Side mounted rear view mirror with brake light

• US 4,583,155 A
• Filed: 09/04/1984
• Issued: 04/15/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Hart
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Hart
• Inventors: Hart, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lechert, Jr., Stephen J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Locker, Howard J.
• Application Number:
  US06/646,750
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 362/80, 362/83, 362/135, 362/140, 362/61, 362/285, 362/287, 362/372, 362/427, 362/431, 340/69, 340/87, 340/98, 340/22, 340/52, 340/84, 340/138, 340/140, 340/144, 340/145
• US Class Current: 362/285
• 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 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

A brake light incorporated in a side view mirror housing is disclosed. The brake light may be fixedly attached to the housing and viewable from the rear of the vehicle. Brake lights which move from a stored position within said mirror housing to an in use position exterior of said housing are also disclosed. The further the brake light portion is from the vehicle the more viewable it will be from the rear of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A sideview mirror-brake light device, comprising in combination:

a housing for attachment to the side of a motor vehicle;

a mirror on the rear surface of said housing;

a brake light attached to said housing, said brake light being recessed with respect to said mirror such that it is shielded from the view of a primary driver;

said brake light facing in a rearward direction;

means in said housing for operatively connecting said brake light to a braking actuator;

means for mounting said housing on the side of a vehicle;

an opening defined in said housing for selectively receiving said brake light; and

a tab on said brake light for facilitating movement of said brake light through said opening between a storage position within said housing and an operational position outside said housing.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said housing is rectangular;

said brake light is rectangular;

said brake light being smaller than said housing; and

said brake light including means for sliding said brake light between said storage position and said operational position.

3. The device of claim 2, further including a means for locking said brake light in said storage position and said operational position.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said housing has a near vertical edge and far vertical edge relative to the vehicle it is to be mounted on;

and

said opening extends from said far vertical edge and inwardly of said housing towards said near vertical edge.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said brake light has a circular portion containing a light bulb, and a handle emanating from said circular portion;

and

a pin through said handle supports said handle for rotation thereon, whereby said brake light can be rotated between said storage position and said operational position.

6. The device of claim 5, further including a means to prevent unwanted movement of said brake light from said storage and operational positions.

7. A sideview mirror-brake light device comprising in combination:

a housing for attachment to the side of a motor vehicle;

a mirror on the rear surface of said housing;

a brake light attached to said housing, said brake light being recessed with respect to said mirror such that it is shielded from the view of a primary driver;

said brake light facing in rearward direction;

means in said housing for operatively connecting said brake light to a braking actuator;

means for mounting said housing on the side of a vehicle;

said housing having a rectangular shape including a vertical long side nearest the vehicle and a parallel second vertical long side, and a top horizontal short side, and a top horizontal short side and a bottom second horizontal short side parallel thereto;

said mirror having a smaller rectangular shape than said housing;

said mirror having a vertical long side abutting the vertical long side of said housing nearest the vehicle;

said mirror has a top horizontal short side abutting said top horizontal short side of said housing;

an L-shaped margin is defined by the remaining sides of said mirror and said housing; and

said brake light is L-shaped and in registration with said L-shaped margin.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said brake light includes a set of light bulbs.