Combination indicator and blind spot mirror

• US 20050047158A1
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Karsten Koehler
• Original Assignee: Karsten Koehler
• Inventors: Koehler, Karsten
• Application Number:
  US10/652,887
• Publication Number:
  US 20050047158A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/487
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/082 using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

A combination indicator and blind spot mirror having a housing, the housing including a base capable of being secured to a mirror. A mirror glass is secured to the housing. At least one light is included that is operative in relation to an automotive event.

Claims

1. A combination indicator and blind spot mirror comprising:

a) a housing having a base capable of being secured to a mirror;

b) a mirror glass secured to the housing; and

c) at least one light, operative in relation to an automotive event, wherein at least a portion of the at least one light extends exterior of the housing.

2. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 1 wherein the at least one light comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

3. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 2 wherein the at least one light comprises two or three light-emitting diodes.

4. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 1 further comprising a protective enclosure enclosing the portion of the at least one light that extends exterior of the housing.

5. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 1 wherein the housing is rectangular.

6. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 1 wherein the housing is rounded.

7. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 6 wherein the at least one light comprises a plurality of lights arranged around the exterior of the rounded housing in a semicircle.

8. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 6 wherein the at least one light comprises at least three lights arranged around the exterior of the rounded housing in a circle.

9. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 1 wherein the at least one light comprises a plurality of lights of at least two different sizes.

10. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 1 wherein the at least one light comprises a plurality of lights of at least two different colors.

11. A combination indicator and blind spot mirror comprising:

a) a housing having a base capable of being secured to a mirror wherein at least a portion of the housing is translucent;

b) a mirror glass secured to the housing; and

c) at least one light, operative in relation to an automotive event, wherein the at least one light illuminates the translucent portion of the housing in relation to an automotive event.

12. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 11 wherein the at least one light comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

13. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 11 wherein the housing has a length less than four inches at its longest axis.

14. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 11 wherein the mirror glass is convex in relation to the base.

15. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 11 wherein the automotive event comprises one or both of a turn signal actuation and a hazard signal actuation.

16. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 11 wherein the automotive event comprises one or both of a reverse direction actuation and a brake actuation.

17. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 11 wherein the automotive event comprises one or both of a parking light actuation and a headlight actuation.

18. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 11 wherein the base is capable of being secured to an automotive side view mirror.

19. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 18 wherein the combination indicator and blind spot mirror is capable of aftermarket installation on the automotive side view mirror.

20. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 11 wherein the automotive event comprises one or more of a key accessory actuation, a locking mechanism actuation, and a door actuation.

21. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 11 wherein the combination indicator and blind spot mirror is capable of causing operation of the at least one light based on a wireless signal indicative of the automotive event.

22. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 11 wherein the base comprises a base attached to but separate from the remainder of the housing.

23. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 22 wherein the housing is rotatable with respect to the base.

24. A combination indicator and blind spot mirror comprising:

a) a housing having a base capable of being secured to a mirror;

b) a mirror glass secured to the housing, wherein a portion of the mirror glass is non-reflective and wherein the non-reflective portion of the mirror glass is adjacent to an edge of the mirror glass; and

c) at least one light, operative in relation to an automotive event, wherein light emitted from the at least one light shines through the non-reflective portion of the mirror glass in relation to the automotive event.

25. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 24 wherein the non-reflective portion of the mirror glass surrounds a portion of the mirror glass that is reflective.

26. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 25 wherein the non-reflective portion of the mirror glass comprises a band with a width of less than one inch.

27. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 24 wherein the at least one light comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

28. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 24 wherein the at least one light is selected from the group consisting of red lights, white lights, blue lights, and yellow lights.

29. The combination indicator and blind spot mirror of claim 24 wherein at least a portion of the non-reflective portion of the mirror glass is coterminous with the edge of the mirror glass.