Exterior rearview mirror for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles

• US 7,510,311 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2005
• Issued: 03/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems Germany GmbH
• Original Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems Germany GmbH
• Inventors: Romas, Vasile, Susca, Ovidiu Catalin
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi; Jacob Y
• Application Number:
  US11/130,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20050276058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• Field of Search: 362/459, 362/494, 362/498, 362/511, 362/519, 362/540, 362/543, 362/544, 362/545, 362/548, 362/549
• 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 rearview mirror for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles. The exterior rearview mirror has a mirror housing with a mirror glass, which is mounted on a mirror glass support and is encompassed by a frame. The exterior rearview mirror is provided with signal lamps, area lights, and indicator lights that are situated in the mirror housing or in the mirror base. In order to permit a simple, inexpensive installation of a lamp into the exterior rearview mirror so that it does not take up much space, at least one lamp of a built-in light is accommodated in the frame. The lamp, which is fastened to the frame in a non-detachable way, can be accommodated in the frame in a simple, space-saving way and held there securely. The exterior rearview mirror is particularly suited for motor vehicles.

Claims

1. An exterior rearview mirror of a motor vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror comprising:

a mirror housing defining an opening and a frame having an upper frame part surrounding said opening;

a mirror glass support movably secured within said mirror housing;

a mirror glass fixedly secured to said mirror glass support in a position visible through said opening, said mirror glass defining a front surface, a back surface and a peripheral edge with said back surface fixedly secured to said mirror glass support;

a light source disposed interior of said mirror housing between said mirror housing and said mirror glass to emit light radiation; and

an optical wave guide defining a light exit surface substantially perpendicular to said mirror glass and in locking engagement with said upper frame part of said mirror housing for receiving said light radiation emitted by said light source and said optical wave guide transmitting said light radiation in a direction around said back surface and said peripheral edge and out toward said front reflective surface of said mirror glass such that said light radiation is reflected off said mirror glass and visible rearward of said exterior rearview mirror.

2. An exterior rearview mirror as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame houses said light source.

3. An exterior rearview mirror as set forth in claim 2 wherein a portion of said frame protrudes inwardly over said mirror glass.