Abstract: A sun visor includes a visor assembly having an illumination device. The visor assembly further includes a trim bezel tray, backplate, and lamp/mirror lid. The trim bezel tray has a battery holder and at least one receiving portion molded as an integral part of the bezel. Access to the trim bezel tray is made possible by hingedly opening the trim bezel tray and backplate of the visor. A replaceable battery is placed within the battery holder. In a preferred embodiment, the illumination device includes an illumination source and a lightpipe with a lens attached to each end. The lightpipe assembly eliminates wiring from the installation and the replaceable battery eliminates the need for a remote power source. In another embodiment, the illumination device includes at least one illumination source positioned in the receiving portions of the bezel. The illumination source is in communication with the battery through electrically conductive wires.

Abstract: A suppression wire combination includes a stranded copper conductor, a layer of ferrite-filled polymer extruded around the stranded copper conductor, and an insulation layer which is preferably annularly extruded around and directly over the ferrite-filled polymer, together making a suppression wire. A ferrite bead is connected in series or in the surroundings of the suppression wire.

Abstract: A self-suppression wire for a detonation circuit of an airbag includes a stranded copper conductor, a layer of ferrite filled polymer extruded around the stranded copper conductor, and an insulation layer which is preferably annularly extruded around and directly over the ferrite filled polymer, where one end of the self suppression wire is connected to an ignition signal generator, and the other end is connected to a detonator, the detonation of which results in inflation of an airbag. A self-suppression wire combination and cable also employ the above configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic circuit that interrupts the application of electrical power to a motor after a predetermined period of time. The electronic circuit is disposed between a motor which drives a device from an initial position to a final position and a switch movable from a first position to a second position. A battery which supplies the electrical power for the motor is engaged with the switch. The control circuit includes at least two energy storage devices. Depending on the position of the switch, one of the energy storage devices will be fully charged by the battery source. Altering the position of the switch will cause the fully charged energy storage device to begin its discharge and the alternate energy storage device will be “instantly” charged. During the time that both energy storage devices have a significant charge on them, a control signal is generated.

Abstract: A self-docking connector includes first and third fixed contacts and an intermediate fixed contact. The first and third contacts are mounted on male and female connectors, respectively, and the intermediate contacts are mounted on a slideable plate. The plate is mounted on an upper tray surface of the female connector and is capable of sliding movement between a connected and a disconnected position. In the disconnected position, the intermediate contacts are resiliently biased by a biasing member away from contacting the third contacts, therefore creating an open circuit between the intermediate and third contacts. However, in the connected position, the intermediate contacts are forced into positive contact with the third contacts, thereby creating a readily disconnectable electrical connection therebetween.

Abstract: A low loss data cable includes a plurality of conductor pairs combined to form a core, each conductor pair including coupled braided conductors where each conductor encircles its coupled conductor with each conductor encircling being defined as a pair lay length. A first insulating material layer separately insulates each of the conductors. A second insulating material layer, surrounds a core that includes the plurality of conductor pairs in a twist formation where each of the plurality of conductor pairs encircles a center gap separating all of the conductor pairs. When each conductor pair encircling is defined as a core lay length, the pair lay length of each of the conductor pairs is no greater than about one third of the core lay length.

Abstract: A method of constructing twisted pair cables having an average impedance of no less than 97.5.OMEGA. and no more than 102.5.OMEGA. is disclosed. The longest lay length pair is used as a base reference and the construction of each additional twisted pair is altered to better match the averaged impedance. Specifically, the insulated conductor thickness T.sub.i of each twisted pair is adjusted, dependent upon the configuration of the base pair.

Abstract: High performance data cables are provided that allows for future growth in networking speeds. The high performance data cables achieve this result while satisfying the dimensional requirements set by the EIA/TIA 568-A standards as well as fire performance safety requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). High performance data cables of this invention achieve the above by controlling parameters that influence impedance performance, near-end crosstalk performance and attenuation. A separating filler material is used to maximize the pair-to-pair distance while maintaining an overall maximum outside diameter of 0.250". This construction benefits crosstalk performance, as both electrical and magnetic field intensities are inversely related to distance and dielectric constant (crosstalk is made up of capacitative and inductive coupling, with inductive coupling becoming significant at frequencies above 50 MHz).

Abstract: A battery terminal connector which is capable of reliably maintaining an electrical cable or harness in electrical contact with a battery, while having the added benefit of having an economical two-piece construction whose individual members are formed by separate stamping operations. The two-piece construction permits one member to be sized and structured to securely clamp the battery terminal post while the second member is sized and structured to securely crimp the electrical cable or cables. The battery terminal connector includes two separate circumferential bands, each of which circumscribes and clamps the battery terminal post. The circumferential bands define a circumferential slot therebetween which slightly extrudes the battery terminal post to increase the retention capability of the battery terminal connector.

Abstract: A direct fire ignition system for an internal combustion engine having a coil assembly attachable to each spark plug. Each coil assembly has a high voltage transformer for producing a voltage sufficient to cause the spark plug to generate a spark, an integral capacitor parallel with the spark plug, and a spark plug sensor circuit coupling to the high voltage transformer for generating a spark confirmation signal when a spark is generated. The spark sensor circuit is responsive to a high frequency signal generated in the high voltage transformer within a predetermined frequency range to generate the spark confirmation signal. The direct fire ignition system is compatible with single strike or multi-strike modes of operation. The system can also generate a probe voltage across the spark plug to test for auto or pre-ignition.

Abstract: An ignition cable having a resistance wire helically wound around a strength member to form a conductive core. A very thin adhesive layer is applied over the conductive core and is overlaid with a semi-conductive layer of a cross-linked thermosetting material. The cross-linked thermosetting material is extruded over the adhesive layer to form a smooth surface. A layer of insulating material and a protective jacket are applied over the insulating layer. A braid may be added intermediate the insulating layer and the jacket to increase the mechanical strength of the ignition cable.

Abstract: An ignition cable having a layer of semi-conductive cross-linkable polyolefin extruded over a nonmetallic strength member to form a conductive core. An insulating layer is extruded over the conductive core and overlaid with a braid of glass yarn. A final layer of insulating material is applied over the braid of glass yarn to provide an external jacket. In an alternate embodiment, the braid of glass yarn is omitted.

Abstract: A connector and receptacle therefor used preferably to link a number of remote devices in daisy chain fashion by the joining of a plurality of separate cable segments. The cable segments may contain electrical conductors, optical conductor fibers, or a hybrid thereof. Each cable segment ends with a connector. Each cable segment is serially linked to the next through a joining of pairs of connectors to form a unified connector. By the formation of the unified connectors, the plurality of cable segments are serially joined into what is effectively a single piece harness. Each remote device is connected to a unified connector through a receptacle which receives the unified connector. In order to secure a daisy chaining effect between remote devices, a shunt for electrically connecting similarly functioning conductors in the connectors of each unified connector may be provided in the receptacle.

Abstract: A rigid shell surrounding a spark plug cable elastomer boot for giving columnar strength thereto as an aid for installation and removal of its associated spark plug cable in relation to a spark plug. In a first preferred embodiment, an elastomer boot is surrounded by a rigid shell, where the rigid shell is held in fixed relation to the elastomer boot by an interlocking relationship between an annular flange on the upper end of the elastomer boot and a plurality of axially aligned ribs on the lower end of the elastomer boot. In a second preferred embodiment, a flange is provided at the upper end of the elastomer boot which interlocks between a cup on the upper end of the rigid shell and a cap snapped onto the cup. In a third preferred embodiment, the second preferred embodiment is modified to include a plurality of axially aligned ribs on the lower end of the elastomer boot, as well as including an interlocking relationship between retainer nibs on the elastomer boot and retainer apertures on the rigid shell.

Abstract: A one piece ignition wire terminal which does not require a separate spring to provide dependable retaining force to a terminal, and which may be used either as a straight ignition wire terminal or a bent ignition wire terminal, is crimped to an ignition cable over only a portion of its crimping area, to increase the retention of the terminal to the cable. The terminal includes a barrel portion with an integral spring formed by cutting a generally U-shaped slot in the material of the terminal, forming a spring tongue portion, which is provided with a radial projection. The radial projection may be directed inwardly, for use with a conventional spark plug-type terminal, or outwardly, for use with a conventional distributor socket.

Abstract: A rigid sheath for a spark plug cable and its associated boot is provided by combining two lockable components, each of which is mutually symmetrical along the axial direction. The rigid sheath includes a lower portion structured to interlock with the boot and an upper portion structured to route a portion of the spark plug cable through a bend of substantially 90.degree. so that it is kept out of the way of structures within the engine compartment. Because the rigid sheath combines columnar strength, a handle and an interlocking relationship with the boot, easy installation and removal of the spark plug cable and its associated boot in relation to a spark plug is made possible, even where the spark plug is surrounded by nearby structures such as a deep well of the engine.

Abstract: A rigid shell surrounding a spark plug cable elastomer boot for giving columnar strength thereto as an aid for installation and removal of its associated spark plug cable in relation to a spark plug. In a first preferred embodiment, an elastomer boot is surrounded by a rigid shell, where the rigid shell is held in fixed relation to the elastomer boot by an interlocking relationship between an annular flange on the upper end of the elastomer boot and a plurality of axially aligned ribs on the lower end of the elastomer boot. In a second preferred embodiment, a flange is provided at the upper end of the elastomer boot which interlocks between a cup on the upper end of the rigid shell and a cap snapped onto the cup. In a third preferred embodiment, the second preferred embodiment is modified to include a plurality of axially aligned ribs on the lower end of the elastomer boot, as well as including an interlocking relationship between retainer nibs on the elastomer boot and retainer apertures on the rigid shell.

Abstract: An elastomer angled boot for an angled spark plug cable terminal having an angular bend of between 90.degree. and 180.degree.. The angled boot has two protuberances, the first protuberance providing a pressing surface and the second protuberance providing a pulling surface. Each of the pressing and pulling surfaces is oriented in a plane perpendicular to the spark plug insertion axis, and serve as an aid during installation on, and removal from the spark plug. A concave notch is provided at the bend in the spark plug cable terminal which interlockingly cooperates with a convex knob on the angled boot to prevent relative slippage therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a spark plug cable to the high voltage output terminal of a distributorless ignition system. The connector has a tower member having a cup-shaped electrode which electrically connects the spark plug cable's electrical terminal with the high voltage output terminal of the distributorless ignition system. An insulator boot encloses the end of the spark plug cable and engages the tower member to form a watertight seal. A retainer, circumscribing a portion of the insulator boot, has a pair of latches which engage a radial flange provided on the tower member to lock the insulator boot to the tower member to maintain the watertight seal and hold the spark plug's electrical terminal securely in the tower member's cup-shaped electrode. A lock tab provided on the retainer engages a notch provided in the insulator boot to lock these two components together.

Abstract: A hybrid cable connector system for transmitting electrical power and multiplexed information signals between remotely located devices. The hybrid cable connector system has a plurality of serially connected connector cables. Each of the connector cables have at least one metal conductor for transmitting electrical power and at least one optical fiber for transmitting the multiplexed information signals. The connector at one end of each connector cable has a light source for converting electrical signals to light signals which are transmitted by the optical fiber to the connector at the other end of the connector cable. The connector at the other end of the connector cable has a photodetector for converting light signals back to electrical signals. The connections at both ends of the connector cable are totally electrical.