Abstract:
A motorized apparatus that provides protection from precipitation to a vehicle occupant upon entering or exiting the vehicle includes a housing secured to the vehicle roof so that it can be reached by a passenger seated within the vehicle. A housing base is secured to the vehicle roof. A hinge positioned at the leading end of the housing interconnects the housing base to a housing cover. The housing has a fully closed position when the housing cover fully engages the housing base and a fully deployed position when the cover is fully rotated with respect to the base. A sheet of waterproof material has a first end secured to an interior of the base and a second end secured to an interior of the cover. The sheet is folded when the housing is in the fully closed position and is unfolded when the housing is in the fully deployed position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This nonprovisional application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/269,913, entitled “Rain Shield for Vehicle Passengers”, filed May 5, 2014 by the same inventor, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,090,153, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates, generally, to automotive accessories. More particularly, it relates to an umbrella-like structure that can be deployed when needed by a passenger in a vehicle. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     Most of the known umbrella-like devices that are attachable to vehicles have a first end anchored to the roof of the vehicle and a second end attached to a door. Accordingly, the umbrella-hike device deploys when the door is opened, even if no rain is falling. Some of these devices enable a passenger to disable the device prior to opening the doors so that the device remains un-deployed when the door opens. 
     One drawback of such devices is that they provide a rain shield only in the area swept out by the door when opened, i.e., the protection stops at the trailing edge of the door. 
     Another type of device provides a greater coverage area. Devices of this type are rather large and cover substantially all of a vehicle&#39;s roof. They are deployed in cantilever fashion so that they project from the roof, extending over the side of the vehicle and shielding an area larger than that of the door-connected shields. 
     The primary drawback of the large devices is that they are so large they cannot be provided for all four doors of a four-door vehicle. A secondary drawback is that their large size renders them unsightly. Moreover, they are strictly utilitarian structures with no aesthetic appeal. 
     Thus there is a need for an umbrella-like rain shield device that is small and which does not detract from the appearance of a vehicle to which it is mounted. The needed device should cover an area larger than the area swept out by an open door and it should be mountable over each door of a vehicle so that all passengers will enjoy rain protection when needed. However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art how the needed structure could be provided. 
     While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicants in no way disclaim these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein. 
     The present invention may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein. 
     In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a device that protects vehicle occupants from rain or other forms of precipitation as they enter or leave the vehicle, providing ample dry space within which to close or deploy a conventional umbrella, is now met by a new, useful, and non-obvious invention. 
     The novel apparatus includes an elongate, streamlined housing having a leading end and a trailing end that correspond to a leading and trailing end of the vehicle. The housing has a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and is secured to the roof of the vehicle near an edge of the roof in proximity to a vehicle door. 
     The housing includes a hollow base and a hollow cover. The hollow housing base is secured to either the vehicle roof or to accessory rails on the roof. A hinge assembly is positioned at the leading end of the housing and performs the function of interconnecting the hollow housing cover and the hollow housing base to one another. 
     The housing has a fully closed position when the housing cover is fully engaged to the housing base and has a fully deployed position when the housing cover is fully rotated with respect to the housing base. A motor mechanism is positioned in communication with the hinge assembly for mechanically opening and closing the housing without any force needed from a user thereof vehicle occupant or passenger). 
     A sheet of waterproof material such as the material used in conventional umbrellas has a first end secured to an interior of the housing base and a second end secured to an interior of the housing cover. The sheet is in a folded or wound-up/coiled configuration when the housing is in its fully closed position and is fully unfolded or unwound when the housing is in its fully deployed position. 
     A latch may be secured to the trailing end of the housing cover, and a catch may be secured to the trailing end of the housing base. The housing is therefore held in its closed position when the first latch and catch releasably engage one another. 
     The latch and catch assembly may include a linear actuator (e.g., linear solenoid) for automatically engaging and disengaging the catch and latch. Further, the linear actuator can be in electrical communication with the motor mechanism, such that when the linear actuator is actuated, the motor mechanism is activated for opening/closing the housing. 
     If the actuator is a linear solenoid, the solenoid includes an internal spring and a piston coupled to each other. The spring has an extended position where the piston is also extended and a retracted position where the piston is also retracted. The spring has an equilibrium position in the extended position, so that when the spring is compressed, it is inherent biased toward extending back out. In this case, the latch may include a plunger that engages and extends through a precut aperture in the catch when the spring and piston are extended. 
     The motor mechanism may include a drive gear, and the hinge assembly may include a driven gear. The drive gear engages the driven gear when the motor mechanism is activated, such that when the drive gear engages and rotates the driven gear, the cover rotates between said fully open and closed positions. Additionally, the motor mechanism may include a stepper motor that can cause rotation and stopping of the cover at preset increments between the fully open position and the fully closed position. 
     The novel apparatus may further include a receiver that is electrically coupled to the motor mechanism for receiving a signal (wired or wirelessly) from a remote controller that is in communication with the receiver. The receiver may be a radiofrequency receiver that receives wireless radio signals, so that the housing can be opened and closed remotely. 
     In a separate embodiment, the novel apparatus can include any one or more, or even all, of the foregoing characteristics and features as described herein. The primary object of this invention is to provide a simple-to-operate rain shield for passengers entering or leaving a vehicle by providing them with an umbrella-like rain shield while a conventional umbrella is being opened or closed. 
     Another important object is to provide the rain shield in an aesthetically pleasing and aerodynamic form. 
     A more specific object is to provide a rain shield that is not limited to the space swept out by an open car door so that the protection extends beyond the trailing end of the door. 
     These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this disclosure proceeds. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the disclosure set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the Wowing detailed disclosure, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a top plan view of the novel structure when in its fully closed configuration. 
         FIG. 1B  is a bottom plan view thereof when in its fully closed configuration. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side elevation view thereof when in its fully closed configuration. 
         FIG. 2B  is a first end view thereof when in its fully closed configuration. 
         FIG. 2C  is a second end view thereof when in its fully closed configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view depicting a location where the novel structure may be mounted. 
         FIG. 4  is a view like that of  FIG. 3  but depicting partial deployment of the novel structure. 
         FIG. 5  is a view like that of  FIG. 3  but depicting full deployment of the novel structure. 
         FIG. 6  is a view like that of  FIG. 5  but depicting the novel structure as it is being returned to its housing. 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view depicting the structure in its fully deployed configuration. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view depicting the rods that hold the fabric when in their fully deployed configuration. 
         FIG. 9  is the same as  FIG. 8  but without the fabric. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view depicting all of the parts of the preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 11A  is a side elevation view of a cutaway of the catch assembly, the latch assembly, and the solenoid connected to the catch assembly. 
         FIG. 11B  depicts the solenoid in the default position with the plunger extended and the latch and the catch engaged (device is locked closed). 
         FIG. 11C  depicts the solenoid in the activated position in which the internal spring is compressed and the plunger had detached the latch from the catch, thus unlocking the device. 
         FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of the motor mechanism and associated gear. 
         FIG. 12B  is a view like  FIG. 12A  but also depicting the electrical connections as well as a circuit board with an embedded integrated circuit. 
         FIG. 13A  is a top plan view of the novel hinge and motor mechanism when the novel apparatus is in its fully closed position. 
         FIG. 13B  is a top plan view of the novel hinge and motor mechanism when the novel apparatus is open about ninety degrees (90°) relative to its fully closed position. 
         FIG. 13C  is a top plan view of the novel hinge and motor mechanism when the novel apparatus is in its fully open position (e.g., open about one hundred sixty degrees (160°) relative to its fully closed position). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  depict an illustrative embodiment of the novel structure which is denoted as a whole by the reference numeral  10 . Parting line  10   a  denotes where housing base  10   b  having a hollow interior engages housing cover  10   c  which also has a hollow interior. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1B , mounting brackets  14 ,  14  are secured to base  10   b  by screws that are depicted but not numbered to avoid cluttering the drawings. Hinge  16  is positioned inside the hollow interior of base  10   b  adjacent parting line  10   a , as depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
     The same parts are depicted the side elevation view of  FIG. 2A  and the end views of  FIGS. 2B-2C . 
     Apparatus  10  has an aesthetically appealing, streamlined appearance and can be mounted on the roof of a vehicle in several different ways. If a vehicle is equipped with a roof rack, apparatus  10  can be secured to the roof rack. Many vehicles lacking roof racks include designated points or areas of the roof where holes for roof racks may be formed. Instead of forming openings at the designated points and mounting a roof rack thereto, followed by mounting apparatus  10  to the roof rack, the user may mount apparatus  10  directly to the roof as depicted in  FIG. 3 . Its longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and each apparatus is mounted on an edge of the roof in close proximity to a door so that a seated passenger can deploy or retract the novel rain shield without opening the door. 
     Base  10   b  is secured to roof  18  of vehicle  20  by mounting brackets  14 ,  14 . Hinge  16  interconnects cover  10   c  to base  10   b  at the leading end of housing  10 . The leading end of housing  10  corresponds to the leading end of the vehicle which is to the right as depicted in  FIG. 3 , and the trailing end of housing  10  corresponds to the trailing end of the vehicle which is to the left as depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts housing  10  in a partially deployed configuration. The door remains closed, there being no part of the novel structure attached to a door. Fabric  22  unfolds or unwinds as cover  10   c  swings about hinge  16  in the direction of the un-numbered directional arrows. A first edge of fabric  22  is secured to a fixed position rod, not depicted in  FIG. 4  but depicted in  FIG. 10  as reference numeral  23   a , disposed within the hollow interior of base  10   b . A second edge of fabric  22  is secured to a fixed position rod, not depicted in  FIG. 4  but depicted in  FIG. 10  as reference numeral  23   b , disposed within the hollow interior of cover  10   c . The fabric between said first and second edges is supported from sagging by fabric support rods, collectively denoted  24 , that are initially positioned within the hollow interior of base  10   b  and which deploy therefrom as cover  10   c  swings about hinge  16  as aforesaid. Alternatively, fabric support rods  24  may be initially positioned within the hollow interior of cover  10   c  and which deploy therefrom as cover  10   c  swings about hinge  16  as aforesaid. 
     In an alternative, undepicted embodiment, a first edge of the fabric is wound about an elongate rod that is mounted in base  10   b  for rotation about its longitudinal axis and a second edge of the fabric is secured to an elongate rod mounted in cover  10   c . A torque spring may be attached to the base-mounted elongate rod and a latch may be employed to hold the cover in its open position. A latch release would enable the torque spring to return to its position of repose and cause re-winding of the fabric about the rotatably mounted elongate rod as the cover swings back to its closed position. 
       FIG. 5  depicts housing  10  in its fully deployed configuration and differs from  FIG. 4  in that additional fabric support rods  24  are now deployed. 
       FIG. 6  depicts the same parts as  FIGS. 4 and 5  but the apparatus is now being closed, i.e., cover  10   c  is being swung about hinge  16  in the direction indicated by the un-numbered arrows. 
       FIG. 7  is similar to  FIG. 5  in that it depicts fabric  22  in its fully deployed configuration. Latch  28  at the trailing end of cover  10   c  engages catch  26  at the trailing end of base  10   b  when housing  10  is fully closed. 
       FIG. 8  depicts the fully deployed configuration of housing  10 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts the fully deployed configuration of housing  10  with fabric  22  removed therefrom. 
     The exploded view of  FIG. 10  depicts the parts in their unassembled configuration. A large number of complex parts, denoted hinge  16 , together with another large number of complex parts, denoted hinge block  38 , collectively form the hinge assembly but a conventional hinge assembly may be used as well. For purposes of clarity, hinge  16  and hinge block  38  are depicted about fifty percent (50%) larger than their true relative size. There are many types of conventional hinge assemblies that may be used and all of them are within the scope of this invention as is the complex hinge that is illustrated. Complex hinge assembly  16 + 38  is capable of holding cover  10   c  in any latched position via its motor mechanism (e.g., stepper motor, as will be discussed infra) as well, for example when cover  10   c  is about one-third open, when cover  10   c  is about two-thirds open, when cover  10   c  is fully open, and anything in between. Hinge assembly  16 + 38  is shown in further detail in  FIGS. 13A-13C  and will be further described as this specification continues. Motor  50  that powers and controls the opening and closing of cover  10   c  is shown in further detail in  FIGS. 12A-12B  and will be further described as this specification continues. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 10 , another large number of complex parts, denoted catch assembly  26 , together with another large number of complex parts, denoted latch assembly  28 , collectively form latch and catch assembly  26 + 28  that interconnect the respective trailing ends of base  10   b  and cover  10   c  when housing  10  is closed, though a conventional latch and catch assembly may be used as well to secure the respective trailing ends of base  10   b  and cover  10   c  to one another when housing  10  is closed. For purposes of clarity, catch  26  and latch  28  are also depicted about fifty percent (50%) larger than their true relative size. There are many types of conventional latch and catch mechanisms, including simple snaps and buckles, for example, that may be used and all of them are within the scope of this invention as is the complex latch and catch mechanism that is illustrated. Catch assembly  26  and latch assembly  28  are shown in further detail in  FIGS. 11A-11C  and gill be further described as this specification continues. 
     As seen in  FIG. 10 , base end cap  34  houses hinge  16  and motor  50 , both of which enable cover  10   c  to have any stop point when fabric  22  being deployed or closed. Alternatively, cover  10   c  have a hinge mechanism that enables cover  10   c  to have stop points at one-third deployment, two-thirds deployment, and full deployment, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/269,913. However, if one wishes to build an embodiment having no such stop positions, a simple, well-known hinge pin mechanism, not depicted, can be substituted for the complex mechanism. 
     Cover end cap  36  houses hinge block mechanism  38  which forms a part of hinge assembly  16 + 38 . Base end cap  34  and cover end cap  36  abut one another and house hinge assembly  16 + 38  when housing  10  is fully assembled. 
     Similarly, at the opposite (trailing) end of the assembly, base end cap  40  houses latch assembly  28 , and cover end cap  42  houses catch assembly  26 . Base end cap  40  and cover end cap  42  abut one another and house latch and catch assembly  26 + 28  when housing  10  is fully assembled. 
       FIGS. 11A-11C  are close-up, more detailed views of latch and catch assembly  26 + 28 , depicting the mechanism of engagement and disengagement of latch and catch assembly  26 + 28  and thus opening and closing of cover  10   c .  FIG. 11A  is a cutaway view showing latch assembly  28  approaching catch assembly  26  as cover  10   c  is being closed. Latch assembly  28  primarily includes plunger  54 . Catch assembly primarily includes catch plate  52  with precut aperture  53 , linear solenoid/actuator  56 , return spring  58 , and electrical wire  60 . When cover  10   c  is being closed, latch assembly  8  moves toward catch assembly  26  as indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 11A .  FIG. 11A  further shows catch assembly  26  in a fully extended position. 
       FIG. 11B  shows latch and catch assembly  26 + 28  in an engaged position (cover  10   c  is closed) with plunger  54  inserted into precut aperture  53  of catch plate  52 .  FIGS. 11A-11B  also show return spring  58  in its equilibrium (expanded/extended) position where return spring  58  is expanded. Here, solenoid/actuator  56  does not have any electricity applied to it, so piston  59  is extended, due to the force of spring  58 . With piston  49  extended, latch assembly  28  (specifically plunger  54 ) is engaged with catch assembly  26  (specifically in precut aperture  53 ), and cover  10   c  is locked in a closed position. When an electronic signal is received by linear solenoid/actuator  56 , spring  58  contracts, as seen in  FIG. 11C  with the indicator arrow direction. This causes catch assembly  26  to retract away from latch assembly  28 , in particular plunger  54 . This mechanism occurs within cover end cap  42  and cover  10   c.    
       FIG. 11C  shows latch and catch assembly  26 + 28  in a disengaged position (cover  10   c  is not closed) with plunger  54  being disposed outside of precut aperture  53  and away from catch plate  52 , thus allowing cover  10   c  to rotate and open. Spring  58  can be seen compressed, thus withdrawing catch assembly  26  (specifically catch plate  52  and precut aperture  53 ) and disengaging latch assembly  28  (specifically plunger  54 ). Specifically, the mechanism functions such that when the electric circuit is closed in solenoid  56  and electricity runs through it, piston  59  inside solenoid  56  is pulled inward causing spring  58  to be compressed. When piston  59  is pulled inwards, it also pulls catch plate  52  and causes it to disengage from plunger  54 , which unlocks the device. Upon disengagement, spring  58  can return to its expanded equilibrium state. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11A-11C , electrical wire  60  is coupled to solenoid/actuator  56  and is capable of receiving an electrical signal to compress/expand internal spring  58  and retract/extend piston  59 . The other end of electrical wire is coupled to circuit  73 , as will be seen in  FIGS. 12A-12B . 
       FIGS. 12A-12B  are close-up, more detailed views of motor mechanism  50 . Motor mechanism  50  primarily includes stepper motor  62 , drive gear  64  mounted on stepper motor  62  via motor shaft  66 . Motor shaft  66  is rotatably coupled to stepper motor  62 , such that when stepper motor receives the appropriate electrical signal, motor shaft  66  rotates, thus rotating drive gear  64  in the direction of the arrows in  FIGS. 12A-12B  (gear  66  can rotate in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions to open and close cover  10   c ). Stepper motor  62  is mounted on motor bracket  68 . As seen in  FIG. 10 , bracket  68  would be mounted at or near the end of base  10   b . As such, in an embodiment, motor mechanism  50  would be positioned on the vehicle on which the device is installed. 
     Stepper motor  62  can cause rotation of drive gear  64  in preset “steps” or increments, such that cover  10   c  can open at a preset number of degrees (e.g., at 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 160°). Alternatively, stepper motor  62  can cause rotation of drive gear  64  at a continuous rate such that it can be stopped at any point. These types of rotations or mechanisms can be controlled by a programmable logic controller, for example in circuit  73 . Circuit  73  will be discussed further as this specification continues. 
     As seen, electrical wire  60  is the same one as that coupled to solenoid/actuator  56  in  FIGS. 11A-11C . When cover  10   c  is closed (latch and catch assembly  26 + 28  is engaged) and an electrical signal is received, solenoid/actuator  56  causes withdrawal/retraction of catch assembly  26  to disengage latch assembly  28 . Then motor mechanism  50  is actuated to rotate drive gear  64  in a direction, which in turn will rotate the device&#39;s rotatable arm (including cover  10   c ) into an open position. Alternatively, when cover  10   c  is open (latch and catch assembly  26 + 28  is disengaged) and an electrical signal is received, motor mechanism  50  is actuated to rotate drive gear  64  in an opposite direction, which in turn will rotate the devices rotatable arm (including cover  10   c ) toward a closed position until latch assembly  28  engages catch assembly  26 . 
     Power cord  71  may also be electrically coupled to motor mechanism  50  on one end and to a power source (not shown) (e.g., car battery) on the opposite end to power and control motor mechanism  50 . 
     Circuit  73  may also be electrically coupled to motor mechanism  50  (e.g., via wire  75 ) and to solenoid/actuator  56 . Circuit  73  may contain a radiofrequency receiver used to receive radio waves from a remote controller (not shown) for actuating and controlling motor mechanism  50  and solenoid/actuator  56 . The remote controller can be any suitable remote controller known in the art. Thus, the device can be opened, closed, and controlled remotely. Receiver unit  73  may be positioned on hinge  16 , as seen in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIGS. 13A-13C  are close-up, more detailed, top views of hinge assembly  16 + 38 , depicting the mechanism of rotation of arm plate  70 , and thus opening and closing of cover  10   c . The top of motor mechanism  50  can also be seen in the assembly. Hinge block  38  is rotatably mounted on mounting bracket  14  on the vehicle. Hinge block  38  primarily includes arm plate  70 , driven gear  72  mounted on arm plate  70  via shaft  74 , and hinge bracket  76 .  FIGS. 13A-13C  show the relationship between stepper motor  62 , drive gear  64 , arm plate  70 , and driven gear  72 . 
