EP0254435A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Case assembly for a rearview mirror
Assignee: Magna Donnelly Corp
•
Filing: 1987-06-26
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2007-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A case assembly for vehicular rearview mirrors adapted to support lights for illuminating portions of the vehicle interior, instruments such as directional compasses or the like, and controls such as switches or instrument adjustment units. The case includes one, and preferably two, spaced, removable carrier modules fitted generally flush with the bottom of the mirror case. The carrier modules may include varying combinations of light assemblies for map reading, courtesy or console illumination, switches, and controls for compasses, clocks, electronic or other instruments. A preferred light arrangement provides illumination of areas below and outwardly of the case ends with brighter targeted lighting areas in the lap areas of persons seated in the front seats of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Ivar Skogler
- 👤 Kenneth Schofield
- 👤 William Purdum Lantz
- 👤 Eldon Jay Nyhof
- 👤 Dorothy J. Ebeling Helder
- 👤 Charles Max Flowerday
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:25
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/12; B60Q; B60Q3/00; B60Q3/20; B60Q3/258; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/086; B60R1/1207; B60R2001/1215
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
1 A case assembly for a vehicular rearview mirror characterised by a mirror case having a back and a peripheral sidewall defining a front opening adapted to receive a mirror element, the peripheral sidewall including top, bottom and end wall portions, the back being spaced from the front opening to define an interior space within the case; means for mounting the case to a support; an opening in the bottom wall portion; carrier means including a rigid support, and mounting means for mounting the support within the opening such that the support is generally flush with the exterior of the bottom wall portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
1 A case assembly for a vehicular rearview mirror characterised by a mirror case having a back and a peripheral sidewall defining a front opening adapted to receive a mirror element, the peripheral sidewall including top, bottom and end wall portions, the back being spaced from the front opening to define an interior space within the case; means for mounting the case to a support; an opening in the bottom wall portion; carrier means including a rigid support, and mounting means for mounting the support within the opening such that the support is generally flush with the exterior of the bottom wall portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
2 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 1 in which the carrier means includes a light assembly on the inside surface of the rigid support, the light assembly projecting into the space and including a lamp socket, a reflector in the lamp socket for directing light downwardly, an electric lamp in the lamp socket projecting into the interior of the reflector, a lens mounted below the lamp socket, reflector and lamp, and removal means accessible from the bottom of the case assembly allowing removal of the carrier means from the opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
3 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 2 in which the support further includes an electrical switch, and wiring means at least partially in the space connecting the switch between the lamp and an electrical source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
4 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the support further includes a second lamp socket adjacent the first said lamp socket, the second lamp including an electric lamp and a second lens for directing light from the second lamp downwardly and outwardly of the assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
5 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 4 including wiring means at least partially in the space connecting the first lamp to the said switch on the assembly and the second lamp to a further switch external of the assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
6 A case assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the support includes a control unit having a control element extending from the support for access from the bottom of the case assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
7 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 6 including a directional compass means for sensing the directional heading position of the case assembly and display means for displaying the directional heading sensed by the compass means; and the control unit including compensating controls for adjusting the compass means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
173 words
8 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 1 in which the carrier means is one of a number of interchangeable modules configured to the contour of the opening and comprising a selected one of the following: a) a light assembly having a lamp, a lamp holder, a reflector and a lens for directing light from the lamp outwardly of the case assembly; b) a pair of light assemblies mounted adjacent one another on the module, each light assembly having a lamp, a lamp holder and a lens for separately directing light from each respective lamp outwardly of the case assembly; c) a light assembly having a lamp, a lamp holder, a reflector and a lens for directing light from the lamp outwardly of the case assembly, and an electrical switch for controlling the operation of the lamp; and d) a control unit for controlling the operation of an instrument, the control unit including a control element extending from the module below the case assembly for access from the bottom of the assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
9 A case assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when dependent upon Claim 2 in which the support includes a light opening therethrough; the lamp socket including a hollow framework extending upwardly from the support and aligned over the light opening, the framework having curved, downwardly diverging sides defining a reflector recess; the reflector mounted within the reflector recess; and lamp holder means for supporting the lamp above the reflector recess, the lamp holder means including a lamp aperture opening into the reflector recess.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
10 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 9 including resilient retaining means for releasably holding the lamp and a lamp base on the lamp holder means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
11 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10 in which the support includes a plurality of upstanding mounting pegs adjacent the light opening; the hollow framework including a base having mounting apertures receiving the mounting pegs for securing the framework over the light opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
12 A case assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 11 including a lens recess surrounding the light opening on the exterior side of the rigid support and a lens mounting aperture adjacent the light opening in the lens recess.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
13 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 12 including at least one lens support projection on the wall of the recess and spaced from the bottom of the recess.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
14 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 9 in which the rigid support further includes a second opening therethrough and adjacent the light opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
15 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 14 in which the second opening includes an electrical switch mounted therein for operating the lamp.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
70 words
