Abstract: A wireless electrical connectivity system for use in a vehicle includes a first transceiver coupled to at least one utility carrier and to a first plurality of electrical devices. The first transceiver is configured to communicate a plurality of utility signals. A control module is coupled to a second plurality of electrical devices and configured to control the selection and distribution of utility signals to the second plurality of electrical devices. The control module includes a second transceiver configured to communicate a plurality of utility signals with the first transceiver via a communication link and a user interface configured to receive user input commands regarding the selection of utility signals distributed to the second plurality of electrical devices.

Abstract: An electrical connectivity system for use in a vehicle includes a first plurality of electrical devices a first plurality of electrical devices coupled to at least one utility carrier and a control module coupled to the at least one utility carrier. The first plurality of electrical devices are configured to communicate a plurality of utilities on the at least one utility carrier. The control module is also coupled to a second plurality of electrical devices and is configured to control the selection and distribution of the plurality of utilities to the second plurality of electrical devices. The control module includes a user interface configured to receive user input commands regarding the selection of utilities distributed to the second plurality of electrical devices. The control module and second plurality of electrical devices may be mounted to a modular system in the vehicle.

Abstract: A security system for a modular system in a vehicle is provided and includes at least one elongated member configured for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle, at least one module configured for attachment to the elongated member, a module interface unit communicating with the elongated member, and an identification unit coupled to the module and configured to interface with the module interface unit, so that the module interface unit is operable to authenticate the module when the module is mounted on the elongated member.

Abstract: A wireless control system for wireless control of a remote electronic system includes a wireless control system circuit coupled to a vehicle interior. The circuit includes a transmitter circuit configured to transmit a wireless control signal having control data which will control the remote electronic system, a timing circuit configured to transmit a timing signal, and a control circuit coupled to the transmitter circuit and the timing circuit. The control circuit is configured to receive the timing signal and to command the transmitter circuit to transmit the wireless control signal based on the timing signal.

Abstract: A mounting platform includes a slide having a mounting shoe thereon with the slide being mounted to the platform for movement between at least first and second spaced-apart positions. In a preferred embodiment, the platform includes a guide for the slide which is spring-loaded and which slides within the guide and includes interlocking tabs and slots for positively locking the slide in at least two spaced-apart positions, thereby longitudinally moving the mounting shoe between such positions. In a preferred embodiment also, in order to provide a finished appearance to the mounting system, the slide includes a forward section which extends through an aperture formed in the platform and slides along an upper surface thereof with the body of the slide extending through the aperture into the guide such that the aperture remains enclosed by the main body or forward extension for all positions of the slide, thereby enclosing the platform.

Abstract: A shift knob integrally includes one of a plug or socket having fixed contacts which are coupled to a control switch mounted to the shift knob. The plug or socket is mounted to a sleeve which integrally includes the other of a socket and plug with fixed contacts precoupled to the transmission wire harness such that during assembly it is only necessary for the shift knob to be mounted onto the knob-receiving sleeve to make both mechanical and electrical contact with the transmission. In a preferred embodiment, the shift knob includes a keyed plug with the contacts recessed within a housing of the plug.

Abstract: A housing supports a parking brake lever assembly, including a manual lever, a brake cable tension adjustment control, and a cable coupling assembly for coupling the lever to the vehicle's parking brake cables mounted to the chassis of a vehicle during assembly. The cable coupling assembly, tension adjustment control and parking brake lever assembly are inter-coupled and mounted to the housing forming a floor console which can be snap-fitted into a vehicle quickly during assembly with the parking brake lever automatically coupled to the vehicle's parking brake cables and the tension quickly adjusted external to the console for proper tension and operation during assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle accessory has a mounting wall with an elongated slot which slideably receives a snap-in fastener which is fixed in the orthogonal direction of installation of the snap-in fastener. The fastener cooperates with an elongated slot formed in a vehicle support structure which slot extends orthogonally to the slot in the vehicle accessory such that the fastener can be moved into alignment on two axes to align with the aperture in the vehicle for insertion of the fastener and installation of the accessory.

Abstract: A vehicle light assembly includes a housing for attachment to a vehicle, a light source mounted to the housing, and a lens and/or reflector attached to the housing for controlling the distribution of light from the light source. The lens and/or reflector includes a surface with microvariations formed therein to define a holographic optical element that directs the light into a predetermined pattern for illuminating an area. The lens so formed simultaneously eliminates undesirable uneven light distribution such as glare, "spider webbing," light/dark patchiness and chromatic aberrations in and around the predetermined light pattern.

