Abstract: A handle assembly for a vehicle door, comprising a body supporting a handle that is pivotally moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and an actuator assembly comprising a motor and an actuator member interposed between the motor and the handle. The actuator member is operably coupled to the handle and moveable by the motor to effect movement of the handle between the stowed and deployed positions thereof. The actuator member has an accumulator compressible under the force of the motor when an external obstruction acts on the handle in the stowed position thereof to prevent the handle from being moved to the deployed position thereof.

Abstract: A vehicular trim component with interior and exterior surfaces, the vehicular trim component comprising: an at least partially light-transmissive substrate having opposite first and second surfaces; an illumination source adjacent the second surface of the substrate, the illumination source actuatable between an illuminated state and a non-illuminated state; and a variably light-transmissive layer on the first surface of the substrate. The variably light-transmissive layer includes a non-light-transmissive opaque portion and a light-transmissive portion. The light-transmissive portion comprises one or more lines defined through the opaque portion and arranged to define visually perceptible indicia when backlit by the illumination source in its illuminated state. Each line is visually imperceptible to the naked eye from a distance of at least as close as approximately 3 feet from the trim component when the illumination source is in its non-illuminated state.

Abstract: A side-view mirror assembly for a vehicle, the side-view mirror assembly comprising: a housing for securement to a side of a vehicle, the housing defining an internal cavity opening toward a rear of the housing; a mirror disposed in the internal cavity, the mirror comprising a reflective element substantially occupying and being visible through the opening of the housing, and the reflective element supported on a first surface of a backplate, the backplate including at least one light-transmissive portion positioned proximate a peripheral edge of the reflective element; and one or more light sources disposed within the housing and operable to selectively illuminate the at least one light-transmissive portion so that the illumination is visible from outside the side-view mirror assembly in an area defined between the peripheral edge of the reflective element and the opening of the housing.

Abstract: An inertial blocking member subassembly is activated by an inertial force vector. A release handle assembly has a framework, a door handle grip, and a bell crank actuator. The subassembly has a blocking member and a biasing element. The blocking member is associated with the framework, and movable in at least one of rotation about an axis of rotation and translation. The biasing element is associated with the blocking member for biasing the blocking member to a first position. The blocking member center of gravity is offset from the axis of rotation. When the force vector acts on the center of gravity, the blocking member can rotate into a second position. When the center of gravity, axis of rotation, and force vector are aligned, the blocking member remains in the second position until the force vector has attenuated. The biasing element can rotate the blocking member to the first position.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly includes a latch lever connectable to a latch mechanism, a latch rod coupled to the latch lever, and a door handle operative to effect movement of the latch rod to unlatch the latch mechanism via actuation of the latch lever. The latch rod is configured so as to attenuate vertical motion of the latch rod in response to a sufficient force associated with a side-impact event. In one embodiment, the latch rod has a first member operatively connected to the door handle, and a second member pivotally connected to the first member. The second member is coupled to the latch lever, and the-second member is pivotally movable with the latch lever laterally in a direction away from the first member in response to a sufficient force associated with a side-impact event.

Abstract: A component of an actuatable apparatus has a substrate, a selectively light- transmissive opaque covering, and an illumination source. The opaque covering is applied to an obverse surface or a reverse surface of the substrate to selectively enable and prevent transmission of light therethrough. The illumination source is adjacent the reverse surface for illuminating a selected area of the substrate. The opaque covering is characterized by first and second portions collectively defining a pattern associated with the selected area. The first portion enables transmission of light therethrough, and the second portion prevents or impedes transmission of light therethrough. Actuation of the illumination source directs light through the first portion but not through the second portion to reveal the pattern. The opaque covering renders the pattern invisible when the illumination source is in the non- illuminated state, and visible when the illumination source is in the illuminated state.

Abstract: An organization and storage assembly movably coupled with a track having a partially enclosed polygonal channelway, and a base, a mounting lug, a lock actuator, and a first organization and storage accessory. The base is at least partially enclosable in, and slidably translatable along, a polygonal channelway. The mounting lug is mounted to the base to extend exteriorly of the channelway when the base is within the channelway. The lock actuator is movably coupled with the base, for engagement and disengagement of the lock actuator under the influence of a biasing element. A first organization and storage accessory is resiliently coupled with the mounting lug, and can be selectively uncoupled from the mounting lug when the base is at least partially enclosed in a polygonal channelway to enable coupling of a second organization and storage accessory with the mounting lug without uncoupling the organization and storage assembly from a track.

