...that the Eveready Battery began as an invention called the "electric flowerpot," which was a tube with a battery and light bulb inside? The idea was to fasten this gizmo to the side of a flowerpot so it would illuminate the flowers from the bottom. The idea died on the vine and the businessman who licensed the flower pot, Conrad Huber, was left with a pile of useless tubes -- until he found a way to market them as batteries to light the world!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7380816 | Device for actuating the horn on steering wheels The invention relates to a device for actuating the horn on steering wheels, comprising a steering wheel frame and at least one fixed horn contact provided thereon, and comprising a moving paddling support i.e. generator support and at least one horn contact, which ... | 06/03/2008 |
| 7322602 | Horn switch device, airbag system, and steering wheel A horn switch device includes a retractable body, an unmoving body, first and second biasing members for biasing the retractable body in a restoring direction, and first and second contact members. The contact members are attached to, and move with, the retractable ... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7053322 | Gas bag module A Gas bag module for use in a vehicle occupant restraint device has a plastic generator support. On the generator support a printed circuit is formed by metal deposition. For activating an electrical function element, the printed circuit cooperates with a switching ... | 05/30/2006 |
| 7012202 | Switch case mounting structure A structure for mounting a switch case, having at least one press button, to a steering wheel. The switch case has two arms extending therefrom in vertically and circumferentially spaced relation to each other. One arm is attached to an attaching part formed on a hu... | 03/14/2006 |
| 6867690 | Active magnetostrictive sensor for automotive horn or occupant weight sensor An improved force-measurement system utilizes active magnetostrictive sensors for generating a signal representative of a force, such as the weight of a person or thing on a seat within a motor vehicle, or the force applied to the horn sensor switch on a vehicle ste... | 03/15/2005 |
| 6086090 | Vehicle steering wheel with integrated gas bag module A vehicle steering wheel has an integrated gas bag module comprising an inflator, a folded gas bag and a cover connected to each other by a metallic housing body, and a mounting plate featuring at least one electrically insulated horn contact. The mountin... | 07/11/2000 |
| 5767466 | Flexible switch for a vehicle steering wheel assembly A switch for a vehicle steering wheel assembly is formed from a first and second layer of flexible material. Circuit traces are disposed on an opposed face of the first layer to control a horn function and at least a cruise control function. The second la... | 06/16/1998 |
| 5459294 | Wireless floating horn switch A base insert, a wireless floating horn switch including an insulated insert, and a steering wheel assembly including the wireless floating horn switch are provided. The wireless floating horn switch is constructed so that it operates in association with ... | 10/17/1995 |
| 5331124 | Wireless floating horn switch A base insert, a wireless floating horn switch including an insulated base insert, and a steering wheel assembly including a wireless floating horn switch, the wireless floating horn switch is constructed so that it can operate in association with an air-... | 07/19/1994 |
| 4808776 | Horn switch mechanism on steering wheel A horn switch mechanism mounted on a steering wheel includes a stationary contact plate, movable contact plates disposed upwardly away from the stationary contact plate, and a horn pad covering over the contact plates. The stationary and movable contact p... | 02/28/1989 |
| 4771147 | Steering wheel pad mounting structure and horn switch The present invention relates to a mounting apparatus for a steering wheel pad of a motorcar. The pad is adapted to be detachably mounted on a lower cover member by cooperating snap members and retainer members. The engagement of the pad is ensured during... | 09/13/1988 |
| 4594486 | Steering wheel provided with horn switch A steering wheel has a ring, a boss positioned at the center of the ring, a spoke connecting the boss to the ring, a horn pad positioned on the boss. The horn pad has a shock absorber and a horn cover. Between the shock absorber and the horn cover is disp... | 06/10/1986 |
| 4516001 | Automobile horn circuit and replacement part therefor A replacement electrical brush for an auto horn circuit in which a metal rod has an enlarged head which rides on a slip ring on the underside of the auto's steering wheel. When the original brush head comprising the enlarged head becomes worn and inoperat... | 05/07/1985 |
| 4436970 | Switch assemblies Switch assemblies providing switching action with audio and tactile feedback. Warped or raised tactile areas are formed on a conductive body and create a desired noise and feel upon being depressed. The tactile areas also act as electrical contact in the ... | 03/13/1984 |
| 4157854 | Steering column electrical connector arrangement An electrical connector arrangement for a motor vehicle steering assembly which includes a stationary steering column member rotatably supporting a steering shaft fixed with a steering wheel and characterized in that the steering column member supports a ... | 06/12/1979 |
| 4063789 | Signalling arrangement for automotive vehicle steering wheels The hub of a vehicle steering wheel is provided with signaling contacts one of which is connected to a source of electric current through a connector which comprises an upwardly and downwardly movable conductor whose end remote from the contacts is anchor... | 12/20/1977 |
| 4004114 | Horn switch for motor vehicles steering wheels A horn switch for motor vehicle steering wheels, including a pushbutton facing the driver in an upper spatial zone above the median plane of the steering wheel, wherein the electric supply circuit for the horn is closed by the cooperation of two contact s... | 01/18/1977 |