Motion transmitting apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle multi-functional apparatus

An apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle comprising:

• a member being selectively movable;
• an interface surface being disposed on said member;
• a first intermittent motion mechanism having a mounting base and an elongated arm;
• movement of said member within a first positional range in a first direction causing said interface surface to contact and rotate said arm of said first intermittent motion mechanism from a first actuation position to a second actuation position, said arm subsequently moving past said actuation positions so as to allow said interface surface to disengage said first intermittent motion mechanism and continue rotating past said first intermittent motion mechanism;
• and
• a second intermittent motion mechanism having a mounting base and an elongated arm;
• movement of said member within a second positional range in said first direction causing said interface surface to contact and rotate said arm of said second intermittent motion mechanism from a first actuation position to a second actuation position, said arm subsequently moving past said actuation positions so as to allow said interface surface to disengage said second intermittent motion mechanism and continue rotating past said second intermittent motion mechanism;
• said arms of said intermittent motion mechanisms being biased back into a rotational path of said interface surface such that upon reversal of rotational direction of said rotatable member, said interface surface will reengage said arms and move said intermittent motion mechanisms.

A method of operating a motion transmitting apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle, said method comprising:

• (a) selectively energizing an electromagnetic device;
• (b) moving an interface surface from a first position to a second position in response to step (a);
• (c) engaging an arm with said interface surface when said interface surface is in said first position;
• (d) moving said arm from a locking position to an unlocking position concurrent with step (c);
• (e) moving said arm to a disengaging position, past said unlocking position, concurrently with said interface surface moving past said second position;
• (f) moving said interface surface from a third position to a fourth position;
• (g) engaging and moving a second member concurrent with step (f);
• (h) reversing the direction of movement of said interface surface;
• (i) disengaging said interface surface from said second member in response to step (h);
• (j) moving said interface surface from said second position to said first position subsequent to step (i);
• (k) moving said arm from said unlocking position to said locking position concurrently with step (j);
• and
• (l) biasing said arm between said disengaging position and said unlocking position.