Abstract: A ball stud track assembly includes a ball track and connector portion, the ball track comprising a back inner sidewall having a lower portion with a lower portion top surface and an upper portion having a retention ridge, an upper retaining arm extending from a front inner sidewall of the ball track and terminating at an upper arm end portion surface, and a lower retaining arm extending from the lower portion of the back inner sidewall and having a lower arm top surface, the upper arm end portion surface, the lower portion top surface, and the lower arm top surface extend to form a longitudinal ball channel having a central longitudinal ball channel axis, the ball channel configured to receive a ball stud head and allow sliding longitudinal movement, while restricting movement of the ball stud head along axes perpendicular to the central longitudinal ball channel axis.

Abstract: A ball channel and ball channel assembly are disclosed with the ball channel having a channel top, a channel bottom, and an inner portion including a first inner sidewall, a second inner sidewall, a first end wall, and a second end wall. A first resilient tab extends from the first inner sidewall with a first tab end surface, and a second resilient tab extends from the second inner sidewall with a second tab end surface. An elongated gutter extends longitudinally along the inner portion and adjacent the channel bottom, wherein the combination of the first and second tab end surfaces and a gutter top surface form a ball track for receiving a head of a ball stud and allowing secured sliding longitudinal movement of the head. An outer portion is also provided having a flange wall that is configured to engage a receiving wall of a mounting panel.

Abstract: A ball stud track assembly includes a ball track and connector portion, the ball track comprising a back inner sidewall having a lower portion with a lower portion top surface and an upper portion having a retention ridge, an upper retaining arm extending from a front inner sidewall of the ball track and terminating at an upper arm end portion surface, and a lower retaining arm extending from the lower portion of the back inner sidewall and having a lower arm top surface, the upper arm end portion surface, the lower portion top surface, and the lower arm top surface extend to form a longitudinal ball channel having a central longitudinal ball channel axis, the ball channel configured to receive a ball stud head and allow sliding longitudinal movement, while restricting movement of the ball stud head along axes perpendicular to the central longitudinal ball channel axis.

Abstract: A ball stud track assembly is provided that includes a ball track and connector portion, the ball track comprising a back inner sidewall having a lower portion with a lower portion top surface and an upper portion having a retention ridge, an upper retaining arm extending from a front inner sidewall of the ball track and terminating at an upper arm end portion surface, and a lower retaining arm extending from the lower portion of the back inner sidewall and having a lower arm top surface, the upper arm end portion surface, the lower portion top surface, and the lower arm top surface extend to form a longitudinal ball channel having a central longitudinal ball channel axis, the ball channel configured to receive a ball stud head and allow sliding longitudinal movement, while restricting movement of the ball stud head along axes perpendicular to the central longitudinal ball channel axis.

Abstract: An adjuster mechanism includes a housing having a neck and an adjustment shaft extending from the housing. The adjustment shaft is engageable in a reflector of a headlamp. An input shaft extends through the neck of the housing and rotation thereof causes movement of the adjustment shaft. At least one lobe is situated on the input shaft so as to create a non-circular interference fit that establishes a resistance to rotation of the input shaft.

Abstract: A ball stud track assembly is provided that includes a ball track and connector portion, the ball track comprising a back inner sidewall having a lower portion with a lower portion top surface and an upper portion having a retention ridge, an upper retaining arm extending from a front inner sidewall of the ball track and terminating at an upper arm end portion surface, and a lower retaining arm extending from the lower portion of the back inner sidewall and having a lower arm top surface, the upper arm end portion surface, the lower portion top surface, and the lower arm top surface extend to form a longitudinal ball channel having a central longitudinal ball channel axis, the ball channel configured to receive a ball stud head and allow sliding longitudinal movement, while restricting movement of the ball stud head along axes perpendicular to the central longitudinal ball channel axis.

Abstract: A snap wedge assembly is provided that includes a ball stud having a ball end configured for engagement with a light module, and an insert coupled with the ball stud, the insert comprising an insert first end and an insert second end, a plurality of wedges, each having wedge side surfaces and a wedge top surface that extend longitudinally from the insert first end towards the insert second end, wherein the wedge top surface tapers outward as it extends towards the ball end, and a plurality of snap fingers, the snap fingers each including an elongated flexible portion and a latching portion.

Abstract: A locking position stud fastener is configured to position, lock, and securely hold a lamp assembly to a vehicle body. A method for installing a lamp assembly on to a vehicle body having at least one opening for receiving a fastener includes the steps of securing a first end of a stud to the lamp assembly, rotating the stud about its axis, passing the stud through the vehicle body opening, and then locking and securing the stud in the vehicle body.

Abstract: A synchronized lamp adjuster assembly allows for adjustment of vehicle lamp assemblies that can be adjusted synchronously or by using the same adjuster assembly. Two or more adjuster assemblies are connected together by at least one shaft drive assembly having a shaft drive head that interacts with an input shaft for the adjuster assemblies. Rotation of the shaft drive head causes rotation of input shaft and adjuster assembly thus causing adjustment of the lamp assemblies.

Abstract: An adjuster mechanism that includes an adjustment gear, a housing with a radial lip, and a ball stud having stud teeth and a threaded portion threadingly engaged with the lip to retract and extend the ball stud relative to the lip during rotation of the ball stud. The gear having a gear body situated at least partially inside the housing and having splines for engaging the stud teeth to rotate the ball stud during rotation of the gear. Recessed inward relative to a gear body outer surface is a clutch tab that extends from a recessed side wall to form a side hinge. A stop wall on the clutch tab is engageable with the stud teeth when rotating the gear body in a first direction or second direction and disengageable from the stud teeth when rotating the gear body in the other of the first direction or second direction.

Abstract: An adjuster mechanism includes a housing having a neck and an adjustment shaft extending from the housing. The adjustment shaft is engageable in a reflector of a headlamp. An input shaft extends through the neck of the housing and rotation thereof causes movement of the adjustment shaft. At least one lobe is situated on the input shaft so as to create a non-circular interference fit that establishes a resistance to rotation of the input shaft.

Abstract: A snap wedge assembly is provided that includes a ball stud having a ball end configured for engagement with a light module, and an insert coupled with the ball stud, the insert comprising an insert first end and an insert second end, a plurality of wedges, each having wedge side surfaces and a wedge top surface that extend longitudinally from the insert first end towards the insert second end, wherein the wedge top surface tapers outward as it extends towards the ball end, and a plurality of snap fingers, the snap fingers each including an elongated flexible portion and a latching portion.

Abstract: A clutching adjuster having a housing with a ball stud bore and a nose, and a ball stud journaled by the ball stud bore for axial movement therethrough, the ball stud having a threaded portion, a ball, an unthreaded portion, an outbound annular travel barrier, and an inbound annular travel barrier, where in adjusting operation, rotation of the ball stud causes axial movement of the ball stud through the ball stud bore via engagement of the threaded portion of the ball stud with the nose, and where in length of travel clutching operation and end of travel clutching operation where the ball stud is axially rotated through the ball stud bore, the receipt of an undue axial force of resistance on the ball stud results in a deflection of at least a portion of the nose, allowing the engagement between the ball stud and the nose to clutch.

Abstract: A ball channel and ball channel assembly are disclosed with the ball channel having a channel top, a channel bottom, and an inner portion including a first inner sidewall, a second inner sidewall, a first end wall, and a second end wall. A first resilient tab extends from the first inner sidewall with a first tab end surface, and a second resilient tab extends from the second inner sidewall with a second tab end surface. An elongated gutter extends longitudinally along the inner portion and adjacent the channel bottom, wherein the combination of the first and second tab end surfaces and a gutter top surface form a ball track for receiving a head of a ball stud and allowing secured sliding longitudinal movement of the head. An outer portion is also provided having a flange wall that is configured to engage a receiving wall of a mounting panel.

Abstract: A vehicle headlight assembly includes a plurality of snap wedge assemblies with at least one of the snap wedge assemblies including a ball stud configured for engagement with a light module and an insert coupled with the ball stud, the insert including a plurality of wedges and a plurality of snap fingers. The assembly further includes a plurality of carrier receptacles for matingly receiving and securing the snap wedge assemblies.

Abstract: A ball socket for connection with a ball stud resists accidental pull-out of the ball stud. The ball socket achieves relatively low insertion force but relatively high pull-out force resistance.

Abstract: A clutching adjuster having a housing with a nose, the nose including a plurality of discrete helically-shaped thread segments, a ball stud journaled by a ball stud bore for axial movement therethrough and passing through the nose of the housing, the ball stud having a threaded portion, an unthreaded portion, a ball, and a drive spline portion, an outbound annular travel barrier and an inbound annular travel barrier, wherein, in length of travel clutching operation and end of travel clutching operation where the ball stud is axially rotated through the ball stud bore, the receipt of an undue axial force of resistance on the ball stud results in outward deflection of engaged thread segments, thereby allowing the threaded engagement between the threaded portion of the ball stud and the thread segments to clutch.

Abstract: An adjuster mechanism that includes an adjustment gear, a housing with a radial lip, and a ball stud having stud teeth and a threaded portion threadingly engaged with the lip to retract and extend the ball stud relative to the lip during rotation of the ball stud. The gear having a gear body situated at least partially inside the housing and having splines for engaging the stud teeth to rotate the ball stud during rotation of the gear. Recessed inward relative to a gear body outer surface is a clutch tab that extends from a recessed side wall to form a side hinge. A stop wall on the clutch tab is engageable with the stud teeth when rotating the gear body in a first direction or second direction and disengageable from the stud teeth when rotating the gear body in the other of the first direction or second direction.

Abstract: A ball socket for connection with a ball stud resists accidental pull-out of the ball stud. The ball socket achieves relatively low insertion force but relatively high pull-out force resistance.

Abstract: A fastener for use in connection with a tubular boss has a shaft with at least one rib along the length thereof and at least one thread segment extending at least partially around the shaft. The shaft is inserted into the boss in first position, and rotated to a second position wherein the at least one thread segment engages at least one column formed in the tubular boss. The shaft can be integrally formed with a first molded part to be fastened to a second molded part with an integrally formed tubular boss. Various locking features for locking the shaft in the boss are also disclosed.