Patents by Inventor Christopher D. Pollack

Christopher D. Pollack 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: 11535157
    Abstract: A rearview device having a housing that defines a cavity. The rearview device additionally includes an electro-optic element. In some embodiments, the housing may comprise a peripheral flange. The peripheral flange may have a mounting surface and a lip. The electro-optic element may be associated with the mounting surface. Further, the lip may substantially circumscribe the electro-optic element. In other embodiments, the rearview device may further comprise a mounting assembly having one or more mechanical fastener acceptors. One or more mechanical fasteners may be received by the mechanical fastener acceptors and extend through holes both in a holder and a circuit board disposed in the cavity. In yet other embodiments, the one or more mechanical fasteners may be received by the mechanical fastener acceptors and extend through and be supported by a washer disposed in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Eric S. Sloterbeek, Elliot M. Busta, Christopher D. Pollack, Jeffery E. Irvin, Joel D. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 11220218
    Abstract: A method of making a rearview assembly includes operably coupling a rearview device with a front housing. A bonding material is applied to the front housing and a printed circuit board is operably coupled with the front housing. A rear housing is engaged with the front housing. Energy is applied to bond the front housing with the rear housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher D. Pollack
  • Publication number: 20210245661
    Abstract: A rearview device having a housing that defines a cavity. The rearview device additionally includes an electro-optic element. In some embodiments, the housing may comprise a peripheral flange. The peripheral flange may have a mounting surface and a lip. The electro-optic element may be associated with the mounting surface. Further, the lip may substantially circumscribe the electro-optic element. In other embodiments, the rearview device may further comprise a mounting assembly having one or more mechanical fastener acceptors. One or more mechanical fasteners may be received by the mechanical fastener acceptors and extend through holes both in a holder and a circuit board disposed in the cavity. In yet other embodiments, the one or more mechanical fasteners may be received by the mechanical fastener acceptors and extend through and be supported by a washer disposed in the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, JR., Eric S. Sloterbeek, Elliot M. Busta, Christopher D. Pollack, Jeffery E. Irvin, Joel D. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 11014502
    Abstract: A rear view assembly includes a housing, an electro-optic assembly disposed within the housing, and an ambient light sensor operably coupled with the electro-optic assembly. An at least partially light transmissive light sensor lens is integrally formed as part of the housing proximate the ambient light sensor. The light sensor lens is free of mechanical fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher D. Pollack, Eric S. Sloterbeek, William M. Vanden Bos
  • Patent number: 10971830
    Abstract: A rearview device includes a connector assembly that has a body that includes a plurality of electrical leads that extend therefrom and are removably coupled therewith. A plurality of contact-receiving apertures extend through the body and receive a plurality of spring contacts on a circuit board. The plurality of spring contacts abut and are compressed between the circuit board and the body. The plurality of spring contacts directly engage the plurality of electrical leads when inserted into the plurality of contact-receiving apertures. A plurality of peripheral walls are adjacent the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Eric S. Lundy, Christopher D. Pollack
  • Publication number: 20200091627
    Abstract: A rearview device includes a connector assembly that has a body that includes a plurality of electrical leads that extend therefrom and are removably coupled therewith. A plurality of contact-receiving apertures extend through the body and receive a plurality of spring contacts on a circuit board. The plurality of spring contacts abut and are compressed between the circuit board and the body. The plurality of spring contacts directly engage the plurality of electrical leads when inserted into the plurality of contact-receiving apertures. A plurality of peripheral walls are adjacent the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, JR., Eric S. Lundy, Christopher D. Pollack
  • Publication number: 20200023777
    Abstract: A method of making a rearview assembly includes operably coupling a rearview device with a front housing. A bonding material is applied to the front housing and a printed circuit board is operably coupled with the front housing. A rear housing is engaged with the front housing. Energy is applied to bond the front housing with the rear housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher D. Pollack
  • Patent number: 10490914
    Abstract: A connector assembly is operably coupled with a circuit board for a rearview device. The connector assembly includes a body having a plurality of electrical leads extending therefrom. A plurality of contact-receiving apertures are defined through the body. A plurality of spring-biased contacts extend into the contact-receiving apertures and are guided by a plurality of columns. The plurality of spring-biased contacts are in electrical communication with the plurality of electrical leads when inserted into the contact-receiving apertures of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Eric S. Lundy, Christopher D. Pollack
  • Patent number: 10464485
    Abstract: A rearview mirror includes a housing defining an interior cavity and an opening to an exterior of the housing, a notch extending from an edge of the opening and an actuation mechanism coupled within the interior of the housing. The actuation mechanism has a toggle barrel rotatably positioned within the interior cavity of the housing and a lever extending from the toggle barrel through the opening. The lever defines a first major surface and includes a locking rib extending from the first major surface adjacent the barrel. The lever and toggle barrel are rotatable between a first position and a second position, the locking rib being positioned within the notch of the housing when the lever and the toggle barrel are in the first position and being positioned away from the notch when the lever and the toggle barrel are in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric S. Lundy, Jason D. Hallack, Richard A. Berry, Christopher D. Pollack
  • Publication number: 20190299867
    Abstract: A rear view assembly includes a housing, an electro-optic assembly disposed within the housing, and an ambient light sensor operably coupled with the electro-optic assembly. An at least partially light transmissive light sensor lens is integrally formed as part of the housing proximate the ambient light sensor. The light sensor lens is free of mechanical fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher D. Pollack, Eric S. Sloterbeek, William M. Vanden Bos
  • Publication number: 20180337464
    Abstract: A connector assembly is operably coupled with a circuit board for a rearview device. The connector assembly includes a body having a plurality of electrical leads extending therefrom. A plurality of contact-receiving apertures are defined through the body. A plurality of spring-biased contacts extend into the contact-receiving apertures and are guided by a plurality of columns. The plurality of spring-biased contacts are in electrical communication with the plurality of electrical leads when inserted into the contact-receiving apertures of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, JR., Eric S. Lundy, Christopher D. Pollack
  • Publication number: 20170203694
    Abstract: A rearview mirror includes a housing defining an interior cavity and an opening to an exterior of the housing, a notch extending from an edge of the opening and an actuation mechanism coupled within the interior of the housing. The actuation mechanism has a toggle barrel rotatably positioned within the interior cavity of the housing and a lever extending from the toggle barrel through the opening. The lever defines a first major surface and includes a locking rib extending from the first major surface adjacent the barrel. The lever and toggle barrel are rotatable between a first position and a second position, the locking rib being positioned within the notch of the housing when the lever and the toggle barrel are in the first position and being positioned away from the notch when the lever and the toggle barrel are in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Eric S. Lundy, Jason D. Hallack, Richard A. Berry, Christopher D. Pollack
  • Patent number: D945281
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher D. Pollack, Eric S. Sloterbeek, William M. Vanden Bos