Patents by Inventor Michael G. Hendricks

Michael G. Hendricks 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: 20230302996
    Abstract: A full display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing and a partially reflective, partially transmissive element is located in the housing. A bezel assembly includes at least one localized region that is substantially opaque to a visible spectrum of light and substantially transmissive to an infrared spectrum of light. At least one illumination element is located in the housing and oriented to project infrared illumination through the at least one localized region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, JR., Steven J. Veenman, Eric S. Sloterbeek, Nigel T. Lock, Michael G. Hendricks, Eric S. Lundy
  • Publication number: 20230302997
    Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing and a partially reflective, partially transmissive element is located in the housing. A bezel assembly includes at least one localized region that is substantially opaque to a visible spectrum of light and substantially transmissive to an infrared spectrum of light. At least one illumination element is located in the housing and oriented to project infrared illumination through the at least one localized region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, JR., Steven J. Veenman, Eric S. Sloterbeek, Nigel T. Lock, Michael G. Hendricks, Eric S. Lundy
  • Patent number: 11546492
    Abstract: An imager assembly is disclosed. The imager assembly may have a camera sensor, a circuit board, an electrical contact assembly, and/or a lens assembly. The camera sensor may be operable to generate an image upon exposure to light. The electrical contact assembly may be electrically connected to the circuit board and operable to receive power therefrom. Additionally, the electrical contact assembly may comprise first and second spring contacts. The lens assembly may comprise a lens operable to gather and focus light onto the camera sensor. Further, the lens assembly may comprise a heating element. The heating element may be operable to heat the lens. Further, the heating element may comprise third and fourth contacts, where the third and fourth contacts may engage the first and second contacts, respectively. The engagement may be operable to transmit power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael G. Hendricks
  • Publication number: 20220201175
    Abstract: An imager assembly is disclosed. The imager assembly may have a camera sensor, a circuit board, an electrical contact assembly, and/or a lens assembly. The camera sensor may be operable to generate an image upon exposure to light. The electrical contact assembly may be electrically connected to the circuit board and operable to receive power therefrom. Additionally, the electrical contact assembly may comprise first and second spring contacts. The lens assembly may comprise a lens operable to gather and focus light onto the camera sensor. Further, the lens assembly may comprise a heating element. The heating element may be operable to heat the lens. Further, the heating element may comprise third and fourth contacts, where the third and fourth contacts may engage the first and second contacts, respectively. The engagement may be operable to transmit power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael G. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 11338735
    Abstract: An exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an arm having a proximal end coupled with a vehicle door and a distal end. A mirror assembly is coupled to the arm. The mirror assembly includes an electro-optic element. The mirror assembly is rotatable about the distal end between first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Christopher B. Case
  • Publication number: 20220024421
    Abstract: A system comprises an imager having a lens; a housing supporting the imager and defining an inlet opening; a moveable vent cover configured to move between a first position and a second position; and a channel defined by a portion of the housing, the moveable vent cover, and a diverter, the channel configured to selectively direct an incoming fluid from the inlet opening defined by the moveable vent cover in the open position and the housing toward the lens. The system may further comprise a lens cover supported by the housing; the lens cover disposed to at least partially cover the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric S. Lundy, Michael G. Hendricks
  • Publication number: 20210206329
    Abstract: An imaging and display system for a vehicle may comprise a first portable wireless vehicle imager mounted on a trailer and oriented to capture images from a first field of view having a vertical angle greater than the horizontal angle; a second portable wireless vehicle imager mounted one of the vehicle and the trailer and oriented to capture images from a second field of view having a vertical angle greater than the horizontal angle; an image processor for receiving and processing image data from the images captured by the first and the second portable wireless imagers and configured to generate a first supplementary image from a first portion of the first field of view, a second supplementary image from a second portion of the first field of view, and a first additional image from a first portion of the second field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bradley R. Hamlin, Michael G. Hendricks, Drew D. Brennan, David M. Falb, Leah R. Hoffmeyer, Thomas E. Humbert
  • Publication number: 20210129753
    Abstract: An exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an arm having a proximal end coupled with a vehicle door and a distal end. A mirror assembly is coupled to the arm. The mirror assembly includes an electro-optic element. The mirror assembly is rotatable about the distal end between first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Danny L. Minikey, JR., Christopher B. Case
  • Patent number: 10694153
    Abstract: An imager having a lens defining a viewing angle. A lens holder is operably coupled with the lens. A printed circuit board includes a flex connector. The flex connector is operably coupled with a wire harness that extends in a direction orthogonal to the viewing angle. A housing includes a cover and a base. An electromagnetic interference shield is disposed on a rear surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael G. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 10313571
    Abstract: An imager assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly comprises an optic lens forming a longitudinal axis extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The assembly further comprises an imager circuit in conductive connection with an imager connector. The imager connector is configured to communicatively connect the imager circuit to the vehicle. The assembly further comprises a lens holder configured to receive the proximal end portion of the optic lens and align the imager circuit with the optic lens. The conductive connection of the imager connector to the imager circuit is located between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Michael G. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 10250784
    Abstract: An imager assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly comprises an optic lens comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis extending there between. An imager circuit is in conductive connection with an imager connector. The imager connector is configured to communicatively connect the imager circuit to the vehicle. A lens holder of a conductive material forms a shielded cavity configured to receive the proximal end portion of the optic lens and the imager circuit. The lens holder is configured to align the imager with the longitudinal axis of the optic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Michael G. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 10134213
    Abstract: A remote garage door opener module for after-market assembly into a vehicle for transmitting signals to a garage door opener includes a bezel positionable against a headliner of the vehicle along an interior surface thereof in a position over a hole in the headliner. The module further includes a housing enclosing a power source and electronic circuitry for transmitting the signals. The housing extends away from a first side of the bezel and is positionable at least partially through the hole in the headliner. The module further includes a button exposed at a second side of the bezel and coupled to the electronic circuitry and a mounting element selectively engageable with the headliner adjacent the hole and coupled with one of the housing or the bezel for coupling the module with the headliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael G. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 10129445
    Abstract: A roof mounted module for a vehicle includes a base plate configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle roof. An outer housing operably coupled with the base plate. An inner housing proximate the outer housing, including an imager sealing portion defining a sealing plane. The inner housing defines an inner cavity. An imager module is disposed in the cavity and is in communication with a viewing aperture defined through the outer housing. An imager mounting feature is disposed between the imager module and the inner housing. The imager mounting feature applies a force acting in a direction normal to the sealing plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Michael G. Hendricks, Kevin A. Schueler, Peter T. Kantola
  • Publication number: 20180091714
    Abstract: An imager assembly for a vehicle includes a base plate. An imager is disposed above the base plate. A shroud is configured to engage a top portion of the base plate. The shroud includes a tapered profile with a narrow forward end and a widened rearward end. The widened rearward end defines an aperture that receives a lens cover in optical communication with the imager. An air scoop is disposed on a top portion of the shroud. The air scoop includes a forward mouth for receiving air and a rearward discharge that moves air across the lens cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Ulrich A. Kuester
  • Publication number: 20180091779
    Abstract: An imager having a lens defining a viewing angle. A lens holder is operably coupled with the lens. A printed circuit board includes a flex connector. The flex connector is operably coupled with a wire harness that extends in a direction orthogonal to the viewing angle. A housing includes a cover and a base. An electromagnetic interference shield is disposed on a rear surface of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventor: Michael G. Hendricks
  • Publication number: 20170272633
    Abstract: An imager assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly comprises an optic lens forming a longitudinal axis extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The assembly further comprises an imager circuit in conductive connection with an imager connector. The imager connector is configured to communicatively connect the imager circuit to the vehicle. The assembly further comprises a lens holder configured to receive the proximal end portion of the optic lens and align the imager circuit with the optic lens. The conductive connection of the imager connector to the imager circuit is located between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, JR., Michael G. Hendricks
  • Publication number: 20170272624
    Abstract: An imager assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly comprises an optic lens comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis extending there between. An imager circuit is in conductive connection with an imager connector. The imager connector is configured to communicatively connect the imager circuit to the vehicle. A lens holder of a conductive material forms a shielded cavity configured to receive the proximal end portion of the optic lens and the imager circuit. The lens holder is configured to align the imager with the longitudinal axis of the optic lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, JR., Michael G. Hendricks
  • Patent number: D862267
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Christopher B. Case, James E. Marsh, Gregory A. Herrema, Paul K. Postma, Douglas J. Newhouse
  • Patent number: D924762
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bradley R. Hamlin, Michael G. Hendricks
  • Patent number: D1020510
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Christopher B. Case, James E. Marsh, Gregory A. Herrema, Paul K. Postma, Douglas J. Newhouse