Abstract: An exterior mirror for a motor vehicle that has a filling funnel for filling at least one liquid container arranged in the motor vehicle. The exterior mirror may have an optical fluid level display. The exterior mirror also includes a flap that is opened to provide access to the filling funnel. The flap may comprise a portion of the outer surface of a housing portion of the exterior mirror.

Abstract: Each of an optical component, a laser apparatus that includes the optical component and a method for operating the laser apparatus uses a particular reflective material layer located and formed over a substrate at a particular thickness for providing the optical component, the laser apparatus and the method for operating the laser apparatus with sufficient imperviousness to laser filaments under particular energy density fluence considerations. A particular reflective material layer comprises gold or a gold alloy. Other reflective materials may include silver, copper, aluminum and palladium reflective materials and related alloys.

Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a rearview device having a peripheral edge. A carrier plate is operably coupled to the rearview device. The carrier plate includes a peripheral wall with a forward edge and a rearward edge. The forward edge is substantially aligned with the peripheral edge of the rearview device. A housing includes a forward lip configured to abut the rearward edge of the peripheral wall to provide a substantially smooth exterior transition from the housing to the peripheral wall to the rearview device.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a door mirror for an automobile in which a variation in a gap between a bottom wall of a housing and a pedestal portion of a door-mirror base is eliminated. In this door mirror for an automobile, even if distortion, contraction error or the like occurs in a lower housing after molding, if the frame and the shaft are assembled rotatably with accuracy, since a lower end face of a shaft container portion provided on the frame rotatably connected to the shaft fixed to a pedestal portion of the door-mirror base is in contact with the peripheral edge portion of an opening portion in the inner face of a bottom wall of the lower housing, the housing can be fixed to the frame without an error in the positional relationship between the peripheral edge portion of the opening portion of the lower housing and the shaft.

Abstract: A blind spot mirror configured to attach to a face of a side mounted automobile mirror to provide an enhanced view. The blind spot mirror includes a mirror and a mirror housing. The mirror housing includes a plurality of rectangular-column support posts and a plurality of protrusions configured to support the mirror. The blind spot mirror includes a base coupled to a rear surface of the mirror housing. The base includes a flat rear surface configured to couple to a face of a side mounted automobile mirror. The blind spot mirror includes a ball and socket coupling member coupled to the base and the mirror housing. The ball and socket coupling member is configured to functionally pivot the mirror housing about the side mounted automobile mirror. The ball and socket coupling member is disposed substantially off-center on the mirror housing.

Abstract: An outside mirror arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle with a mirror, a mirror housing encasing the mirror and with a fastening element, which for the sealing fastening of the mirror housing to a motor vehicle body that includes, but is not limited to at least one seal, on which in a pre-assembly state of the outside mirror arrangement a sealing part is detachably fastened, which prior to fastening the mirror housing to the motor vehicle body can be separately fastened to the body.

Abstract: Accessories for portable electronic devices that offer a screen for displaying the contents of a display of the portable electronic devices. For an electronic device, the accessory includes a reflective screen with a material such as a beam splitter to re-display the device display and a mechanism to hold the screen above a horizontal surface at an angle.

Abstract: An array of reflective elements in which at least one of the reflective elements is mounted on a mounting which comprises a rod at least partially located within a sleeve. A first end of the rod is fixed to a first end of the sleeve and a second end of the rod is moveable, the sleeve including a first resiliently flexible portion which is configured to bend in order to allow the movement of the second end of the rod to take place, wherein the reflective element is mounted at the first end of the sleeve such that bending of the sleeve causes rotation of the reflective element.

Abstract: A vehicle rear viewing device includes a rear under view mirror provided to face an inner surface of a rear windshield and capable of reflecting an area below and behind a vehicle to an occupant in an interior of the vehicle. A marker indicator is to allow the occupant to view the area below and behind the vehicle through the rear under view mirror to visually recognize a position of a rear end of a vehicle body. A rear wiper is provided on a rear part of the vehicle body so as to face an outer surface of the rear windshield. The marker indicator is provided so as to be covered with at least a part of the rear wiper along a front rear direction of the vehicle in front of the rear wiper when the rear wiper is in an initial position.

Abstract: A mirror for a mobile phone camera includes a body having a generally planar first side and a second side, a foot disposed on an end of the body having a first side and a second side; and a fastener disposed on the first side of the foot. The second side of the body and the second side of the foot forming a concave angle.

Abstract: A telescopic flashlight that includes a universally adjustable mirror unit for reflecting the light of the lighting unit over a universal range, which mirror unit is readily and easily attached and detached from the distal end of the flashlight apparatus via a metallic mounting collar that is magnetically retained by means of an annular magnet affixed to the distal end of the apparatus, which mounting collar itself is rotatable relative to the distal end of the flashlight apparatus in order to provide two of the three degrees of freedom on motion of the mirror proper.

Abstract: A seal of an exterior rear view mirror assembly relative to a body part of a motor vehicle is described, which is formed as one piece, and comprises a sealing pad and a sealing grommet integrally molded on the sealing pad. The sealing pad covers at least one section of the surface of a minor base of the exterior rear view minor assembly lying on the bodywork side. The sealing grommet serves for sealing at least one feed-through opening, which is provided on the bodywork side for feed-through of the cable harness of the exterior rear view minor assembly. The sealing grommet is formed as an open hollow body on the free end, which is turned away from the sealing pad. A passage opening is provided for the cable harness at the intersection of the symmetry axis of the hollow body with the sealing pad.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assembling two or more mirror plate stacks into a rigid unit in turn comprising a plurality of mirror plates and a base plate onto which the plurality of mirror plates are stacked. To improve assembly accuracy of the mirror plates, a base plate is provided with a first mirror plate mounted thereto, a handling tool is provided with a second mirror plate and a spacer is provided to a first surface of the second mirror plate and positioned to align the second mirror plate with the first mirror plate. This alignment is based on a measured position and shape of the first mirror plate to compensate for a deviation from a pre-defined position and shape. The plates are then attached to each other with the spacer; the handling tool is removed and the position and shape of the second mirror plate is measured.

Abstract: The present invention includes a convex mirrored surface encased in a housing, which is further attached to a slap band strap. The slap band strap is highly reflective. The mirrored can also display other information, lights or alarms, etc. All surfaces are capable of displaying emergency information, logos, messages, or advertising.

Abstract: A wear compensator for a pivoting detent joint comprising a carrier base having a bearing housing and a bearing ring disposed in an interior channel of the bearing housing. A pivot cylinder is carried in the interior channel bearing against the bearing ring. An inner cone slidably carried in a cylinder recess of the pivot cylinder. A biasing element forcing the inner cone into the cylinder recess to biases the cylinder wall against the bearing ring. A support arm pivotally mounted to the bearing housing including a lower pivot block receiving and supporting the pivot cylinder in the interior channel, and an upper pivot block having an arm detent ring engaging a base detent ring carried by the bearing housing. Accordingly, the pivot cylinder rotates on the bearing ring and the arm detent ring rotates on the base detent ring to adjust the position of the support arm.

Abstract: A glass carrier plate that includes a front side, a back side and a circumferential edge zone. A mirror plate with a mirror plate front side, a mirror plate back side and a circumferential edge, wherein the mirror plate back side is attached by means of an adhesive layer on the front side of the glass carrier plate. Holding bars extend from the circumferential edge zone of the front side of the glass carrier plate. The holding bars are distributed over the circumferential edge zone and the circumferential edge of the mirror plate engages the holding bars so that the mirror plate is spaced from and positioned over the front side of the glass carrier plate.

Abstract: A connector head carried by the stabilizer arm. A first retaining sidewall and a second retaining sidewall included in the connector head extending outward from the stabilizer arm and defining a longitudinal channel. A plurality of spiked projections carried by at least one of the first and second retaining sidewalls, wherein a point of each spike is directed back towards the stabilizer arm. An elastic block carried in the longitudinal channel so that the spiked projections penetrate the elastic block to hold the elastic block in the longitudinal channel. A receiver having a retention slot cooperating with the connector head to releasably secure the stabilizer arm. A knob projecting upward from a base surface of the retention slot for engaging the elastic block in a friction fit arrangement between the connector head and the retention slot so that the stabilizer arm is releasably secured in the receiver.

Abstract: A visualization device for use with a loading tray includes a frame comprising a floor, a first side wall extending generally perpendicular from the floor, and a second side wall extending generally perpendicular from the floor and spaced from the first side wall. The visualization device further includes a mirror abutting the floor of the frame. A magnifying glass may also be supported by top edges of the first and second side walls, or by runners coupled to the top edges of the first and second side walls. The visualization device may be slideably disposed in a reservoir of a loading tray.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light-collecting heliostat using flat mirrors of enhanced light-collecting efficiency. The gradients of low-price flat mirrors are adjusted when reflecting sunlight by the heliostat equipped with the flat mirrors, thereby causing reflection focal areas having the same size as each of the mirrors to overlap, in the same number as the number of the reflective plates constituting the heliostat, on a heat collecting unit of collecting lights, so that a high temperature light-collecting focal area with a uniform temperature distribution is obtained.

Abstract: In certain examples, heat treatable coated articles, e.g., suitable for concentrating solar power (CSP) and/or other applications, may be provided. For instance, the heat treatable coated article may be a secondary reflector panel, primary reflector, etc., where a reflective coating is disposed on a glass substrate. A portion of the reflective coating may be removed and a frit material is disposed over the reflective coating. An elevated temperature may be applied to the glass substrate, the coating, and the frit material where the frit is cured. The coated article may be left flat, or optionally cold- or hot-bent into a desired shape suitable for a desired application.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel solar collecting assembly that in which more than one mirror and/or photovoltaic is linked mechanically so that many mirrors share a few actuators, rather than equipping each mirror with individual actuators. One example includes a set of structures, such as poles or pipes. Each of the support structures has a first end and a second end, and each of the support structures is associated with at least one solar collecting assembly. A first set of cables is arranged to move the solar collecting assemblies in a first direction, each of the first set of cables includes a set of first alignment fittings disposed thereon. The first end of each of the solar collecting assemblies is attached to one of the first alignment fittings in the first set of cables. A second set of cables arranged to move the solar collecting assemblies in a second direction.

Abstract: A mirror base is proposed that is extruded at least partially out of plastic and which retains its rigidity via long steel bolts, which at the same time produce the fastening to the vehicle.

Abstract: A pontoon boat mirror bracket assembly comprising at least one mirror and one mount that attaches to a pontoon boat side rail and positions the mirror for rearward viewing. The mirror bracket may position the mirror in a first position to reflect a rearward view to the boat driver while piloting the boat and a second position for stowing such that a boat cover may be installed onto the boat without removing the mirror bracket assembly.

Abstract: An optical device includes a long mirror; a mirror pressing member configured to fix the long mirror; a mirror-reflective-surface receiving member configured to be in contact with a reflective surface of the long mirror; and at least two mirror receiving members configured to be in contact with a face other than the reflective surface of the long mirror in a mirror longitudinal direction so that a distance between the mirror receiving members in the mirror longitudinal direction is variable.

Abstract: A rearview device having a rearview display. A rearview device attachment assembly is connected with the rearview display and includes a mount and an attachment clip coupled to the mount. The attachment clip includes a base and first and second opposing flex members extending from the base, each including an arcuate flex portion extending from the base. A connecting portion extends from the arcuate flex portion at an angle toward the base. An engagement portion extends away from the connecting portion at an angle away from the base. First and second protrusions project from the mount, each extending through first and second slots, respectively, in the base. The first and second protrusions are in abutting contact with the engagement portion of the first and second opposing flex members, respectively, thereby forcing the first and second opposing flex members at least partially away from the base.

Abstract: An electronics module is attachable to an exterior mirror of a vehicle and supports a camera and/or a display. The electronics module may be an add-on device that is retrofittable to the exterior mirror. The display may be arranged to display an indication of a distance between a back of the vehicle and an object.

Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes front and rear substrates with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween. An electrical connector has an attachment portion and a wire receiving portion for receiving an electrical wire therein. A flange of the attachment portion is configured to be disposed at a fourth surface of the rear substrate and a tab is configured to extend at least partially across a perimeter edge of the rear substrate. An electrically conductive material is disposed in an uncured state and uncured electrically conductive material flows at least partially through the aperture and is cured to secure the electrical connector at the rear substrate. The wire receiving portion of the electrical connector is configured to receive the electrical wire therein and includes at least one tang that engages the electrical wire when the electrical wire is inserted into the wire receiving portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling land surface temperature using stratospheric airships and a reflector. In the method for controlling land surface temperature using stratospheric airships and a reflector, four corners are connected to a lower end of support lines coupled to be disposed vertically downward from a plurality of airships, and sunlight is reflected by a reflector unfolded into a tetragonal shape in the air, wherein the reflecting surface of the reflector plate is maintained at an angle to remain perpendicular to an incident angle of sunlight to shield the land surface from incident sunlight.

Abstract: A reflector particularly adaptable to the collection of solar energy for use in heating systems, thermal to electrical conversion systems and in photovoltaic conversions systems. The reflector can also be used for transmission, or reception or both of radio frequency radiation.

Abstract: A luminant component is applied to the window frame of a motor vehicle. The component includes one or more electrically powered lights. According to the invention, the luminant component is visible from the outside of the window and through the window. The lights are electrically connected to the car's electrical system and can be illuminated to provide various signals, such as hazard warnings or directions signals.

Abstract: The present invention includes devices and related systems and methods for securing accessories to a mobile electronic device. In one embodiment, a device and system for attaching a decorative accessory to a mobile phone is provided. The device and system comprise of a connector base sized to fit the audio jack of a mobile phone and an attachment platform for one or more decorative or functional accessories that is removably attached to the connector base. In one aspect of at least one embodiment, the connector base is comprised of a continuous shaft with two ends and attached near one end to a pin which inserts into the audio jack. In one aspect of at least one embodiment, the attachment platform is comprised of a clip, pivot assembly and shoulder on which the accessory resides.

Abstract: Foldable compact mirror apparatus (10) comprises at least three planar mirror elements (12) which are foldably interconnected so that the planes of the mirror elements (12) can lie in parallel or substantially in parallel with each other, and attachment means (16) for releasably attaching the mirror elements (12) to an upright surface. Preferably, the mirror elements (12) have different widths to provide a tapering appearance and reduced weight during transport.

Abstract: An optical beam steering device is disclosed which includes a compartment for containing an optical component for interacting with an optical beam, a gimbal supporting the optical component and defining a pan axis, a roll cage rotatably supporting the gimbal and defining a tilt axis, wherein the tilt axis is orthogonal to the pan axis, and a mount that houses and rotatably supports the roll cage, wherein the angular position of the roll cage with respect to the mount and the angular position of the gimbal with respect to the roll cage are both locked from one side of the mount.

Abstract: There is provided a high-performance mirror which is capable of being varied between a plane mirror and a concave mirror. The mirror comprises a base (1), a mirror holder (2), a mirror surface sheet (12) and a back sheet (13) both capable of varying their curvature and retained in a spaced-apart relation by the mirror holder (2) to define an air-tight space between the sheets, the back sheet (13) being deformed from its center to reduce the pressure in the space, the mirror surface sheet being deformed into a concave spherical surface by a difference between the reduced pressure and the atmospheric pressure thereby to vary the curvature thereof.

Abstract: The power and response curves of one or more beams or primaries of beams of a laser projection system illuminating an image on a viewing surface are controlled to desired characteristics during exhibition by monitoring the scanning beams in real time by using at least part of the horizontal blanking time during the scanning of a motion or still image to project a test pattern with one or more of the beams onto a sensor or sensors. The system and method permits real-time balancing and maintenance of the response curves and power levels of each of the beams, and of primary beams of combined beams, to desired targets so as to produce a display field without artifacts and at desired brightness on the viewing surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an engagement assembly for connecting a reflector and a connecting rod. The engagement assembly has a fixing base and a fixing plate. The fixing base has a head accommodating room for holding a head portion of the connecting rod and a plate retaining space formed between two protrusion rings. The fixing plate is mounted in the plate retaining space and has a position-limiting portion and two fixing portions. The position-limiting portion has a through hole for inserting the head portion and at least two tongues. The tongues are mounted on an inner edge of the through hole for clamping the head portion of the connecting rod that has entered the head accommodating room. The engagement assembly provides a strong linking structure for the reflector and the connecting rod.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sectionalized and detachable side view mirror assembly for a vehicle. The sectionalized and detachable side view mirror assembly includes: a housing having a hollow section therewithin; a central mirror by which a driver sees the rear side of the vehicle from inside of the vehicle; a lateral mirror by which the driver sees a blind spot in vicinity of the rear side of the vehicle from inside of the vehicle; a lower mirror by which the driver sees a lower rear side of the vehicle from inside of the vehicle; a central mirror mounting part for securing the central mirror within the hollow section of the housing; a lateral mirror mounting part for securing the lateral mirror within the hollow section of the housing; and a lower mirror mounting part for securing the lower mirror within the hollow section of the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is monolayer and/or few-layer graphene on metal or metal-coated substrates. Embodiments include graphene mirrors. In an example, a mirror includes a substrate that has a surface exhibiting a curvature operable to focus an incident beam onto a focal plane. A graphene layer conformally adheres to the substrate, and is operable to protect the substrate surface from degradation due to the incident beam and an ambient environment.

Abstract: A hard coat layer 8 is provided on an outermost surface layer of a film mirror 10 having a first resin base material 1 and a silver reflection layer 3, and the hard coat layer 8 contains a polyfunctional acrylic monomer and a silicon resin having an active energy ray reactive unsaturated group.

Abstract: A belt supporting type reflecting mirror mount that is capable of minimizing an amount of deformation of the reflection plane of a reflecting mirror and supporting the reflecting mirror. The reflecting mirror mount comprises a base, a fork coupled to the base so as to be able to be swiveled, a frame hinged to the fork which has a reflecting mirror disposed therein, at least one load support installed on the frame and supporting a load of the reflecting mirror applied in an optical axial direction, and a belt fastener that has a belt supporting a circumference of the reflecting mirror, and belt supports installed on the frame and fixedly supporting opposite ends of the belt. Thereby, the load of the reflecting mirror is uniformly distributed across the belt.

Abstract: A low-cost and easy-to-operate solution for adjusting the curvature and the focal length of an adjustable reflector, which includes a curved plate, a rotation member, and a contour adjustor. The curved plate has a curvature. The rotation member engages the curved plate and rotates the curved plate about an axis and to an angular position. The contour adjustor has an adjustment surface contacting the curved plate, such that it may cooperate with the rotation member to adjust the curvature of the curved plate according to the angular position of the curved plate. Advantageously, the contour adjustor has a low manufacturing cost and a low installation cost. The contour adjustor operates without relying on additional control circuitry because it may perform its intended function while the curved plate is being rotated.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting concealed personal security threats may comprise conventional mirrors and less conventional arrays of Hall-effect sensors, soft iron cores, magnetometers and the like, preferably at least two axis sensors. The concealed personal security threats may comprise, for example, sticky devices consisting of geographic position sensors for covertly broadcasting motor vehicle location data, of so-called Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's) which may be covertly or openly affixed to, for example, the undercarriages of motor vehicles using strong magnets and later exploded, the former giving away private location information without the knowledge of a driver or passengers and the latter causing damage to the motor vehicles to which they are affixed and potentially harming a driver, passengers and nearby persons and sticky containers for hiding items among other sticky devices. A sticky container may be used to contain, for example, a vehicle ignition key or contraband.

Abstract: A spatially efficient kinematic mirror mount for mounting a mirror or other optical element to a housing. The kinematic mirror mount may include three spaced-apart constraint structures, positioned at or near the outer perimeter or circumference of the mirror. The constraint structures constrain the mirror to lie within a plane, typically the x-y plane defined by the orientation of the housing, substantially without overconstraining the mirror. To accomplish this, each of the three constraint structures may constrain the mirror in the x-y plane by independently providing a tangential constraint to the mirror. The constraint structures may include a tab, coupled to the mirror by a flexure, and a fastening assembly for securing the tab to the housing.

Abstract: A projection type image display apparatus in one aspect of the present invention includes an optical engine that projects an image; an image display screen that displays an image of projection light projected from the optical engine; a folding mirror that reflects the projection light projected from the optical engine toward the image display screen; and an optical system support member that holds the optical engine, a rear side part of the folding mirror and the image display screen. The image display screen holds a front side part of the folding mirror by an upper side part of the image display screen.

Abstract: A method of balancing a mirror in a limited rotation motor system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a mirror on a rotor shaft of the limited rotation motor system such that the mirror is initially imbalanced in that the mirror is slightly more weighted to lean to a front side of the mirror that includes a front reflective face of the mirror, and adjusting at least one threaded counterweight screw on a back side of the mirror at least to a position at which the mirror becomes balanced between the front and back sides.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a mirror assembly for a vehicle is described. The mirror assembly includes a first curved wall, a second curved wall, a bottom portion, and a top portion. The first curved wall and second curved wall each extend from the bottom portion to the top portion and are joined to one another along a respective first side of each of the first curved wall and the second curved wall. The first curved wall, second curved wall, bottom portion, and top portion define an area comprising a reflecting surface. Each respective second side of each of the first curved wall and the second curved wall extends beyond the plane defined by the area and assists in a reduction in drag when fluid flow contacts the mirror assembly.

Abstract: The invention is related to a rear view mirror assembly with a least two parts out of the group of part as: mirror frame, mirror base, mirror housing, mirror bezel, mirror glass, mirror lighting means, actuator, that must be connected during assembly process with at least one retention latch. This retention latch comprises a circular hood and a rectangular arm formed in a first part and to be inserted into an opening and shifted along a slot in a second part.

Abstract: Vehicle control system and method in which restrictions on travel of the vehicle are determined based on an indication of the visibility of a driver and information about objects moving in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle are considered. The travel restrictions include preventing a passing maneuver on a two-lane road when an oncoming vehicle precludes safely initiating or completing an already-initiated passing maneuver. A warning system is provided to warn a driver about the travel restrictions so that the driver will, hopefully, not attempt an unsafe maneuver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar reflector for concentrated solar power plants, comprising a substrate a) in composite material based on resin reinforced with cut fibres, said substrate having means b) for attachment without either perforation or gluing, and a metallic reflective coating layer c). The reflector of the invention is used in solar collectors and in solar plants operating on concentrated solar power, more particularly for producing electricity, steam and/or heat.

Abstract: Heliostat facet configured from a flat structure comprising a central section (1) and a peripheral section (2) comprising first (3) and second sides (4), being both sections linked together by a plurality of arms (5, 6), which starting from the central section (1) radially run towards the peripheral section (2) taking as reference the geometrical center (7) of the facet. In at least three of the arms (5, 6), there are support points (15) of the facet in the corresponding heliostat support (16). The arms (5,6) comprise first arms (5) which are arranged from the central section (1) to the peripheral section (2) running in a divergent manner and at least two couples of second arms (6) which starting from the central section (1) run to the peripheral section (2), the arms (6) of each couple radially running in a convergent manner.