US5938320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Enhanced illuminated polymeric indicator employed in a mirror housing of an automotive vehicle
Assignee: Harman Automotive Inc
•
Filing: 1997-03-19
•
Granted: 1999-08-17
•
Expires: 2017-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A mirror assembly has a housing that defines a cavity therein. A mirror is disposed within the cavity. The mirror transmits and reflects at least a portion of the light incident thereupon. A light guide has a first surface spaced a predetermined distance apart from the second surface. The light guide is placed within the mirror housing. A plurality of light sources are coupled to the light guide and direct light between the first and second surfaces. Light is reflected out of the light guide and transmitted through the mirror to provide an indicator function on the mirror.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Crandall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/2661; B60Q1/2665; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/12; B60R1/1207; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A mirror assembly comprising: a mirror housing defining a cavity; a mirror disposed within said cavity, said mirror transmitting and reflecting at least a portion of light incident thereon; a light guide having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface spaced a predetermined distance apart from a second surface; and a plurality of light sources coupled to said light guide, said light sources directing light rays between said first and second surfaces; said second surface reflecting light rays emitted from said light sources and directing light rays between said first and second surfaces; said second surface reflecting light rays emitted from said light sources and directing the reflected light rays toward the first surface where at least a portion of the reflected light rays are transmitted through said surface and through said mirror; said light guide having a generally wedge shaped cross section; said predetermined distance decreasing proportionally with respect to the distance from said light sources.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A mirror assembly comprising: a mirror housing defining a cavity; a mirror disposed within said cavity, said mirror transmitting and reflecting at least a portion of light incident thereon; a light guide having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface spaced a predetermined distance apart from a second surface; and a plurality of light sources coupled to said light guide, said light sources directing light rays between said first and second surfaces; said second surface reflecting light rays emitted from said light sources and directing light rays between said first and second surfaces; said second surface reflecting light rays emitted from said light sources and directing the reflected light rays toward the first surface where at least a portion of the reflected light rays are transmitted through said surface and through said mirror; said light guide having a generally wedge shaped cross section; said predetermined distance decreasing proportionally with respect to the distance from said light sources.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said second surface reflects said light rays at a predetermined angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said first surface is disposed generally parallel to a plane of said mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said second surface is positioned a predetermined angle with respect to said mirror.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said light guide is formed of a polymeric material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said second surface has a colored layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said colored layer is applied to said second surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said light source comprises light emitting diodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein said light emitting diodes comprise low operating temperature diodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said light sources are integrally molded to said light guide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a reflective surface disposed adjacent to said second surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
146 words
A mirror assembly comprising: a mirror housing; a mirror base coupled within said housing; a mirror coupled to said mirror base, said mirror transmitting and reflecting at least a portion of light incident thereon; an indicator assembly coupled to said mirror base having, a light guide having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface spaced a predetermined distance apart from a second surface; a plurality of light sources coupled to said light guide, said light sources directing light rays between said first and second surfaces; said second surface reflecting light rays emitted from said light sources and directing the reflected light rays toward the first surface where at least a portion of the reflected light rays are transmitted through said first surface and through said mirror; and said mirror base having a recess formed therein, said recess sized to receive said indicator assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
146 words
A mirror assembly comprising: a mirror housing; a mirror base coupled within said housing; a mirror coupled to said mirror base, said mirror transmitting and reflecting at least a portion of light incident thereon; an indicator assembly coupled to said mirror base having, a light guide having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface spaced a predetermined distance apart from a second surface; a plurality of light sources coupled to said light guide, said light sources directing light rays between said first and second surfaces; said second surface reflecting light rays emitted from said light sources and directing the reflected light rays toward the first surface where at least a portion of the reflected light rays are transmitted through said first surface and through said mirror; and said mirror base having a recess formed therein, said recess sized to receive said indicator assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 12, further comprising a circuit board, said light guide and light sources being connected to said circuit board.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 12, further comprising a light sensor, said light sensor mounted to said circuit board and electrically coupled to said light sources.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein said light sensor controls the output of said light sources.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said light sources comprise light emitting diodes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein said light emitting diodes comprise low operating temperature diodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A mirror assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said light guide has a generally wedge shaped cross section; said predetermined distance decreasing proportionally with respect to the distance from said light sources.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5014167A
Cited
US5059015A
Cited
US5402103A
Cited
US5313335A
Cited
US5669705A
Cited
US5436741A
Cited
US5587699A
Cited
EP0738627A2
Cited
US5788357A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-08-16 | 2003-02-15 | 2003-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-16 | 2007-02-15 | 2007-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-16 | 2011-02-15 | 2011-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |