Patents by Inventor Steven G. Hoek
Steven G. Hoek 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).
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Patent number: 10202071Abstract: A mounting bracket sub-assembly used to mount a vehicular approach lighting assembly including a base member, wherein the base member is adapted for securement to a drain aperture located on an undercarriage of a vehicle body, a cover member, wherein the cover member mates with the base member to secure a vehicular approach lighting assembly, and at least one fastener, wherein the at least one fastener releasably secures the cover member to the base member.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Inventor: Steven G. Hoek
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Publication number: 20180339648Abstract: A vehicle sill illumination assembly adapted for use with a vehicle, including an energy source, a vehicle door sensor having a magnet and a Hall effect switch, a light source controller, a light source current driver, and a light source. The vehicle sill illumination assembly does not require an external energy source and/or be connected to the vehicle's electrical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventor: Steven G. Hoek
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Publication number: 20180162266Abstract: A mounting bracket sub-assembly used to mount a vehicular approach lighting assembly including a base member, wherein the base member is adapted for securement to a drain aperture located on an undercarriage of a vehicle body, a cover member, wherein the cover member mates with the base member to secure a vehicular approach lighting assembly, and at least one fastener, wherein the at least one fastener releasably secures the cover member to the base member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventor: Steven G. Hoek
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Patent number: 9884591Abstract: A display system for use in a controlled vehicle is provided, and includes a rearview assembly having a display device located behind a mirror element, a camera system configured to acquire images of a scene external of the controlled vehicle, and a processing system configured to receive a signal representative of the acquired images and to produce an image of the scene on the display device of the rearview assembly, wherein the processing system is further configured to adjust the photosensitivity of the camera system based on an input from at least one of an ambient light sensor and a direct glare sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Steven G. Hoek, Ethan J. Lee
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Patent number: 9767695Abstract: A blind spot detection system for a vehicle having an external rearview device including a substrate having an at least partially transmissive portion. An imaging device positioned behind the at least partially transmissive portion and including a field of view that extends through the substrate at an angle away from the vehicle in the general direction of a vehicle blind spot.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Steven G. Hoek, Frederick T. Bauer, Michael F. Lisowski
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Patent number: 9327648Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a rearview device having a peripheral edge. A carrier plate is operably coupled to the rearview device. The carrier plate includes a peripheral wall with a forward edge and a rearward edge. The forward edge is substantially aligned with the peripheral edge of the rearview device. A housing includes a forward lip configured to abut the rearward edge of the peripheral wall to provide a substantially smooth exterior transition from the housing to the peripheral wall to the rearview device.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Eric S. Sloterbeek, Steven G. Hoek, William M. Vanden Bos
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Publication number: 20150062342Abstract: A display system for use in a controlled vehicle is provided, and includes a rearview assembly having a display device located behind a mirror element, a camera system configured to acquire images of a scene external of the controlled vehicle, and a processing system configured to receive a signal representative of the acquired images and to produce an image of the scene on the display device of the rearview assembly, wherein the processing system is further configured to adjust the photosensitivity of the camera system based on an input from at least one of an ambient light sensor and a direct glare sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Steven G. Hoek, Ethan J. Lee
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Publication number: 20140192431Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a rearview device having a peripheral edge. A carrier plate is operably coupled to the rearview device. The carrier plate includes a peripheral wall with a forward edge and a rearward edge. The forward edge is substantially aligned with the peripheral edge of the rearview device. A housing includes a forward lip configured to abut the rearward edge of the peripheral wall to provide a substantially smooth exterior transition from the housing to the peripheral wall to the rearview device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Eric S. Sloterbeek, Steven G. Hoek, William M. Vanden Bos
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Publication number: 20140015972Abstract: A blind spot detection system for a vehicle having an external rearview device including a substrate having an at least partially transmissive portion. An imaging device positioned behind the at least partially transmissive portion and including a field of view that extends through the substrate at an angle away from the vehicle in the general direction of a vehicle blind spot.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Steven G. Hoek, Frederick T. Bauer, Michael F. Lisowski
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Patent number: 8004425Abstract: A vehicular blind spot detection system (700) for alerting a driver of a motor vehicle to an object in the vehicle's blind spot, the system includes a first imaging device (707) used typically used to control vehicle lighting and that works to detect objects substantially forward of the vehicle and a second imaging device (709) typically used with a rear camera display (RCD) for detecting objects substantially rearward of the vehicle. A control unit (711) is coupled to the first imaging device (707) and second imaging device (709) that includes a graphic processing unit (713) for processing images captured by the first imaging device (707) and second imaging device (709) for detecting an optical flow of objects within the images so as to discriminate between vehicles and other objects entering the driver's blind spot.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Steven G. Hoek, Mark W. Newton
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Publication number: 20100073480Abstract: A vehicular blind spot detection system (700) for alerting a driver of a motor vehicle to an object in the vehicle's blind spot, the system includes a first imaging device (707) used typically used to control vehicle lighting and that works to detect objects substantially forward of the vehicle and a second imaging device (709) typically used with a rear camera display (RCD) for detecting objects substantially rearward of the vehicle. A control unit (711) is coupled to the first imaging device (707) and second imaging device (709) that includes a graphic processing unit (713) for processing images captured by the first imaging device (707) and second imaging device (709) for detecting an optical flow of objects within the images so as to discriminate between vehicles and other objects entering the driver's blind spot.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventors: Steven G. Hoek, Mark W. Newton
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Patent number: 7488083Abstract: The present invention provides improved vehicular rearview assemblies and components for incorporation into rearview assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Steven G. Hoek, Kenton J. Ypma, Jeremy A. Fogg
