Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to, exterior rearview mirrors for vehicles, and more particularly to a mirror including-a signal indicator. 
   Vehicle manufacturers conventionally located turn signals at the corners of vehicles to improve visibility of those signals when activated to signal a lane change or vehicle turning. Recently, manufacturers have began to include both torn signal and flat, mirrors in exterior rearview mirror assemblies to further improve signal visibility. Such signal mirror assemblies are particularly advantageous where a following vehicle is close, or where the equipped vehicle is a long truck or is towing a trailer. 
   Although recent signal mirror assemblies are useful, they suffer several shortcomings. For example, to accommodate both a sufficiently-sized flat mirror and a separate signal, the housing for the signal mirror assembly usually must be increased in size. In turn, the driver of the vehicle must take additional care to avoid colliding the larger mirror assembly with objects. Alternatively, the flat mirror of the signal mirror assembly must include a special coating that allows signal lights positioned behind the flat mirror surface to be seen through that surface* This special coating requires additional manufacturing techniques and extra labor to ensure that the signal lights align with the coating. In addition, the recent signal mirror assemblies include flat mirrors, and thus only provide limited rear viewing capabilities. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The aforementioned problems are overcome by a signal mirror assembly including a convex mirror, which provides wide angle viewing capabilities, and a signal indicator. The convex mirror defines a recess or cutout region. The signal indicator is fit within the cutout region. 
   Optionally, the signal mirror assembly can include a housing, and the convex mirror can extend substantially to the housing, except where the cutout region exists. The signal indicator also can include a surface that is substantially parallel to the convex mirror surface and can be further shaped to substantially conform to the recess or cutout. Further optionally, the assembly can include a gasket which substantially surrounds a portion of the housing, a perimeter of the mirror, and a portion of the signal indicator to prevent or inhibit, moisture and debris from entering the assembly. In addition, the cut out region and the corresponding signal indicator can be positioned in the housing such that the signal indicator is located at a position away from the vehicle to enhance its visibility to the vehicle operator. 
   The signal mirror assembly of the present invention provides a simple and efficient construction including a convex mirror that provides wide angle viewing and a turn signal. With the signal located substantially in a cutout region of the mirror, the total space required for both components is reduced. This reduces the required size of the assembly, and the corresponding attention to obstacle avoidance by the driver. In addition, where the signal mirror assembly includes a signal indicator parallel with a surface corresponding to that of the convex mirror, the indicator profile is less noticeable. 
   These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiments and the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the signal mirror assembly of an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a right side view thereof; 
       FIG. 3  is a left side view thereof; 
       FIG. 4  Is a front view thereof; 
       FIG. 5  is a rear view thereof; 
       FIG. 6  is a top view thereof the bottom view being a mirror image thereof; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the signal mirror assembly installed on a truck; 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective: view of the signal mirror assembly; and 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional of the signal mirror assembly taken along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A signal mirror assembly constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9  and generally designated  10 . The assembly  10  includes a mirror  20 , a signal indicator  30 , a housing  40 , a gasket  50  and a support  60 . The signal indicator is coupled with wiring  39  to signal circuitry of the vehicle  100 . For purposes of this disclosure, the signal mirror assembly is described in connection with its use on a heavy duty truck, however, the assembly is well suited for use with any vehicle, equipment, or movable machine that requires occasional monitoring of a field behind or beside the machine. 
   The mirror  20  includes a front reflective surface, defined to form a generally convex surface, a rear surface, and a perimeter  22 . The mirror  20  defines a recess or cut-out region  23  that interrupts the perimeter  22 . As shown, the perimeter interruption includes a first edge  24  that projects generally inward from the perimeter  22  a first distance toward a central region  21  of the mirror. The edge  24  intersects a second edge  25  a pre-selected distance inward from the perimeter. This second edge  25  is generally in the shape of an arc of a circle or other shape concentric to the perimeter  22  of the mirror, and extends a second distance. Notably, the second edge can be any other shape as desired, or can be excluded from the design. The second edge intersects a third edge  26 , which projects generally outward from the central region  21  to the perimeter  22  a third distance. The first, second and third distances may be selected to accommodate a signal indicator of a given dimensions as desired. Optionally, any of the edges may be eliminated, or additional edges may be added, to provide a cutout in a desired configuration. Alternatively, the edges may be combined to form a continuous curved edge. 
   The cutout region  23  of the mirror can be distal to an exterior side of the vehicle. With this positioning of the signal indicator, the activation of the signal will alert a driver of the vehicle when the signal is activated, but generally will not blind the driver with the signaling. 
   The mirror  20  is shown as being of a generally circular shape, however, it may be configured in a variety of other shapes, for example, elliptical, rectangular, square, trapezoidal and other shapes as desired. In addition, although the mirror is referred to as being a convex mirror, it is noted that this term can encompass any mirror that is not flat and/or provides wide angle viewing. 
   The signal indicator  30 , which can be a modular indicator light, a signal lamp, and/or an area lamp, includes one or more lights  32  and a signal housing  34 . Although the lights  32  as shown are LEDs, other lights, such as incandescent bulbs and cold cathode light emitters may be used. The LED lights  32  shown are attached to a circuit board  33  shown in  FIG. 4 . Wires  35  are in electrical communication with the circuit board  33 . These wires are fed via any acceptable path to an electrical system of the vehicle  100 , which is conventional, and therefore will not be described in detail here. The lights  32  may be activated in response to a vehicle operator&#39;s activation of a turn signal mechanism. Optionally, the signal indicator lights  32  of the mirror assembly flash to signal to an observer outside the vehicle of intended movement of the vehicle in the direction of the flashing light, for example, to indicate that the vehicle driver intends to turn or change lanes. The flashing of the mirror assembly signal indicator can be synchronized so that it flashes with a front and rear turn signal indicator on the vehicle  100 . The lights  32  included in the mirror assembly  10  may be alternatively connected to indicate other functions of the vehicle, for example, braking or vehicle back-up. 
   The lights  32  can be configured to emit one or more of a variety of colors, depending on user preference and local governmental regulations. When the mirror assembly signal indicator is a dedicated turn signal, the lights  32  can emit red light. When the mirror assembly signal indicator serves an informational function such as an indication of braking or backing, the lights pan emit white, yellow, orange or red light, or combinations of these as desired. 
   The signal housing  34  is transparent or translucent and is configured to shelter the lights  32  from the elements. In general, the housing is configured in the same shape as the cut-out region  23 , butts dimensioned slightly smaller than the region so that it nests neatly within the region. The housing can include a flange  36  which projects outward from the body  38  of the housing. This flange can be sized so that when the housing fits within the cut out region, the flange projects outward, over a portion of the reflective surface of the convex mirror (shown in broken lines in  FIG. 8 ). Optionally, the flange can include a radiused edge  37  to provide a smooth transition from the mirror surface to the housing outer surface  39 . In addition, this housing outer surface  39  can be configured so that it is generally parallel to the surface of the convex mirror reflective surface. Optionally, the flange can be absent from the housing, in which case the housing outer surface  39  can be parallel to and generally continue the convex mirror reflective surface. Further optionally, the signal housing  34  can include focusing elements, such as cube corners or other light reflective structures or reflective coatings therein, to enhance the lighting capabilities of the signal indicator  30 . 
   The signal indicator  30  and convex mirror  20  can be joined with the housing  40  and/or spacers with an adhesive  45 , which can be any suitable adhesive, for example, a urethane based adhesive. Other fasteners, such as bolts, screws and rivets can be used as desired. To space the mirror and/or signal indicator an appropriate distance from the housing if required, spacers  46  can be used. These spacers can be rubber spacers, or portions of double sided tape, which can also operate to hold the mirror in place as the adhesive (if used) sets. 
   The housing  40  shown is generally configured to be of the same shape as the mirror. The housing includes a ledge  43  and a flange  49  projecting upward therefrom. The flange  49  can be positioned and formed so that when the mirror perimeter  22  contacts the ledge  43  (and is Optionally adhered to the ledge), the perimeter is immediately adjacent the flange  49 . As shown, the housing is an eight inch round housing, but other housings may be used as desired. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 5 ,  8  and  9 , the housing is joined to support  60 . The support can be any structure that supports the housing. As shown, the support  60  includes a base  62  which is secured to a ball  63 . The ball is caged in a ball joint  65  via plates  66 , which are fastened to the housing. In this configuration, the support enables the housing to pivot relative to another structure on the vehicle. The bolt  64  of any other fasteners can be used to secure the support  60  to another vehicle structure. Other pivotable or non-pivotable joints as desired may be included in the support  60  to enable the user to adjust the mirror assembly to a preferred position. 
   To offer some protection to the components of the mirror assembly  10  from the elements, a gasket  50  is joined with the assembly  10 . The gasket  50  shown circumferentiates and offers a seal around the outer edge of the housing  40 , including the flange  49 , and in some cases a portion of the ledge  43 , as well as the perimeter  23  of the mirror  20 . In addition, the gasket  50  can cover and seal a portion of the signal indicator  30 , which is located in the cut-out region of the mirror. By “sealing,” it is meant that the gasket engages a portion of a component significantly enough so as to prevent moisture, in gaseous or liquid form, and/or debris from readily passing between the interface of the gasket and the component. The gasket can be constructed of any suitable natural or synthetic material, for example, rubber, plastic or combinations of these materials. 
   The above descriptions are those of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any references to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

Technology Category: b