Patents by Inventor Bradley L. Northman

Bradley L. Northman 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: 7408694
    Abstract: A mirror assembly includes a housing, an angularly adjustable power pack, wires for supplying power and mirror angle control, an electrochromic mirror subassembly including a heater, and a turn signal device. The components include individual connectors that plug into a multi-prong connector on the bundle of wires, or that piggyback into each other. Optionally, the heater incorporates an internal wire with end connectors for communicating power to opposite sides of the heater, and also includes layers of light-transmitting/diffusing material for diffusing light passing from the turn signal device through the diffusing material. A printed circuit board fits into a pocket in the panel-shaped carrier, and an integral retainer releasably secures the printed circuit board. The power pack is attached to the carrier via a ring of resilient fingers, and a continuous hoop flange prevents distortion of the carrier and in turn of the glass elements in the mirror subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley L. Busscher, Bradley L. Northman, Kenton J. Ypma, Randall J. Beute, John K. Roberts, Wayne M. Jordan, Edward L. DeNave, Daniel J. Bostwick, Randall S. Braun, Gregory A. Bosch, Timothy A. Bonardi
  • Patent number: 6963438
    Abstract: A mirror assembly includes a housing, an angularly adjustable power pack, wires for supplying power and mirror angle control, an electrochromic mirror subassembly including a heater, and a turn signal device. The components include individual connectors that plug into a multi-prong connector on the bundle of wires, or that piggyback into each other. Optionally, the heater incorporates an internal wire with end connectors for communicating power to opposite sides of the heater, and also includes layers of light-transmitting/diffusing material for diffusing light passing from the turn signal device through the diffusing material. A printed circuit board fits into a pocket in the panel-shaped carrier, and an integral retainer releasably secures the printed circuit board. The power pack is attached to the carrier via a ring of resilient fingers, and a continuous hoop flange prevents distortion of the carrier and in turn of the glass elements in the mirror subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley L. Busscher, Bradley L. Northman, Kenton J. Ypma, Randall J. Beute, John K. Roberts, Wayne M. Jordan, Edward L. DeNave, Daniel J. Bostwick, Randall S. Braun, Gregory A. Bosch, Timothy A. Bonardi
  • Patent number: 6870655
    Abstract: A mirror includes a housing, a mirror subassembly including a reflector layer with a portion defining an opening, and an indicia panel covering the opening and configured to form a visual display. At least one light source is positioned in the housing to pass light through the indicia panel and the opening of the mirror subassembly to selectively illuminate the visual display. The at least one light source emits a light matched in color to the indicia panel so that a maximum of light from the at least one light source passes through the indicia panel and is visible to a vehicle driver. Optimally, the light sources emit an amber colored light, and the indicia panel includes a diffusing layer also having an amber color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley L. Northman, John W. Carter, Frederick T. Bauer
  • Publication number: 20040095632
    Abstract: A mirror assembly includes a housing, an angularly adjustable power pack, wires for supplying power and mirror angle control, an electrochromic mirror subassembly including a heater, and a turn signal device. The components include individual connectors that plug into a multi-prong connector on the bundle of wires, or that piggyback into each other. Optionally, the heater incorporates an internal wire with end connectors for communicating power to opposite sides of the heater, and also includes layers of light-transmitting/diffusing material for diffusing light passing from the turn signal device through the diffusing material. A printed circuit board fits into a pocket in the panel-shaped carrier, and an integral retainer releasably secures the printed circuit board. The power pack is attached to the carrier via a ring of resilient fingers, and a continuous hoop flange prevents distortion of the carrier and in turn of the glass elements in the mirror subassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Bradley L. Busscher, Bradley L. Northman, Kenton J. Ypma, Randall J. Beute, John K. Roberts, Wayne M. Jordan, Edward L. DeNave, Daniel J. Bostwick, Randall S. Braun, Gregory A. Bosch, Timothy A. Bonardi
  • Patent number: 6650457
    Abstract: A mirror assembly includes a housing, an angularly adjustable power pack, wires for supplying power and mirror angle control, an electrochromic mirror subassembly including a heater, and a turn signal device. The components include individual connectors that plug into a multi-prong connector on the bundle of wires, or that piggyback into each other. Optionally, the heater incorporates an internal wire with end connectors for communicating power to opposite sides of the heater, and also includes layers of light-transmitting/diffusing material for diffusing light passing from the turn signal device through the diffusing material. A printed circuit board fits into a pocket in the panel-shaped carrier, and an integral retainer releasably secures the printed circuit board. The power pack is attached to the carrier via a ring of resilient fingers, and a continuous hoop flange prevents distortion of the carrier and in turn of the glass elements in the mirror subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley L. Busscher, Bradley L. Northman, Kenton J. Ypma, Randall J. Beute, John K. Roberts, Wayne M. Jordan, Edward L. DeNave, Daniel J. Bostwick, Randall S. Braun, Gregory A. Bosch, Timothy A. Bonardi
  • Patent number: 6572233
