US 4,930,742 · Granted 1990-06-05
The Adapter That Turned Your Windshield Into a Tech Hub
Imagine a small clip that sticks to your car's windshield and lets you snap your rearview mirror onto it—plus any accessory like a radar detector or microphone. This patent describes that clever adapter piece that lets drivers swap mirrors and gadgets without drilling new holes or buying new mounting hardware.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a mounting adapter that sits between a car window and a rearview mirror assembly. What's protected here is the specific design: a recessed channel on one side to grip a window button, and a raised projection on the other side that mimics a window button so different mirror types can click in. The adapter also protects the idea of housing vehicle accessories (like microphones, compasses, or radar detectors) on that same adapter, keeping them out of the way without blocking the mirror's adjustability or replacement.
Why it matters
This patent addressed a real pain point in car design: how to mount multiple devices on the windshield without cluttering the view or requiring permanent installation. By creating an adapter that acts as a middleman between window and mirror, Donnelly Corporation made it possible for drivers to swap mirrors and add accessories without engineering new mounting points. This approach became a standard in automotive accessory design and allowed the windshield area to become a flexible platform for gadgets that improve driving experience.
Real-world use
Every time a driver clips a GPS unit, dashcam, or phone holder to their windshield-mounted rearview mirror bracket, they're using the mounting logic this patent protects.
Original USPTO abstract
A mounting adaptor is disclosed for removably securing an interior rearview mirror assembly to a mounting support on the inner surface of a vehicle window such as a windshield. The adaptor preferably has a recessed channel on one side for receiving a window mounting button and a projection on the opposite surface simulating a window mounting button for removably mounting a rearview mirror assembly. The projection may be shaped to receive the same or a different mirror assembly channel mount as compared to the support on the window to allow conversion from one assembly to another without changing the window support. The adaptor may also include a support for a vehicular accessory such as a microphone, compass, headlight dimmer, light, moisture sensor, radar detector or the like. Such accessory is thus supported for convenient use by the driver or other vehicle occupant and in a highly advantageous operating position without interference with the rearview mirror, its replacement, interchangeability or adjustability. A wire cover may also be included on the adaptor. An assembly combining a microphone and a support for mounting a rearview mirror adjacent a driver within a vehicle is also disclosed.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 4,930,742
- Filing date
- 1988-03-25
- Grant date
- 1990-06-05
- Assignee
- Donnelly Corporation
- Inventor(s)
- SCHOFIELD; KENNETH, GALLMEYER; WILLIAM W., ZWIEP; THEODORE C.
- CPC class
- B60R1/04
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