Patents by Inventor Mark W. Durnwald

Mark W. Durnwald has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6170956
    Abstract: A mirror includes an electrochromic mirror subassembly including front and rear transparent elements, a layer of electrochromic material associated with the front and rear transparent elements, and a reflective layer, a portion of the reflective layer defining an opening. An indicia panel is located proximate the mirror subassembly and covers the opening, and one or more light sources are positioned to pass light through the indicia panel and the opening of the electrochromic mirror subassembly to illuminate detailed symbols and information on the indicia panel. The indicia panel is adhered to the mirror subassembly, and a housing and a mating bezel are configured to receive the mirror subassembly. The indicia panel includes a pair of apertured locator tabs, and the bezel includes protrusions that engage the apertured locator tabs to accurately locate the indicia panel and the mirror subassembly and also a printed circuit board in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne J. Rumsey, John W. Carter, Kenton J. Ypma, Bradley L. Northman, Frederick T. Bauer, Mark W. Durnwald
  • Patent number: 5971553
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror is provided for vehicles having electrically operated components requiring connection to a power source with a blind assembly. The mirror includes a mirror housing having a back wall that defines an opening adapted to closely receive an electrical power source connector for operating components in the mirror. An electrical component connector in the housing is aligned with the opening and has substantially parallel sidewalls with a cross-sectional shape configured and adapted to stably engage the power source connector when the power source connector is attached to the component connector. The housing includes a protruding ridge that juts outwardly and protrudes from an exterior surface of the wall on one or more sides of the opening. The ridge includes angled inner surfaces forming a comer leading toward the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventor: Mark W. Durnwald