Exterior rear view mirror having a chin strap and a repeater

• US 20040085776A1
• Filed: 10/27/2003
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Inventors: McCloy, Graham B., Raymo, Ronald R. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,140,756 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 the rear view mirror assembly or may be a separate component attached to the rear view mirror assembly.

Claims

1. 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 disposed in proximity to a portion of a lower transverse surface of the housing, the bezel having an opening for projecting light;

a light transmitting lens formed in the bezel; and

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.

2. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the opening in the bezel projects rearwardly.

3. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the light source assembly is removably secured to the bezel.

4. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 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.

5. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source generates light to provide a vehicle approach light and wherein the lens is one of red, amber, and white.

6. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source generates light to provide a vehicle side marker light and wherein the lens is one of red, amber, and white.

7. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source generates light to provide a turn signal and wherein the lens is one of red, white, and amber.

8. 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.

9. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bezel is integrally formed with the housing.

10. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bezel is separately formed from the housing, and wherein a fastener attaches the bezel to the housing.

11. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in 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 perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

12. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source assembly includes an electrical connector for supporting the light source.

13. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein the bulb holder is integrally formed with the light source assembly.

14. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source assembly is operable to provide a signal visible through the light transmitting lens to a rearward motor vehicle when actuated.

15. 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 formed integrally with the mirror housing and defining a portion of a lower transverse surface of the mirror housing, the bezel having an opening for projecting light;

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

a lens formed in the opening, the light projecting through the lens.

16. The mirror assembly of claim 15 wherein the bezel is disposed generally beneath the backing assembly and the reflective element.

17. The mirror assembly of claim 15 wherein the opening in the bezel projects rearwardly.

18. The mirror assembly of claim 15 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.

19. The mirror assembly of claim 15 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.

20. The mirror assembly of claim 15 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.

21. The mirror assembly of claim 15 wherein the light source is operable to provide a signal visible through the light transmitting lens to a rearward motor vehicle when actuated.

22. The mirror assembly of claim 15 further comprising a fastener for attaching the light module to the bezel.

23. The mirror assembly of claim 16 wherein the fastener comprises a threaded fastener.

24. The mirror assembly of claim 16 wherein the fastener comprises a clip-type fastener, the clip-type fastener engaging the bezel.

25. 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 formed as a separate element of and attached to a lower portion of the mirror housing, the bezel having an opening for projecting light through the opening;

a light module disposed within the bezel, the light module having a light source for providing light projected through the opening; and

a lens formed in the opening, the light projecting through the lens.

26. The mirror assembly of claim 25 wherein the bezel is disposed generally beneath the backing assembly and the reflective element.

27. The mirror assembly of claim 25 wherein the opening in the bezel projects rearwardly.

28. The mirror assembly of claim 25 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.

29. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 25 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.

30. The mirror assembly of claim 25 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.

31. The mirror assembly of claim 25 wherein the light source is operable to provide a signal visible through the light transmitting lens to a rearward motor vehicle when actuated.

32. The mirror assembly of claim 25 further comprising a fastener for attaching the light module to the bezel.

33. The mirror assembly of claim 32 wherein the fastener comprises a threaded fastener.

34. The mirror assembly of claim 32 wherein the fastener comprises a clip-type fastener, the clip-type fastener engaging the bezel.

35. 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 in proximity to a lower portion of the housing, the bezel having a rearward opening for projecting light;

a light transmitting lens formed in the bezel; and

a light source assembly removably secured to the bezel and 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.

36. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 35 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.

37. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 36 wherein the lens is one of red, amber, and white.

38. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 37 wherein the bezel is integrally formed with the housing.

39. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 37 wherein the bezel is separately formed from the housing, and wherein fasteners attach the bezel to the housing.

40. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 37 wherein the light source assembly is operable to provide a signal visible through the light transmitting lens to a rearward motor vehicle when actuated.