Exterior rear view mirror having a chin strap and a repeater

• US 7,008,089 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2000
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Inventors: Raymo, Ronald R., McCloy, Graham B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US09/495,105
• Time in Patent Office: 2,226 Days
• Field of Search: 362/494, 362/226, 362/135, 362/140, 362/396, 362/546, 362/549, 362/544, 362/141, 362/142, 362/234, 362/241, 362/245, 362/249, 362/800, 362/545, 362/547, 362/541, 362/540, 362/464, 362/548, 362/647, 362/640
• 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 bezel formed generally beneath the mirror housing. The bezel accommodates a rearward facing light source assembly to provide a rearward facing signal. The bezel may be integrally formed with rear view mirror assembly or may be a separate component attached to the rear view mirror assembly.

Claims

1. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing;

a reflective element;

a backing assembly supported by the mirror housing, the backing assembly supporting the reflective element;

a bezel having a height for extending below the housing, formed as a separate element of and attached to a lower portion of the mirror housing, a portion of the bezel including an opaque contoured surface portion extending from the lower portion of the mirror housing, the bezel having an opening for projecting light through the lens;

a light module disposed within the bezel, the light module having a light source for providing light to be projected through the lens;

a lens formed in the opening, the light projecting through the lens; and

a threaded fastener that is inserted through a bottom of the bezel through a boss located in the bezel and into a corresponding boss in the mirror housing for attaching the light module to the bezel.

2. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the bezel is disposed generally beneath the backing assembly and the reflective element.

3. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the opening in the bezel projects rearwardly.

4. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the light source generates light to provide at least one of a turn signal light, an approach light, and a vehicle side marker light.

5. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source assembly has a reflective inner surface, the inner surface being shaped to direct a maximum amount of light emitted from the light source to the lens.

6. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the lens is operative to direct light through an arc extending at least 40 degrees rearwardly from approximately a line passing through the mirror assembly and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

7. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the light source is operable to provide a signal visible through the light transmitting lens to a rearward motor vehicle when actuated.

8. An exterior rear view mirror assembly comprising:

a housing adapted to be secured to an outer surface of a motor vehicle and having a generally rearwardly facing opening;

a reflective mirror disposed within the opening;

a bezel formed of a separate element of and disposed in proximity to a portion of a lower transverse surface of the housing, the bezel having a height for extending below said lower transverse surface and an opening for projecting light in a portion of said bezel formed a contoured surface from the lower portion of the mirror housing;

a light transmitting lens formed in the bezel;

a light source assembly having a light source, the light source assembly generating light projected through the opening in the bezel, the light source assembly being operable to provide a light signal visible through the light transmitting lens; and

a fastener for attaching the light source assembly to the bezel, wherein the fastener comprises either a threaded fastener that is inserted through a bottom of the bezel through a boss located in the bezel and into a corresponding boss in the mirror housing or a clip-type fastener.

9. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the opening in the bezel projects rearwardly.

10. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the light source assembly is removably secured to the bezel.

11. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the bulb holder is integrally formed with the light source assembly.

12. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the light source generates light to provide at least one of a turn signal light, a vehicle approach light, and a vehicle side marker light.

13. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the light source generates light to provide a vehicle approach light and wherein the lens is one of red, amber, and white.

14. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the light source generates light to provide a vehicle side marker light and wherein the lens is one of red, amber, and white.

15. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the light source generates light to provide a turn signal and wherein the lens is one of red, white, and amber.

16. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the light source assembly has a reflective inner surface, the inner surface being shaped to direct a maximum amount of light emitted from the light source to the lens.

17. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the bezel is separately formed from the housing, and wherein a fastener attaches the bezel to the housing.

18. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the lens is operative to direct light through an arc extending at least 40 degrees rearwardly from approximately a line passing through the mirror assembly and extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

19. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the light source assembly includes an electrical connector for supporting the light source.

20. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the light source assembly is operable to provide a signal visible through the light transmitting lens to a rearward motor vehicle when actuated.

21. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing;

a reflective element;

a backing assembly supported by the mirror housing, the backing assembly supporting the reflective element;

a bezel having a height for extending below the housing, formed as a separate element of and attached to a lower portion of the mirror housing, a portion of the bezel including an opaque portion being contoured for forming a lower contoured portion of the mirror contoured surface portion extending from the lower portion of the mirror housing, the bezel also including a cavity therein for receiving a light source and a lens over the cavity for allowing light through;

a light module disposed within the cavity, the light module having a light source for providing light to be projected through the lens for repeating of a turn signal or a stop light signal of the vehicle; and

a fastener for attaching the light module to the bezel, wherein the fastener comprises either a threaded fastener that is inserted through a bottom of the bezel through a boss located in the bezel and into a corresponding boss in the mirror housing or a clip-type fastener.

22. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing;

a reflective element;

a backing assembly supported by the mirror housing, the backing assembly supporting the reflective element;

an independent light emitting portion having a height for extending below the housing and contoured for forming a contoured lower surface abutting to and continuing the contour of the housing, formed as a separate element of and attached to a lower portion of the mirror housing, a portion of the light emitting portion including an opaque portion thereof for preventing light from passing therethrough and a lens portion for allowing light to project through the lens;

a light module disposed within the light emitting portion, the light module having a light source for providing light to be projected through the lens portion for signaling of a turn signal or stoplight or puddle lamp function of a vehicle; and

a fastener for attaching the light module to the light emitting portion, wherein the fastener comprises either a threaded fastener that is inserted through a bottom of the independent light emitting portion through a boss located in the independent light emitting portion and into a corresponding boss in the mirror housing or a clip-type fastener.

23. An exterior rear view mirror assembly comprising:

a housing adapted to be secured to an outer surface of a motor vehicle and having a generally rearwardly facing opening, a contoured back surface and a bottom portion;

a reflective mirror disposed within the opening;

a separately formed signal attachment disposed in proximity to a said bottom portion of the housing, the signal attachment having a height for extending below said bottom portion and an opening for projecting light in a portion of said attachment forming a contoured surface immediately adjacent and continuing the contoured surface of said contoured back surface of said housing;

a light transmitting lens formed in the said attachment;

a light source assembly having a light source, the light source assembly generating light projected through the opening in the signal attachment, the light source assembly being operable to provide a light signal visible through the light transmitting lens; and

a fastener for attaching said light source assembly to said signal attachment, wherein said fastener comprises either a threaded fastener that is inserted through a bottom of the signal attachment through a boss located in the signal attachment and into a corresponding boss in the mirror housing of a clip-type fastener.

24. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing;

a reflective element;

a backing assembly supported by the mirror housing, the backing assembly supporting the reflective element, said mirror housing including a downwardly extending peripheral wall having a contoured surface and a lower peripheral edge;

a signal attachment member formed independently of the mirror housing and defining a contoured option of a lower surface of the mirror housing, the signal attachment member having a height for extending below the downwardly extending peripheral wall, said signal attachment member including an upwardly extending contoured surface portion for mating with the downwardly extending wall of said mirror housing said signal attachment member including a lens portion signal attachment member being attached to said housing and forming a contour following surface from the lower peripheral edge;

a light module disposed within the signal attachment member, the light module having a light source, wherein from the source light source projects through the lens; and

a fastener for attaching said light module to said signal attachment member, wherein the fastener comprises either a threaded fastener that is inserted through a bottom of the signal attachment through a boss located in the signal attachment and into a corresponding boss in the mirror housing or a clip-type fastener.

25. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing including an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion and a lower wall portion extending between said inner and outer wall portions;

a reflective element;

a backing assembly supported by the mirror housing, said backing assembly supporting the reflective element;

a detachable bezel formed separately from said housing, said bezel attached to and extending below said lower wall portion, said bezel including a planar longitudinal surface extending between a front surface and a rear surface of said bezel wherein said front surface of said bezel is positioned adjacent said outer wall portion of said housing, said bezel extending inward such that said rear surface of said bezel is proximate a breakaway feature of the mirror assembly, said bezel further including a lens;

a light source emitting light within said bezel, said light projecting through said lens; and

a fastener for attaching said light source to said bezel, wherein said fastener comprises either a threaded fastener that is inserted through the bottom of a bezel through a boss located in the bezel and into a corresponding boss in the mirror housing or a clip-type fastener.

26. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing;

a reflective element;

a backing assembly supported by the mirror housing, the backing assembly supporting the reflective element;

said mirror housing including a downwardly extending peripheral wall;

a bezel formed independently of the mirror housing and defining a portion of a lower transverse surface of the mirror housing and defining a portion of a lower transverse surface of the mirror housing, the bezel having a height for extending below the downwardly extending peripheral wall, said bezel including an upwardly extending wall portion for mating with the downwardly extending wall of said mirror housing and having an opening for projecting light;

said bezel attached to said housing;

a light module disposed within the bezel, the light module having a light source, wherein light from the source light source projects through the opening;

a lens formed in the opening, the light projecting through the lens; and

a fastener for attaching said light module to said bezel, wherein the fastener comprises either a threaded fastener that is inserted through a bottom of the bezel through a boss located in the bezel and into a corresponding boss in the mirror housing or a clip-type fastener.

27. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing;

a reflective element;

a backing assembly supported by the mirror housing, the backing assembly supporting the reflective element;

a bezel having a height for extending below the housing, formed as a separate element of and attached to a lower portion of the mirror housing, a portion of the bezel including an opaque contoured surface portion extending from the lower portion of the mirror housing, the bezel having an opening for projecting light through the lens;

a light module disposed within the bezel, the light module having a light source for providing light to be projected through the lens;

a lens formed in the opening, the light projecting through the lens; and

a clip-type fastener for engaging the bezel and attaching the light module to the bezel.

28. The mirror assembly of claim 27 wherein the bezel is disposed generally beneath the backing assembly and the reflective element.

29. The mirror assembly of claim 27 wherein the opening in the bezel projects rearwardly.

30. The mirror assembly of claim 27 wherein the light source generates light to provide at least one of a turn signal light, an approach light, and a vehicle side marker light.

31. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein the light source assembly has a reflective inner surface, the inner surface being shaped to direct a maximum amount of light emitted from the light source to the lens.

32. The mirror assembly of claim 27 wherein the lens is operative to direct light through an arc extending at least 40 degrees rearwardly from approximately a line passing through the mirror assembly and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

33. The mirror assembly of claim 27 wherein the light source is operable to provide a signal visible through the light transmitting lens to a rearward motor vehicle when actuated.