Patents by Inventor Don S. Rawlings

Don S. Rawlings 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: 8173936
    Abstract: A reflective element assembly is associated with at least two functional elements, each functional element including at least one functional element electrical contact. The reflective element assembly has a reflective element and reflective element carrier. A power distributor is disposed between the reflective element and the carrier, and includes an integrated heater and power distribution element, a support member having a reverse face and an obverse face, an array of electrically-conductive tracings, and a plurality of discrete electrical contacts points for electrical coupling of the array with the at least two functional elements. At least one of the plurality of discrete electrical contacts points is adapted for electrical communication with at least one functional element electrical contact point of a first functional element, and at least one functional element electrical contact point of a second functional element. The power distributor has a singular module connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Don S. Rawlings
  • Publication number: 20110120983
    Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a vehicle exterior rearview mirror system comprises a reflective element having a reverse face and an obverse face, and a reflective element carrier. A power distributor disposed between the reflective element and reflective element carrier includes an integrated heater/power supply, a support member having a reverse face and an obverse face, an array of electrically-conductive tracings, and a plurality of discrete contact points for electrical coupling of the array with at least two functional elements. At least one of the plurality of discrete contact points is adapted for electrical communication with at least one functional contact point of a first functional element. At least one of the plurality of discrete contact points is adapted for electrical communication with at least one functional contact point of a second functional element. The power distributor comprises a singular module connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Magna Donnelly Mirrors North America LLC
    Inventor: Don S. Rawlings
  • Patent number: 7858905
    Abstract: A vehicular mirror system includes an exterior mirror assembly having a reflective element for providing a rearward view to an occupant of a vehicle and a power distributor for distributing power from a single electrical power connector to a plurality of functional elements associated with the reflective element. The power distributor has a plurality of electrical leads corresponding to each functional element of the plurality of functional elements; the plurality of functional elements includes at least two functional elements selected from the group consisting of a dimming device, a heater, and a turn signal. The power distributor has at least one power lead for operative connection of the power distributor to an onboard power supply of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Don S. Rawlings
  • Patent number: 7448589
    Abstract: A plurality of snap-fit fasteners is used to assemble a vehicular mirror assembly, such as attaching a tilt actuator to a mounting frame or the mounting frame to a mirror housing. The fasteners comprise a resilient mounting post having a bulb portion and an adjoining undercut or neck portion with a bore extending coaxially therethrough which is received in a mating aperture in a snap fit communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex E. Blakeman, Don S. Rawlings
  • Patent number: 7244912
    Abstract: A vehicular mirror system includes an exterior mirror assembly having a reflective element for providing a rearward view to an occupant of a vehicle and a power distributor for distributing power from a single electrical power connector to a plurality of functional elements associated with the reflective element. The power distributor has a plurality of electrical leads corresponding to each functional element of the plurality of functional elements; the plurality of functional elements includes at least two functional elements selected from the group consisting of a dimming device, a heater and a turn signal. The power distributor has at least one power lead for operative connection of the power distributor to an onboard power supply of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Donnelly Mirrors North America, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Don S. Rawlings