Abstract: An improved optical collection and transmission surface includes a plastic mold injection surface including staggered multiple transmission sites each with a recessed portion in which incident light is not lost during reflection towards the propagation surface. A device implementing the surfaces is plastic-mold injected of high quality acrylic at in a preferred embodiment and can be economically optionally polished or finished to achieve desired quality surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a laser diode light diffusion unit that comprises a casing 10 with a lens cover that holds a laser diode mounted 2 on a heat sink 16, a mirror 12, a collimator lens 4 and a holographic diffusion screen 8. The casing 10 is made of a rigid thermally conducting material, and the heat sink is mounted within the casing such that a concentrated beam of light 3 produced by the laser diode 2 is directed at the mirror 12. The concentrated beam of light 3 directed at the mirror is reflected at approximately 90° into the base of the collimator lens 4, where the collimator lens 4 converts the concentrated beam 3 of light into a plane of light 6 that is projected over and in opposite direction to the path of the concentrated beam of light 3. The plane of light 3 then passes through the holographic diffusion screen 8, where the holographic diffusion screen spreads the plane of light at predetermined angles which then passes through the lens cover and out of the casing.

Abstract: An emergency trunk release handle for an automobile displays the graphics explaining the use and function of the handle by cutting out the material from the handle. Forming the emergency release handle from a phosphorescent plastic material that can be formed by a molding process, such as injection molding, the cut-out graphics show as darkened areas, when viewed in the dark confines of an automobile trunk, to provide a high degree of visibility for the graphics. The graphics are also visible when seen against the dark carpet in the interior of an opened trunk cavity. The formation of the graphics is accomplished by coring the mold in the configuration of the desired graphics and by forming the plastic material in the mold around the cores. The resultant handle structure is thus formed in a cost effective manner that reduces the process failure potential during the manufacturing of the handle.

Abstract: An emergency trunk release handle for an automobile displays the graphics explaining the use and function of the handle by cutting out the material from the handle. Forming the emergency release handle from a phosphorescent plastic material that can be formed by a molding process, such as injection molding, the cut-out graphics show as darkened areas, when viewed in the dark confines of an automobile trunk, to provide a high degree of visibility for the graphics. The graphics are also visible when seen against the dark carpet in the interior of an opened trunk cavity. The formation of the graphics is accomplished by coring the mold in the configuration of the desired graphics and by forming the plastic material in the mold around the cores. The resultant handle structure is thus formed in a cost effective manner that reduces the process failure potential during the manufacturing of the handle.

Abstract: An emergency trunk release handle for an automobile displays the graphics explaining the use and function of the handle by cutting out the material from the handle. Forming the emergency release handle from a phosphorescent plastic material that can be formed by a molding process, such as injection molding, the cut-out graphics show as darkened areas, when viewed in the dark confines of an automobile trunk, to provide a high degree of visibility for the graphics. The graphics are also visible when seen against the dark carpet in the interior of an opened trunk cavity. The formation of the graphics is accomplished by coring the mold in the configuration of the desired graphics and by forming the plastic material in the mold around the cores. The resultant handle structure is thus formed in a cost effective manner that reduces the process failure potential during the manufacturing of the handle.

Abstract: A U-nut in which a pair of axially aligned collars are formed on the opposed plate members of the nut with one of the collars having internal threads for accommodating a bolt and the other of the collars is provided with a reversely bent radially inwardly extending circular projection which serves as a locator for properly locating the nut relative to hole formed in a support panel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for mounting a plastic panel upon an underlying metal substructure includes fixing the longitudinal location of one end of the plastic panel by machining a locating feature in the metal substructure at a precise location relative the adjacent body panel and then engaging an integrally molded locating element of the plastic panel with the machined locating feature. A screw is then installed between the plastic panel and the substructure.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a plastic panel upon an underlying metal substructure. One end of the panel is fixedly mounted on the metal substructure. A mounting member for the other end of the panel includes a first molded plastic block slidable on a support bracket of the substructure and having an integrally molded spring finger engaging the bracket to resiliently urge the first mounting block to a certain longitudinal position on the metal substructure and a second mounting block connected thereto by a screw thread by which rotation of the second mounting block establishes a mounting face thereon at a precise position transversely of the vehicle body for abutment by and support of the panel in precise surface alignment with the adjacent body panel. The mounting face provides a field for the drilling of a hole for receiving a fastener attaching the panel to the mounting member.

Abstract: A vehicle body panel structure includes a plastic panel mounted upon an underlying metal substructure. A fastener fixedly attaches one end portion of the plastic panel on the metal structure. A mounting block is slidably mounted on the metal substructure longitudinally spaced from the fastener to define a path of longitudinal movement of the mounting block toward and away from the fixed end portion of the plastic panel. A spring urges the mounting block to a certain longitudinal position and is yieldable to permit movement of the mounting block away from the certain longitudinal position. A fastener attaches the plastic panel to the mounting block so that the plastic panel is effectively supported in a manner enabling longitudinal movement relative to the fixed one end portion to accommodate thermal or hygroscopic growth of the plastic panel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for attachment of a plastic body outer panel on a dimensionally variable underlying body structure includes a plurality of plastic filled attachment blocks welded at selected points on the body structure to approximately align with apertured mounting faces previously provided on the plastic panels. The body structure is mounted within a locating and machining fixture and each of the plurality of attachment blocks are milled to provide panel support face on each attachment block precisely dimensioned relative panel support faces on each other attachment block. A fastener hole is drilled in the panel support face of each attachment block at a precise location relative the fastener hole drilled in each of the other panel support faces. The body structure is removed from the fixture and the plastic panels are attached thereto by installing fasteners through apertured mounting faces of each panel and through the fastener holes.

Abstract: The invention provides a new and improved fastener for attaching a tail lamp assembly to an apertured vehicle body panel. According to the invention, a stud member has a first shank portion which is externally threaded for threaded attachment within a threaded aperture of the tail lamp assembly. A second shank portion of the stud member has internal threads formed therein and a smooth outer cylindrical surface which is adapted for non-interfering insertion through an aperture of the vehicle body panel. A nut member includes a screw encapsulated within a molded nut. The molded nut has a bearing surface adapted to engage against the panel member and the screw has an external screw thread adapted for threaded engagement within the internal threads of the stud member second shank portion so that the tail lamp device is attached to the panel.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for securing a first member to an apertured second member which includes a stud fixed to the first member with the stud shank extending therefrom having a series of spaced apart annular retention grooves thereon, a stud retainer in the form of a plastic plug assembled into the aperture of the second member, the stud retainer having a socket cavity extending from one side to receive the stud shank in an interference fit therewith, and a nut threaded onto the stud retainer causing the material thereof to flow radially inward into the annular grooves of the stud shank whereby to entrap the stud shank in the stud retainer.

Abstract: A self-locking knob and stud assembly includes a self-locking knob consisting of an internally threaded knob with an apertured spring retainer clip slidably received in a transverse slot provided in the knob, the aperture through the retainer clip being operative to effect a locking action of the knob relative to a stud on which the knob is threaded when rotated in one direction. The stud which is of special configuration has a reduced diameter Z-shaped free end shank portion that extends axially outward for the externally threaded portion of the stud.