Abstract: Light bar assemblies configured to be mounted to a rim of a steering wheel of a vehicle are disclosed. The light bar assemblies can include components of a driver monitoring system. The light bar assembly includes two shells defining or surrounding the rim and a wrapping surrounding the two shells. A portion of the wrapping is tucked into a slot disposed between the two shells forming a slit. A lens comprises a visible light transmissive portion and an IR light transmissive portion.

Abstract: Wraps for a steering wheel and methods of wrapping a steering wheel with an integrated light bar assembly are disclosed. The light bar assembly is configured to be mounted to a rim of a steering wheel of a vehicle. The light bar assemblies can include components of a driver monitoring system. The light bar assembly includes two shells defining or surrounding the rim and a wrapping surrounding the two shells. A portion of the wrapping is tucked into a slot disposed between the two shells forming a slit. A lens is disposed within the slit and pinched by the wrapping to prevent leakage of light around the lens.

Abstract: Light bar assemblies configured to be mounted at a rim of a steering wheel of a vehicle are disclosed. The light bar assemblies can include components of a driver monitoring system. The light bar assembly includes a PCB bar having a plurality of visible and infrared LEDs and a LED driver. The PCB bar is coupled to a support plate of an outer shell surrounding the PCB bar. The support plate transfers heat generated by the LEDs and LED driver away from the PCB bar.

Abstract: Light bar assemblies configured to be mounted to a rim of a steering wheel of a vehicle are disclosed. The light bar assemblies can include components of a driver monitoring system. The light bar assembly includes two shells defining or surrounding the rim and a wrapping surrounding the two shells. A portion of the wrapping is tucked into a slot disposed between the two shells forming a slit. A lens is disposed within the slit and pinched by the wrapping to prevent leakage of light around the lens.

Abstract: Inflatable airbag assemblies can be mounted on a driver's side of a vehicle within a steering wheel. A gap is formed between the airbag assembly cover and the steering wheel. Maintaining a consistent width of the gap can be accomplished with an airbag assembly that is bolted to the steering wheel by minimizing the number of components used to attach the airbag assembly to the steering wheel. A flexible airbag housing mounting bracket can be used to allow the housing and cover to be positioned and oriented within the steering wheel so that the gap between the airbag cover and the steering wheel is maintained.

Abstract: A steering wheel is provided and may include a central member, a rim spaced apart from the central member, and a spoke extending between the central member and the rim. The spoke may include a first portion attached to the central member, a second portion attached to the rim, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The intermediate portion may be attached to the central member and may disengage the central member in response to a force of a predetermined magnitude being applied to the steering wheel.

Abstract: Inflatable airbag assemblies can be mounted on a driver's side of a vehicle within a steering wheel. A gap is formed between the airbag assembly cover and the steering wheel. Maintaining a consistent width of the gap can be accomplished with an airbag assembly that is bolted to the steering wheel by minimizing the number of components used to attach the airbag assembly to the steering wheel. A flexible airbag housing mounting bracket can be used to allow the housing and cover to be positioned and oriented within the steering wheel so that the gap between the airbag cover and the steering wheel is maintained.

Abstract: An airbag emblem may be backlit or illuminated to provide the emblem with greater visual appeal. In order to accomplish this illumination, an illumination source is used. This illumination source may be electroluminescent foil. The emblem includes colors that are added or inserted onto the emblem. These colors are translucent so that they may be illuminated by the illumination source. This emblem may be placed as part of an airbag cover on a steering wheel.

Abstract: An airbag emblem may be backlit or illuminated to provide the emblem with greater visual appeal. In order to accomplish this illumination, an illumination source is used. This illumination source may be electroluminescent foil. The emblem includes colors that are added or inserted onto the emblem. These colors are translucent so that they may be illuminated by the illumination source. This emblem may be placed as part of an airbag cover on a steering wheel.

Abstract: A steering wheel for a vehicle includes a rim defining a perimeter of the steering wheel and a weighted cable positioned proximate to and at least partially surrounding the rim. The weighted cable increases the polar moment of inertia of the steering wheel and, in so doing, minimizes vibration of the steering wheel caused by operation and movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A power latch system is employed for securing a convertible roof to an automotive vehicle body. In another aspect of the present invention, a striker is movably mounted to either a forward or rearward portion of a convertible roof which is operably engaged by an automatically powered latch mounted to the vehicle body. Still another aspect of the present invention employs a rotatable latch having a striker engaging slot internally projecting from a periphery.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly provides improved installation of a steering wheel assembly onto a steering column assembly. The steering wheel assembly includes a first mating cylinder having a key formed on its inner surface. A steering column assembly includes a second mating cylinder having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the first mating cylinder includes an axial guide on its outer surface. During installation, the second mating cylinder is inserted partially into the first mating cylinder. The steering wheel assembly is then rotated until the key is aligned with the axial guide. The second mating cylinder is then inserted into the first mating cylinder to a second position in which a first electrical connector on the steering wheel assembly engages a second electrical connector on the steering column assembly.

Abstract: A steering wheel assembly generally comprises a hub having a bore for receiving an outer end of a steering column shaft. A gear having circumferentially spaced teeth is disposed within an upper end of the bore. The gear includes threads complementary to threads on an outer end of the steering column shaft. A hub cap is threadably secured over an outer end of the bore in the hub, thereby retaining the gear within the hub. A hub plate is secured to the hub and provides structure to which an airbag inflator is secured above the hub and hub cap. During removal of the steering wheel assembly from the steering column shaft, the gear impinges upon the hub cap and directly transmits force to the hub to separate the hub from the steering column shaft.

Abstract: A plastic fan includes two injection molded parts, each of which includes its own hub and a set blades extending outwardly from the hub to a band. The two parts are co-operatively sized and shaped to be assembled into a single operable fan having: 1) a hub comprising the hubs of each of the component parts; 2) the blades of the component parts; and 3) a circumferential band comprising the bands of the component parts. The fan blade separation on each of the fan parts is relatively large, permitting separate injection molding of each part. The resulting fan may be designed to have far greater blade number and blade solidity that would be possible for a fan that is injection molded by standard techniques. The fan may be packaged in an airhandler assembly that includes a flexible cylindrical retraining member generally coaxial with, and external to, a rigid cylindrical member, the fan band and the stator assembly, so as to support the stator assembly and to maintain the parts in place.

Abstract: A universal firearm locking assembly prevents unauthorized access to a trigger of a firearm. The firearm locking assembly includes a first side member and a second side member which pivot relative to each other about a pivot member. A locking mechanism locks the first side member relative to the second side member after the side members are clamped around the trigger and a trigger guard of the firearm. The locking mechanism includes a spring which is wound around the pivot member with enough force to prevent relative motion between the spring and the pivot member. The spring is secured to one of the side members and the pivot member is secured to the other. An access code input into the circuitry via a keypad will unlock an unlocking plate which can then be rotated to release the spring from the pivot member allowing them and the side members to move relative to each other.