Abstract: A bracket assembly for holding an article has a base having a rod receiving section that receives a rod assembly including a rod to which an article can be hung. The rod receiving section includes a hollow housing in which a spring and actuator are disposed. A sidewall of the housing has an opening including opposed slots that extend upwardly and away from each other from a junction where lower ends of the slots meet. An inner section of the rod assembly extends through the opening in the sidewall of the housing and is secured to the actuator. Upon the rod deflecting in response to wind loading of the article, the inner section of the rod assembly moves upwardly in one of the slots and translates the actuator upwardly compressing the spring. The compressed spring urges the actuator downwardly to return the actuator to a neutral position.

Abstract: A movable reference guide mounted to slide over a circuit breaker reference chart on the door of a circuit breaker box to visually mark individual circuit breaker labels on the chart, and indicator lights associated with each of the circuit breakers on the breaker panel opposite the door, the indicator lights responsive to the position of the guide on the reference chart to light up when their corresponding labels are marked by the guide. In the preferred form the guide includes a magnifier lens to enlarge the writing on the labels.

Abstract: A switch-equipped lever of the type mounted on a vehicle steering column and having an end knob with a switch mechanism for controlling a remote vehicle system, in which the knob is provided with a wireless signal transmitter, the wireless transmitter controlled by the switch mechanism in the knob to control the remote vehicle system with a wireless signal.

Abstract: A thread checking apparatus and method for threaded bores in small plastic parts, in which a threaded tap is mounted to rotate on a fixed axis at a workstation, the workstation having guide structure associated with the rotating tap to slidingly engage and guide a part with a threaded bore onto a free outer end of the rotating tap. The rotating tap draws the part down the length of the tap in sliding, rotation-preventing engagement with the guide structure, until the part's threaded bore is fully verified and chased, at which point the part engages a reversing limit switch to automatically reverse the rotation of the tap and drive the chased and verified part back off the tap.

Abstract: A pivot-mounted tilt lever of the type used with a conventional cam-actuated tilt lock arm in an automotive steering column, the tilt lever being molded as a monolithic body of thermosetting polymer material such as phenolic resin. The tilt lever has a cam release surface for operating the tilt lock arm in the steering column, the cam surface being formed from the thermosetting polymer material as an integrally molded and finished part of the monolithic body. A method for making the tilt lever as a monolithic body is also claimed.