Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the intensity of light provided to an analog needle are disclosed herein. The system and method adjust the intensity of light provided to the analog needle based on an operating state of an engine of a vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the transparency of a digital needle of a digital gauge are disclosed herein. The system and method adjust a transparency of a digital needle based on an operating state of an engine of a vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the transparency of a digital needle of a digital gauge are disclosed herein. The system and method adjust a transparency of a digital needle based on an operating state of an engine of a vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a breakaway mobile device connection port for a vehicle. The breakaway mobile device connection port includes a socket within a surface of a vehicle, formed by one or more flexible retention members coupled to the surface. The port further includes a ball-type bearing positioned partially within the socket, a female connector positioned in the bearing outside the socket and configured to receive a male connector, and a harness cable coupled to the bearing, linking the female connector to an electrical system or data system of the vehicle. The bearing is configured to swivel on at least one axis within the socket, and an impact force on the male connector that exceeds a first threshold value causes the bearing to be pushed completely into the socket.

Abstract: An oar for use in propelling a watercraft through water includes a first circular paddle portion. An edge hole extends into an edge of the first paddle portion. The oar also includes a second circular paddle portion, with an edge hole extending into an edge of the second paddle portion. The oar also includes a handle portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first paddle portion edge hole and the handle portion first end are structured so that the handle portion first end is detachably securable in the first paddle portion edge hole. The second paddle portion edge hole and the handle portion second end are structured so that the handle portion second end is detachably securable in the second paddle portion edge hole.

Abstract: A hook assembly for mounting to a body component having a pair of openings is provided. The hook assembly includes a pin member and a hook housing. The pin member includes a base portion and a pair of insertion pins extending upwardly from the base portion. The hook housing includes a top surface and a pair of interior channels. A pair of clip prongs are positioned at each opening of the pair of interior channels. A hook member extends outwardly from the hook housing. The hook housing is coupled to the body component by inserting the pair of clip prongs into the openings formed in the body component in a clip prong insertion direction. The pair of insertion pins are inserted into the pair of interior channels in a pin insertion direction to secure the pin member and the hook housing to the body component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a breakaway mobile device connection port for a vehicle. The breakaway mobile device connection port includes a socket within a surface of a vehicle, formed by one or more flexible retention members coupled to the surface. The port further includes a ball-type bearing positioned partially within the socket, a female connector positioned in the bearing outside the socket and configured to receive a male connector, and a harness cable coupled to the bearing, linking the female connector to an electrical system or data system of the vehicle. The bearing is configured to swivel on at least one axis within the socket, and an impact force on the male connector that exceeds a first threshold value causes the bearing to be pushed completely into the socket.

Abstract: An oar for use in propelling a watercraft through water includes a first circular paddle portion. An edge hole extends into an edge of the first paddle portion. The oar also includes a second circular paddle portion, with an edge hole extending into an edge of the second paddle portion. The oar also includes a handle portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first paddle portion edge hole and the handle portion first end are structured so that the handle portion first end is detachably securable in the first paddle portion edge hole. The second paddle portion edge hole and the handle portion second end are structured so that the handle portion second end is detachably securable in the second paddle portion edge hole.

Abstract: A hook assembly for mounting to a body component having a pair of openings is provided. The hook assembly includes a pin member and a hook housing. The pin member includes a base portion and a pair of insertion pins extending upwardly from the base portion. The hook housing includes a top surface and a pair of interior channels. A pair of clip prongs are positioned at each opening of the pair of interior channels. A hook member extends outwardly from the hook housing. The hook housing is coupled to the body component by inserting the pair of clip prongs into the openings formed in the body component in a clip prong insertion direction. The pair of insertion pins are inserted into the pair of interior channels in a pin insertion direction to secure the pin member and the hook housing to the body component.

Abstract: A vehicular assembly and a method of connecting a panel to a vehicular structure in order to form an assembly. The assembly includes a clip that is used to join first and second components each of which defines an aperture therein. The first and second components are sized and shaped such that upon being joined to one another, their respective apertures are substantially aligned with one another and held together by the clip. The clip includes a first connector portion and a second connector portion. The clip can be turned in a twisting or screwing motion about an axis of rotation such that upon insertion of the clip into the aperture of the first component and subsequent rotation, the first connector portion forms a locking engagement with an edge structure that is defined by the aperture of the first component.

Abstract: A vehicular assembly and a method of connecting a panel to a vehicular structure in order to form an assembly. The assembly includes a clip that is used to join first and second components each of which defines an aperture therein. The first and second components are sized and shaped such that upon being joined to one another, their respective apertures are substantially aligned with one another and held together by the clip. The clip includes a first connector portion and a second connector portion. The clip can be turned in a twisting or screwing motion about an axis of rotation such that upon insertion of the clip into the aperture of the first component and subsequent rotation, the first connector portion forms a locking engagement with an edge structure that is defined by the aperture of the first component.

Abstract: A cup holder assembly and an instrument panel assembly for use in an automotive vehicle. The cup holder assembly includes a catch configured to assist with the blind installation of the cup holder assembly into an opening of the instrument panel. The catch is further configured to provide cantilevered support so as to help maintain the cup holder in a fixed relationship when a cup is mounted therein. The catch engages an elongated portion of a reinforcement bracket so as to limit the advancement of the cup holder assembly during installation.

Abstract: A cup holder assembly and an instrument panel assembly for use in an automotive vehicle. The cup holder assembly includes a catch configured to assist with the blind installation of the cup holder assembly into an opening of the instrument panel. The catch is further configured to provide cantilevered support so as to help maintain the cup holder in a fixed relationship when a cup is mounted therein. The catch engages an elongated portion of a reinforcement bracket so as to limit the advancement of the cup holder assembly during installation.

Abstract: A glove compartment box energy having a tear seam on an inner wall is provided. The glove compartment box is mounted in an instrument panel of a vehicle. The tear seam is configured to allow a rearward moving structure from within the instrument panel such as a portion of the vehicle HVAC system to rupture the tear seam and enter an interior volume of the glove compartment box. The glove compartment box further has a frangible portion disposed on the inner wall. The frangible portion extends towards an interior of the instrument panel to concentrate stress on the tear seam. The tear seam and frangible portion prevent the rearward moving structure from displacing the glove compartment box rearward into a passenger compartment.

Abstract: A glove compartment box energy having a tear seam on an inner wall is provided. The glove compartment box is mounted in an instrument panel of a vehicle. The tear seam is configured to allow a rearward moving structure from within the instrument panel such as a portion of the vehicle HVAC system to rupture the tear seam and enter an interior volume of the glove compartment box. The glove compartment box further has a frangible portion disposed on the inner wall. The frangible portion extends towards an interior of the instrument panel to concentrate stress on the tear seam. The tear seam and frangible portion prevent the rearward moving structure from displacing the glove compartment box rearward into a passenger compartment.

Abstract: Energy absorption systems are described herein. Energy absorption systems may include an instrument panel reinforcement extending from a passenger side to a driver side of a vehicle, a bracket secured to the instrument panel reinforcement including a body and a distal strike, and an instrument panel assembly including a passenger facing surface and a catch disposed on the instrument panel assembly, wherein when an impact force is applied to the passenger facing surface of the instrument panel assembly, the catch of instrument panel assembly may engage the strike of the bracket to absorb at least a portion of the impact force.

Abstract: Energy absorption systems are described herein. Energy absorption systems may include an instrument panel reinforcement extending from a passenger side to a driver side of a vehicle, a bracket secured to the instrument panel reinforcement including a body and a distal strike, and an instrument panel assembly including a passenger facing surface and a catch disposed on the instrument panel assembly, wherein when an impact force is applied to the passenger facing surface of the instrument panel assembly, the catch of instrument panel assembly may engage the strike of the bracket to absorb at least a portion of the impact force.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a clip for attaching an object to a sheet having an aperture spaced apart from a leading edge of the sheet. The clip includes a base with a generally planar lower member, the lower member having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The base also has a generally planar upper member extending across the lower member, the upper member also having a leading edge, a trailing edge and an opening between the upper member leading edge and trailing edge. The trailing edge of the upper member is attached to and extends from the base proximate the trailing edge of the lower member. The upper member also includes a spring located proximate to the trailing edge of the upper member and extending into the opening in a generally leading edge direction. The finger spring is operable to apply a force in a generally leading edge direction onto a sheet edge of a sheet inserted and located between the lower member and the upper member.