Abstract: An illuminated component for motor vehicles and the like includes a light source that may comprise one or more LEDs. A sheet of light-transmitting material has a first side surface that is coated with ink or other opaque material. Some of the opaque material is removed to form areas that may be illuminated by the light source. The opaque material may be removed utilizing a laser-engraving/etching process according to a specific pattern or design provided by a customer from a remote location.

Abstract: A device and method for forming notches in tubes or other parts includes a roller that travels along a non-linear path. The roller may include a component of motion away from the part to reduce bulging or other deformations in an outer surface of the part that could otherwise result from a straight roller path.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a circuit board having one or more electrical components mounted to the circuit board. At least a portion of the circuit board is encapsulated in a thermoplastic polymer material to encapsulate the electrical components. The device may be fabricated by at least partially shielding the electrical components with polymer material, followed by overmolding the polymer material with thermoplastic polymer material. The shielding material may comprise a pre-formed component, or it may comprise thermoplastic polymer material that is molded around the electrical components in a first molding step or “shot”.

Abstract: A power distribution assembly (PDA) is provided with a support rail having a bendable grounding arm. This grounding arm extends from at least one axial end of the metal support rail and is bendable downwardly so as to overlie an end face of a power block on the PDA. The grounding arm includes a connector flange that projects inwardly through an access window formed in the power block, which connector flange is tight-fittingly engaged with an internal ground terminal upon insertion of the connector flange into the access window during downward bending of the grounding arm.

Abstract: An electrical device such as an LED light assembly includes a conductive circuit and one or more electrical components connected to the circuit. The electrical components and the circuit are at least partially overmolded with a thermoplastic polymer material to encapsulate the components. The material utilized to cover the circuit and/or electrical components may also be utilized to form a housing or other structure of a finished part.

Abstract: Smoking device (10) comprising a first device (20) and a second device (30). The first device (20) comprises an accumulator for storing electric energy and releasing it to a heating device (22) as a response to a sensor device (24) detecting a suck/draw of the smoking device (10) by a consumer. It further comprises a first air inlet (25) through which an airflow enters said first device (20), passes said heating device (22) and streams out through a first air outlet (26). The second device (30) comprises an agent (33), a second air inlet (35) through which air enters said second device (30), passes through said second device (30), releases said agent (33) by means of dispensing means (37) and streams out through said second air outlet (36) into the mouth of a consumer. Charging means (40) for use with a smoking device (10) and method for using said smoking device (10).

Abstract: An optical device for distributing light produced by a white LED or other light-producing device includes a lens portion that refracts the light to provide a desired light intensity distribution, and a collimating portion that internally reflects light from the white LED. The optical device may be molded from an acrylic polymer material or the like. The reduced thickness of the device facilitates low cycle times and reduces warpage or other distortion that would otherwise be generated during the molding process.

Abstract: A light module includes one or more LEDs that are encapsulated in a thermoplastic polymer material. Metal conductors and electrical components providing a power supply circuit for the LED are also encapsulated in the thermoplastic polymer material. The conductive material may include a pair of relatively rigid portions that project outwardly from the thermoplastic polymer material to provide for electrical connection of the light module. The body may include connecting surface portions that permit the light module to be connected to a conventional electrical receptacle or the like, such that the light module can be mechanically and electrically connected to a socket or other connector previously utilized for incandescent bulbs.

Abstract: A light assembly for interiors of motor vehicles and the like includes a three-way sliding switch having a switch member that is movable to at least three positions corresponding to operating states of the switch. The switch includes an electrically conductive movable contact member that selectively engages conductive members to provide the different electrical states of the switch. The movable contact member also engages a detent structure and forms a three-position detent tending to retain the switch member in the selected position. Thus, the electrically conductive material of the movable contact member provides an electrical function and a mechanical detent function to thereby reduce the complexity and associated cost of the switch.

Abstract: A visor for vehicles includes a shell made of a material such as paper, vinyl, or the like. The visor includes first and second halves joined by a hinge. The first and second halves are folded about the hinge and bonded together to define a cavity. A rigid foam core fills at least a substantial portion of the cavity, and the foam core is bonded to the shell to provide support. The visor includes a structural mounting member extending from the shell for mounting the visor to the roof of a vehicle.

Abstract: An overhead console for motor vehicles and the like includes a storage bin configured to support and store sunglasses. The bin is movably mounted to the base for movement between an opened position and a closed position. The storage bin includes a body made of a substantially rigid polymer material forming a cavity for storing sunglasses. An elastomeric material is molded to the body of the storage bin, and provides a soft surface on the inner side of the body to support sunglasses. The polymer material of the body forms walls having one or more apertures therethrough, and the elastomeric material extends through the apertures to mechanically connect the elastomeric material to the body of the storage bin.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for mounting a visor to a vehicle includes a bracket assembly that does not require use of threaded fasteners or the like. The bracket assembly includes a housing, a bracket member, and a foot member. The foot member includes tapered extensions that engage an upper side of the roof panel to retain the bracket assembly to the roof panel.

Abstract: A visor for vehicles and the like includes a core made of a meltable material. The core includes first and second halves that are interconnected by a connecting arrangement that includes posts that are frictionally received in openings. The posts may form an interference fit with the openings, such that the visor core material melts as the posts are pressed into the openings to thereby weld the core material at the connectors together and interconnect the halves of the visor core.

Abstract: A visor for vehicles includes an elbow member having an elongated portion, and a body member having an elongated slot defining a sidewall. The elongated slot extends generally parallel to the elongated portion of the elbow member. The body member is pivotably mounted to the elbow member for rotation about the elongated portion. A torque control member rotatably engages the elbow member, and has at least one finger received in the elongated slot. The finger is resiliently biased into engagement with the sidewall of the elongated slot, and frictionally engages the sidewall to provide controlled sliding movement of the body member relative to the elbow member.

Abstract: A push lens is integrated with a bezel and connected to the bezel by an integrally formed hinge to allow the lens to deflect for actuating a switch.

Abstract: An upright connector or support post usable in a space-dividing wall panel system formed from serially connected panel assemblies. The post includes a plurality of openings disposed in vertically spaced relation with one another which receive load-bearing elements such as hangers or hooks typically associated with furniture components. Dimples or deformations extend transversely along the upper and lower edges of the openings and provide increased strength at the attachment points along the post.

Abstract: A glide assembly for a space-dividing wall panel arrangement including a housing which is mounted within a lower open end of an upright support element associated with a wall panel assembly, and a stem which projects downwardly from the housing for supportive engagement with a floor. The housing includes a lock plate which defines thereon projections which wedgingly engage within correspondingly located openings in the support element. Tabs are provided on the support element which are deformed during assembly so as to engage the respective projections and prevent disengagement of the glide assembly from the support element.

Abstract: A stamped reinforced visor elbow having a metal reinforcing member that holds electrical conductors encased in a molded polymeric material. The reinforcing member is generally U-shaped in cross section and can be formed by stamping. The reinforcing member provides support for the visor elbow while providing a channel for electrical conductors. The reinforced visor elbow is made by forming a metal reinforcing member through a stamping die, placing one or more conductors into a recess created in the reinforcing member and the steps of molding a polymeric material over the reinforcing member while holding the wires to form the reinforced visor elbow.