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).
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Publication number: 20230302996Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Danny L. Minikey, JR., Steven J. Veenman, Eric S. Sloterbeek, Nigel T. Lock, Michael G. Hendricks, Eric S. Lundy
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Publication number: 20230302997Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Danny L. Minikey, JR., Steven J. Veenman, Eric S. Sloterbeek, Nigel T. Lock, Michael G. Hendricks, Eric S. Lundy
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Patent number: 11546492Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 7, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventor: Michael G. Hendricks
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Publication number: 20220201175Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventor: Michael G. Hendricks
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Patent number: 11338735Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Christopher B. Case
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Publication number: 20220024421Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Eric S. Lundy, Michael G. Hendricks
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Publication number: 20210206329Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Bradley R. Hamlin, Michael G. Hendricks, Drew D. Brennan, David M. Falb, Leah R. Hoffmeyer, Thomas E. Humbert
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Publication number: 20210129753Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Danny L. Minikey, JR., Christopher B. Case
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Patent number: 10694153Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventor: Michael G. Hendricks
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Patent number: 10313571Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Michael G. Hendricks
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Patent number: 10250784Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Michael G. Hendricks
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Patent number: 10134213Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 9, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventor: Michael G. Hendricks
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Patent number: 10129445Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Michael G. Hendricks, Kevin A. Schueler, Peter T. Kantola
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Publication number: 20180091714Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Ulrich A. Kuester
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Publication number: 20180091779Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventor: Michael G. Hendricks
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Publication number: 20170272633Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Danny L. Minikey, JR., Michael G. Hendricks
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Publication number: 20170272624Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Applicant: Gentex CorporationInventors: Danny L. Minikey, JR., Michael G. Hendricks
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Patent number: D862267Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Christopher B. Case, James E. Marsh, Gregory A. Herrema, Paul K. Postma, Douglas J. Newhouse
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Patent number: D924762Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Bradley R. Hamlin, Michael G. Hendricks
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Patent number: D1020510Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATIONInventors: Michael G. Hendricks, Christopher B. Case, James E. Marsh, Gregory A. Herrema, Paul K. Postma, Douglas J. Newhouse