US 6,428,172 · Granted 2002-08-06
The Rearview Mirror That Became Your Car's Glove Box
This patent describes an interior rearview mirror that has built-in storage space carved into its housing — basically turning the mirror you look at every drive into a tiny cubby for sunglasses, air fresheners, or whatever else fits. The clever part is that some accessories can swing down like a pendant from the mirror's top, so they're hidden when you don't need them but easy to grab when you do.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a rearview mirror assembly where the casing itself includes recessed storage areas — whether that's a pocket carved into the top wall, a slot in the front, back, or sides. It specifically protects the idea of combining a functional mirror with integrated storage that an occupant can easily access while driving, including any pendant-style accessories that swing in and out of a retracted position. Anyone manufacturing a rearview mirror with this exact storage architecture would be infringing.
Why it matters
This patent solves a real problem: vehicles have limited interior space, and drivers constantly need quick access to small items. By embedding storage into a component that already exists on every vehicle, Donnelly created a way to add utility without redesigning the dashboard or adding bulk. It's the kind of incremental innovation that major automakers license because it costs little to produce but noticeably improves the user experience.
Real-world use
Next time you're in a car with a rearview mirror that has a little compartment or a hanging trinket holder, you're looking at the practical application of this patent — a mirror that stores your toll pass, sunglasses, or air freshener within arm's reach.
Original USPTO abstract
An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element, a housing or casing supporting the reflective element, and the casing including a storage space. The storage space provides storage for at least one accessory and for storing the accessory in the location easily accessible by an occupant of the vehicle whereby the accessory can be inserted into and removed from the storage space for use by an occupant of the vehicle. The storage space may take the form of a recess provided in a top wall of the casing, a recessed portion provided in a front wall, back wall, or end wall of the casing. In one form, the recessed portion houses a pendent accessory which is movable between a retracted position within the recess to an extended position for viewing by an occupant of the vehicle. For example, the pendent accessory may include a reflective element or a display element, for displaying information to an occupant of the vehicle.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 6,428,172
- Filing date
- 1999-11-24
- Grant date
- 2002-08-06
- Assignee
- Donnelly Corporation
- Inventor(s)
- HUTZEL BARRY W., LYNAM NIALL R., DEWIND DARRYL P., LINDAHL JOHN O.
- CPC class
- B60R11/0247
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