US 5,879,074 AGranted

Exterior vehicle security light

AssigneeDonnelly Corporation

InventorTodd W. Pastrick

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A mirror assembly security system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly and a light module removably positioned within the exterior mirror housing. The light module is moisture impervious and includes an enclosure, a light-transmitting opening in the enclosure facing generally downwardly and/or rearwardly of the vehicle, a cover for the light-transmitting opening, and a light source in the enclosure radiating light through the light-transmitting opening. The light source may be received in a socket which removably engages another opening in the enclosure. In this manner, the light source may be replaced by removing the module from the exterior mirror housing, removing the socket from the enclosure and replacing the light source. The enclosure and mirror housing preferably are configured to self-retain the module in the exterior mirror moving with no, or fewer than one or two, separate fasteners.

Claims117

Dependent claims

An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising:

an exterior mirror assembly including a reflective element;
a housing for said reflective element and a positioning device for adjustably positioning said reflective element in said housing;
a light module removably positioned substantially within said housing and wherein a portion of said light module is positioned behind said reflective element, said light module projecting light downwardly from a bottom portion of said housing on at least an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area and wherein said area includes a vicinity of entering and exiting by vehicle occupants;
said light module including an enclosure, a light-transmitting opening in said enclosure, a cover for said light-transmitting opening and a light source in said enclosure radiating light through said light-transmitting opening;
and
a socket positioned in another opening in said enclosure and including a seal which seals said socket in said another opening, whereby said light source can be replaced by removing said light module from said housing and removing said socket from said light module;
wherein said light module is positioned within said housing in a manner that conforms to styling and aerodynamic lines of said housing.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/933,375Filed 19 Sep 1997 · continuation
Priority: 1 Feb 1993
Granted: 9 Mar 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

B60Q 1/2665
Mounted on parts having other functions: on rear-view mirrors
B60Q 1/38
For indicating change of drive direction: using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps
B60R 1/1207
Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks: with lamps; with turn indicators
B60Q 2300/054
Special features for controlling or switching of the light beam: variable non-standard intensity, i.e. emission of various beam intensities…

Family

Serial11,947Parent of this continuation · filed 1 Feb 1993
Serial333,412Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 2 Nov 1994
Serial426,591Parent of this continuation · filed 21 Apr 1995
Serial607,284Parent of this continuation · filed 26 Feb 1996
US 5,669,704 AParent of this continuation
US 5,497,306 AParent of this continuation
US 5,497,305 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,371,659 AParent of this continuation
US 5,879,074 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.