Mirror Cleaner Patents (Class 15/250.003)
  • Patent number: 11951811
    Abstract: A kit for retrofitting a pivoting window of a vehicle including a secondary window frame attachable to the original window frame of the vehicle and adapted to provide additional clearance between the pivoting window and any adjacent panels or parts of the vehicle, a connector adapted to connect the secondary window frame to the original window frame, and a latch mechanism adapted to hold the pivoting window in a selected position with respect to the secondary window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Bradley Wing
  • Patent number: 11919486
    Abstract: System for cleaning a glazed surface of a motor vehicle, including at least one wiper and a drive device for driving at least the wiper along an axis of translation, substantially perpendicular to said wiper, where the glazed surface is a detection surface of a sensor/emitter of a detection assembly and in that the drive device includes at least one drive motor driving in rotation about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the axis of translation, and at least a conversion device converting a rotational movement of the drive motor into a rectilinear movement along the axis of translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Gerald Caillot, Frederic Giraud, Jean-Michel Jarasson, Vincent Izabel
  • Patent number: 11702037
    Abstract: Motor device includes: motor part including armature shaft; speed reduction mechanism which includes worm and worm wheel and outputs the rotation of the armature shaft at reduced speed; gear case which is provided with bottom part and opening part and accommodates the worm and worm wheel in rotatable manner; gear cover which covers the opening part of the gear case; circuit board which is arranged between the speed reduction mechanism and the gear cover; and board cover which is arranged between the circuit board and the speed reduction mechanism. The board cover is provided with positioning protrusion part protruding toward the gear case, the gear case is provided with positioning recess part into which the positioning protrusion part is press-fit, and the bottom surface of the positioning recess part and the tip surface of the positioning protrusion part press-fit into the positioning recess part face each other with gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBA Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11192526
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for wiping and cleaning a glazed surface (S) of an automotive vehicle, comprising at least: —one direct current electric motor (7) rotating in a single direction and capable of moving at least one “wiper arm” unit (BB) formed by a drive arm (1) and a wiper blade (2) by means of a linkage (14), said “wiper arm” unit being moved according to an angular reciprocating movement between a rest position (11) and an end position (12) opposite the rest position (11) in relation to an angular sector (13) on the glazed surface (S), —a device (15) for dispensing an active liquid on the glazed surface (S), the active liquid preferably being a de-icing liquid or an insect-removing liquid, —a control means (10) configured to control, on the one hand, the operation of the motor (7) in order to stop the “wiper arm” unit (BB) for a non-zero duration and, on the other hand, the dispensing of the active liquid by the dispensing device (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Grégory Kolanowski, Denis Thebault
  • Patent number: 10821942
    Abstract: A vehicle computer includes a memory and a processor. The processor is programmed to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions include determining a vehicle speed, selecting at least one actuator to vibrate a sensor housing based on the vehicle speed, and commanding the at least one actuator to vibrate the sensor housing in accordance with the vehicle speed to remove debris from the sensor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alfred Green, David Karl Bidner
  • Patent number: 10731920
    Abstract: A dryer for drying hair or clothes is disclosed. The dryer includes a head and a handle attached to the head. The dryer further includes ultrasonic devices, a controller, a vacuum pump, and a reservoir. The head has a surface on which inlet holes are formed. The ultrasonic devices are positioned on the surface of the head. The ultrasonic devices produce ultrasonic vibrations that break down water molecules into mist. The controller controls an operation of the ultrasonic devices. The vacuum pump is positioned inside the head to generate suction force that draws the mist into the head. The reservoir is positioned inside the handle and connected to the vacuum pump by way of a conduit. The reservoir collects the mist generated by the plurality of the ultrasonic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventors: Lillian Sanfilippo, James Sanfilippo
