Patent US5371659A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5371659A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote-actuated exterior vehicle security light
Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Inc
•
Filing: 1993-02-01
•
Granted: 1994-12-06
•
Expires: 2013-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A floodlight that is adapted to projecting a pattern of light from the housing of a vehicle exterior mirror on an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in that area. The pattern extends laterally onto the vehicle and downwardly and rearwardly of the mirror housing. In this manner, the lighted security zone extends from the vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle. An actuator for the floodlight includes a base unit in the vehicle and a remote transmitter wherein the base unit is responsive to a signal from the remote transmitter in order to actuate the floodlight. The actuator may further include a lockout device in order to prevent actuation of the floodlight during operation of the vehicle. A signal light is additionally included in the exterior mirror housing in order to project a second pattern of light from the mirror housing extending laterally away from the vehicle and rearwardly of the vehicle. In this manner, the second pattern cannot be directly observed by the driver of the vehicle but may be observed by the driver of another vehicle passing the equipped vehicle. The signal light operates in unison with a turn signal, brake signal, or both, of the equipped vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Todd W. Pastrick
- 👤 Linda K. Molenkamp
- 👤 Roger L. Koops
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/2661; B60Q1/2665; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/12; B60R1/1207; B60Q2900/00; B60Q2900/30; B60R2001/1284; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing: a floodlight projecting light from said housing generally downwardly on an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area; and an actuator for said flashlight including a base unit in the vehicle and a remote transmitter, wherein said base unit is responsive to a signal from said remote transmitter in order to actuate said floodlight, and wherein said actuator includes a lockout device in order to prevent actuation of said floodlight during operation of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing: a floodlight projecting light from said housing generally downwardly on an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area; and an actuator for said flashlight including a base unit in the vehicle and a remote transmitter, wherein said base unit is responsive to a signal from said remote transmitter in order to actuate said floodlight, and wherein said actuator includes a lockout device in order to prevent actuation of said floodlight during operation of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mirror system in claim 1 wherein said actuator further includes connection with an interior light circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said floodlight when the interior lights of the vehicle are actuated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mirror system in claim 1 wherein said actuator further includes connection with an interior light circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said floodlight when the interior lights of the vehicle are actuated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
154 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing; a floodlight projecting light from said housing generally downwardly on an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area; an actuator for said floodlight including a base unit in the vehicle and a remote transmitter, wherein said base unit is responsive to a signal from said remote transmitter in order to actuate said floodlight; and a warning light on said exterior mirror for projecting light from said exterior mirror generally rearwardly of the vehicle and another actuator for said warning light including a connection with at least one of a stoplight circuit and a turn signal circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said warning light when at least one of said stoplight and said turn signal are being actuated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
154 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing; a floodlight projecting light from said housing generally downwardly on an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area; an actuator for said floodlight including a base unit in the vehicle and a remote transmitter, wherein said base unit is responsive to a signal from said remote transmitter in order to actuate said floodlight; and a warning light on said exterior mirror for projecting light from said exterior mirror generally rearwardly of the vehicle and another actuator for said warning light including a connection with at least one of a stoplight circuit and a turn signal circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said warning light when at least one of said stoplight and said turn signal are being actuated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
179 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing: a floodlight projecting light from said housing generally downwardly on an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area; an actuator for said floodlight including a base unit in the vehicle and a remote transmitter, wherein said base unit is responsive to a signal from said remote transmitter in order to actuate said floodlight: and first and second warning lights on said exterior mirror, each adapted for projecting light from said housing generally rearwardly of the vehicle and actuators for said first and second warning lights including a connection with a stoplight circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate one of said first and second warning lights when the stoplights are being actuated and a connection with a turn signal circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate the other one of said first and second warning lights when the turn signal is being actuated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
179 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing: a floodlight projecting light from said housing generally downwardly on an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area; an actuator for said floodlight including a base unit in the vehicle and a remote transmitter, wherein said base unit is responsive to a signal from said remote transmitter in order to actuate said floodlight: and first and second warning lights on said exterior mirror, each adapted for projecting light from said housing generally rearwardly of the vehicle and actuators for said first and second warning lights including a connection with a stoplight circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate one of said first and second warning lights when the stoplights are being actuated and a connection with a turn signal circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate the other one of said first and second warning lights when the turn signal is being actuated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The mirror system in claim 1 wherein said floodlight projects a pattern of light extending laterally onto the vehicle and downwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle, wherein the lighted security zone extends from the vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing; a floodlight for projecting a pattern of light from said housing on an area of ground adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area, said pattern extending laterally onto the vehicle and downwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle, wherein said lighted security zone extends from the vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle; and an actuator for said floodlight including a lockout circuit in order to prevent actuation of said floodlight outing operation of the vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing; a floodlight for projecting a pattern of light from said housing on an area of ground adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area, said pattern extending laterally onto the vehicle and downwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle, wherein said lighted security zone extends from the vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle; and an actuator for said floodlight including a lockout circuit in order to prevent actuation of said floodlight outing operation of the vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The mirror system in claim 7 wherein said actuator includes a base unit in the vehicle and a remote transmitter, wherein said base unit is responsive to a signal from said remote transmitter in order to actuate said floodlight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
143 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing: a floodlight for projecting a pattern of light from said housing on an area of ground adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area, said pattern extending laterally onto the vehicle and downwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle, wherein said lighted security zone extends from the vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle: and an actuator for said floodlight including a base unit in the vehicle and a reinore transmitter, wherein said base unit is responsive to a signal from said remote transmitter in order to actuate said floodlight, and wherein said actuator includes a lockout device in order to prevent actuation of said floodlight during operation of the vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
143 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing: a floodlight for projecting a pattern of light from said housing on an area of ground adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area, said pattern extending laterally onto the vehicle and downwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle, wherein said lighted security zone extends from the vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle: and an actuator for said floodlight including a base unit in the vehicle and a reinore transmitter, wherein said base unit is responsive to a signal from said remote transmitter in order to actuate said floodlight, and wherein said actuator includes a lockout device in order to prevent actuation of said floodlight during operation of the vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mirror system in claim 9 wherein said actuator further includes connection with an interior light circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said floodlight when the interior lights of the vehicle are being actuated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
144 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing: a floodlight for projecting a pattern of light from said housing on an area of ground adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area, said first pattern extending laterally onto the vehicle and downwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle, wherein said lighted security zone extends from the vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle: an actuator for said floodlight: and a signal light adapted to projecting another pattern of light from said housing and connected with at least one of a stoplight circuit and a turn signal circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said signal light when at least one of the stoplights and turn signal are being actuated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
144 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing: a floodlight for projecting a pattern of light from said housing on an area of ground adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area, said first pattern extending laterally onto the vehicle and downwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle, wherein said lighted security zone extends from the vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle: an actuator for said floodlight: and a signal light adapted to projecting another pattern of light from said housing and connected with at least one of a stoplight circuit and a turn signal circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said signal light when at least one of the stoplights and turn signal are being actuated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The mirror system in claim 11 wherein said another pattern of light extends laterally away from the vehicle and rearwardly of the vehicle wherein said another pattern can be observed directly by a driver of another vehicle passing said vehicle but not by a driver of said vehicle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mirror system in claim 11 wherein each of said floodlight and said signal light are generated by an incandescent lamp positioned in said housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mirror system in claim 11 wherein each of said floodlight and said signal light are generated by a light emitting diode positioned in said housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mirror system in claim 11 wherein each of said floodlight and said signal light are generated by a vacuum fluorescent lamp.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mirror system in claim 11 wherein each of said floodlight and said signal light are generated by a light source in the vehicle and a light pipe between said light source and said housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mirror system in claim 11 wherein said floodlight generates said first pattern through a non-filtering lens wherein said first pattern of light is white.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mirror system in claim 11 wherein said signal light generates said another pattern through a filtering lens wherein said second pattern is red or amber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
77 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing; a floodlight adapted to projecting light from said housing generally downwardly on an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area; and an actuator for said floodlight including a lockout device in order to prevent actuation of said floodlight during operation of the vehicle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
77 words
An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a housing and a reflective element positioned in said housing; a floodlight adapted to projecting light from said housing generally downwardly on an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area; and an actuator for said floodlight including a lockout device in order to prevent actuation of said floodlight during operation of the vehicle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mirror system in claim 19 wherein said actuator further includes connection with an interior light circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said floodlight when the interior lights of the vehicle are being actuated.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
61 words
The mirror system in claim 19 further including a signal light adapted to projecting light from said housing generally rearwardly of the vehicle and connected with at least one of a stoplight circuit and a turn signal circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said signal light when at least one of the stoplights and turn signal are being actuated.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
79 words
The mirror system in claim 19 further including first and second signal lights, each adapted to projecting light from said housing generally rearwardly of the vehicle and connected with one of a stoplight circuit and a turn signal circuit of the vehicle wherein one of said first and second signal lights is actuated when the stoplights are being actuated and the other one of said first and second signal lights is actuated when the turn signal is being actuated.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
The mirror system in claim 19 wherein said floodlight projects a pattern of light extending laterally onto the vehicle and downwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle, wherein the lighted security zone extends from the vehicle door to the rear of the vehicle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
79 words
An exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a reflective element and a housing for said reflective element; a security light projecting light generally downwardly from 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 an actuator for said security light including a lockout circuit that will avoid inadvertent actuation of said security light during operation of said vehicle.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
79 words
An exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a reflective element and a housing for said reflective element; a security light projecting light generally downwardly from 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 an actuator for said security light including a lockout circuit that will avoid inadvertent actuation of said security light during operation of said vehicle.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
The mirror system in claim 24 wherein said actuator includes a base unit in the vehicle and a remote transmitter, wherein said base unit is responsive to a signal from said remote transmitter in order to actuate said security light.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mirror system in claim 24 wherein said actuator includes connection with an interior light circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said security light when the interior lights of the vehicle are being actuated.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mirror system in claim 24 wherein said actuator includes a timeout circuit that deactuates said security light after a delay upon occurrence of a given event.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
64 words
The mirror system in claim 24 further including a signal light adapted to projecting a pattern of light from said housing generally rearwardly of the vehicle and connected with at least one of a stoplight circuit and a turn signal circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said signal light when at least one of the stoplights and turn signal are being actuated.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
The mirror system in claim 28 wherein said pattern of light extends laterally away from the vehicle wherein said pattern can be observed directly by a driver of another vehicle passing said vehicle but not by a driver of said vehicle.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mirror system in claim 28 wherein said security light is generated by an incandescent lamp.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mirror system in claim 30 wherein said signal light is generated by at least one light emitting diode.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mirror system in claim 28 wherein said signal light is generated by at least one light emitting diode.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mirror system in claim 24 wherein said security light is generated by an incandescent lamp.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mirror system in claim 24 wherein said reflective element is an electrooptic mirror.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mirror system in claim 34 wherein said reflective element is an electrochromic mirror.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
117 words
An exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a reflective element and a housing for said reflective element; a security light projecting light generally downwardly from said housing on at least an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area; an actuator for said security light; and a signal light adapted to projecting a pattern of light from said housing generally rearwardly of the vehicle and connected with at least one of a stoplight circuit and a turn signal circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said signal light when at least one of the stoplights and turn signal are being actuated.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
117 words
An exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising: an exterior mirror including a reflective element and a housing for said reflective element; a security light projecting light generally downwardly from said housing on at least an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in said area; an actuator for said security light; and a signal light adapted to projecting a pattern of light from said housing generally rearwardly of the vehicle and connected with at least one of a stoplight circuit and a turn signal circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said signal light when at least one of the stoplights and turn signal are being actuated.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
41 words
The mirror system in claim 36 wherein said pattern of light extends laterally away from the vehicle wherein said pattern can be observed directly by a driver of another vehicle passing said vehicle but not by a driver of said vehicle.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mirror system in claim 36 wherein said actuator includes a connection with an interior light circuit of the vehicle in order to actuate said security light when the interior lights of the vehicle are being actuated.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
40 words
The mirror system in claim 36 wherein said actuator includes a base unit in the vehicle and a remote transmitter, wherein said base unit is responsive to a signal from said remote transmitter in order to actuate said security light.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mirror system in claim 36 wherein said actuator includes a timeout circuit that de-actuates said security light after a delay upon occurrence of a given event.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mirror system in claim 36 wherein said security light is generated by an incandescent lamp.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mirror system in claim 41 wherein said signal light is generated by at least one light emitting diode.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mirror system in claim 36 wherein said signal light is generated by at least one light emitting diode.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mirror system in claim 36 wherein said reflective element is an electrooptic mirror.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mirror system in claim 44 wherein said reflective element is an electrochromic mirror.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1563258A
Cited
US2273570A
Cited
US2562687A
Cited
US3596079A
Cited
US4041301A
Cited
US4205325A
Cited
US4258352A
Cited
US4274078A
Cited
US4342210A
Cited
US4446380A
Cited
US4475100A
Cited
US4688036A
Cited
JPS61188242A
Cited
JPS62218248A
Cited
DE3803510A1
Cited
US4866417A
Cited
US4881148A
Cited
US4809137A
Cited
JPH01239273A
Cited
US4916430A
Cited
US5049867A
Cited
US5017903C1
Cited
US5017903A
Cited
US4890907A
Cited
US5113182A
Cited
US5113182B1
Cited
US5207492A
Cited
US5014167A
Cited
US5179471A
Cited
US5151824A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-12-05 | 1998-06-06 | 1998-12-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-05 | 2002-06-06 | 2002-12-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-05 | 2006-06-06 | 2006-12-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |