Abstract: A locking bracket for a vehicle accessory that has a main portion and a secondary portion, the main portion is configured to position the vehicle accessory in an operating position and includes opposite first and second faces extending between opposite ends, a spring leaf extending from the first face, first and second ribs extending from the second face, the first and second ribs being spaced from one another and having cooperating geometry to provide force to the spring leaf, at least first and second hinges separated by a distance, the first rib being located between the first and second hinges, and a locking mechanism provided on at least one of the ends, the locking mechanism being configured to maintain the vehicle accessory in the operating position.

Abstract: A locking bracket for a vehicle accessory that has a main portion and a secondary portion, the main portion is configured to position the vehicle accessory in an operating position and includes opposite first and second faces extending between opposite ends, a spring leaf extending from the first face, first and second ribs extending from the second face, the first and second ribs being spaced from one another and having cooperating geometry to provide force to the spring leaf, at least first and second hinges separated by a distance, the first rib being located between the first and second hinges, and a locking mechanism provided on at least one of the ends, the locking mechanism being configured to maintain the vehicle accessory in the operating position.

Abstract: A washing device for a vehicle accessory that includes a washer housing with a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The ring portion has a main opening for receiving a portion of the vehicle accessory, an attachment side configured for mounting the washer housing, a washing side configured to frame the vehicle accessory, and a transition portion between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment. A nozzle end of the fluid source attachment has at least one fluid channel defined by a nozzle protrusion on the nozzle end. The fluid channel is configured to discharge the fluid to the washing side for cleaning the vehicle accessory by creating a plurality of fluid flow pathways of the fluid between the nozzle end and the transition portion, wherein the plurality fluid flow pathways interact with one another to form at least one vortex in the flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A washing device for a vehicle accessory that includes a washer housing with a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The ring portion has a main opening for receiving a portion of the vehicle accessory, an attachment side configured for mounting the washer housing, a washing side configured to frame the vehicle accessory, and a transition portion between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment. A nozzle end of the fluid source attachment has at least one fluid channel defined by a nozzle protrusion on the nozzle end. The fluid channel is configured to discharge the fluid to the washing side for cleaning the vehicle accessory by creating a plurality of fluid flow pathways of the fluid between the nozzle end and the transition portion, wherein the plurality fluid flow pathways interact with one another to form at least one vortex in the flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A compact camera lens washing device received in a shroud for mounting to a vehicle. The device includes a washer housing disposed in the shroud. The washer housing includes a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The ring portion has a main opening that is generally aligned with a lens opening of the shroud for receiving the camera lens, an attachment side that is configured to mount the washer housing to the shroud, and a washing side that is configured to frame the camera lens. The washing side is in fluid communication with the fluid source attachment. Nozzles are disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. The nozzles are configured to discharge fluid from the washer side and radially inwardly towards the main opening that receives the camera lens.

Abstract: A sensor washing device that includes a washer housing that has a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The fluid source attachment is configured to receive fluid. The ring portion has a main opening for receiving a detecting head of the sensor, an attachment side configured for mounting the washer housing, and a washing side configured to frame the detecting head of the sensor. The washing side is in fluid communication with the fluid source attachment. A plurality of nozzles are disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. The plurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid to the washer side radially inwardly towards the main opening for cleaning the detecting head of the sensor.

Abstract: A camera lens washing device that includes an outer housing that has a main opening for receiving a camera lens, an attachment end configured to mount to a camera housing of the camera lens, and an exposed end remote from the attachment end. The exposed end includes an end face that has a recessed area extending inwardly therefrom. An inner ring is received in the recessed area of the outer housing. The inner ring is configured to frame the camera lens. A plurality of nozzles are defined between the outer housing and the inner ring. The plurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid radially inwardly towards the camera lens. The inner ring may be substantially stationary with respect to the outer housing. The nozzles may be disposed at or near a top side of the main opening of the outer housing.

Abstract: A compact camera lens washing device received in a shroud for mounting to a vehicle. The device includes a washer housing disposed in the shroud. The washer housing includes a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The ring portion has a main opening that is generally aligned with a lens opening of the shroud for receiving the camera lens, an attachment side that is configured to mount the washer housing to the shroud, and a washing side that is configured to frame the camera lens. The washing side is in fluid communication with the fluid source attachment. Nozzles are disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. The nozzles are configured to discharge fluid from the washer side and radially inwardly towards the main opening that receives the camera lens.

Abstract: A washing device for a vehicle accessory that includes a washer housing with a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The ring portion has a main opening for receiving a portion of the vehicle accessory, an attachment side configured for mounting the washer housing, a washing side configured to frame the vehicle accessory, and a transition portion between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment. A nozzle end of the fluid source attachment has at least one fluid channel defined by a nozzle protrusion on the nozzle end. The fluid channel is configured to discharge the fluid to the washing side for cleaning the vehicle accessory by creating a plurality of fluid flow pathways of the fluid between the nozzle end and the transition portion, wherein the plurality fluid flow pathways interact with one another to form at least one vortex in the flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A camera lens washing device that includes an outer housing that has a main opening for receiving a camera lens, an attachment end configured to mount to a camera housing of the camera lens, and an exposed end remote from the attachment end. The exposed end includes an end face that has a recessed area extending inwardly therefrom. An inner ring is received in the recessed area of the outer housing. The inner ring is configured to frame the camera lens. A plurality of nozzles are defined between the outer housing and the inner ring. The plurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid radially inwardly towards the camera lens. The inner ring may be substantially stationary with respect to the outer housing. The nozzles may be disposed at or near a top side of the main opening of the outer housing.

Abstract: A sensor washing device that includes a washer housing that has a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The fluid source attachment is configured to receive fluid. The ring portion has a main opening for receiving a detecting head of the sensor, an attachment side configured for mounting the washer housing, and a washing side configured to frame the detecting head of the sensor. The washing side is in fluid communication with the fluid source attachment. A plurality of nozzles are disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. The plurality of nozzles are configured to discharge fluid to the washer side radially inwardly towards the main opening for cleaning the detecting head of the sensor.

Abstract: A self-locking switch including a button sub-assembly and a housing sub-assembly. The button sub-assembly includes at least one button with a tab extending from a lower surface at a first end and at least one shaft engagement point on the lower surface at a second end, and a bracket comprising a first end and a second end with a rotation shaft at the second end. The bracket is rotatably connected to the button. The housing sub-assembly includes a switch housing having engagement points, and a switching mechanism in the housing. The button sub-assembly and the housing sub-assembly are joined together by engaging the tab of the button and the first and second ends of the bracket to corresponding engagement points on the switch housing and the engagement points are not accessible from outside the self-locking switch after the button sub-assembly and the housing sub-assembly are assembled together.

Abstract: A self-locking switch including a button sub-assembly and a housing sub-assembly. The button sub-assembly includes at least one button with a tab extending from a lower surface at a first end and at least one shaft engagement point on the lower surface at a second end, and a bracket comprising a first end and a second end with a rotation shaft at the second end. The bracket is rotatably connected to the button. The housing sub-assembly includes a switch housing having engagement points, and a switching mechanism in the housing. The button sub-assembly and the housing sub-assembly are joined together by engaging the tab of the button and the first and second ends of the bracket to corresponding engagement points on the switch housing and the engagement points are not accessible from outside the self-locking switch after the button sub-assembly and the housing sub-assembly are assembled together.

Abstract: A sensor for determining an angular position of a rotor comprises an elongated member for attachment to the rotor for lengthwise movement in response to rotation of the rotor. The elongated member has a length and includes indicia identifying predetermined designated segments along the length. A field source generates a field adjacent to a selected portion of the length of the elongated member. A field effect detector detects at least one of the indicia associated with the selected portion of the length of the elongated member in response generation of the field adjacent the selected portion. The detected one of the indicia identifies at least one of the designated segments. The identified designated segment is functionally related to the angular position of the rotor.

Abstract: A lock bolt is engages with a recess formed on the surface of the steering shaft. In a locked position, the lock bolt engages the recess of the steering shaft. In an unlocked position, the lock bolt is withdrawn and disengaged from the recess. When the ignition key is turned to start the automobile, the lock bolt disengages the steering shaft. When the ignition key is turned to stop the automobile engine from idling, the lock bolt engages the steering shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an electrical contact assembly in a steering wheel that allows the contacts of a primary circuit board to move relative to the corresponding contacts of a secondary circuit board without disengaging the electrical connection. Thus, any minor deviation in the positioning of the primary or secondary circuit board may be compensated for without the loss of electrical contact. The primary circuit board is located in the center of the steering wheel around the steering column. The primary circuit board includes left and right arms which engage and cooperate with left and right button assemblies on the steering wheel to actuate various vehicle controls, such as radio volume and tuning control, in the vehicle. The arms include leaf-spring contacts which resiliently and non-fixedly engage the secondary circuit board which is connected to control buttons on the steering wheel.

Abstract: A position sensor for determining the angular position of a steering wheel. The shaft of the steering wheel is connected to a code disk and turn ring of the sensor so that when steering wheel is rotated, the coded disk and turn ring are also rotated. The code disk is a flat circular disk having a series of cut-outs or bits around its perimeter. A light emitting diode shines a light through the cut-outs and is read by a photo detector which determines the angular position of the code disk. The turn ring is fitted on the outside of the code disk and rotates in a hypocycloidic circle so that for every full revolution of the code disk, the turn ring rotates through a smaller angle. The turn ring is placed over a series of Hall sensors to determine the number of revolutions of the code disk.

Abstract: A cable in conduit superconductor. The superconductor is formed from bundles of superconducting strands made of superconductor filaments, copper, and a layer of electrical resistant material. The superconductor strands are organized around a solid copper central strand, and a plurality of such wires are organized within a circular stainless steel foil, leaving a spiral gap in the middle for liquid coolant to flow. This configuration is then placed within a conduit tubing and compressed for stability.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an electrical contact assembly in a steering wheel that allows the contacts of a primary circuit board to move relative to the corresponding contacts of a secondary circuit board without disengaging the electrical connection. Thus, any minor deviation in the positioning of the primary or secondary circuit board may be compensated for without the loss of electrical contact. The primary circuit board is located in the center of the steering wheel around the steering column. The primary circuit board includes left and right arms which engage and cooperate with left and right button assemblies on the steering wheel to actuate various vehicle controls, such as radio volume and tuning control, in the vehicle. The arms include leaf-spring contacts which resiliently and non-fixedly engage the secondary circuit board which is connected to control buttons on the steering wheel.

Abstract: A position sensor for determining the angular position of a steering wheel. The shaft of the steering wheel is connected to a code disk and turn ring of the sensor so that when steering wheel is rotated, the coded disk and turn ring are also rotated. The code disk is a flat circular disk having a series of cut-outs or bits around its perimeter. A light emitting diode shines a light through the cut-outs and is read by a photo detector which determines the angular position of the code disk. The turn ring is fitted on the outside of the code disk and rotates in a hypocycloidic circle so that for every full revolution of the code disk, the turn ring rotates through a smaller angle. The turn ring is placed over a series of Hall sensors to determine the number of revolutions of the code disk.