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 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 connection module having multiple spring coils that connect the electrical contacts of a steeling stalk to the electrical contacts of a circuit board in a steering column. The spring coils are made from a conductive wire that is formed into a helix-shaped coil having several rings therein, the rings defining slots therebetween. The spring coils are placed end to end in the connection module so that access is provided to the slots in the sides of the spring coils. The contacts of the steering stalk and the circuit board are then inserted into the slots of the spring coil to electrically connect the two.

Abstract: A combined windshield front and rear washing and wiping stalk switch having a single contact substrate that is adapted to engage a front wiper carrier, a front wash carrier and a rear wipe/wash carrier. To this end, the multifunctional steering column stalk switch comprises: (i) a housing; (ii) a substrate fixed inside the housing having a first leg and a second leg defining a predetermined angle between the first leg and the second leg; (iii) a conductive trace on one surface of each leg; (iv) a first carrier moveably engaged with the first leg having an electrical contact adapted to engage the conductive trace on the first leg; (v) a second carrier moveably engaged with the second leg having an electrical contact adapted to engage the conductive trace on the second leg; (vi) a first manual input device adapted to move the first carrier with respect to the first leg; and (vii) a second manual input device adapted to move the second carrier with respect to the second leg.

Abstract: A sliding contact mechanism includes a sliding door contact, a spring having one end connected to the sliding door contact and another end connected to the sliding door of a mini-van, and a pillar contact attached to the stationary pillar of the mini-van. The pillar contact has a shape complementary to a shape of the sliding door contact. When the sliding door is in a closed position, the sliding door is adjacent the pillar and the sliding door contact engages and is in a closed electrical connection with the pillar contact. When the sliding door is in an open position, the sliding door is not adjacent the pillar and the sliding door contact is an open electrical connection with the sliding door contact.

Abstract: A combined windshield front and rear washing and wiping stalk switch having a single contact substrate that is adapted to engage a front wiper carrier, a front wash carrier and a rear wipe/wash carrier. To this end, the multifunctional steering column stalk switch comprises: (i) a housing; (ii) a substrate fixed inside the housing having a first leg and a second leg defining a predetermined angle between the first leg and the second leg; (iii) a conductive trace on one surface of each leg; (iv) a first carrier moveably engaged with the first leg having an electrical contact adapted to engage the conductive trace on the first leg; (v) a second carrier moveably engaged with the second leg having an electrical contact adapted to engage the conductive trace on the second leg; (vi) a first manual input device adapted to move the first carrier with respect to the first leg; and (vii) a second manual input device adapted to move the second carrier with respect to the second leg.

Abstract: A remote key interlock system includes a locking device mounted on a steering column and a key actuated ignition switch located remote from the locking device, where a cable connects the locking device to the key actuated ignition switch. The locking device being engageable with a recess of a steering shaft housed within the steering column. The cable being either electrically insulated from one of the key actuated ignition switch and the locking device, or load bearing, or moveable.

Abstract: A connector receptacle for simultaneously converting a plurality of individual wire leads in bayonet plug-in connection with a mating multiple pin wire harness connector. A conductive insert stamped from flat sheet stock has individual crimp-type wire lead terminals formed integrally therewith and extending outwardly from the margins of the insert. A plurality of barbed pin-receiving apertures are formed in the insert. Slots formed in the sheet stock form frangible webs interconnecting the material surrounding each of the barbed apertures. The insert is encapsulated with dielectric material preferably by molding and access openings in the dielectric material permit subsequent removal of the frangible webs to form individual electrically isolated connectors about each of barbed apertures.

Abstract: A multi-function single lever switch (10) with an axial type contact system design. A first radially moveable contact ring (20) is interposed on a lever base (12) between a stationary contact ring (24). The stationary contact ring (24) includes a projecting portion (28) adapted to receive a second radially moveable contact ring (30) thereon and is surrounded by a cover (34). Cover (34) has an actuatable push button (36) assembly at one end. A plurality of axially disposed stationary electrical blade contacts (16, 26) on the lever base (12) and stationary contact ring (24) interconnect with electrical contacts (22, 32) on the first and second radially moveable contact rings (20, 30) as well as an electrical contact (40) on the push button (36) assembly.

Abstract: A multi-position, multi-directional switch mechanism that provides switch actuation in multiple directions using opposing detent mechanisms. The multi-position, multi-directional switch mechanism has a sleeve that pivots within a base and an operator that pivots within the sleeve. Each of the pivoting members has a detent mechanism to maintain the pivotal members in a selected position. The spring loaded detents of the detent mechanisms are linearly opposing. The resulting multi-position, multi-directional switch mechanism achieves better functionality with fewer parts.

Abstract: A family of retainer clip holders can each be adjusted to properly position a retainer clip at a desired location on a wire harness. In the past, it has sometimes been complicated to properly position a retainer clip holder relative to the base, and mount the holder base on a jig for assembling wire harnesses. There have typically been too many fixtures required on the jig. Thus, the prior art has attempted to assemble the retainer clips by individually tailoring hundreds of retainer clip holders for the particular orientation demanded by the particular retainer clip application. The inventive family of retainer clip holders allows the selection of the proper adjustable retainer clip holders and the adjustment of that retainer clip holder to accommodate the particular retainer clip application demanded. In this way, the invention replaces the hundreds of previously required holders with seven basic tools.

Abstract: An apparatus for ensuring the proper existence and location of wire harness retainers along the length of a wire harness is provided. The apparatus is adapted to receive a wire harness retainer and, once the retainer is inserted, to generate a signal indicating the retainer has been inserted.

Abstract: A family of retainer clip holders can each be adjusted to properly position a retainer clip at a desired location on a wire harness. In the past, it has sometimes been complicated to properly position a retainer clip holder relative to the base, and mount the holder base on a jig for assembling wire harnesses. There have typically been too many fixtures required on the jig. Thus, the prior art has attempted to assemble the retainer clips by individually tailoring hundreds of retainer clip holders for the particular orientation demanded by the particular retainer clip application. The inventive family of retainer clip holders allows the selection of the proper adjustable retainer clip holder and the adjustment of that retainer clip holder to accommodate the particular retainer clip application demanded. In this way, the invention replaces the hundreds of previously required holders with seven basic tools.

Abstract: A jig is provided which is capable of being selective locked in place to support a work piece and quickly dropped out of place to allow the work in progress to pass by. The jig includes a plurality of fingers which can be selectively configured to support a variety of work pieces. The fingers can be easily reconfigured to handle a variety of work pieces without requiring modification of the basic jig structure.