A MIRROR ASSEMBLY SECURITY SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A mirror assembly security system for a vehicle comprising:
- an exterior mirror assembly including a reflective element, a casing for said reflective element, including means defining a mounting surface and a cooperating member associated with said mounting surface;
a light module positioned in said assembly, said light module for projecting light from said assembly on an area in order to create a lighted security zone in the area; and
said light module including an enclosure, a light-transmitting opening in said enclosure, a light source supported in said enclosure for radiating light through said light-transmitting opening, and a cover for said light-transmitting opening, and a positioning member interacting with said cooperating member in order to orient said enclosure at a given orientation with respect to said mounting surface.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mirror assembly security system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly and a light module removably positioned within the exterior mirror housing. The light module is moisture impervious and includes an enclosure, a light-emitting opening in the enclosure, a light source in the enclosure radiating light through the light-emitting opening, and a cover for the light-emitting opening adapted to direct the light from the light source to an area adjacent the vehicle to create a security area. The light source may be supported by a pair of electrical contacts provided on the inner surface of the enclosure. The enclosure wall supporting the electrical contacts is preferably flexible, in order to allow the light source to be captured by the contacts. Attachment of the cover adds rigidity to the enclosure to prevent further flexure of the enclosure wall in order to firmly retain the light source. The enclosure is preferably configured so that the same unit can be installed in both left and right handed exterior mirror assemblies even though the light module generates a non-symmetrical light pattern. A reflective surface is provided in the enclosure which cooperates with the cover to produce a generally collimated light pattern.
75 Citations
87 Claims
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1. A mirror assembly security system for a vehicle comprising:
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an exterior mirror assembly including a reflective element, a casing for said reflective element, including means defining a mounting surface and a cooperating member associated with said mounting surface;
a light module positioned in said assembly, said light module for projecting light from said assembly on an area in order to create a lighted security zone in the area; and
said light module including an enclosure, a light-transmitting opening in said enclosure, a light source supported in said enclosure for radiating light through said light-transmitting opening, and a cover for said light-transmitting opening, and a positioning member interacting with said cooperating member in order to orient said enclosure at a given orientation with respect to said mounting surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A light module for positioning in an opening in an exterior mirror assembly of a vehicle, the exterior mirror assembly having a casing and a retaining structure located within said casing, said light module comprising:
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enclosure having an enclosure wall defining an inner surface;
a pair of electrical contacts disposed on said inner surface of said enclosure wall, said contacts adapted for coupling to an external power supply;
a light-transmitting opening in said enclosure;
a cover extending over said light-transmitting opening for sealing said enclosure for transmitting light from a light source in said enclosure to an area adjacent the vehicle;
a light source supported by and coupled to said contacts in said enclosure, said light source radiating light toward said light-transmitting opening and through said cover;
said enclosure adapted for mounting in the opening of the exterior mirror housing; and
said enclosure wall and portions of said contacts on said enclosure wall are flexible and are adapted to deflect prior to installation of said cover to permit insertion of said light source between said enclosure wall, said cover adding rigidity to said enclosure wall when installed on said enclosure so that said light source is rigidly supported in said enclosure between said contacts when said cover is installed. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A security light module for an exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle, the exterior mirror assembly including a mirror case and a reflective element supported in the mirror case, said security module comprising:
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a housing defining an compartment, said housing having a unitary body including a side wall and a light emitting opening in communication with said compartment, said compartment defining a central axis;
a light source having an elongated radiating surface, said light source mounted in said compartment approximately on said central axis;
a reflective surface at least partially straddling said light source;
a cover sealing said compartment and adapted to transmit light from said light source, wherein at least one of said reflective surface and said cover direct light from said light source in a direction angled with respect to said central axis. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77)
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78. A mirror assembly security system for a vehicle comprising:
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an exterior mirror assembly including a housing and a reflective element supported by said housing;
a light module positioned in said exterior mirror assembly, said light module for projecting light from said exterior mirror assembly on an area near the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in the area; and
said light module including an enclosure and a light source supported in said enclosure, said enclosure having a volume that is less than approximately 100 cubic centimeters, and said light module for illuminating an area with a light level in the range of approximately 10 lux to approximately 40 lux. - View Dependent Claims (79, 80, 81, 82)
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83. A light module for positioning in an opening in an exterior mirror assembly of a vehicle, the exterior mirror assembly having a housing and a reflective element supported in the housing, the housing including an opening, said light module comprising:
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enclosure defining a compartment having an inner surface;
a light-transmitting opening in said enclosure;
a cover extending over said light-transmitting opening for sealing said enclosure and for transmitting light from a light source in said enclosure to an area adjacent the vehicle, said cover including at least one non-planar optic surface for directing the light in a first direction from the module for illuminating an area adjacent a first side of the vehicle;
a light source supported in said enclosure, said light source radiating light toward said light-transmitting opening and through said cover;
said enclosure adapted for mounting in the opening of the exterior mirror housing; and
said cover adapted to be reorientated about the enclosure to redirect the light from the module in a second direction for illuminating an area adjacent a second side of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (84, 85, 86, 87)
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Specification