Patent ID: 8021030

Claim:
A lighted exterior mirror assembly configured for attachment to a side of a vehicle, said lighted exterior mirror assembly comprising: a reflectance element that is movably positionable by the driver of the equipped vehicle to adjust its rearward field of view when said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the side of the equipped vehicle; a unitary light module comprising an enclosure, at least one light source disposed within said enclosure, and a light-transmitting cover at said enclosure; wherein, when said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the side of the equipped vehicle and when said at least one light source is electrically powered, light emitted by said at least one light source passes through said light-transmitting cover and illuminates a ground area adjacent the vehicle of at least approximately 2 feet by 4 feet; wherein, when said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the side of the equipped vehicle and when said at least one light source is electrically powered, light emitted by said at least one light source passes through said light-transmitting cover to provide a ground surface illumination intensity at the illuminated ground area of at least approximately 5 lux; and wherein said unitary light module is substantially moisture impervious and is releasably attached at and removable from a lower portion of said lighted exterior mirror assembly as a unit.