Abstract: A visor system includes a generally planar visor body having parallel guide rails extending along opposite sides and extending beyond the visor body. The rails preferably have a circular cross-section and are slideably received in a pair of spaced polymeric guide tracks having slots of corresponding cross-section. The guide tracks in the preferred embodiment are defined by extruded members mounted in parallel spaced relationship to each other on the vehicle headliner for sliding movement of the visor panel in the space between the vehicle roof and the headliner. In a preferred embodiment, the guide rails are defined by a polymeric U-shaped circular rod extending around three sides of the visor panel and can be integrally formed with the visor panel or separately attached thereto.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement is provided for attaching components such as headliners, overhead consoles, or the like to vehicles. The arrangement includes a shaped slot in a first member which has a retaining end, a releasing end, and a neck with inclined protrusions therebetween, and a fastener attached to a second member and having an engaging leg portion constructed to be securely inserted directly and normally into the retaining end of the slot. Once installed, the fastener is securely held in the slot, but is releasable by forcing the engaging leg portion of the fastener past the inclined protrusion into the releasing end of the slot, whereat the component can be removed for servicing or repair. Also, a headliner is provided including a central portion with a perimeter, and a folded edge portion connected to the perimeter that presents a finished side along the perimeter so that the headliner can be installed into the vehicle roof without subsequent parts required to cover the perimeter.

Abstract: A pair of left and right guide rails and a pair of left and right supporting rails which support the supporting frame of a quilt or the like, are provided with a pivot on one side of the sewing machine to permit circular movement. These rails are parallel to each other. A moving member is provided along the guide rails, and this moving member is moved by a moving apparatus. An anchoring member is also provided to anchor the member to the supporting frame. Furthermore, an apparatus for moving up and down, which allows the guide rails and the supporting rails to move in a circular manner using the pivot as a fulcrum, is provided to anchor the anchoring members of the supporting frame or to release the anchoring.

Abstract: A mirror is mounted to the roof of a vehicle by a pivot arm assembly for pivotally coupling the mirror to a vehicle for movement from side to side and for movement between a raised stored position and a lowered use position. In a preferred embodiment, the pivot arm has one end pivotally mounted to a housing for storably receiving the mirror and an opposite end coupled to the mirror using both a hinge and a ball joint to allow compact storage of the mirror in the housing and full adjustability for use.

Abstract: A universal connector mechanically couples any one or more of a variety of accessories to a vehicle. The universal connector comprises a first mounting member, which can extend along a section of a vehicle such as a door panel, instrument panel or the like and can be mounted in recessed relationship to the vehicle. The universal connector also includes a second mounting member associated with each accessory and shaped to lockably and removably engage the first mounting member. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the mounting members is made of a resilient material to allow a snap-fit interconnection of the two members.

Abstract: A long fiber, thermoplastic frame for a tennis racquet or other implement is formed of fibers of carbon or other reinforcement material, which are oriented at desired angles, and which are intimately embedded in thermoplastic resin. A frame according to the invention is made by co-winding or commingling tows of carbon or other reinforcing fibers with filaments of thermoplastic material, or by preimpregnating fibers with a thermoplastic powder. The fibers, which are preferable formed into a braided sleeve for ease of handling, are disposed in a heated mold, and internally pressurized to conform to the mold and such that the thermoplastic melts and flows into intimate contact with the fiber material. A frame according to the invention possesses the strength and stiffness of a long fiber, thermoset frame, but unlike a thermoset frame has dynamic stiffness due to the visco-elastic properties of the thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: An ending apparatus for positioning elongate objects comprising, in combination, object singulating equipment for separating a plurality of elongate objects in an inlet area into single objects while moving the objects in a first direction to an outlet area, and object support rollers intermediate the inlet and outlet area for supporting a separated, single elongate object. The object support rollers are adapted to move the elongate object in a second direction toward a reference surface independently of the object's movement in the first direction on the singulating device. The reference surface stops movement of the elongate object to establish a pre-determined position for the elongate object. Establishing the position of the object permits more efficient handling during further processing.

