US5691849A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rear-view assembly for a vehicle and an adaptor therefor
Assignee: Research Frontiers Inc
•
Filing: 1994-02-18
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Granted: 1997-11-25
•
Expires: 2014-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A rear-view assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror and an anti-dazzle adaptor which is movably mounted in front of the mirror and which includes an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity. The anti-dazzle adaptor for a rear-view device of a vehicle includes an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity; and means for movably mounting the anti-dazzle adaptor on the rear-view device of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Rene Ledroit
- 👤 Jean-François Thomas
- 👤 Andre Hecq
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:59
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A rear-view assembly for a vehicle to provide a user with rearward vision during operation of the vehicle, comprising: a mirror; a housing which carries the mirror; an anti-dazzle adaptor which is comprised of an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity, and which is movably mounted in front of the mirror in a line of sight between the user and the mirror so that the optical cell is movable out of the line of sight in the event of a malfunction of the optical cell and thereby to return rearward vision to the user via the mirror alone; and a support frame which is movable and which carries the optical cell, the housing and the support frame being provided with co-operating releasable securing means to secure the support frame to the housing in a releasable manner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A rear-view assembly for a vehicle to provide a user with rearward vision during operation of the vehicle, comprising: a mirror; a housing which carries the mirror; an anti-dazzle adaptor which is comprised of an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity, and which is movably mounted in front of the mirror in a line of sight between the user and the mirror so that the optical cell is movable out of the line of sight in the event of a malfunction of the optical cell and thereby to return rearward vision to the user via the mirror alone; and a support frame which is movable and which carries the optical cell, the housing and the support frame being provided with co-operating releasable securing means to secure the support frame to the housing in a releasable manner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic circuit for controlling positioning of the optical cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 2, wherein the electronic circuit for controlling the positioning of the optical cell comprises at least one photo-sensitive optical device which detects incident light falling on the assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 3, wherein the electronic circuit for controlling the positioning of the optical cell comprises at least two light detection devices including a first light detection device positioned to receive light coming from the rear of the vehicle and a second light detection device positioned to receive light coming from the front of the vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 2, wherein the electronic circuit for controlling the positioning of the optical cell is manually operable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 5, wherein the electronic circuit for controlling the positioning of the optical cell is manually operable with the aid of one of a regulating potentiometer or a multi-position commutator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical cell has the electrically adjustable luminous characteristic of reflectivity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical cell includes at least one sheet of glass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 8, wherein the optical cell comprises at least two sheets of glass and a layer of sensitive material sandwiched between two of the at least two sheets of glass.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 9, wherein the at least two sheets of glass each have an inwardly directed face, and wherein each of the inwardly directed faces are coated with an electrically conductive material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 8, wherein one face of the at least one sheet of glass is provided with a reflective coating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical cell comprises an electrochromic cell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical cell comprises a liquid crystal cell.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical cell comprises a fluid suspension of minute particles which are capable of being oriented within the fluid suspension by an electric field.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 2, wherein adjustment of the optical cell allows continuous variation of the luminous characteristics thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
90 words
A rear-view assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a mirror; an anti-dazzle adaptor which is movably mounted in front of the mirror and which is comprised of an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity; a housing which carries the mirror; and a support frame which is movable and which carries the optical cell, the housing and the support frame being provided with co-operating releasable securing means to secure the support frame to the housing in a releasable manner.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
90 words
A rear-view assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a mirror; an anti-dazzle adaptor which is movably mounted in front of the mirror and which is comprised of an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity; a housing which carries the mirror; and a support frame which is movable and which carries the optical cell, the housing and the support frame being provided with co-operating releasable securing means to secure the support frame to the housing in a releasable manner.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 16, further comprising co-operating connection means provided on the housing and on the movable support frame to provide electrical connection between the housing and the support frame.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 16, further comprising an electronic circuit for controlling positioning of the optical cell, at least part of the electronic circuit being positioned within the housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The rear-view assembly according to claim 16, further comprising an electronic circuit for controlling positioning of the optical cell, at least part of the electronic circuit being positioned within the support frame.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
151 words
An anti-dazzle adaptor for a rear-view device including a mirror of a vehicle to provide a user with rearward vision during operation of the vehicle, comprising: an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity; and means for movably mounting the anti-dazzle adaptor on the rear-view device of the vehicle in front of the mirror including a support frame which is movable, which carries the optical cell, and which is provided with securing means to secure the support frame to the rear-view device of the vehicle in a releasable manner in use and in a line of sight between the user and the mirror so that the optical cell is movable out of the line of sight in the event of a malfunction of the optical cell and thereby to return rearward vision to the user via the mirror alone.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
151 words
An anti-dazzle adaptor for a rear-view device including a mirror of a vehicle to provide a user with rearward vision during operation of the vehicle, comprising: an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity; and means for movably mounting the anti-dazzle adaptor on the rear-view device of the vehicle in front of the mirror including a support frame which is movable, which carries the optical cell, and which is provided with securing means to secure the support frame to the rear-view device of the vehicle in a releasable manner in use and in a line of sight between the user and the mirror so that the optical cell is movable out of the line of sight in the event of a malfunction of the optical cell and thereby to return rearward vision to the user via the mirror alone.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The anti-dazzle adaptor according to claim 20, further comprising a support frame which is movable and which carries the optical cell.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The anti-dazzle adaptor according to claim 21, further comprising an electronic circuit for controlling positioning of the optical cell, at least a part of the electronic circuit being positioned in the support frame.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The anti-dazzle adaptor according to claim 22, wherein the electronic circuit for controlling the positioning of the optical cell comprises at least one photo-sensitive optical device which detects incident light falling on the anti-dazzle adaptor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The anti-dazzle adaptor according to claim 20, wherein the optical cell has the electrically adjustable luminous characteristic of reflectivity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The anti-dazzle adaptor according to claim 20, wherein the optical cell includes at least one sheet of glass.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The anti-dazzle adaptor according to claim 25, wherein one face of the at least one sheet of glass is provided with a reflective coating.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
The anti-dazzle adaptor according to claim 20, wherein the optical cell comprises at least two sheets of glass and a layer of sensitive material sandwiched between two of the at least two sheets of glass.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
The anti-dazzle adaptor according to claim 27, wherein the at least two sheets of glass each have an inwardly directed face, and wherein each of the inwardly directed faces of the at least two sheets of glass are coated with an electrically conductive material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The anti-dazzle adaptor according to claim 20, wherein the optical cell comprises an electrochromic cell.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The anti-dazzle adaptor according to claim 20, wherein the optical cell comprises a liquid crystal cell.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The anti-dazzle adaptor according to claim 20, wherein the optical cell comprises a fluid suspension of minute particles which are capable of being oriented within the fluid suspension by an electric field.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The anti-dazzle adaptor according to claim 22, wherein the adjustment of the optical cell allows continuous variation of the luminous characteristics thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-11-24 | 2001-05-26 | 2001-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-24 | 2005-05-26 | 2005-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-24 | 2009-05-26 | 2009-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |