REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH UTILITY FUNCTIONS

• US 20080080076A1
• Filed: 11/06/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hutzel, Barry, DeWind, Darryl, Lindahl, John, Lynam, Niall
• Application Number:
  US11/935,809
• Publication Number:
  US 20080080076A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/871
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/59 Lighting devices mounted in the vehicle interior and adapted for portability
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/008 allowing the driver to see passengers, e.g. for busses combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• 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 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1292 with holding means for personal articles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8013 for child monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/02 Picture taking arrangements specially adapted for photogrammetry or photographic surveying, e.g. controlling overlapping of pictures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a casing with a reflective element and a storage space. The storage space provides storage for at least one accessory and for storing the accessory in the location easily accessible by an occupant of the vehicle whereby the accessory can be inserted into and removed from the storage space for use by an occupant of the vehicle. The storage space may take the form of a recess provided in a top wall of the casing, a recessed portion provided in a front wall, back wall, or end wall of the casing. In one form, the recessed portion houses a pendent accessory which is dockable in and removable from the storage space for use by an occupant of the vehicle. For example, the pendent accessory may comprise a light assembly which is useable as a flashlight independently of the interior rearview mirror assembly or useable as a map light when docked in the mirror assembly. The storage space may also be used to hold workpieces or the like.

Claims

1. An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said rearview mirror comprising:

a casing, said casing including a reflective element;

a storage space; and

a dockable accessory, said dockable accessory being dockable in and removable from said storage space whereby said dockable accessory can be docked in said storage space and accessible to an occupant of the vehicle who can remove said dockable accessory from said storage space and use said dockable accessory independently of said rearview mirror assembly.