Patent ID: 7419011
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: E01H

Abstract:
1. An assembly for mounting to a vehicle, comprising: a fixed support; a utilitarian accessory pivotally attached to said fixed support about a vertical axis; a motor having a rotating output; a drive system, which converts the rotation of said motor output to a corresponding rotational movement of said utilitarian accessory and allows movement of said accessory about said vertical axis in response to external forces applied to said accessory without substantial movement of said motor output, wherein said drive system comprises: a circular member, whose center is aligned with said vertical axis, in communication with said motor output such that the rotation of said motor output creates a corresponding rotation of said circular member; a frictional element rigidly attached to said accessory, in frictional contact with said circular member, such that rotation of said circular member causes a rotation of said accessory, and where said friction can be overcome by said external forces such that in response to said external forces, said accessory rotates without a corresponding rotation of said circular member, and further comprising a biasing member adapted to vary the contact force between said circular member and said frictional element, thereby varying said frictional contact.