Prince Corporation

Johnson Controls Technology Company

Kim L Van Order

Nels R Smith

Jerry M De Jong

Michael J Suman

Scott Allen Hansen

Russell L Clark

Jerry M DeJong

Lee Garvelink

Todd A Zandbergen

Rick A Van Vuren

Alex C Ramon

Brian L Spoelman

Eric Sean Deuel

David J Spykerman

Michael L Lanser

Kenneth M Lindberg

Sheldon J Watjer

Dean T Miller

Ted W Haan

Steven P Dykstra

Leif Norland

Scott Thomas Williams

Kenneth D Kreuze

Craig Robbins

Rodger A Price

Joseph H Weber

Donald W Beery

Kevin L Wright

Lance M Hilbelink

Ted A Dekker

A wireless electrical connectivity system for use in a vehicle includes a first transceiver coupled to at least one utility carrier and to a first plurality of electrical devices. The first transceiver is configured to communicate a plurality of utility signals. A control module is coupled to a second plurality of electrical devices and configured to control the selection and distribution of utility signals to the second plurality of electrical devices. The control module includes a second transceiver configured to communicate a plurality of utility signals with the first transceiver via a communication link and a user interface configured to receive user input commands regarding the selection of utility signals distributed to the second plurality of electrical devices.

Wireless electrical connectivity system for use in a vehicle

An electro-optic display system includes a display patterned on at least one of the conductive layers of an electro-optic device. Voltages can be applied to individual display segments of the display to create a contrast with the rest of the electro-optic medium to enable information to be displayed. In a preferred embodiment this display is incorporated into a rearview mirror of a vehicle to display information during day and night conditions.

Electro-optic mirror with contrasting display

A mounting platform includes a slide having a mounting shoe thereon with the slide being mounted to the platform for movement between at least first and second spaced-apart positions. In a preferred embodiment, the platform includes a guide for the slide which is spring-loaded and which slides within the guide and includes interlocking tabs and slots for positively locking the slide in at least two spaced-apart positions, thereby longitudinally moving the mounting shoe between such positions. In a preferred embodiment also, in order to provide a finished appearance to the mounting system, the slide includes a forward section which extends through an aperture formed in the platform and slides along an upper surface thereof with the body of the slide extending through the aperture into the guide such that the aperture remains enclosed by the main body or forward extension for all positions of the slide, thereby enclosing the platform.

Adjustable accessory mount

A shift knob integrally includes one of a plug or socket having fixed contacts which are coupled to a control switch mounted to the shift knob. The plug or socket is mounted to a sleeve which integrally includes the other of a socket and plug with fixed contacts precoupled to the transmission wire harness such that during assembly it is only necessary for the shift knob to be mounted onto the knob-receiving sleeve to make both mechanical and electrical contact with the transmission. In a preferred embodiment, the shift knob includes a keyed plug with the contacts recessed within a housing of the plug.

Shifter with integral connector

A housing supports a parking brake lever assembly, including a manual lever, a brake cable tension adjustment control, and a cable coupling assembly for coupling the lever to the vehicle's parking brake cables mounted to the chassis of a vehicle during assembly. The cable coupling assembly, tension adjustment control and parking brake lever assembly are inter-coupled and mounted to the housing forming a floor console which can be snap-fitted into a vehicle quickly during assembly with the parking brake lever automatically coupled to the vehicle's parking brake cables and the tension quickly adjusted external to the console for proper tension and operation during assembly.

Integrated floor console

A vehicle accessory has a mounting wall with an elongated slot which slideably receives a snap-in fastener which is fixed in the orthogonal direction of installation of the snap-in fastener. The fastener cooperates with an elongated slot formed in a vehicle support structure which slot extends orthogonally to the slot in the vehicle accessory such that the fastener can be moved into alignment on two axes to align with the aperture in the vehicle for insertion of the fastener and installation of the accessory.

Adjustable fastener

A vehicle light assembly includes a housing for attachment to a vehicle, a light source mounted to the housing, and a lens and/or reflector attached to the housing for controlling the distribution of light from the light source. The lens and/or reflector includes a surface with microvariations formed therein to define a holographic optical element that directs the light into a predetermined pattern for illuminating an area. The lens so formed simultaneously eliminates undesirable uneven light distribution such as glare, 'spider webbing,' light/dark patchiness and chromatic aberrations in and around the predetermined light pattern.

Vehicle light assembly

A storage component such as an armrest includes a base defining a compartment, and a cover for closing the compartment. A pair of spaced apart links operably connect the cover to the base for movement between a first closed position where an aesthetic side of the cover is exposed for supporting a person's arm, a second raised position for inverting the cover, and a third inverted and closed position where a cupholder-defining side of the cover is exposed for holding containers. In some embodiments, a pair of panels are pivotally attached to one of the base and the cover for movement between a storage position in the compartment and a laterally extending position for supporting loose items thereon.

Storage compartment with cover

An electrical vehicle accessory is directly mounted to an aperture in a supporting member base by providing a socket which includes a fastener which mechanically snaps the socket into the support member and, in turn, mechanically and electrically receives a plug of an electrical assembly for holding the assembly in a final installed position.

Snap-in electrical vehicle accessory

A visor body is mounted to a pivot rod which in turn is mounted to a slide assembly positioned above a vehicle headliner. The headliner includes an opening at its forward end adjacent the windshield for concealably receiving the visor body and a longitudinally extending slot through which the pivot rod extends when the visor is moved to a lowered use position and rotated to a side window position. The slide assembly permits the visor body to be moved forwardly and rearwardly in either the front window or side window positions for providing selective sun blocking coverage.

Visor with sliding pivot mount

A lamp assembly includes a light transmissive diffusion plate having at least one lens positioned therein and a movable light source which can selectively be moved from a position aligned with the lens for providing spot lighting or positioned behind the diffusion plate for providing general interior illumination for the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a circuit board includes a light source mounted thereon and electrical contacts and is rotatably coupled behind a diffusion plate by a control knob extending through the diffusion plate and accessible to the vehicle operator such that by rotation of the knob, the light source is selectively moved between at least one spotlighting position and a diffuse lighting position.

Overhead lamp assembly

An electrical system for vehicle panels is disclosed which includes a plurality of conductors and electrical accessories for connection to the panel. The electrical accessories include insulation displacement contacts for connection with conductors in the panel. In one embodiment, the panel includes a plurality of conductive layers providing an electrical bus for the panel. In another embodiment, the conductors are formed in the panel between two dielectric layers.

Electrical circuit and trim panel

A vehicle visor includes a visor body for attachment to a vehicle, a mirror and a light source mounted to the body, and a lens attached to the body for controlling the distribution of light from the light source. The lens includes a surface with microvariations formed therein to define a holographic optical element that directs the light into a predetermined pattern for illuminating the face of the user. The lens so formed eliminates undesirable uneven light distribution such as 'spider webbing,' light/dark patchiness and chromatic aberrations in and around the predetermined light pattern.

Vehicle visor

An electrical system for vehicle panels which include a plurality of conductors and electrical accessories for connection to the panel. The electrical accessories include insulation displacement contacts for connection with conductors in the panel. In one embodiment, the panel includes a plurality of conductive layers providing an electrical bus for the panel. In another embodiment, the conductors are formed in the panel between two dielectric layers.

Method of assembling electrical circuit to vehicle panel

A vehicle member is defined by a body which includes a substrate having an insulative layer and a pair of spaced conductors extending to define terminals for receiving an electrical component which is attached to the body to engage the conductors for providing activating power to the component. In a preferred embodiment, the member is a visor and the component an illuminated vanity mirror package. In one embodiment, the vanity mirror is mounted to the visor body using interlocking posts and keyhole-shaped apertures.

Growing community of inventors

Hamilton, MI, United States of America

Kim L Van Order