Abstract: A storage component such as an armrest includes a base defining a compartment, and a cover for closing the compartment. A pair of spaced apart links operably connect the cover to the base for movement between a first closed position where an aesthetic side of the cover is exposed for supporting a person's arm, a second raised position for inverting the cover, and a third inverted and closed position where a cupholder-defining side of the cover is exposed for holding containers. In some embodiments, a pair of panels are pivotally attached to one of the base and the cover for movement between a storage position in the compartment and a laterally extending position for supporting loose items thereon.

Abstract: An electrical vehicle accessory is directly mounted to an aperture in a supporting member base by providing a socket which includes a fastener which mechanically snaps the socket into the support member and, in turn, mechanically and electrically receives a plug of an electrical assembly for holding the assembly in a final installed position.

Abstract: A visor body is mounted to a pivot rod which in turn is mounted to a slide assembly positioned above a vehicle headliner. The headliner includes an opening at its forward end adjacent the windshield for concealably receiving the visor body and a longitudinally extending slot through which the pivot rod extends when the visor is moved to a lowered use position and rotated to a side window position. The slide assembly permits the visor body to be moved forwardly and rearwardly in either the front window or side window positions for providing selective sun blocking coverage.

Abstract: A lamp assembly includes a light transmissive diffusion plate having at least one lens positioned therein and a movable light source which can selectively be moved from a position aligned with the lens for providing spot lighting or positioned behind the diffusion plate for providing general interior illumination for the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a circuit board includes a light source mounted thereon and electrical contacts and is rotatably coupled behind a diffusion plate by a control knob extending through the diffusion plate and accessible to the vehicle operator such that by rotation of the knob, the light source is selectively moved between at least one spotlighting position and a diffuse lighting position.

Abstract: An electrical system for vehicle panels is disclosed which includes a plurality of conductors and electrical accessories for connection to the panel. The electrical accessories include insulation displacement contacts for connection with conductors in the panel. In one embodiment, the panel includes a plurality of conductive layers providing an electrical bus for the panel. In another embodiment, the conductors are formed in the panel between two dielectric layers.

Abstract: A vehicle visor includes a visor body for attachment to a vehicle, a mirror and a light source mounted to the body, and a lens attached to the body for controlling the distribution of light from the light source. The lens includes a surface with microvariations formed therein to define a holographic optical element that directs the light into a predetermined pattern for illuminating the face of the user. The lens so formed eliminates undesirable uneven light distribution such as "spider webbing," light/dark patchiness and chromatic aberrations in and around the predetermined light pattern.

Abstract: An electrical system for vehicle panels which include a plurality of conductors and electrical accessories for connection to the panel. The electrical accessories include insulation displacement contacts for connection with conductors in the panel. In one embodiment, the panel includes a plurality of conductive layers providing an electrical bus for the panel. In another embodiment, the conductors are formed in the panel between two dielectric layers.

Abstract: A vehicle member is defined by a body which includes a substrate having an insulative layer and a pair of spaced conductors extending to define terminals for receiving an electrical component which is attached to the body to engage the conductors for providing activating power to the component. In a preferred embodiment, the member is a visor and the component an illuminated vanity mirror package. In one embodiment, the vanity mirror is mounted to the visor body using interlocking posts and keyhole-shaped apertures.

Abstract: An electrical component mounting system includes a substrate having a foil laminate on one side configured to provide a pair of spaced conductors extending adjacent a socket aperture formed through the substrate. An electrical component includes a socket that fits into the socket aperture to engage the foil for providing activating power to the component directly through the foil covered substrate.

Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a vehicle headliner and visors to a vehicle includes a spider-like mounting member for each visor and which includes a central hub with alternate sets of legs. A first set of legs extend downwardly from the hub and terminate in mounting bases to which a visor mounting bracket is attached, while a second set of downwardly extending legs terminate in ends which engage and grip the upper surface of the vehicle roof when the mounting member is inserted into an aperture of the vehicle roof to snap-fit the visors and attached headliner to the vehicle roof.

Abstract: A snap-in visor rod mounting assembly includes a mounting plate which is adapted to receive a conventional visor rod mounting bracket. The plate is provided with a spring either integrally formed thereon or attached thereto. The visor rod mounting bracket is preassembled to the mounting plate in a conventional manner and subsequently the mounting plate is snap-fitted into an aperture formed in the vehicle roof during assembly of the visor into the vehicle.