Ventra Group, Inc.

Joseph F Scheuring, Iii

Terry L Reid

Tony Fabiano

Larry Downs

Michael Sykes

A retractable running board assembly is mounted to the frame of a vehicle. The running board is selectively extendable between a retracted position, which is close to the vehicle's frame, and a lower, laterally-outward extended position that facilitates easy entrance into and exit from the vehicle. A plurality of longitudinally spaced, selectively-actuated links connect the running board to the frame. A selectively-operable driving mechanism concertedly actuates each of the links to extend and retract the running board. When the driving mechanism is not operated, each link resists actuation and holds the running board in a fixed position relative to the frame.

Retractable running board

A retractable running board assembly is mounted to the frame of a vehicle. The running board is selectively extendable between a retracted position, which is close to the vehicle's frame, a lower, laterally-outward extended position that facilitates easy entrance into and exit from the vehicle and a roof-access position, higher and outward from the entrance position. A selectively-operable driving mechanism actuates a link to extend and retract the running board. When the driving mechanism is not operated, each link resists actuation and holds the running board in a fixed position relative to the frame.

A sensing device for sensing an amount of force transferred between a first element and a second element includes a first attachment structure and a second attachment structure mounted to the first attachment structure to enable relative linear movement between the first and second attachment structures. The first attachment structure is connected to the first element and the second attachment structure is connected to the second element. An actuating member is provided on one of the first and second attachment structures. A biasing structure is positioned between the first and second attachment structures enabling a force to be transferred from the first element and the first attachment structure to the second element and the second attachment structure. A sensor includes a first switch and a second switch each being adapted to be actuated by the actuating member.

Cable tension sensing device

A brake actuation assembly for a vehicle is actuatable to apply and release tension to one or more elements that connect to a brake system of the vehicle. The brake actuation assembly includes an electrically powered brake actuator, a manually operable control, and a manual brake actuator. The electrically powered actuator includes a motor with a driveshaft for driving connection with the elements. The motor is actuatable to rotate the driveshaft in a brake-applying direction to apply tension to the elements and in a brake-releasing direction to release tension to the elements. The manual actuator includes a handle and a cable. The manual actuator is movable between an operative position wherein the cable connects the handle to the driveshaft to enable rotation of the handle to rotate the driveshaft in the brake-applying and brake-releasing directions via the cable, and an inoperative position wherein the handle is disconnected from the driveshaft.

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Newmarket, Canada

Joseph F Scheuring, Iii