     As can be seen, drive gear  64  engages driven gear  72 , such that when drive gear  64  is actuated and rotates, driven gear  72  rotates as well. When driven gear  72  rotates, shaft  74  rotates, thus causing rotation of arm plate  70 .  FIG. 13A  shows arm plate  70  in a closed position with drive gear  64  interlocked with driven gear  72 .  FIG. 13B  shows arm plate  70  rotated about ninety degrees (90°) open from the closed position of  FIG. 13A . The arrows of  FIG. 13B  indicate the direction of rotation of arm plate  70 .  FIG. 13C  shows arm plate  70  rotated in a fully open position (e.g., 160° open from the closed position of  FIG. 13A ). The arrows of  FIG. 13C  again indicate the direction of further rotation of arm plate  70 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the output shaft of a two-direction motor, not depicted, may be secured to shaft  74  either directly or through a suitable speed-reduction means to enable a user to open and close housing cover  10   c  relative to stationary housing base  10   b  by switching the motor on and then selecting “open” or “close.” The “open” setting would include a sub-setting of ninety degrees (90°) open or one hundred sixty degrees (160°) open, for example. No detents would be required in the motorized embodiment. There would be no need for a latch for holding the cover open nor would a latch release mechanism be required. A motorized version would be remotely activated to deploy the device. 
     GLOSSARY OF CLAIM TERMS 
     Catch and latch assembly: This term is used herein to refer to a device that can lock into place and unlock for movement of connected components. 
     Drive gear: This term is used herein to refer to a wheel or roller with grooves/teeth positioned along the circumference for engaging and rotating another gear (typically a driven gear). 
     Driven gear: This term is used herein to refer to a wheel or roller with grooves/teeth positioned along the circumference for engaging and rotating another gear (typically a driven gear). 
     Equilibrium position: This term is used herein to refer to the disposition of a structure when that structure is at rest (i.e., no forces acting on the structure). Thus, for example, when a catch assembly is extended in its equilibrium position, it will remain in that extended position until a force is applied to it to contract/compress it. 
     Hinge assembly: This term is used herein to refer to a jointed or flexible device or mechanism that allows an arm to pivot open and closed. 
     Internal spring: This term is used herein to refer to a typically-coiled device that has an inherent bias toward an equilibrium position when compressed or expanded. As used herein, the spring is positioned within the linear solenoid for pushing or retracting a piston. 
     Leading end: This term is used herein to refer to a relative position closer to the front end of the underlying vehicle. 
     Linear actuator: This term is used herein to refer to a mechanism that creates motion in a linear or straight line by switching on and off when receiving electrical signals. 
     Linear solenoid: This term is used herein to refer to a transducer that converts energy to create motion in a linear or straight line. 
     Motor mechanism: This term is used herein to refer to a machine or device that converts any suitable energy received into mechanical energy, thus effectuating motion in a connected structure. 
     Piston: This term is used herein to refer to a typically-cylindrical body slidably positioned within a similarly-shaped chamber or vessel, where the body can slide within the chamber or vessel as a result of a force being placed on it. 
     Plunger: This term is used herein to refer to a component of a latch that can be inserted into a catch or a precut aperture therein. 
     Radiofrequency receiver: This term is used herein to refer to an electronic device that receives a radio signal wirelessly and transmits that signal to another device for activating, deactivating, and/or controlling the other device. 
     Receiver: This term is used herein to refer to an electronic device that receives an electrical signal (wired or wirelessly) and transmits that signal to another device for activating, deactivating, and/or controlling the other device. 
     Stepper motor: This term is used herein to refer to a wheel or roller with grooves/teeth positioned along the circumference for engaging another gear and to be rotated by that other gear (typically a drive gear). 
     Trailing end: This term is used herein to refer to a relative position closer to the back end of the underlying vehicle. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing disclosure, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing disclosure or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein disclosed, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.