Abstract: An antimicrobial, push button switch assembly for use at a self-service, dispensing or charging station is provided. The assembly includes a housing and a selection button supported for bi-directional movement within an opening in the housing. The selection button includes a plastic substrate and a plastic film sheet bonded to the substrate in a molding process. The film sheet has an outer touch surface configured to be pressed by a customer to initiate a dispensing or charging transaction. The film sheet is configured to allow at least one of germicidal light and antimicrobial agents to travel therethrough to the outer touch surface to disinfect the outer touch surface of pathogenic microorganisms.

Abstract: A vehicular temperature regulating system and panel assembly including a touch panel configured to be heated or cooled within a passenger compartment of a vehicle having a support structure are provided. The assembly includes a touch panel made of a substantially rigid or semirigid, thermally conductive, polymeric material. The touch panel is configured to be attached to the support structure. The assembly also includes a thermoelectric heater/cooler including an array of thermoelectric devices in heat transfer relationship with the touch panel and is configured to pump heat when energized by an electrical power source of the vehicle. Heat conductive properties of the polymeric material allow the touch panel to transfer heat either to or from substantially the entire touch surface of the touch panel to heat or cool, respectively, the touch surface via thermal conduction. Thermal comfort of a passenger within the compartment is thereby improved.

Abstract: A vehicular temperature regulating system and a panel assembly for radiating heat within a passenger compartment of a vehicle are provided. The assembly includes a substrate panel made of a substantially rigid or semi-rigid, thermally conductive, polymeric material. The panel is configured to be attached to a support structure of the vehicle. The assembly also includes a thermoelectric heater having an array of thermoelectric devices in heat transfer relationship with the panel and configured to generate heat when energized by an electrical power source of the vehicle. Heat conductive properties of the polymeric material allow the panel to transfer heat generated by the heater to a front surface of the panel to heat the panel to an elevated temperature via thermal conduction. Substantially the entire front surface of the panel is sized and shaped to radiate the transferred heat in the form of infrared radiation into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A solid, multi-plastic handlebar is provided. The handlebar includes an inner substrate component made of a load-bearing, structural plastic material. In one embodiment, the substrate component includes a first set of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending locking members. The handlebar also includes an outer component overlying the substrate component and made of a plastic material less rigid than the plastic material of the substrate component. The outer component is configured to be gripped by a human hand. The outer component includes a second set of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending locking members which interlock with the first set of locking members to mechanically lock the substrate component and the outer component together.

Abstract: An antimicrobial, injection molded air duct for use in an air distribution system which delivers air to a passenger cabin of a vehicle or into an enclosed space within a residential structure is provided. The air duct includes a hollow, injection molded housing having an air passageway for communicating airflow therethrough. The housing includes a layer of molded material which at least partially defines the passageway and which absorbs airborne liquid droplets containing infectious, disease-causing pathogens moving with the airflow. The molded material includes antimicrobial agents disbursed throughout the layer to reduce the number of pathogens contained within droplets absorbed by the layer.

Abstract: A low-profile, backlit panel assembly and a controller for displaying images and/or data within a passenger compartment of a vehicle are provided. The assembly includes a substrate panel perforated with a two-dimensional array of closely-spaced holes. The panel is configured to be attached to a support structure of the vehicle. The assembly further includes a plurality of semiconductor-based, lighting devices supported at a back surface of the panel. Each of the lighting devices includes at least one lighting element. Each of the lighting elements is individually addressable by the controller to control luminous intensity of the light emitted by the at least one lighting element. Each of the lighting devices is aligned with one of the holes so that light emitted by each of the lighting devices travels through its hole to the passenger compartment in the form of a pixel of a two-dimensional image.

Abstract: A method and system for deterring an unauthorized transaction at a self-service dispensing or charging station are provided. A camera is configured to capture at least one image of a face of a person contained within a field of view of the camera at a push button switch assembly. The assembly has an outer touch surface configured to be pressed by person to initiate a dispensing or charging transaction. A memory device is configured to store data containing facial characteristics or features of known suspicious persons. A controller or processor is configured to determine whether the person within the field of view is a known suspicious person or not by comparing the facial characteristics or features of the person within the field of view with the facial characteristics or features of the known suspicious persons.