Abstract: A container holder for a vehicle includes a frame slideably mounted within a hollow housing. The frame includes C-shaped recesses along its sides which cooperate with curved arms which are slideably positioned adjacent the recesses and extend to form a ring-shaped structure for holding containers when the frame is extended. The arms rotate between a storage position and a use position as the frame is moved from the retracted stored position to an extended use position respectively by the coupling of a center fixed rack and pinion gears which engage teeth on the arms.

Abstract: A subdividable storage bin is provided for a vehicle which includes a divider movably mounted therein, which moves between a use position dividing the bin into separate areas and a stored position leaving the bin substantially undivided. In one embodiment, the divider pivotally rotates into position. In another embodiment, the divider slideably rotates into position. In still other embodiments, the divider resiliently flexes into position. In another embodiment, the divider slips or is dropped into position and is removable for cleaning, washing or storing.

Abstract: An illuminated vanity mirror assembly for a sun visor includes a resistor screen-printed on a polymeric film substrate mounted adhesively to the back face of a glass mirror. A wiper arm is coupled to the resistor for providing a variable resistance to control the illumination from a lamp coupled to the variable resistance.

Abstract: An electrical transmission control employs in one embodiment, a rotary dial switch as a gear selector control which includes a plug means for connecting the switch directly into a receiving socket mounted to the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle includes a plurality of sockets such that the gear selector control can be mounted at a preferred one of the locations. In another embodiment, the selector switch is a slide type switch. The switch can be removed from the socket and/or vehicle for providing anti-theft security preventing the transmission from being shifted without the gear selected control.

Abstract: An adjustable storage system is provided which includes a flat base, an upstanding fixed side attached to the base, and an adjustable slideable side which slides laterally on the base and cooperates with the fixed side to provide lateral support and containment for packages placed therebetween. A guiding mechanism allows the sliding side to move freely. The system further includes a locking mechanism to secure the slideable side in a given location. The slideable side also includes a hand grip and thumb control button operably connected to the locking mechanism to lock and unlock the slideable side. The preferred embodiment also includes a telescoping member which extends between the fixed and slideable sides to support the sides and to prevent packages from tipping.

Abstract: A sliding visor includes a visor body and slide assembly which includes a slide bar which slideably extends within the visor body. The slide bar includes an outwardly extending tab which extends within a guide mounted to the visor body for limiting the longitudinal motion of the visor body along the slide bar. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the visor core includes a resilient frictional engagement member which compressively engages the visor slide for providing friction and anti-rattle control for the visor in its movement with respect to the slide bar.

Abstract: A modular interchangeable electronic system for providing a number of different options for a vehicle which can be selectively plugged into a base unit. The base unit can receive or be replaced by selected optional units which interface with vehicle controls or provide desired control or display functions.

Abstract: A push-button rachet mechanism switch is converted to a rotary wiping action for a moveable contact which includes one or more axial extending contact members. The moveable contact selectively engages one or more radially spaced fixed contacts and continuously engages a common conductor for selectively coupling the common conductor to one or more of the radially spaced fixed contacts to which other conductors are coupled.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a microcontroller based switch programmable module which allows a variety of different vehicle options to be selectively actuated by different vehicle users. In one embodiment a remote transmitter provides a unique user code and the control system includes the capability of programming the transmitter code to allow use of multiple transmitters with different codes for different users.

Abstract: A floor mounted snap-in console includes a first forward pair of mounting brackets with one bracket mounted to the vehicle floor and the other mounted to a front end of the console for extending into the first bracket. The console further includes a second pair of rear mounting brackets with one of these brackets mounted to the vehicle floor and the other mounted to the rear of the console. The second set of brackets snap together and include posts for deflecting arms of one of the brackets to release their interconnection for removing the console.

Abstract: The present invention includes a spring clip hinge for pivotally attaching a cover to the body of a vehicle accessory such as a visor such that the cover is urged toward an open or a closed position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the spring-clip hinge is an integral S-shaped member defining opposed sockets with one socket receiving the accessory body for mounting the hinge to the body, and the remaining socket cooperatively receiving the cover for urging the cover between open and closed positions.