Rear vision mirror with cold light direction signal indicator

• US 6,325,517 B1
• Filed: 02/11/2000
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Su Chang Kuo
• Original Assignee: Su Chang Kuo
• Inventors: Kuo, Su Chang
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Juba, Jr., John
• Application Number:
  US09/501,983
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 362/559, 362/560, 362/494, 362/551, 362/555, 340/468, 340/475, 359/838
• 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 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

A rear vision mirror with a cold light direction indicator includes a rear vision mirror, a cold light direction indicator and a protecting cover. The rear vision mirror is a case with a reflector and is firmly secured to a proper position on a car. The cold light direction indicator is a case with a reflector, and is firmly secured to a surface of the case of the rear vision mirror, and is electrically connected to a power source and control device. The protecting cover covers on a surface of the case of the rear vision mirror, and the cold light direction indicator therewithin can expose out of the cover from a via hole. Therefore, an action of the cold light direction indicator can be viewed in a horizontal direction by drivers at front, lateral, or lateral rear sides, light from the cold light direction indicator is soft and almost no power is consumed. No flash light affecting human eyes emits.

Claims

1. A combined rear vision mirror and direction signal apparatus comprising:

(a) a rear vision mirror assembly having a reflector body disposed at a first of opposed first and second sides thereof;

(b) a cold light casing coupled to said second side of said rear vision mirror assembly, said cold light casing having an end surface portion and a side surface portion extending transversely therefrom, said cold light casing having formed therein a through hole extending through at least a portion of both said end and side surface portions;

(c) a transparent piece engaging said through hole of said cold light casing to extend thereacross;

(d) a transparent block having a triangular prismatic contour disposed at said side surface portion of said cold light casing;

(e) a cold light direction signal indicator disposed between said transparent piece and said rear vision mirror assembly; and

,

(f) a power source and control device electrically coupled to said cold light direction signal indicator for energizing said cold light direction signal indicator in controlled manner.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said cold light direction signal indicator extends along said transparent piece into said portion of said through hole formed through said side surface portion of said cold light casing, whereby at least a portion of said cold light direction signal indicator is visible from points laterally and rearwardly offset from said apparatus.

3. A combined rear vision mirror and direction signal apparatus comprising:

(a) a rear vision mirror assembly having a reflector body disposed at a first of opposed first and second sides thereof;

(b) a cold light casing coupled to said second side of said rear vision mirror assembly, said cold light casing having an end surface portion and a side surface portion extending transversely therefrom, said cold light casing having formed therein a through hole extending through at least a portion of both said end and side surface portions;

(c) a transparent piece engaging said through hole of said cold light casing to extend thereacross;

(d) a cold light direction signal indicator disposed between said transparent piece and said rear vision mirror assembly, said cold light direction signal indicator having defined thereon separately actuable illumination and flash portions, said illumination portion being less in a dimensional extent than said flash portion; and

,

(e) a power source and control device electrically coupled to said cold light direction signal indicator for energizing said cold light direction signal indicator in controlled manner.

4. A combined rear vision mirror and direction signal apparatus comprising:

(a) a rear vision mirror assembly having a reflector body disposed at a first of opposed first and second sides thereof;

(b) a protecting cover coupled to said second side of said rear vision mirror assembly, said protective cover having an end surface portion and a side surface portion extending transversely therefrom, said protecting cover having formed therein a through hole extending through at least a portion of both said end and side surface portions;

(c) a cold light direction signal indicator disposed between said protecting cover and said rear vision mirror assembly to be at least partially visible through said through hole, said cold light direction signal indicator including at least one electroluminescent device defining separately actuable illumination and flash portions; and

,

(e) a power source and control device electrically coupled to said cold light direction signal indicator for energizing said electroluminescent device in controlled manner.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said rear vision mirror assembly is an external automobile rear vision mirror assembly.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 4 further comprising a transparent casing engaging said through hole of said protecting cover to extend thereacross.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 further comprising a substantially L-shaped linkage pivotally supporting said rear vision mirror assembly.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said protecting cover is formed to define a generally rectangular and hollow configuration having an open end receiving therethrough said rear vision mirror assembly.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said end surface of said protecting cover is formed with a cambered contour.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said transparent piece has formed thereon a plurality of separately delineated reflectors of respectively predetermined configurations defining a reflector lattice.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said cold light direction signal indicator is connected to a directional signal circuit of an automobile.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said cold light direction signal indicator is formed integrally with said transparent piece.