Exterior rear view mirror having a chin strap and a repeater

• US 7,140,756 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2003
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Inventors: Raymo, Ronald R. Jr., McCloy, Graham B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US10/695,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20040085776A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 362/544, 362/495, 362/135, 362/140, 362/142, 362/234, 362/241, 362/245, 362/249, 362/226, 362/800, 362/545, 362/547, 362/541, 362/540, 362/464, 362/640, 362/548, 362/647
• 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 having an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion, a forwardly facing wall portion, an inner wall portion, and an outer wall portion, 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 modular bezel connected to said lower wall portion of said housing, the modular bezel having a front surface and a rear surface, an opening for projecting light and a holder positioned in said modular bezel wherein said modular bezel is positioned entirely below said reflective element, said modular bezel being a separate structure from said housing;

a longitudinal member formed on said bezel and extending between said front surface and said rear surface, wherein said longitudinal member has a surface positioned adjacent said lower wall of said housing when said bezel is connected to said housing;

one or more locators extending upward from said surface of said longitudinal member, said one or more locators aligns with one or more locators on said lower wall of said housing;

a light transmitting lens formed in the modular bezel; and

a light source assembly located and connected to said holder inside the modular bezel having a light source connectable to the light source assembly wherein the light source generates light, the light source assembly generating light projected through the opening in the modular 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 modular 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 modular 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 modular bezel is integrally formed with the housing.

10. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the modular bezel is separately formed from the housing, and wherein a fastener attaches the modular 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. The mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising one or more clip fasteners projecting upwardly from said surface of said longitudinal member for engagement with one or more apertures on said wall of said housing.

16. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing having an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion, a forwardly facing wall portion, an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion;

a reflective element;

a backing assembly supported by the mirror housing, the backing assembly supporting the reflective element;

a modular bezel having a front surface and a rear surface, formed separately from the mirror housing and connected to said lower wall portion, wherein said modular bezel is positioned entirely below said reflective element, the modular bezel having an opening for projecting light and a holder positioned in the modular bezel;

a longitudinal member formed on said bezel and extending between said front surface and said rear surface, wherein said longitudinal member has a surface positioned adjacent said lower wall of said housing when said bezel is connected to said housing;

one or more locators extending upward from said surface of said longitudinal member, said one or more locators aligns with one or more locators on said lower wall of said housing;

a light module connectedly disposed within the holder of said modular 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.

17. The mirror assembly of claim 16 wherein the opening in the bezel projects rearwardly.

18. The mirror assembly of claim 16 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 16 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 16 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 16 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 16 further comprising a fastener for attaching the light module to the modular bezel.

23. The mirror assembly of claim 16 further comprising a clip-type fastener for connecting said modular bezel to said lower wall portion of said mirror housing.

24. The mirror assembly of claim 16 further comprising one or more clip fasteners projecting upwardly from said surface of said longitudinal member for engagement with one or more apertures on said wall of said housing.

25. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing having an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion, a forwardly facing wall portion, an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion;

a reflective element;

a backing assembly supported by the mirror housing, the backing assembly supporting the reflective element;

a modular bezel formed as a separate element and attached to said lower wall portion, a front surface and a rear surface, wherein said modular bezel is positioned entirely below said reflective element, the modular bezel having an opening for projecting light through the opening, and a holder positioned in the modular bezel;

a longitudinal member formed on said bezel and extending between said front surface and said rear surface, wherein said longitudinal member has a surface positioned adjacent said lower wall of said housing when said bezel is connected to said housing;

one or more locators extending upward from said surface of said longitudinal member, said one or more locators aligns with one or more locators on said lower wall of said housing;

a light module disposed within the holder inside the modular 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 opening in the modular bezel projects rearwardly.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

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

32. The mirror assembly of claim 25 further comprising one or more clip fasteners projecting upwardly from said surface of said longitudinal member for engagement with one or more apertures on said lower wall of said housing.

33. An exterior rear view mirror assembly comprising:

a housing having an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion, a forwardly facing wall portion, an inner wall and an outer wall portion, 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 modular bezel connected to said lower wall portion and the body of which extends in proximity to said lower wall portion, a front surface and a ear surface, the modular bezel having a rearward opening for projecting light and a holder positioned inside the modular bezel, wherein the modular bezel is positioned entirely below the reflective element;

a longitudinal member formed on said bezel and extending between said front surface and said rear surface, wherein said longitudinal member has a surfaced position adjacent said lower wall of said housing when said bezel is connected to said housing;

one or more locators extending upward from said surface of said longitudinal member, said one or more locators aligns with one or more locators on said lower wall of said housing;

a light transmitting lens formed in the modular bezel; and

a light source assembly removably secured to the holder inside of the modular bezel and having a light source, the light source assembly generating light projected through the opening in the modular bezel, the light source assembly being operable to provide a light signal visible through the light transmitting lens.

34. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 33 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.

35. The exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 34 wherein the lens is one of red, amber, and white.

36. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 35 wherein the modular bezel is integrally formed with the housing.

37. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 35 wherein the modular bezel is separately formed from the housing, and wherein fasteners attach the modular bezel to the housing.

38. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 35 wherein the light source assembly is operable to provide a signal visible through the light transmitting lens to a rearward motor vehicle when actuated.

39. The exterior rear view mirror assembly of claim 33 further comprising one or more clip fasteners projecting upwardly from said surface of said longitudinal member for engagement with one or more apertures on said wall of said housing.