Multi-functional side rear view mirror for a vehicle

• US 6,142,656 A
• Filed: 03/26/1999
• Issued: 11/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John F. Kurth
• Original Assignee: John F. Kurth
• Inventors: Kurth, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): DELGIZZI, RONALD ERNEST
• Time in patent office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 362/494, 362/540, 362/541, 340/475, 340/479, 340/468
• 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; 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 1/082 using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

A multi-functional side rear view mirror for a vehicle for preventing blind spots for viewers. The multi-functional side rear view mirror includes a housing for mounting to the vehicle, a pair of mirrors disposed in the housing for viewing behind the vehicle, a pair of side marker lights disposed on the housing for continuously illuminating while the external light system of the vehicle is activated for preventing blind spots for the viewers, a turn signal light disposed on the housing for flashing while the turn signal system of the vehicle is activated for preventing blind spots for the viewers, and a brake light disposed on the housing for continuously illuminating while the brake light system of the vehicle is activated for preventing blind spots for the viewers.

Claims

1. A multi-functional side rear view mirror for a vehicle for preventing blind spots for viewers, wherein the vehicle has an external lighting system, a turn signal system, and a brake light system, said mirror comprising:

a) a housing for mounting to the vehicle;

b) a pair of mirrors disposed in said housing for viewing behind the vehicle;

c) a pair of side marker lights disposed on said housing for continuously illuminating while the external light system of the vehicle is activated for preventing blind spots for the viewers;

d) a turn signal light disposed on said housing for flashing while the turn signal system of the vehicle is activated for preventing blind spots for the viewers; and

e) a brake light disposed on said housing for continuously illuminating while the brake light system of the vehicle is activated for preventing blind spots for the viewers.

2. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing is aerodynamically shaped for reducing wind resistance.

3. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing has:

a) a front face for facing forwardly;

b) a rear face that is substantially opened for facing rearwardly;

c) an inner side face for facing the vehicle; and

d) an outer side face that faces outwardly of said inner side face of said housing.

4. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 3, wherein said pair of mirrors are disposed in said rear face of said housing.

5. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 3, wherein said pair of mirrors comprises:

a) a flat mirror; and

b) a convex mirror.

6. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 5, wherein said flat mirror extends in said rear face of said housing.

7. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 5, wherein said flat mirror extends in said rear face of said housing and occupies an upper approximate 65% thereof.

8. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 5, wherein said convex mirror extends in said rear face of said housing.

9. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 5, wherein said convex mirror extends in said rear face of said housing and occupies a lower approximate 35% thereof.

10. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 3, wherein a first side marker light is disposed on said front face of said housing and a second side marker light extends longitudinally along said outer side face of said housing.

11. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 10, wherein said first side marker light is amber and said second side marker light is red.

12. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 5, wherein said turn signal light extends laterally across said rear face of said housing, between said flat mirror and said convex mirror.

13. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said turn signal light comprises two filament bulbs, with one filament of each bulb for flashing while the turn signal system of the vehicle is activated.

14. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said turn signal light is arrow-shaped and flashes successively outwardly while the turn signal system of the vehicle is activated.

15. The multi-functional side rear view mirror as defined in claim 13, wherein said brake light is another filament of each bulb of said turn signal light for continuously illuminating while the brake light system of the vehicle is activated.