly.

A cooking appliance includes a housing having a stowage compartment, a door for closing a cooking chamber, and a door opening mechanism constructed to automatically move the door at least in a section of an entire movement path between a closed position and an open position of the door, in which open position the door is retractable into the stowage compartment of the housing. The door opening mechanism includes an actuation unit which is configured to automatically tilt the door from the closed position into an intermediate position located such that any further movement of the door from the intermediate position into the open position is implemented automatically under the force of gravity of the door.

A cooking appliance includes a housing having a stowage compartment, a door for closing a cooking chamber, and a door opening mechanism constructed to automatically move the door at least in a section of an entire movement path between a closed position and an open position of the door, in which open position the door is retractable into the stowage compartment of the housing. The door opening mechanism includes an actuation unit which is configured to automatically tilt the door from the closed position into an intermediate position located such that any further movement of the door from the intermediate position into the open position is implemented automatically under the force of gravity of the door.

A lid counterbalance assembly for a grill, the grill including a lid and a base, the lid counterbalance assembly including a pulley assembly including at least one pulley, the pulley assembly rotatably connected to the base, a spring connected to the pulley assembly via a first line, and a second line including a first end connected to the pulley assembly and a second end connected to the lid, wherein the second end is rotatable and translatable with respect to the lid.

In the roof window, a stationary primary frame (1) with frame members includes two opposing side members (1a), a first secondary frame includes a sash (2) with two opposing side members (2a), and a second secondary frame including an intermediate frame (6) are provided. A lifting device (7) including a spring assembly (7a) acting on a lifting arm (7b) is inserted between the stationary primary frame (1) and the intermediate frame (6). A top hinge arrangement (8) is connected to the primary frame (1) and to the sash (2) and the intermediate frame (6) to define a first hinge axis (?1) at or near a top of the roof window in a first operational condition of the roof window. To provide a second operational condition of the roof window, the hinge arrangement comprises a set of hinges (10) connected to the intermediate frame (6) and to the sash (2) to define a second hinge axis of the roof window in the second operational condition of the roof window. Each of the hinges (10) comprises a frame hinge part, a sash hinge part, and a movement supporting assembly with a linkage mechanism comprising a number of links and joints.