Abstract: A carpet mat nameplate/gripping device comprising a bezel cap plate portion having an area recessed below a facing surface for receiving an insert plate, a protuberant short stud boss extending from the opposing side of the bezel cap plate, a base retainer plate portion having a hole pattern extending therethrough for receiving the protuberant short stud boss and said base retainer plate portion further having a plurality of anti-slip carpet hooks extending from a face of the base plate to form a snag having a beveled pointed end and said hook positioned in a symmetrical pattern about a central area of the face of the base plate and such that the pointed ends of each hook are directed radially away from the central area, which teaches a novel nameplate and anti-slip device for floor mats.

Abstract: A door handle assembly which is compact in size for space-efficient packaging in a door of an automotive vehicle. The assembly includes a safety system for preventing inadvertent movement of the handle to an unlatched position during a side impact collision. A counterweight is mounted in the handle assembly which, during relative motions of parts induced by acceleration from a side impact, resists unlatching the handle. The counterweight is rotatably mounted on an axis different from an axis of the handle latch control mechanism, and is not fixedly attached to the handle mechanism.

Abstract: A one-piece fastening mechanism for attaching a first member such as a molding or trim piece to a second member such as the side panel of a motor vehicle, the fastening mechanism being preferably integrally formed with the molding or trim piece and including a body portion having a first opening extending longitudinally along substantially the full length thereof and a second opening extending transversely through the body portion. The body portion and the transverse opening define a plurality of resiliently flexible barbs or detents, the fastening member being sufficiently flexible so as to be compressed during insertion into an aperture associated with the second member whereby the plurality of detents are moved into engagement with the peripheral edge portions of the aperture.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing molded products with an EMI/RFI/ESD shield. The apparatus includes shaping apparatus for automatically shaping a mesh blank into a mesh insert on a fixture, and a robot for removing the insert from the fixture and placing it in a molding machine in preparation for molding the insert into a molded product. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing molded products involving the steps of automatically forming the blank into a mesh insert and automatically transferring the insert to a molding machine using a robot. A holding tool may be provided for the robot to use in transferring the insert to the molding machine.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a motor vehicle door operative for selectively releasing a latch mechanism. The handle assembly includes a mounting portion attached to the motor vehicle door and a handle proper adapted to be manually grasped. The handle proper is linearly translatable between a first position and a second position for releasing the latch mechanism. In a preferred form, the handle proper is biased to the first position by a coil spring.

Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror assembly for an automobile is provided. The mirror assembly comprises a mirror mount, a mirror associated with the mirror mount, a support structure which pivotably supports the mirror mount, and a connection assembly which secures the mirror mount to the support structure for pivotal motion relative to the support structure. The mirror mount has a hollow sleeve extending rearwardly therefrom. The support structure has a recess shaped to receive the mirror mount sleeve to allow the sleeve to pivot within the support structure recess and an elongate opening or slot through the recess. The connection assembly includes a pivot member sized and shaped to be positioned within the mirror mount sleeve, a lock key, and a resilient member. The lock key extends through the pivot member opening, the bottom of the sleeve, and the support structure opening to engage the support structure to hold the pivot member and the mirror mount to the support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for injection molding of thermoplastics has elements and steps comprising mating mold components having multiple mold cavities with flow passages and a plurality of conduits connected to the mold cavities so that thermoplastic can flow into the cavities. A plurality of flow control members are mounted relative to the mold and to corresponding conduits to be moved to regulate the flow of plastic through corresponding conduits into corresponding cavities to allow for controlling the rate of thermoplastic flow among the cavities. The flow control member can each have a first member movable into its corresponding conduit, and a second adjusting member movable to engage and move the first member. A biasing member can be provided to bias the first member relative to its corresponding conduit. The control members can be inserted to varying degrees within their corresponding conduits to control thermoplastic flow rate among the mold cavities.

Abstract: Automotive emblem lighting assemblies, and methods of making. One embodiment comprises a bezel mounted to a transparent/translucent lens, with junction therebetween which can be sealed. Viscous curable material is dispensed upon the lens rear and bezel. Bubbles within the viscous material are removed. A housing is bonded with the viscous material and bezel/lens. The curable material is cured and seals the assembly. A light source shines through the lens. The lens can have an emblem shaped recess or recesses. Part of the lens rear can be coated with substantially opaque material. A reflective-transmissive material coats at least part of the lens rear for light transmission/reflection. Diffusion can be by a diffusing agent in the viscous material, reflective surface on the light source, or diffusing material on the lens.Modifications: lens with no substantially opaque coating, an emblem shaped lens, reflective-transmissive material on the lens rear, and no bezel.

