Vehicular signal mirror apparatus

• US 5,059,015 A
• Filed: 07/20/1990
• Issued: 10/22/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald Q. Tran
• Original Assignee: Donald Q. Tran
• Inventors: Tran, Donald Q.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arnold, Bruce Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAFER, RICKY D
• Time in patent office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 350/600, 350/606, 350/631, 350/632, 362/83, 362/83.1, 362/135, 362/142, 248/474, 248/476, 248/479, 248/488, 340/463, 340/468, 340/475
• US Class Current: 359/844
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258; rear-view mirror arrangements B60R1/02; mirror assemblies combined with lamps B60R1/1207; adaptations or arrangements of mirrors for use on cycles B62J29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

A side view mirror assembly for securement to each side of an associated vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a translucent lens projecting through an exterior side wall of an associated mirror housing wherein an illumination member is in electrical communication with the turning signals and emergency circuitry of an associated automobile. Modifications of the invention include a front mirror frame pivotal downwardly to provide access to an interior cavity of the mirror housing for storage of replacement bulbs and accessory items.

Claims

1. A vehicular signal mirror apparatus comprising:

a housing, the housing including a central cavity with a first side wall spaced from a second side wall;

a top wall overlying a bottom wall;

a support boss integrally mounted to the first side wall, the support boss including a through-extending aperture directed through the support boss with the aperture in communication with the central cavity;

a translucent lens mounted on the second side wall;

a concave reflective lens mounted within the housing and positioned interiorly of the second side wall in alignment with the translucent lens;

a second side wall opening defined between the translucent lens and the reflective lens;

a signal bulb mounted within the reflective lens;

an electrically conductive signal wire directed from the signal bulb in electrical communication therewith through the first side wall and the support boss;

the central cavity including an entrance opening;

a reflective mirror overlying the entrance opening, the reflective mirror adjustably mounted relative to the entrance opening;

wherein the entrance opening is defined by a continuous entrance edge, a forward framework overlies the entrance edge, the entrance edge is defined by a predetermined configuration, and the forward framework defines a configuration substantially equal to the predetermined configuration, and wherein the reflective mirror is mounted within the forward framework,

the forward framework includes an elongate hinge, the elongate is hinge mounted to a lower leg of the forward frame and to the bottom wall of the housing and further including a latch member mounted to an upper leg of the forward framework cooperative with a latch flange mounted to interior surface of the top wall of the housing, and wherein the mirror includes a pivot connection, the pivot connection includes a support rod mounted to the pivot connection and the support rod is mounted to the lower leg of the forward framework.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the central cavity includes a series of aligned sockets, the sockets each including a replacement bulb mounted therewithin.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 including a cleansing cloth mounted within the central cavity for effecting selective cleansing of the reflective mirror.