Patent ID: 8305235

Claim:
A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element sub-assembly comprising: a mirror reflective element; a mirror back plate attached at the rear of said mirror reflective element, said mirror back plate comprising a plastic molding formed in a plastic injection molding operation and having (i) a generally planar portion and (ii) an indicator receiving portion, both established by said plastic injection molding operation; wherein said indicator receiving portion of said mirror back plate comprises a wall structure extending at an angle from said generally planar portion adjacent to an aperture established through said mirror back plate, and wherein said wall structure of said indicator receiving portion extends from said generally planar portion at an angle less than ninety degrees relative to said generally planar portion; a signal indicator having a light source that is activatable to emit light, wherein said signal indicator comprises a housing and wherein said light source is activatable to emit light through said aperture at said indicator receiving portion; wherein said light source is disposed at a circuit element and said housing substantially encases said circuit element therein, said circuit element comprising an electrical connector for electrically connecting said circuit element to a power source of the vehicle; wherein said electrical connector protrudes from said circuit element and is accessible at a connector portion of said housing and wherein said connector portion of said housing comprises one of a plug connector and a socket connector for connecting to a connecting end of electrical wiring of the vehicle; and wherein said signal indicator comprises an indicia element at a forward end thereof, and wherein, when said light source is activated, light emitted by said light source emanates through said aperture of said mirror back plate and through said mirror reflective element at an angle relative to said generally planar portion of said mirror back plate and is transmitted through said indicia element.