Exterior rear view mirror integral warning light

• US 6,905,235 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Inventors: Stidham, Mark, Furlotte, Charles, Gathergood, Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): HUSAR, STEPHEN F
• Application Number:
  US10/644,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20040004842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 362/494, 362/540, 362/541, 362/542, 340/468, 340/475, 359/841, 359/842, 359/844, D12/187
• US Class Current: 362/494
• 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

An exterior rear view mirror assembly is disclosed which incorporates a warning light actuatable in conjunction with the vehicle turn signals to alert adjacent motor vehicles of an anticipated turn. The warning light is integrated into a first decorative cover member and may be connected to the vehicle turn signal circuit by way of connectable electrical leads or by an integrally formed plug and outlet arrangement. A second decorative cover member may be substituted for the first decorative cover member when it is not desired to incorporate the warning light.

Claims

1. An exterior rear view mirror assembly for mounting on a motor vehicle, said mirror assembly comprising:

a housing having an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion, a forwardly facing wall portion and inner and outer wall portion cooperating to define a generally enclosed area open at a rearwardly facing portion thereof;

a mirror movably positioned within said open rearwardly facing portion thereof;

a recessed portion provided in said housing, said housing, said recessed portion extending over at least a part of said upper, forwardly facing and outer wall portions;

a wiring harness including a connector disposed is part within said housing, said wiring harness being adapted to be connected to a turn signal circuit of said motor vehicle;

an opening provided in said recessed portion of said outer wall portion, said connector being accessible through said opening;

a decorative cover member received within said substantially covering said recessed portion, said cover member including;

a light housing, said light housing including a lens forming a continuation of the outer surface of said decorative cover member,

a light source supported within said light housing, said light source being coupled to said connector whereby said light may be actuated in response to actuation of said turn signal circuit of said motor vehicle.

2. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said light source includes a pair of electrically conductive prongs projecting outwardly of said light housing, said prongs being connectable to said connector upon assembly of said decorative cover member to said housing.

3. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tight housing is fixedly secured to a portion of said decorative cover member overlying said outer wall portion.

4. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said light housing includes a surface operative to direct light from said light source to said lens.

5. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lens is operative to direct light outwardly from said outer wall portion in a direction to be visible by other motor vehicles following and traveling alongside side motor vehicle.