Abstract: A lamp assembly includes a light transmissive diffusion plate having at least one lens positioned therein and a movable light source which can selectively be moved from a position aligned with the lens for providing spot lighting or positioned behind the diffusion plate for providing general interior illumination for the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a circuit board includes a light source mounted thereon and electrical contacts and is rotatably coupled behind a diffusion plate by a control knob extending through the diffusion plate and accessible to the vehicle operator such that by rotation of the knob, the light source is selectively moved between at least one spotlighting position and a diffuse lighting position.

Abstract: A vehicle coat hook assembly in which the coat hook is recessed into the header and is actuated to hanging and recessed positions by a simple push and release by the operator which linearly moves the coat hook to such positions. The actuation of the coat hook is controlled by a push-push mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding containers in a vehicle includes a base attachable to a vehicle, and a container holder member movably attached to the base for forming a container holder aperture over the base. An ashtray receptacle and an ashtray cover are integrated into the base, and one or two container holder members are movably mounted to the base on either side of the ashtray receptacle. The container holder members are extendable to form a container holder aperture over tile ashtray receptacle with the ashtray cover supporting the bottom of a container placed in the container holder aperture. The container holder members are also retractable to a storage position in the base for aesthetics. The base can be modular and retrofittably installed into a storage compartment in an existing vehicle armrest or console, or can be installed as original equipment. The container holder members are pivotally mounted on the ashtray cover, and are pivotable about a 90.degree.

Abstract: A fastener for securing panels together has a body made of spring steel member having a rosette fastener and at least one mounting flange. The rosette fastener is secured within a first polymeric panel with the mounting flange engaging the opposite surface of an abutting substrate panel for lockably engaging the substrate and panel thereby holding the two panels together. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastener includes a pair of flanges which are offset from a central platform of the body in which the rosette fastener is formed.

Abstract: A storage system for a vehicle includes a molded bin configured to fit within a trunk or rear storage area of the vehicle. A bin cover is pivotally secured to the bin to cover the bin for safe storage of articles in the bin. The bin cover includes an opening, and a second cover is pivotally secured to the primary cover over the opening so that the bin can be selectively accessed by opening either the bin cover or the secondary cover. Dividers are pivotally secured to the bottom of the bin and also to the bin cover so that they can be selectively raised to subdivide the space over the bin bottom and the bin cover for laterally supporting articles placed on the bin bottom and the bin cover, respectively. A modified storage system having a molded bin and adjacent covers is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical system for vehicle panels is disclosed which includes a plurality of conductors and electrical accessories for connection to the panel. The electrical accessories include insulation displacement contacts for connection with conductors in the panel. In one embodiment, the panel includes a plurality of conductive layers providing an electrical bus for the panel. In another embodiment, the conductors are formed in the panel between two dielectric layers.

Abstract: Vehicles embodying the present invention include a receiver, demodulator and control circuit which interfaces with various vehicle options to allow receipt of a vehicle address and control signal which is a personalization code to control the operation of one or more vehicle accessories. A display is provided for the display of information to the vehicle operator confirming the state of operation of an option change or addition when has been requested by the vehicle operator. In one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle includes a display for displaying a telephone number from a land-based paging system to the vehicle operator. In another embodiment of the present invention, the receiver demodulator and display unit receives alpha-numeric information when allows messages and/or telephone numbers to be displayed to the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A vehicle accessory includes a trainable transmitter for duplicating the signal of an existing remote control. In one embodiment, the system includes a variable frequency generator having a frequency control input and an output. In one embodiment, also, the transmitter includes a switch for selectively disabling the variable frequency generator. According to another embodiment, the transmitter is trained by adjusting the frequency of the signal output by the variable frequency generator until it matches a signal transmitted by an existing remote control for a garage door opening mechanism. According to another embodiment, a variable attenuator is controlled to adjust the magnitude of the output signal of the variable frequency generator in inverse relationship to the duty cycle of output signals therefrom.

Abstract: A vehicle structural accessory includes one or more electronic accessories. One electrical accessory which may be provided is an electronically trainable transmitter which is trainable to generate a control signal which will actuate a garage door opening mechanism. Another electronic accessory which may be included is an electronic compass. Yet another device is an electronically adjustable mirror having parameters set for each driver of a vehicle. The electronically adjustable rearview mirror and the electronically trainable garage door opener may be advantageously provided with a keyless entry system.

