Abstract: A module for use in a vehicle includes a first compartment for containing a battery and a second compartment contiguous to the first compartment for containing a liquid. The second compartment is configured to route the liquid between the second compartment and a vehicle subsystem.

Abstract: A vehicle-mountable light assembly comprises a body, a power source, a light source, and an auxiliary functional unit. The body is configured to be mounted to a vehicle interior. The light source is coupled to the power source and the body and is configured to provide sustained light. The auxiliary functional unit is a non-light source unit which is coupled to the body.

Abstract: A rechargeable light includes a body, a light source coupled to the body, a capacitor, and a power interface switch. The capacitor is configured to provide power to the light source. The capacitor and light source are configured to provide sustained light. The power interface is configured to be coupled to a power source external to the body and to provide power to charge the capacitor.

Abstract: A vehicle accessory and friction damper includes a rotatable member for rotating relative a stationary mount. The rotatable member includes a pivot axle including a circumferential arcuate channel. The stationary mount includes a cylindrical bearing for journaling the pivot axle. An O-ring is seated in the arcuate channel of the pivot axle and interposed between the pivot axle and the cylindrical bearing dampens rotation of the rotatable member relative to the stationary member, whereby the vehicle accessory moves from a first position to a second position in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An electrification system for removable vehicle seats, includes electrical contacts located on the vehicle and electrical contacts located on the removable seat. Coupling members are provided for selectively installing the seat to the vehicle and for removing the seat to provide additional cargo space. In the preferred embodiment, the electrical contacts are arranged so that when the seat is installed, the contacts engage one another to provide power to the rear seat which in turn can be used with a variety of electrical devices, including seat heaters, seat ventilation devices, computers, entertainment or educational systems, illumination devices, and the like. In this embodiment, the electrical contacts on the vehicle are provided in the wells into which the seat coupling components fit and the contacts on the seat are located near the seat coupling members. The seat is hooked over rods within the well and rotated to its installed position. In such position, the seat is powered.

Abstract: A seat module electrification system includes electrical contacts on the seat and electrical contacts on the module. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment the electrical terminals on the seat comprise conductive strips located proximate a pocket adapted to receive the module and the electrical terminals on the module comprise formed terminals having a conductive tip, the module terminals being arranged to engage the strips when the module is placed in the pocket. The module may be attached to the pocket in a variety of ways including a mechanical latch system or other fasteners. In one illustrated form of the invention, a switch is provided so that power does not pass to the strips unless the module is attached to the seat.

Abstract: An electrification system for removable vehicle seats, includes electrical contacts located on the vehicle and electrical contacts located on the removable seat. Coupling members are provided for selectively installing the seat to the vehicle and for removing the seat to provide additional cargo space. In the preferred embodiment, the electrical contacts are arranged so that when the seat is installed, the contacts engage one another to provide power to the rear seat which in turn can be used with a variety of electrical devices, including seat heaters, seat ventilation devices, computers, entertainment or educational systems, illumination devices, and the like. In this embodiment, the electrical contacts on the vehicle are provided in the wells into which the seat coupling components fit and the contacts on the seat are located near the seat coupling members. The seat is hooked over rods within the well and rotated to its installed position. In such position, the seat is powered.

Abstract: An automobile control system including at least one actuation device having a housing and control circuitry coupled to the housing, where the control circuitry and the housing create a unitary device.

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 connector for ribbon-to-wire conductors includes a clip for holding a ribbon conductor and a housing for retaining a series of wire conductors. To connect the system, a ribbon conductor containing exposed conductors on one surface of its free end is extended over the free end of an upper segment of the clip which is then inserted into the opening of the housing until a shoulder on the base of the clip engages the back wall of the housing locking the clip containing the ribbon conductor to the housing. In another embodiment of the electrical connecting system, a housing and a retainer snap together to sandwich exposed electrical contacts of two ribbon conductors and/or electrical surface contacts of a flexible or rigid circuit board. To connect the system, the ribbon conductors are placed over opposite ends of the circuit board to engage contacts thereon and the retainer is snapped to the housing.

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 mirror mount includes a mounting arm having a first end adjustably receiving a rearview mirror housing and an opposite end having an upper surface facing the vehicle roof when installed. The upper surface includes a plurality of upwardly extending projections generally aligned at the apices of a triangle for cooperating with spaced apertures in the sheet metal roof of a vehicle for locating a mounting arm to a vehicle roof. A bias spring and a fastener attach the mounting arm to the vehicle roof.

Abstract: A vanity mirror assembly includes a relatively thin panel which can slide out from a vehicle support housing. The panel supports a mirror illuminated by a fiber-optic lighting assembly. The fiber-optic lighting assembly comprises a light source which is fixedly positioned within a vehicle housing and to which at least one or more fiber-optic cables are optically coupled and extend to the panel for directing illumination therefrom. The fiber-optic cables have a length and are flexible to allow the panel to be moved from a stored position within the vehicle housing to an extended use position. Also in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the widened ends of the fiber-optic cables have a rectangular surface textured to direct illumination outwardly in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the fiber-optic cables.

Abstract: An electrical component mounting system includes a substantially rigid substrate supporting a flexible circuit having a contact terminal with at least one aperture to receive a connecting pin from an electrical component. The aperture has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the component conductor pin, such that extending the pin through the aperture in the flexible circuit deforms the contact terminal into an aligned larger diameter aperture in the substrate to provide a secure electrical connection between the pin and the terminal of the flexible circuit. In one embodiment of the invention, the conductive pin includes a locking groove for lockably engaging the rigid substrate.

Abstract: A covered illuminated vanity mirror for use in a vehicle includes a cover operated switch for actuating lights for providing illumination for the mirror. A second switch is provided and is movable for selecting high or lower levels of light intensity. To assure the level of illumination is at the lower level when the cover is initially opened, an automatic dimming system couples the second switch to the cover such that movement of the cover between an open position to a closed position causes the second switch to move to the lower intensity position.