Abstract: An antimicrobial, push button switch assembly for use at a self-service, dispensing or charging station is provided. The assembly includes a housing and a selection button supported for bi-directional movement within an opening in the housing. The selection button includes a plastic substrate and a plastic film sheet bonded to the substrate in a molding process. The film sheet has an outer touch surface configured to be pressed by a customer to initiate a dispensing or charging transaction. The film sheet is configured to allow at least one of germicidal light and antimicrobial agents to travel therethrough to the outer touch surface to disinfect the outer touch surface of pathogenic microorganisms.

Abstract: Systems for deterring improper fueling and charging of vehicles at vehicle fueling and electrical charging stations, respectively, are provided. Each system includes a stationary communication device configured to receive wireless signals transmitted by a mobile communication device located proximate its station. Each signal contains identification data. A plurality of pushbutton switch assemblies are included at each station. Each of the assemblies is manually operable to allow a customer to initiate a fuel dispensing or charging transaction. One or more sensory indicators are located at each station and are configured to provide an alert to assist the customer to make a proper selection of either fuel or charging connector. A controller or processor is configured to determine the proper grade or type of fuel by processing the identification data and to activate or alter the one or more sensory indicators thereby assisting the customer in his or her selection process.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for actuating air blocking elements of an outlet assembly is provided. The actuator assembly includes an actuator arm and a selector member operatively connected to the actuator arm to rotate the actuator arm about an arm axis. The actuator arm is operatively connected to a first air blocking element to rotate the first air blocking element towards its air blocking position without moving a second air blocking element upon rotation of the actuator arm in a first direction from a neutral, non-blocking position of the actuator arm about the arm axis. The actuator arm is operatively connected to the second air blocking element to rotate the second air blocking element towards its air blocking position without moving the first air blocking element upon rotation of the actuator arm in a second direction opposite the first direction from the neutral, non-blocking position.

Abstract: An outlet assembly having a plurality of different operating modes for improving air flow in an air distribution system is provided. The assembly includes a first blocking element supported by a first wall of a housing for movement between blocking and unblocking positions within a cavity of the housing. The first blocking element prevents a first layer of air from flowing immediately adjacent the first wall in its blocking position. A second blocking element is supported by a second wall of the housing for movement between blocking and unblocking positions within the cavity. The second blocking element prevents a second layer of air from flowing immediately adjacent the second wall in its blocking position. An actuator subassembly including a selector member is supported for movement between a plurality of predefined positions which correspond to first and second blocking modes and a nominal unblocking mode.

Abstract: At least one and, preferably, a pair of generally parallel side wall assemblies for use in a pick-up truck bed are provided. Each of the assemblies includes a vertically extending side wall having an upper surface and a set of linearly spaced pockets extending from the upper surface and into the side wall. Each of the pockets receives and retains a stake in a stowed position within the side wall wherein the bed has a first storage capacity. Each of the pockets allows its stake to move therein to an extended position above the upper surface wherein the bed has a second storage capacity greater than the first storage capacity in the extended positions of the stakes.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle speaker system includes a vehicle mount adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and a speaker assembly including front and back injection molded panels which, when joined together, define a speaker compartment at first and second ends of the panels to house a speaker unit and a central compartment which separates the speaker compartments. A pair of spaced, powered hinge assemblies are disposed within the central compartment and hingedly connect the speaker assembly to the vehicle mount to allow limited swinging movement of the speaker assembly between different positions on the vehicle. Each hinge assembly includes a bidirectional, electrically-powered actuator and transmission subassembly. Each subassembly including a rotary output shaft and a set of interconnected transmission elements coupled to the output shaft and to the speaker assembly to automatically swing the speaker assembly based on a command signal.

Abstract: A solid, multi-plastic handlebar is provided. The handlebar includes an inner substrate component made of a load-bearing, structural plastic material. In one embodiment, the substrate component includes a first set of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending locking members. The handlebar also includes an outer component overlying the substrate component and made of a plastic material less rigid than the plastic material of the substrate component. The outer component is configured to be gripped by a human hand. The outer component includes a second set of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending locking members which interlock with the first set of locking members to mechanically lock the substrate component and the outer component together.

Abstract: A vibrating panel assembly configured to radiate sound into a passenger compartment of a vehicle having a support structure is provided. The assembly includes a substrate panel having front and back surfaces. The panel includes an inner portion, an outer boundary portion formed on the perimeter of the panel and an intermediate portion between the inner portion and the outer boundary portion. The vibrating panel has a frequency distribution of modes in a range of audible frequencies. The panel is configured to be attached to the support structure. An electroacoustic vibrator is mounted on the inner portion at the back surface at a predetermined location and is configured to vibrate the panel over the range of audible frequencies in response to an electrical signal. The intermediate portion is configured to increase modal density of the panel.

Abstract: A vibrating panel assembly configured to radiate sound into a passenger compartment of a vehicle having a support structure is provided. The assembly includes a substrate panel having front and back surfaces. The panel includes an inner portion, an outer boundary portion formed on the perimeter of the panel and an intermediate portion between the inner portion and the outer boundary portion. The vibrating panel has a frequency distribution of modes in a range of audible frequencies. The panel is configured to be attached to the support structure. An electroacoustic vibrator is mounted on the inner portion at the back surface at a predetermined location and is configured to vibrate the panel over the range of audible frequencies in response to an electrical signal. The intermediate portion is configured to increase modal density of the panel.

Abstract: A low-profile panel assembly configured to provide sound having at least one acoustic wavelength within a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a support structure. The assembly includes a substrate panel perforated with at least one sub-wavelength hole which extends between front and back surfaces of the panel. The panel is configured to be attached to the support structure. A continuous membrane of facing material overlies and is in contact with the panel. The membrane is tightly stretched over and covers the at least one hole at the front surface of the panel. An electroacoustic sound source is configured to radiate acoustic waves against the back surface of the panel. The radiated acoustic waves travel through the at least one membrane-covered hole to vibrate at least one portion of the membrane which tightly covers the at least one hole. The at least one vibrating portion of the membrane radiates acoustic waves into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for marking a workpiece at a marking location by infusing colorant into targeted surface material within a region of the workpiece via laser-induced chemical etching are disclosed. The system includes a laser subsystem for generating a pulsed laser output and a transport subsystem including a medium containing the colorant mounted immediately adjacent the marking location to transfer the colorant to the targeted surface material upon impact by the pulsed laser output. The system also includes a delivery subsystem for irradiating the medium and the targeted surface material with the pulsed laser output to melt the targeted surface material to obtain molten material and to transfer the colorant from the medium to the molten material. The molten material allows the transferred colorant to thermally diffuse into and chemically bond to the molten material. Each laser pulse creates a microtextured colorized spot of material on the workpiece.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle speaker system includes a vehicle mount adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and a speaker assembly including front and back injection molded panels which, when joined together, define a speaker compartment at first and second ends of the panels to house a speaker unit and a central compartment which separates the speaker compartments. A pair of spaced, powered hinge assemblies are disposed within the central compartment and hingedly connect the speaker assembly to the vehicle mount to allow limited swinging movement of the speaker assembly between different positions on the vehicle. Each hinge assembly includes a bidirectional, electrically-powered actuator and transmission subassembly. Each subassembly including a rotary output shaft and a set of interconnected transmission elements coupled to the output shaft and to the speaker assembly to automatically swing the speaker assembly based on a command signal.

Abstract: At least one and, preferably, a pair of generally parallel side wall assemblies for use in a pick-up truck bed are provided. Each of the assemblies includes a vertically extending side wall having an upper surface and a set of linearly spaced pockets extending from the upper surface and into the side wall. Each of the pockets receives and retains a stake in a stowed position within the side wall wherein the bed has a first storage capacity. Each of the pockets allows its stake to move therein to an extended position above the upper surface wherein the bed has a second storage capacity greater than the first storage capacity in the extended positions of the stakes.