Wide Angle Segmented Mirrors Patents (Class 359/866)
  • Patent number: 10877186
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hydrophobic mirror. The hydrophobic mirror includes a support, a mirror body set in the support, and a hydrophobic film located on a surface of the mirror body. The hydrophobic film comprises a flexible substrate and a hydrophobic layer located on a surface of the flexible substrate. The hydrophobic layer comprises a base and a patterned bulge layer located on a surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuan-Hao Jin, Qun-Qing Li, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 10700773
    Abstract: A situation communication mirror enhances driver situational awareness in a transportation vehicle. The situation communication mirror includes a rearward facing reflective member having a plurality of integrally-formed and arcuately distinct reflective surface areas. A first reflective surface area has a relatively slight curvature defining a relatively focused driver field of view. Second and third reflective surface areas each have an increased curvature as compared to the first surface area, and respectively define wider driver fields of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Spirited Eagle Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Jerry K. Hubbell, Alan C. Lesesky
  • Patent number: 10315577
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a side mirror for a vehicle, the side mirror being provided on a vehicle for facilitating the checking of road situations on the left, right, and rear sides. The side mirror for a vehicle comprises a mirror housing which is mounted on the exterior of the vehicle, and a mirror part which is supported by the mirror housing, and is divided into multiple mirror areas which are in aspherical form respectively across the horizontal direction from the internal side, which is close to the vehicle, to the external side, which is far from the vehicle. In the mirror part, the respective optical powers of the mirror areas gradually increase from the internal side to the external side so as to have the same optical power at the borders of the mirror areas, and the optical power rate for at least one of the mirror areas is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: BULLSONE CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jin-Gu Kim, Sung-Koo Lee, Jin-Wook Baek, Gang Lee, Ho-Cheol Lee
  • Patent number: 9227568
    Abstract: A situation communication mirror is adapted for mounting to a transportation vehicle, such as a heavy duty tractor-trailer combination. The situation communication mirror comprises a rearward facing reflective member having at least three integrally-formed and arcuately distinct reflective surface areas. The first reflective surface area has a relatively slight curvature defining a relatively focused driver field of view. The second and third reflective surface areas each have an increased curvature as compared to the first surface area, and respectively define wider driver fields of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Spirited Eagle Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Jerry K. Hubbell, Alan C. Lesesky
  • Patent number: 9162623
    Abstract: A wide view mirror expands the field of view for drivers of commercial trucks and other large vehicles. The wide view mirror comprises a single piece of material formed into a planar surface immediately adjacent to an inner contoured surface and an outer contoured surface. The inner contoured surface is formed with a first arc having a first constant radius of curvature and a first width. The outer contoured surface is formed with a second arc having a second constant radius of curvature and a second width. The second radius is greater than the first radius; and the second width is greater than the first width creating an expanded field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Kenneth Civelli
  • Publication number: 20150036233
    Abstract: My invention and device (non-electronic “at this time”) and all plastic with mirrors), the “Lifeguard Assist.,” short for Lifeguard Assistant, assists the lifeguard from all of these factors listed above. From the screen on top of the pool (the device can float in the water or attach to pool side), the Lifeguard Assist. is pointed to the bottom of the swimming pool of your zone you are covering, allows you to see the bottom of the pool despite all of the factors listed above. Mirror are used to reflect the area of the pool that you want to see the bottom of or clear of. The invention floats. It can be then be made with mirrors going all around it so no matter where it floats you can see the pool area from where the lifeguard is sitting or standing. What does this invention do? It is designed to save human lives from drowning in water. This device can be used in spa tubs, swimming pools, lakes, on water front beaches, and anywhere people bath or swim in water. This device aids the lifeguard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Demond Hill
  • Publication number: 20150002954
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with a rear surface and a front surface that is closer to the driver of the vehicle than the rear surface when the rearview mirror assembly is mounted at a vehicle. The mirror reflective element includes a generally planar principal reflecting portion and an angled reflecting portion, with the angled reflecting portion established at an inboard region of the mirror reflective element. The angled reflecting portion is established by grinding a surface of the glass substrate at the inboard region. A mirror reflector is established at the angled reflecting portion, and a mirror reflector is established at the principal reflecting portion to provide a unit magnification principal reflecting portion of the mirror reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Michael J. Baur
  • Publication number: 20140334024
    Abstract: An optical element such as a reflector defining a differentiable fiducial surface having a first portion, with a flat region, that seamlessly adjoins, along a curved line, a second portion having a two-dimensionally curved region. The quality of optical imaging in the reflector is drastically improved by reducing the ratio of optical powers measured in two perpendicular directions along the two-dimensionally curved portion of the surface. The vehicular rearview assembly including such a reflector possesses a field-of-view (FOV) that is significantly higher than the FOV of a conventional flat mirror and facilitates visual access to a “blind spot” behind the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Gentry, Robert E. Roush, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8832931
    Abstract: An electronic module with an integrated electromagnetic shield using surface mount shield wall components has been disclosed. Each surface mount shield wall component provides side shielding of the circuitry within the overmolded electronic module and provides an exposed conductive shield wall section to which a top conductive shield can be applied. By including the shield structure as part of the overmolded electronic module, the need for a separate shield and separate process steps for installing the separate shield can be eliminated. Each surface mount shield wall component comprises a non-conductive portion that provides stability during a reflow soldering process, but at least a sacrificial portion of the non-conductive portion can be removed to reduce the amount of area occupied by the overmoldable shield structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip H. Thompson, Larry D. Pottebaum
  • Patent number: 8817356
    Abstract: An optical element such as a reflector defining a differentiable fiducial surface having a first portion, with a flat region, that seamlessly adjoins, along a curved line, a second portion having a two-dimensionally curved region. The quality of optical imaging in the reflector is drastically improved by reducing the ratio of optical powers measured in two perpendicular directions along the two-dimensionally curved portion of the surface. The vehicular rearview assembly including such a reflector possesses a field-of-view (FOV) that is significantly higher than the FOV of a conventional flat mirror and facilitates visual access to a “blind spot” behind the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel J Gentry, Robert E Roush, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8794774
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing, a reflective element, an auxiliary wide angle element and a back plate. The auxiliary wide angle element is disposed at the rear surface of a mirror substrate. A back plate mounting structure may establish a space at the mirror actuator that is sufficient for a portion of the auxiliary wide angle element to be disposed between a rear surface of the reflective element and the mirror actuator. The back plate may have at least one sealing element at least partially around a perimeter region of a wide angle element receiving portion of the back plate, and the sealing element may engage the rear surface of the mirror substrate when the back plate is attached to the reflective element and may limit intrusion of adhesive between the back plate and the mirror substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Mitchell D. Burkhert, Tyson P. DeJonge, Hamid Habibi, Keith D. Foote, Donald S. Rawlings, Michael J. Baur
  • Patent number: 8786704
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a reflective element, a back plate disposed at a rear surface of the reflective element, a wide angle reflector element received in a receiving portion of the back plate. The reflective element has a first reflective coating disposed thereat and the wide angle reflector element has a curved rear surface with a second reflective coating disposed at the curved rear surface. An optical element or optical adhesive may be disposed between a front surface of the wide angle reflector element and the rear surface of the reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Kevin P. Benthem, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8591047
    Abstract: An exterior sideview mirror assembly includes a mirror housing and a mirror backing plate element that is movable within the mirror housing by an electrically-operable actuator. A main plano mirror element is fixedly disposed at a first portion of the mirror backing plate element and an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element is fixedly disposed at a second portion of the mirror backing plate element. The main plano mirror element and the auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element are adjacently disposed at the mirror backing plate element and are not superimposed with one mirror element on top of the other mirror element. The first primary field of view of the main plano mirror element may overlap the second auxiliary field of view of the auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element by between about 2 degrees and about 20 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8562157
    Abstract: An extended field of view exterior mirror element includes a reflective single glass element having a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion. The substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of the vehicle. When the driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the vehicle, the substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides to the driver of the vehicle a rearward field of view that subtends an angle that is not greater than approximately 20 degrees with respect to the driver-side of the vehicle. The multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the vehicle. The second auxiliary rearward field of view extends the first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8550642
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle, a mirror casing secured to the bracket and defining a primary opening, and a primary mirror disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of the motor vehicle through a primary field of view. The primary mirror defines a primary plane. A spotting mirror is spaced apart from the primary mirror and extends through a secondary plane different from the primary plane. A divider extends between the primary mirror and the spotting mirror to separate the primary and secondary mirrors visually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8491137
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a reflective element and an auxiliary wide angle element. The reflective element has a front surface and a rear surface and a first reflector portion and a second reflector portion, with the first reflector portion having a first reflective coating disposed thereat. The auxiliary wide angle element is disposed at a rear surface of the glass mirror substrate of the reflective element and at the second reflector portion. The auxiliary wide angle element has a glass element having a curved rear surface with a second reflective coating disposed at the curved rear surface. An optical coupling element may be disposed between a front surface of the auxiliary wide angle element and the rear surface of the reflective element, the optical coupling element may be a substantially optically clear and flexible elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Mitchell D. Burkert, Tyson P. DeJonge, Hamid Habibi, Keith D. Foote, Donald S. Rawlings, Michael J. Baur
  • Patent number: 8480244
    Abstract: A radiative thermal compensation system is described. An imaging arrangement located in an optical path between a surface to be thermally compensated (e.g., cooled) and one or more thermal sinks. The imaging arrangement is oriented with respect to the surface and the sinks so that solid angles are defined, along which the sinks are imaged onto the surface and control heat flow from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Riccardo Desalvo, Carl Justin Kamp, Roberto Passaquieti, Yury Minenkov
  • Patent number: 8467124
    Abstract: A solar reflecting mirror having a curved reflective surface includes a plurality of transparent shaped segments held together by securing facilities to provide a shaped transparent substrate having a convex surface and an opposite concave surface, the concave surface having a focal area. A solar reflecting coating is provided over the convex surface of the shaped substrate to reflect visible and infrared waves of the electromagnetic scale to the focal area of the shaped transparent substrate. A method of making the solar mirror is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Thiel
  • Patent number: 8414299
    Abstract: A vehicle simulation system equipped to display information on the rear side of a driver (rider). The simulation system includes a dummy bicycle operated by the rider, a monitor on the front side for displaying a scene based on the operations of the dummy bicycle, and a lamp unit connected to the dummy bicycle and provided on the rear side relative to the seated position of the rider. The lamp unit has a red lamp, a yellow lamp and a green lamp, and is controlledly turned ON under the action of a main control unit. An input device is provided on a steering handle of the dummy bicycle. The input device has a switch for red, a switch for yellow, and a switch for green. The rider checks behind, and operates the input device according to the ON/OFF conditions of the lamp unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadanao Ichimi, Yukio Miyamaru
  • Publication number: 20120300183
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to optical arrangements in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. In accordance with one aspect, an optical arrangement has at least one mirror segment arrangement including a plurality of separate mirror segments. The mirror segments are connected to a carrying structure of the projection exposure apparatus via mounting elements. At least one of the mounting elements, which is assigned to a first one of the mirror segments, extends, on the opposite side to the optically active surface of the mirror segment arrangement, at least partly into the region of a second mirror segment of the mirror segment arrangement. The second mirror segment is adjacent to the first mirror segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Schaffer, Stefan Hembacher, Jens Kugler
  • Patent number: 8267534
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle, a mirror casing secured to the bracket and defining a primary opening, and a single mirror support movably secured within the mirror casing disposed adjacent the primary opening. A primary mirror is fixedly secured to the single mirror support and disposed within the primary opening for providing a view rearward of the vehicle through a primary field of view, and a spotting mirror is fixedly secured to the single mirror support and disposed adjacent the primary mirror. The spotting mirror is defined by a single radius of curvature differing from the primary mirror such that the spotting mirror provides a second field of view rearward of the vehicle, such that the first field of view of the primary mirror overlaps the second field of view of the spotting mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8264761
    Abstract: A mirror element comprising a front element, a rear element, electrochromic material therebetween, and a spotter optic located at the rear surface of the front element. At least a portion of the spotter optic has a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the front surface of the front element has a greater second radius of curvature. A line perpendicular to the front surface extends through both the electrochromic material and the spotter optic. A first electrode coating and a second electrode coating are activated to activate the electrochromic material in order to dim a reflection off of the mirror element. A reflective coating of the spotter optic can form a portion of the first electrode coating. The first electrode coating and the reflective coating can overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Brian J. Steenwyk, Michael L. McLarty, Randall S. Braun
  • Publication number: 20120200948
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for facilitating the imaging of books are presented. A first transparent plate and a second transparent plate may be positioned at approximately a 45 degree angle to the first transparent plate. A dual-sided mirror may be configured to be positioned substantially parallel with the first transparent plate and to be positioned substantially parallel with the second transparent plate. The first side of the dual-sided mirror may be configured to reflect a first image of a first page of a book, the first image being received by the dual-sided mirror through the first transparent plate. The second side of the dual-sided mirror may be configured to reflect a second image of a second page of the book, the second image being received by the dual-sided mirror through the second transparent plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Reese, Shawn Reid
  • Patent number: 8147077
    Abstract: An exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly including a plano-auxiliary reflective element having a rearward field of view when attached to a side of an automobile. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are mounted adjacently at the reflective element assembly in a side-by-side relationship and not superimposed. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are supported at a backing plate element. The rearward field of view of the auxiliary reflective element may be different from and angled to the rearward field of view of the plano reflective element. The plano reflective element and/or the auxiliary reflective element may have one of (a) a glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8128243
    Abstract: An exterior sideview mirror assembly includes a single mirror backing plate element within a mirror housing. A main plano mirror element and an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element are supported by the backing plate element. The backing plate element has a generally flat portion for supporting the main plano mirror element and a curved portion for supporting the auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element. The curved portion may be angled relative to the generally flat portion in a manner such that, when a driver of the vehicle aligns the rearward field of view of the main plano mirror element, the rearward field of view of the main plano mirror element may be aligned downwardly relative to the vehicle body side. The main plano mirror element includes a generally flat reflector-coated glass substrate or a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8128244
    Abstract: An exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly including a plano-auxiliary reflective element having a rearward field of view when attached to a side of an automobile. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are mounted adjacently at the reflective element assembly in a side-by-side relationship and not superimposed. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are supported at a backing plate element. The rearward field of view of the auxiliary reflective element may be different from and angled to the rearward field of view of the plano reflective element. The plano reflective element and/or the auxiliary reflective element may have one of (a) a glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20110102923
    Abstract: A coupling between a primary mirror and additional mirror so that adjustment of at least one of said mirrors is executed in a way that their fields of view overlap or directly juxtapose. In doing so, the occurrence of a gap in the coverage of the fields of view in the border area shared between mirrors is avoided for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Elmar Finkenberger, Stefan Centmayer
  • Patent number: 7934843
    Abstract: An exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly including a plano-auxiliary reflective element having a rearward field of view when attached to a side of an automobile. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are mounted adjacently at the reflective element assembly in a side-by-side relationship and not superimposed. The plano reflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are supported at a backing plate element. The rearward field of view of the auxiliary reflective element may be different from and angled to the rearward field of view of the plano reflective element. The plano reflective element and/or the auxiliary reflective element may have one of (a) a glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 7918569
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly having a housing or base member, a mirror lens and a bezel member. The mirror lens is provided in the shape of a portion of an end of an ellipsoid and has a varying radius of curvature. The center portion of the lens has a smaller radius of curvature than the outer portions along the major axis of the lens creating an improved field of view of the reflected image. The bezel is positioned over the intersection of the housing and mirror lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Mirror Lite
    Inventors: William P. Schmidt, Daniel M. Swain
  • Patent number: 7864400
    Abstract: A mirror element comprising a front element, a rear element, electrochromic material therebetween, and a spotter optic located at the rear surface of the front element. At least a portion of the spotter optic has a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the front surface of the front element has a greater second radius of curvature. A line perpendicular to the front surface extends through both the electrochromic material and the spotter optic. A first electrode coating and a second electrode coating are activated to activate the electrochromic material in order to dim a reflection off of the mirror element. A reflective coating of the spotter optic can form a portion of the first electrode coating. The first electrode coating and the reflective coating can overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Brian J. Steenwyk, Michael L. McLarty, Randall S. Braun
  • Patent number: 7775672
    Abstract: The invention concerns an external mirror arrangement comprising a front mirror of the Group of the Directive 2005/27/EG for the visual transmission of a first field of view and for the visual transmission of a second field of view contains a safety mirror. In accord with the invention, the front mirror and the safety mirror are integrated in one mirror head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Lang Makra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Orhan Kilic, Albrecht Popp, Werner Lang
  • Publication number: 20100195228
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle includes a mounting bracket securable to a lateral side of a vehicle. A mirror case is secured to the mirror bracket. A primary reflector is fixedly secured to the primary portion of the backing plate. The primary reflector defines a primary field of view extending laterally away from the lateral side of the motor vehicle. A secondary reflector defines a secondary field of view extending laterally in space disposed adjacent the lateral side of the motor vehicle, wherein the secondary field of view overlaps the primary field of view in a range of 20% to 80%. The field of view of the secondary reflector is also directed downwardly with respect to the field of view of the primary reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Gary J. Sinelli, Michael E. Karpus, Douglas J. Wilson, Paul R. Henion, Brian Glombowski
  • Publication number: 20100128374
    Abstract: A portable mirror apparatus is described. The apparatus comprises a first mirror portion having a first mirrored side and a second side, and a second mirror portion having a third mirrored side and a fourth side, configured to be coupled perpendicularly by an attachment mechanism to the first mirror portion. The first mirror portion and second mirror portion, when attached in the perpendicular arrangement, are configured to provide an unreversed image. A magnetic mirror is described also, and a method for manufacturing it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Zaglin, Larry Johnson
  • Patent number: 7686464
    Abstract: A conversation mirror assembly is provided for use in passenger compartments of motor vehicles. The conversation mirror assembly includes a mirror housing having a mirror support surface. A first conversation mirror face biased toward the driver is fitted to the mirror support surface. A second conversation mirror face biased toward the front seat passenger is fitted to the mirror support surface adjacent the first conversation mirror. The first conversation mirror face and the second conversation mirror face may be either spherical or aspherical. The first conversation mirror face may be separate from the second conversation mirror face. Alternatively, the first conversation mirror face and the second conversation mirror face define two facets of a single mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Grant A. Compton, Jay R. Degenkolb, Doug Vandervoort, George Walowich, Lynda Kristen Fulgenzi, Lisa Burns, Gerald L. Elrite
  • Patent number: 7616389
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system adapted to take or project high-definition images with well corrected aberrations for the purpose of taking images from a 360° panoramic scene on a cylindrical, conical or other three-dimensional surface or project such a three-dimensional display surface onto a 360° field of view. Images from the 360° panoramic scene are formed on a rotationally symmetric, three-dimensional image surface 3. The optical system comprises at least one rotationally symmetric reflective surface 2, the position of an entrance pupil 4s with respect to a sagittal section is different from the position of an exit pupil 4m with respect to a meridional section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takayoshi Togino
  • Publication number: 20090225457
    Abstract: A rearview mirror device includes an elongated mirror body and a housing. The mirror body is formed with a first curved section having two opposite ends, and second and third curved sections extending integrally and respectively from the opposite ends of the first curved section. The first curved section has a radius of curvature larger than a radius of curvature of the second curved section and a radius of curvature of the third curved section. A ratio of the radius of curvature of the first curved section to the radius of curvature of either one of the second and third curved sections is not greater than 1.65. The housing includes a frame body with first and second mounting portions. Each of the second and third curved sections is mounted on a respective one of the first and second mounting portions of the frame body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Ken Sean Factory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shu-fen Chuang
  • Publication number: 20090201596
    Abstract: A side mirror assembly is provided with a plurality of mirror members arranged in a longitudinal array to decrease the lateral profile of the side mirror assembly, and thereby potentially increase fuel economy, without sacrificing field of view for the driver. The mirror members are arranged with reflective surfaces angled with respect to a longitudinal axis running through the array, with the angles generally decreasing in a forward direction. An image of an object outside of the vehicle reflected by the mirror members is not reversed (i.e., the image is not a “mirror image” in which right and left sides are switched or flipped), thus increasing the ability of the driver to mentally process the image and respond in an appropriate manner. A method of manufacturing a side mirror assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Hamid G. Kia
  • Patent number: 7515226
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reflector having a light-diffusing property which suppresses inter-object reflection over a wide angle, and giving particularly high reflectance in an intended range of viewing angle; and to provide a reflection type liquid crystal display device using the same. The reflector includes a plurality of light-reflective concave portions. Each of the concave portions is formed so that an inclination angle (an angle between a plane tangential to a point on a concave surface and the surface of the base material) is maximum on a side portion of the curved surface, and so that the direction of the side portion having the maximum inclination angle is on a far side from a view point of an observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumasa Yoshii, Tatsuya Moriike, Kenji Omote, Mitsuru Kano
  • Publication number: 20080304171
    Abstract: A conversation mirror assembly is provided for use in passenger compartments of motor vehicles. The conversation mirror assembly includes a mirror housing having a mirror support surface. A first conversation mirror face biased toward the driver is fitted to the mirror support surface. A second conversation mirror face biased toward the front seat passenger is fitted to the mirror support surface adjacent the first conversation mirror. The first conversation mirror face and the second conversation mirror face may be either spherical or aspherical. The first conversation mirror face may be separate from the second conversation mirror face. Alternatively, the first conversation mirror face and the second conversation mirror face define two facets of a single mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Grant A. Compton, Jay R. Degenkolb, Doug Vandervoort, George Walowich, Lynda Kristen Fulgenzi, Lisa Burns, Gerald L. Elrite
  • Patent number: 7422336
    Abstract: A vehicle side mirror that can visually confirm the blind spot of the main mirror without providing a prism or a fresnel lens on the window glass is provided. The vehicle side mirror is equipped with mirror housing attached to the side of the vehicle body and main mirror attached to the rear surface of mirror housing. The first sub-mirror that reflects the blind spot at the front side of the vehicle is provided on the side surface of mirror housing so as to face the vehicle body and second sub-mirror that reflects the blind spot at the center side of the vehicle is provided at the bottom portion of the rear surface of mirror housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Iinuma, Daichi Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20080144203
    Abstract: This invention is to be used primarily in the hunting or outdoor viewing arena and utilizes mirrored panels to camouflage the user of said invention from detection by wildlife. These mirrored panels are thin, lightweight, strong, scratch resistant and provide a true image of the surroundings so as to facilitate the perfect camouflage. In any the terrain, this invention allows the user to blend in without detection. The mirrored panels can be manufactured out of strong and lightweight acrylic, but other substances can be effective as well. The bottom of at least two of the panels of the invention are beveled in such a way as to allow the invention to lean slightly forward. This allows the mirrored panels to reflect their immediate surroundings and prevents flaring of the sun off of the mirror itself. The panels are connected together via durable and rigid hinges. These hinges allow the invention to be folded up and transported very easily from one location to the next and also facilitate easy storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: John A. Williams
  • Patent number: 7298548
    Abstract: A solution for directing electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light, from multiple fields of view in differing directions to a single view point is provided. The radiation received from one or more fields of view is directed onto a first reflective surface, the radiation reflected off of the first reflective surface is then directed to a view point that comprises a transparent portion of the first reflective surface. In this manner, the invention enables the viewing and/or imaging of the radiation from any location in the full panorama at a single location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Zahid F. Mian
  • Patent number: 7267448
    Abstract: A mirror assembly is provided having a base member and a dome lens member. The dome lens member has a varying dome lens radius of curvature with a center surface portion having a center surface radius of curvature and a peripheral surface portion having a peripheral surface radius of curvature greater than the center surface radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Mirror Lite
    Inventors: William Schmidt, Daniel M. Swain
  • Patent number: 7241020
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly having a housing or base member, a mirror lens and a gasket. The mirror lens is provided in the shape of a portion of an end of an ellipsoid. The lens has a varying radius of curvature. The center portion of the lens has a smaller radius of curvature than the outer portions along the major axis of the lens creating an improved field of view of the reflected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Mirror Lite
    Inventors: William Schmidt, Daniel M. Swain
  • Patent number: 7234825
    Abstract: The curved rearview mirror system for vehicles allows a driver to see the entire area of a driver's blind spot from looking into any one of three mirrors without giving the driver an overly distorted view. The mirror system includes a central rearview mirror with a central planar section and two side convexly curved sections having a constant radius of curvature. The mirror system also includes left and right side rearview mirrors. Each side rearview mirror includes a central planar section, a convexly curved side section, a convexly curved top section, and a convexly curved bottom section. The shape and placement of each mirror is governed by a series of equations that give the driver the best possible view of the blind spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Wei Meng
  • Patent number: 7167294
    Abstract: An automobile exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly, which includes a reflective element assembly. The reflective element assembly includes a first reflective element having a unit magnification and a second reflective element having a curvature. The first reflective element and the second reflective element are supported at a support element. The mirror system preferably further includes an actuator, which is operable to adjust the orientation of the reflective element assembly. The second reflective element is disposed adjacent to and separate from the first reflective element when it is included in the exterior sideview mirror assembly. Further, a demarcation element is provided between the first reflective element and the second reflective element. A portion of the second reflective element adjacent the demarcation element has a front surface that is generally coplanar with the front surface of the first reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Niall R Lynam, John O Lindahl, Hahns Y Fuchs
  • Patent number: 7097312
    Abstract: A composite mirror adapted for use as an outside rearview mirror of a motor vehicle includes a main or primary viewing mirror and an auxiliary blindzone viewing mirror juxtaposed to expose the vehicle blindzone to the vehicle operator. The main viewing mirror is generally of unit magnification. The auxiliary mirror is generally composed of a convex surface that can be either attached atop the surface of the main viewing mirror or placed within a cut-out region of the main viewing mirror. The auxiliary mirror can be partially recessed below the surface of the main viewing mirror and can have a skirt for minimizing undesirable reflections in the main viewing mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: George E. Platzer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7001032
    Abstract: An automotive rear view mirror includes a primary flat reflective surface that generates an undistorted image, and three secondary reflective surfaces that are curved so as to increase the field of view laterally and also vertically. The curved reflective surfaces include a relatively large trapezoidal surface curved in the horizontal plane for increasing the field of view in the horizontal direction, and two smaller triangular curved reflective surfaces contiguous with the upper and lower boundaries of the trapezoidal surface for increasing the field of view in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Kam Chu Lo
  • Patent number: 6912341
    Abstract: A system comprises at least one optical fiber that revolves around an axis when an array assembly that includes a radar array revolves around the axis. The optical fiber receives a light pattern that specifies information from the array assembly. A stationary device remains optically coupled to the optical fiber for receiving the light pattern while the optical fiber revolves around the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Byron W. Tietjen
  • Publication number: 20040264011
    Abstract: A reflective element for a mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a substrate and a functional or anti-abrasion film applied to an exterior surface of the substrate. The substrate comprises a polymeric resin material, such as a transparent optical polymeric resin material. The functional or anti-abrasion film may comprise a glass material and may have a thickness of less than approximately 0.8 mm. The anti-abrasion film is flexible to conform to the exterior surface of the substrate. The flexible film may be unrolled from a reel or roll and applied to the exterior surface of an elongated strip or sheet of substrate material. The substrate, including the glass film or layer, may then be cut or otherwise formed from the elongated strip or sheet of molded or extruded or cast substrate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam