Abstract: A lamp socket for an automotive exterior lamp assembly that can be used with a replaceable incandescent bulb. The lamp socket comprises a plastic socket made from nylon 4,6. The lamp socket exhibits reduced outgassing that would otherwise result from photo-oxidative degradation of the polymers in the plastic socket. This helps prevent fogging of the lamp assembly lens and/or reflector for improved performance and aesthetic appearance over the life of the lamp assembly. The incandescent bulb used in the assembly can include a press-sealed end having a sleeve attached over the press-sealed end, and the sleeve can be made from at least one of nylon 4,6, PEI and PPA. The incandescent bulb may also have a molded plastic base, and the base can also be made from at least one of nylon 4,6, PEI and PPA.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensor assembly which can sense human tissue in a protected area of a machine. An emitter plate and a plurality of sensor plates are disposed co-planar to each other and adjacent to the protected area of the machine. An electric field is generated between the emitter plate and the sensor plates and directed towards the protected area. The sensor plates produce electrical signals corresponding to the electric field received at the sensor plate. The electrical signals are amplified, measures, and analyzed to determine if human tissue is within the protected area. If human tissue is detected, a machine interface circuit will shut down the machine to prevent injury.

Abstract: A journal bearing has a lining of bearing metal applied to a steel backing. The surface of the lining is laser peen hardened to locally increase the hardness and the seizure resistance of the lining. The underlying core of the lining is unaffected and maintains good conformability of the lining. The overall lining thus possesses both good seizure resistance and conformability.

Abstract: The invention provides a seal for a rotatable shaft. The seal includes an inner case mountable to the shaft and having a body and first and second flanges extending radially outward from the body. The seal includes first and second sealing discs operable to seal against the first and second flanges of the inner case. The sealing discs are immovably associated with a housing spaced from the shaft. A spring encircles the shaft and inner case to urge the sealing discs against the flanges. The spring rate of the spring is controlled to enhance sealing, reduce turning torque, and extend life of the seal.

Abstract: A lighting assembly (10) is adjustable between flood and spot lighting conditions for selectively illuminating an interior passenger compartment in a motor vehicle. The assembly (10) includes a housing (16) which clamps to a supporting member, such as a headliner (12), via a sleeve (18) interacting with a rotary cam lock (22). An LED light source (26) is orbitally supported within the housing (16) for projecting light in a directionally adjustable manner. A lens (50) is disposed in the light path (28) and is moveable between an extended spot position for task lighting and a retracted flood position for general illumination within the interior compartment. A switch (74) is responsive to movement of the lens (50) into its spot position for automatically energizing the LED (30). The switch (74) opens, thus de-energizing the LED (30) when the lens (50) is returned to its flood condition.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly (10) having a transparent intermediate substrate (42) inside its housing (16) on which is applied a phosphor coated indicia (40) for giving the appearance of a depth dimension when energized by a UV light source (36). Multiple intermediate substrates (42, 48) can be positioned at different level within the interior region of the housing (16), each containing various indicia (40, 46, 56, 58) which emits luminescent light when irradiated by the UV light source (36). Multiple UV light sources (36, 52) can be set to project UV radiation of different wavelengths into the housing (16) with each of the phosphor coated indicia (40, 46, 56, 58) being selected from material types which are responsive to only one of the various UV wavelengths, so that each indicia (40, 46, 56, 58) can be selectively energized to display warnings, information messages, or the like.

Abstract: A substrate including a plurality of monofilaments, or a combination of monofilaments and multi-filament yarns oriented in perpendicular directions, has a tendency to curl around a central space. When all monofilaments are used, the monofilaments along one direction may have a larger diameter than the monofilaments along the other direction. The monofilaments are woven such that the larger diameter monofilaments form floats predominantly on one side of the substrate. For the monofilament-multifilament combination the monofilaments form floats predominantly on one side of the substrate. The substrate curls about an axis parallel to the monofilaments forming the floats. The side having the floats faces outwardly away from the central space. Preferably, the monofilaments are oriented in the warp direction along the substrate. The filaments may be woven in a herringbone twill weave, a double cloth herringbone twill weave or a satin weave to provide the floats.

Abstract: A heat shield and heat shield assembly for protecting components exposed to heat are disclosed. The heat shield includes a shroud shaped to cover the component, the shroud having heat reflective layers and a heat insulating layer. The shroud is attached to a clip for removable attachment to the component. A flexible, resilient tab extends from the shroud, the tab providing a means for attaching the heat shield to a wiring harness to form an assembly connectable to the component. The tab is bendable for relative movement of the shroud from a position spaced from the component to a position in which the shroud covers the component upon connection of the wiring harness to the component.

Abstract: A heavy-duty flat wiper blade assembly has a wiper element and an extruded metallic frame. The frame has a bottom channel with a slot traversing its length in which the wiper element is maintained. The wiper element extends through the slot and outwardly from the bottom channel to make contact with a surface to be wiped. The frame has a closed upper channel that may include a fluid inlet opening for receiving wiper fluid into the channel and a fluid outlet opening for discharging the wiper fluid from the upper channel onto a surface to be wiped.

Abstract: An attachment device for attaching a substrate to a support structure includes a housing having a space defined by facing wall portions. The space captures a rotatable push nut with flexible teeth. The housing is attached to the substrate using a flange positioned opposite one of the wall portions, the substrate being crimped between the flange and the wall portion. The device may be pushed onto a threaded stud to rapidly affix the substrate to the support structure. The push nut may be rotated within the housing to disengage it from the stud and thereby remove the substrate from the support structure.

Abstract: A dynamic radial seal includes a rigid casing. The seal also includes an elastomeric casing positioned interior of and bonded to the rigid casing. The elastomeric casing has an axial spring member which extends radially inwardly from and axially along the rigid casing. The axial spring member includes a neck portion which extends from the elastomeric casing and a seal attachment portion that is attached to the neck portion and has a bonding surface. The seal also includes a pre-stressed fluoropolymer seal which has a bonding surface and a sealing surface. A bond joins the bonding surface of the pre-stressed fluoropolymer seal to the bonding surface of the seal attachment portion. The seal attachment portion of the spring member is operative to provide sealing contact of the fluoropolymer seal along the entirety of its sealing surface when engaged with a mating surface of a shaft.

Abstract: A ground electrode for a spark plug has a through hole located adjacent a firing end of the electrode, with a precious metal firing tip extending through the hole. The firing tip is compressed axially to define a bulging portion extending radially outwardly from its longitudinal axis to mechanically retain the firing tip within the through hole. The firing tip additionally has an enlarged head or otherwise expanded portion at each axial end of the tip to provide a second mechanical interlock of the tip to the ground electrode. The firing tip can then also be welded to further strengthen its connection to the ground electrode. A method of manufacturing the ground electrode and a spark plug containing the ground electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pull tape for facilitating positioning of elongated items within a protective sleeve is disclosed. The pull tape is woven of filamentary members preferably using a twill or satin weave that allows floats to form on the surface of the tape that reduce friction between the tape and the sleeve when the tape is drawn through the sleeve. Preferably, the tape is formed of multifilament warp and weft yarns woven in a plain weave with additional monofilament yarns arranged in the warp direction and woven in a twill or satin weave to form the floats in the warp direction. Additional embodiments include tapes having warp members entirely of monofilaments, as well as both warp and weft members being entirely of monofilaments.