Method and apparatus for converting a rearview mirror into a dedicated information display

• US 7,121,028 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2002
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: U-Haul International Incorporated (U-Haul Holding Co.)
• Original Assignee: U-Haul International Incorporated (U-Haul Holding Co.)
• Inventors: Dolan, Robert A., Shoen, Mark V., Ueland, Rodger A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olson, Lars A.
• Application Number:
  US10/315,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20040107617A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,408 Days
• Field of Search: 405/93, 405/91, 156/247, 340/461, 340/815.43, 340/815.53, 359/838, 359/839, 362/494, 362/487, 428/35.7, 428/219, 428/220
• US Class Current: 40/593
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/049 giving information to passengers inside the vehicles

Abstract

A dedicated information display in a vehicle is provided, the display having a rearview mirror with a reflective surface. The display also includes a label having an adhesive side and a display side, and a size and a shape that covers a portion of the reflective surface of the rearview mirror. The adhesive side of the label is affixed to the rearview mirror such that the rearview mirror is converted into an effectively dedicated information display. The information display may also be constructed using an electronic display.

Claims

1. A dedicated information display in a vehicle with a rearview mirror, the rearview mirror having a reflective surface, comprising:

a label holder having;

an attachment means for affixing the label holder to the rearview mirror;

a bezel for enclosing a label, the bezel including an opening to display the label;

whereby when the label holder is affixed to the rearview mirror, the rearview mirror is converted into an effectively dedicated information display.

2. The display of claim 1, where the attachment means comprises a set of mounting arms with each arm having an adhesive pad.

3. The display of claim 2, where the adhesive pad comprises an adhesive that is a heat tolerant adhesive.

4. The display of claim 2, where the adhesive pad comprises an adhesive that is a cold tolerant adhesive.

5. The display of claim 1, where the attachment means comprises a set of hook-and-loop type fasteners.

6. The display of claim 1, where the attachment means comprises a set of suction cups.

7. The display of claim 1, where the label holder is removably affixed to the rearview mirror.

8. The display of claim 1, where the label holder includes an opening on an edge of the label holder through which the label is inserted.

9. A display in a vehicle with a rearview mirror comprising:

an informational display device having;

an attachment member for affixing the informational display device to the rearview mirror; and

,

a size and a shape that covers at least a portion of the rearview mirror, and the portion of the rearview mirror being covered is prevented from acting as a mirror surface;

whereby when the informational display device is affixed to the rearview mirror, the rearview mirror is converted into an informational display.

10. The display of claim 9, where the rearview mirror has a reflective surface and the size and the shape of the informational display device covers a substantial portion of the reflective surface of the rearview mirror.

11. The display of claim 9, where the attachment member comprises a set of mounting arms with each arm having an adhesive pad.

12. The display of claim 11, where the adhesive pad comprises an adhesive that is a heat tolerant adhesive.

13. The display of claim 11, where the adhesive pad comprises an adhesive that is a cold tolerant adhesive.

14. The display of claim 9, where the attachment member comprises a set of hook-and-loop type fasteners.

15. The display of claim 9, where the attachment member comprises a set of suction cups.

16. The display of claim 9, where the informational display device is removably affixed to the rearview mirror.