Aerodynamic deflector for a rear view mirror with an integral side marker light

• US 5,069,538 A
• Filed: 02/02/1990
• Issued: 12/03/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Truck and Engine Corporation
• Original Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp. (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Shust, Deborah J., Adamisin, Dennis A., Selzer, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arnold, Bruce Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thong
• Application Number:
  US07/474,175
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 350/627-637, 350/580, 350/590, 350/319, 350/582-584, 350/600-610, 350/97-98, 350/100-109, 350/589, 350/638, 350/640-642, 350/258-265, 350/, 362/83-83.3, 362/135-143, 362/84
• US Class Current: 359/871
• 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: B60R 1/0605 specially adapted for mounting on trucks, e.g. by C-shaped support means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

A side mounted rear view mirror assembly for a motor vehicle is provided with a small air deflector integral therewith disposed upstream of and parallel to a forwardly convex mirror housing of the assembly, the deflector being spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to cause the air stream to be smoothly channelled past the lateral edges of the mirror housing. The "see through" open portion of the mirror assembly between the deflector and the mirror housing is provided with an amber light reflecting side marker surface on the front of the mirror housing and a low intensity light disposed on the rear side of the air deflector and shining light onto the light reflecting surface of the mirror housing to become a side marker to indicate the side of the vehicle. The rear side of the mirror housing is provided with a conventional image reflecting surface to reflect a rear side view to the operator.

Claims

1. An aerodynamic side-mount rear view mirror assembly for a highway vehicle having a forward direction of travel comprising:

a mirror housing having a vertical forward surface and an image reflecting rearward surface;

mounting arm means attached to said mirror housing and extending forwardly thereof; and

,

a vertically extending air deflector attached to said mounting arm means and disposed parallel to the spaced from said housing forward surface to define an open area permitting vision through the mirror assembly therebetween, said air deflector having a V-shaped cross section pointing forwardly in the direction of travel of said vehicle.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said forward surface of said mirror housing is convex in the direction of travel and said air deflector is disposed sufficiently forward of said mirror housing to cause an air stream to attach to said convex surface adjacently forward of a rear edge thereof.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 and said forward surface of said mirror housing comprising an exteriorly visible light reflecting surface, and a light disposed within said open area to illuminate said light reflecting surface.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 and said light being disposed adjacent to the rear side of said air deflector.

5. A rear view mirror assembly having a side marker light for a vehicle comprising:

a mounting bracket for supporting the mirror assembly on said vehicle;

a mirror housing mounted on said bracket, said housing having a light reflecting surface on the front portion thereof, and a mirror supported within said housing and providing an image reflecting surface on the rear of said mirror housing;

an air deflector disposed forwardly of said mirror housing for deflecting air around said mirror housing, and defining therewith an open area permitting vision through the mirror assembly therebetween; and

,

a light mounted to said mirror assembly in said open area adjacent said air deflector and disposed to direct light on said light reflecting surface thereby providing an exterior indication of the side of the vehicle.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein said mirror housing is adjustably mounted to said mounting bracket thereby providing an adjustment of said air deflector relative to said mirror housing.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 6 wherein said mirror is adjustably mounted in said housing for adjusting the image reflected by said mirror.

8. A rear view mirror having a side marker light for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing mounted on a bracket, said housing having a light reflecting surface on an exterior surface of the front portion thereof, and a mirror supported within said housing and providing an image reflecting surface on the rear of said mirror housing;

a support structure disposed forwardly of said mirror housing; and

,

a light mounted on said support structure and spaced forwardly of the front portion of said housing, said light being disposed in direct light on said light reflecting surface and provide an exterior indication of the side of the vehicle.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein said support structure and said mirror housing define a tapered housing assembly having an open space therebetween.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein said support structure includes a V-shaped air deflector disposed thereon parallelly forward of said mirror housing in forward pointing relation for splitting an air stream to pass around the mirror housing.

11. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein the light is positioned in a forward end of said housing assembly.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein the light reflecting surface on the front of said mirror housing defines a convex surface to radiate light in various directions.

13. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein the light reflecting surface is semicylindrical and amber in color to reflect an amber light from the side marker light.