Patents by Inventor Keith D. Foote
Keith D. Foote 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).
-
Publication number: 20190031106Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror reflector and a mirror back plate disposed at the rear side of the mirror reflective element. A heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate and has a light transmitting portion that is aligned with an aperture of the mirror back plate. A blind spot indicator module includes a body portion and a connector portion extending laterally from the body portion. Light emitted by at least one light emitting diode passes through the light transmitting portion of the heater pad and through a light-transmitting portion of the mirror reflector and exits the mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle who is driving the vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
-
Patent number: 10175477Abstract: A display system of a vehicle includes a windshield of a vehicle, an interior rearview mirror assembly, an assembly disposed at an upper region of the windshield, and a display device disposed at the assembly. The upper region of the windshield includes a display region. The display device is operable to project a mirror image of display information towards and onto the display region of the windshield for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The display information is viewable at the display region of the windshield and is viewable and discernible by the driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2013Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Keith D. Foote, Richard R. Hook, Eric S. Deuel, Niall R. Lynam
-
Patent number: 10099618Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for mounting at an exterior portion of a vehicle includes a mounting arm, a mirror head attached at the mounting arm, an attaching element attached at a mirror reflective element, a shroud and a mirror actuator. The mounting arm is configured for attachment at an exterior portion of the vehicle. The shroud extends from the attaching element and is partially received in the mirror head. The mirror actuator is operable to adjust the attaching element and the mirror reflective element relative to the mirror head. The mirror reflective element is disposed outside of the mirror head and the shroud spans a gap between the mirror reflective element and the mirror head to substantially encase the attaching element.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Darryl P. De Wind
-
Patent number: 10086765Abstract: A method for manufacturing a blind spot indicator module for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes providing a housing, a rear cover and a circuit board. The circuit board is disposed at the housing and the rear cover is attached to a rear end of the housing to encase the circuit board, whereby electrical terminals extending from the circuit board are disposed between a first connector portion of the housing and a second connector portion of the rear cover, thereby forming an electrical connector configured for connection to another electrical connector for electrically connecting circuitry of the circuit board at least to electrical power when the blind spot indicator module is used by an exterior rearview mirror assembly that is attached to a vehicle. The circuitry includes a light emitting diode that emits light when electrically powered, and a diffuser element diffuses light emitted by the light emitting diode.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
-
Publication number: 20180257571Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for mounting at an exterior portion of a vehicle includes a mounting arm configured for attachment at the vehicle, a mirror head disposed at an end of the mounting arm and movable relative to the mounting arm, and an electrically operated actuator operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm. The mirror head includes a mirror reflective element that, when the actuator is electrically operated, moves in tandem with the mirror head. The actuator, with the mounting arm attached at the exterior portion of the vehicle, and when the actuator is electrically operated, moves the mirror head relative to the mounting arm to vertically and horizontally adjust a rearward field of view of a driver of the vehicle who is viewing the mirror reflective element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Eric S. Deuel, Justin E. Sobecki, Joseph R. Mambourg, Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
-
Publication number: 20180201190Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a mirror and display module and a camera. The module includes an exterior mirror assembly, a display screen and a central mounting portion. The central mounting portion is disposed between and rigidly connects the exterior mirror assembly and the display screen. With the module mounted at the vehicle door, the central mounting portion spans a width of the vehicle door such that (i) the exterior mirror assembly is at an exterior portion of the vehicle door, (ii) the display screen is at an interior portion of the vehicle door, and (iii) the central mounting portion is disposed between the interior portion and exterior portion of the vehicle door. With the module mounted at the vehicle door and with the camera disposed at the vehicle, the video display screen is operable to display video images derived from image data captured by the camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: David P. O'Connell, Kenneth C. Peterson, Keith D. Foote
-
Patent number: 9969334Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for mounting at an exterior portion of a vehicle includes a mounting arm configured for attachment at the vehicle, a mirror head disposed at an outboard end of the mounting arm and movable relative to the mounting arm, and an actuator operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a frameless mirror reflective element fixedly attached at the mirror casing, with no part of the mirror casing disposed over the front surface of the mirror reflective element. The actuator is operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm to vertically and horizontally adjust a rearward field of view of the driver of the vehicle who is viewing the mirror reflective element with the exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Eric S. Deuel, Justin E. Sobecki, Joseph R. Mambourg, Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
-
Publication number: 20180086272Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for mounting at an exterior portion of a vehicle includes a mounting arm configured for attachment at the vehicle, a mirror head disposed at an outboard end of the mounting arm and movable relative to the mounting arm, and an actuator operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a frameless mirror reflective element fixedly attached at the mirror casing, with no part of the mirror casing disposed over the front surface of the mirror reflective element. The actuator is operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting arm to vertically and horizontally adjust a rearward field of view of the driver of the vehicle who is viewing the mirror reflective element with the exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Eric S. Deuel, Justin E. Sobecki, Joseph R. Mambourg, Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
-
Publication number: 20180065542Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly includes a strap-handle portion pivotally movable to open a vehicle door, a circuit element, a light emitting diode, a light pipe, and an elongated light-transmitting cover. The light emitting diode is disposed proximate an end region of the strap-handle portion and proximate an end region of the light pipe. The strap-handle portion includes structure configured to receive the light emitting diode and the circuit element thereat. The light-transmitting cover is attached to the strap-handle portion and covers the light pipe. The strap-handle portion includes a user input that is actuatable by a person to lock or unlock the vehicle door. When the light emitting diode is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes along the light pipe and passes through the light-transmitting cover so as to be viewable by a person viewing the door handle assembly from outside of the vehicle door.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
-
Patent number: 9827913Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a non-movable portion, a movable portion and a mirror head. The non-movable portion is configured for attachment at an exterior portion of a vehicle and the movable portion is movable relative to the non-movable portion. The mirror head is movable relative to the movable portion, and a mirror reflective element is fixedly attached at the mirror head. A first actuator is operable to move the movable portion relative to the non-movable portion about a first axis and a second actuator is operable to move the mirror head relative to the movable portion about a second axis. The first and second actuators are cooperatively operable to move the movable portion about the first axis and to move the mirror head about the second axis, and the mirror reflective element moves in tandem with movement of the mirror head.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Eric S. Deuel, Justin E. Sobecki, Joseph R. Mambourg, Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
-
Publication number: 20170327045Abstract: A method for manufacturing a blind spot indicator module for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes providing a housing, a rear cover and a circuit board. The circuit board is disposed at the housing and the rear cover is attached to a rear end of the housing to encase the circuit board, whereby electrical terminals extending from the circuit board are disposed between a first connector portion of the housing and a second connector portion of the rear cover, thereby forming an electrical connector configured for connection to another electrical connector for electrically connecting circuitry of the circuit board at least to electrical power when the blind spot indicator module is used by an exterior rearview mirror assembly that is attached to a vehicle. The circuitry includes a light emitting diode that emits light when electrically powered, and a diffuser element diffuses light emitted by the light emitting diode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
-
Patent number: 9776556Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly for a vehicle door includes a strap-handle portion pivotally movable to open the vehicle door. A self-contained elongated module includes (i) an elongated housing, (ii) an elongated light-transmitting cover and (iii) a light pipe. The strap-handle portion receives the self-contained elongated module. At least one light emitting diode is disposed proximate an end region of the strap-handle portion. With the door handle assembly mounted at a vehicle door and when the light emitting diode is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes along the light pipe and through the elongated light-transmitting cover so as to be viewable by a person viewing the exterior door handle assembly from outside of the vehicle door.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2017Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATIONInventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
-
Patent number: 9713986Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate disposed at a rear side of a glass substrate of the reflective element. The back plate includes a mirror actuator attaching portion that is established at a first side by a plastic injection molding operation. The mirror actuator attaching portion includes structure for attaching the back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly. A heater pad is disposed between the rear side of the glass substrate and the second side of the back plate. When the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing the mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at the side of the vehicle, light emitted by an indicator passes exits the heater pad and the reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
-
Publication number: 20170190281Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly for a vehicle door includes a strap-handle portion pivotally movable to open the vehicle door. A self-contained elongated module includes (i) an elongated housing, (ii) an elongated light-transmitting cover and (iii) a light pipe. The strap-handle portion receives the self-contained elongated module. At least one light emitting diode is disposed proximate an end region of the strap-handle portion. With the door handle assembly mounted at a vehicle door and when the light emitting diode is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes along the light pipe and through the elongated light-transmitting cover so as to be viewable by a person viewing the exterior door handle assembly from outside of the vehicle door.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
-
Publication number: 20170166130Abstract: A camera monitoring system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly with a video display screen disposed behind the interior mirror reflective element. The video display screen is operable to display video images derived at least in part from image data captured by at least one video camera of a plurality of video cameras of the equipped vehicle. Image data captured by at least a driver-side viewing video camera and a passenger-side viewing video camera is provided to an image processor and is processed by the image processor to detect vehicles present exterior of the equipped vehicle. Responsive at least in part to detection of another vehicle, video images derived at least in part from image data captured by the driver-side viewing video camera, a rear viewing video camera and/or the passenger-side viewing video camera are displayed by the video display screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2017Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Kevin P. Benthem, Niall R. Lynam
-
Publication number: 20170167169Abstract: A system for extending and retracting a handle of a door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a door handle assembly, a control operable to control operation of a motor of an electrically operable actuator of the handle assembly, and a sensing system operable to detect an authorized user. The sensing system, responsive to detecting an authorized user, determines a motion vector of the detected authorized user. The sensing system determines whether the motion vector is indicative of the detected authorized user approaching the door of the vehicle. Responsive to determination that the detected authorized user is approaching the door of the vehicle, the control unlocks the door handle assembly and controls operation of the motor to move a handle portion from a recessed position to a partially extended position so as to be graspable by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2017Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Keith D. Foote, Eric S. Deuel
-
Patent number: 9669764Abstract: A mirror reflective element for a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a glass substrate, an electrochromic film and a mirror reflector. The electrochromic film is provided as a pre-cut mirror shape film and is disposed at the glass substrate. The electrochromic film comprises an electrochromic polymer layer disposed between a front polymeric film and a rear polymeric film. The front polymeric film is disposed between the electrochromic polymer layer and the glass substrate and a transparent electrically conductive coating is disposed between the front polymeric film and the electrochromic polymer layer. An electrically conductive coating is disposed between the rear polymeric film and the electrochromic polymer layer. The polymeric films have respective overhang portions that extend outboard of any other portion of the electrochromic film at respective connecting regions for electrical connection to the electrically conductive coatings.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Gregory A. Huizen
-
Patent number: 9598003Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly suitable for mounting at a door handle region of a vehicle door includes a strap-handle portion and a sealed self-contained elongated lighting module having (i) at least one illumination source that, when electrically powered, emits light, (ii) an elongated housing and (iii) an elongated light-transmitting cover. The module may include an antenna and/or a light pipe. The strap-handle portion receives the sealed self-contained elongated lighting module. With the sealed self-contained elongated light module received in the strap-handle portion, the contour of the sealed self-contained elongated lighting module generally matches the contour of the strap-handle portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATIONInventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
-
Publication number: 20170072859Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate disposed at a rear side of a glass substrate of the reflective element. The back plate includes a mirror actuator attaching portion that is established at a first side by a plastic injection molding operation. The mirror actuator attaching portion includes structure for attaching the back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly. A heater pad is disposed between the rear side of the glass substrate and the second side of the back plate. When the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing the mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at the side of the vehicle, light emitted by an indicator passes exits the heater pad and the reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
-
Patent number: 9580942Abstract: A handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a base portion and a handle portion movable relative to the base portion between a recessed position and a partially extended position. When at the partially extended position, the handle portion is manually movable outward from the base portion to open the vehicle door. A control is operable to control operation of a motor of an actuator to move the handle portion between the recessed position and the partially extended position. The control moves the handle portion from the recessed position to the partially extended position responsive to a trigger. The actuator provides a manual override that allows the user to manually move the handle portion relative to the base portion. Responsive to determination of a lockout condition, the control limits movement of the handle portion from the recessed position towards the partially extended position irrespective of the trigger.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Justin E. Sobecki, Keith D. Foote, Eric S. Deuel