Janus-faced Mirror-and-light Projector Patents (Class 362/143)
  • Patent number: 10962049
    Abstract: An actuator includes: an output unit 30 having an output shaft 33; and a first worm 40 and a second worm 50 extending along a face perpendicular to the output shaft 33, wherein: the output unit 30 includes a rotating mechanism 34a configured to be meshed with the first worm 40 to rotate the output shaft 33 about a predetermined rotation axis 33a, and a moving mechanism 39 configured to be meshed with the second worm 50 to move the output shaft 33 in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis 33a; the first worm 40 and the second worm 50 are placed to sandwich the output shaft 33; and a distance between the second worm 50 and the output shaft 33 is shorter than a distance between the first worm 40 and the output shaft 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keiichi Tajima
  • Patent number: 7572035
    Abstract: An illumination obscurement device for controlling the obscurement of illumination from a light source which is optimized for use with a rectangular, arrayed, selective reflection device. In a preferred embodiment, a rotatable shutter with three positions is placed between a light source and a DMD. The first position of the shutter is a mask, preferably an out of focus circle. This out of focus circle creates a circular mask and changes any unwanted dim reflection to a circular shape. The second position of the shutter is completely open, allowing substantially all the light to pass. The third position of the shutter is completely closed, blocking substantially all the light from passing. By controlling the penumbra illumination surrounding the desired illumination, DMDs can be used in illumination devices without creating undesirable rectangular penumbras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventors: William E. Hewlett, Nigel Evans
  • Patent number: 7393115
    Abstract: By providing a light source device inside an exterior member forming a contour of a storage case, and by forming a light transmitting portion to transmit light of the light source device to the exterior member, various decorations can be obtained using light, and the storage case can be decorated to create an aesthetically pleasing or original and novel effect to give a characteristic and unique atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Yoshida Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Tokushita, Natsumi Yanagisawa, Yukitomo Yuhara
  • Patent number: 7165860
    Abstract: Viewing apparatus for precisely locating and viewing a specific feature or area of the body, particularly in a hard-to-view area. The apparatus includes a viewing device, a general illumination device and a light beam pointer device. The viewing device may be a mirror and/or a camera with monitor. The viewing device is mountable on a freestanding support stand that provides a means for maneuvering the viewing device into a desired position and holding it in that position without the viewing device having to be held in position manually. The light beam pointer device is provided for precisely indicating a specific feature or area reflected in the viewing device, and the general illumination device for illuminating the intended viewing site. The camera and monitor provide a means for viewing a hard-to-view feature or area of the body, particularly on an extremely obese person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Precision Medical Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Karen Lee Metzger, Kathryn L. Mullins, Lisa J. Paquet
  • Patent number: 7090378
    Abstract: A portable travel mirror device includes a base, a handle pivotably mounted to the base, and a dual mirror assembly mounted to the handle which is pivotable and telescopically extendable between compact transport and upright use configurations, and includes a circular primary mirror frame holding a magnifying mirror encircled by a ring-shaped lamp energized by a power source within the base, and overlain by a diffuser ring. A secondary mirror pivotably and swivelably attached to the primary mirror frame has a different magnification factor, e.g., 1×, and is pivotable upwards from a travel position overlying and protecting the primary mirror to an upright use position, and is also swivelable into contact with the primary mirror frame, whereby light from the lamp is transmitted through the diffuser ring and a transparent secondary mirror bezel to illuminate objects in front of the primary or secondary mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: Zlatko Zadro
  • Publication number: 20040062051
    Abstract: An auxiliary rearview mirror and light assembly includes a non-incandescent light source, an auxiliary rearview mirror, a power source adapter, and a primary rearview mirror mounting assembly. The primary rearview mirror mounting assembly includes at least one fixed appendage and at least one adjustable appendage. The fixed appendage and the adjustable appendage are positioned in an opposing direction. The adjustable appendage has a bias element that exerts a force on the adjustable appendage in a direction towards the fixed appendage. The adjustable appendage is extensible to fit the primary rearview mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Henry T. H. Hsu
  • Patent number: 6082881
    Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror housing, a mirror, and a light assembly. The light assembly is supported within a channel in the mirror housing for slidable movement from a retracted position behind the mirror to an extended position adjacent the mirror. The light assembly includes a light housing and a light emitting device adapted to provide sufficient light to illuminate the face of a user. The light assembly is operatively connected to a switch which prevents the light emitting device from operating unless the vehicle transmission is in a park setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas S. Hicks
  • Patent number: 5624176
    Abstract: A mirror system for a vehicle includes at least one exterior mirror having a reflective element, a housing for the reflective element, a positioning device for selectively positioning the reflective element, and a light for emitting light generally downwardly from the mirror housing on an area adjacent the side of the vehicle. A control is responsive to the vehicle reverse gear selector being in reverse gear for causing the positioning device to position the reflective element to a downwardly tilted position, wherein the driver can view an area adjacent a side of the vehicle. The control actuates the light when the reflective element is in the downwardly tilted position in order to illuminate objects in that area. In a preferred embodiment, the control actuates the light through a lockout circuit which normally allows the light to be activated only when the vehicle is not operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Desmond J. O'Farrell, Roger L. Veldman
  • Patent number: 5560704
    Abstract: A vanity mirror assembly includes a flexible circuit which extends between a movable cover and a vanity mirror frame and provides circuit capabilities for mounting lamps on either the cover or vanity mirror frame. Other circuit elements such as control switches, dimming controls, and the like can be mounted on the opposite side of the vanity mirror package so that a relatively thin visor with spaced-apart circuit elements can be provided. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the circuit comprises a flexible insulative substrate which comprise first and second circuit panels integrally interconnected by a bridge. Conductive elements are screen printed on the first and second circuit panels and on the bridge which extends across the pivot connection of the cover to the mirror frame while coupling the first and second circuit panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Hiemstra, Paul T. Vander Kuyl
  • Patent number: 5428513
    Abstract: A vanity (mirror assembly includes a flexible circuit which extends between a movable cover and a vanity mirror frame and provides circuit capabilities for mounting lamps on either the cover or vanity mirror frame. Other circuit elements such as control switches, dimming controls, and the like can be mounted on the opposite side of the vanity mirror package so that a relatively thin visor with spaced-apart circuit elements can be provided. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the circuit comprises a flexible insulative substrate which comprise first and second circuit panels integrally interconnected by a bridge. Conductive elements are screen printed on the first and second circuit panels and on the bridge which extends across the pivot connection of the cover to the mirror frame while coupling the first and second circuit panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Hiemstra, Paul T. Vander Kuyl
  • Patent number: 5379198
    Abstract: Courtesy lamp system for a vehicle in which a lamp structure in a housing is associated with a rear view mirror assembly. The housing has a divider panel to divide the housing into upper and lower recesses containing light sources. A pair of green light sources are in the upper recess and at the rear of the vehicle, respectively, a red light source is in the lower recess. The green light sources are coupled by circuitry to manual switches and the vehicle brake light is coupled to a third switch. Thus, when the first manual switch is actuated, the light source in the upper recess will blink on and off. When a second switch is actuated, it will turn the green light source on and off at the rear of the vehicle. When the brake pedal is depressed, it will close the third switch which will actuate the red light source and the brake light to indicate that the brake has been applied. The mirror is coupled by universal joint to an inner end wall surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Zhijie Zhang
  • Patent number: 4794497
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sun visor for motor vehicles with an illuminated mirror (6) and a cover (7). The lighting (8) is arranged in the cover and is turned on and off as the cover is opened and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Autopart Sweden AB
    Inventors: Mats Jonsas, E. Gunnar Svensson
  • Patent number: 4379568
    Abstract: An articulated tractor loader vehicle which has side rear view convex mirrors mounted to the back of headlight housings for providing a panoramic rear view of the lateral sides of the tractor loader vehicle rearwardly of the front rubber tired wheels and rearwardly of the rear rubber tired wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1983
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Kerkman