Mark Durnwald

US Patent:

59715537, Oct 26, 1999

Filed:

Feb 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/250716

Inventors:

Mark W. Durnwald - Holland MI

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G02B 7182

US Classification:

359871

Abstract:

An interior rearview mirror is provided for vehicles having electrically operated components requiring connection to a power source with a blind assembly. The mirror includes a mirror housing having a back wall that defines an opening adapted to closely receive an electrical power source connector for operating components in the mirror. An electrical component connector in the housing is aligned with the opening and has substantially parallel sidewalls with a cross-sectional shape configured and adapted to stably engage the power source connector when the power source connector is attached to the component connector. The housing includes a protruding ridge that juts outwardly and protrudes from an exterior surface of the wall on one or more sides of the opening. The ridge includes angled inner surfaces forming a comer leading toward the opening. The ridge forms an enlarged target shaped to provide a feel to an installing person that facilitates assembly by directing the power source connector toward the component connector during a blind assembly.

US Patent:

61709565, Jan 9, 2001

Filed:

May 13, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/311029

Inventors:

Wayne J. Rumsey - Holland MI
John W. Carter - Holland MI
Kenton J. Ypma - Grand Rapids MI
Bradley L. Northman - Belmont MI
Frederick T. Bauer - Holland MI
Mark W. Durnwald - Holland MI

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G02B 508
G02B 1700

US Classification:

359839

Abstract:

A mirror includes an electrochromic mirror subassembly including front and rear transparent elements, a layer of electrochromic material associated with the front and rear transparent elements, and a reflective layer, a portion of the reflective layer defining an opening. An indicia panel is located proximate the mirror subassembly and covers the opening, and one or more light sources are positioned to pass light through the indicia panel and the opening of the electrochromic mirror subassembly to illuminate detailed symbols and information on the indicia panel. The indicia panel is adhered to the mirror subassembly, and a housing and a mating bezel are configured to receive the mirror subassembly. The indicia panel includes a pair of apertured locator tabs, and the bezel includes protrusions that engage the apertured locator tabs to accurately locate the indicia panel and the mirror subassembly and also a printed circuit board in the housing. A foam light seal is located between the printed circuit board and the indicia panel and is shaped to sealingly engage the printed circuit board and the indicia panel to prevent light leakage around the indicia panel.