US5402103A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive winker device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-06-02
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Granted: 1995-03-28
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Expires: 2012-06-02
Abstract
Abstract An automotive winker device comprises a light source accommodated in a light source chamber defined in a cover case of a door mirror or a side view mirror. Light transmission holes with transparent plates are provided in the light source chamber to project light rearwardly and sideways of the vehicle. A light shelter wall is provided for preventing light from scattering to the mirror and for having adverse effects on the mirror. The light shelter wall is removably mounted to provide access to the interior of the light source chamber, for example for replacement of the light source. Operation of the winker is clearly and reliably observable by nearby vehicles and persons as well as the driver, thereby reducing areas of non-visibility and promoting traffic safety.
Inventors
- 👤 Tadao Tashiro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:26
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/2661; B60Q1/2665; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/12; B60R1/1207
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
368 words
An automotive winker device for use on a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having a front portion and rear portion, the automotive winker device comprising: a side view mirror assembly mountable on a side portion of the vehicle, the side view mirror assembly having a mirror and a cover case to which the mirror is mounted, the mirror being arranged to face rearwardly of the vehicle and so as to be seen by a driver of the vehicle, the cover case having a front facing portion which faces toward the front portion of the vehicle and a rear facing portion which faces toward the rear portion of the vehicle; a light source chamber defined in a part of the cover case, the light source chamber having: at least one rear facing light transmission opening in a rear facing portion of the cover case defining the light source chamber, said at least one rear facing light transmission opening being adjacent to the mirror, and at least one side facing light transmission hole in a sideways outwardly facing portion of the cover case defining the light source chamber, said outwardly facing portion facing sideways away from the vehicle; a light source in said light source chamber; at least one rear transparent plate covering said at least one rear facing light transmission opening; at least one side facing transparent plate covering said at least one side facing light transmission hole; at least one light shelter wall provided at a portion of the cover case which faces toward the of the vehicle, said at least one light shelter wall projecting rearwardly of said mirror toward the rear portion of the vehicle, and rearwardly of said at least one rear transparent plate, for preventing scattering of light passing through said at least one rear facing light transmission opening to the mirror; and means for removably mounting said at least one light shelter wall to the cover case adjacent to the mirror, so as to permit removal of said at least one light shelter wall and said at least one rear transparent plate, to thereby provide access to the interior of said light source chamber of the cover case to replace said light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
368 words
An automotive winker device for use on a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having a front portion and rear portion, the automotive winker device comprising: a side view mirror assembly mountable on a side portion of the vehicle, the side view mirror assembly having a mirror and a cover case to which the mirror is mounted, the mirror being arranged to face rearwardly of the vehicle and so as to be seen by a driver of the vehicle, the cover case having a front facing portion which faces toward the front portion of the vehicle and a rear facing portion which faces toward the rear portion of the vehicle; a light source chamber defined in a part of the cover case, the light source chamber having: at least one rear facing light transmission opening in a rear facing portion of the cover case defining the light source chamber, said at least one rear facing light transmission opening being adjacent to the mirror, and at least one side facing light transmission hole in a sideways outwardly facing portion of the cover case defining the light source chamber, said outwardly facing portion facing sideways away from the vehicle; a light source in said light source chamber; at least one rear transparent plate covering said at least one rear facing light transmission opening; at least one side facing transparent plate covering said at least one side facing light transmission hole; at least one light shelter wall provided at a portion of the cover case which faces toward the of the vehicle, said at least one light shelter wall projecting rearwardly of said mirror toward the rear portion of the vehicle, and rearwardly of said at least one rear transparent plate, for preventing scattering of light passing through said at least one rear facing light transmission opening to the mirror; and means for removably mounting said at least one light shelter wall to the cover case adjacent to the mirror, so as to permit removal of said at least one light shelter wall and said at least one rear transparent plate, to thereby provide access to the interior of said light source chamber of the cover case to replace said light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The automotive winker device of claim 1, wherein said at least one light shelter wall is angularly adjustably mounted to the cover case.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The automotive winker device of claim 2, comprising at least two of said light shelter walls spaced apart from each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The automotive winker device of claim 1, wherein said light source chamber has at least one heat radiation hole therein for permitting passing out of heat from the interior of the light source chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The automotive winker device of claim 1, wherein said at least one light shelter wall has a surface treatment thereon to absorb light scattered from the light source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The automotive winker device of claim 5, comprising at least two of said light shelter walls spaced apart from each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The automotive winker device of claim 1, further comprising a partition member between the mirror and the light source chamber, said partition member projecting toward the rear portion of the vehicle and projecting rearwardly of the mirror toward the rear portion of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The automotive winker device of claim 7, comprising at least two of said light shelter walls spaced apart from each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The automotive winker device of claim 8, wherein said partition member is spaced from said at least two light shelter walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The automotive winker device of claim 1, comprising at least two of said light shelter walls spaced apart from each other.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-27 | 1998-09-26 | 1999-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-27 | 2002-09-26 | 2003-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-27 | 2006-09-26 | 2007-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |