Abstract: Vehicular lights that hold a bulb in a bayonet type socket are converted to receive light emitting diode assemblies that plug in with a simple translation motion instead of the push and then twist required for bayonet type connection. An adapter is provided along with an installation tool. The adapter fits onto the tool. The tool is inserted into the bayonet socket by a push and twist motion. The tool is the removed by a straight pull. The adapter has now converted the socket so that it can receive and properly connect any of a group of LED assemblies by simple translation of a plug on the assembly. Various light assemblies are disclosed including incorporating the external vehicle lens, and including a sonic element in the assembly to complement a back-up light.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for opening a sealed engine control module in which the module includes a substrate bent around and sealed to a central housing. In one aspect of the invention, the housing is machined around its perimeter, without damaging the substrate, to expose the sealing bead. The sealing bead is disrupted by cutting a groove in the bead, in one embodiment. The modified module is placed within an opening fixture that supports the substrate against buckling or folding while the substrate is unbent about the housing. In another aspect of the invention, a handling support can be attached to the unbent substrate to prevent buckling or folding while the circuit board supported by the substrate is evaluated or modified, and while the substrate is being transported. A closing fixture is also contemplated that supports the substrate while applying a force to fold or close the substrate about a new housing.

Abstract: A luminescent automobile trim apparatus includes structure for positioning on a portion of an automobile to render the portion visible at night an electroluminescent strip formed of several layers of material joined together substantially face to face, including a layer of conductive film, under a first layer of phosphor of a certain first color, under a first layer of electrode material, for radiating light of a certain color. The apparatus preferably additionally includes a structure for altering electrical frequency and voltage applied to the first layer of electrode material for changing the color of the radiated light. The structure for altering preferably includes a musical sound system; where the frequency and voltage are controlled by electrical representations of music within the sound system, such that color changes are synchronized with changes in the electrical representations.

Abstract: An adapter kit for a clutch of the axially engaging, multiple-disc type as described above and includes a sleeve adapted after removal of the original keys to fit snugly into the shell, reducing its inside diameter. The sleeve is radially drilled and tapped and receives bolts through the same boles. occupied by bolts holding on the original keys, the sleeve being provided with inward keys of greater number than the original keys. The kit also comprises a set of adapter discs adapted to replace the original discs and consisting of a greater total number of discs than the original discs, the set comprising drive discs pressed of fibrous non-metallic material and being of the same diameter as the inside of the sleeve. The drive discs have peripheral notches arranged to receive respectively the keys on the sleeve, the drive discs having a central opening amply receiving the studs and pins on the hub.

Abstract: A continuous radio announcer device capable of transmitting a stored sound message in digitized format at predetermined time intervals. The radio announcer device includes a central unit and a remote unit that can be remotely accessed and the sound messages are stored in memory. The remote unit is a stand along device that can also be programmed on site. If remotely accessible, a modem and associated coded signals need to be provided to effect the communication over the public telephone network or through a wireless transmission. The amount of stored information will depend on the size of the memory.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicular after market accessory suitable for replacing the original equipment cover for an audio speaker. The accessory customizes the vehicular audio system by the addition of lights. Lighting means are disposed in a series of discrete locations about the circumference of the pre-existing audio speaker, each of which are in electrical communication with a circuit designed to illuminate said means in sequence to create the effect of light moving about the circumference of the speaker. The circuit design is independent of audio output, and is such that two individual lighting means on opposite sides of the circumference are illuminated at any moment in time and are extinguished as the next lighting means adjoining them are illuminated, thereby creating the effect of two lights rotating about the circumference of the speaker directly opposite each other and in the same direciton. Each of the lights appear to chase each other.