Abstract: An improved wheel cover attachment assembly is used with automotive vehicle wheels having a rim within an interior annular groove and a wheel wall facing the annular groove. The wheel cover has an annular recess with an inner wall. The wheel cover attachment assembly comprises a clip having trunk with a pressing head flange extending from near the top thereof in a direction toward the interior of the wheel. At the bottom of the clip are a pair of feet with angular toes which fit within the cover recess to be held therein. Near the top of the clip a pair of arms extend in a direction generally opposite that of the head flange. A plastic detent member fits within the arms. The detent has a projecting nose that extends in generally the same direction as the arms and in a generally opposite direction from the head flange. The outer surface of the detent nose extends slightly beyond the outer edge of the clip arms.

Abstract: A variable reflectivity automobile mirror assembly is operable by automatic electrical circuitry responsive to variations of incident light upon the mirror and ambient light level about the automobile to provide positions of high and low reflectivity. The assembly also includes a support member or housing, a reflective mirror panel, motor means, actuation means secured to the housing and driven by the drive element of the motor, and a timed-drive circuit for directing the current through the motor in opposite directions to move the mirror between the two positions. the automatic circuitry can include photosensing means and means to combine the output of the photosensing means and to compare it to an independent source. The circuit can position the mirror in response to the output of the comparing means.

Abstract: An improved interior lighting system for use in an automobile incorporates a traditional manual switch and door switch for turning the interior light of the automobile on and off, and provides circuitry for causing the interior light to rise transiently to a maximum level when activated to turn on and for causing the interior light to decay transiently to a minimum level when activated to turn off. Circuitry is also provided to automatically turn off the interior light after a predetermined time lapses from the interior light being manually activated by the manual switch, when the ignition to the automobile is turned off. The lighting system also includes circuitry to cause the interior light to remain on for a predetermined time after the door of the automobile is opened, and circuitry to override the predetermined time delay when the ignition of the automobile is turned on.

Abstract: A wheel cover attachment assembly for vehicles has an engagement clip member and a detent member which fit together. Arms project from the clip. The arms having a pointed end to facilitate entry into the groove of a tire rim. The arms have claws to diggingly grip into the rim. The clip has projecting feet with toes for gripping a recess wall of a wheel cover to hold the clip thereto. The detent has a projecting nose which is aligned with the clip arms, and a pair of legs aligned with the clip legs. The end of the detent nose has an upper slanted surface and an arcuate underside to facilitate removel from the rim. The detent has bosses that fit in holes of the clip to hold the two together during assembly. The detent nose is of a resilient self-lubricating material such as plastic. The detent nose and the clip arms are shaped so that upon insertion, a side of the nose has substantial contact with the tire rim while the edges of the clip arms do not.

Abstract: The present invention includes a variable reflectivity mirror assembly to provide positions of high and low reflectivity which includes a support member or housing, a reflective panel, motor means, actuation means secured to the housing for driven by the drive element of the motor, and a timed-drive circuit for directing the current through the motor in opposite directions to move the mirror between the two positions. The present invention also includes a mechanism for actuating the mirror as well as the motor drive circuit and the push-button assembly for actuating the mirror.

Abstract: A sensing and adjustment assembly for a mirror on automobiles has a sensor comprising an electronic oscillator which is associated with a mirror position indicator member. Movement and position of the mirror is detected by the sensor. A driving arrangement responds to the sensor to move the mirror to a preset position which position is stored in a computer memory. The oscillator can have a winding of spiral shape and the indicator can comprise material capable of absorbing electromagnetic energy, such as steel, and can be of substantially tapered shape such as substantially conical. The member can be moved through a center passageway for the winding. The oscillator can be a Colpitts or other type. A differential amplifier, a converter from A.C. to D.C., and another amplifier can be part of the sensor. A pair of sensors and indicators can be used in conjunction with the drive means to move the mirror in two planes.