Vehicle accessory module

(54) VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE

(75) Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Holland, MI (US);

Joshua L. DeWard, Holland, MI (US);
Peter J. Whitehead, Holland, MI (US);
Niall R. Lynam, Holland, MI (US)

Correspondence Address:

VAN DYKE, GARDNER, LINN AND

BURKHART, LLP

2851 CHARLEVOIX DRIVE, S.E.

P.O. BOX 888695

GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49588-8695 (US)

(73) Assignee: Donnelly Corporation, a corporation of the State of Michigan, Holland, MI

(21) Appl. No.: 10/958,087

(22) Filed: Oct. 4, 2004

Related U.S. Application Data

(62) Division of application No. 10/355,454, filed on Jan. 31, 2003, now Pat. No. 6,824,281.

(60) Provisional application No. 60/350,965, filed on Jan. 31, 2002. Provisional application No. 60/364,008, filed on Mar. 14, 2002. Provisional application No.

60/374,724, filed on Apr. 23, 2002. Provisional application No. 60/381,314, filed on May 17, 2002. Provisional application No. 60/398,346, filed on Jul. 24, 2002. Provisional application No. 60/420,560, filed on Oct. 23, 2002.

Publication Classification

(51) Int. CI.7 G02B 7 182

(52) U.S. C I 359/876

(57) ABSTRACT

An accessory system of a vehicle comprises an accessory module assembly having a mounting portion, a head portion and a rearview mirror assembly. The mounting portion extends generally upward when mounted to an attachment member at a vehicle windshield. The head portion may extend generally horizontally and rearwardly with respect to the vehicle from an upper portion of the mounting portion. The head portion comprises electronic circuitry for at least one accessory. The mirror assembly is mountable to the mounting portion, with the head portion of the accessory module assembly extending generally above the mirror casing. The head portion may be viewable and/or user accessible above the mirror casing when the mirror assembly is mounted to the mounting portion. The head portion may be pivotable or articulatable relative to the base portion of the accessory module assembly.