United Technologies Automotive Inc.

Glen G Wodnicki

David V Tinder

Carl G Czarnecki

A light pipe including a light diverting section, in which light flowing through the light pipe in a longitudinal direction is diverted at least generally radially out from the light pipe or, alternatively, the light diverting section can be used as a receiver (rather than a transmitter) to collect light rays from light emanating around the device and divert them for passage down through the light pipe. An automotive application of the former, transmitter mode is serving as a visula indicator from a remote location in which the surface end of the light pipe is not clearly visible, such as for example on a 'black box' located under a vehicle seat. An automotive application of the latter, receiver mode is as a light collector to receive or accept infrared rays from any compass position and from a range of vertical positions and direct them to a receptor, as part of an infrared personal entry system into the vehicle. The light diverting section includes a centrally located reflective surface on its side distal to the light pipe section which is conical (FIGS. 4 and 5) or concavely curved (FIGS. 1 and 2), the latter causing vertical as well as radial dispersion.

Remote, automotive light diverting system

A housing in which electrical components may be mounted. The housing is formed from a single integral molded part which includes a living hinge connecting a base portion and a cover portion such that the two portions may be secured to each other to define the housing. A test button extension is likewise secured to the housing via a living hinge such that the test button extension may be rotated to provide a test button assembly which is appropriately positioned such that the test button extends through an opening in the housing and may be manually displaced to engage an electrical component within the housing to perform an appropriate test function.

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Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

Glen G Wodnicki