Abstract: A keyless entry system has a handle housing and a grip cover defining a door handle grip, a keyless entry pad defining a plurality of keys, each identified with a corresponding symbol, a plurality of sensors in proximity to the keys for detecting an object in the vicinity of the keys, an illumination source to selectively backlight the sensors and symbols, and a light-controlling membrane extending over the keyless entry pad. Entering a keyless entry code into the keyless entry pad by selecting keys in a predetermined sequence enables a latch to be selectively disposed in either a locked condition or an unlocked condition. In ambient light, the light-controlling membrane renders the symbol invisible. When the illumination source backlights the sensor and the symbol, the light-controlling membrane renders the symbol visible.

Abstract: A keyless entry system has a handle housing and a grip cover defining a door handle grip, a keyless entry pad defining a plurality of keys, each identified with a corresponding symbol, a plurality of sensors in proximity to the keys for detecting an object in the vicinity of the keys, an illumination source to selectively backlight the sensors and symbols, and a light-controlling membrane extending over the keyless entry pad. Entering a keyless entry code into the keyless entry pad by selecting keys in a predetermined sequence enables a latch to be selectively disposed in either a locked condition or an unlocked condition. In ambient light, the light-controlling membrane renders the symbol invisible. When the illumination source backlights the sensor and the symbol, the light-controlling membrane renders the symbol visible.

Abstract: An inertial blocking member subassembly is activated by an inertial force vector. A release handle assembly has a framework, a door handle grip, and a bell crank actuator. The subassembly has a blocking member and a biasing element. The blocking member is associated with the framework, and movable in at least one of rotation about an axis of rotation and translation. The biasing element is associated with the blocking member for biasing the blocking member to a first position. The blocking member center of gravity is offset from the axis of rotation. When the force vector acts on the center of gravity, the blocking member can rotate into a second position. When the center of gravity, axis of rotation, and force vector are aligned, the blocking member remains in the second position until the force vector has attenuated. The biasing element can rotate the blocking member to the first position.

Abstract: A component of an actuatable apparatus includes a substrate having an external surface defining a selected area, an illumination source actuatable between an illuminated state and a non-illuminated state, and an opaque indicia coating applied over the selected area. The illumination source is positioned behind the selected area. A portion of the opaque indicia coating defines a pattern having a greater light transmissivity than the portion of the opaque indicia coating not comprising the pattern. The pattern is invisible when the illumination source is in the non-illuminated state, and visible when the illumination source is in the illuminated state and transmits light through the pattern.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent opening of a door during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A keyless entry system for a vehicle comprises a keyless entry pad having a plurality of keys. Each key has a corresponding symbol, and the symbols collectively form a textual representation of the vehicle and/or a user of the vehicle. A plurality of sensors in register with the keys for detecting the presence of a finger on each of the keys is coupled to an entry door latch for sending an unlock signal to the latch when a keyless entry code is entered a by selecting the keys with the finger in a predetermined sequence. When the latch is unlocked, the latch can be operated to open the entry door, such as with a door handle. The keyless entry system can be integrated with the door handle.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent opening of a door during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent opening of a door during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A vehicular trim component comprises a substrate having external and internal surfaces and a finish on at least one of the external and internal surfaces. An illumination source actuatable between an illuminated state and a non-illuminated state is positioned behind the substrate to direct light through the finish with the illumination source is in the illuminated state. A mask associated with the substrate defines at least a masked portion and an unmasked portion, wherein the unmasked portion transmits more light than the unmasked portion. The finish extends across both the masked portion and the unmasked portion to conceal visible differences between the masked portion and the unmasked portion when the illumination source is in the non-illuminated state. When the illumination source is in the illuminated state, light passes through the unmasked portion and the finish to provide a visible distinction between the masked portion and the unmasked portion.

Abstract: A vehicular trim component comprises a substrate having external and internal surfaces and a finish on at least one of the external and internal surfaces. An illumination source actuatable between an illuminated state and a non-illuminated state is positioned behind the substrate to direct light through the finish with the illumination source is in the illuminated state. A mask associated with the substrate defines at least a masked portion and an unmasked portion, wherein the unmasked portion transmits more light than the unmasked portion. The finish extends across both the masked portion and the unmasked portion to conceal visible differences between the masked portion and the unmasked portion when the illumination source is in the non-illuminated state. When the illumination source is in the illuminated state, light passes through the unmasked portion and the finish to provide a visible distinction between the masked portion and the unmasked portion.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent opening of a door during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent opening of a door during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.

Abstract: A vehicular door handle assembly comprises a secondary latch with a default active condition for preventing inadvertent opening of a door during an impact, such as a collision. The door handle assembly comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator in operative communication with the secondary latch for selective deactivation thereof. When the user's hand grasps and pulls the primary actuator in a normal fashion to open the vehicle door, the user's hand simultaneously grasps the secondary actuator and moves the secondary actuator to deactivate the secondary latch and allow movement of the primary actuator and thereby open the vehicular door.