Patents by Inventor Frank D. Hutchinson

Frank D. Hutchinson 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: 5307211
    Abstract: A mirror surface for mounting onto an exterior front fender of a vehicle. The mirror surface is a portion of a convex surface ellipsoid with a plurality of radii of curvature. The mirror provides the driver of the vehicle with a field-of-view that is greater than the reflection angle about the vertical axis. The reflective surface has a generally convex shape throughout. The reflective surface a viewing center point that is in general alignment to the geometric center of the reflective surface. The reflective surface is generally symmetrical about a vertical plane passing through the viewing center point and about a horizontal plane passing through the viewing center point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventors: William P. Schmidt, Frank D. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 4991814
    Abstract: The invention involves a new mirror assembly for large vehicles that enables a mirror to be mounted upward from the vehicle in a first orientation providing a field of view adjacent to the vehicle, and readily adjusted into a second orientation wherein the mirror is outward from the vehicle providing a field of view for behind the vehicle. The assembly includes a rear-view mirror assembly comprising a mirror, a mirror housing, a bracket for mounting the assembly to a vehicle, and a linkage connecting the bracket to the housing. The linkage can be easily rotated relative to the bracket. The mirror housing can be readily disengaged from and reengaged to the linkage thereby enabling a reorientation of the assembly relative to the vehicle. By so doing, an oblong mirror can be mounted to the vehicle in one orientation for driving, disengaged and reengaged in a second orientation for rearward movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Inventors: William P. Schmidt, Frank D. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 4938578
    Abstract: A mirror assembly for mounting onto an exterior front surface of a vehicle, preferably one on each opposed front fender of the vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a mirror having a reflective surface, the surface having a generally convex geometry, and being in the shape of an ellipsoid. The reflective surface provides the driver with a field of view along the vertical axis is in the range of 180.degree. to 220.degree.. The top portion of the reflective surface has a first plane of truncation which passes through the approximate center of the reflective surface. The rear portion of the reflective surface has a second plane of truncation which removes at least the rear half of the surface. This second plane is essentially normal to the first plane of truncation. The reflective surface is mounted with a slight upward tilt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Mirror Lite Company
    Inventors: William P. Schmidt, Frank D. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 4890909
    Abstract: A mirror mounting apparatus for having two separate mounting assemblies. The first mounting assembly mounts directly to the vehicle. The second mounting assembly with attached mirrors mounts on the first mounting assembly. A clamping bracket or brackets having to separate pieces is insertable in one or more slots of the second assembly to clamp the first and second assemblies together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventors: William P. Schmidt, Frank D. Hutchinson, Kirk Malcomson
  • Patent number: 4830326
    Abstract: A dual outside mirror assembly for mounting dual mirrors on a vehicle door having a window includes a two part tubular frame in which an upper tubular frame member may be rotated about a vertical axis relative to a lower tubular frame member whose lower end in turn is mounted for rotative adjustment relative the vehicle door about the same vertical axis. The upper frame member is mounted on the vehicle door above the window for rotative adjustment about a horizontal axis to enable the frame to be conformed to doors of various configurations. The tubular frame includes a vertically extending offset section upon which two mirrors are mounted one above the other for rotative adjustment relative to the tubular frame about at least one vertical axis and independently about individual horizontal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Mirror Lite Company
    Inventors: William P. Schmidt, Frank D. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 4804257
    Abstract: A vibration damping apparatus for mirrors mounted on a movable vehicle. The apparatus includes an elongated bar having outwardly extending, perpendicular, parallel spaced legs. The legs are fastenably secured within an attachment bracket secured or integrally formed on the back surface of each mirror member. The mirrors may be pivoted about the longitudinal axis of each leg of the bar. Connectors are provided for connecting portions of the post of the bar, adjacent to each leg member, to the vehicle. This may be directly to the vehicle or attachment to a post attached directly by itself to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Inventors: William B. Schmidt, Frank D. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: D338826
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventors: William P. Schmidt, Frank D. Hutchinson