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Patent number: 7488099Abstract: A rearview mirror for a vehicle. The rearview mirror comprises a mirror housing having a bottom opening. A reflective element is located within the mirror housing, with the reflective element being configured to reflect an image having a reflecting component in a first direction out of the mirror housing. A light source is also located within the mirror housing. The light source emits light along a beam axis, with the beam axis having a directional component in a second direction. A deviator is configured to redirect the light emitted from the light source through the bottom opening of the housing. The first direction and the second direction are parallel and opposite.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: Jeremy A. Fogg, Steven G. Hoek
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Patent number: 6637715Abstract: A break-away vehicle exterior rearview mirror system which is suitable for use in a vehicle, includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly including a movable portion and a fixed portion, which is adapted for mounting the movable portion to a vehicle. The movable portion includes a reflective element housed in a movable portion. An exterior rearview mirror assembly further includes a pivot member with the movable portion being pivotally mounted to the fixed portion by the pivot member for pivoting about a pivot axis from a normal operating position to a break-away position closer to the side of the vehicle. The fixed portion includes a first engagement element, with the movable portion including a second engagement element. Either the movable portion or the fixed portion generates resilient force, with the engagement elements being urged into releasable engagement with each other by the resilient force to thereby engage the movable portion with the fixed portion about the pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventor: Steven G. Hoek
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Patent number: 6582087Abstract: An extendable exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket, a mirror subassembly, and a support which is supported by the mounting bracket. The mirror subassembly is supported by the support and is mounted for selective movement along the support arm to one of a plurality of viewing positions. The mirror subassembly includes a housing, a reflective element, and an actuator which supports the reflective element on a forward facing wall of the housing. The rearview mirror assembly further includes a clamping assembly which provides a force to urge frictional engagement between the housing and the support to limit movement of the mirror subassembly along the support. In preferred form, the support extends into the housing and frictionally engages an exterior surface of the forward facing wall.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Peter J. Whitehead, Steven G. Hoek, Michiel P. van de Ven
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Publication number: 20020141085Abstract: An extendable exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket, a mirror subassembly, and a support which is supported by the mounting bracket. The mirror subassembly is supported by the support and is mounted for selective movement along the support arm to one of a plurality of viewing positions. The mirror subassembly includes a housing, a reflective element, and an actuator which supports the reflective element on a forward facing wall of the housing. The rearview mirror assembly further includes a clamping assembly which provides a force to urge frictional engagement between the housing and the support to limit movement of the mirror subassembly along the support. In preferred form, the support extends into the housing and frictionally engages an exterior surface of the forward facing wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Applicant: Donnelly Corporation, a corporation of the State of MichiganInventors: Peter J. Whitehead, Steven G. Hoek, Michiel P. Van de Ven
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Patent number: 6390635Abstract: An extendable exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket, a mirror subassembly, and a support which is supported by the mounting bracket. The mirror subassembly is supported by the support and is mounted for selective movement along the support arm to one of a plurality of viewing positions. The mirror subassembly includes a housing, a reflective element, and an actuator which supports the reflective element on a forward facing wall of the housing. The rearview mirror assembly further includes a clamping assembly which provides a force to urge frictional engagement between the housing and the support to limit movement of the mirror subassembly along the support. In preferred form, the support extends into the housing and frictionally engages an exterior surface of the forward facing wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2001Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Peter J. Whitehead, Steven G. Hoek, Michiel P. van de Ven
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Publication number: 20020048100Abstract: A break-away vehicle exterior rearview mirror system which is suitable for use in a vehicle, includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly including a movable portion and a fixed portion, which is adapted for mounting the movable portion to a vehicle. The movable portion includes a reflective element housed in a movable portion. An exterior rearview mirror assembly further includes a pivot member with the movable portion being pivotally mounted to the fixed portion by the pivot member for pivoting about a pivot axis from a normal operating position to a break-away position closer to the side of the vehicle. The fixed portion includes a first engagement element, with the movable portion including a second engagement element. Either the movable portion or the fixed portion generates resilient force, with the engagement elements being urged into releasable engagement with each other by the resilient force to thereby engage the movable portion with the fixed portion about the pivot axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventor: Steven G. Hoek
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Publication number: 20020006001Abstract: An extendable exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket, a mirror subassembly, and a support which is supported by the mounting bracket. The mirror subassembly is supported by the support and is mounted for selective movement along the support arm to one of a plurality of viewing positions. The mirror subassembly includes a housing, a reflective element, and an actuator which supports the reflective element on a forward facing wall of the housing. The rearview mirror assembly further includes a clamping assembly which provides a force to urge frictional engagement between the housing and the support to limit movement of the mirror subassembly along the support. In preferred form, the support extends into the housing and frictionally engages an exterior surface of the forward facing wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Applicant: Donnelly Corporation, a corporation of the State of MichiganInventors: Peter J. Whitehead, Steven G. Hoek, Michiel P. van de Ven
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Patent number: 6239928Abstract: An extendable exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket, a mirror subassembly, and a support which is supported by the mounting bracket. The mirror subassembly is supported by the support and is mounted for selective movement along the support arm to one of a plurality of viewing positions. The mirror subassembly includes a housing, a reflective element, and an actuator which supports the reflective element on a forward facing wall of the housing. The rearview mirror assembly further includes a clamping assembly which provides a force to urge frictional engagement between the housing and the support to limit movement of the mirror subassembly along the support. In preferred form, the support extends into the housing and frictionally engages an exterior surface of the forward facing wall.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2000Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Peter J. Whitehead, Steven G. Hoek, Michiel P. van de Ven