Patents by Inventor Darrel L. Smith

Darrel L. Smith 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: 6343402
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly is provided for use on a vehicle which includes a rearview mirror and a wiper assembly. The wiper assembly includes a wiper arm base located behind the mirror assembly extending over the top of the mirror to attach to a resilient wiper arm having a wiper blade. The wiper blade is shaped or sectioned to substantially mate with mirrors having multiple surfaces or surface combined flat/convex mirrors. The wiper arm base is attached to a bi-directional driver system which causes the wiper arm base to laterally transverse across the mirror assembly, which in turn drives the wiper blade across the mirror. The bi-directional driver system preferably includes a uni-directional belt system, about two pulleys, connected to the wiper arm base with a unique linkage to allow the base to traverse back and forth as the belt is driven about the pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventors: Darrel L. Smith, Donnie Knight
  • Patent number: 6032323
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly is provided for use on a vehicle which includes a rearview mirror, a wiper assembly and adjusters for the mirror. The wiper assembly includes a wiper arm base located behind the mirror assembly extending over the top of the mirror to attach to a resilient wiper arm having a wiper blade. The wiper arm base is attached to a threaded rod which, upon bi-directional rotation of the rod, causes the wiper arm base to laterally traverse across the mirror assembly, which in turn drives the wiper blade across the mirror. The adjusters are used to adjust the angular position of the mirror, or the entire mirror assembly, by utilizing spirally threaded rods which rotate bi-directionally to push or pull the mirror about certain pivot points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventors: Darrel L. Smith, Donnie Knight
  • Patent number: 5353466
    Abstract: A rearview mirror wiper system for use on a truck, bus, passenger car or similar vehicles. The basic system can be supplied as original equipment on a vehicle or as a replacement for a wiperless original equipment rearview mirror. The wiper system fits in any number of aesthetically pleasing enclosures that are harmonious with the overall vehicle design. It is further characterized by a low profile vertically oriented armless wiper assembly that wipes from side to side, an electric power control that regularly reverses polarity, and an assembly of pulleys and a cable that imparts motion to a wiper blade. At each end of the wiper blade's range of travel is a switch that cuts off electric power until the power control changes polarity. If two rearview mirror wipers are installed on one vehicle, a common power control assures the left and right wiper motions are synchronized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventors: Darrel L. Smith, Donnie Knight
  • Patent number: 5179758
    Abstract: A rear view mirror wiper accessory to be removably attached to the rear view mirror of a truck, bus, or similar vehicle, characterized by: a low profile vertically oriented armless wiper assembly that wipes from side to side, an electric power control that regularly reverses polarity and can be located in the truck's cab or otherwise away from the accessory, and an assembly of pulleys and a cable that imparts motion to a wiper blade. At each end of the wiper blade's range of travel is a switch that cuts off electric power until the power control changes polarity. The wiper accessory has means to hold it in place during installation and removal so it can be moved from vehicle to vehicle without requiring readjustment of the vehicles' rear view mirror(s). A low cost bidirectional motor and gear train make the accessory economical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Inventors: Darrel L. Smith, Donnie Knight