Patents by Inventor Mitchell J. Wesley

Mitchell J. Wesley 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: 11970112
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a powerfold actuator electrically operable to pivot a mirror head relative to a mounting base. The powerfold actuator includes a biasing element disposed between an upper housing and an upper end of a pivot tube and releasably retains the powerfold actuator in at least one detent state. The powerfold actuator includes (i) a lower detent disposed between the base portion and a lower housing, (ii) an output gear disposed between the lower housing and the upper housing and (iii) an upper detent disposed between the lower housing and the upper housing. When the powerfold actuator is in a primary detent state, the lower detent and the output gear are rotationally fixed relative to the pivot tube and the upper detent is axially movable along the pivot tube. When the mirror head is manually moved, a secondary detent state is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew V. Steffes, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11912204
    Abstract: A vehicular imaging system includes a camera device disposed at an exterior portion of a vehicle. The camera device includes a pivotable arm that accommodates a camera. The pivotable arm is pivotally mounted at a mounting base at the vehicle and is pivotable between at least a drive position and a folded position. An actuator includes a pivot post structure attached to the mounting base and an output gear disposed at the pivot post structure, the actuator operable to pivot the pivotable arm about the output gear. The actuator includes a primary detent that is engaged to maintain the pivotable arm at the drive position when the pivotable arm is pivoted to the drive position. The actuator includes a secondary detent that is disengaged when the pivotable arm is manually pivoted between the folded position and the drive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Anthony J. LaCross, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Publication number: 20230382303
    Abstract: A vehicular lighted exterior door handle system includes a lighted exterior door handle assembly and a light module disposed at the door handle assembly. The light module includes a circuit board having a plurality of illumination sources disposed thereat. Individual illumination sources of the plurality of illumination sources are electrically operable to emit light. When the individual illumination sources are electrically operated with the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, the light module emits light at least outboard away from the door of the equipped vehicle. With the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, the light module is operable to indicate a charge level of a battery of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley, Martin A. Hauff
  • Publication number: 20230355051
    Abstract: An extraction cleaner includes a suction nozzle having an inlet path and suction fan configured to provide suction. The inlet path brings liquid and air into the extraction cleaner. Suction fan has a fan entrance, a recovery tank is spaced from the fan entrance. A separator element configured to allow liquid to flow into the recovery tank, inhibit the flow of liquid out of the recovery tank, and inhibit liquid from reaching the fan entrance, or all three. The separator element may be a butterfly valve configured to selectively close the fan entrance. The separator element may be a funnel extending into the recovery tank to block liquid from leaving the recovery tank during inversion. The separator element may be a fan separator adjacent the suction fan, which directs liquid outward, away from the fan separator, within the extraction cleaner, such that liquid is moved away from the suction fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventor: Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Publication number: 20230256906
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head movably attached at a mounting base configured for mounting at a side of a vehicle. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element. An actuator is operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting base between at least an extended position and a folded position. The actuator includes a first detent interface that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the folded or extended position when the mirror head is moved via the actuator to that position. The actuator includes a second detent interface that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the folded or extended position when the mirror head is manually moved to that position. The second detent interface is not engaged while the actuator moves the mirror head between the folded position and the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Publication number: 20230256907
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head pivotally mounted at a mounting base configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle. The mirror head accommodates a reflective element. A powerfold actuator is operable to pivot the mirror head relative to the mounting base between at least an extended position and a folded position. The powerfold actuator includes a primary detent state that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the extended position when the mirror head is pivoted via the powerfold actuator to the extended position. When the mirror head is manually moved from the folded position to the extended position, the powerfold operator is in a secondary detent to maintain the mirror head at the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Publication number: 20230249619
