US5820245A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rearview mirror assembly
Assignee: Magna Donnelly Engineering GmbH
•
Filing: 1996-04-12
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Granted: 1998-10-13
•
Expires: 2016-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A rearview mirror for vehicles includes a mirror case, a reflective element, a support for mounting the assembly on a vehicle, at least one lamp assembly having a reflector member which substantially directs light in a predetermined direction in the vehicle, and a circuit board mounted within the mirror case and having at least one holder for holding a light source which projects into the reflector member. A lens provides shaping and directing properties for light emitting from different areas of the reflector and includes a prescription region which focuses light from the reflector member to a particular target area of the vehicle, and a second region having a prescription different from said first prescription region.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Desmond
- 👤 Sean McCormack
- 👤 Patrick J. Lawlor
- 👤 Rick Mousseau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:32
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/12; B60R1/1207; B60Q; B60Q3/00; B60Q3/20; B60Q3/258; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088; H; H04; H04R; H04R2499/00; H04R2499/10; H04R2499/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising: a mirror case including a reflective element; a support for mounting said rearview mirror assembly on a vehicle; at least one lamp assembly having a light source and a reflector member to substantially direct light in a predetermined direction in the vehicle; said rearview mirror assembly further including: a circuit board mounted within said mirror case, said circuit board having at least one holder which holds said light source such that said light source projects into said reflector member; and a lens including at least two regions for passing light, one of said regions being a first prescription region which focuses light directed from said reflector member to a particular target area of the vehicle, and a second region having a prescription different from said first prescription region, said lens providing shaping and directing properties for light emitting from different areas of said reflector member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising: a mirror case including a reflective element; a support for mounting said rearview mirror assembly on a vehicle; at least one lamp assembly having a light source and a reflector member to substantially direct light in a predetermined direction in the vehicle; said rearview mirror assembly further including: a circuit board mounted within said mirror case, said circuit board having at least one holder which holds said light source such that said light source projects into said reflector member; and a lens including at least two regions for passing light, one of said regions being a first prescription region which focuses light directed from said reflector member to a particular target area of the vehicle, and a second region having a prescription different from said first prescription region, said lens providing shaping and directing properties for light emitting from different areas of said reflector member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lens is a twin prescription lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reflector member has an aperture for receiving said light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said light source is a bulb.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bulb projects downwardly into said reflector member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 5 wherein said bulb projects downwardly at an inclined angle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said circuit board has a driver's side bulb holder and a passenger side bulb holder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reflector member is removably mounted within said mirror case.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reflector member has at least one resilient flange for engaging a complementary flange in said mirror case to releasably mount said reflector member in said mirror case.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lens has a selected opaque area to reduce illumination in predetermined areas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said circuit board has mounted thereon at least one switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reflective element is actuatable between at least two reflective conditions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reflective element is an electro-optic rearview mirror element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 13 wherein said electro-optic rearview element is an electrochromic element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 14 wherein a resilient means abuts a rear surface of said reflective element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 14 wherein a shock absorbing means abuts a rear surface of said reflective element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 16 wherein said shock absorbing means comprises a layer of foam material adhered to a rear surface of said reflective element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 17 wherein said foam material comprises a cross-linked polyethylene foam.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 18 wherein said foam material has an adhesive rear surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 19 wherein said circuit board is attached to said adhesive rear surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reflective element has a variable reflective condition; said circuit board containing an electrical circuit for controlling said reflective condition of said reflective element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 21 including driver's side and passenger side lamp assemblies; said circuit board having a first electrical switch for controlling said reflective condition of said reflective element and second and third electrical switches for controlling said driver's side and passenger side lamp assemblies.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lamp assembly is disposed on a bottom region of the mirror case.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 including a first and a second lamp assembly.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 24 wherein said first and second lamp assemblies comprise a driver's side lamp assembly and a passenger side lamp assembly respectively.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein an electrical spring contact is provided to electrically connect said circuit board to said reflective element.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 26 including a flat electrical terminal on said circuit board; said spring contact abutting said flat electrical terminal on said circuit board.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reflector member comprises a metalised reflector member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle as claimed in claim 28 wherein said reflector member further comprises said lens mounted on said reflector member.
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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) | 2001-10-12 | 2002-04-13 | 2002-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-12 | 2006-04-13 | 2006-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-12 | 2010-04-13 | 2010-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |