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US4634835A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Anti-dazzle device for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle

Assignee: Tokai Denki Seisakusho KK
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Filing: 1985-08-01
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Granted: 1987-01-06
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Expires: 2005-08-01
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Abstract

Abstract An anti-dazzle device for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle, wherein a mirror face member is provided with an electric heater and a film layer containing a heat-sensitive color-changing material which becomes not transparent when it is heated by the heater, whereby the mirror face member can be easily prevented from being dazzled by the activation of the heater.

Inventors

  • 👤 Masaru Suzuki

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 07:45
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/06; B60R1/0602; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088; H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/84; H05B3/845

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 187 words
An anti-dazzle device for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle having a driver's seat positioned adjacent the rearview mirror and a headlight lighting circuit comprising: a mirror member having a reflective mirror layer; a heat sensitive color-changing film layer applied across the reflective mirror layer; an electric heater attached to the mirror member for providing heat energy to the heat sensitive film layer, the heat sensitive, color changing layer being transparent or at least so dim a color that light can easily pass through the layer at normal ambient temperatures of the mirror member, while it becomes translucent or so dark a color that light can hardly pass through when it is heated by the heater; a power source for the heater; operating switch means provided adjacent the driver's seat for activiating the electric heater; and a contact circuit connected to the power source and connectable to the operating switch means to enable the electric heater at the option of a driver, the operating switch means being operatively connectable to one of the contact circuit and the headlight lighting circuit at the option of the driver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 187 words
An anti-dazzle device for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle having a driver's seat positioned adjacent the rearview mirror and a headlight lighting circuit comprising: a mirror member having a reflective mirror layer; a heat sensitive color-changing film layer applied across the reflective mirror layer; an electric heater attached to the mirror member for providing heat energy to the heat sensitive film layer, the heat sensitive, color changing layer being transparent or at least so dim a color that light can easily pass through the layer at normal ambient temperatures of the mirror member, while it becomes translucent or so dark a color that light can hardly pass through when it is heated by the heater; a power source for the heater; operating switch means provided adjacent the driver's seat for activiating the electric heater; and a contact circuit connected to the power source and connectable to the operating switch means to enable the electric heater at the option of a driver, the operating switch means being operatively connectable to one of the contact circuit and the headlight lighting circuit at the option of the driver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
An anti-dazzle device for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a heat-sensitive color-changing material is a cholesteric liquid crystal material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 125 words
An improved rearview mirror for a driver of a motor vehicle having headlights comprising: a support surface; a reflective surface operatively attached to the support surface; a layer of a color changing material operatively connected to the support surface and interposed between the reflective surface and the driver, the color changing material having the characteristic of a relatively narrow range of temperature in which the color changing material will change color; means for controlling the change of color including an electrical heater; a source of power; and a headlight circuit means for connecting the source of power to the head lights and the means for controlling the change of color is connected with the headlight circuit to be activated when the headlights are turned on.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 125 words
An improved rearview mirror for a driver of a motor vehicle having headlights comprising: a support surface; a reflective surface operatively attached to the support surface; a layer of a color changing material operatively connected to the support surface and interposed between the reflective surface and the driver, the color changing material having the characteristic of a relatively narrow range of temperature in which the color changing material will change color; means for controlling the change of color including an electrical heater; a source of power; and a headlight circuit means for connecting the source of power to the head lights and the means for controlling the change of color is connected with the headlight circuit to be activated when the headlights are turned on.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 19 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the layer of color changing material is applied directly on the reflective surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the layer of color changing material is applied directly on the support surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 24 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the color changing material is a cholesteric liquid crystal dispersion paint having micro-capsules dispersed in an epoxy resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 14 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the paint changes color at approximately 40° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 20 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the means for controlling includes an electrical resistance heater attached to the support surface.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-01-05 1990-07-07 1991-01-06 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-01-05 1994-07-07 1995-01-06 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-01-05 1998-07-07 1999-01-06 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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