AUXILIARY REARVIEW MIRROR AND LIGHT ASSEMBLY

• US 20040062051A1
• Filed: 09/26/2002
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Henry T.H. Hsu
• Original Assignee: Henry T.H. Hsu
• Inventors: Hsu, Henry T. H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,746,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/88 Means for plugging to the electrical power supply of the vehicle, e.g. by using cigarette lighter sockets
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

An auxiliary rearview mirror and light assembly includes a non-incandescent light source, an auxiliary rearview mirror, a power source adapter, and a primary rearview mirror mounting assembly. The primary rearview mirror mounting assembly includes at least one fixed appendage and at least one adjustable appendage. The fixed appendage and the adjustable appendage are positioned in an opposing direction. The adjustable appendage has a bias element that exerts a force on the adjustable appendage in a direction towards the fixed appendage. The adjustable appendage is extensible to fit the primary rearview mirror.

Claims

1. An auxiliary rearview mirror assembly comprising:

at least one non-incandescent light;

a power source interface;

a casing with a front side and a back side, the casing housing the non-incandescent light and the power source interface, wherein at least part of the non-incandescent light is exposed along one or more sides of the auxiliary rearview mirror so as to provide a path of illumination from the non-incandescent light outside the casing;

an auxiliary rearview mirror mounted on the front side of the casing; and

a primary rearview mirror mounting assembly integrated into the back side of the casing including;

at least one fixed appendage;

at least one adjustable appendage; and

at least one bias element coupled to the adjustable appendage;

wherein the fixed appendage opposes the adjustable appendage and the bias element applies a force on the adjustable appendage in a direction towards the fixed appendage so as to hold the casing onto a primary rearview mirror.

2. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one opening formed between the front and the back provides a path of illumination from the non-incandescent light mounted inside the casing.

3. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the non-incandescent light is at least one of the following:

a black light;

a neon light; and

a flourescent light.

4. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a switch operable to complete an electric circuit including the non-incandescent light and a power source adapter.

5. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the power source interface is electrically coupled to the power source adapter including a plug adapted to receive power from a vehicle auxiliary power receptacle.

6. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the power source interface is electrically coupled to at least one of the following power sources:

a battery;

a power supply; and

a generator.

7. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the casing is manufactured from one or more of the following:

plastic; and

metal.

8. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 7, wherein the casing is formed with a color and/or formed to be translucent.

9. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary rearview mirror is:

flat;

concave; and

convex.

10. An auxiliary rearview mirror assembly comprising:

at least one black light;

a power source interface;

a casing with a front side and a back side, the casing housing the black light and the power source interface, wherein at least part of the black light is exposed along one or more sides of the auxiliary rearview mirror so as to provide a path of illumination from the black light outside the casing;

an auxiliary rearview mirror mounted on the front side of the casing; and

a primary rearview mirror mounting assembly integrated into the back side of the casing including;

at least one fixed appendage;

at least one adjustable appendage; and

at least one bias element coupled to the adjustable appendage;

wherein the fixed appendage opposes the adjustable appendage and the bias element applies a force on the adjustable appendage in a direction towards the fixed appendage so as to hold the casing onto a primary rearview mirror.

11. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 10, wherein at least one opening formed between the front and the back provides a path of illumination from the black light mounted inside the casing.

12. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 10, wherein the power source interface is electrically coupled to a power source adapter including a plug adapted to receive power from a vehicle auxiliary power receptacle.

13. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 10, wherein the casing is manufactured from one or more of the following:

plastic; and

metal.

14. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 13, wherein the casing is formed with a color and/or formed to be translucent.

15. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 10, wherein the auxiliary rearview mirror is:

flat;

concave; and

convex.

16. An auxiliary rearview mirror assembly comprising:

at least one neon light;

a power source interface;

a casing with a front side and a back side, the casing housing the neon light and the power source interface, wherein at least part of the neon light is exposed along one or more sides of the auxiliary rearview mirror so as to provide a path of illumination from the neon light outside the casing;

an auxiliary rearview mirror mounted on the front side of the casing; and

a primary rearview mirror mounting assembly integrated into the back side of the casing including;

at least one fixed appendage;

at least one adjustable appendage; and

at least one bias element coupled to the adjustable appendage;

wherein the fixed appendage opposes the adjustable appendage and the bias element applies a force on the adjustable appendage in a direction towards the fixed appendage so as to hold the casing onto a primary rearview mirror.

17. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein at least one opening formed between the front and the back provides a path of illumination from the neon light mounted inside the casing.

18. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein the power source interface is electrically coupled to a power source adapter including a plug adapted to receive power from a vehicle auxiliary power receptacle.

19. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein the casing is manufactured from one or more of the following:

plastic; and

metal.

20. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 19, wherein the casing is formed with a color and/or formed to be translucent.

21. The auxiliary rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein the auxiliary rearview mirror is:

flat;

concave; and

convex.