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a powerfold actuator electrically operable to pivot a mirror head relative to a mounting base. The powerfold actuator includes a biasing element disposed between an upper housing and an upper end of a pivot tube and releasably retains the powerfold actuator in at least one detent state. The powerfold actuator includes (i) a lower detent disposed between the base portion and a lower housing, (ii) an output gear disposed between the lower housing and the upper housing and (iii) an upper detent disposed between the lower housing and the upper housing. When the powerfold actuator is in a primary detent state, the lower detent and the output gear are rotationally fixed relative to the pivot tube and the upper detent is axially movable along the pivot tube. When the mirror head is manually moved, a secondary detent state is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew V. Steffes, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11718233
    Abstract: A vehicular lighted exterior door handle system includes a lighted exterior door handle assembly and a light module disposed at the door handle assembly. The light module includes at least three illumination sources linearly arranged at a circuit board and individually operable to emit light. With the door handle assembly mounted at a door of a vehicle, the individual illumination sources are operated responsive to a user input that is actuatable by a driver of the vehicle to activate a turn signal indicator system of the vehicle. With the door handle assembly mounted at the door of the vehicle, and when the illumination sources are operated to emit light responsive to actuation of the user input, an operation sequence of the individual illumination sources is varied between at least a first operation sequence and a second operation sequence based at least in part on movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley, Martin A. Hauff
  • Publication number: 20230221019
    Abstract: An air purifier and air purifier accessory for inside air. The air purifier includes a housing and an air outlet. The air purifier accessory is disposed on the air outlet. The air purifier accessory includes a frame containing a filter media, the frame adapted to be mounted at least partially over the air outlet of the air purifier to filter air discharged from the air purifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Mitchell J. Wesley, Derek Smith, Habib Baydoun
  • Publication number: 20230191996
    Abstract: A vehicular lighted exterior door handle system includes a lighted exterior door handle assembly and a light module disposed at the door handle assembly. The light module includes at least three illumination sources linearly arranged at a circuit board and individually operable to emit light. With the door handle assembly mounted at a door of a vehicle, the individual illumination sources are operated responsive to a user input that is actuatable by a driver of the vehicle to activate a turn signal indicator system of the vehicle. With the door handle assembly mounted at the door of the vehicle, and when the illumination sources are operated to emit light responsive to actuation of the user input, an operation sequence of the individual illumination sources is varied between at least a first operation sequence and a second operation sequence based at least in part on movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley, Martin A. Hauff
  • Patent number: 11679711
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior lighting system includes a lighting module disposed at a side of a vehicle. The lighting module includes at least one light emitting diode. The lighting module is operable to emit light that is viewable by a person exterior the side of the vehicle who is viewing the side of the vehicle. The lighting module emits white light responsive to a signal from a remote device to provide ground illumination of a ground region at the side of the vehicle at which the lighting module is disposed, and the lighting module (i) emits a first color of light responsive to a door lock signal and (ii) emits a second color of light responsive to a door unlock signal. The first color of light is different than the second color of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mitchell J. Wesley, David A. Dingman, Justin E. Sobecki
  • Patent number: 11634076
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head movably attached at a mounting base configured for mounting at a side of a vehicle. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element. An actuator is operable to move the mirror head relative to the mounting base between at least an extended position and a folded position. The actuator includes a first detent interface that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the folded or extended position when the mirror head is moved via the actuator to that position. The actuator includes a second detent interface that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the folded or extended position when the mirror head is manually moved to that position. The second detent interface is not engaged while the actuator moves the mirror head between the folded position and the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11634077
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head pivotally mounted at a mounting arm configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle. The mirror head includes a reflective element. A powerfold actuator is operable to pivot the mirror head relative to the mounting arm between at least a folded position and a drive position. The powerfold actuator includes a primary detent that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the drive position when the mirror head is pivoted via the powerfold actuator to the drive position. The powerfold actuator includes a secondary detent. Following pivoting via the powerfold actuator of the mirror head to the folded position, when the mirror head is manually pivoted from the folded position to the drive position, the primary detent is disengaged and the secondary detent is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the drive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11628772
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a powerfold actuator electrically operable to pivot a mirror head relative to a mounting base. The actuator includes a biasing element disposed between an upper housing and an upper end of a pivot tube and releasably retains the powerfold actuator in at least one detent state. An upper detent is disposed radially outboard of the pivot tube and radially inboard of an output gear and a lower detent, and the upper detent includes a detent lip that engages an upper detent surface of the lower detent. When the actuator is in a primary detent state, a spring load path of the biasing element is through the output gear and lower detent to the base. When the actuator is in a secondary detent state, the spring load path is through the detent lip of the upper detent and lower detent to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew V. Steffes, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11554720
    Abstract: A vehicular lighted exterior door handle system includes a lighted exterior door handle assembly having a light module, which includes a circuit board and at least three linearly arranged illumination sources at the circuit board. When the illumination sources are actuated, light emitted by each of the illumination sources is emitted outboard away from the door of the equipped vehicle. With the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, and when the illumination sources are actuated with the door of the equipped vehicle unlocked, the light module emits light in a first pattern. With the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, and when the illumination sources are actuated with the door of the equipped vehicle locked, the light module emits light in a second pattern that is different from the first pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley, Martin A. Hauff
  • Publication number: 20220355736
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head pivotally mounted at a mounting arm configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle. The mirror head includes a reflective element. A powerfold actuator is operable to pivot the mirror head relative to the mounting arm between at least a folded position and a drive position. The powerfold actuator includes a primary detent that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the drive position when the mirror head is pivoted via the powerfold actuator to the drive position. The powerfold actuator includes a secondary detent. Following pivoting via the powerfold actuator of the mirror head to the folded position, when the mirror head is manually pivoted from the folded position to the drive position, the primary detent is disengaged and the secondary detent is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the drive position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Publication number: 20220258672
    Abstract: A vehicular imaging system includes a camera device disposed at an exterior portion of a vehicle. The camera device includes a pivotable arm that accommodates a camera. The pivotable arm is pivotally mounted at a mounting base at the vehicle and is pivotable between at least a drive position and a folded position. An actuator includes a pivot post structure attached to the mounting base and an output gear disposed at the pivot post structure, the actuator operable to pivot the pivotable arm about the output gear. The actuator includes a primary detent that is engaged to maintain the pivotable arm at the drive position when the pivotable arm is pivoted to the drive position. The actuator includes a secondary detent that is disengaged when the pivotable arm is manually pivoted between the folded position and the drive position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Anthony J. LaCross, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Publication number: 20220258671
    Abstract: A vehicular lighted exterior door handle system includes a lighted exterior door handle assembly having a light module, which includes a circuit board and at least three linearly arranged illumination sources at the circuit board. When the illumination sources are actuated, light emitted by each of the illumination sources is emitted outboard away from the door of the equipped vehicle. With the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, and when the illumination sources are actuated with the door of the equipped vehicle unlocked, the light module emits light in a first pattern. With the lighted exterior door handle assembly mounted at the door of the equipped vehicle, and when the illumination sources are actuated with the door of the equipped vehicle locked, the light module emits light in a second pattern that is different from the first pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley, Martin A. Hauff
  • Patent number: 11396264
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head pivotally mounted at a mounting arm configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a reflective element. A powerfold actuator is operable to pivot the mirror head relative to the mounting arm between at least a folded position and a drive position. The powerfold actuator includes a primary detent that is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the drive position when the mirror head is pivoted via the actuator to the drive position. The powerfold actuator includes a secondary detent. Following pivoting via the powerfold actuator of the mirror head to the folded position, when the mirror head is manually pivoted from the folded position to the drive position, the primary detent is disengaged and the secondary detent is engaged to maintain the mirror head at the drive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley
  • Patent number: 11325536
    Abstract: A lighted exterior mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes a lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly having a light module, which includes a planar circuit board and a light guiding element. The light module includes a plurality of illumination sources disposed on a mounting side of the circuit board and operable to emit light. When the illumination sources are actuated, light emitted by each of the illumination sources is emitted in a direction normal to the mounting side of the planar circuit board. The light guiding element is configured so that light emitted by the illumination sources is redirected by the light guiding element so that light emanates from the light guiding element in a direction parallel to the mounting side of the planar circuit board and parallel to the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Kenneth C. Peterson, Mitchell J. Wesley, Martin A. Hauff