  • Patent number: 10511748
    Abstract: An automotive camera including a camera lens with one or more conductive accumulators and a method of cleaning the camera lens using the conductive accumulators. The automotive camera includes a lens bezel coupled to the camera lens. The lens bezel may be coupled to the conductive accumulators. The conductive accumulators receive electric charge from a power supply of a vehicle and concentrate the electric charge on pointed ends of the conductive accumulators. The charged, pointed ends attract water particles away from the camera lens. The water particles accumulate at the conductive accumulators until gaining sufficient mass. When sufficient mass is gained, the water particles flow across the lens bezel and away from the camera lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Matthew Barton
  • Patent number: 10393394
    Abstract: The system has number of environmental sensors to sense various environmental parameters of the personal environment envelope surrounding the individual and multiple biological sensors to sense biological and physiological condition of the individual. The system includes a personal environment envelop setting module to define preferred settings based on input from the individual. The system has a processing module to process the environmental parameters sensed by the sensors and the preferred settings to generate alerts. The processing module, also receives information from other sources and is capable of dynamically compute recommendations, map these with the preferences of the individual for enabling the preferred conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Inventor: Vaidyanathan Anandhakrishnan
  • Patent number: 10166915
    Abstract: A setting aid for a rear-view mirror in a motor vehicle has one or more illumination means in spatial proximity to one or more edges of a rear window or at the rear of the motor vehicle. The one or more illumination means are arranged such that if the motor vehicle is in dark surroundings and the one or more illumination means are switched on, the edge of the rear window or a lateral contour of the motor vehicle stands out, when looking in the rear-view mirror, at least in certain regions from the surroundings behind the motor vehicle. A first means is provided which automatically switches on the one or more illumination means during the setting of the rear-view mirror if a setting of the rear-view mirror is required, which is assumed to be required if a change in the setting of the driver's seat has been noticed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Meinrad Niemoeller
  • Patent number: 8980010
    Abstract: In a piezoelectric device, a first electrode and a second electrode are disposed to be opposed to each other on plate surfaces of the piezoelectric device, a first electrode plane of the piezoelectric device is fixedly bonded to a plate surface of a vibrating plate, a piezoelectric material forming the piezoelectric device is polarized in a direction parallel to the first electrode plane, the piezoelectric device is fixed to a base through a second electrode plane of the piezoelectric device, and the piezoelectric device generates a thickness-shear vibration with the fixed second electrode plane being a reference plane. The piezoelectric vibration generated by the piezoelectric device generates a flexural vibration in the vibrating plate, to thereby remove dust adhering to a surface of the vibrating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ifuku, Tatsuo Furuta, Hiroshi Saito, Kenichi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20140347756
    Abstract: A method for erecting a solar field includes inserting piles into the ground in a predefined pattern covering an area of the solar field, and deploying rails between the piles. Elements of an array of solar collectors are transported along the rails to respective deployment locations in the solar field. The solar collectors are erected on the piles using the elements at the respective deployment locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Brenmiller Energy Consulting Ltd.
    Inventors: Avi Brenmiller, Dan Raz
  • Patent number: 8327495
    Abstract: A window wiper system featuring a first wiper component for wiping a side door window and a side mirror component featuring a means of wiping its mirrored surface. The first wiper component features a first wiper arm and blade pivotally attached to the side door of and a first motor for oscillating the first wiper blade in a first and second direction across the window. The side mirror component features a base having a front panel with a mirrored surface, a pivot arm attached to a first gear on the front panel, a motor operatively connected to the first gear, and a second wiper blade pivotally attached to the pivot arm, when the pivot arm is pivoted in the first or second direction the second wiper blade is moved over the mirrored surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Melchor Martinez
  • Publication number: 20110279896
    Abstract: A vehicle rear viewing device includes a rear under view mirror provided to face an inner surface of a rear windshield and capable of reflecting an area below and behind a vehicle to an occupant in an interior of the vehicle. A marker indicator is to allow the occupant to view the area below and behind the vehicle through the rear under view mirror to visually recognize a position of a rear end of a vehicle body. A rear wiper is provided on a rear part of the vehicle body so as to face an outer surface of the rear windshield. The marker indicator is provided so as to be covered with at least a part of the rear wiper along a front rear direction of the vehicle in front of the rear wiper when the rear wiper is in an initial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi UEMATSU, Yuya Kishimoto, Toshihiro Hashimoto, Yuji Kuwashima, Miku Sasaki, Tomoyuki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7856693
    Abstract: A self-cleaning exterior mirror for trucks and like vehicles includes a rigid mounting bracket provided with axially opposed first and second ends respectively, and monolithically formed first, second, and third sections respectively. A plurality of coupling plates is integrally attached to the first and second ends of the bracket. The coupling plates are attached to the exterior of the existing vehicle for supporting the bracket above a ground surface. A substantially rectangular shaped frame is pivotally connected to the third section of the bracket, and a mirror is attached to the frame. A mechanism remotely cleans the mirror, and is attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Archie Johnson
  • Patent number: 7793380
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle has a mirror housing, a wiper motor, and a wiper arm which is driven by the wiper motor via a wiper mechanism and bears a wiper blade for cleaning a mirror surface. The wiper mechanism generates an essentially parallel reciprocating movement of the wiper blade. It is essential here to the invention that the wiper mechanism has a first L-shaped pivot arm and a second L-shaped pivot arm which are respectively mounted rotatably in a fixed position at their elbows and are mounted rotatably, at their limbs on the wiper side, on an inner parallel wiper arm. Furthermore, an outer parallel wiper arm which is connected to the inner parallel wiper arm and bears the wiper blade is arranged on the inner parallel wiper arm. The two pivot arms are driven by the wiper motor to which they are connected in terms of drive at their limbs on the drive side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Wolf Boll
  • Publication number: 20090307861
    Abstract: A wiper for an automobile rearview mirror includes a motor installed on a rear surface of the rearview mirror with a driving gear. A supporting shaft is fixed on the rear surface of the mirror base, having a driven gear for engaging with female threads of the driving gear and having male threads engaging with a movable base that has a magnet to rest on the rear surface of the mirror base. Installed on the mirror is a wiper fitted with a magnet for mutually attracting with the magnet of the movable base. When the motor is turned on, its driving gear will drive the supporting shaft to spin to enable the movable base to move along the supporting shaft. The wiper is attracted by the magnet of the movable base to move to and from the mirror, effectively wiping off the water on the mirror to keep it clear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Chiang-Fen LIN
  • Patent number: 7574769
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates a rearview mirror wiper system suitable for use on, for example, large tractor-trailer trucks, delivery trucks, vans, motor homes, cars and other motor vehicles. The rearview wiper system of the present invention has many advantages over prior art systems. It ensures an even and adjustable pressure over the entire wiping surface, has a minimum of parts exposed to the elements so that it is less susceptible to icing and is easy for the user to maintain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventor: Glenn Nemeth
  • Patent number: 7540060
    Abstract: A side mirror assembly for a truck has a housing retaining an upper mirror, a central mirror, and a lower mirror, each of which is motorized and independently adjustable. The assembly also includes a chain driven wiper blade that will wipe across all three mirrors, and a dispenser for dispensing washer fluid on the mirrors. Around the perimeter of the housing are one or more connectors to with electrical devices attachable to the mirror housing can be connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventor: Nathan Holmes
  • Publication number: 20090067050
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle has a mirror housing, a wiper motor, and a wiper arm which is driven by the wiper motor via a wiper mechanism and bears a wiper blade for cleaning a mirror surface. The wiper mechanism generates an essentially parallel reciprocating movement of the wiper blade. It is essential here to the invention that the wiper mechanism has a first L-shaped pivot arm and a second L-shaped pivot arm which are respectively mounted rotatably in a fixed position at their elbows and are mounted rotatably, at their limbs on the wiper side, on an inner parallel wiper arm. Furthermore, an outer parallel wiper arm which is connected to the inner parallel wiper arm and bears the wiper blade is arranged on the inner parallel wiper arm. The two pivot arms are driven by the wiper motor to which they are connected in terms of drive at their limbs on the drive side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Wolf Boll
  • Publication number: 20080307600
    Abstract: A system for wiping an external mirror on a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin Michael Scott
  • Patent number: 7412743
    Abstract: A wiper for an automobile rear-view mirror includes a wiper transmission device installed at the rear side of a rear-view mirror. The wiper transmission device is provided with a transmission motor having a driving gear extending outward to be engaged with a speed-change gear unit for driving a driven gear to rotate. The driven gear is provided with a rotating shaft inserted through the front surface of the rear-view mirror, and the rotating shaft has its outer end fixed with a connecting rod having a wiper fitted thereon. When the transmission motor is started, the wiper can be driven to sway upward or downward for wiping out water drops on the surface of the rear-view mirror to keep the mirror surface clear to enable a driver to clearly watch the traffic conditions reflected in the rear-view mirror and drive with safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Chiang-Fen Lin
  • Patent number: 7412744
    Abstract: A wiper for an automobile rear-view mirror includes a wiper transmission device disposed at the rear side of a mirror base, a connecting rod and a wiper. The wiper transmission device has a transmission motor provided with a drive gear engaged with a driven gear coupled with a worm that is engaged with a worm gear. The worm gear is connected with a driven worm by a support shaft, and the driven worm is engaged with a driven worm gear secured on a rotating shaft, which has its outer end inserted out of the rearview mirror and fixed with a connecting rod having a wiper fixed thereon. When the wiper transmission device is started, the wiper can sway upward and downward for wiping water drops off the surface of the rear-view mirror to keep it clear, enabling a driver to clearly watch the traffic conditions and drive safely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Chiang-Fen Lin
  • Publication number: 20080052861
    Abstract: A wiper for an automobile rear-view mirror includes a wiper transmission device disposed at the rear side of a mirror base, a connecting rod and a wiper. The wiper transmission device has a transmission motor provided with a drive gear engaged with a driven gear coupled with a worm that is engaged with a worm gear. The worm gear is connected with a driven worm by a support shaft, and the driven worm is engaged with a driven worm gear secured on a rotating shaft, which has its outer end inserted out of the rearview mirror and fixed with a connecting rod having a wiper fixed thereon. When the wiper transmission device is started, the wiper can sway upward and downward for wiping water drops off the surface of the rear-view mirror to keep it clear, enabling a driver to clearly watch the traffic conditions and drive safely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Chiang-Fen Lin
  • Publication number: 20080052862
    Abstract: A wiper for an automobile rearview mirror includes a transmitting device, a connect rod and a wiper. The transmitting device is fixed on a rear side of the rearview mirror, composed of a motor, a drive worm fixed on the spindle of the motor, and a speed-changing gear unit engaging with the drive worm. The speed-changing gear unit consists of two shafts intercrossing each other for several gears fixed thereon and engaging with one another so that a drive gear fixed on a rotary shaft can be rotated by the transmitting device. The connect rod is fixed with the rotary shaft and then the wiper is fixed on the connect rod. Then the wiper is swung up and down together with the connect rod and the rotary shaft driven by the transmitting device, cleaning off water drops on the rearview mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Chiang-Fen Lin
  • Publication number: 20080052860
    Abstract: A wiper for an automobile rearview mirror includes a transmitting device, an elongate connect rod fixed on the rotary shaft lengthwise, and an elongate wiper. The transmitting device is fixed on a rear surface of a base of a rearview mirror, having a rotary shaft positioned on the front surface of the base and driven by the transmitting device to swing up and down on the surface of the mirror body. The wiper is wrapped around the connect rod, so the wiper, the connect rod and rotary shaft are moved together by the transmitting device. The base has a circumferential stop edge on the circumference for stopping the wiper, and when the wiper is swung to reach the upper or the lower stop edge of the base, it can reversely be swung to reciprocate up and down to wipe raindrops on the surface of the mirror body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Chiang-Fen Lin
  • Publication number: 20080028562
    Abstract: A wiper for an automobile rear-view mirror includes a wiper transmission device installed at the rear side of a rear-view mirror. The wiper transmission device is provided with a transmission motor having a driving gear extending outward to be engaged with a speed-change gear unit for driving a driven gear to rotate. The driven gear is provided with a rotating shaft inserted through the front surface of the rear-view mirror, and the rotating shaft has its outer end fixed with a connecting rod having a wiper fitted thereon. When the transmission motor is started, the wiper can be driven to sway upward or downward for wiping out water drops on the surface of the rear-view mirror to keep the mirror surface clear to enable a driver to clearly watch the traffic conditions reflected in the rear-view mirror and drive with safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventor: Chiang-Fen Lin
  • Publication number: 20070266515
    Abstract: A wiper for an automobile rear-view mirror includes a wiper transmission device installed at the rear side of a rear-view mirror. The wiper transmission device is composed of a transmission motor with its shaft fixed a worm extending upward. The worm is engaged with a worm gear having its shaft fixed thereon with a driven gear engaged with a driving gear that is provided with a sidewise driving rod having an outer rectangular end inserted through the surface of the rear-view mirror to be combined with a wiper unit. In using, the transmission motor is started to drive the wiper to wipe off rainwater on the rear-view mirror to enable a driver to clearly watch the images reflected in the rear-view mirror and drive with safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventor: Chiang-Fen Lin
  • Publication number: 20070234500
    Abstract: A side mirror assembly for a truck has a housing retaining an upper mirror, a central mirror, and a lower mirror, each of which is motorized and independently adjustable. The assembly also includes a chain driven wiper blade that will wipe across all three mirrors, and a dispenser for dispensing washer fluid on the mirrors. Around the perimeter of the housing are one or more connectors to with electrical devices attachable to the mirror housing can be connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventor: Nathan Holmes
  • Publication number: 20070220696
    Abstract: A wiper for an automobile rear-view mirror includes a transmission motor installed at the rear side of a rear-view mirror. The transmission motor is provided with a worm engaged with a transmission gear, which is eccentrically provided with a pivot connected with a connecting rod having the other end pivotally connected with a driving rod. The driving rod is disposed with a fixing shaft inserted through the surface of the rear-view mirror and secured with a fixing base having a wiping bar fitted thereon. The wiping bar can be actuated to swing back and forth for wiping out water drops on the surface of the rear-view mirrors to enable a driver to clearly watch the image reflected in the rear-view mirrors and to drive with safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventor: Chiang-Fen Lin
  • Publication number: 20070220697
    Abstract: A wiper for an automobile rear-view mirror includes a base and a transmission motor installed in the base and having a worm engaged with a transmission gear, which is eccentrically fixed with a pivot connected with a connecting rod. The connecting rod has the other end connected with a driving rod provided with a fixing shaft and having the other end connected with a first slide block fitted on one end of a shaft that has the other end fitted with a second slide block. The two slide blocks have their front sides pivotally connected with two push rods coupled by a pivot and having their rear side positioned on a positioning plate having a wiping bar at the inner side. The wiping bar can be moved up and down, wiping out water on the mirror surface, enabling a driver to clearly see the images reflected in the rear-view mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventor: Chiang-Fen Lin
  • Publication number: 20070124886
    Abstract: A combination wiper for use in a car is disclosed to include a first wiper for cleaning the lens of one outside mirror of the car, a second wiper for cleaning a predetermined part of one front door window of the car, and a transmission system controllable to move the first wiper and the second wiper back and forth so as to clean the lens of the outside mirror and the predetermined part of the front door window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventor: Dung-Bao Tsai
  • Patent number: 7222384
    Abstract: An automobile side window wiper includes a connect base, a motor, a worm, a worm gear, a connect rod, a driving arm, a plate stop, a side cover and a wiper. The motor is positioned in the connected base, having its spindle fixed with the worm, which engages with the worm gear. Then the connect rod has a first end pivotally and eccentrically connected with the worm gear to be moved back and forth by the worm gear, so the driving arm connected pivotally with the connect rod to swing up and down so that the wiper connected with a second end of the driving arm may move repeatedly up and down nearly horizontally on the glass of the side window for wiping rain drops. Then the side window is kept clean for a driver to see through to look at a rearview mirror for driving safely during rainfall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Chiang-Fen Lin
  • Patent number: 7069617
    Abstract: A wiper system for a truck mirror includes a pneumatic cylinder configured for attachment to a compressed air source. The pneumatic cylinder has an operating rod that is extendable and retractable. It also has a stroke of approximately the width of the mirror. The pneumatic cylinder is configured for front mounting. A low-profile mounting bracket attaches the pneumatic cylinder to the mirror. The mounting bracket is configured for attachment to the front of the pneumatic cylinder and for positioning the front of the pneumatic cylinder adjacent to or abutting a vertical side of the mirror. A wiper blade attaches to the threaded end of the operating rod of the pneumatic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Wallace James
  • Publication number: 20050204502
    Abstract: A wiper system for a truck mirror includes a pneumatic cylinder configured for attachment to a compressed air source. The pneumatic cylinder has an operating rod that is extendable and retractable. It also has a stroke of approximately the width of the mirror. The pneumatic cylinder is configured for front mounting. A low-profile mounting bracket attaches the pneumatic cylinder to the mirror. The mounting bracket is configured for attachment to the front of the pneumatic cylinder and for positioning the front of the pneumatic cylinder adjacent to or abutting a vertical side of the mirror. A wiper blade attaches to the threaded end of the operating rod of the pneumatic cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventor: Wallace James
  • Patent number: 6772469
    Abstract: Mirror cleaning devices clean the external mirrors of large vehicles while they are being driven. During adverse weather conditions, the external mirrors of large vehicles can become occluded by rain, snow, or dirt. By keeping the mirror glass clean and moisture free, the driver is able to easily use the mirror without having to frequently pull to the roadside to clean moisture and dirt from the mirrors with a rag. The driver is able to maintain a full view to the rear sides at all times for safe passing, lane changing, merging, and reversing regardless of the weather conditions present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: James Pidgeon
  • Patent number: 6760950
    Abstract: An outer rear mirror for trucks and motor vehicles in general, provided with an automatic cleaning device, comprises an electric motor rotatively driving an endless worm, meshing with a gear wheel rigid with an elliptical cross-section element turning about a rotary shaft in turn supporting a cam member including a peripheral groove in which is engaged a drive bearing coupled to a telescopic rod sliding in a hollow cylinder, the outer rear mirror further including one or more mirror-like surface having different geometrical-optical characteristics, and a rear frame having a metal flange clamping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: Ivo Lazzari
  • Publication number: 20040041477
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit for wiper components on motor vehicles. The rive unit includes an electric drive (10), which is accommodated in a housing (3; 32, 33). The electric drive (1) includes an armature shaft (26), on which a first toothing (4) is formed. The armature shaft (26) is axially, displaceably accommodated in the housing (3; 32, 33) and is loaded via a spring element (28). On the housing (3; 32, 33), a crown wheel or a crown wheel segment (5) is pivotally accommodated. The crown wheel or crown wheel segment (5) meshes with the first toothing (4) on the armature shaft (26) of the electric drive (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Jochen Moench, Achim Neubauer, Martin-Peter Bolz, Hartmut Krueger
  • Patent number: 6691365
    Abstract: A mirror housing contains an electrical motor. A drive arm is mounted to the output shaft of a speed reducer mounted on the motor. A linkage arm rotatably couples the drive arm to a rocker disk which is rotatably mounted within the housing. Three hundred sixty degree rotation of the drive arm by operation of the electric motor imparts a back-and-forth arcuate rocking motion to the rocker disk which in turn imparts a linear back-and-forth motion to a wiper mounted over the mirror glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Eric C. Graf
  • Patent number: 6654982
    Abstract: A rearview truck mirror and wiper assembly for improving the rear view for truckers by keeping the mirror clean and lighted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: William Q. Cowan
  • Patent number: 6568414
    Abstract: An arrangement for cleaning the mirror element of an outside rear view mirror is disclosed. The arrangement includes a washing nozzle, which is disposed in the region of the outside rear view mirror on a motor vehicle and from which a jet of a cleaning liquid may be discharged. The position of the mirror element (1) relative to the body of the motor vehicle is variable, whereas the washing nozzle (9) is connected in a fixed manner to the body. To improve the cleaning action of the washing to nozzle (9), the mirror element (2) may be adjusted between a normal position, in which the driver may observe the traffic behind him in the mirror element (2), and a cleaning position, in which an advantageous angle for cleaning, in particular a steep angle arises between the mirror plane of the mirror element (2) and the jet of cleaning liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Donnelly Hohe GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Fuchs, Peter Fuerst, Herwig Polzer
  • Patent number: 6546590
    Abstract: An automatic attachable side-view mirror cleaning device is provided for cleaning the side-view mirrors on tractor-trailer rigs. Utilizing a rubber squeegee blade, similar to that used on windshield wipers, the blade travels up and down the long, thin mirror of a tractor-trailer rig. The squeegee scraper blade utilizes two vertical tracks which reside on the two exterior sides of the mirror and is powered by a small electric motor located under the dashboard. Additionally, washer solvent is directed at the mirror using a small pump, through jets at the top of the mirror. The solvent system would be tapped into the main solvent system of the truck using small diameter plastic tubing. The controls for both the electric drive motor and the solvent pump would be located in a dash-mounted panel inside the cab. The invention would be made available as a factory option on new trucks as well as be made available as an after-market attachment accessory for do-it-yourself installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Gary Waters
  • Patent number: 6530110
    Abstract: A mirror cleaning system has a mirror with a mirror support assembly, a drive assembly including a drive shaft to effect rotation, a motor, a hollow cross piece including a supported wiper arm and at least one aperture spaced along the length thereof, and a length of hollow flexible tubing adapted to be coupled to the cross piece and a source of pressurized cleaning fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventors: Tony Breau, Michael Accommando
  • Publication number: 20030041405
    Abstract: A mirror housing contains an electrical motor. A drive arm is mounted to the output shaft of a speed reducer mounted on the motor. A linkage arm rotatably couples the drive arm to a rocker disk which is rotatably mounted within the housing. Three hundred sixty degree rotation of the drive arm by operation of the electric motor imparts a back-and-forth arcuate rocking motion to the rocker disk which in turn imparts a linear back-and-forth motion to a wiper mounted over the mirror glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Eric C. Graf
  • Patent number: 6453504
    Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror is wiped by a flexible blade supported by a pivotal arm mounted on a carriage supported for linear movement on a track mounted on a housing attached to the mirror. A shuttle is supported within the housing for reciprocating vertical movement by a motor driven reversing lead screw, and a magnetic coupling connects the shuttle to the carriage with the housing extending therebetween. A cam and follower lift and reset the arm and blade relative to the mirror in response to movement of the carriage at the top of the mirror, and the track and housing are each formed from a non-magnetic material so that the shuttle moves the carriage by a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Rotron, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Richard Burkard, Gary R. Leeth
  • Publication number: 20020100136
    Abstract: An automatic attachable side-view mirror cleaning device is provided for cleaning the side-view mirrors on tractor-trailer rigs. Utilizing a rubber squeegee blade, similar to that used on windshield wipers, the blade travels up and down the long, thin mirror of a tractor-trailer rig. The squeegee scraper blade utilizes two vertical tracks which reside on the two exterior sides of the mirror and is powered by a small electric motor located under the dashboard. Additionally, washer solvent is directed at the mirror using a small pump, through jets at the top of the mirror. The solvent system would be tapped into the main solvent system of the truck using small diameter plastic tubing. The controls for both the electric drive motor and the solvent pump would be located in a dash-mounted panel inside the cab. The invention would be made available as a factory option on new trucks as well as be made available as an after-market attachment accessory for do-it-yourself installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Gary Waters
  • Patent number: 6413324
    Abstract: A moisture and build up removal system and method which deliver air at high velocity to the surface to be cleaned and/or maintained free of moisture and build up. The system and method having a particular implementation with surfaces of helmet visors and other equipment where having unobstructed view is an important feature of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventors: Brian P Hanson, David H. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20020038487
    Abstract: An outer rear mirror for trucks and motor vehicles in general, provided with an automatic cleaning device, comprises an electric motor rotatively driving an endless worm, meshing with a gear wheel rigid with an elliptical cross-section element turning about a rotary shaft in turn supporting a cam member including a peripheral groove in which is engaged a drive bearing coupled to a telescopic rod sliding in a hollow cylinder, the outer rear mirror further including one or more mirror-like surface having different geometrical-optical characteristics, and a rear frame having a metal flange clamping member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventor: Ivo Lazzari
  • Publication number: 20010049853
    Abstract: A side rear-view mirror retrofit wiper assembly including a housing member that is sized to be positioning about the one side rear-view mirror assembly to allow the one side rear-view mirror to be seated within. A wiper shield projecting outwardly from a side of the housing member and extending a vertical length of the housing. A wiper blade and a wiper arm are in communication. An arm control link is positioned adjacent the upper plate of the housing member and couples with the wiper arm. Finally, a motorized means is positioned within the housing member and has linking members coupled to a link pin that couples with the arm control link of the wiper arm to allow movable communication of the linking members with the wiper arm. The wiper arm with the arm control link provides pendulum fashion movement of the wiper blade across a mirror of the one side rear-view mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Subernia Y. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6324718
    Abstract: A side rear-view mirror retrofit wiper assembly including a housing member that is sized to be positioning about the one side rear-view mirror assembly to allow the one side rear-view mirror to be seated within. A wiper shield projecting outwardly from a side of the housing member and extending a vertical length of the housing. A wiper blade and a wiper arm are in communication. An arm control link is positioned adjacent the upper plate of the housing member and couples with the wiper arm. Finally, a motorized means is positioned within the housing member and has linking members coupled to a link pin that couples with the arm control link of the wiper arm to allow movable communication of the linking members with the wiper arm. The wiper arm with the arm control link provides pendulum fashion movement of the wiper blade across a mirror of the one side rear-view mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Subernia Y. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6290361
    Abstract: A clearing system for external mirrors and side windows of a vehicle provides a flow of compressed warm air to an air distribution unit equipped with a number of openings to direct the flow of air towards the surface of the mirror or a side window. In one embodiment, the air compressor, the air heater and an optional air filter are located in the housing of the external mirror. In another embodiment, a supplemental air distribution unit is provided to be mounted along the door of the vehicle to increase the coverage area of the side window. In a further embodiment of the invention, the system is made adjustable for allowing the most appropriate angle for the air openings towards the mirror and the side window. Provisions are also made to use the system for newly designed vehicles and incorporate the elements of the system into the design of the vehicle door. Alternately, an add-on elements are described to allow existing vehicles to benefit from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Leonid Berzin