Patents by Inventor Kenton J. Ypma

Kenton J. Ypma 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: 20110317242
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: 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: 8004741
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    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
  • Publication number: 20100246017
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: 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: 7746535
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly comprising a rear housing section with wiring connected to a first electrical connection device and a circuit board with a second electrical connection device, with first electrical connection device and the second electrical connection device being configured to automatically mate when the circuit board and the rear housing section are moved relatively towards each other. The rearview mirror assembly can also include a circuit board with a third electrical connection device and a reflective element with a fourth electrical connection device, with third electrical connection device and the fourth electrical connection device being configured to automatically mate when the circuit board and the reflective element are moved relatively towards each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Julie A. Kelley, Andrew J. LeVesque, Kenton J. Ypma, Kristi L. Hooper, William R. Spence, John B. Ostreko, Peter Wm. VanderWel
  • Patent number: 7719750
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    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
  • Publication number: 20090303566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: 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: 7602542
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    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: 7570413
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    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: 7488083
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved vehicular rearview assemblies and components for incorporation into rearview assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Steven G. Hoek, Kenton J. Ypma, Jeremy A. Fogg
  • Patent number: 7477439
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    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: 7470049
    Abstract: An apparatus including at least one LED mounted to a printed circuit board, a reflector including at least one heat stake, and a mounting plate comprising at least one aperture for receiving the at least one heat stake. The at least one LED is positioned between the reflector and the mounting plate such that the at least one LED is held in position when the at least one heat stake is received within the at least one aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Walser, Kenton J. Ypma, Daniel J. Bostwick, John K. Roberts, Robert Steel, Steven J. Miskelley, Darin D. Tuttle
  • Publication number: 20080310006
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly comprising a rear housing section with wiring connected to a first electrical connection device and a circuit board with a second electrical connection device, with first electrical connection device and the second electrical connection device being configured to automatically mate when the circuit board and the rear housing section are moved relatively towards each other. The rearview mirror assembly can also include a circuit board with a third electrical connection device and a reflective element with a fourth electrical connection device, with third electrical connection device and the fourth electrical connection device being configured to automatically mate when the circuit board and the reflective element are moved relatively towards each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Julie A. Kelley, Andrew J. LeVesque, Kenton J. Ypma, Kristi L. Hooper, William R. Spence, John B. Ostreko, Peter Wm. VanderWel
  • Publication number: 20080291523
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    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
  • Publication number: 20080278793
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    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: 7408694
    Abstract: A mirror assembly includes a housing, an angularly adjustable power pack, wires for supplying power and mirror angle control, an electrochromic mirror subassembly including a heater, and a turn signal device. The components include individual connectors that plug into a multi-prong connector on the bundle of wires, or that piggyback into each other. Optionally, the heater incorporates an internal wire with end connectors for communicating power to opposite sides of the heater, and also includes layers of light-transmitting/diffusing material for diffusing light passing from the turn signal device through the diffusing material. A printed circuit board fits into a pocket in the panel-shaped carrier, and an integral retainer releasably secures the printed circuit board. The power pack is attached to the carrier via a ring of resilient fingers, and a continuous hoop flange prevents distortion of the carrier and in turn of the glass elements in the mirror subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley L. Busscher, Bradley L. Northman, Kenton J. Ypma, Randall J. Beute, John K. Roberts, Wayne M. Jordan, Edward L. DeNave, Daniel J. Bostwick, Randall S. Braun, Gregory A. Bosch, Timothy A. Bonardi
  • Patent number: 7404655
    Abstract: Rearview assemblies for a vehicle are provided. The rearview assembly includes a housing coupled to a mounting structure that is configured to be mounted in a vehicle. The housing includes a rearward viewing means, and also includes a lamp subassembly. The lamp subassembly includes a single white LED device mounted to a substrate, and also includes an optical assembly with secondary optics for reflecting and refracting light emitted from the LED such that the emitted light forms two separate pools of light external to the rearview assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the lamp subassembly is included in a mounting structure for a vehicle rearview assembly. In still another embodiment, a vehicle optical accessory is provided, in which the vehicle optical accessory has one LED that provides two separate pools of light external to the vehicle optical accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Walser, Kenton J. Ypma, Mark W. Newton, John W. Carter
  • Patent number: 7379225
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    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: 7372611
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    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: 7370982
    Abstract: Environmentally improved rearview mirror assemblies are provided which incorporate a reflective element with variable reflectance. In one embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of cadmium (Cd). In another embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of lead (Pb). In yet another embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of mercury (Hg). In a further embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC). In yet a further embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of halogen producing chemicals such as bromine (Br).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick T. Bauer, 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: D556106
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Carter, Kenton J. Ypma