Patent US5162950A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5162950A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lighted mirror assembly for motor vehicle visor
Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
•
Filing: 1989-05-11
•
Granted: 1992-11-10
•
Expires: 2009-05-11
Abstract
Abstract An illuminated vanity mirror assembly for a sun visor includes a resistor screen-printed on a polymeric film substrate mounted adhesively to the back face of a glass mirror. A wiper arm is coupled to the resistor for providing a variable resistance to control the illumination from a lamp coupled to the variable resistance.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Suman
- 👤 Russell L. Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:59
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V23/00; F21V23/02; H; H05; H05B; H05B39/00; H05B39/04; H05B39/041; H05B39/044; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B20/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
For use in a vehicle visor, a vanity mirror assembly for providing variable illumination for use of the vanity mirror in low ambient light conditions, said mirror assembly comprising a glass mirror having a back face, a polymeric film substrate mounted adhesively to the back face of said mirror, and electrical circuit components printed on said substrate, said components including a resistor element printed on said substrate and a wiper associated with said resistor element for defining a variable resistance; said component further including means for receiving at least one lamp for the illumination of said mirror, terminals for receiving operating power from a vehicle power source and means for coupling said variable resistance to said terminals such that a lamp received by said assembly can be selectively activated to control the intensity of light therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
For use in a vehicle visor, a vanity mirror assembly for providing variable illumination for use of the vanity mirror in low ambient light conditions, said mirror assembly comprising a glass mirror having a back face, a polymeric film substrate mounted adhesively to the back face of said mirror, and electrical circuit components printed on said substrate, said components including a resistor element printed on said substrate and a wiper associated with said resistor element for defining a variable resistance; said component further including means for receiving at least one lamp for the illumination of said mirror, terminals for receiving operating power from a vehicle power source and means for coupling said variable resistance to said terminals such that a lamp received by said assembly can be selectively activated to control the intensity of light therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the substrate covers and is mounted adhesively over substantially the full expanse of the back face of the mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mirror assembly of claim 2 further comprising a layer of adhesive mounting the substrate to the back face of the mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said components are screen-printed on the substrate in particle-laden polymeric inks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said resistor element is a resistive component of a voltage divider.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mirror assembly of claim 5 wherein said resistor element is screen-printed on the substrate in carbon particle-laden polymeric ink.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein the substrate covers and is mounted adhesively over substantially the full expanse of the back face of the mirror.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mirror assembly of claim 7 further comprising a layer of adhesive mounting the substrate to the back face of the mirror.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
A mirror and circuit for use in an illuminated vanity mirror assembly for a vehicle visor comprising: a mirror having a size and shape to fit in a vehicle visor and having a forward reflective side and a rear surface; a polymeric film substrate including an electrical circuit formed on one side thereof, said electrical circuit including a pair of spaced electrodes near opposite ends of said mirror for receiving lamps for the illumination of said mirror, said circuit further including a resistance element coupled to said electrodes for controlling illumination from said lamps coupled to said electrodes; and adhesive means coupling said film substrate to said rear surface of said mirror.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
112 words
A mirror and circuit for use in an illuminated vanity mirror assembly for a vehicle visor comprising: a mirror having a size and shape to fit in a vehicle visor and having a forward reflective side and a rear surface; a polymeric film substrate including an electrical circuit formed on one side thereof, said electrical circuit including a pair of spaced electrodes near opposite ends of said mirror for receiving lamps for the illumination of said mirror, said circuit further including a resistance element coupled to said electrodes for controlling illumination from said lamps coupled to said electrodes; and adhesive means coupling said film substrate to said rear surface of said mirror.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said adhesive means is integral with said polymeric film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as described in claim 9 and further including a wiper arm coupled to said resistance element to form a voltage divider for varying the illumination from lamps coupled to said electrodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE1959650A1
Cited
US3839620A
Cited
US3887788A
Cited
US3926470A
Cited
US4000404A
Cited
US4075468A
Cited
US4203149A
Cited
US4227241A
Cited
US4213112A
Cited
US4227242A
Cited
US4518192A
Cited
US4435691A
Cited
US4491899A
Cited
US4494789A
Cited
US4586788A
Cited
US4820022A
Cited
US4733336A
Cited
US4760503A
Cited
US4744645A
Cited
US4882466A
Cited
US4940317A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-10 | 1996-05-11 | 1996-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-10 | 2000-05-11 | 2000-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-10 | 2004-05-11 | 2004-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |