LIGHTED EXTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising:
- an exterior mirror assembly;
said exterior mirror assembly comprising a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a second portion, and a reflective element;
an actuator operable to adjust the rearward field of view of said reflective element when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said actuator disposed at said second portion;
said reflective element comprising a substrate having a reflective coating on a surface thereof;
a turn signal indicator assembly;
said turn signal indicator assembly comprising a single non-incandescent light emitting source and a light conduiting member;
said turn signal indicator assembly fixedly disposed at said exterior mirror assembly and unaffected by adjustment of the rearward field of view of said reflective element by operation of said actuator;
light emitted by said turn signal indicator assembly being visible to a driver of another overtaking vehicle when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle and when said single non-incandescent light emitting source of said turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by an operator of said vehicle, said another overtaking vehicle traveling in the same direction as the direction of travel of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly equipped with said turn signal indicator assembly is mounted; and
light emitted by said turn signal indicator assembly when said single non-incandescent light emitting source of said turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by an operator of said vehicle also being visible to at least one of (a) a driver of another vehicle approaching from a direction opposite to that of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly equipped with said turn signal indicator assembly is mounted and (b) an observer viewing said exterior mirror assembly generally from a direction sideways of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly equipped with said turn signal indicator assembly is mounted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly having a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a second portion, and a reflective element. An actuator is operable to adjust the rearward field of view of the reflective element. A turn signal indicator assembly is provided that includes a single light emitting source. Light emitted by the single light emitting source is visible at least to a driver of another overtaking vehicle when actuated by an operator of the vehicle, and preferably not visible to at least one of (a) a driver of another vehicle approaching from a direction opposite to that of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which the exterior mirror assembly is mounted and (b) the operator of the vehicle to which the exterior mirror assembly is mounted.
88 Citations
1 Claim
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1. A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising:
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an exterior mirror assembly; said exterior mirror assembly comprising a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a second portion, and a reflective element; an actuator operable to adjust the rearward field of view of said reflective element when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said actuator disposed at said second portion; said reflective element comprising a substrate having a reflective coating on a surface thereof; a turn signal indicator assembly; said turn signal indicator assembly comprising a single non-incandescent light emitting source and a light conduiting member; said turn signal indicator assembly fixedly disposed at said exterior mirror assembly and unaffected by adjustment of the rearward field of view of said reflective element by operation of said actuator; light emitted by said turn signal indicator assembly being visible to a driver of another overtaking vehicle when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle and when said single non-incandescent light emitting source of said turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by an operator of said vehicle, said another overtaking vehicle traveling in the same direction as the direction of travel of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly equipped with said turn signal indicator assembly is mounted; and light emitted by said turn signal indicator assembly when said single non-incandescent light emitting source of said turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by an operator of said vehicle also being visible to at least one of (a) a driver of another vehicle approaching from a direction opposite to that of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly equipped with said turn signal indicator assembly is mounted and (b) an observer viewing said exterior mirror assembly generally from a direction sideways of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly equipped with said turn signal indicator assembly is mounted.
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Specification