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Lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle

a technology for exterior mirrors and vehicles, applied in the direction of vehicular safety arrangments, pedestrian/occupant safety arrangements, lighting and heating devices, etc., can solve the problem that the pattern generated by the signal light cannot be substantially observed by the driver of the vehicl

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-11-23
MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a personal safety feature for a vehicle in the form of a floodlight that can be positioned in the vehicle's exterior mirror housing. The floodlight can be remotely actuated by the vehicle operator using a remote transmitter. The floodlight creates a lighted security zone around the vehicle to provide advance warning to approaching vehicles or vehicles in the driver's blind spot. The invention also includes a signal light that provides a pattern of light to alert other vehicles of the driver's intentions. The light pattern is designed to be observed by other vehicles but not directly by the driver. The invention further includes an exterior mirror system with a signal light that can be positioned in the vehicle's exterior mirror assembly. The signal light is designed to provide a security zone in front of the vehicle, extending from the vehicle's door to the rear of the vehicle. The invention provides a convenient and effective way to enhance safety for drivers and passengers of vehicles equipped with the invention.

Problems solved by technology

In this manner, the pattern generated by the signal light cannot be substantially observed by a driver of the vehicle.

Method used

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  • Lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle
  • Lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle
  • Lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle

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Experimental program
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second embodiment

[0048]FIG. 27 is an elevation view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention;

[0049]FIG. 28 is a bottom plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 27;

[0050]FIG. 29 is a plan view of a light module of the exterior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 28;

third embodiment

[0051]FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention;

[0052]FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of a signal light of FIG. 30;

[0053]FIG. 31A is a front elevation of a light source of the signal light of FIG. 31;

[0054]FIG. 31B is a side view of the light source of FIG. 31A;

[0055]FIG. 32A is a plan view of a second embodiment of the signal light of FIG. 31;

[0056]FIG. 32B is a plan view of a third embodiment of the signal light of FIG. 31;

fourth embodiment

[0057]FIG. 33 is a plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention shown mounted to a vehicle;

[0058]FIG. 34 is an enlarged plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 33 illustrated in a normal extended position;

[0059]FIG. 35 is an enlarged plan view of the exterior mirror assembly of FIG. 33 in a folded position;

[0060]FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXXVI-XXXVI of FIG. 34 illustrating a light module of the exterior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 33 and a positioning mechanism for the light module;

[0061]FIG. 37 is an elevation view of one the exterior rearview mirror assemblies of FIG. 33;

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PUM

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Abstract

A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprises an exterior mirror assembly having a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a second portion, and a reflective element. An actuator is operable to adjust the rearward field of view of the reflective element when the exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle. A turn signal indicator assembly is provided that comprises a single non-incandescent light emitting source. Light emitted by the single non-incandescent light emitting source is visible at least to a driver of another overtaking vehicle when the exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle and when the single non-incandescent light emitting source of the turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by an operator of the vehicle, and preferably is also visible to at least one of (a) a driver of another vehicle approaching from a direction opposite to that of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which the exterior mirror assembly equipped with the turn signal assembly is mounted and (b) an observer viewing generally in a direction sideways of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which the exterior mirror assembly equipped with the turn signal assembly is mounted.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 10 / 770,097, filed Feb. 2, 2004, by Todd W. Pastrick, Michiel P. van de Ven, Peter J. Whitehead, Rick Mousseau, and Dr. Niall R. Lynam, entitled LIGHTED EXTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,312, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,348, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,208, which is a continuation application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,821, which is a continuation-in-part of Pat. No. 6,176,602, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,116, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,705, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,305, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,659, all of which are incorporated in their entireties by reference herein. The great-great-grandparent application, Pat. No. 6,176,602, is additionally a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,654, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,669...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B60R1/12B60Q1/26B60Q1/12B60Q1/14B60R21/12
CPCB60Q1/2665B60R1/1207B60Q2400/40B60R2001/1284B60R21/12
Inventor PASTRICK, TODD W.VAN DE VEN, MICHIEL P.WHITEHEAD, PETER J.MOUSSEAU, RICKLYNAM, NIALL R.
Owner MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA INC
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