Patents Assigned to Mirror Lite
  • Publication number: 20050180034
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly having a housing or base member, a mirror lens and a gasket. The mirror lens is provided in the shape of a portion of an end of an ellipsoid. The lens has a varying radius of curvature. The center portion of the lens has a smaller radius of curvature than the outer portions along the major axis of the lens creating an improved field of view of the reflected image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Applicant: MIRROR LITE
    Inventors: William Schmidt, Daniel Swain
  • Publication number: 20050174659
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly is provided comprising a base. The base comprises a first base portion defined by a first base longitudinal line and a first base periphery. The first base portion has a first base radius of curvature. The base further includes a second base portion defined by the first base longitudinal line and a second base periphery. The second base portion has a second base radius of curvature. A dome lens conforms to the base. The dome lens has a varying dome lens radius of curvature. The dome lens comprises a center surface portion having a center surface radius of curvature. The center surface radius corresponding to a position on said dome lens aligned with a first base longitudinal midpoint to said dome lens and is perpendicular to the first base longitudinal line. A peripheral surface portion has a peripheral surface radius of curvature corresponding to the first base periphery. The peripheral surface radius of curvature is greater than the center surface radius of curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Applicant: MIRROR LITE
    Inventors: William Schmidt, Daniel Swain
  • Patent number: 6722733
    Abstract: Protective seat cover members for vehicles, particularly for rear seat members of automobiles. Sleeve members affixed to the seat cover members fit over and protect the seat belt members. The seat cover members are impervious to liquids and adapted to be easily attached and removed from the seat members and disposed of when necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Mirror Lite
    Inventors: William Schmidt, Herbert Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6715227
    Abstract: A rifle periscope (30) is provided for allowing an indirect line of vision without obstructing use of existing sight assemblies (18, 20) mounted on a rifle (10). The rifle periscope (30) includes a removable mount assembly (32) attached to a barrel (22) of the rifle (22) so as to allow for an unobstructed direct line of vision when using the sight assemblies (18, 20). The removable mount assembly (32) has a first surface (48) and a second surface (52). The first surface (48) has a viewing mirror (50) attached thereto for to providing a first indirect line of vision that is outside of a firing range of the rifle (10). The second surface (52) has a targeting mirror (54) attached thereto for providing a second indirect line of vision that is within a firing range of said rifle (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mirror Lite Company
    Inventor: Daniel M. Swain
  • Publication number: 20040020098
    Abstract: A rifle periscope (30) is provided for allowing an indirect line of vision without obstructing use of existing sight assemblies (18, 20) mounted on a rifle (10). The rifle periscope (30) includes a removable mount assembly (32) attached to a barrel (22) of the rifle (22) so as to allow for an unobstructed direct line of vision when using the sight assemblies (18, 20). The removable mount assembly (32) has a first surface (48) and a second surface (52). The first surface (48) has a viewing mirror (50) attached thereto for to providing a first indirect line of vision that is outside of a firing range of the rifle (10). The second surface (52) has a targeting mirror (54) attached thereto for providing a second indirect line of vision that is within a firing range of said rifle (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Mirror Lite Company
    Inventor: Daniel M. Swain
  • Patent number: 5589984
    Abstract: An oval elliptical mirror assembly with a generally convex reflective surface having a long axis and a short axis essentially normal to the long axis. The oval shape is provided to increase the field-of-view for a user along the long axis. The mirror assembly may be mounted on a flat mounting surface, such as a walls, or a varied mounting surface, such as the external surface of a vehicle. The mirror is mounted with the long axis positioned at any angle to provide for the desired field-of-view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Mirror Lite of North Carolina
    Inventors: William P. Schmidt, Franklin D. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 5116013
    Abstract: A mirror mounting mechanism for mounting a mirror to a vehicle and preventing mirror movement after the mirror is positioned. A retaining device, which is attached to the mirror and a vehicle mounting bar, is securely tightened in place after the mirror is positioned to prevent the mirror from moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Mirror Lite Co.
    Inventor: Kirk Malcolmson
  • Patent number: 4938578
    Abstract: A mirror assembly for mounting onto an exterior front surface of a vehicle, preferably one on each opposed front fender of the vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a mirror having a reflective surface, the surface having a generally convex geometry, and being in the shape of an ellipsoid. The reflective surface provides the driver with a field of view along the vertical axis is in the range of 180.degree. to 220.degree.. The top portion of the reflective surface has a first plane of truncation which passes through the approximate center of the reflective surface. The rear portion of the reflective surface has a second plane of truncation which removes at least the rear half of the surface. This second plane is essentially normal to the first plane of truncation. The reflective surface is mounted with a slight upward tilt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Mirror Lite Company
    Inventors: William P. Schmidt, Frank D. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 4830326
    Abstract: A dual outside mirror assembly for mounting dual mirrors on a vehicle door having a window includes a two part tubular frame in which an upper tubular frame member may be rotated about a vertical axis relative to a lower tubular frame member whose lower end in turn is mounted for rotative adjustment relative the vehicle door about the same vertical axis. The upper frame member is mounted on the vehicle door above the window for rotative adjustment about a horizontal axis to enable the frame to be conformed to doors of various configurations. The tubular frame includes a vertically extending offset section upon which two mirrors are mounted one above the other for rotative adjustment relative to the tubular frame about at least one vertical axis and independently about individual horizontal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Mirror Lite Company
    Inventors: William P. Schmidt, Frank D. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 4436372
    Abstract: A mirror having a convex reflecting surface with a continuous peripheral edge is disclosed. The convex reflecting surface has an apex which extends a predetermined distance H from a plane defined by the peripheral edge. The convex reflecting surface at the continuous peripheral edge has an outer diameter D. The relationship of D/H is in the range of 2.5 to 3.0. The convex reflecting surface is also characterized by a seventh order, sixth degree equation or in the alternative a truncated elliptical surface with a minor axis at 3.72 inches from the origin and a major axis at 4.11 inches from the origin. The elliptical surface being truncated at a distance 0.72 inches from the origin. The mirror is mounted to a disc member with a threaded ball member mounted to the disc member. The threaded member is attached to brackets which are mounted to the vehicle behind the front bumper. The mirror permits the vehicle operator to see in front of, along the side of and behind the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: Mirror Lite Company
    Inventors: William P. Schmidt, Franklin D. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: D479169
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Mirror Lite Company
    Inventors: William Schmidt, Daniel M. Swain