16 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 14 including a light housing aligned with the second opening on the inner surface of the rigid support, the light housing including means for receiving a lamp base thereon; a second lens recess surrounding the second opening on the exterior side of the rigid support; and light directing lens means in the second recess for directing light outwardly of the case assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
17 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 14 in which each of the light opening and second opening are recessed with respect to the exterior of the support which is flushed with the bottom wall portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
18 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 9 including a lens recess on the inside surface of the support and outlining the light opening.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
19 A case assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when dependent upon Claim 2 including spacing means between the light assembly and rigid support for positioning the lamp socket, reflector and lamp with respect to the support such that the light may be selectively angled.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
101 words
20 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 1 in which the case includes a pair of upstanding ribs on the inner surface of the bottom wall portion adjacent opposing sides of the opening; the mounting means including a support flange projecting outwardly from one end of the rigid support and engaging one of the ribs, and at least one resilient flanged projection extending from the other end of the rigid support and engaging the other of the ribs; and slot means adjacent the resilient projection for inserting a tool to bend the projection to remove the support from the case.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
91 words
21 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 20 including a retaining flange on the inner surface of the case back, the retaining flange spaced above the opening and extending over the opening; the rigid support engaging the retaining flange to retain the support flush with the bottom wall portions; the case including a bezel for holding a mirror element over the front opening of the case; and the support also including a flange engaging a portion of the bezel to help retain the support flush with the bottom wall portions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
22 A case assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including removal means accessible from the bottom of the case assembly for allowing removal of the carrier means from the opening.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
23 A case assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the bottom wall portion is inclined upwardly and away from the front opening such that the carrier means is not visible when the case assembly is viewed from the direction of the front opening.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
180 words
24 A case assembly for a vehicular rearview mirror characterised by a mirror case having a back and a peripheral sidewall defining a front opening adapted to receive a mirror element, the peripheral sidewall including top, bottom and end wall portions, the back wall being spaced from the front opening to define an interior space within the case; securing means for mounting the case to a support; a pair of openings in the bottom wall portion, a carrier module received in each of the openings, each carrier module configured to the shape of the opening such that it generally fills the opening in which it is received and including a body, mounting means for mounting the body within the respective opening, support means for supporting a light, a control, or an instrument on the body and projecting into the interior space, and removal means accessible from the bottom of the case assembly for allowing removal of the carrier module from the opening and the bottom wall portion for access to the light, control or instrument when the module is removed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
180 words
24 A case assembly for a vehicular rearview mirror characterised by a mirror case having a back and a peripheral sidewall defining a front opening adapted to receive a mirror element, the peripheral sidewall including top, bottom and end wall portions, the back wall being spaced from the front opening to define an interior space within the case; securing means for mounting the case to a support; a pair of openings in the bottom wall portion, a carrier module received in each of the openings, each carrier module configured to the shape of the opening such that it generally fills the opening in which it is received and including a body, mounting means for mounting the body within the respective opening, support means for supporting a light, a control, or an instrument on the body and projecting into the interior space, and removal means accessible from the bottom of the case assembly for allowing removal of the carrier module from the opening and the bottom wall portion for access to the light, control or instrument when the module is removed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
163 words
25 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 24 in which the support means includes means for supporing an assembly or unit comprising a selected one of the following: a) a light assembly having a lamp, a lamp holder, a reflector and a lens for directing light from the lamp outwardly of the case assembly; b) A pair of light assemblies mounted adjacent one another, each light assembly having a lamp, a lamp holder and lens means for separately directing light from each respective lamp outwardly of the case assembly; c) a light assembly having a lamp, a lamp holder, a reflector and a lens for directing light from the lamp outwardly of the case assembly, and an electrical switch for controlling the operation of the lamp; d) a control unit for controlling the operation of an instrument, the control unit including a control element extending below the case assembly for access from the bottom of the assembly; and e) an electrical switch.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
74 words
26 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 24 in which one of the carrier modules includes a light assembly on the inside surface of the body, the light assembly projecting into the space and including a lamp socket, a reflector in the lamp socket for directing light downwardly, an electric lamp in the lamp socket projecting into the interior of the reflector, and a lens mounted below the lamp socket, reflector and lamp.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
27 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 26 in which the body further includes an electrical switch, and wiring means at least partially in the space connecting the switch between the lamp and an electrical source.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
50 words
28 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 27 in which the body further includes a second lamp socket adjacent the first said lamp socket, the second lamp socket including an electric lamp and a second lens for directing light from the second lamp downwardly and outwardly of the assembly.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
84 words
29 A case assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 26 to 28 in which the body includes a light opening herethrough; the lamp socket including a hollow framework extending upwardly from the support and aligned over the light opening, the framework having curved, downwardly diverging sides defining a reflector recess; the reflector mounted within the reflector recess; and lamp holder means for supporting the lamp above the reflector recess, the lamp holder means including a lamp aperture opening into the reflector recess.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
30 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 29 including resilient retaining means for releasably holding the lamp and a lamp base on the lamp holder means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
31 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 29 or 30 in which the body includes a recess for receiving the lens, the recess surrounding the light opening.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
32 A case assembly as claimed in claim 31 in which the light opening is recessed with respect to the exterior surface of the body.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
51 words
33 A case assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 29 to 32 in which the body includes a plurality of upstanding mounting pegs adjacent the light opening; and the hollow framework includes a base having mounting apertures receiving the mounting pegs for securing the framework over the light opening.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
34 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 33 in which the lamp holder means includes a pair of spaced, resilient retaining mmbers for releasably holding the lamp and a lamp base on the lamp holder means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
58 words
35 A case assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 24 to 34 in which the body includes a control unit mounted on the support means for controlling the operation of an instrument mounted within the case, the control unit including a control element extending from the body for access from the bottom of the case assembly.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
48 words
36 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 35 including a directional compass means for sensing the directional heading position of the case assembly and display means for displaying the directional heading sensed by the compass means; the control unit including compensating controls for adjusting the compass means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
110 words
37 A case assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 24 to 36 in which the case includes a pair of upstanding ribs on the inner surface of the bottom wall portion adjacent opposing sides of each of the openings; the mounting means including a support flange projecting outwardly from one end of the body and engaging one of the ribs, and at least one resilient flanged projection extending from the other end of the body and engaging the other of the ribs; and the removal means including slot means adjacent the resilient projection for inserting a tool to bend the projection to remove the support from the case.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
98 words
38 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 37 including a pair of retaining flanges on the inner surface of the case back, each of the retaining flanges spaced above one of the openings and extending over the said one opening; the body engaging the retaining flange to retain the support flush with the bottom wall portions; the case including a bezel for holding a mirror element over the front opening of the case; and the body also including a flange engaging a portion of the bezel to help retain the body flush with the bottom wall portions.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
42 words
39 A case assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 24 to 38 in which one of the carrier modules includes an opening therethrough and a light assembly supported thereon for directing light through the opening and outwardly of the case.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
72 words
40 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 39 in which the other of the carrier modules also includes an opening and a light assembly supported thereon for directing light through the opening and outwardly of the case; and at least one of the carrier modules also including an electrical switch connected to at least one of the light assemblies and supported for access from the exterior of the one carrier module.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
52 words
41 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 39 in which the other of the carrier modules includes a control unit for controlling the operation of an instrument mounted within the case, the control unit including a control element extending from the module for access from the bottom of the case assembly.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
143 words
42 A case assembly for a vehicular rearview mirror characterised by a mirror case having means for receiving a mirror element, a case back, a peripheral sidewall including lateral ends, and means for supporting the assembly in a vehicle; lighting means for illuminating areas adjacent the assembly; support means for supporting the lighting means on the mirror case; and light-directing means for directing light from the lighting means to illuminate an area below and outwardly of one lateral end of the case with a predetermined amount of light, the area including a smaller, targeted area of brighter, more intense light therewithin, the targeted area being directed and positioned generally to illuminate the lap area of a person seated in a front seat of a vehicle with the case assembly mounted in normal driver viewing position generally above the instrument panel of the vehicle.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
143 words
42 A case assembly for a vehicular rearview mirror characterised by a mirror case having means for receiving a mirror element, a case back, a peripheral sidewall including lateral ends, and means for supporting the assembly in a vehicle; lighting means for illuminating areas adjacent the assembly; support means for supporting the lighting means on the mirror case; and light-directing means for directing light from the lighting means to illuminate an area below and outwardly of one lateral end of the case with a predetermined amount of light, the area including a smaller, targeted area of brighter, more intense light therewithin, the targeted area being directed and positioned generally to illuminate the lap area of a person seated in a front seat of a vehicle with the case assembly mounted in normal driver viewing position generally above the instrument panel of the vehicle.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
86 words
43 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 42 in which the light-directing means include means for directing light from the lighting means to illuminate a second area below and outwardly of the other lateral end of the case with a predetermined amount of light, the second area including a second smaller targeted area of brighter, more intense light therewithin, the second targeted area being directed and positioned to generally illuminate the lap area of a second person seated in a front seat of the vehicle.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
50 words
44 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 43 in which the lighting means includes a light assembly mounted in the bottom of the mirror case; and the light directing means including a reflector and a lens mounted on the light assembly and beneath a light source in the assembly.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
61 words
45 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 44 in which the lighting means includes a second light assembly spaced from the first light assembly mounted in the bottom of the mirror case; and the light directing means including a second reflector and a second lens mounted on the second light assembly and beneath a second light source in the assembly.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
46 words
46 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 45 in which the lighting means include a third light assembly mounted in the bottom of the mirror case, the third light assembly including a separate light-directing means for directing light toward an area between the targeted areas.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
33 words
47 A case assembly as claimed in Claim 46 in which the light-directing means direct light such that the first and second areas overlap one another in an area between the targeted areas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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