Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

Lear Corporation

United Technologies Automotive Inc.

Ut Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

United Technologies Automotive Systems Inc.

Edward G Curtindale

John David Youngs

Michael P Schoemann

Monte L Falcoff

Timothy S Roddy

Ronald K Reich

Brent A Kuhn

Mark J Brow

Jay A Murdock

Stephen James Learman

Jay Allan Murdock

David E Righter

Ryan E Dillingham

Steve Gawron

Alexander Zaguskin

Joseph C Croke

A sliding visor includes a rod assembly and a visor body. The rod assembly includes a rod, a torque control, and a guide. The rod extends longitudinally. The torque control pivotally attaches to the rod. The guide is fixed to one side of the torque control. The visor body includes a bore and a track. The bore extends longitudinally between the channel and the rear edge of the visor body. The rod is received within the bore and extends into the visor body. The track extends longitudinally along the upper surface of the visor body. The track forms a substantially enclosed longitudinally extending passage adjacent the upper surface of the visor body. The passage is shaped to receive a portion of the guide. When the visor is moved longitudinally along the rod, the track slides with respect to the guide.

Sliding visor

A method of manufacturing two trim components with a common mold assembly includes providing a mold assembly having a first cavity, a second cavity, and a movable mold element. The movable mold element is movable between a first position to expose the second cavity, and a second position to obstruct the second cavity. One of the two trim components is then produced. A first trim component is produced by positioning the mold element into the first position and then introducing a first material into the first and second cavities. A second trim component is produced subsequent to the mold assembly being provided. Then, the mold element is positioned into the second position. One of the first material and a second material is then introduced into the first cavity. The mold element is then moved into the first position, and a third material is introduced into the second cavity.

Method of forming a vehicle trim panel

An interior trim attachment apparatus for an automotive vehicle includes a fastener and a bezel secured together in a screw free manner by rotating one of the components relative to the other. An interior trim member is sandwiched between the fastener and bezel. In another aspect of the present invention, a sun visor is attached to either or both of the fastener and bezel components.

Interior trim attachment apparatus for an automotive vehicle

A vehicle security system includes a transmitter that is alternatively permanently mounted in or selectively removable from the vehicle. The transmitter communicates with a security system controller associated with the vehicle so that the transmitter is only useable under selected, authorized conditions. The transmitter enables a vehicle owner to access and operate a plurality of remotely located systems or devices such as a garage door opener, a home security system or a pager system, for example.

Vehicle security system with remote systems control

A plastic air duct is attached to a headliner surface. The plastic air duct is generally u-shaped and communicates air from an air supply to openings through the headliner. The use of the molded plastic part reduces the overall weight and cost of the headliner. Also, the plastic duct can be formed to have precisely designed structure such that a more precise control over the final shape of the duct is provided.

Plastic air duct integrated to headliner

An improved wiring system for vehicle doors allows the trim panel to be simply snapped to the metal door frame. Electrical connections are made by floating electrical connectors at the time the two are snapped together. Alignment pins on the floating connector are received within corresponding openings in the second connector to facilitate alignment. In other features, a water barrier may include electric wire holding structure such that the wires may be merely mounted to the water barrier, without the necessity of any complex wire harness. In other aspects of this invention, a plurality of electrical components may be connected through a single electrical connector.

Door panel wiring system

Several shade assembly embodiments are disclosed which allow the shade assembly to be mounted in a vehicle interior while accommodating varying interior widths. In one embodiment, spring-biased latches engage a depression in an outer lateral surface of the roller assembly. In a related embodiment, a release button is included on the roller assembly. In an alternative embodiment, a U-shaped spring is biased axially outwardly of the roller assembly to engage a mounting surface on an opposed wall of the vehicle interior. In another embodiment, an end member comprises attachment structure having a lower member biased radially away from a longitudinal axis of an upper member. A bracket receives the end member and has an opening that is smaller than the expanded distance of the end member when the lower member is biased away from the upper member. The upper and lower members can be biased together such that the end member may be moved into the bracket. The upper and lower members are then released, and the end member secures itself within the bracket. In a final embodiment, a housing surrounds the roller assembly and has a hook which is to be moved into an opening in a rear panel of the vehicle. The assembly is thus not subjected to problems caused by variations of width in the vehicle interior since the roller member is mounted on a hook that will be secured to a wall opposed to the surface where the cover will be attached. The cover is pulled outwardly away from the hook, and thus the cover itself will accommodate any variation in distance.

Shade assembly mount for vehicle compartment

A shade assembly comprises a roller assembly and a pair of mounting brackets secured to opposed walls of a vehicle interior. The roller assembly includes a flexible cover, a roller, rotational biasing structure and first and second attachment members disposed at opposed ends of the roller assembly. The attachment members are attached to a corresponding mounting bracket. A first attachment member is releasably secured to the first bracket at a fixed point. The second mounting bracket supports the second attachment member at adjustable axial points. Thus, the shade assembly is able to accommodate various vehicle interior widths.

This invention provides a metal mounting member for mounting a vehicle accessory such as a sunshade to the sheet metal structure of a vehicle such as the vehicle roof with minimal insertion force. The mounting member does not require use of tools or other fasteners. The mounting member is made from one piece of spring steel. This invention also includes a fast and efficient electrical contact that does not require a separate step of making an electrical contact during installation.

Snap-in visor mount and electrical connectors for visor mounts

A sun visor lamp provides courtesy illumination when the sun visor is in its stowed position.

Sun visor lamp

The console for a motor vehicle has a wall structure defining a compartment and a door for closing said compartment wherein the console has a latch mechanism engageable by the door for selectively maintaining the door in a closed position and the latch mechanism is releasable by movement of the door from a normal closed position to an over-closed position. The latch mechanism is provided with a spring which biases the door towards an open position only when the door is moved into an over-closed position, thereby preventing unintentional opening of the door by forces exerted upon the vehicle.

Vehicle console with positive push-push door latch

An overhead console 5 which accommodates an electric garage door opener transmitter or similar signalling device, includes a drop-down compartment (50) stored in a housing (20). Guide means such as tracks (85) and detent (90) as well as damping means such as cams 110 and spring 115 assure smooth operation of the device.

Growing community of inventors

Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

Edward G Curtindale