    Abstract: A mirror includes a housing, an electrochromic mirror subassembly in the housing including front and rear transparent elements, a layer of electrochromic material associated with the front and rear transparent elements, a reflector layer associated with the rear transparent element, with a portion of the reflector layer defining an opening, and an indicia panel covering the opening and configured to form a visual display. The visual display includes a panel with a discrete number of pre-formed letters and symbols. At least one light source is positioned in the housing to pass light through the indicia panel and the opening of the mirror subassembly to selectively illuminate the visual display. The plurality of light-emitting devices being a number that is equal to or less than the discrete number. The at least one light source emits a light matched in color to the indicia panel so that a maximum of light from the at least one light source passes through the indicia panel and is visible to a vehicle driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley L. Northman, John W. Carter, Frederick T. Bauer
  • Publication number: 20020171906
    Abstract: A mirror assembly includes a housing, an angularly adjustable power pack, wires for supplying power and mirror angle control, an electrochromic mirror subassembly including a heater, and a turn signal device. The components include individual connectors that plug into a multi-prong connector on the bundle of wires, or that piggyback into each other. Optionally, the heater incorporates an internal wire with end connectors for communicating power to opposite sides of the heater, and also includes layers of light-transmitting/diffusing material for diffusing light passing from the turn signal device through the diffusing material. A printed circuit board fits into a pocket in the panel-shaped carrier, and an integral retainer releasably secures the printed circuit board. The power pack is attached to the carrier via a ring of resilient fingers, and a continuous hoop flange prevents distortion of the carrier and in turn of the glass elements in the mirror subassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Bradley L. Busscher, Bradley L. Northman, Kenton J. Ypma, Randall J. Beute, John K. Roberts, Wayne M. Jordan, Edward L. DeNave, Daniel J. Bostwick, Randall S. Braun, Gregory A. Bosch, Timothy A. Bonardi
  • 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: 4783049
    Abstract: An electronic automatic transmission controller is provided which is adapted to enable electrical control over automatic transmission devices of the type typically used in motor vehicles. The controller employs a manifold having a number of solenoid valve assemblies mounted thereto. The solenoid valve assemblies feature a low stacked height achieved through the configuration of the valves and various improvements in force output for the solenoid valve assemblies. The solenoid valve assemblies are held in an assembled condition through the action of a bracket assembly which has resiliently deflectable arms which bias against the valve assemblies. Preferably, non-removable fasteners are employed to affix the bracket to the manifold to prevent unauthorized attempts at servicing. The solenoid valve assemblies have protruding terminals which enable a circuit board to be laid against the solenoid valve assemblies such that the board is soldered along a surface opposite the valve assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Lectron Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Northman, Michael Slavin, Donald J. West
  • Patent number: 4678006
    Abstract: An electronic automatic transmission controller is provided which is adapted to enable electrical control over automatic transmission devices of the type typically used in motor vehicles. The controller employs a manifold having a number of solenoid valve assemblies mounted thereto. The solenoid valve assemblies feature a low stacked height achieved through the configuration of the valves and various improvements in force output for the solenoid valve assemblies. The solenoid valve assemblies are held in an assembled condition through the action of a bracket assembly which has resiliently deflectable arms which bias against the valve assemblies. Preferably, non-removable fasteners are employed to affix the bracket to the manifold to prevent unauthorized attempts at servicing. The solenoid valve assemblies have protruding terminals which enable a circuit board to be laid against the solenoid valve assemblies such that the board is soldered along a surface opposite the valve assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Lectron Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Northman, Michael Slavin, Donald J. West
  • Patent number: 4496101
    Abstract: Two embodiments of fuel injectors assemblies 10, 100 are disclosed. Injector (10) includes a fluid metering device (12) and a protective housing assembly (14). Device (12) includes an acoustic horn or nozzle assembly (16), a piezoelectric crystal (18) to longitudinally vibrate the nozzle, and a fuel inlet tube (20) rigidly fixed at one end (20a) to the nozzle and extending at the other end (20b) along an axis parallel to and radially spaced from the longitudinal axis of the nozzle. The protective housing assembly includes O-rings (52, 66) which vibrationally insulate device (12) from the housing and a fuel inlet 44 having a portion (44c) telescopically receiving tube end (20b) with an annular space therebetween. An O-ring (48) seals the annular space and allows relatively loss free longitudinal and radial movement of tube end (20b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Bradley L. Northman
  • Patent number: D441703
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne J. Rumsey, John W. Carter, Kenton J. Ypma, Bradley L. Northman, Frederick T. Bauer
  • Patent number: D478536
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne J. Rumsey, John W. Carter, Kenton J. Ypma, Bradley L. Northman, Frederick T. Bauer