Abstract: Signaling apparatus for a motor vehicle equipped with a key-operated ignition switch/steering lock assembly is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first electrical switch movable between open and closed positions upon insertion and removal of the key, a power source such as a battery, an electric circuit comprising a resistor, a diode and a transistor and energized by the power source when the first switch is open, signaling means such as a light or buzzer energizable by the electric circuit, and a second electrical switch which can be operatively associated with a door of the vehicle so that when the second switch is in a closed position because the door is open, the signaling means is operable. Preferably, the first switch comprises a stationary contact and a movable contact; the movable contact can be a lever which is a part in the ignition switch/steering lock.

Abstract: An antitheft device for the steering shaft of a motor vehicle is provided and has a resiliently urged locking or keying member (30) carried by an inner, non-rotatable tubular body (12). The locking or keying member (30) is deflected (32) in one direction to permit assembly of the inner tubular body (12) in an outer housing (10) of the device. The locking or keying member (30) is resiliently urged (32) into seating relationship in a radial opening (26) in the housing (10) when the inner tubular body (12) is in proper position in the housing (10). The locking or keying member (30) is deflected (32) in another direction to permit assembly of a cylinder lock (14) in said tubular body (12). The locking or keying member (30) is resiliently urged (32) into seating relationship in an aligned radial opening (28) in the cylinder lock (14) when the cylinder lock (14) is properly positioned in said inner tubular body (12).

Abstract: A motor vehicle power switch is provided and, in the form illustrated, is for use in conjunction with an automotive antitheft device. The antitheft device has apparatus for engaging a latch in a notch in the steering column to prevent turning of the steering column when the device is operative. A key operates the apparatus which moves a slider with respect to a stator. The slider has a plurality of conductive rollers which are urged toward the stator and at appropriate locations sequentially connects a main contact with secondary fixed contacts. The fixed contacts may be connected to the coil, the service mechanism, the fuel pump, to the starter. Specially designed sections are provided on the stator to facilitate rapid and positive closure of the electrical contacts.

Abstract: Several different configurations of the superstructure of a wiper blade are provided for use with a novel backing strip for a wiping element. The backing strip has two spaced apart backing elements which are joined at the ends and at at least one portion intermediate the ends. The joined intermediate portion or portions have reduced flexibility and are deformed toward or away from the surface to be wiped. When the deformation of the joined intermediate portion is away from the surface to be wiped, one end of one element of each superstructure applies pressure thereto to force the wiping element into wiping contact with the surface to be wiped. When the deformation of a joined intermediate portion is toward the surface to be wiped, the ends of one element of the superstructure contacts the backing strip at points equally spaced from said joined portion to force the wiping element into wiping contact with the surface to be wiped.

Abstract: An antitheft device is provided for use with a reversible type key. The device includes a plate movable in a slot extending transverse to the direction of a key-receiving slot. The key entering the slot moves the plate which, in turn, pivots a lever to latch with the lock to prevent the antitheft device from becoming operative as long as the key is in the key-receiving slot. The plate has a guiding surface which rides in a plane surface on the key as the key is inserted. The plane surface on the key moves the plate and lever to the desired position.

Abstract: A connector (19) is provided for connecting a wiper blade (13) to two different type hook-slot wiper arms (1, 2). The connector (19) is comprised of a housing (19A) having two lateral, spaced apart flanks (20) joined together by a cylindrical open sided body (25). The body (25) is shaped to snap over a cross pin of a wiper blade. A lever (26) is connected to the body (25) and extends rearward therefrom with a depending catch (27) and a handle (24) thereon. A pair of catches (29) are formed on the facing surfaces of the flanks (20). A first hook-slot arm (1) engages around the body (25) and raises the lever (26) until the catch (27) snaps into an opening in the arm to lock the arm to the connector (19). The arm is released by raising the handle (24) to lift the lever (26) and the catch (27) whereupon the arm is moved axially relative to the connector (19).

Abstract: An antitheft device for a steering shaft of a motor vehicle has a latch which is movable between a latching and an unlatching position with respect to said steering shaft. A stop element in the form of a ball is provided in a radially extending opening in a stationary cylinder. The ball overhangs a projecting portion of the latch to prevent the projecting portion of the latch from moving past the ball. A rotating cylinder into which a key is inserted is rotatably mounted on the inside of the stationary cylinder and has a pair of circumferentially and longitudinally spaced detents into which the ball moves as the rotating cylinder moves past the radially extending opening. When the ball drops in the remote one of the detents, the projecting portion of the latch moves past the ball whereupon movement of the rotating cylinder moves the ball out of the detent to prevent the projecting portion of the latch from accidentally moving past the ball.

Abstract: A connector or adaptor is provided for connecting several different style windshield wiper arms to a crosspin of a crosspin-type wiper blade. The connector or adaptor includes a one-piece tubular portion having inwardly urged detents, tabs or lips which engage in openings in the arm ends to latch the connector or adaptor to the end of the arm. The connector or adaptor has a pair of spaced walls with restricted openings merging into aligned apertures which apertures are adapted to receive the crosspin of the blade when said restricted openings are forced down over the pin. Several style arm ends with aligned openings in the opposite side walls can be connected to the connector or adaptor.

Abstract: A device for connecting the superstructure of a wiper blade in side-by-side relationship to a wiper arm. The device comprises a pin which extends through both the superstructure and the wiper arm and has an enlarged portion on one end of the pin operable to limit longitudinal and to prevent rotational movement of the pin relative to the superstructure of the wiper blade. The device also includes a member which is at least partially supported by a portion of the pin outside the wiper arm with a second member resiliently urging the wiper arm toward the superstructure. The superstructure acts as a stop limiting the relative movement of the wiper arm in the direction of the superstructure.

Abstract: A device for connecting the rod of a windshield wiper blade to one side of the channel-shaped end of an oscillating arm, the channel-shaped end having coaxial holes in its two opposite sides defining seats. The device includes a U-shaped bracket for articulated connection to the arm end. The bracket may have coaxial pins accommodated by the seats, or openings for accommodating bosses protruding outwardly from the seats. One of the pins may be spring biased to maintain the connection, or a leaf spring may be used having one position in which it interferes with disassembly of the parts and another position in which is permits disassembly.