US6824281B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle accessory module
Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc
•
Filing: 2003-01-31
•
Granted: 2004-11-30
•
Expires: 2023-01-31
Abstract
Abstract An accessory system of a vehicle comprises an accessory module assembly having a mounting portion, a head portion and a rearview mirror assembly. The mounting portion extends generally upward when mounted to an attachment member at a vehicle windshield. The head portion may extend generally horizontally and rearwardly with respect to the vehicle from an upper portion of the mounting portion. The head portion comprises electronic circuitry for at least one accessory. The mirror assembly is mountable to the mounting portion, with the head portion of the accessory module assembly extending generally above the mirror casing. The head portion may be viewable and/or user accessible above the mirror casing when the mirror assembly is mounted to the mounting portion. The head portion may be pivotable or articulatable relative to the base portion of the accessory module assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Schofield
- 👤 Joshua L. DeWard
- 👤 Peter J. Whitehead
- 👤 Niall R. Lynam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:23
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/10; B60R1/02; B60R1/04; B60R1/12; B60R11/00; B60R11/04; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/698; H04N25/00; H04N25/70; H04N25/76; H04N7/00; H04N7/18; H04N7/183; B60R1/1207; B60R2001/1215; B60R2001/1223; B60R2001/123; B60R2001/1246; B60R2001/1253; B60R2001/1261; B60R2001/1276; B60R2001/1284; B60R2300/00; B60R2300/10; B60R2300/106; B60R2300/108; B60R2300/80; B60R2300/8033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
An accessory system for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle windshield having a first attachment member affixed thereto; an accessory module assembly comprising a mounting portion and a head portion, said mounting portion being configured to mount to said first attachment member, said mounting portion extending generally upward when mounted to said first attachment member, said mounting portion having a second attachment member, said head portion being at an upper portion of said mounting portion and extending generally horizontally and rearwardly from said upper portion with respect to the vehicle when said mounting portion is mounted to said first attachment member, said head portion comprising electronic circuitry for at least one accessory; and an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror casing and a reflective element, said mirror assembly being mountable to said second attachment member, said head portion of said accessory module assembly extending from said upper portion of said mounting portion generally above said mirror casing and being at least one of viewable and user accessible above said mirror casing when said mirror assembly is mounted to said second attachment member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
An accessory system for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle windshield having a first attachment member affixed thereto; an accessory module assembly comprising a mounting portion and a head portion, said mounting portion being configured to mount to said first attachment member, said mounting portion extending generally upward when mounted to said first attachment member, said mounting portion having a second attachment member, said head portion being at an upper portion of said mounting portion and extending generally horizontally and rearwardly from said upper portion with respect to the vehicle when said mounting portion is mounted to said first attachment member, said head portion comprising electronic circuitry for at least one accessory; and an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror casing and a reflective element, said mirror assembly being mountable to said second attachment member, said head portion of said accessory module assembly extending from said upper portion of said mounting portion generally above said mirror casing and being at least one of viewable and user accessible above said mirror casing when said mirror assembly is mounted to said second attachment member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The accessory system of claim 1 , wherein said head portion is movably attached to said upper portion of said mounting portion and is movable relative to said mounting portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The accessory system of claim 2 , wherein said head portion is pivotally mounted to said upper portion of said mounting portion and is pivotable sidewardly relative to said mounting portion about a generally vertical pivot axis to adjust the angle of said head portion with respect to the driver of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The accessory system of claim 3 , wherein said head portion is pivotally mounted to said upper portion of said mounting portion at a pivot joint, said pivot joint comprising at least one detent to substantially retain said head portion relative to said mounting portion in at least one position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The accessory system of claim 2 , wherein said head portion is pivotally mounted to said upper portion of said mounting portion and is pivotable upwardly and downwardly relative to said mounting portion about a generally horizontal pivot axis to adjust the angle of said head portion with respect to the driver of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The accessory system of claim 2 , wherein said head portion is articulatably mounted to said upper portion of said mounting portion and is articulatable relative to said mounting portion about a pivot axis, said pivot axis comprising a generally horizontal pivot axis when said mounting portion is mounted to said first attachment member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The accessory system of claim 6 , wherein said head portion is articulatable between a mounting orientation, where said head portion is positioned to be generally along said mounting portion, and an in-use orientation, where said head portion extends generally horizontally and rearwardly from said upper portion with respect to the vehicle when said mounting portion is mounted to said first attachment member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The accessory system of claim 7 , wherein said head portion is articulatable to said mounting orientation to facilitate mounting of said accessory module assembly to said first mirror attachment member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The accessory system of claim 7 , wherein said head portion extends generally horizontally and rearwardly with respect to the vehicle and generally above said mirror casing when said mounting portion is mounted to said first attachment member and when said head portion is in said in-use orientation and when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted to said second mounting member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The accessory system of claim 7 , wherein said accessory module assembly comprises a biasing element which biases said head portion toward said in-use orientation relative to said mounting portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The accessory system of claim 1 , wherein said head portion comprises at least one of a display element and a user input device associated with said at least one accessory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The accessory system of claim 11 , wherein said at least one of a display element and a user input device is at least one of viewable and user accessible above said mirror casing when said mirror assembly is mounted to said second attachment member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The accessory system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one accessory comprises at least one of a compass sensor, a compass display, a temperature display, a microphone, a user input device and a garage door opener device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The accessory system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one accessory comprises at least two accessories.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The accessory system of claim 14 , wherein said at least two accessories at least comprise a compass sensor and a compass display.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The accessory system of claim 14 , wherein said at least two accessories at least comprise a microphone and a user input device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The accessory system of claim 16 , wherein said accessory module provides a vehicular telecommunication function.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The accessory system of claim 17 , wherein said vehicular telecommunication function provides a telephonic function.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The accessory system of claim 14 , wherein said at least two accessories at least comprise a user input device and a garage door opener device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The accessory system of claim 19 , wherein said garage door opener device is operable to actuate a garage door opener for opening a garage door.
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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) | 2007-11-30 | 2008-05-31 | 2008-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-11-30 | 2012-05-31 | 2012-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-11-30 | 2016-05-31 | 2016-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |