Exterior rearview mirror for vehicles, especially for motor vehicles

• US 5,774,283 A
• Filed: 10/17/1996
• Issued: 06/30/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Waldmann, Bernd, Nagel, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAFER, RICKY D
• Application Number:
  US08/733,347
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 359/838, 359/843, 359/871, 359/872, 362/83.1, 340/426, 340/447, 340/475, 340/478, 340/825.72, 455/352, 341/176
• US Class Current: 359/838
• 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 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle has a mirror support and a mirror housing connected with a first end to the mirror support. The mirror housing has a holder for a mirror pane. A turn signal light is positioned in the mirror housing. At least one first receiver for receiving remote control signals is also positioned within the mirror housing.

Claims

1. An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror comprising:

a mirror support;

a mirror housing connected with a first end to said mirror support;

said mirror housing having a mounting chamber with a light-transmissive window and a holder for a mirror pane;

a turn signal light positioned in said mounting chamber behind said window;

two first receivers for receiving wireless remote control signals positioned in said mounting chamber behind said window;

wherein said two first receivers are spaced from one another;

wherein said window, at least in an area where said two first receivers are positioned, is transmissive for said wireless remote control signals;

wherein said two first receivers have overlapping receiving ranges.

2. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein said window is colored.

3. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein said window is located at a second end of said mirror housing remote from said mirror support.

4. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein said mirror housing has a leading face in a direction of travel of the motor vehicle and wherein said window is positioned in said leading face.

5. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 4, wherein said window is curved in a direction opposite said direction of travel toward a second end of said mirror housing remote from said first end.

6. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein said window is curved in the vertical direction.

7. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein said turn signal light comprises at least one LED.

8. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein said turn signal light is comprised of a light-guiding material.

9. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein said turn signal light is comprised of a neon light.

10. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, further comprising a second receiver for receiving remote control signals, said second receiver positioned within said mirror support.

11. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 10, wherein said mirror support has a rearward side relative to a direction of travel of the vehicle and wherein said second receiver is positioned at said rearward side.

12. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein said turn signal light is integrated into an electrical circuit for switching main turn signals of the vehicle.

13. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein said turn signal light comprises a separate circuit connected to a current supply of the vehicle.

14. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two first receivers is a part of a door locking mechanism of the vehicle.

15. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said two first receivers is furthermore a part of a safety mechanism of the vehicle for preventing unauthorized use of the vehicle.

16. An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two first receivers is a part of a safety mechanism of the vehicle for preventing unauthorized use of the vehicle.