With Support Patents (Class 359/871)
  • Patent number: 6988810
    Abstract: A fastening assembly for a door mirror is provided. The door mirror has an auxiliary mirror including, at its rear, a longitudinal block including two slits and a knurled surface, and a scale. The assembly includes a C-shaped frame having hingedly coupled upper and lower bars and upper and lower arms. Each arm includes an interior knurled surface. The upper and the lower arms and the auxiliary mirror are threadedly secured together for engaging the knurled surfaces. The door mirror can be fitted in a space confined by the bars and the arms by adjusting positions of the knurled surfaces of the arms relative to the knurled surface of the block by performing an unfastening and fastening of the arms and the block while observing the scale. The door mirror is fastened in the space by tightening elastic straps over the rear of the door mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Ming-En Chen
  • Patent number: 6986586
    Abstract: The thin-film mirror includes a pan-shaped housing having a pan surface and a hollow wall bordering the pan surface. The hollow wall has a mounting surface for thin reflecting film, which mounting surface is stepped above the pan surface. The hollow wall has an open portion opposite the mounting surface and accommodates a reinforcing member that rigidities the pan-shaped housing. A thin reflecting film that spans the pan surface is secured to the film mounting surface. The pan-shaped housing is a miterless one-piece structure which can be in the form of a trapezoid. Hollow fillets can be provided at the acute angle corners of the trapezoid. The fillets constitute an additional mounting surface portion for the thin reflecting film and are formed such that no corner of the mounting surface has an acute angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventor: Eugene Martinez, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6985279
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) mirror device includes a mirror coupled to a rotating frame by a first torsional hinge along a rotational axis. The rotating frame has a body that defines a frame opening, and a group of rotational teeth extending from the body. A first bonding pad is located in the frame opening and coupled to the rotating frame by a second torsional hinge along the rotational axis. A second bonding pad is coupled to the rotating frame by a third torsional hinge along the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Nano Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yee-Chung Fu
  • Patent number: 6972882
    Abstract: A micro-mirror device includes a substrate and a plate spaced from and oriented substantially parallel to the substrate such that the plate and the substrate define a cavity therebetween. A reflective element is interposed between the substrate and the plate, and a liquid having an index of refraction greater than one is disposed in the cavity between at least the reflective element and the plate. As such, the reflective element is adapted to move between a first position and at least one second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: James W. Ring, Brett E. Dahlgren, Terry E. McMahon
  • Patent number: 6968640
    Abstract: Disclosed is a half mirror reflector having an LED road sign, which can be used as a reflector in the daytime and as both a reflector and a road sign in the nighttime. The half mirror reflector comprises: a support plate attached to a support rod; a half mirror fixed to the support plate; an LED road sign mounted on the support plate under the half mirror and having a plurality of LEDs; a PCB substrate mounted on the support plate under the half mirror to control the operation of the LED road sign; and a solar battery module provided at the upper part of the support rod to generate a voltage for operating the LED road sign and supply the voltage to the PCB substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: Kil Suo Lee
  • Patent number: 6969101
    Abstract: An exterior accessory assembly or module for a vehicle door assembly comprises an exterior rearview mirror and/or door cap assembly, which may further include a cover member, a door handle, window frame, window seal and/or an exterior rearview mirror assembly. The vehicle door assembly includes a door frame, which includes a cap and/or mirror mounting region, a lock and/or latch mechanism, a mirror connector, electronic controls, regulators, trim pieces, and/or the like, and is mountable to a vehicle at the vehicle assembly plant as a single unit. The exterior rearview mirror and/or the cap assembly may mount to the modular door and provide an exterior rearview mirror, a window frame and/or door handle. The exterior mirror and/or cap assembly and door frame may include corresponding electrical connectors for connecting electrical accessories of the accessory module to a door wiring or harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Peter J. Whitehead, David E. Nestell, Loren B. Renkema
  • Patent number: 6970275
    Abstract: An image scanning apparatus and a torsion oscillator are capable of operating across a dynamic range of possible operating frequencies. The image scanning apparatus uses a light source to produce a light beam, and the oscillator scans the light beam through a scanning pattern. The oscillator includes a plate member having a non-rectangular shape. At least one magnet is disposed on the plate. A surface of the plate member includes a reflective surface for reflecting a light beam. A frame is disposed in a spaced apart relation to a lower surface of the plate member. The frame includes at least one coil configured to induce an electromagnetic force on the at least one magnet to thereby oscillate the reflective surface to a rotational angle of oscillation at an oscillation frequency. The system also includes an imaging surface disposed in the path of the scanning pattern so that the light beam scans across the imaging surface, and a mechanical drive to move the imaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger S. Cannon, Timothy A. Green, Martin C. Klement, Daniel E. Pawley, Wilson M. Routt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6964487
    Abstract: An image display device includes a case having an opening, a luminous source image display displaying a first image, a focusing element receiving light from the source image display and focusing the light to form a second image that is viewable through the opening of the case, and an image source providing image information to the source image display so that the source image display displays the first image. The focusing element has a concave mirror and a mirror supporter that supports the concave mirror. The perimeter of the concave mirror has at least one straight- cut portion that has a line contact with the mirror supporter. The image information provided by the image source is changed with user interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: StarVision Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon L. Olsen, Pat S. Harrison
  • Patent number: 6964488
    Abstract: Reflector dish having a reflective surface for reflecting incident radiation to a focal region and a receiver for receiving radiation reflected by the reflective surface. A reflective surface support (26) supports the reflective surface. A receiver support (2) supports the receiver substantially in the focal region of the reflecting surface. The receiver support (2) includes at least one first elongate member (4) extending from substantially the central axis of the dish towards the outside of the dish, and a second elongate member (6) extending from the outer end of the or each first elongate support member (4) and connected to the receiver for supporting the receiver. The receiver support (2) is not in load bearing contact with the reflective surface (26). The reflective surface support (26) and the receiver support (2) are each supported by a support means (34) provided generally on or close to the central axis of the dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventor: John James Harrison
  • Patent number: 6962421
    Abstract: A folding full length mirror and carry apparatus includes a foldable reflective surface support assembly which includes support panels connected together with panel-interconnection hinges. A non-folded reflective surface assembly is supported by the foldable reflective surface support assembly. Preferably, a handle is connected to the foldable reflective surface support assembly. A shoulder strap can be connected to the foldable reflective surface support assembly. Preferably, a folded condition locking assembly is connected to the foldable reflective surface support assembly for retaining the apparatus in a folded up, carrying condition. With one embodiment of the invention, the non-folded reflective surface assembly includes panel-mounted non-folded reflective surfaces mounted one side of each of the respective support panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Peter Yang
  • Patent number: 6961195
    Abstract: In order that an image photographed by a monitoring mechanism can be stable even in a case in which vibration of a vehicle is transmitted to a hosing, a mirror device for a vehicle comprising a housing, provided at a vehicle, which holds a mirror and covers a back surface side of the mirror, a photographing mechanism, provided within the housing, which has a lens and photographs a status in a direction in which the lens is oriented, a fixing member, fixed to one of the housing or the mirror, which fixes one of the lens or the vicinity of the lens of the photographing mechanism, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Kenki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Bunji Inagaki
  • Patent number: 6959994
    Abstract: To provide a camera built-in type rearview mirror device with illumination, wherein rigidity of the mirror housing can be raised, the camera main body part can photo a clear picture by extensive photographing feasible viewing angle through a transparent cover, and built-in of the camera module is simple. Mirror housing 2 includes concave part 2C formed in an opening manner downwardly which is arranged in the vicinity of photographing window 2B where lens 5B of the camera main body part 5A is faced, and capable of accommodating an illumination light source. For this reason, opening area of the photographing window 2B is decreased. Also, the circumference of the photographing window 2B is reinforced by the cross-sectional box type form of the concave part 2C. Especially a bulge part with circular curved section is formed so that the lens of the camera main body part may rush in, to thereby decrease the opening area of the photographing window further. Then rigidity of the mirror housing 2 is further raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fujikawa, Yoshinori Hitomi, Hisaya Suzuki, Akiyoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6955329
    Abstract: A support device includes a head, a lock nut threaded to the head and having a peripheral flange, and a control ferrule having a peripheral rib engaged with the peripheral flange of the lock nut, to rotatably attach the control ferrule to the head with the lock nut. A coupler includes a shank, and an arm secured to the shank and attached to a frame device, a rod is extended from the shank and engageable through the lock nut and into the head. One or more fasteners may secure the shank to the frame device. The shank is threaded to the control ferrule, to secure the shank and the frame device to the head, and the fastener is received and shielded within the control ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventor: Ming Chun Shieh
  • Patent number: 6948822
    Abstract: A mirror mounting apparatus for a mirror glass is provided. According to an aspect of the invention, a mounting rod having a bore and an outlet and affixable to a vehicle is also provided. The mirror mounting apparatus includes a mirror housing assembly with a base member for mounting to the mounting rod. The base member has an opening to deliver a wire from the outlet into the mirror housing assembly. A method for assembling the mirror mounting apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Stenzel
  • Patent number: 6950250
    Abstract: A light beam receiver for a laser beam (2) of a laser positioning device comprising a diffuse reflection surface (3) embodies a reflection surface (3) and at least one reflector surface (4a, 4b) facing the laser beam (2) inclined at an angle (?)<45°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hilti Ahtiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz Kousek
  • Patent number: 6943926
    Abstract: Provided is an optical scanner capable of preventing a temperature rise in a polygon mirror and its surrounding, and contributing to the prevention of degradation in image quality. Two cells (an inlet and an outlet) among a plurality of cells of a strengthening rib structure disposed in an optical base are connected through a passageway so as to form a flow path of outside air (air), and a bottom surface of a drive board forming part of an outer wall of a containing chamber and supporting a polygon mirror is exposed to the flow path (passageway). Even if a motor and a motor circuit disposed in the drive board generates heat during rotation of the polygon mirror, the drive board is directly cooled by the air flowing through the flow path, so a temperature rise in the polygon mirror and its surroundings can be prevented. Thereby, degradation in scanning characteristics of a laser beam due to deformation of an enclosure resulting from a temperature difference during heat generation can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Ohno, Masanobu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6935759
    Abstract: In a gimbaled micromachined micromirror array optimized for parallel-plate electrostatic operation, longitudinal-type gimbal hinge elements are provided in which a plurality of torsional longitudinal hinge elements are arranged in an array parallel to the axis of rotation and which are linked together by rigid lateral brace sections. In primary embodiment the hinge elements are arranged in a double gimbal configuration. Specific embodiments of the hinge elements are simple longitudinal, compound longitudinal, stacked simple longitudinal, and stacked compound longitudinal. The longitudinal hinges may be used with various types of mirrors including circular or rectilinear, recessed or nonrecessed, where the hinges are connected in either a symmetric or asymmetric configuration relative to one another, as hereinafter illustrated by way of a subset of examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Glimmerglass Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, William C. Banyai
  • Patent number: 6933039
    Abstract: An optical component comprising a substrate and a transparent polymer coating film laminated thereon, said polymer coating film including: (1) a processed surface formed into a desired shape by selectively removing with a laser abrasion process; (2) a ? bond structure in the main chain of a constituting material, wherein the main chain contains an interatomic bond having bond energy smaller than photon energy of laser used for the laser abrasion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6929300
    Abstract: An adaptable door mirror of an automobile includes a frame, an attachment element, and a bracket. The frame includes a lens fitted therein, a well facing a body of the automobile, and a threaded fastener extended from the well. The attachment element is optional and includes a recess facing the well and a transverse channel in communication with the recess. The bracket is mounted on the body of the automobile and includes a threaded hole facing the attachment element and a cavity in communication with the threaded hole. The fastener either extends through the channel and is threaded in the threaded hole or is threaded in the threaded hole and into the cavity to be secured by a nut. The cost of replacing a malfunctioned door mirror can be saved since, for example, only a replacement of the bracket of the door mirror is sufficient if both the frame and the attachment element are still good for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Aloha Auto Industry Co.
    Inventor: Fang-Mei Kuo
  • Patent number: 6928044
    Abstract: An apparatus for fixing a half mirror of an optical pickup includes a pair of left-hand-side and right-hand-side presser plate portions 12b, which are respectively extended from both side edge portions of the fastening device body 12a and caused to elastically abut against a surface of the half mirror 3. This apparatus further comprises a pair of left-hand-side and right-hand-side engaging claw portions 12c respectively bent from both side edge portions of the fastening device body 12a in a direction opposite to a direction, wherein the left-hand-side and right-hand-side presser plate portions 12b are extended, to thereby engage with the inner surface 5c, and a catch piece portion 12d bent from a central portion of the fastening device body 12a and extended to a peripheral edge of the opening portion 2a of the light passing hole 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tachikawa, Hideaki Funakoshi
  • Patent number: 6916100
    Abstract: A mirror system for a vehicle comprising an exterior rearview mirror assembly, which includes a fixed portion which is configured to mount to a side of the vehicle. The movable portion includes a reflective element and a reflective element actuator. The reflective element has a generally rearward field of view when the mirror system is mounted to the vehicle. The reflective element actuator provides selective adjustment of an orientation of the reflective element to adjust the rearward field of view to a desired orientation, and the movable portion is movably mounted to the fixed portion. The movable portion actuator selectively moves the movable portion between a viewing position wherein the movable portion extends outwardly from the vehicle at an angle with respect to the side of the vehicle and another viewing position wherein said movable portion extends outwardly from the vehicle at another angle with respect to the side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Leo W. Pavao
  • Patent number: 6903870
    Abstract: A link-mechanism base is prepared within a yoke portion, and a link member is prepared in connection with the base within left and right supports. The link member connects the upper part of the supports or the upper part of the yoke portion, and the link-mechanism base. The displacement and angle of rotation of the upper part of the yoke portion are measured by using these link-mechanism base and link member, thereby measuring a change in the pointing direction of a reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junji Takaki, Noboru Kawaguchi, Yoshihiro Hasuyama, Masaki Tabata
  • Patent number: 6903861
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEM) optical switching apparatus is disclosed that is based on an erectable mirror which is formed on a rotatable stage using surface micromachining. An electrostatic actuator is also formed on the substrate to rotate the stage and mirror with a high angular precision. The mirror can be erected manually after fabrication of the device and used to redirect an incident light beam at an arbitrary angel and to maintain this state in the absence of any applied electrical power. A 1×N optical switch can be formed using a single rotatable mirror. In some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of rotatable mirrors can be configured so that the stages and mirrors rotate in unison when driven by a single micromotor thereby forming a 2×2 optical switch which can be used to switch a pair of incident light beams, or as a building block to form a higher-order optical switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Allen
  • Patent number: 6899438
    Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror includes a mirror for showing thereon an image; a first housing structure made of a first material, and accommodating therein the mirror with a portion of the mirror exposed to show the image; and a second housing structure made of a second material, and disposed between and keeping in contact with the first housing structure and the exposed portion of the mirror. The second material has a flexibility higher than that of the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: EXON SCIENCE, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-Wei Su, Kuei-Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 6896383
    Abstract: A reflecting mirror supporting mechanism has a reflecting mirror with countersinks in the side thereof, a mirror holder (a base) for supporting the reflecting mirror, and leaf springs which urge a base-side face of each of the countersinks against the mirror holder. The reflecting mirror is movable in an in-plane direction of the reflecting mirror, and the base-side face in each of the countersinks is parallel with the rear of the reflecting mirror. A first pad is disposed in a space between the leaf spring and the base-side face. In a space between the rear of the reflecting mirror and the mirror holder, a second pad is provided which is flat in shape in a contact portion with the rear of the reflecting mirror and is spherical in shape in a contact portion with the mirror holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Endoh, Masaki Tabata
  • Patent number: 6882455
    Abstract: There is disclosed a movable structure, which includes a movable body, at least a pair of elastic members extending from the movable body to both sides, and a support supporting the movable body through the elastic members, each elastic member having a mesh structure, and the support and the movable body being connected to each other through the elastic members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Michitsugu Arima
  • Patent number: 6877870
    Abstract: A sensor-mirror arrangement on a windshield of a motor vehicle with an optical sensor that is fastened on the windshield in an edge region arranged between a free field of vision of the windshield and vehicle roof, and with an inside rearview mirror that is fastened using a mirror mounting in an upper edge region between the sensor and the vehicle roof. The mirror mounting has a first fastening element that interacts with a complementary second fastening element for fastening the inside rearview mirror, which is constructed with a mirror base of the inside rearview mirror. The mirror mounting moreover has a pedestal fastened on the windshield on its side facing away from the windshield the first fastening element is formed. The pedestal is dimensioned so that the mirror base fastened to the mirror holding has a predetermined distance from the windshield, which is greater that a minimum distance if need be required for the installation and/or function of the mirror base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Martin Krug
  • Patent number: 6874895
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system includes a rearview mirror assembly having an electro-optic reflective element, a support for attaching the reflective element to a portion of the vehicle and a control. The reflective element is movable with respect to the support. The control is for establishing a reflective level of the reflective element and for determining a heading of the vehicle. The control includes a first circuit assembly and a second circuit assembly interconnected by at least one wire between the first and second circuit assemblies. The first circuit assembly is mounted to be movable with movement of the reflective element. The second circuit assembly is mounted substantially fixed at the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney K. Blank
  • Patent number: 6857753
    Abstract: A viewing panel device, such as a mirror device used inside a motor vehicle for observing an infant in a rear-facing child safety seat secured to the rear seat of the vehicle. The viewing panel device may be employed in a plurality of attachment configurations, for use with a plurality of possible vehicle configurations. In one configuration, the top tether anchorage point included in newer vehicles as part of the LATCH anchorage point system is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Blue Ridge International Products Company
    Inventor: Michael T. Kane
  • Patent number: 6851813
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly, especially suited for towing vehicles, includes a casing which houses a reflective element and a support supporting the casing and adapted to mount a vehicle. The mirror casing is adapted to pivot about the support between an inboard position and an extended outboard position thereby extending the field of view of the mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne Vandenbrink
  • Patent number: 6843574
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards apparatuses for rotating a gimbaled platform with rotatable actuators. Gimbal springs comprised of component springs with compliant axes that intersect at a nonzero angle are coupled to the gimbaled platform. Preferably, the compliant axes of the component springs are oriented at an approximately 45 degree angle relative to the actuator rotation axes. Wraparound lever arms coupling the rotatable actuators with the gimbal springs serve to increase the leverage ratio, thereby permitting greater platform rotation for a given actuator rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James Starr, Mitchell J. Novack, Haesung Kwon, James H. Smith, Steven S. Nasiri
  • Patent number: 6843576
    Abstract: A micro-mirror device includes a substrate, a reflective element spaced from the surface of the substrate, a pair of electrodes disposed adjacent to the surface of the substrate, spaced apart from each other, and disposed adjacent to opposite ends of the reflective element, and including a dielectric liquid disposed at least between the reflective element and the pair of electrodes. The reflective element is adapted to be positioned at any position within a continuous range between a first position and a second position in response to analog electrical signals applied to the pair of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Daniel Robert Blakley
  • Patent number: 6840641
    Abstract: An external rearview mirror includes a holder for affixing the mirror to a motor vehicle. A carrier plate is located in a housing that is secured to the holder. At least one mirror assembly with a mirror pane is mounted pivotally on the carrier plate in the housing. At least one means of adjustment is mounted on the carrier plate and bound to the mirror assembly. A base plate is attached to the carrier plate, the base plate having a honeycomb structure with a multiplicity of cells on at least one side. The cells are integral and normal to the base plate and may vary in both height and diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Alexander Stenzel
  • Publication number: 20040264016
    Abstract: A mirror mount includes a mirror-head-attached first mount component, a window-attached second mount component, and a tubular connector. The first component includes a base defining an attachment plane, an angled stem, and a first ball section with a clearance area around the stem. A bore extends into the stem for receiving an attachment screw. A clearance area is formed around the stem near the ball section and extends at an acute angle to the attachment plane, thus providing increased angular adjustability of the mirror head in at least an upward direction. The second component includes a ball section and angled extended stem, and is connected to the first component by the tubular connector. The first and second ball sections define a distance less than a distance from a flat side of the second component to the second ball section, thus providing improved rigidity against vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: John B. Ostreko, Joshua C. Owen
  • Publication number: 20040264012
    Abstract: A light-translation system includes a fixed base and translatable mirror mount having mirror-supporting brackets. A first and second arm are pivotally attached in parallel, spaced-apart relation adjacent first ends to the base and adjacent second ends to the mirror mount to form a parallelogram-shaped attachment with the base and mirror mount. The pivotal attachments are formed using flexural pivots, each having a thick portion oriented for achieving minimal angular deviation of the mirror. A first bracket has three pads for supporting one side of the mirror. A second bracket has two surfaces shaped to support an edge of the mirror, each surface positioned opposite a pad. A washer dimensioned to admit a mounting screw is positionable opposite a third pad against an outside wall of the mirror mount to removably retain the mirror without imposing appreciable bending stress thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. McWhirter, David Eskew, David Thair
  • Publication number: 20040264013
    Abstract: A wide-angle imaging optical system includes a refractive optical system (3), a reflective optical system, and an image-forming optical system (5). The reflective optical system includes a first reflection surface (1) that directly reflects rays of light from an object, and a second reflection surface (2) that reflects rays of light from the first reflection surface (1). An open portion is provided between the first reflection surface (1) and the second reflection surface (2), and rays of light from the object enter the open portion. A light-transmitting portion (2a) is provided in the second reflection surface (2) and transmits rays of light that have entered the refractive optical system (3). An aperture (1a) is provided in the first reflection surface (1) and allows rays of light from the second reflection surface (2) and the refractive optical system (3) to enter the image-forming optical system (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Daizaburo Matsuki, Motonobu Yoshikawa, Yoshiharu Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20040257684
    Abstract: An outside mirror system for a vehicle includes at least one exterior mirror having at least a pair of reflective elements, a positioning device for selectively positioning each reflective element independently one from the other, wherein one segment is automatically, independently, downwardly directed on an area adjacent the side of the vehicle when the vehicle is placed in reverse. A housing for the reflective elements can also be provided. A control is responsive to the vehicle reverse gear selector being in reverse gear for causing the positioning device to independently position one reflective element to a downwardly tilted position. The pair of reflective elements is remotely adjusted, in tandem, for driver rearward viewing when the car is in forward motion and only provides a split view during backing. Once the backing maneuver is complete the downward directed element returns to its original position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Lee G. Meyer, Alla Meyer
  • Patent number: 6830351
    Abstract: A reinforcing structure for an automobile's central rearview mirror which includes an electronic vibration-dampening device. The reinforcing structure includes Piezo electric elements attached to a support structure, a clamping mechanism to stabilize the reflective mirror element and electronics including LEDs to dissipate energy extracted from the mirror. The vibration-dampening features include Piezo electric crystals attached to a support structure to press against the central rearview mirror housing and a circuit card with various components to dissipate unwanted vibration. Also, the invention includes a spring loaded, pivoted clamping system to further stabilize the entire structure. The invention achieves dampening mainly through the application of an inertial dampening system that utilizes Piezo crystals and weights to adequately absorb excess vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Jonathan Force Newcomb
  • Publication number: 20040246602
    Abstract: A rear view bicycle mirror assembly (10) for attachment to a bicycle frame (3) comprising a mirror (14) and mounting body (12). The mounting body (12) comprising a mounting means for mounting the mirror onto the frame of the bicycle. The mounting means comprises a first mounting foot (18) for abutment and mounting on a first tube (6) of the bicycle frame, and a second mounting foot (24) for abutment and engaging a second tube (4) of the bicycle frame at an angle to said first tube and first mounting foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Tony McGuinness
  • Patent number: 6824280
    Abstract: A fillable rearview mirror assembly and method of molding a carrier for the assembly are provided. The mirror assembly has a hollow carrier that can be at least partially filled with a material having a density different than that of the carrier. A mirror can be attached to the carrier and the carrier attached to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Albrecht Popp
  • Patent number: 6824281
    Abstract: An accessory system of a vehicle comprises an accessory module assembly having a mounting portion, a head portion and a rearview mirror assembly. The mounting portion extends generally upward when mounted to an attachment member at a vehicle windshield. The head portion may extend generally horizontally and rearwardly with respect to the vehicle from an upper portion of the mounting portion. The head portion comprises electronic circuitry for at least one accessory. The mirror assembly is mountable to the mounting portion, with the head portion of the accessory module assembly extending generally above the mirror casing. The head portion may be viewable and/or user accessible above the mirror casing when the mirror assembly is mounted to the mounting portion. The head portion may be pivotable or articulatable relative to the base portion of the accessory module assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Joshua L. DeWard, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20040233531
    Abstract: Optical transceivers include a diffractive optical element (DOE) attached to a surface of a prism or other optical support. The DOE is configured to direct an input optical signal to a planar or curved reflective surface, or receive an output optical signal from the planar or curved reflective surface at angles greater than a critical angle in the prism. In some examples, the optical support includes one or more curved reflective surfaces and the DOE is a hologram. Such optical transceivers include a reflective surface that is rotatable with respect to the DOE, or with respect to a selected communication direction and the DOE for selection of a transmission or reception direction. The optical supports of such optical transceivers can be mounted to a window, and include a reflective region configured to total internally reflect optical signals. Selection of a communication direction is based on a rotation of the rotatable reflective surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Terabeam Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas E. Bratt, Chace H. Fadlovich, Robert M. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20040233558
    Abstract: A mirror system is described wherein a common framework is used which allows interchangeability for mirror styles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Graham Rehill
  • Publication number: 20040228018
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mirror holding method, wherein a symmetry axis of an illuminating area corresponds with that of a mirror holder, and a center of the illuminating area in a mirror differs from a centroid of the mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Hisashi Namba, Eiji Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20040228017
    Abstract: For an optical reflecting mirror formed by applying injection molding to a plastic material, it is an object of the present invention to suppress warpage or distortion due to molding contraction and provide an optical reflecting mirror such as an axial eccentric a spherical mirror or free curved surface mirror with a highly accurate mirror surface, which is an axial eccentric a spherical mirror or free curved surface mirror formed by applying injection molding to a plastic material, including a rib connected in such a way as to intersect with the body having the mirror surface, formed at least at the outer edge of the mirror surface closest to the maximum curvature part within the mirror surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Ito
  • Patent number: 6817725
    Abstract: A micro mirror unit includes a moving part carrying a mirror portion, a frame and torsion bars connecting the moving part to the frame. The moving part, the frame and the torsion bars are formed integral from a material substrate. The frame includes a portion thicker than the moving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Media Devices Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Mizuno, Satoshi Ueda, Osamu Tsuboi, Ippei Sawaki, Hisao Okuda, Norinao Kouma, Hiromitsu Soneda, Fumio Yamagishi
  • Publication number: 20040223241
    Abstract: An improved roof mirror assembly is provided. The roof mirror assembly of the invention is comprised of first and second mirror panels comprising first and second reflective surfaces and first and second mounting surfaces, respectively, the first and second mirror panels being joined together so that the first and second reflective surfaces are substantially perpendicular to each other. The assembly further comprising at least one mounting block comprising at least one opening extending through a portion thereof and at least one mounting pin received within the at least one opening of the at least one mounting block, wherein the at least one mounting pin is attached within the opening to the at least one mounting block and is attached to at least one of the first or second mounting surfaces of the first or second mirror panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Zvi Bleier, Itai Vishnia
  • Patent number: 6814455
    Abstract: A mirror diagonal made with reduced material to achieve the same reflection effect is manufactured by (a) preparing an extruded aluminum tube having a bottom and two slant faces; (b) cutting the extruded aluminum tube to provide a plurality of short sections having a desired length and two open lateral sides, so that each short section forms a housing for the mirror diagonal; (c) processing each housing in predetermined manners; (d) adhering a reflection mirror to the bottom in each housing; (e) sealing the two open lateral sides of each housing with two sealing covers; and (f) mounting first and second tubes in two tube mounting holes separately provided on the two slant faces of each housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: William T. Yang
  • Publication number: 20040218298
    Abstract: A mirror mounting apparatus for a mirror glass is provided. According to an aspect of the invention, a mounting rod having a bore and an outlet and affixable to a vehicle is also provided. The mirror mounting apparatus includes a mirror housing assembly with a base member for mounting to the mounting rod. The base member has an opening to deliver a wire from the outlet into the mirror housing assembly. A method for assembling the mirror mounting apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC.
    Inventor: Alexander Stenzel
  • Publication number: 20040218295
    Abstract: A fastening assembly for door mirror is provided. The door mirror has an auxiliary mirror including, at its rear, a longitudinal block including two slits and a knurled surface, and a scale. The assembly comprises a C-shaped frame comprising hingedly coupled upper and lower bars and upper and lower arms. Each arm includes in interior knurled surface. The upper and the lower arms and the auxiliary mirror are threadedly secured together for engaging the knurled surfaces. Responsive to fitting the door mirror in a space confined by the bars and the arms by adjusting positions of the knurled surfaces of the arms relative to the knurled surface of the block by performing an unfastening and fastening of the arms and the block by observing the scale, fasten the door mirror in the space by tightening elastic straps over the rear of the door mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Ming-En Chen