Ventilation – Vehicle – Condensation preventer
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-01
2001-07-31
Joyce, Harold (Department: 3749)
Ventilation
Vehicle
Condensation preventer
C454S124000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267664
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to vehicle accessories and more particularly to a exterior side view mirror and side window defogger system that includes a side view mirror assembly and a mirror air supply ducting system; the side view mirror assembly being attachable to a vehicle door assembly and including a mirror housing portion defining a mirror receiving cavity within which a mirror is adjustably mounted such that an air cavity is created between a back surface of the mirror and the interior surface of the mirror housing portion and a hollow door connecting portion formed in integral connection with the mirror housing portion an air passageway formed between a door connecting opening and the air chamber, the hollow door connecting portion having a window vent outlet formed in connection therewith that includes a number of air flow slots formed through the exterior surface thereof that are shaped and adapted to discharge air through the air flow slots in a direction toward a door side window; the mirror air supply ducting system being installed within the side view mirror assembly; the mirror air supply ducting system including a door jamb air vent gasket provided on a terminal end of a door connecting duct section positioned to form a sealed airflow connection with a vehicle air vent duct gasket of the vehicle air duct system when the vehicle door is in the closed position, a side window defogger feed duct assembly including a mirror housing duct structure including an inlet duct in connection with an outlet end of the door connecting duct section, a window vent duct feed outlet in connection with the window vent outlet and a mirror defogger air distribution manifold outlet in connection with an air distribution manifold assembly; the air distribution manifold assembly being positioned within the air cavity and having a number of air vent openings shaped and adapted to direct air onto a back surface of the mirror; the inlet duct of the mirror housing duct structure having a on/off valve with a user manipulatable linkage that includes an on/off valve plate that is movable between an off position wherein the on/off valve plate totally blocks air flow between the inlet duct and the outlet end of the door connecting duct section and an on position allowing air flow therebetween; the mirror housing duct structure of the side window defogger feed duct assembly including an airflow adjustment mechanism; the air flow adjustment mechanism including a pivoting air diverter/blocking plate manipulatable by a user and mounted within the mirror housing duct structure such that the diverter/blocking plate is positionable in a first diverter/blocking plate position whereby all airflow from the inlet duct of the mirror housing duct structure is directed to the air distribution manifold assembly; a second diverter/blocking plate position whereby all airflow from the inlet duct of the mirror housing duct structure is directed to the window vent outlet; and a variety of user adjustment diverter/blocking plate positions located between the first and second diverter/blocking plate positions to allow the user to select the appropriate proportion of air flow to be directed respectively to the window vent outlet and the air distribution manifold to the side window and the side view mirror.
BACKGROUND ART
It can be dangerous to drive a vehcile with fogged up side view mirrors and/or side windows because the driver has an obstructed view of the traffic and can accidentally maneuver his/her vehicle in a manner to cause an accident. It would be a benefit, therefore, to have a system that would provide a defrosting mechanism in the form of an air stream directed against the side view mirror of a vehicle as well as an air stream directed agaisnt the side window of the vehicle adjacent to the side view mirror. Because differing weather conditions can require different defogging air streams to achieve a maximum defogging effect. It would be further desirable to have a side view mirror and side window defogger system for vehicles that further included one or more adjustment mechanisms to allow the user to optimize the defogging air streams directed toward the side view mirror and the side window.
GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF INVENTION
It is thus an object of the invention to provide a exterior side view mirror and side window defogger system that includes a side view mirror assembly and a mirror air supply ducting system; the side view mirror assembly being attachable to a vehicle door assembly and including a mirror housing portion defining a mirror receiving cavity within which a mirror is adjustably mounted such that an air cavity is created between a back surface of the mirror and the interior surface of the mirror housing portion and a hollow door connecting portion formed in integral connection with the mirror housing portion an air passageway formed between a door connecting opening and the air chamber, the hollow door connecting portion having a window vent outlet formed in connection therewith that includes a number of air flow slots formed through the exterior surface thereof that are shaped and adapted to discharge air through the air flow slots in a direction toward a door side window; the mirror air supply ducting system being installed within the side view mirror assembly; the mirror air supply ducting system including a door jamb air vent gasket provided on a terminal end of a door connecting duct section positioned to form a sealed airflow connection with a vehicle air vent duct gasket of the vehicle air duct system when the vehicle door is in the closed position, a side window defogger feed duct assembly including a mirror housing duct structure including an inlet duct in connection with an outlet end of the door connecting duct section, a window vent duct feed outlet in connection with the window vent outlet and a mirror defogger air distribution manifold outlet in connection with an air distribution manifold assembly; the air distribution manifold assembly being positioned within the air cavity and having a number of air vent openings shaped and adapted to direct air onto a back surface of the mirror; the inlet duct of the mirror housing duct structure having a on/off valve with a user manipulatable linkage that includes an on/off valve plate that is movable between an off position wherein the on/off valve plate totally blocks air flow between the inlet duct and the outlet end of the door connecting duct section and an on position allowing air flow therebetween; the mirror housing duct structure of the side window defogger feed duct assembly including an airflow adjustment mechanism; the air flow adjustment mechanism including a pivoting air diverter/blocking plate manipulatable by a user and mounted within the mirror housing duct structure such that the diverter/blocking plate is positionable in a first diverter/blocking plate position whereby all airflow from the inlet duct of the mirror housing duct structure is directed to the air distribution manifold assembly; a second diverter/blocking plate position whereby all airflow from the inlet duct of the mirror housing duct structure is directed to the window vent outlet; and a variety of user adjustment diverter/blocking plate positions located between the first and second diverter/blocking plate positions to allow the user to select the appropriate proportion of air flow to be directed respectively to the window vent outlet and the air distribution manifold to the side window and the side view mirror.
Accordingly, a exterior side view mirror and side window defogger system is provided. The exterior side view mirror and side window defogger system includes a side view mirror assembly and a mirror air supply ducting system; the side view mirror assembly being attachable to a vehicle door assembly and including a mirror housing portion defining a mirror receiving cavity within which a mirror is adjustably mounted such that an air cavity is created between a back surface of the mirror and the interior surface of the mirror
Vandale Alphonse J.
Vandale Margaret E.
Breaux Joseph N.
Joyce Harold
LandOfFree
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