Abstract: A vehicular control system comprises a rearview mirror assembly and a microcontroller. The rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing and a variable reflectivity electro-optic mirror element. The microcontroller is operable to control the reflectivity of the variable reflectivity electro-optic mirror element. The microcontroller may be operable to control a plurality of accessories of the vehicle via a node of a vehicle control network. The microcontroller may be operable to receive signals from and/or transmit signals to at least one of the accessories via the node of the vehicle control network. The microcontroller may be in communication with a second microcontroller located in the mirror housing or exterior to the mirror housing. The microcontroller and the second microcontroller may be cooperatively operable. The microcontroller and the second microcontroller may be in master/slave relationship.

Abstract: A construction apparatus (12) and method of controlling a construction apparatus from a laser source (38) made up of a substantially non-rotating beam (56). The construction apparatus includes a body (14), a construction tool (16) adapted to move material, a support moveably supporting the construction tool from the body and a control for guiding movement of the construction tool. A control is provided including a camera (28) that is adapted to capture an illuminated image that is derived from the laser source. The control determines direction information of the illuminated image with respect to the apparatus at least in part from an output of the camera. The control is further adapted to determine separation information of the spot with respect to the body and a physical relationship between the construction tool and the illuminated image.

Abstract: A construction apparatus (12) and method of controlling a construction apparatus from a laser source (38) made up of a substantially non-rotating beam (56). The construction apparatus includes a body (14), a construction tool (16) adapted to move material, a support moveably supporting the construction tool from the body and a control for guiding movement of the construction tool. A control is provided including a camera (28) that is adapted to capture an illuminated image that is derived from the laser source. The control determines direction information of the illuminated image with respect to the apparatus at least in part from an output of the camera. The control is further adapted to determine separation information of the spot with respect to the body and a physical relationship between the construction tool and the illuminated image.

Abstract: A vehicle control system comprises an industry standard CAN network with a number of nodes distributed around the vehicle for controlling corresponding parts of the vehicle. One such node is located in the housing of the vehicle interior rearview mirror and directly controls the reflectivity of an electro-optic mirror unit, in accordance with the state of at least one ambient light sensor and a remote keyless entry device. The node also communicates via an ISO9141 interface with a number of slave controllers such as a sun-roof control module mounted adjacent a sun-roof and a roof control module mounted in a roof housing. By this means the UCM exercises indirect control of the sun-roof in accordance with the state of a switch, and exercises indirect control of various lamps GEN1, GEN2, FLL and FRL in the roof housing in accordance with the state of switches Gen, FL and FR mounted in the roof housing or, in the case of the lamps GEN1 and GEN2, when a vehicle door is opened.

Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly, at least one control and, preferably, at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes an interior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes an exterior electro-optic reflective element having an electrically variable reflectivity. The at least one control at least controls a reflectivity level of the interior electro-optic reflective element, preferably in accordance with a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal. The at least one control may further control a reflectivity level of the exterior electro-optic reflective element via a bus system of the vehicle. The control or controls may communicate and/or control an accessory of the vehicle via the bus system of the vehicle. The controls may comprise a control node of a vehicle control network.

Abstract: A vehicle control system comprises an industry standard CAN network with a number of nodes distributed around the vehicle for controlling corresponding parts of the vehicle. One such node is located in the housing of the vehicle interior rearview mirror and directly controls the reflectivity of an electro-optic mirror unit, in accordance with the state of at least one ambient light sensor and a remote keyless entry device. The node also communicates via an ISO9141 interface with a number of slave controllers such as a sun-roof control module mounted adjacent a sun-roof and a roof control module mounted in a roof housing. By this means the UCM exercises indirect control of the sun-roof in accordance with the state of a switch, and exercises indirect control of various lamps GEN1, GEN2, FLL and FRL in the roof housing in accordance with the state of switches Gen, FL and FR mounted in the roof housing or, in the case of the lamps GEN1 and GEN2, when a vehicle door is opened.

