Abstract: A method of manufacturing an automotive reflector comprising a series of steps. A thin plastic film having a backing material is thermoformed into the rough shape of the reflector. The thermoformed film is called a pre-form. The pre-form has a concave surface and a convex surface. The backing material forms the convex surface. The pre-form is placed within an injection molding press with the concave surface juxtaposed a mold core. Molten reinforced plastic material is injected into the mold adjacent to the backing material. The plastic material heats and fuses to the backing material to form a reflector. After the plastic material has cooled, the reflector is removed from the injection mold as a finished reflector.

Abstract: A process for adhering a layer of organic paint to the surface of a glass sheet, and the products produced thereby. The process comprises applying a layer of a water-based silicate paint to the surface of the glass sheet, heating to cure the paint, forming the glass sheet into a shape, sensitizing the water based paint with a layer of silane material, applying a layer of organic paint over the layer of sensitized water-based silicate paint, and curing the organic paint to provide organic paint adhered to the glass surface.

Abstract: A method for producing an electronic circuit assembly (e.g., a circuit board) from an etched tri-metal-layer structure which provides air bridge crossovers and specially designed bumps etched from a middle layer of the tri-metal-layer structure. The bumps are formed at particular circuit locations in order to provide interconnects for (1) heavy wirebonding, (2) fine wirebonding, or (3) direct chip attachment; or, to provide (4) lifters for assuring a minimum solder joint standoff height or (5) barriers for retarding solder joint crack propagation.

Abstract: A multilayer circuit board having strengthened air bridge crossover structures, and additive and subtractive methods for producing the same, wherein the circuit includes specially designed metallic fortifying layers to mechanically and/or electrically fortify the circuit. A preferred embodiment includes air bridge structures having generally T-shaped cross-sections, which provide strengthened, mechanically robust air bridges which are especially resistant to damage from flexure and displacement due to physical impact, bending, thermal excursions, and the like.

Abstract: A door module for instillation into a door of an automotive vehicle, one embodiment of which comprises: a generally rigid hollow interior enclosure having an interior chamber opposed generally vertical inboard and outboard walls, opposed generally vertical forward and rearward walls, a generally horizontal bottom wall and a top wall. The enclosure is configured such that the top wall transitions from a generally horizontal portion thereof proximate the rearward wall to a generally inclined portion thereof proximate the forward wall. The inboard wall includes a hole defined therein for sealably receiving an audio assembly.

Abstract: A method of blow molding a plastic article. A plastic article is blow molded within a mold. The article has plastic parison a wall. The wall is pierced by a first and a second needle or blowing pin. The wall forms a fluid-tight connection between the first needle and the parison wall. A volume of cooling liquid is injected into the article through the first needle. The cooling liquid cools the interior wall. Gas is vented from within the article through the second needle while the cooling liquid is injected into the article. The cooling liquid is evacuated through the first needle after the interior wall is cooled sufficiently to be removed from the mold.

Abstract: A magnetic rotary position sensor including a base (20) upon which a plurality of radially extending magnetic sensing elements (22) are mounted. Interleaved with the sensing elements (22) are a plurality of uniformly spaced magnetic concentrators (30). The sensor assembly (18) is placed in a uniform magnetic field created, for example, by opposite polarity magnets (32, 34) mounted on opposite sides of the sensor assembly, and rotatable relative to it. The relative rotary position of the sensor assembly to the magnetic field is determined by comparing the relative values of the sensor elements (22) in the array to each other.

Abstract: The invention is a substrate having a surface coated with a singular metal oxide film wherein the metal consists essentially of titanium and tin and the film is made from a liquid mixture of a titanate, a tin compound, and an anhydrous organic liquid. The substrate may be glass and the film applied by pyrolytic decomposition of the liquid mixture in air. Preferably, the film has a refractive index of greater than 2.2 and no visible light absorption to give it an optimal neutral appearance.

Abstract: A process for adhering a layer of organic paint to the surface of a glass sheet, and the products produced thereby. The process comprises applying a layer of a water-based silicate paint to the surface of the glass sheet, heating to cure the paint, forming the glass sheet into a shape, sensitizing the water based paint with a layer of silane material, applying a layer of organic paint over the layer of sensitized water-based silicate paint, and curing the organic paint to provide organic paint adhered to the glass surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a multilayer circuit board having air bridge crossover structures and a subtractive method for producing the same, wherein the circuit includes specially designed metallic fortifying layers which provide mechanical and/or electrical fortification to the circuit.

Abstract: A leaf spring suspension system for supporting a vehicle is disclosed wherein one end of the spring is longitudinally moveable in load-transferring relationship with the vehicle at varying longitudinal positions along the vehicle frame. Thus, regardless of spring deflection, the axle remains equidistant between the longitudinal positions at which the vehicle's load is transferred to spring, thereby equalizing the load at each end of the spring.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure transducer comprises a cylindrical housing having a plurality of circumferential inwardly and outwardly directed ribs which axially position and retain coaxially aligned operative components within the transducer. These components include a hydraulic piston and cylinder, a restoring spring disposed between two centering and retaining stabilizer cups, and a biasing spring which maintains the components in compressed juxtaposition to ensure accurate and immediate response while minimizing axial dimensional stack up. The transducer senses hydraulic pressure in, for example, a brake line and provides a variable resistance output which may be used in an auxiliary electric brake system controller commonly used on recreational trailers and the like.