Abstract: A visor mounting system includes a visor pivot rod with an end which extends through a bezel and a non-circular locking plate which cooperates with the bezel and pivot rod for allowing the visor to be initially inserted in an aperture in the underlying roof support and subsequently rotated using the visor as the installation tool to a position in which the locking plate lockably engages an aperture in the vehicle roof completing the installation. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking plate includes arcuate collars which slidably interfit with arcuate collars of the bezel to interlock the plate and bezel from relative rotation and yet allow the locking plate and bezel to move with respect to one another.

Abstract: An electrical vehicle accessory is directly mounted to an aperture in a supporting member base by providing a socket which includes a fastener which mechanically snaps the socket into the support member and, in turn, mechanically and electrically receives a plug of an electrical assembly for holding the assembly in a final installed position.

Abstract: A sliding visor includes a visor body with a slide extending within a track extending along the upper edge of the door frame and downwardly into the A-pillar. A storage pocket located at the end of the track receives the visor body for the unobtrusive storage of the visor when not in use. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a windshield mounted track visor is employed and includes a track concealably mounted behind the vehicle headliner above the windshield. The headliner includes a recess formed therein for receiving the visor for storage.

Abstract: A storage system for a vehicle having a floor and a wheel well defined in the floor includes a compartment-defining structure having a pivot for pivotally attaching the structure to the vehicle for movement between a first position wherein the structure straddles the wheel well and a second position wherein the structure is located generally adjacent the wheel well on the vehicle floor. A compartment defined by the compartment-defining structure is accessible in one or both of the first and second positions. In one aspect, the compartment-defining structure includes a curved sidewall shaped to be mateably positioned over the wheel well when in said first position, and an outer sidewall spaced from the curved sidewall defining one or more compartments between the two sidewalls. In another aspect, the compartment-defining structure includes an elastic fence allowing access to the compartments in the compartment-defining structure when in the raised position.

Abstract: A visor body is mounted to a pivot rod which in turn is mounted to a slide assembly positioned above a vehicle headliner. The headliner includes an opening at its forward end adjacent the windshield for concealably receiving the visor body and a longitudinally extending slot through which the pivot rod extends when the visor is moved to a lowered use position and rotated to a side window position. The slide assembly permits the visor body to be moved forwardly and rearwardly in either the front window or side window positions for providing selective sun blocking coverage.

Abstract: A personalization system for vehicles uses a CD player and a keyless entry transmitter. The CD player outputs audible prompting signals including accessory operation choices. The driver selects accessory operation by pressing the "LOCK" or "UNLOCK" switch on the keyless entry key fob following an associated audio prompting signal. A controller coupled to the CD player receives a selection signal from the keyless entry key fob and associates the receipt of the selection signal with an index corresponding to the audio prompting signal last output by the CD player. The controller controls accessory operation according to the accessory options selected responsive to the audible prompting signal.

Abstract: A telephone mounting system includes a carriage which is mounted within the top or cover of a vehicle storage console or armrest and pivots from a stored position in which its decorative surface is substantially flush with the upper surface of the console or armrest to a use position in which the opposite side of the carriage is presented and holds a cellular telephone handset. Access for use of the telephone, therefore, is provided without opening the cover of the console or armrest and the cover can be moved independently of the telephone mount.

Abstract: A feeder for poultry comprising a feed tray, a feed supply stack secured on the tray and audio conveying means to facilitate dispersion of feeding behavior enhancing sounds from the stack a feeding period.

Abstract: A decoupling clip for joining parts for normal use in a secure fashion and yet be easily separated as necessary for servicing includes a first clip having at least one spring clamp which extends into lockable, permanent engagement with a first part and a second clip with at least one spring clamp which lockably and permanently engages a second part. One of the first or second clips includes an aperture for removably receiving a decoupling locking element on the other of said clips whereby each of the clips are permanently mounted to a respective part and removably mounted to each other through the releasable interconnection of the locking member and recess.

Abstract: A container holder assembly includes a base defining a recess, a container holder adapted to mateably cover the recess, and a hinge mechanism mounting the container holder to the base for movement between a storage position, a use position and a collapsed position. The hinge is configured to position the container holder against the base to cover the recess when in the storage position, and is further configured to lift and extend the container holder as the container holder is moved to the use position. In the use position, the container holder is extended away from the base and supported in a raised position with respect to the bottom of the recess with a container holding aperture forming portion of the container holder facing generally upwardly for use. An over-pressure release on the hinge prevents damage to the container holder by allowing the container holder to collapse from the use position upon application of an excessive load.

Abstract: A container holder for a vehicle includes a flat panel section defining a marginal flange for engaging a mating structure on a vehicle component, such as an armrest or a floor console, and one or more cup-shaped members. The cup-shaped members include a floor and a resilient sidewall which can be resiliently flexed to move the floor between a lowered position and a raised position. In the lowered position, the cup-shaped member forms a shallow depression shaped to receive and stably support a first container. In the raised position, an aperture in the floor of the cup-shaped member receives a smaller diameter container such that the marginal material forming the aperture supports the sides of the container.

Abstract: A compass circuit has a magnetic field sensor adapted to be positioned in a vehicle near a source of varying magnetic fields. A source of correction signals is coupled to the compass circuit for providing correction signals applied to the compass circuit for correcting the heading display of the compass circuit when differing levels of magnetic field disturbance occurs to provide accurate heading information. In a preferred embodiment the source of correction signals includes a detector circuit coupled to the vehicle accessory for providing signals directly corresponding to the source of magnetic field interference.

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: 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: 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.