Abstract: A vehicle control system comprises an industry standard CAN network with a number of nodes distributed around the vehicle for controlling corresponding parts of the vehicle. One such node is located in the housing of the vehicle interior rearview mirror and directly controls the reflectivity of an electro-optic mirror unit, in accordance with the state of at least one ambient light sensor and a remote keyless entry device. The node also communicates via an ISO9141 interface with a number of slave controllers such as a sun-roof control module mounted adjacent a sun-roof and a roof control module mounted in a roof housing. By this means the UCM exercises indirect control of the sun-roof in accordance with the state of a switch, and exercises indirect control of various lamps GEN1, GEN2, FLL and FRL in the roof housing in accordance with the state of switches Gen, FL and FR mounted in the roof housing or, in the case of the lamps GEN1 and GEN2, when a vehicle door is opened.

Abstract: A utility emergency light assembly for vehicles, machinery, or the like detachably mounted by a slide coupling to a mounting bracket attached to the vehicle or machine. The light assembly has a compact, space-saving profile and includes a housing having a lamp assembly mounted within a spool journaled in the housing for reeling and unreeling a power cord, enabling movement of the assembly to areas of the vehicle where light is needed. A cap substantially closes the housing and includes a lens located over the lamp assembly. The lamp assembly is sealed within the spool, while the remainder of the housing is open to allow water drainage and to prevent the accumulation of moisture and debris.

Abstract: A motor driven vehicle is described which has a control handle grasped by the operator, the handle having an inner portion connected to the vehicle and a free end portion. The speed is controlled in accordance with the position of the free end of the handle by a novel device which includes a rheostat connected to the drive motor and a rack and pinion mechanism connected to the rheostat. The drive motor is a direct current electrical motor and the rheostat has a resistance portion corresponding to and effecting a braking action on the vehicle through the motor. The novel clutch comprises an inner hub and an outer hub, and one of the inner and outer hubs has a serrated surface and the outer hub carries a plurality of needles extending toward the serrated surface the needles being canted in a given direction so that rotary motion can be transmitted in a predetermined direction between the hubs whereas for the opposite direction the hubs are substantially free-wheeling.

Abstract: A motor driven vehicle is described which has a control handle grasped by the operator, the handle having an inner portion connected to the vehicle and a free end portion. The speed is controlled in accordance with the position of the free end of the handle by a novel device which includes a rheostat connected to the drive motor and a rack and pinion mechanism connected to the rheostat. The drive motor is a direct current electrical motor and the rheostat has a resistance portion corresponding to and effecting a braking action on the vehicle through the motor. The novel clutch comprises an inner hub and an outer hub, and one of the inner and outer hubs has a serrated surface and the outer hub carries a plurality of needles extending toward the serrated surface the needles being canted in a given direction so that rotary motion can be transmitted in a predetermined direction between the hubs whereas for the opposite direction the hubs are substantially free-wheeling.

Abstract: A device for holding a stack of hangers and for advancing one hanger at a time from the stack to a forward position and for carrying out a predetermined operation, usually the affixing of garments, when in the forward position, is described. The device comprises a vertical frame for holding the hangers, a main plate essentially perpendicular to the frame and intersecting the frame in an essentially cross configuration, a receptacle for the hanger resting on the main plate. The receptacle is slidable from a forward position to a rearward position and vice versa. An electric motor provided with a cam linkage permits to carry out automatically the steps of advancing and retracting the receptacle. The method of operation is also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying and adhering particulate thermoplastic materials to supporting substrates, such as medallions, appliques, patches, and like goods which comprise: placing the goods on a relatively stationary support at a loading station thereof; lifting the goods from the relatively stationary support, moving them forwardly and replacing the goods on the relatively stationary support at a particulate thermoplastic materials applying station thereof; applying particulate thermoplastic materials to the surface of the goods; lifting the goods from the relatively stationary support, moving them forwardly and replacing the goods on the relatively stationary support at a heating and bonding station thereof; heating the particulate thermoplastic materials and adheringly bonding them to the surface of the goods; and disengaging or separating the goods with the adhered thermoplastic materials thereon from the relatively stationary support so that the goods are positioned forwardly beyond the heating