Abstract: A switch actuator assembly is provided comprising a circuit board housing including an upper housing and a lower housing forming a board compartment. A circuit board assembly, mounted within the board compartment, includes a switch element. A button assembly, positioned remotely from the upper housing, includes a cantilever button element. A plunger array assembly is included comprising a plunger array frame and a plunger element. The plunger element comprises a main plunger piston having a first plunger end configured to engage the cantilever button element only in a radial direction and a second plunger end configured to transfer force to the switch element. A plunger cantilever arm has a first cantilever end affixed to the plunger array frame and a second cantilever end affixed to the main plunger piston and is mounted in a mount position configured to minimize horizontal displacement of said second plunger end.

Abstract: A vehicle headliner includes electromagnetic drivers for sonically driving a member or a layer of the headliner. A foam beam is shaped around a driver transducer connection area that holds one or more driver connectors. A cover may be maintained over the shaped foam beam to protect against entry of dust and other debris into the driver and the transducer connection area that receives the driver.

Abstract: An electronic module that is activated by the touch of a button for sending a wireless signal to a remote receiver. The module has a housing with an upper portion that is secured in relation to a vehicle. A lower portion of the housing has mating apertures and openings provided therein. A set of staking posts extends from an upper face of one or more buttons. The staking posts have a leading end that is registrable with the mating apertures that are provided in the lower portion of the housing. A set of actuating posts also extends from the upper face of the button. Those posts extend within at least some of the openings that are defined in the lower portion of the housing. Optionally, an array of light pipes is in optical communication with a set of switches. One of the switches can be closed following contact by a leading end of one of the posts when a button is depressed.

Abstract: A button and light pipe mechanism and assembly. The button and light pipe mechanism includes a unitary body having a frame, a first arm, a button, and a light pipe. The first arm is configured to flex when sufficient force is exerted on the button.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a two piece pivoting sun visor rod upon which sun visors are rotationally mounted, wherein the pivoting sun visor rod comprises a two piece sun visor rod having a pivot joint incorporated therein. Further, the present invention relates to a two piece sun visor rod having both a pivot joint and a means of electrically connecting a vanity light.

Abstract: A vehicle headliner includes electromagnetic drivers for sonically driving a member or a layer of the headliner. A foam beam is shaped around a driver transducer connection area that holds one or more driver connectors. A cover may be maintained over the shaped foam beam to protect against entry of dust and other debris into the driver and the transducer connection area that receives the driver.

Abstract: A smart, universal vehicle docking station is provided for receiving one or more plug-in feature modules. The docking station includes a personality module arranged to receive the feature modules. The feature modules are of uniform dimensions and include a standardized docking station coupler. Some of the feature modules can be operated separately from the docking station, and are completely interchangeable within the docking station. The personality module is removable so that an entire personality module can be removed from a vehicle for security reasons, as well as to transplanted from one vehicle to another to provide immediate vehicle customization. A gateway located in the docking station allows integration and appropriate signal translation of signals between the modules and a vehicle irrespective of make or model of the vehicle. The present invention allows different features to be easily added or upgraded in a vehicle.

Abstract: Remote entry transmitters are formed to have a housing element made by a two-shot molding technique. A plateable and a non-plateable plastic are molded in the two-shot molding technique. Circuit trace material is then plated onto the plateable material. This results in a reduction in the number of separate parts for the transmitter. In addition, the antenna is positioned to be non-parallel to the main circuit board. This results in packaging efficiencies and improvements. Preferably, the antenna may be plated onto an inner side wall of the housing when the two-shot molding technique occurs. Alternatively, the antenna may be provided as a separate board.

Abstract: A smart, universal vehicle docking station is provided for receiving one or more plug-in feature modules. The docking station includes a personality module arranged to receive the feature modules. The feature modules are of uniform dimensions and include a standardized docking station coupler. Some of the feature modules can be operated separately from the docking station, and are completely interchangeable within the docking station. The personality module is removable so that an entire personality module can be removed from a vehicle for security reasons, as well as to transplanted from one vehicle to another to provide immediate vehicle customization. A gateway located in the docking station allows integration and appropriate signal translation of signals between the modules and a vehicle irrespective of make or model of the vehicle. The present invention allows different features to be easily added or upgraded in a vehicle.

Abstract: Remote entry transmitters are formed to have a housing element made by a two-shot molding technique. A plateable and a non-plateable plastic are molded in the two-shot molding technique. Circuit trace material is then plated onto the plateable material. This results in a reduction in the number of separate parts for the transmitter. In addition, the antenna is positioned to be non-parallel to the main circuit board. This results in packaging efficiencies and improvements. Preferably, the antenna may be plated onto an inner side wall of the housing when the two-shot molding technique occurs. Alternatively, the antenna may be provided as a separate board.

Abstract: A dome switch (12) of an electrically operated product (10) includes an electrically conductive dome switch member (30) having a central dimple (36) and a peripheral portion (38) that is secured by two retainers (42) which permit sliding alignment of the dome switch member. A switch actuator (44) of the dome switch (12) has an alignment button (46) received by the dimple (36) of the dome switch member (30) so as to provide sliding of the dome switch member on a circuit board (16) and thereby providing alignment with first and second contacts (18, 20) to provide effective switch closing.

Abstract: An integrated, flexible interrogator-coil circuit provides security for the type of lock opened by a key that transmits a coded signal to an interrogator circuit associated with the lock. When the key is inserted into the lock, a coil in the key is brought into proximity with an energized coil associated with the lock. The resulting current induced in the key's coil causes the key to transmit the coded signal. If the coded signal is recognized by the lock's interrogator circuit, the key opens the lock. The lock coil is an etched metallic spiral on a loop portion of the circuit board and the interrogator circuit components are mounted on a base portion of the circuit board on which is etched a metallic circuit pattern. The integrated interrogator-coil circuit is faster and more economical to manufacture. Because the circuit is on a flexible circuit board, it can be made a part of the lock assembly itself, thus facilitating use of this type of security system.

Abstract: A universal key fob includes a housing to which is mountable one of a plurality of accessories. A key shank is mountable to the housing in order to provide a key head fob. A key ring is mountable to the housing in order to provide a key ring fob. Preferably, the accessories are connected to the housing via inserts which snap fit into a recess in the housing.

Abstract: A coil suitable for use as a radio component, for example, an FM trimmer coil, is formed of a self-supporting wire coil enclosed in a housing comprising two halves molded of insulated material and ultrasonically welded together to captivate the coil, ribs on the housing interior extend between turns of the coil in contact therewith to securely contain the coil turns and prevent axial movement thereof. Optionally, a threaded tuning slug is adjustably located within the coil supported by the inner ends of the ribs at a fixed spacing from the coil. Integral coil terminals extend through the housing and a window in the side of the housing allows an additional terminal to be welded to a coil turn intermediate the ends of the coil.