Abstract: An automobile door lock receiver module (30) and a plurality of keychain fob transmitter units (16) contain identification numbers, secret initial values, and secret feedback masks so as to authenticate encrypted messages from any of the assigned fobs, indicative of commands registered by closing switches on the fob. Each fob is synchronized with the receiving module by means of a truly random number concatenated with a secret initial value and encrypted, through a linear feedback shift register or other operations. A second secret initial value is encrypted and command bits are exclusive ORed into the low order bit positions; the two encrypted numbers are concatenated and encrypted to form a key word which is transmitted with the fob ID. Synchronization includes decrypting to recover the truly random number and the secret initial value concatenated therewith; the truly random number is compared with previously received random numbers in order to avoid copying of recently transmitted synchronization commands.

Abstract: A lamp assembly of the present invention is used in the interior of an automotive vehicle and comprises a lens, an illumination source, and a shield. The shield has at least a pair of arms oppositely extending therefrom and each has at least a pair of fingers which engage the top and bottom sides of a headliner panel. The illumination source is affixed upon a mounting portion of the shield and the lens is at least partially attached to the shield. The lamp assembly may be a dome lamp or may alternately be a reading/courtesy lamp.

Abstract: A sealing member of the present invention is used in an automotive vehicle electrical connector assembly and has a pentagonal cross sectional shape thereto with an inside surface defining an aperture centrally therein. A first electrical connector half has an electrical contact proximate therewith and is surrounded by a support structure. A second electrical connector half has an electrical contact proximate therewith and has a body segment and a mating segment within which extends an outer peripheral wall. Furthermore, the second connector half outer peripheral wall has an outside surface and an inside surface which are joined by a peripheral edge therearound. The sealing member is juxtapositioned between the inside surface of the second connector half and the outside surface of the first connector half supporting structure.

Abstract: A battery terminal connector cover and method of assembly where the connector cover has a hinged top wall and a bottom wall forming an enclosure with a battery post receiving aperture in the bottom wall and an attachment assembly for force-fit securement of a connector to the bottom wall in alignment with the post receiving aperture.

Abstract: A sealed retainer grommet apparatus for securing a standard retainer member to a vehicle body panel. The apparatus generally includes a frusto-conical portion, an intermediate portion and a top portion. Both the top portion and a first end portion of the frusto-conical portion are generally circular in shape and have outer diameters which are larger than an outer diameter of the intermediate portion, which is also preferably circular in shape, to thereby form a channel. The apparatus 10 is secured to the body panel by inserting the frusto-conical portion through an opening of the body panel where the channel receives a section of the body panel member lockably therein. A bore extends through the top portion, the intermediate portion and at least a portion of the frusto-conical portion to define an interior sidewall portion.

Abstract: An electrical test shunt having a pair of female contacts each having two contact points for relocating voltage sensing points of a test shunt to provide a first circuit path with an adequate current flow that is independent of a second circuit path for reading the voltage drop across the same electrical test shunt. The voltage is read by a high input impedance voltage comparator. The input impedance of the voltage comparator is great enough to negate the affect of the internal resistance inherent in the mating terminals of the shunt. The two circuit paths are made possible in part by the implementation of a pair of terminals which each have two independent electrical contact areas. The terminal contact is typically inserted into the female receptacle formed by the two separate (i.e. electrically isolated) electrically conducting contact points. The female terminal is preferably mounted in a suitable printed circuit board.

Abstract: The primary sun visor is co-existent with a low profile thin member, known as a recessed tray, which is independent from the headliner substrate and is thinner than the headliner substrate it replaces. The recessed tray contains an integrally molded center support and outboard bezel area. The primary sun visor vanity mirror lamps have been removed and integrated into the recessed tray. The recessed tray retains both the primary and auxiliary sun visors.

Abstract: The present invention anti-rotational fastener for an automotive vehicle comprises a cap portion suitable for attachment to an electrical apparatus and a barbed shaft. The shaft has a pair of broad sides and a pair of thin sides, all of which extend perpendicularly downward from the cap portion for attachment to an automotive vehicle body panel. This difference in shaft side dimensions corresponds to an elongated slot cut within the vehicle body panel, thereby preventing rotation of the fastener and, in turn, the electrical apparatus. Furthermore, an upper portion of the shaft broad sides has a pair of wings oppositely extending outward therefrom in order to mechanically stabilize the fastener against rotational movements in vertical planes which would otherwise tend to loosen the fastener. In an alternative embodiment, the anti-rotational fastener of the present invention can be used to retain and prevent rotation of a portion of a wire harness.

Abstract: A battery saver module for controlling courtesy and illuminated entry lamps having inputs for receiving input signals from door handle sensors, a trunk sensor, and an ignition switch and first output connected to illuminated entry loads and a second output connected to courtesy lamp loads. A control circuit selectively activates the first and second output responsive to input signals and includes a first timer for deactivating the first output after a first time period and a second timer for deactivating the second output after a second time period.

