Signaling assembly

#The present invention relates to a signaling assembly which finds usefulness when installed on overland vehicles, and more particularly to a signaling assembly which when coupled with the controls of an overland vehicle may operate as a combined warning lamp and rear view mirror assembly, and which further provides a visibly discernible signal which can be viewed from a wide range of locations not possible heretofore.

#The beneficial effects of employing auxiliary signaling assemblies have been disclosed in various U.S. patents including U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,014,167; 5,207,492; 5,355,284; 5,361,190; 5,481,409; 5,528,422; 6,005,724; and 6,257,746 all of which are incorporated by reference herein. The mirror assemblies disclosed in some of these patents teach the use of various dichroic mirrors which are operable to reflect a broad band electromagnetic radiation, within the visible light portion of the spectrum, while simultaneously permitting electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths which reside within a predetermined spectral band to pass therethrough. As disclosed in this earlier prior art, these same dichroic mirrors remain an excellent visual image reflector, that is, achieving luminous reflectance which is acceptable for automotive, and other industrial applications, while simultaneously achieving an average transmittance in the predetermined spectral band which is suitable for use as a visual signal at a wide range of distances and for various purposes.

#While all of these prior art devices have worked with some degree of success, various shortcomings have been uncovered which have detracted from their wide spread use. Among the several shortcomings which have impeded commercial introduction has been the manufacturing costs associated with applying the rather complex optical coatings which are necessary to form the dichroic mirrors that are employed in these devices.

#Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an overland vehicle which employs the signaling assembly of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective, somewhat enlarged view of the signaling assembly of the present invention, and which is appropriately mounted on an overland vehicle.

#This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

#A signaling assembly which incorporates the teachings of the present invention is best seen by reference to the numeral 10 in FIGS. 1-8 respectively. As discussed above, the present invention finds usefulness when installed on an overland vehicle 11 of conventional design and which is best seen by reference to FIG. 1. As shown therein, the overland vehicle 11 has a forward, or front end 12; an opposite, or rear end 13; and an operators position 14. From the operators position 14, various signaling lamps indicated by the numeral 15 can be selectively energized in order to provide visual information to adjoining drivers regarding the intended directional movement of the overland vehicle 11 as it proceeds along a given course of travel. As seen more specifically by reference to FIG. 2, the apparatus 10 is mounted on the door 20 of the overland vehicle such that a portion, or one side of same (FIG. 6) can be viewed from the operators position 14. As seen more specifically in FIGS. 3 through 8, the apparatus 10 includes a housing generally indicated by the numeral 21. The housing 21 is formed of a substantially continuous, opaque, convexly curved sidewall 22. The convexly curved sidewall has a first side 23, and an opposite, second side designated by the numeral 24. As seen in FIG. 5, for example, the continuous sidewall 22 is defined by a first peripheral edge 25 which is located on the first side 23 of the housing. Further, the convexly curved sidewall 22 has a second peripheral edge 30 (FIG. 4), which is located on the second side 24 of the housing 23. As illustrated, the first peripheral edge 25 is located in generally about the same plane, and defines a first aperture 31 (FIG. 7). Yet further, the second peripheral edge 30, defines a second aperture 32 which follows the curvature or shape of the sidewall 22. As a result, the second peripheral edge 30, which defines the second aperture 32, does not lie in substantially the same plane as is the case with the peripheral edge 25 which defines the first aperture 25. This aspect of the invention can be seen by references to FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. The second aperture 32 has first and second diverging portions 33 and 34 (FIG. 3). The housing 21 defines a cavity 35 which encloses various assemblies which will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

#As seen most clearly by reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a mirror 40, of substantially conventional design, is received in substantially occluding relation relative to the first aperture 31. The mirror 40 has a first outwardly facing surface 41; and a second, inwardly facing surface 42. As seen most clearly by reference to the greatly simplified and exaggerated view of FIG. 8, a mirror coating which is generally designated by the numeral 43 is deposited on the first surface 41 and provides a highly reflective surface which reflects ambient visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation. Still further, and as seen by reference to FIG. 6, the mirror 40 has a primary region 44 which is substantially continuous, and which reflects at least about on average about 35% of all ambient visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation, and which originates from diverse locations, and which permits an operator seated in the operators position 14 to view rearwardly and laterally of the overland vehicle 11. Additionally, the mirror 40 has a secondary region 45 which is adjacent to the primary region and which is generally defined by a plurality of light emitting apertures 46. The secondary region is shown by means of the phantom line as illustrated in FIG. 6. Light emitting apertures 46 are formed in the secondary region by removing a portion of the mirror coating 43 in a given pattern. The secondary region 45 permits at least about 5% of visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough. As seen in the drawings, the secondary region may be continuous or discontinuous. The specific details of forming the primary and secondary regions 44 and 45 are set forth in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,005,724 the teachings of which are incorporated by reference herein.