Rearview mirror with lighting assembly
First Claim
1. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle adapted to accommodate a driver and a passenger in a seating area adjacent to the location of said mirror assembly, said assembly comprising:
- a prismatic mirror element having a front surface, a rear surface, and a reflective layer on said rear surface;
a day/night actuator for moving said prismatic mirror element between a high reflectivity day position and a reduced reflectivity night position;
said assembly having a top surface, a bottom surface, a back surface and a front from which said mirror element is viewed;
a first driver lamp and a first light opening in said bottom surface passing light from said first lamp out of said assembly, and a second passenger lamp and a second light opening in said bottom surface passing light from said second lamp out of said assembly;
said assembly including first and second electrical switches, said first switch being electrically connected to said first lamp, said second switch being electrically connected to said second lamp, said switches being located in said front and accessible to the driver and passenger of the vehicle visibly and physically from said front of said assembly;
said second lamp being mounted at an angle to said first lamp such that said first lamp directs light downwardly and out of said assembly while said second lamp directs light generally downwardly and away from the light from said first lamp and out of said assembly;
each of said first and second light openings including a lens.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rearview mirror with lighting assembly for use in a vehicle, has a molded case adapted to support lights for illuminating portions of the vehicle interior, to support electrical switches, wiring, and electrical connectors, to support optical lenses for directing light, and to support a mirror element. The case includes ventilation around the lenses, past the lights, and out of the case for dissipating heat from the lighting. The electrical switches and connectors are mounted into the case. A preferred light arrangement provides illumination of areas below and outwardly of the case ends with targeted lighting areas in the lap areas of persons seated in the front seats of the vehicle, without allowing light to be directed toward the vehicle windshield or instrument panel to cause glare. A resilient sealing material is adhered to the back of the lens element for sealing with the case to prevent or minimize the emission of uncontrolled, stray light from the case. The sealing material is preferably adhered to the mirror element by an adhesive carrier layer which preferably also provides an antiscatter function for the mirror element in the event of breakage.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle adapted to accommodate a driver and a passenger in a seating area adjacent to the location of said mirror assembly, said assembly comprising:
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a prismatic mirror element having a front surface, a rear surface, and a reflective layer on said rear surface; a day/night actuator for moving said prismatic mirror element between a high reflectivity day position and a reduced reflectivity night position; said assembly having a top surface, a bottom surface, a back surface and a front from which said mirror element is viewed; a first driver lamp and a first light opening in said bottom surface passing light from said first lamp out of said assembly, and a second passenger lamp and a second light opening in said bottom surface passing light from said second lamp out of said assembly; said assembly including first and second electrical switches, said first switch being electrically connected to said first lamp, said second switch being electrically connected to said second lamp, said switches being located in said front and accessible to the driver and passenger of the vehicle visibly and physically from said front of said assembly; said second lamp being mounted at an angle to said first lamp such that said first lamp directs light downwardly and out of said assembly while said second lamp directs light generally downwardly and away from the light from said first lamp and out of said assembly; each of said first and second light openings including a lens. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle adapted to accommodate a driver and a passenger in a seating area adjacent to the location of said mirror assembly, said assembly comprising:
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a mirror element said assembly having a top surface, a bottom surface, a back surface and a front from which said mirror element is viewed; a first driver lamp and a first light opening in said bottom surface passing light from said first lamp out of said assembly, and a second passenger lamp and a second light opening in said bottom surface passing light from said second lamp out of said assembly; said assembly including first and second electrical switches, said first switch being electrically connected to said first lamp, said second switch being electrically connected to said second lamp, said switches being accessible to the driver and passenger of the vehicle visibly and physically from said front of said assembly; and a bezel at said front of said assembly, said switches being accessible through apertures in said bezel; said second lamp mounted at an angle to said first lamp such that said first lamp directs light downwardly and out of said assembly while said second lamp directs light generally downwardly and away from the light from said first lamp and out of said assembly each of said first and second light openings including a lens. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification