Abstract: A slidable support device for garments for use in a vehicle includes a support, a hook, and a locking mechanism. The support is coupled to the vehicle. The support includes two longitudinally extending grooves that are spaced from one another. The hook includes two longitudinally extending contact surfaces that are spaced from one another. The hook contact surfaces are shaped to mate with the support grooves in a sliding engagement. Upon engagement of the hook with the support, the hook slides relative to the support. The locking mechanism releasably retains the hook at various longitudinal positions along the support.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, the preferred embodiment of a multi-functional apparatus is integrated with a windshield washer mechanism. An electromagnetic device selectively causes movement of an impeller associated with the windshield wiper mechanism thereby drawing fluid from a reservoir through a bypass loop. When the bypass loop is selectively closed, the fluid is forced through a delivery conduit and is emitted upon the windshield. In another aspect of the present invention, at least a pair of intermittent rotary mechanisms are selectively rotated by a rotatable member coupled to a single reversible electric motor. A bellows-type fluid pump is activated by a driving surface on the rotatable member to force fluid through the window washer mechanism associated therewith.

Abstract: An anti-theft system includes a strategy for providing secure communications between a system controller and a remote signaling device. A communications initiator allows the transfer of information or signals between the system controlling and the remote signaling device only under pre-defined conditions. The system controller preferably includes a transmitter portion for transmitting signals or information to the remote device and a receiver portion for receiving signals from the remote device. Similarly, the remote device preferably includes a transceiver so that two-way communication is accomplished between the controller and the remote signalling device.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus employs an intermittent motion mechanism. An electromagnetic device selectively causes movement of the intermittent motion mechanism thereby moving a mechanical device coupled thereto. In another aspect of the present invention, a single electric motor selectively actuates two or three intermittent rotary motion mechanisms thereby causing separate mechanical devices coupled thereto to operate within an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An electrical terminal (20) has an electrically conductive beam (40) flexibly coupled to a wall (22). The beam (40) has a pair of outboard shoulders (42) and a tongue (44) flexibly disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical switching unit includes a first switch for positioning a vehicle component or activating a memory function. A second switch controls the first switch to select between positioning the component or activating the memory function. Preferably, the switching unit controls the positioning of the right and left side mirrors and activation of a memory function. In one embodiment, the second switch has three positions to select right side mirror positioning, left side mirror positioning, or memory function. The first switch includes four sub-switches to control the upward, downward, inward, and outward adjustment of the right and left side mirror and activation of the set and recall modes of the memory function.

Abstract: A system having reduced quiescent current drawn from a power supply. The system includes a device having a status. Moreover, the system includes a microcontroller, having an active and a sleep mode of operation, for polling the status of the device during the active mode, initiating a function in response to a change in the status during the active mode, and for conserving quiescent current drawn from the power supply during the sleep mode. The microcontroller generates an output signal at a first voltage level during the active mode and generates the output signal at a second voltage level during the sleep mode. The microcontroller, additionally, includes a sensor for switching the microcontroller from the sleep mode to the active mode. Furthermore system includes a storage device for charging to the first voltage level during the active mode, and for discharging to a third voltage level during the sleep mode for triggering the sensor to switch from the sleep mode to the active mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite vehicle trim panel having enhanced sound transmission characteristics and a method for manufacturing the same. In the most preferred embodiment, the composite vehicle trim panel comprises a substrate layer with a first aperture, a second substrate layer with a second aperture, and a grid interposed between the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer. The grid overlays the first aperture and the second aperture, which are aligned with each other. The first substrate layer, grid, and second substrate layer are secured to each other by compression molding to form a composite vehicle trim panel. A finish layer is then laminated to the first substrate layer. The use of the grid provides an increased open area for sound transmission through the composite vehicle trim panel over previous designs.

Abstract: A security system that is useful for protecting vehicles from theft and buildings from unauthorized entry, for example, includes utilizing random numbers within remotely transmitted signals. A remote signaling device transmits a signal to a system controller with instructions for a desired operation of the system. The invention prevents a potential thief from capturing one or more transmitted signals and later mimicking or predicting a subsequent signal by including or utilizing a random number when generating the transmitted signal. The random number is incorporated into the transmitted signal in one of several ways according to this invention. Single-use or limited re-use of random numbers enhances the security and integrity of the system.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment apparatus employs an interior trim panel and an electrical harness for use in an automotive vehicle. In one aspect of the present invention, the interior trim panel has a generally rigid substrate covered by an aesthetically pleasing covering material. In another aspect of the present invention, an electrical harness is provided with integrally created switch contacts and integrally created connector terminals.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom with a seat back supported on the seat bottom. An armrest is pivotally attached to one side of the seat back, and can pivot between a stowed position and an operable position. In the stowed position the armrest is vertically aligned with the seat back and in the operable position the armrest extends generally outwardly from the seat back so that a user can rest their arm on the armrest. The armrest is received by a support rod that extends outwardly from one side of the seat back. The armrest includes a substantially rigid insert member and a resilient retaining member. The resilient retaining member is installed in the insert member and the insert member is then pressed onto the support rod such that the resilient retaining member engages both the insert member and the support rod to secure the armrest to the seat back.

Abstract: This assembly is for attaching a wire harness to a panel. Preferably, the panel is a motor vehicle interior trim panel and the harness is a flat wire harness. Typically, the panel then attaches to an outside door frame. The assembly includes a motor vehicle interior trim panel having a surface with at least one pin protruding therefrom, and a wire harness having at least one aperture therein, wherein the wire of the harness is adjacent the surface of the trim panel and the pin of the trim panel passes through the aperture of the wire harness. A portion of the pin extends beyond the aperture and that portion of the pin is heat staked to secure the wire harness to the trim panel.

Abstract: A remote control system comprises a transmitter for transmitting a first data signal having a command and an identification code. Further, the remote control system comprises a receiver for receiving the first data signal having an operational mode for initiating the received command if the first received identification code matches a stored authentic and valid identification code, and a programming mode for storing received valid identification codes. If the receiver is in a first session of the programming mode, the processor tests the validity of the first received identification code, unauthenticates the stored authentic and valid identification codes should the first received identification code be valid, and writes the first received, tested and validated identification code into a first location in memory as authentic and valid.

Abstract: A unique transmitter broadcasting a single RF (radio frequency) signal in response to a single input for controlling a plurality of electrical vehicle accessories. To control the plurality of accessories, the RF signal conveys multiple information components. In a preferred embodiment, the transmitter operates in conjunction with a RF receiver installed in a vehicle to unlock the doors of the vehicle when a unique RF signal is broadcast within a defined range and actuate the horn of the vehicle when the same RF signal is broadcast outside of the defined range.

Abstract: A wiper motor control using a load sense resistor to monitor conditions confronting the wiper operation. The control can detect if the wiper is frozen to the window, moving too slowly, moving too quickly, etc. The power to the motor is then adjusted to achieve a desired speed, or, otherwise adjusted, based upon the detected conditions. Further, the direction of the motor may be reversed based upon the detected conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the load sense resistor is provided by a defroster filament strip. Alternatively, a temperature sensor may be used to detect the conditions confronting the wiper operation.

Abstract: This assembly is for attaching wire harnesses such as flat wire harnesses together. Preferably, the flat wire harnesses then are attached to a motor vehicle interior trim panel or to the vehicle's body. The assembly includes a plurality of wire harnesses, each wire harness having at least one aperture therethrough, the plurality of wire harnesses having a first surface and a second surface with the plurality sandwiched therebetween, and at least one Christmas tree retainer passing through an aperture of each wire harness in the plurality of wire harnesses, the retainer having a Christmas tree section extending beyond the first surface and a post end extending beyond the second surface with the plurality sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: An electric motor control system for a motor vehicle rear wiper assembly that provides OEM custom wiper features such as programmable wiper angle, speed and parking capabilities. The system includes a single Hall effect sensor, in combination with a gear mechanism that is magnetized in a geometrically sequenced pattern, to provide high resolution and rotational direction and/or speed information to the encoder for motor control purposes.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, the preferred embodiment of a movable gear drive windshield wiper apparatus employs an axial motion mechanism and a bidirectional driving mechanism. Rotation of a rotatable member in a first direction causes a transverse movement of the rotatable member along a ball screw shaft of the axial motion mechanism to a first position where it rotates in a given plane. Rotation of the rotatable member in the opposite direction causes the rotatable member to move down the ball screw shaft to a second position where it rotates in a second given plane. In another aspect of the present invention, the bi-directional driving mechanism rotationally drives a driven member such that the driven member is oscillated by continuously rotating the rotatable member in the first direction.

Abstract: A rocking wiper mechanism for achieving optimal surface clearance consists of a wiping blade secured in a rocking wiper bracket, a lost motion device connected to the rocking wiper bracket, and a rotating wiper arm driven by a drive output shaft. The lost motion device creates frictional movement between the wiping blade and the surface and allows a rocking motion between the rocking wiper bracket and the rotating wiper arm.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, the preferred embodiment of a multi-functional apparatus employing a flexible drive element for selectively actuating multiple output includes an electromagnetic device and a flexible drive element with a plurality of members thereon. In another aspect of the present invention, a flexible closed loop drive element in response to selective energization of an electric motor, and at least one rotatable member is coupled to one accessory such as a window wiper. The member attached to the drive element are arranged in a loop motion or discontinuous manner and selectively engage the rotatable member and thus actuate the attached accessory.