Abstract: An electrical connector adapted to even more securely and positively hold a conventional terminal element therein such that the terminal element cannot be withdrawn from a main body portion of the connector by a pulling or tugging force. The connector comprises a main body portion having an inner upper wall portion and an inner lower wall portion. A plurality of upper bores are formed in connection with the inner upper wall portion, and a plurality of lower bores are formed in connection with the inner lower wall portion. Each of the inner upper and lower wall portions include a shoulder portion which protrudes into one of the upper or lower bores. A conventional terminal element is inserted into a front side of the connector where a portion of the terminal element abuttingly engages the internal shoulder portion of the bore in which it is inserted.

Abstract: The sorbent of the present invention is useful in adsorbing petroleum-based products such as oil and gasoline, particularly from the surface of water. This sorbent, which is comprised of about 5 wt. % to about 70 wt. % cured, cross-linked resin and about 30 wt. % to about 95 wt. % fibers, selectively adsorbs the petroleum-based product due to its hydrophobicity.

Abstract: Electrical connections between a motor vehicle wire harness (32) and an air bag module (65) are made by a unitary switching module (55) provided with accessory switches (57) therein and electrical connectors (112) which receive mating connectors from the wire harness and electrical accessory controls (35 and 40) disposed on the steering wheel.

Abstract: A cover plate for use in covering an opening in an automotive vehicle body panel is comprised of a substantially flat base having an appearance face and a hidden face bordered by a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge has a tapered frame around a majority thereof. The cover plate is further comprised of a pair of flexible legs each having a shortened member projecting from the hidden face and having an elongated member extending beyond the peripheral edge of the base partially coincidental to an overhanging portion of the base. The cover plate also has a wedge ramp with a triangular-shaped segment being mounted upon the hidden face of the base such that an intersection is created between a hypotenuse of the wedge ramp and the base. The base has a first portion which is juxtaposed to this intersection. A fastening protrudes from the hidden face of this first portion.

Abstract: A vanity mirror (27) is carried by a primary sunshade (24) stored above the headliner (5) of a motor vehicle. Lighting (117) for use with the mirror is disposed in the headliner remote from the primary sunshade and mirror. Secondary sunshades (13) are stored in either the headliner or roof pillars for operation completely independently of the primary sunshade.

Abstract: An electrical switch contains three contactor carriers, each capable of containing a different pattern of contactors. The carriers slide on conductive strips to complete circuits to electrical devices. Two carriers are controlled by a linkage that moves one as the linkage is pushed or pulled and moves the other as the linkage is rotated. The third carrier is moved by thumbwheel and engages a resistance element that is connected to the strips, to vary the resistance through a pair of strips. A removable cover has walls that force the carriers towards the strips and limit the movement of some carriers. A bayonet lamp engages the strips to light the faceplate under the control of the third carrier.

Abstract: A courtesy/reading light lens (24) includes a translucent body (26) having a surface (28) covered with an array of opaque dots (30) for selectively controlling the distribution of lights as it passes through the translucent body (26). The opaque dots (30) are organized in multiple sections (32, 34, 26) that together form a dot pattern. The opaque dots (30) within each section (32, 34, 36) are arrayed at a substantially uniform spacing and have a substantially uniform two-dimensional diameter.

Abstract: A slide actuated holding clamp for holding a connector block stationary while a push test is performed on a conductor secured to the connector. The clamp comprises a body portion having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough and a portion forming a channel. A locking member is pivotally disposed within the channel and includes a locking finger portion and a lower shoulder portion. An actuating member is slidably disposed within the channel and includes a pin member extending transversely therethrough which causes the locking member to move pivotally such that the locking finger portion is moved outwardly of the channel when the actuating member is moved in a first direction. When the actuating member is moved in a longitudinally opposite second direction, the pin member abuttingly engages the lower shoulder portion, thereby causing the locking member to move pivotally such that the locking finger portion is retracted to a position within the channel.

Abstract: Electric circuity (45) in a lighted vanity mirror module (5) for an automobile sun visor (40) is mounted on the backside of an appearance bezel (10), thereby obviating the necessity for a separate housing. A wire wound resistor (80) is employed in a lamp dimmer (37) and, with the bezel, retains a sliding contact which controls lamp intensity.

Abstract: Power dissipation across the coils in a relay control system is controlled by regulating the voltage across all the coils with a regulator that senses the voltage and varies the conduction time of the switch carrying the total coil current. The regulator includes timing and logic elements that sense if the switch is operating correctly. Another switch is operated by the logic elements to shunt the first switch when the first switch is not operating correctly. This ensures that normal coil function is available in the event of a first switch failure.

Abstract: A method of installing a headliner within a vehicle body. The headliner includes a plurality of overhead accessories each having an associated snap fit fastener shaped to fit in associated sheet metal openings in the vehicle body. The accessories are mounted to the headliner at a location remote from the vehicle with the snap fit fasteners protruding through the top of the headliner. The headliner, along with its associated accessories, is then transported to the vehicle body structure where the headliner is then mounted in the vehicle by aligning it with the vehicle body structure simultaneous with inserting a snap-fit fastener of one of the accessories into a corresponding sheet metal opening in the vehicle body structure. The remaining snap-fit fasteners associated with the other accessories are then mounted onto their corresponding sheet metal openings, thereby mounting the headliner and accessories to the vehicle structure.