Patents by Inventor David J. Cammenga

David J. Cammenga 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: 8638488
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L Tonar, David J Cammenga, John S Anderson, David L Poll, George A Neuman, Joel A Stray, Bradley L Busscher, Kenton J Ypma
  • Patent number: 8614845
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L Tonar, David J Cammenga, John S Anderson, David L Poll, George A Neuman, Joel A Stray, Bradley L Busscher, Kenton J Ypma
  • Patent number: 8614846
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L Tonar, David J Cammenga, John S Anderson, David L Poll, George A Neuman, Joel A Stray, Bradley L Busscher, Kenton J Ypma
  • Patent number: 8614847
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L Tonar, David J Cammenga, John S Anderson, David L Poll, George A Neuman, Joel A Stray, Bradley L Busscher, Kenton J Ypma
  • Patent number: 8550675
    Abstract: An outside mirror lighting assembly (100) and method includes a housing (108) and a first glass panel (101) where one or more light-emitting devices (107) are positioned at an edge of the first glass panel (101). Light rays from the at least one light-emitting device (107) propagate within the glass panel for illuminating its outer periphery. Words, logos, or other indicia (125) may be also be illuminated by direct or indirect light emitted into an etched area of the glass. The mirror assembly supplies a soft illuminated glow around the outer periphery and/or the indicia for providing a unique and pleasing appearance to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Edmund Fehn, David J. Cammenga, Richard T. Fish, Jr., Darin D. Tuttle, Mark A. Snyder
  • Patent number: 8547622
    Abstract: Electro-optic elements are becoming commonplace in a number of vehicular and architectural applications. Various electro-optic element configurations provide variable transmittance and or variable reflectance for windows and mirrors. The present invention relates to various thin-film coatings, electro-optic elements and assemblies incorporating these elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, George A. Neuman, Gary J. Dozeman, David J. Cammenga, Henry A. Luten, G. Bruce Poe, Nelson F. Brummel, Lansen M. Perron
  • Patent number: 8547624
    Abstract: An electrical control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of variable transmittance windows. The electrical control system comprises a master control circuit and user input circuits for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for the variable transmission windows, and a plurality of slave window control circuits coupled to the master control circuit, user input circuits and the variable transmittance windows. Each slave window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from the master control circuit and/or user input circuits. Also disclosed are novel methods for the manufacture of an electrochromic device used in variable transmittance windows. Novel structural features for improving heat transfer away from the windows, shielding the window from external loads, and improving the electrical performance of the windows are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ash, Bradley L. Busscher, Robert R. Turnbull, George A. Neuman, David J. Cammenga, David A. Theiste
  • Patent number: 8503060
    Abstract: A vehicular mirror assembly (100) includes a first bezel (107) for housing an electrochromic (EC) glass element and a second bezel (109) for housing a spotter glass (111) element. A spotter glass heating element (113) is positioned behind the spotter glass element (111) for heating the spotter glass (111) above an ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Thomas, David J. Cammenga, Mark A. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20130194650
    Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a housing. A carrier is operably connected with the housing and supports a display. A circuit board is disposed in the housing. A sensing system is disposed proximate the display and is connected with the circuit board. A switching assembly is operably connected with the circuit board. Actuation of the switching assembly when the sensing system has been activated enables a function of the rearview assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark R. Roth, Mark D. Bugno, Danny L. Minikey, JR., David J. Cammenga, William L. Tonar, Joel A. Stray, Sandra Lynn Suman
  • Publication number: 20130170013
    Abstract: A vehicular rearview assembly that has a rounded outer perimeter edge to satisfy safety standards and contains an EC element having a complex peripheral ring, a front surface that is fully observable from the front of the assembly, and a user interface with switches and sensors that activate and configure, in cooperation with electronic circuitry of the assembly, pre-defined function(s) or device(s) of the assembly in response to the user input applied to the user interface. A complex peripheral ring may include multiple bands the structures of which is adapted to provide for specified optical characteristics of light, reflected off of the ring. Electrical communications between the electronic circuitry, the mirror element, and the user interface utilize connectors configured to exert a low contact force, onto the mirror element, limited in part by the strength of adhesive affixing the EC element to an element of the housing of the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, Mark D. Bugno, Mark R. Roth, David J. Cammenga, Danny L. Minikey, JR., Joel A. Stray, George A. Neuman
  • Publication number: 20130003405
    Abstract: An outside mirror lighting assembly (100) and method includes a housing (108) and a first glass panel (101) where one or more light emitting devices (107) are positioned at an edge of the first glass panel (101). Light rays from the at least one light emitting device (107) propagate within the glass panel for illumining its outer periphery. Words, logos, or other indicia (125) may be also be illuminated by direct or indirect light emitted into an etched area of the glass. The mirror assembly supplies a soft illuminated glow around the outer periphery and/or the indicia for proving a unique and pleasing appearance to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Edmund Fehn, David J. Cammenga, Richard T. Fish, JR., Darin D. Tuttle, Mark A. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20120327234
    Abstract: An imager module for a vehicle includes a support having a first side and a second side. A shroud is operably coupled with the first side. The support and the shroud define a cavity. A viewing aperture is disposed in one of the support and the shroud. An imager system is disposed in the cavity. An electrical connector is configured to provide communication with the imager system. The electrical connector is disposed outside the cavity in abutting contact with the second side of the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Richard T. Fish, JR., Peter N. Rizk, Danny L. Minikey, JR., Mark R. Roth, Frederick T. Bauer, Christian M. Kemperman, Danny L. Suman, Sandra Lynn Suman, Andrew J. LeVesque, David J. Cammenga, Michael F. Lisowski
  • Patent number: 8339526
    Abstract: An inventive rearview assembly for a vehicle may comprise a mirror element and a display including a light management subassembly. The subassembly may comprise an LCD placed behind a transflective layer of the mirror element. Despite a low transmittance through the transflective layer, the inventive display is capable of generating a viewable display image having an intensity of at least 250 cd/m2 and up to 3500 cd/m2. The display includes a novel backlighting subassembly and novel optical components including a magnifying system, a depolarizer, a reflector, and a reflective polarizer. The display may be configured to display an image having edges contoured to correspond to the edges of the mirror element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Mark W. Newton, Ethan J. Lee, William L. Tonar, Darin D. Tuttle, David J. Cammenga, John S. Anderson, John B. Ostreko, Christian M. Kemperman, David A. Blaker
  • Publication number: 20120268961
    Abstract: A rearview assembly having a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle. A housing is operably connected with the mounting structure and a rearward viewing device is supported by one of the housing and the mounting structure. The rearward viewing device provides a rearward view to a vehicle driver and includes a front substrate and a rear substrate. The entire front surface of the front substrate is exposed and the entire rear substrate is positioned behind the front substrate. A concealing layer is disposed about a periphery of the rearward viewing device between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A partially optically transparent bezel is disposed adjacent to both the rearward viewing device and the housing, the optically transparent bezel having an edge radius greater than 2.5 mm and the optically transparent bezel being substantially flush with the front surface of the front substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Danny L. Minikey, JR., Mark R. Roth, William L. Tonar, Jeremy A. Fogg, Michael F. Lisowski, Peter N. Rizk
  • Patent number: 8287164
    Abstract: An outside mirror lighting assembly (100) and method includes a housing (108) and a first glass panel (101) where one or more light emitting devices (107) are positioned at an edge of the first glass panel (101). Light rays from the at least one light emitting device (107) propagate within the glass panel for illumining its outer periphery. Words, logos, or other indicia (125) may be also be illuminated by direct or indirect light emitted into an etched area of the glass. The mirror assembly supplies a soft illuminated glow around the outer periphery and/or the indicia for proving a unique and pleasing appearance to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Edmund Fehn, David J. Cammenga, Richard T. Fish, Jr., Darin D. Tuttle, Mark A. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20120243093
    Abstract: A vibratory assembly having a housing. A transducer is operably coupled with the housing and has a substantially cylindrical shape. An isolator is at least partially disposed between the housing and the transducer. A lens cover is operably coupled with the transducer. A power source includes contacts operably coupled with the transducer. The power source supplies power to the transducer at various frequencies swept around a resonance harmonic to account for mass changes resulting from debris accumulation on the lens cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, Henry A. Luten, Danny L. Suman, Sandra Lynn Suman, George A. Neuman, David J. Cammenga, Luke W. Koops, Danny L. Minikey, JR., Kristopher R. Green, Timothy L. Pawlowski
  • Publication number: 20120229882
    Abstract: A vehicular rearview assembly with a mirror element having a curved or rounded edge on the first surface that is fully observable from the front of the assembly, a complex peripheral ring, and a user interface with switches and sensors that activate and configure pre-defined function(s) or device(s) of the assembly in response to the user input applied to the user interface. The mirror element is supported by a hybrid carrier co-molded of at least two materials, a portion of which is compressible between the housing shell and an edge of the mirror element. The peripheral ring may include multiple bands. Electrical communications between the electronic circuitry, the mirror element, and the user interface utilize connectors configured to exert a low contact force, onto the mirror element, limited in part by the strength of adhesive affixing the EC element to an element of the housing of the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard T. Fish, JR., Danny L. Minikey, JR., Mark R. Roth, David J. Cammenga, George A. Neuman, William L. Tonar, Gary J. Dozeman, Joel A. Stray
  • Patent number: 8264761
    Abstract: A mirror element comprising a front element, a rear element, electrochromic material therebetween, and a spotter optic located at the rear surface of the front element. At least a portion of the spotter optic has a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the front surface of the front element has a greater second radius of curvature. A line perpendicular to the front surface extends through both the electrochromic material and the spotter optic. A first electrode coating and a second electrode coating are activated to activate the electrochromic material in order to dim a reflection off of the mirror element. A reflective coating of the spotter optic can form a portion of the first electrode coating. The first electrode coating and the reflective coating can overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Brian J. Steenwyk, Michael L. McLarty, Randall S. Braun
  • Publication number: 20120218618
    Abstract: Electro-optic elements are becoming commonplace in a number of vehicular and architectural applications. Various electro-optic element configurations provide variable transmittance and or variable reflectance for windows and mirrors. The present invention relates to various thin-film coatings, electro-optic elements and assemblies incorporating these elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, George A. Neuman, Gary J. Dozeman, David J. Cammenga, Henry A. Luten, G. Bruce Poe, Nelson F. Brummel, Lansen M. Perron
  • Patent number: 8169681
    Abstract: Electro-optic elements are becoming commonplace in a number of vehicular and architectural applications. Various electro-optic element configurations provide variable transmittance and or variable reflectance for windows and mirrors. The present invention relates to various thin-film coatings, electro-optic elements and assemblies incorporating these elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, George A. Neuman, Gary J. Dozeman, David J. Cammenga, Henry A. Luten, G. Bruce Poe, Nelson F. Brummel, Lansen M. Perron