Abstract: Antenna mount comprised of an essentially tubular length of an elastomer, to which, at one end, a fitting adapted to receiver an antenna is secured and, at the other, a fitting adapted to receive a lead-in connector is also secured. A flexible conductor extends between the portions in the fittings where electrical contact is made with, respectively, the antenna and a coupler for the lead-in to the radio set. Noise-free duplexing can be obtained.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for an automotive vehicle rear view mirror. The bracket includes a mirror-supporting arm which normally extends outwardly from the side of the automotive vehicle. A spring-loaded detent maintains the mirror-support arm in its normal position. Manually applying a pivoting force above a certain magnitude to the arm overcomes the biasing force of the detent and permits rotation of the mirror-support arm and its mirror inwardly towards the automotive vehicle to reduce the overall vehicle width.

Abstract: A duplexer includes an integral interdigital transmitter filter and parallel interdigital receiver filter in a common housing. A three-quarter wavelength antenna transformer section couples rf energy from the transmitter filter to an antenna and also couples rf energy from the antenna to the receiver filter and to an antenna cable connector. The receiver filter selectivity is improved by providing a notch resonator between a receiver transformer section and the housing, and the transmitter filter selectivity is improved by providing a notch resonator between a transmitter resonator and the housing.

Abstract: A three-stage amplifier circuit specially configured to provide a high input impedance. An initial emitter follower transistor stage amplifies the current level of an ac input signal to produce a first intermediate signal, a common-base transistor stage amplifies the voltage level of the first intermediate signal to produce a second intermediate signal, and a final emitter-follower transistor stage amplifies the current level of the second intermediate signal to produce an output signal in phase with the input signal. A feedback circuit feeds back the output signal to the input of the common-base transistor stage, to supplement the first intermediate signal input. This effectively increases the input impedance of the common-base transistor stage and, likewise, the initial emitter follower transistor stage, whereby the amplifier circuit can be used to amplify signals produced by high impedance sources.

Abstract: An improved method for securing an antenna to a vehicular window. Adhesive securance of a base portion of an antenna assembly is accomplished by an adhesive means including a conformable foam layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. A bridge of silicone adhesive is provided to surround the adhesive means, and a shield is disposed thereabout and is adhered to the window and base to protect the adhesive means and to restrain removal of the base portion from the window.

Abstract: An isolator assembly for isolating a transmitting and receiving communications antenna member from a mast and connector. The isolator assembly electrically couples an antenna member to a connector for passage of radio frequency energy but also electrically isolates the antenna member from the connector and the mast from a high voltage on the antenna member.

Abstract: A conversion kit for an automotive wheel cover, which has a central opening defined therein, is provided by securing a hub spacer to a vehicle wheel against a bolt-on flange formed as part of the vehicle wheel. The hub spacer is secured by lug bolts or nuts. The hub spacer forms a guide which extends from the vehicle wheel toward the central opening of the wheel cover. A fastener, which is longitudinally constrained with respect to the hub spacer, is included within the guide and is laterally movable to allow the fastener to be aligned within the central opening of the wheel cover. A replacement hub cap is mounted in place of the conventional non-locking hub cap. An annular concentric recess is formed in the replacement hub cap and is disposed in a direction away from the automotive wheel. The annular recess forms a narrow bearing shoulder and a small diameter axial bore through which the fastener is disposed.

Abstract: A decorative wheel cover is devised for an automotive wheel hub which allows for the arbitrary multiplication of decorative designs displayed by the wheel covering. The wheel cover includes a rim which is coupled to the wheel and a plurality of decorative segments which couple to the rim. Each of the segments is reversible or may be displaced with respect to each other to vary the pattern formed by the segments.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle sun visor is provided with an improved glare shield in which a flat sheet of glare reducing plastic is hinged to a backing and secured to the sun visor by means of metal clips inserted in the backing. The backing has a latch adapted to receive the edge of the glare reducing sheet opposite the hinge when the glare reducing sheet is folded into face to face relationship with the backing.

Abstract: A gauge mounting device is provided for use in the instrument panel area of a vehicle and includes a pair of frames arranged to fit back to back in mating disposition. The outwardly facing surface of each frame is color, texture and style coordinated with the vehicle interior and to suit the preference of the user. The frames include congruent bezels with at least one gauge mounted against a bezel in one frame with an umbilical sensor connector extending through the corresponding bezel in the opposite frame.

Abstract: A timing circuit is provided for the headlights of an automotive vehicle to maintain the headlights in an illuminated condition for an adjustable, predetermined time after the vehicle ignition is turned off. The timing circuit is housed in an enclosed casing that includes an access port that allows insertion of a tool to effectuate timing adjustment. The casing includes a locking mechanism for immobilizing insulated electrical wires relative to the casing at locations displaced from the contact terminations of those wires.

Abstract: A battery tray for an automotive vehicle is constructed for use as a replacement item and is adapted to receive the great majority of commercially available lead storage batteries. The battery tray is constructed with a rectangular floor bounded by edge retainers and with three spaced sunken wells arranged along the length of the floor. A pair of spaced apart elongated slots are defined in each of the end wells parallel to the longer floor sides and a circular aperture is defined therebetween. At least one elongated transverse slot is defined in the center well.

Abstract: A threaded cap for sealing an automotive vehicle fuel tank is provided with a unitary molded central plastic core and a bonnet rotatably mounted on the plastic core. A pair of concentric races are defined on the plastic core. The inner race carries a unitary molded plastic frame which has a pair of resilient, closely spaced transverse cantilevered arms defining a gap therebetween. The frame is also provided with a resilient catch. A unitary molded plastic bolt is reciprocally movable along the gap to engage and disengage the core for rotation with the bonnet. The bolt has two detents which coact with the catch on the frame to hold the bolt at selected unlocking and locking dispositions of movement. The bolt includes a stud which projects into the gap between the arms so that the arms spring bias the bolt toward the locking disposition. A lock mechanism is used to shift the bolt to an unlocking disposition so that the fuel cap be disengaged from the fuel tank inlet pipe.

Abstract: A simple fuel consumption efficiency gauge employs a pointer mechanically coupled to the extremity of a Bourdon gauge. The pointer is electrically coupled to vehicle ground and is bracketed by two contact posts associated with high and low fuel consumption efficiency, respectively. Contact by the pointer with either post completes an electrical circuit through a corresponding light emitting diode to signal good or poor fuel consumption efficiency. When the pointer is between the contact posts, current is continuously supplied to another light emitting diode through a load in order to signal fair fuel consumption efficiency. The device is housed in a casing adapted for connection to similar casings by means of clips and clamps.