Automotive winker device

• US 5,402,103 A
• Filed: 06/02/1992
• Issued: 03/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tadao Tashiro
• Original Assignee: Tadao Tashiro
• Inventors: Tashiro, Tadao
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Application Number:
  US07/892,264
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 340/468, 340/475, 362/83.1, 362/135, 359/844
• US Class Current: 340/475
• 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 automotive winker device comprises a light source accommodated in a light source chamber defined in a cover case of a door mirror or a side view mirror. Light transmission holes with transparent plates are provided in the light source chamber to project light rearwardly and sideways of the vehicle. A light shelter wall is provided for preventing light from scattering to the mirror and for having adverse effects on the mirror. The light shelter wall is removably mounted to provide access to the interior of the light source chamber, for example for replacement of the light source. Operation of the winker is clearly and reliably observable by nearby vehicles and persons as well as the driver, thereby reducing areas of non-visibility and promoting traffic safety.

Claims

1. An automotive winker device for use on a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having a front portion and rear portion, the automotive winker device comprising:

a side view mirror assembly mountable on a side portion of the vehicle, the side view mirror assembly having a mirror and a cover case to which the mirror is mounted, the mirror being arranged to face rearwardly of the vehicle and so as to be seen by a driver of the vehicle, the cover case having a front facing portion which faces toward the front portion of the vehicle and a rear facing portion which faces toward the rear portion of the vehicle;

a light source chamber defined in a part of the cover case, the light source chamber having;

at least one rear facing light transmission opening in a rear facing portion of the cover case defining the light source chamber, said at least one rear facing light transmission opening being adjacent to the mirror, and

at least one side facing light transmission hole in a sideways outwardly facing portion of the cover case defining the light source chamber, said outwardly facing portion facing sideways away from the vehicle;

a light source in said light source chamber;

at least one rear transparent plate covering said at least one rear facing light transmission opening;

at least one side facing transparent plate covering said at least one side facing light transmission hole;

at least one light shelter wall provided at a portion of the cover case which faces toward the of the vehicle, said at least one light shelter wall projecting rearwardly of said mirror toward the rear portion of the vehicle, and rearwardly of said at least one rear transparent plate, for preventing scattering of light passing through said at least one rear facing light transmission opening to the mirror; and

means for removably mounting said at least one light shelter wall to the cover case adjacent to the mirror, so as to permit removal of said at least one light shelter wall and said at least one rear transparent plate, to thereby provide access to the interior of said light source chamber of the cover case to replace said light source.

2. The automotive winker device of claim 1, wherein said at least one light shelter wall is angularly adjustably mounted to the cover case.

3. The automotive winker device of claim 2, comprising at least two of said light shelter walls spaced apart from each other.

4. The automotive winker device of claim 1, wherein said light source chamber has at least one heat radiation hole therein for permitting passing out of heat from the interior of the light source chamber.

5. The automotive winker device of claim 1, wherein said at least one light shelter wall has a surface treatment thereon to absorb light scattered from the light source.

6. The automotive winker device of claim 5, comprising at least two of said light shelter walls spaced apart from each other.

7. The automotive winker device of claim 1, further comprising a partition member between the mirror and the light source chamber, said partition member projecting toward the rear portion of the vehicle and projecting rearwardly of the mirror toward the rear portion of the vehicle.

8. The automotive winker device of claim 7, comprising at least two of said light shelter walls spaced apart from each other.

9. The automotive winker device of claim 8, wherein said partition member is spaced from said at least two light shelter walls.

10. The automotive winker device of claim 1, comprising at least two of said light shelter walls spaced apart from each other.