Abstract: A vehicle signal connection arrangement is provided including a male member having a body with first and seconds ends, the body mounting a plurality of leads extending therethrough, the body having a multi-dimensional axial inner hole with a first end and a second end with a shoulder separating the first and second ends of the hole, the shoulder having a generally oblong passage extending therethrough; a female member having a body with first and second ends for mounting a plurality of leads extending therethrough to make contact with the leads of the male member, the female body having a multi-dimensional generally axial inner hole with a first end and a second end and a shoulder separating the first and second ends of the hole, the shoulder having a generally oblong passage extending therethrough; a protrusion connected with one of the members for a snap interference fit into a depression of the other member; and a mounting member pivotally mounting the female member.

Abstract: A vehicle closure latch is provided which includes an actuator with a first wheel selectively reversibly powered to rotate along a first axis; a second wheel coaxial with the first wheel, the second wheel having a first face directed toward the first wheel; at least one arcuate slot formed on one of the wheels with a center of rotation generally co-terminus with the first axis, the slot having first and second ends spaced from one another and a pin connected on the other wheel that the arcuate slot is formed on, the pin being captured by the slot between the ends of the slot and being able to move therebetween; the second wheel further including a cam profile on a second face opposite the first face, the cam profile encapturing the stud of a manually operated locking lever, wherein rotation of the second wheel in a first circular direction will cause the manually operated locking lever to pivot moving the locking lever to the locking position and rotational movement of the second wheel in a second circular di

Abstract: A window regulator system is provided for translating a window. The regulator includes at least one channel extending vertically in the door cavity for guiding the window; a blade connected to the channel and extending parallel to the major axis of the door cavity; a guide block fixed to the window and having a transverse alignment bearing with two generally noncompliant bearing lobes juxtaposed by the blade for aligning the window in a direction transverse to the major axis of the door cavity; and a spring button connected to the guide block and being of a generally hard polymeric material having a generally conical shape with an apex contacting the blade and a base compressed against the guide block for removing transverse compliance of the window within the alignment bearing.

Abstract: A vehicle door and signal connection arrangement is provided including a first panel; a first connective member having a body mounting a plurality of leads extending therethrough, the first connective member having a bore extending therethrough and also being rigidly connected to the first panel; a second panel extending generally laterally adjacent the first panel with arms extending toward the first panel, at least one of the arms having a finger; a second connective member having a body mounting a plurality of leads extending therethrough for mating with the leads of the first connective member, the second connective member having a bore extending therethrough aligned with the bore of the first connective member, the second connective member being slidably mounted on the arms of the second panel and entrapped on the arms by the finger; and a fastener extending through the first and second connective members, causing the connective members to mate with one another and also causing the second connective memb

Abstract: A ratchet for a vehicle closure latch that mounts on a vehicle closure so as to engage and retain a striker mounted on a vehicle body when the vehicle closure is closed. The ratchet comprises a metal substrate and a plastic covering, the metal substrate having a primary latching tooth for engaging a pawl to retain the ratchet in a latched position and a striker tooth for engaging a striker when the ratchet is in an unlatched position, and the plastic covering having a bumper with a series of spaced apart cantilevered fingers to reduce the noise generated by contact of the ratchet with another portion of the closure latch, the fingers being joined to an integral base and being inclined with respect thereto.

Abstract: An automotive fiber optic cable splice for connecting first and second fiber optic cables in an abutting connection is provided. The splice includes a casing with first and second ends, the casing encircling the first and second fiber optic cables; first and second end caps generally at the first and second ends of the casing; first and second ferrules positioned within the casing for aligning the first and second fiber optic cables generally adjacent the abutting connection of the first and second fiber optic cables; first and second crimps radially gripping the first and second fiber optic cables, respectively, creating on each fiber optic cable a crimped region thereon; and first and second seals radially sealing the fiber optic cables and sealing the fiber optic cables within the casing adjacent the respective first and second end caps, the first and second seals biasing the first and second fiber optic cables toward one another.

Abstract: A spring stop is provided for a vehicle door hinge arrangement having primary and secondary leaves with a base, an arm extending from the base, and a hand extending from the arm to receive a pin. The primary and secondary leaves are connected with a reinforcement leaf. The hand of the primary leaf receives a pin that is connected to a member of the door hinge arrangement.

Abstract: A seal lamp socket arrangement for mounting a W-2 type bulb is provided including a housing with a collar opening and a base with a bore with opposed inwardly projecting tabs; a retainer cap with a diameter generally aligned with the housing bore with twist lock slots allowing for insertion through the housing opening past the housing opening opposed tabs and for connection with the housing upon rotation, the retainer having at least one internal ledge; a socket base with a flange for maintaining seal position, the socket base having a seal mounting portion to position a seal in sealing contact with the housing collar, the socket base also having at least two bores with an area reduction to entrap a spring terminal, and the socket base having two compliant tabs for capture of a W-2 type bulb and at least one ledge to connect the retainer whereby the retainer retains a seal within the collar; and a spring terminal held in position in reduced diameter portion of the socket base.

Abstract: A side impact supplemental inflation restraint system for an automotive vehicle is provided including a vehicle seat positioned within the vehicle and having a generally rigid frame; cushion material surrounding the frame forming a seating surface; a cover enclosing the frame and cushion material; an inflatable air bag positioned within the cushion material for penetrating through the cover and outward extension upon a side impact of the vehicle; and a blocking panel with a first end anchored to the seat frame and a second end anchored to the cover to prevent the travel of the air bag upon deployment between the cushion and cover along an undesired portion of the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A headlamp aim adjuster is provided including a housing generally secured to a fixed portion of a vehicle and an aim pointer fixed to the housing. The headlamp aim adjuster further has a driven rod mounted by the housing and extendable therefrom to set a distance between the fixed portion of the vehicle and a lamp unit, a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the housing wherein rotation of the drive shaft determines the extension of the rod from the housing, and a position indicator being spring biased to a first position for adjustable movement relative to the housing. The position indicator has a zero ("0") marking so that upon establishing the desired aim position of the lamp unit by rotating the drive shaft, the position indicator is located with the zero ("0") marking in line with the aim pointer.

Abstract: An optical splitter arrangement is provided for accepting a light from at least one input and providing multiple light outputs of four or more, a light intensity of the outputs differing from one another no more than two dB, and a light intensity of the cumulative outputs differing no more than three dB from the light intensity of the input.

Abstract: An automotive door glass assembly which in a preferred embodiment includes an extendable door glass extendable from a door cavity and having a first bore and an edge surface; a shoe supporting the door glass having an alignment surface and a generally oblong longitudinal slot intersecting the first bore; a U-shaped cradle positioned adjacent the glass around the edge of the glass having a bore generally aligned with the first bore, the cradle also having a ledge and a surface in contact with the shoe alignment surface; a cam plate fitted within the first bore and the bore of the cradle, the cam plate having a head retained by the ledge of the cradle; a fastener eccentrically mounted in the cam plate and engaged therewith for permanently affixing the position of the glass with respect to the shoe; and a sleeve surrounding the threaded fastener and torsionally associated with the cam plate at a first end and at a second end having a torque receiving head to allow for adjustment of the glass with respect to the

Abstract: A blind assembly electrical connective arrangement is provided for mating an electrical component with a first structure to a flexible circuit, the flexible circuit being positioned adjacent a second structure, the second structure having first and second surfaces penetrated by an aperture, the arrangement including a male slider, the slider having a platform projecting in a first direction, the platform providing a presentation surface for the flexible circuit, the slider also having at least one set of fingers juxtaposing the second structure, at least one of the fingers being compliant, and the male slider also having an alignment post; and a female housing connected with the electrical component, the female housing having a cavity to receive the platform in the alignment post of the male slider, the female housing having at least one terminal biased for contact with the flexible circuit and wherein movement of the electrical component in a second direction opposite the first direction toward the second st

Abstract: An automotive light arrangement is provided including a cartridge bulb which is generally cylindrical with a terminal cup at first and second ends; a terminal having two opposed arms, the arms having a first section of a bulb receiving end, the arms having a bulb clasping second section for compliantly holding a bulb terminal cap between the arms, the arms having a third section extending away from each other to a central plane section, the central plane section having first and second ends, the central plane section having at the first and second ends a pair of opposed ears extending in a direction toward the bulb cap generally perpendicular to the central plane section, each ear having an aperture, and the opposed ears at the first end being spaced from the opposed ears of the second end of the central section, and the terminal having a finger cut out from the plane section extending downwardly toward the cartridge bulb; a terminal housing mounting the terminal, the terminal housing having two apertures bif

Abstract: An automotive neon-type discharge lamp assembly is provided including two spaced-apart electrodes; an elongated gaseous path having one of the electrodes approximately at each respective end, the path including a first generally semicircular reflector surface body having opposing ends and a center, a pair of second semiparabolic reflector surfaces, each surface having first and second ends, the first ends being joined to the ends of the first reflector surface and the second ends emanating outwardly therefrom; a transparent, generally concave volumetric concentrator positioned generally opposite the first reflector surface and spaced therefrom, the concentrator having first and second ends; and a transparent cover having two segments, each segment connecting an end of the concentrator with the second end of a respective second reflector surface.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle extendable window glass stabilizer for laterally stabilizing a window glass with a body of an automotive vehicle is provided including a support generally extending from the automotive body laterally toward the window glass, a fabric mat mounted on a support extending toward the window glass, and a plastic button surrounded by the fabric mat. The button has a head providing a bottoming-out contact surface for the window glass when the glass more fully compresses the fabric mat.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle seat cushion is provided including a resilient body with a top surface and a bottom surface and a multi-dimensional bore intersecting the top and bottom surfaces, the bore having a shoulder juxtaposed between the top and bottom surfaces; a membrane cover for covering at least a portion of the top surface of the resilient body and having connected thereto a rod extending generally parallel to the top surface; and a retainer which has a base adjacent the resilient body bore shoulder, a hook extending from the base with an opening toward the resilient body bottom surface, and a guide for aligning the cover rod to a location between the guide and the hook to capture the rod and thereby retain the cover to the resilient body.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle door is provided having a first generally rigid outer structure; a second generally rigid inner structure spaced from the outer structure, the second inner structure having a guide opening; an interior trim panel connected to the second generally rigid inner structure; and a target having a first section generally adjacent the outer structure. A second section substantially smaller than the first section extends from the first section and has a cross-sectional area small enough for passage through the guide opening. Therefore, an impact on the outer door panel causes the target section to protrude inwardly through the inner structure opening, causing the trim panel to protrude inwardly.

Abstract: An automotive lift-off type door hinge is provided which includes a body side hinge having a vertical leg for attachment with a body opening frame, the body side hinge having joined to the vertical leg a horizontal leg which has a stop pin aperture and spaced therefrom a pivot pin aperture; an upper door side hinge having a vertical leg extending upwardly for attachment to a door, the upper door side hinge having joined to the vertical leg a horizontal leg having a pivot pin aperture; a lower door side hinge having a downwardly extending vertical leg connected to the door by a removable fastener, the lower door hinge having joined to the vertical leg a horizontal leg sandwiching the horizontal leg of the body hinge between the horizontal legs of the upper and lower door side hinges, and the horizontal leg of the lower door side hinge having a pivot pin aperture; a pivot pin providing a thrust bearing for the upper door side hinge loosely fitted in the upper door side hinge pivot aperture to allow upward door

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided including a front leg with first and second ends, the front leg being pivotally attached to the vehicle floor adjacent the front leg first end; a seat cushion with front and rear ends, the front end being pivotally connected to the front leg second end; a rear leg with a second end pivotally connected to the seat cushion rear end, the rear leg having a first end pivotally connected to the vehicle floor, the rear leg first end having an attached first gear; a sector link having first and second ends, the sector link second end pivotally connected relative to the vehicle floor, the sector link second end having a second gear attached thereto being meshed with the first gear; an intermediate link with a rear end and a front end, the front end being pivotally connected to the sector link first end; and a seat back pivotally connected to the vehicle and pivotally connected to the rear end of the intermediate link, whereby when folding the seat back forwardly, the seat cushion forward end