Abstract: A vehicle visor includes a visor body for attachment to a vehicle, a mirror and a light source mounted to the body, and a lens attached to the body for controlling the distribution of light from the light source. The lens includes a surface with microvariations formed therein to define a holographic optical element that directs the light into a predetermined pattern for illuminating the face of the user. The lens so formed eliminates undesirable uneven light distribution such as "spider webbing," light/dark patchiness and chromatic aberrations in and around the predetermined light pattern.

Abstract: A visor mounting bracket defines a channel opening forwardly and rearwardly such that a visor end post can be inserted and held within the channel from either direction. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the bracket is made of a resilient polymeric material. Also in a preferred embodiment, the channel includes a detent for releasably holding the visor end post within the visor bracket. In one embodiment of the invention, the visor bracket additionally includes a socket for receiving an auxiliary visor pivot rod.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a mirror mounted near the roof for reflecting an image generated by a display source. The display source and mirror are shaped and positioned to provide a virtual image of the image generated by the display source which is focused at infinity.

Abstract: An armrest for a vehicle such as an automobile includes at least one concave core which is covered with an upholstery material. In one-embodiment, the peripheral edge of a core is covered with a panel which secures the edge of the upholstery material to the core. In another embodiment, the core defines recesses on opposite sides and is covered by a multi-sectioned upholstered panel with sides which extend into the recesses. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of concave core sections are covered by an upholstery material and hinged together to define an armrest.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a vehicle rearview mirror has breakaway capability and includes a base for attachment to an interior portion of a vehicle and a support for releasable attachment to the base. A rearview mirror assembly is mounted on an end of said support. The support and base include removable electrical connectors for removably, electrically connecting any one of a variety of selectable electrical circuits in the rearview mirror assembly to wiring in the vehicle roof structure. A spring clip is provided to releasably connect the support member to the base such that a predetermined level of force is required to cause the support to release from the base and thereby permit the rearview mirror to break away.

Abstract: An assist strap is made of a flexible exoskeleton of a tubular shape which overlies a tubular core to provide a strong yet cushioned strap. Opposite ends of the strap are held by clamps which in turn are secured to a vehicle for attaching the strap to a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle accessory such as a visor includes a body with a vanity mirror frame and mirror mounted thereto. A pair of opposed covers are slidably coupled to the mirror frame and are coupled together such that movement of one cover between an open and closed position effects the movement of the remaining cover in an opposite direction. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inwardly facing ends include external illumination sources which abut one another when the covers are closed to provide a point light source for the interior illumination of the vehicle when the visor is in a lowered use position and which is directable by movement of the visor for providing illumination for the vehicle occupants. When the covers are moved to an open position, the illumination sources are spaced-apart on opposite edges of the mirror and provide illumination for the face of the user of the illuminated vanity mirror facilitating use under low, ambient light conditions.

Abstract: A transmitter includes an attenuator for adjusting the level of an output signal as a function of the pulse width and frequency of the output signal. The transmitter also includes receiver components which are disabled when the transmitter is transmitting.

Abstract: A lamp assembly for a vehicle is integrally formed in a vehicle headliner which includes an aperture for receiving a lens. In some preferred embodiments, the lens snap-fits directly to the headliner. In another preferred embodiment the lens and a trim bezel interlockably engage the edge of the headliner.

Abstract: An armrest includes an armrest body and mounting mechanism to allow the armrest body to be pulled upwardly from a lower forward edge from a stored vertical position into a generally horizontal use position and subsequently be swiveled on a generally vertical axis in a generally horizontal plane from side to side to fully support and align with the longitudinal axis of the forearm of the In one embodiment of the invention, the upper surface of the armrest body was concave to cradle the user's arm. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the armrest body was adjustable in a generally vertical plane for tilting the armrest to the most comfortable position.

Abstract: A vehicle visor includes a vanity mirror mounted on the side facing the interior of the vehicle when the visor is in the lowered front windshield use position. A sliding panel selectively defines a cover for the mirror and visor extender. A guide member is mounted to the visor to one side of the mirror to be concealed by the cover which includes guide tracks which slidably couple the cover to the guide member.