7655477 Iw
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`
`
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`
`November29, 2017
`
`
`RECORDS OF THIS OFFICE OF THE FILE WRAPPER AND CONTENTS
`OF:
`
`THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT ANNEXED IS A TRUE COPY FROM THE
`
`
`
`
`
` APPLICATION NUMBER: 09/478,315
`
`FILING DATE: January 06, 2000
`PATENT NUMBER: 6,522,451
`ISSUE DATE: February 18, 2003
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`By Authority of the
`UnderSecretary of Commercefor Intellectual Property
`Hb
`and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office E 3
`
`
`
`Ss
`
`A HOLLEY
`
`Certifying Officer
`
`PART(1) OF (3) PARTS
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 001
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 001
`
`

`

`wl
`
`9‘DOTA01/06
`[NIB
`
`ISSUE
`
`PATENT DATE
`
`
`
` y aaaoeEDhe)
`
`
`
`CLASSIFICATION),
`FEB 13 2003
` ized disclosure may be prohibitedby the United States Gode Tile 35, Sections 122, 181 snst,
`
`eieeee
`
`Slo2lelSZ
`
`
`
`
`
`BoeeeeHemned :
`
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`
`
`fice. cy restrictedto authorized amployeee and contractora only.
`
`FILED With: [_] pisk (crF) []riche []cp-RoM_
`(Atuiched in pockat on right inside flap)
`
`
`]ist
` —_——.
`baess
`
`
`
`
`FormalDrwaings(__shiu}set
`
`(FACE)
`
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 002
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 002
`
`

`

`SERIAL NUMBER
`
`09/478,315
`
`FILING DATE
`
`01/06/00
`
`GROUP ART UNIT
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`2872
`
`DONO1-P-793
`
`NIALL R. LYNAM, HOLLAND, MI.
`
`ys
`**CONTINUING DOMESTIC DATA**# ¥ ke ae KKARA RARE RAR
`VERIFIED
`
`Ah
`
`**371 (NAT‘L STAGE) DATA** #4 We K Kk Roe ite htm
`VERIFIED
`
`Li
`
`**FOREIGN APPLICATIONS ***# kek ea KEH
`VERIFIED
`
`D0s
`
`
`
`IF REQUIRED, FOREIGN FILING LICENSE GRANTED 02/16/00
`
`35 use 119 t-d) conditions met Biyessaine OMetafter Allowance|COUNTRY BRAWING CLAIMS CLAIMS
`
`
`Foreign Priority
`claimed
`STATE OR
`SHEETS
`TOTAL
`INDEPENDENT
`Verified and Acknowledged
`if
`MI
`7
`83
`2
`Examiners Mitials
`Initials
`
`VAN DYKE GARDNER LINN & BURKHART
`2851 CHARLEVOIX DRIVE SE
`SUITE 207
`GRAND RAPIDS MI 49546
`
`LLP
`
`ADDRESS
`
`EXTERIOR MIRROR PLANO-AUXILIARY REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY
`
`FILING FEE
`
`SEES
`$1,824
`
`[] Credit
`
`CO 1.16 Feed (Filing)
`FEES: Authority has been given in Paper
`No.
`to charge/credit DEPOSITACCOUNT . 1.17 Fees (Processing Ext, of time)
`NO,
`for the following:
`1.18 Fees (Issue)
`[J] Other
`
`All Fee
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 003
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 003
`
`

`

`PATENT APPLICATION SERIAL NO.
`
`U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`FEE RECORD SHEET
`
`01/24/2000 DBUTLER
`O1 FCsi01
`02 FCs103
`
`00000016 09478315
`630.00 OP
`1134.00 OP
`
`PTO-1556
`(5/87)
`“U.S. GPO: 1999-459-082/19144
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 004
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 004
`
`

`

`Si
`
`Gq
`
`wUriere
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`ft
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`Sas
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`= a
`— IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`| PATENT
`DONO1 P-793
`Express Mail No. EL399135945US
`
`iyi
`aieintlgit
`EE
`“i
`stall
`
`oettSeadheeBee
`
`Applicant
`For
`
`Niall R. Lynam
`EXTERIOR MIRROR PLANO-AUXILIARY
`REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY
`BOX PATENT APPLICATION
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`Dear Sir:
`
`Enclosed herewith is the above identified patent application comprising the
`following parts;
`
`1)
`
`2)
`
`3)
`
`4)
`
`5)
`
`6)
`
`7)
`
`Postcard
`
`Assignment, Form PTO-1619 Recordation Form Cover Sheet, and
`Assignment Recording Fee of $40.00
`
`23 Pages of Specification
`
`12 Pages of Claims (83 claims)
`
`1 Page of Abstract
`
`7 Sheets of Drawings (in duplicate)
`
`Declaration and Power of Attorney
`
`Filing Fee:
`
`Basic Fee $690.00
`
`Additional Fees
`
`$690.00
`
`Each independentclaim in excess
`of three, times $78.00
`—
`
`$
`
`Numberof claims in excess of
`twenty, times $18.00
`
`$1,134.00
`
`Filing multiple dependent claims
`per application $260.00
`
`$
`
`Total Filing Fee
`
`$1,824.00
`
`o =.
`e —=
`a ——
`Be
`os
`eS a=LL =>
`
`>=
`
`
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 005
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 005
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`Checks in the amount of $1,824.00 and $40.00 are enclosed to cover the fees
`
`noted above.
`
`The Commissioneris hereby authorized to charge payment of the following
`
`fees associated with this communication, and during the pendency ofthis application,or to
`
`credit any overpayment, to Deposit Account No. 22-0190. A duplicate copy of this sheet is
`
`enclosed.
`
`1)
`
`Any additional filing fees required under 37 CFR
`
`1.16 for which full payment has not been tendered.
`
`2)
`
`Any patent application processing fees under 37
`
`CFR 1.17 for which full payment has not been
`
`tendered.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`NIALL R. LYNAM
`
`By: Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
`
`A
`
`&@,2000
`
`Date
`
`CSC:lmsc
`
`Catherine S. Collins
`Registration No. 37 599
`P.O. Box 888695
`2851 Charlevoix Drive, S.E.
`Grand Rapids, MI 49588-8695
`(616) 975-5500
`
`oyieasadoleOwmae]
`eeoFibiShdaili
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 006
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 006
`
`

`

`PATENT
`DONO1 P-793
`Express Mail No. EL399135945US
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Applicant
`
`For
`
`:
`
`:
`
`Niall R. Lynam
`
`EXTERIOR*MIRROR PLANO-AUXILIARY
`REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY
`
`Box Patent Application
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`Dear Sir:
`
`CERTIFICATE OF EXPRESS MAIL
`
`he
`SthsEe
`GoOsaT
`
`Lp*
`
`I certify that the attached return postcard, Transmittal Letter (in duplicate),
`
`Form PTO-1619 Recordation Form Cover Sheet, Assignment, a check in the amount of
`
`$40.00 for the recordal fee, 23 pages of Specification, 12 pages of claims (83 claims), 1 page
`
`of Abstract, 7 sheets of drawings (in duplicate), Declaration and Powerof Attorney, and a
`
`check in the amount of $1,824.00 forthe filing fee are being deposited with the United States
`Postal Service as Express Mail in an envelope having Express Mail Label Number EL
`
`US addressed to:
`
`Box Patent Application
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`on
`
`, 2000.
`
`’
`
`Minette M.s.Cha tk
`
`Lynette M. S. Clark
`Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
`P.O. Box 888695
`Grand Rapids, MI 49588-8695
`(616) 975-5500
`
`CSC:Imsc
`Enclosures
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 007
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 007
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`
`
`vehicle (overtaking on that side) is not captured in the rearward field of view of the exterior
`
`mirror reflector on that side. This presents a potential safety hazard as the driver, upon
`
`checking the view in the exterior sideview mirror and seeing no overtaking vehicle therein,
`
`may deem it safe to initiate a lane change, unaware thatthere is a vehicle immediately
`
`25
`
`adjacent in a blind-spotof the exterior mirrorreflector.
`
`Various attempts have been made conventionally to minimize and/or eliminate
`
`exterior mirror blind-spots on vehicles. One approach is to makethe exterior mirror reflector
`
`larger, and particularly wider with respect to the vehicle body. By increasing the width of the
`
`exterior mirror reflector, it has a wider field of view rearwards, and hence the reflector blind-
`
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`
`aeet
`mh
`
`4
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 008
`
`
`
`
`
`PATENT
`DONOI1 P-793
`Express Mail No. EL399135945US
`
`EXTERIOR MIRROR PLANO-AUXILIARY REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to exterior sideview mirror assemblies suitable for
`
`use on an automobile, and more specifically, to plano-auxiliary reflective element assemblies
`
`53
`
`for use in automobile exterior sideview mirror assemblies.
`
`Automobiles are typically equipped with an interior rearview mirror assembly
`(adapted for providing a rearward field of view immediately rearward of thevehicle,
`_ typically principally in the road lane the vehicleis traveling in) andatleast one exterior
`sideview mirror assembly attachedto the side of the vehicle (typically adjacenta front side
`window portion). The exterior side view mirror assembly‘typically comprises a reflective
`element adapted to provide a rearwardfield of viewofthe side lane adjacent the vehicle so as
`to allow the driver see whethera side approachingvehicle is present when the driver is
`contemplating a lane change. Conventionally, automobiles are equipped with a driver-side
`2
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`Pe
`;
`.
`:
`:
`:
`exterior mirror assembly and, very often;'with a passenger-side exterior sideview mirror
`fi
`assembly mounted to the side of the automobilebody opposite to that of the driver-side
`i
`assembly. While the combination of an interior rearview mirror with a driver-side exterior
`mirror (and especially in a three-mirror system comprising an interior rearview mirror with a
`
`10
`
`15
`
`driver-side exterior mirror and a passenger-side exterior mirror) works well in many driving
`
`situations, rear vision blind spots present a potential safety hazard while driving. A rear
`
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`20~—-vision blind spot is an area adjacent the side of an automobile where a view of another
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 008
`
`

`

`
`
`spot is reduced. While use of a wide exterior mirror reflector is an option for trucks, buses
`
`and commercial vehicles, increasing the width of the reflector used in an exterior sideview
`
`mirror assembly mounted on automobiles (such as sedans, station wagons, sports cars,
`
`convertibles, minivans,sports utility vehicles, pick-up trucks and similar passenger carrying
`
`automobiles) is often not an option. In such domestic automobiles, increasing the width of the
`
`exterior mirror reflector increases the size of the exterior sideview mirror assembly with a
`
`concomitant increase in aerodynamic drag, increase in fuel consumption, increased difficulty
`
`in parking in tight parking spaces, and increased reflector vibration. Use of a non-flat, curved
`
`exterior mirror reflector is commonly used to increase rearward field ofview without
`
`increasing reflector size.
`
`= While working well to increase field of view, use of a curved reflector (such
`
`as a convex, spherically-curved reflector) has disadvantages. The field of view rearward
`
`increases as the degree of curvature of the bent substrate increases (i.e., the field of view
`
`rearward increases as the radius of curvature of the bent substrate decreases). However, such -
`
`wide-angle mirrors have non-unit magnification and distance perception rearward is
`
`distorted. For this reason,.convex (spherically-bent) exterior mirror reflectors are required in
`some countries (such as the United States) to carry a safety waming “OBJECTS IN
`MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR”. Distance perceptionis particularly
`
`important for a driver-side exterior mirror. Indeed, Federal Vehicle Safety Standard No: 111
`
`in the United States (the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference
`
`herein) requires that the driver-side exterior mirror reflector exhibit unit magnification, and
`
`placesrestrictions on the radius of curvature allowed for any bent passenger-side mirror as
`well as requiring a safety warning be placed thereon. As an improvement over spherically
`bent/convex mirror reflectors, aspherical or multiradius mirror reflectors (such as are
`disclosed in U.S, Patents 4,449,786 and 5,724,187, the entire disclosures of which are hereby
`
`incorporated by reference herein) have been developed. Such mirrors are widely used in
`Europe and Asia for both driver-side exterior mirror reflectors and for passenger-side exterior
`
`mirror reflectors. The aspherical or multiradius mirrorreflectors typically have a less curved
`
`(larger radius of curvature) reflective region that is inboard or closest to the driver when
`
`mounted on a vehicle and, usually separated by a demarcationline orthe like, have a‘more
`
`curved (smaller radius of curvature) region that is outboard or farthest from the driver when
`
`mounted on a vehicle. However, such aspherical or multiradius reflectors do not have unit
`
`reigeeThatcWa
`foitsteae.
`
`SSeee
`
`
`
`
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 009
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`
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`magnification and so cannot be used when unit magnification is mandated (such as by
`
`FMVSS111, referenced above).
`
`To supplement a flat driver-side exterior mirror reflector, an auxiliary and
`
`separate bent reflector is sometimes incorporated into the driver-side exterior sideview mirror
`
`assembly. However, this is often not suitable for passenger automobiles because of the extra
`
`space required in the sideview mirror assembly to accommodate an auxiliary reflector
`
`element. Also, in most passenger automobiles, the position of the side view mirrorreflector
`
`is adjustable by the driver (such as by a hand-adjust, or by a manually adjustable cable such
`as a Bowden cable or by an electrically operable actuator, as knownin the art) in order to
`
`provideto that driverhis or her desired rearwardfield of view, which ill-suits use of a
`
`- separate, auxiliary reflector. Likewise, addition of stick-on blind-spot mirrorreflectors (such
`
`as are commonly sold in automotive parts stores and the like) onto an automobile exterior
`
`sideview mirrorreflector has disadvantages, including obscuring field of view of the
`
`automobile mirror reflector and adding to mirror element vibration.
`Thereis thus a need to provide an automobile exterior sideview reflective
`element, and particularly a driver-side automobile exterior sideview reflective element, that
`
`overcomesthe disadvantages above and that provides the driver of the automobile with a
`
`distortion-free field of view with unit magnification that is supplemented with a wide-angle
`
`view of a side lane blind spot, and there is a need that this be provided in a unitary. reflective
`
`element assembly module suitable to mount onto, and be adjusted by, the mirrorreflector
`
`adjustment mechanism (suchas an electrically operated, motorized actuator) providedin the
`
`exterior sideview mirror assembly.
`;
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile equipped with exterior sideview
`
`mirror assemblies accordingto this present invention;
`Fig. 2 is a top plan partial fragmentary view of the driver’s side exterior
`rearview mirror assembly of Fig. 1;
`
`Fig, 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a plano-multiradius reflective element
`
`assembly of the mirror assembly in Fig.2;
`
`Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a demarcation elementofthe plano-
`
`multiradius reflective element assembly of Fig. 3;
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`40
`
`3:
`
`TT
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 010
`
`\ :i\{ 4
`
`ii
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 010
`
`

`

`|
`
`
`
`ere
`
`;
`
`
`|
`
`when mounted in an exterior sideview mirror assembly mountedto the side body of an
`automobile, that has non-unit magnification. The plano portion provides a distortion-free
`rearwardfield of view and serves as the principal rearward-viewing portion of the plano-
`multiradius reflective element. The multiradius portion provides a wide angle rearwardfield
`
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`Fig. 5A-5H illustrate views of various locations for a plano reflective element
`
`and an auxiliary reflective element according to this present invention;
`
`Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a second embodimentof a plano reflective
`
`element assembly according to the present invention including a demarcation element formed
`
`§
`
`asa dividing wall in a backing plate element;
`
`Fig. 6A is a cross-section taken along line XX of Fig.6;
`
`Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY of Fig.6; and
`
`Fig. 7 is a schematic of a third embodimentof a plano-auxiliary reflective
`
`element assembly according to this present invention.
`
`10
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION -
`=A This invention provides a plano reflective element with unit magnification and
`
`an auxiliary reflector element for use in an exterior sideview mirror assembly on an
`
`automobile, More specifically, this invention provides a plano-multiradius reflective element
`
`assembly suitable for use in an exterior sideview mirror assembly mounted to the side body
`
`15
`
`ofan automobile. The plano-multiradius reflective element assembly of this inventionis
`_ especially suitable for mounting in a Griver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly that is
`mounted to the side of the automobilebody adjacentto the seating position ofthe driver in
`
`the front of the interior vehicular cabin. The plano-multiradius reflective element assembly
`
`of this invention comprises a plano portion which has a rearward field of view, when
`
`20
`
`mounted in an exterior sideview mirror assembly mountedto the side body of an automobile,
`
`with unit magnification. This plano portion comprisesa flat substrate, typically a flat glass
`
`substrate, provided with a reflective surface, The plano-multiradius reflective element
`
`assembly of this invention also includes a multiradius portion with a rearward field of view,
`
`25
`
`of view, and typically supplements the rearwardfield of view of the plano portion. This
`
`multiradius portion comprises a curved substrate, typically a bent glass substrate, provided
`
`30
`
`with a reflective surface. The plano portion and the multiradius portion are demarcated apart
`
`by a demarcation element. The demarcation element enables the driver of a vehicle equipped
`
`with the plano-multiradius reflective elementof this invention to readily delineate a rearward
`
`-4-
`
`|
`
`|
`
`SMR USA _
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 011
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 011
`
`

`

`
`
`
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`astetecaipdi
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`view in the plano portion from a rearward view in the multiradius portion. The plano portion
`
`comprises a flat reflective element and the multiradius portion comprisesa bentreflective
`
`element. The flat, plano reflective element and the curved, multiradius reflective element are
`
`individually and separately manufactured, and are adjacently attached to a single backing
`
`plate (which typically comprises a polymeric substrate, most*typically a molded polymeric
`
`substrate), and with the demarcation elementdisposed at the joint of the plano,flat reflective
`
`elementand the multiradius, bent reflective element. The backing plate is fabricated
`
`(typically by polymeric molding) to have a flat portion that correspondsto the plano,flat
`
`reflective element, and a curved surface that correspondsto the multiradius, curved reflective
`
`element. The attachmentof the plano reflective element and an auxiliary reflective element
`
`-to-a single backing plate produces a unitary plano-auxiliary reflective element assembly
`
`module suitable for mounting in an exterior sideview mirror assembly. By adjusting the
`
`position of the backing plate within the exterior sideview mirror assembly, the rearward
`
`fields of view of both the planoreflective element and the auxiliary reflective element are
`
`15
`
`simultaneously and similarly aligned.
`
`One embodimentof the invention includes an exterior sideview mirror system
`suitable for use in an automobile competing an exterior sideview mirror assembly adapted
`for attachment to a side of the automobile. The exterior sideview murror assembly includes a
`
`reflective element having a rearward field of view when attached to said side ofthe
`
`automobile. The reflective element is attached to an actuator and is movable by the actuator
`
`in orderto position the reflective element’s rearward field of view in response to a control.
`
`Thereflective element comprises a plano-multiradius reflective element assembly which
`comprises a plano reflective element having unit magnification and a separate multiradius
`reflective element having a multiradius curvature. The plano element and the separate
`multiradius element of the plano-multiradius reflective element assembly are attached to a
`backing plate element. The backing plate element is mounted to the actuator suchthat
`movementof the backing plate element (and hence the plano-multiradius reflective element
`
`assembly) by the actuator simultaneously and similarly moves the plano element and the
`multiradius element, The plano elementand the multiradius element are separately and,
`preferably, adjacently attached to the backing plate elementat a joint.
`
`In a further embodiment, a demarcation element is disposedat this joint to
`
`form a demarcation between the plano element and the multiradius element; this demarcation
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`
`
`
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 012
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 012
`
`

`

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`
`elementis dark colored, such as with a color selected from the group consisting of black,
`grey, blue and brown. Optionally, there is a spaceatthe joint of the plano element and the
`multiradius element and the demarcation elementis at least partially disposed in said space
`
`betweensaid plano elementand said multiradius element. The demarcation element can
`
`comprise at least one of a polymer material, a tape, a plastic film, a paint, a lacquer and a
`caulk.
`
`In a further embodiment, the demarcation element comprises a wall on the
`
`backing plate element; this wall being located on the backing plate elementat the joint of the
`
`plano element and the multiradius element, this wall separating the respective elements apart.
`
`ae
`
`In preferred embodiments, the portion of the demarcation elementvisible to a
`
`driver of an automobile equipped with the plano-multiradius reflective element assembly of
`
`this invention has a width from about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm.
`
`In preferred embodiments, the plano elementis attached to the backing plate
`
`elementby at least one of an adhesive attachment and a mechanical attachment.
`
`In preferred embodiments, the multiradius elementis attached to the backing
`plate elementat a location such that,When the exterior mirror assembly is attached to a side
`of an automobile, at least portion, and preferably at least a substantial portion, of the plano
`
`elementis disposed closer to the side of the vehicle than any portion of the multiradius
`
`20
`
`element element.
`
`In preferred embodiments, the multiradius element comprises a bent glass
`
`substrate with radii of curvature in the range of from about 4000 mm to about 50 mm, and the
`
`ratio of the width of the plano element to the width of the multiradius elementis greater than
`
`1.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`In preferred embodiments, the principal axis of the rearwardfield of view of
`
`the auxiliary, multiradius element is different from and angledto the principal axis of the
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`rearward field of view of the plano element when both are attached to the backing plate
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`element of the plano-multiradius reflective element assembly and when the plano-multiradius
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`reflective element assembly is mounted in an exterior sideview mirror assembly on an
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`automobile. The principal axis of the rearwardfield of view of the plano elementis directed
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`generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of an automobile equipped with the plano-
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`multiradius reflective element assembly and the principal axis of the rearwardfield of view
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`4
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`element havingaportion visible to a driver of the automobile. Preferably, the demarcation
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`
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`SMR USA _
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 013
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 013
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`®
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`@
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`of the multiradius element is directed generally at an angle downwards to the longitudinal
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`axis of the vehicle.
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`In a preferred embodiment, the exterior sideview mirror assembly equipped
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`with the plano-multiradius reflective element assembly comprises a fixedly attached exterior
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`sideview mirror assembly. In another preferred embodiment, the exterior sideview mirror
`assembly equipped with the plano-multiradius reflective element assembly comprisesa
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`break-away exterior sideview mirror assembly. In another preferred embodiment, the
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`exterior sideview mirror assembly equipped with the plano-multiradius reflective element
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`assembly comprises a powerfold exterior sideview mirror assembly. In another preferred
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`embodiment, the actuator of the exterior sideview mirror assembly to which the plano-
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`multiradius reflective element assembly is mounted comprises an electrically operable
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`actuator. In another preferred embodiment, the actuator of the exterior sideview mirror
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`assembly to which the plano-multiradius reflective element assembly is mounted is controlled
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`by a switch or by a memory controller. In another preferred embodiment, the plano element
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`and/or the multiradius element of the plano-multiradius reflective element assembly
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`comprises an electro-optic reflective element, preferably an electrochromic reflective
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`element. In another preferred embodiment, the plano elementof the plano-multiradius
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`reflective element assembly comprises an electro-optic reflective element, preferably an
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`electrochromic reflective element, and the multiradius element comprises a fixed reflectance
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`mirror reflector, such as a fixed reflectance mirror reflector comprises a bent glass substrate
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`coated with a metallic reflector coating.
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`In a preferred embodiment, the plano-auxiliary reflective element assembly is
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`assembly is formed in an integral molding operation.
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`These and other advantages, features, and modifications will become more
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`apparent when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings and the detailed description which
`follows.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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`As illustrated in Fig. 1, passenger automobile 10 (which may be a sedan, a
`station-wagon, a sports car, a convertible, a minivan, a sports utility vehicle, a pick-up truck
`or a similar passenger carrying non-commercial, personal transportation automobile) includes
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`an interior rearview mirror assembly 18 positioned within interior vehicle cabin 25. Interior
`vehicle cabin 25 further includes a steering wheel 16, a driver seat 20 positionedat
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`|
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 014
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 014
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`we
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`]
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`steering wheel 16, a front passenger seat 21 adjacent to driver seat 20 in the front portion of
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`cabin 25, and a rear passenger seat 23 in the rear portion of cabin 25. Automobile 10 further
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`includes a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly 12 and a passenger-side exterior
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`sideyiew mirror assembly 14, each adapted for attachment to opposing sides of automobile
`body 11, most preferably adjacentto the seating position of the driver seated in driver seat 20
`for driver-side assembly 12 and adjacentto the front passenger seat 21 for passenger-side
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`assembly 14. Exterior sideview mirrors, mounted as shownin Fig, 1 close to the driver
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`seating location, are commonly referred to as door-mounted exterior sideview mirror
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`assemblies. Driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly 12 includes,as illustrated in Fig.
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`2, a plano-multiradius exterior sideview reflective element assembly 30. Plano-multiradius
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`reflective element assembly 30 is mountedto a reflective element positioning actuator 36.
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`The orientation of plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30, and hence its rearward
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`field of view, is adjustable by actuator 36 in response to control 37. Control 37 can comprise
`a handsetcontrolthat allows the driver manually move the orientation of plano-multiradius
`reflective element assembly 30 within exterior mirror housing 40 (such as by a lever control
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`or by a cable control) and hence reposition the rearward field of view of plano-multiradius
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`reflective element assembly 30. Alternately, when actuator 36 comprises an electrically
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`actuated actuatorthat is electrically operable incorporating at least one motor, control 37 can
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`comprise a switch (which, preferably, is operable under control of the driver seated in cabin
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`25) or control 37 can comprise a memory controller, as known in the automotive mirror art,
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`that controls actuator 36 to movethe position of plano-multiradius reflective element
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`assembly 30 to a pre-set orientation that suits the rearward field of view preference of an
`individual driver. Actuator 36 is mounted to bracket 38 which attaches to vehicle body side
`11. Plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is positionable by actuator 36 within
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`exterior mirror housing 40,
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` 5
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`20
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`Plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30, as shown in Fig. 3,
`comprises a plano element 50 and a separate multiradius element 55. Preferably, plano
`element 50 is adjacent to multiradius elementat a joint. At their joint, plano element 50 and
`separate multiradius element 55 can touch leaving substantially no gap or space
`therebetween, or plano element 50 and separate multiradius element 55 can be spaced apart at
`their joint by a space or gap, as in Fig. 3. Plano element 50 and multiradius element 55 are
`both mounted to surface 59 of, and are both supported by, a single backing plate element 60.
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`30
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`Exhibit 1029
`Page 015
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`Plano element 50 and multiradius element 55 are demarcated apart by demarcation element
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`65. Surface 61 of backing plate element 60 is preferably adapted to attach, such as by
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`attachment member 64, to actuator 36 when plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30
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`is mounted in driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly 12 (and/or in passenger-side
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`exterior side view murror assembly 14) such that plano element 50 and multiradius element
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`55 are adjusted and positioned in tandem and simultaneously when the driver (or
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`alternatively, when a mirror memory system, as is conventional in the rearview mirrorarts)
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`activates actuator 36 to reposition the rearward field of view of plano-multiradius reflective
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`element assembly 30. Thus, since elements 50, 55 are part of plano-multiradius reflective
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`element assembly 30, movement of plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 by
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`actuator 36 simultaneously and similarly moves plano element 50 and multiradius element
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`35.
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`Plano element 50 preferably comprises a flat reflector-coated glass substrate
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`having unit magnification, and comprises a reflective surface through which the angular
`height and width of the image of an object is equal to the angular height and width of the
`object when viewed at the same distance (except for flaws that do not exceed normal
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`manufacturing tolerances). Plano element 50 may comprise a conventional fixed reflectance
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`mirror reflector or it may comprise a variable reflectance mirror reflector whose reflectivity is
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`electrically adjustable. For example, plano element 50 may comprise a flat glass substrate
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`coated with a metallic reflector coating such as a chromium coating,a titanium coating, a
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`rhodium coating, a metal alloy coating, a nickel-alloy coating, a silver coating, an aluminum
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`coating (or any alloy or combination of these metal reflectors). The metal reflector coating of
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`plano element 50 may bea first surface coating (such as on surface 66) or a second surface
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`coating (such as on surface 67), as such terms are known in the mirror art. The reflector
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`coating on plano element 50 may also comprise a dielectric coating, or a multilayer of
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`dielectric coatings, or a combination of a metal layer and a dielectric layer to form
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`automotive mirror reflectors as known in the automotive mirrorart. If a variable reflectance
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`
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`reflector element, plano element 50 preferably comprises an electro-optic reflector element
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`and, most preferably, an electrochromic reflector element.
`When mounted into exterior side view mirror assembly 12 and/or 14, plano-
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`30
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`multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is preferably orientated so that at least a portion
`of (more preferably a substantial portion of) the reflector surface of plano element 50 is
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`-9-
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`meee"
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 016
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`Exhibit 1029
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`positioned closer to the vehicle body (and hence to the driver) than any portion of the
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`reflector surface of multiradius element 55. Thus, and referring to Figure 3, side A of plano
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`element 50 of plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is positioned closer to the
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`driver than side D of multiradius element 55 when plano-multiradiusreflective element
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`assembly 30 is mounted on an automobile. Also, when mounted into exterior side view
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`mirror assembly 12 and/or 14, surfaces 66, 68 of plano-multiradius reflective element
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`assembly 30 face rearwardly in terms of the direction of vehicle travel.
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`Multiradius element 55 of plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30
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`preferably comprises a curved/bent mirrored glass substrate. The degree of curvature
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`preferably increases (and hence the local radius of curvature decreases) across the surface of
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`multiradius element 55 with the least curvature (largest radius of curvature) occurring at the
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`side of multiradius element 55 (side C in Fig. 3) positioned adjacentits joint to plano element
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`50 when both are mounted on backing plate element 60. Thus, and referring to Figure 3, the
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`local radius of curvature at side C of multiradius element 55, when mounted on backing plate
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`element60, is larger than at side D. Also, the local radius of curvature preferably
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`progressively decreases across multiradius element 55 from side C to side D, Preferably, the
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`local radius of curvature at side C of multiradius element 55 is at least about 1000 mm; more
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`preferably is at least about 2000 mm and mostpreferably is at least about 3000 mm whereas
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`the local radius of curvature at side D of multiradius element 55 is, preferably, less than about
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`750 mm, more preferably less than about 350 mm; most preferably less than about 150 mm.
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`Preferably, multirad