Abstract: A component with a customized exterior surface and a method and tool for manufacturing the same are provided. The component may be formed via a plastic forming process with a forming tool, such that it has a surface texture formed on its exterior surface. The forming tool has at least one tool surface, which defines a mold cavity. The tool surface has a textured layer coupled thereto, such that the textured layer directly contacts a moldable material supplied to the mold cavity. The textured layer has a surface texture formed thereon resulting in the surface texture present on the textured layer being transferred to and formed on the exterior surface of the component during forming. The textured layer may be changeable or replaceable with respect to the at least one tool surface, such that a single tool may form components with different surface textures formed on the exterior surface thereof.

Abstract: One variation may include a product comprising a stud assembly including a stud comprising a first metal and an insulator attached to the stud. Another variation may include a method comprising providing a stud assembly and an appliqué, wherein stud assembly comprises a stud comprising a first metal and an insulator attached to the stud, the appliqué comprising a second metal; attaching the appliqué to the stud assembly so that the insulator isolates the first metal from the second metal of the appliqué.

Abstract: A door having a latch mechanism is provided. The door also includes a bracket, and a pawl having a first aperture. The pawl is rotatably attached to the bracket and is operatively connected to the latch. The door additionally includes a key-cylinder adapted to selectively lock and unlock the latch by rotating the pawl, and a shield having a second aperture. Furthermore, the door includes a component connected to the key-cylinder. The component is aligned with and extends through the first and second apertures without contact with the pawl or with the shield, and is configured to not impede the rotation of the pawl by the key-cylinder when the component is aligned with the first and second apertures. The component is also configured to detach the pawl from the bracket and limit the key-cylinder extraction, when the key-cylinder is forcibly manipulated thereby causing the component to contact the shield.

Abstract: One variation may include a product comprising a stud assembly including a stud comprising a first metal and an insulator attached to the stud. Another variation may include a method comprising providing a stud assembly and an appliqué, wherein stud assembly comprises a stud comprising a first metal and an insulator attached to the stud, the appliqué comprising a second metal; attaching the appliqué to the stud assembly so that the insulator isolates the first metal from the second metal of the appliqué.

Abstract: A vehicle door having an electronic unlatch system and a method of operation. The door includes an electronic key cylinder mounted to the door and includes a slot that receives a key; a switch engaging the key cylinder to detect when a key has been turned in the cylinder; and a door latch mounted to the door to selectively unlatch the door, with the door latch receiving a signal from the switch to unlatch the door. The door also includes a backup power supply mounted in the door and supplying electrical power to the door latch and switch, with the backup power supply receiving power from a vehicle electrical system to recharge the backup power supply.

Abstract: A vehicle door having an electronic unlatch system and a method of operation. The door includes an electronic key cylinder mounted to the door and includes a slot that receives a key; a switch engaging the key cylinder to detect when a key has been turned in the cylinder; and a door latch mounted to the door to selectively unlatch the door, with the door latch receiving a signal from the switch to unlatch the door. The door also includes a backup power supply mounted in the door and supplying electrical power to the door latch and switch, with the backup power supply receiving power from a vehicle electrical system to recharge the backup power supply.

Abstract: A door having a latch mechanism is provided. The door also includes a bracket, and a pawl having a first aperture. The pawl is rotatably attached to the bracket and is operatively connected to the latch. The door additionally includes a key-cylinder adapted to selectively lock and unlock the latch by rotating the pawl, and a shield having a second aperture. Furthermore, the door includes a component connected to the key-cylinder. The component is aligned with and extends through the first and second apertures without contact with the pawl or with the shield, and is configured to not impede the rotation of the pawl by the key-cylinder when the component is aligned with the first and second apertures. The component is also configured to detach the pawl from the bracket and limit the key-cylinder extraction, when the key-cylinder is forcibly manipulated thereby causing the component to contact the shield.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly is provided including a sleeve or torque tube for locking or releasing a parking brake. The assembly includes a mounting bracket, an axle extending through the bracket, and a U-shaped handle assembly secured to the ends of the axle. A ratchet is secured to the mounting bracket. A pawl is pivotably mounted adjacent to the ratchet. The pawl is connected to the torque tube by a connecting rod. A spring urges the torque tube in a first direction, thereby causing the pawl to engage the ratchet. Rotation of the torque tube in the opposite direction causes the pawl to pivot away form the ratchet, thereby allowing the operator to release the brake.

Abstract: An improved manually operable gearshift mechanism includes a support of sheet metal construction and a gearshift selector mounted on the support by a ball and socket arrangement for pivotal movement about first and second orthogonal axes. The gearshift selector is pivotal to a plurality of positions relative to the support to position a pair of gearshifting cables in positions corresponding to selectable transmission gears. The positioning of one of the gearshifting cables is achieved by a bellcrank pivotally mounted on the support and displaceable by a pin extending from the ball and displaceable about the second axis with the gearshift selector. Positioning of the other gearshifting cable is achieved by a link forming an extension of the gearshift selector below the first and second axes and which link is pivotal with the gearshift selector about the first axis.