US 5,073,012 · Granted 1991-12-17
The Rearview Mirror Patent That Stopped Shattered Glass From Becoming Shrapnel
Donnelly invented a laminated rearview mirror that won't explode into sharp fragments if it breaks, resists UV fading, and stays clear even when the car gets humid. It's basically a safety upgrade that turns a dangerous failure into a manageable one.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a rearview mirror assembly made from layered materials that keep broken glass held together instead of shattering into flying pieces, while also blocking ultraviolet light from degrading the reflective coating and incorporating anti-fogging technology to prevent moisture buildup. What's protected here is the specific laminate structure and the combination of these three protective features in one integrated mirror unit.
Why it matters
This patent reflects an important shift in automotive safety thinking during the early 1990s—moving beyond just making cars faster to making them safer when things go wrong. A rearview mirror that doesn't spray glass shards into the cabin during a collision or rough impact addresses real injury risk. The UV and anti-misting protections extend the mirror's useful life and visibility, which translates to fewer warranty replacements and better long-term customer satisfaction for the automaker.
Real-world use
Every time a car's mirror gets hit or a rear-end collision shatters the reflective surface, this laminate technology keeps the glass bonded together instead of exploding into dangerous splinters across the vehicle's interior.
Original USPTO abstract
A laminate, electro-optic rearview mirror assembly is disclosed which is protected against scattering fragments while reducing risk of laceration if broken/damaged, against ultraviolet (UV) radiation degradation, and against fogging or misting in high humidity conditions.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 5,073,012
- Filing date
- 1990-03-20
- Grant date
- 1991-12-17
- Assignee
- Donnelly Corporation
- Inventor(s)
- LYNAM; NIALL R.
- CPC class
- B32B17/10486
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