Abstract: A window apparatus of a vehicle includes a movable panel that selectively encloses an exterior opening of the vehicle. The movable panel includes an electro-optic apparatus configured to adjust in transmittance. A wireless connection interface includes a vehicle-side coupling module and a panel-side coupling module. The vehicle-side coupling module is in connection with a support frame of the vehicle forming an opening that receives the movable panel. The vehicle-side coupling module is aligned with an interface surface of the movable panel. The wireless connection interface communicates power or electrical signals from a transmission unit of the vehicle-side coupling module to a reception module of the panel-side coupling module.

Abstract: A window apparatus of a vehicle includes a movable panel that selectively encloses an exterior opening of the vehicle. The movable panel includes an electro-optic apparatus configured to adjust in transmittance. A wireless connection interface includes a vehicle-side coupling module and a panel-side coupling module. The vehicle-side coupling module is in connection with a support frame of the vehicle forming an opening that receives the movable panel. The vehicle-side coupling module is aligned with an interface surface of the movable panel. The wireless connection interface communicates power or electrical signals from a transmission unit of the vehicle-side coupling module to a reception module of the panel-side coupling module.

Abstract: A window apparatus of a vehicle includes a removable panel that selectively encloses an exterior opening of the vehicle that includes an electro-optic apparatus. The electro-optic apparatus is configured to adjust a transmittance of the window. A wireless connection interface is in connection with an interface surface of the removable panel, wherein the wireless connection interface communicates power and/or electrical signals from the vehicle to the electro-optic apparatus.

Abstract: A window apparatus of a vehicle includes a removable panel that selectively encloses an exterior opening of the vehicle that includes an electro-optic apparatus. The electro-optic apparatus is configured to adjust a transmittance of the window. A wireless connection interface is in connection with an interface surface of the removable panel, wherein the wireless connection interface communicates power and/or electrical signals from the vehicle to the electro-optic apparatus.

Abstract: An improved visor mount (16) removably fastens a visor to a panel (10) without the use of tools. The body has an outer portion (24), an inner portion (20), and an intermediate portion (23). The body includes a bore (26) to receive the visor handle (27). The inner portion includes a pair of wings (18, 19). The inner and intermediate portions are sized to pass through an oblong shaped first panel opening (14) in the panel; rotating the body to a fastened rotary orientation causes the wings to become misaligned with the panel opening to secure the body to the panel. A resiliently biased detent pin (17) is carried by one of the wings and automatically engages a second panel opening (15) when the body is at the fastened rotary orientation to automatically lock the visor mount in place.

Abstract: This invention provides concealable cupholders (3, 5) with several beneficial aspects. Conveniently, the cupholders may be activated by actuating a push-to-release catch (24, 25) so that the cupholders move outwardly in a controlled manner from a housing with the appearance that it is being driven by an electric motor. The cupholders overlap one another in a compact manner within the housing. When moved out of the housing the cupholders may be maintained in the overlapping position such that they jointly support a single beverage or, alternatively a release mechanism (30) may be activated, by the use of, for example, a kick-out spring (10) to permit the secondary cupholder (5) to pivot to a position substantially disposed away from the primary cupholder (3) such that both cupholders may support different containers.

Abstract: A container holder having a shelf slidingly disposed in a housing, the shelf having a container holder. The shelf preferably is mounted so that it can both slide in and out of the housing and rotate about an axis other than the central axis of the housing. In one embodiment, two shelves are mounted one over the other in a single housing such that the shelves rotate away from each other when moved out of the housing. In another embodiment, two shelves are mounted side by side in a single housing.

Abstract: A bilateral beverage container (2) mounts within a hinged vehicle armrest (4). The container has an upper container housing (22), a lower container housing (26) and a hinged game surface (24) therebetween suitable for playing board games upon. The upper container housing includes a flap (34) that defines a compartment suitable for storing writing paper, magazines and the like. The lower container housing includes fixed and user-definable compartments (48, 50) for storing beverage containers (76), game pieces and other objects, and hinged lids (60) to cover the fixed compartments. The lower container housing includes a hinged bilateral tray (62) with openings (68) sized to receive beverage containers. The bilateral tray holds beverage containers in both a stowed position, overlying the hinged lids covering the fixed compartments, and in a deployed position, spaced apart from the lower container housing.

Abstract: A container holder (2) for use with a support (4) including a frame (8) slidable within a housing (6) movable between a vertical, storage position, and a horizontal, operational position. The housing (6) is a box-like configuration having a slot (18) formed at one end. The frame (8) includes an integral member (26) having an opening (28) to accommodate beverage containers such as cans and cups. When in the storage position, the frame (8) is retained within the housing (6) in a vertical position. As the frame (8) moves to its operational position, it is guided through the slot (18) and pivots to a horizontal, operational position, generally perpendicular to its vertical, storage position. This operation enables the container holder (2) to be conveniently stored in a narrow space.

Abstract: A container holder for use within a vehicle armrest includes a housing, mountable to an armrest support within the armrest, and a frame slidably mounted to the housing for movement between retracted and operational positions. A partially enclosed, C-shaped open area is defined within the frame to accommodate beverage containers such as cans and cups. The partially enclosed open area intersects a longitudinal edge of the frame. This enables the container holder to accommodate a container having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the width of the frame. A U-shaped support is pivotably mounted to and beneath the frame for vertically supporting the container. When the frame is retracted, the support automatically folds against the frame for storage.

Abstract: A termination structure for an assist strap includes a rectangular, ring-like mounting bracket used to secure an end of the assist strap and a generally U-shaped assist strap termination piece to a vehicle. The termination piece, which has first and second legs, and assist strap extend from opposite open ends of the bracket. The first leg, the end of the assist strap and the base of the bracket are fastened to each other and to the vehicle by a screw. The distal end of the second leg is positioned within the bracket so that the assist strap appears to have a loop at its end. The second leg has an L-shaped first fastener element secured to its interior surface which engages the upstanding head of the screw, which serves as a second fastener element. The fastener elements are positioned and sized so that the distal end of second leg, which is resilient, is compressed within the bracket to keep the fastener elements engaged to prevent removal of the distal end of the second leg.