CN111372488A

CN111372488A - Illuminating vanity mirror assembly

Info

Publication number: CN111372488A
Application number: CN201880057895.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·P·帕特尔
Original assignee: Hubbell Inc
Current assignee: Huber Lighting Co ltd
Priority date: 2017-08-15
Filing date: 2018-08-03
Publication date: 2020-07-03
Also published as: CA3072756A1; WO2019036205A1; CA3072756C; MX2020001703A

Abstract

The invention discloses an illuminating vanity mirror assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, an illuminated vanity mirror assembly includes a front plate having a front face and a back face. The front face may comprise a reflective surface. The illuminated vanity mirror may include a vanity mirror housing and at least one light source positioned within the vanity mirror housing. The illuminated vanity mirror may include a first mount attached to the back side of the front plate at or near a first edge of the back side of the front plate. The first mount may have a downwardly facing lip. The cosmetic mirror housing can define a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the downward facing lip.

Description

Illuminating vanity mirror assembly

Reference to related applications

The present application claims priority from co-pending U.S. application No.15/970,040 entitled "illuminated vanity mirror assembly" filed on 2018, 5/3, which is incorporated herein by reference. The present application claims priority from co-pending U.S. provisional application No.62/545,602 entitled "illuminated vanity mirror assembly" filed on 2017, 8, 15, which is incorporated herein by reference. The present application claims priority from co-pending U.S. provisional application No.62/547,150 entitled "illuminated vanity mirror assembly" filed on 2017, 8/18, which is incorporated herein by reference. The present application claims priority from co-pending U.S. provisional application No.62/595,730 entitled "illuminated vanity mirror assembly" filed on 7.12.2017, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present subject matter relates generally to illuminated cosmetic mirrors.

Background

Illuminated vanity mirrors are becoming an increasingly popular item because they provide an aesthetically pleasing mirror and may provide improved lighting when viewing the mirror. The illuminated vanity mirror may include a light source mounted in an assembly for securing the illuminated vanity mirror to a surface, such as a wall or other surface. Installing an illuminated vanity mirror can be challenging while still optimizing the lighting of the illuminated vanity mirror. For example, components within the vanity mirror housing may interfere with the light that illuminates the light source within the vanity mirror.

Disclosure of Invention

Aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

One exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an illuminated vanity mirror assembly. An illuminated vanity mirror assembly may include a front plate having a front face and a back face. The front face may comprise a reflective surface. The illuminated vanity mirror may include a vanity mirror housing and at least one light source positioned within the vanity mirror housing. The illuminated vanity mirror may include a first mount attached to the back side of the front plate at or near a first edge of the back side of the front plate. The first mount may have a downwardly facing lip. The cosmetic mirror housing can define a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the downward facing lip.

Another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a mount for securing a front plate of an illuminating vanity mirror to a vanity mirror housing configured to secure the illuminating vanity mirror to a surface and to receive one or more light sources configured to provide light through at least a portion of the front plate. The mount includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is configured to be attached to a back side of the front panel. The first portion extends in a first direction from a back side of the front panel. The second portion extends from the first portion in a second direction different from the first direction. The third portion extends from the second portion in a third direction different from the second direction. The third portion includes a downward facing lip configured to engage a cavity formed in the cosmetic mirror housing. In this way, the front plate can be fixed to the cosmetic mirror housing.

Yet another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an illuminated vanity mirror. The illuminated vanity mirror includes a front plate having a front face and a back face. The front face includes a reflective surface. Alternatively or additionally, a portion of the front face is at least partially transparent. In this way, light can be transmitted through the at least partially transparent portion of the front face. The illuminated vanity mirror includes a vanity mirror housing and at least one light source positioned within the vanity mirror housing. The at least one light source is configured to emit light through the at least partially transparent portion of the front face. The illuminated vanity mirror includes a first mount and a second mount. A first mount is attached to a first edge of the back face of the front panel. The first mount includes a downward facing lip, and at least a portion of the downward facing lip is received in a cavity defined at an edge of the vanity housing. A second mount is attached to a second edge of the back face of the front panel. The second mount is configured to be adjacent to a second edge of a vanity mirror assembly, and the second mount is configured to be secured to the vanity mirror housing by one or more fasteners.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of various embodiments will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the relevant principles.

Drawings

A detailed discussion of embodiments is set forth in the specification with respect to one of ordinary skill in the art, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 depicts a front view of an illuminated vanity mirror assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of an illuminated vanity mirror assembly showing some internal components according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure showing the connection between the second mount and the bottom wall of the housing;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure showing the connection between the first mount and the top wall of the cosmetic mirror housing;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective cross-sectional view of an assembly embodiment showing a connection between a first mount and a top wall of a housing, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a first mount according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a first mount according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure showing an entirely illuminated vanity mirror assembly;

fig. 9 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly showing a first mount received within a cavity defined within a bottom wall of a housing, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an assembly embodiment showing a second mount and its connection to a top wall of a housing, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with the front plate removed and offset from the vanity mirror housing so that the cavity and first mount can be seen;

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of one or more light sources disposed within a vanity mirror housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 13 depicts another perspective view of one or more light sources disposed within a vanity mirror housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is illustrative of each embodiment and is not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. It is therefore intended that aspects of the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations.

An exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an illuminated vanity mirror assembly having a front plate that is attachable to a vanity mirror housing. The front plate may include a reflective surface. The front plate may comprise an at least partially transparent illumination portion. The vanity mirror housing may house one or more light sources (e.g., Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)) that emit light through the illumination portion.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, an illuminated vanity mirror assembly may include a first mount. The first mount may be fixed to a rear surface of the front plate. The first mount may comprise a downwardly facing lip. The downward facing lip may be configured to engage or be retained in a cavity defined in the vanity housing (e.g., an edge member of the vanity housing). In this way, the front plate may be secured to the cosmetic mirror housing when the downwardly facing lip portion of the first mount is positioned within the cavity.

In some embodiments, the illuminated vanity mirror may include a second mount. The second mount may be located, for example, on the back side of the front panel (e.g., at the opposite edge of the mount with the downward facing lip). The second mount may abut an edge member of the cosmetic mirror housing. One or more fasteners may be used to secure the second mount to the vanity mirror housing to provide additional stability when securing the front plate to the vanity mirror housing.

In some embodiments, the downward facing lip of the first mount may comprise a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion may extend in a first direction and may be fixed to a rear surface of the front plate. The second portion may extend from the first portion in a second direction (e.g., a perpendicular direction away from the back side of the front plate). The third portion may extend in a third direction from the second portion. For example, the third portion may extend from the second portion such that an angle is defined between the second portion and the third portion. More specifically, the angle may be an acute angle, a right angle, or an obtuse angle. In some embodiments, the third portion is a downward facing lip.

In some embodiments, the downward facing lip may extend into the vanity mirror housing a limited distance when engaged with the cavity to reduce the effect (e.g., shadowing effect) on light emitted from one or more light sources in the vanity mirror housing. For example, the downward facing lip may extend no more than about 1.5 inches in the cosmetic mirror housing, such as no more than about 0.75 inches in the cosmetic mirror housing. As used herein, the term "about" in combination with a numerical value is intended to mean within 20% of the stated value.

An exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an illuminated vanity mirror assembly that allows a front plate to be attached to a vanity mirror housing. The front plate may include a reflective surface. The front plate may additionally comprise an at least partially transparent illumination portion. The cosmetic mirror housing may house one or more light sources (e.g., Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)) that provide light through the illumination portion.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, an illuminated vanity mirror assembly may include at least one mount. The mounting member may be fixed to the rear surface of the front plate. The mount may comprise a downwardly facing lip. The downward facing lip may be configured to engage or be retained in a cavity defined in the vanity housing (e.g., an edge member of the vanity housing). In this manner, the front plate may be secured to the cosmetic mirror housing by simply engaging the downwardly facing lip portion with the cavity defined by the cosmetic mirror housing.

In some embodiments, the illuminated vanity mirror may include additional mounts. The additional mount may be located, for example, on the back side of the front panel (e.g., at the opposite edge of the mount with the downward facing lip). The additional mount may abut an edge member of the cosmetic mirror housing. One or more fasteners may be used to secure the additional mount to the vanity mirror housing to provide additional stability when securing the front plate to the vanity mirror housing.

In some embodiments, the mount with the downward facing lip may comprise three portions. The first portion may extend in a first direction and may be fixed to a rear surface of the front plate. The second portion may extend from the first portion in a second direction (e.g., a perpendicular direction away from the back side of the front plate). The third portion may extend downward in a third direction from the second portion. For example, the third portion may extend at an acute angle, a perpendicular direction, or at an obtuse angle relative to the second portion. The third portion may be a downward facing lip.

In some embodiments, the downward facing lip may extend into the vanity mirror housing a limited distance when engaged with the cavity to reduce the effect (e.g., shadowing effect) on light emitted from one or more light sources in the vanity mirror housing. For example, the downward facing lip may extend no more than about 1.5 inches in the cosmetic mirror housing, such as no more than about 0.75 inches in the cosmetic mirror housing. For example, in some embodiments, the downward facing lip may extend into the cosmetic mirror housing a distance that is less than about 50% of the depth of the cosmetic mirror housing, such as less than about 30% of the depth of the cosmetic mirror housing, such as less than about 20% of the depth of the cosmetic mirror housing. As used herein, the term "about" in combination with a numerical value is intended to mean within 20% of the stated value.

Exemplary aspects of the present disclosure provide a number of technical effects and benefits. For example, in some embodiments, the accuracy requirements for the angle of the bracket used to secure the downward facing lip portion to the cosmetic mirror housing are low. In this regard, less stringent manufacturing tolerances may be used, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Further, instead of using four mounts, exemplary embodiments may require fewer mounts, such as a single mount or two mounts. The manufacturing costs of the assembly can be reduced because fewer parts can be produced. Furthermore, the omission of at least two additional mountings may allow more space inside the housing, so that additional components may be included. By reducing the number of mounting surfaces within the cosmetic mirror housing, lighting may be improved, as the mounting surfaces may be less likely to interfere with light provided from the light source through the chamber and through the illumination portion of the front plate.

Additionally, the alignment and mounting features may provide the necessary strength to support the weight of the vanity mirror, and these features may uniformly support the weight of the mirror. In addition, maintenance of components within the vanity mirror housing can be quickly and easily accomplished.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a front view of one exemplary embodiment of an illuminated vanity mirror assembly 28. Fig. 2 depicts a front view of the illuminated vanity mirror assembly 28 in which the front plate 30 of the illuminated vanity mirror assembly 28 has been made partially transparent so that the vanity mirror housing 36 and other components positioned behind the front plate 30 can be seen. The front plate 30 includes one or more front reflective surfaces 32 that are at least partially transparent to light and one or more illumination portions 34. The remainder of the assembly 28 is disposed behind the front plate 30.

As shown in fig. 2, the cosmetic mirror housing 36 has an internal support 70. The internal support 70 and the

walls

44, 46, 74, 76 of the cosmetic mirror housing 36 collectively form a chamber 72. One or more light sources (not shown) may be disposed behind the front plate 30 and within the cosmetic mirror housing 36 (fig. 2-3). The light source may be placed in a position that allows light to shine into the chamber 72. Light from the light source may pass through the cavity 72, behind the back side 48 of the front panel 30 to the back side of the front panel 30, and through the illumination portion 34 so that the light is visible when viewing the reflective front side of the illuminated vanity mirror assembly 28. In one exemplary embodiment, the light source may be a Light Emitting Diode (LED) light source, although other light sources may be used.

When the front plate 30 is mounted to the cosmetic mirror housing 36, the illumination portion 34 of the front plate 30 may be positioned adjacent the cavity 72 such that light from the light source may pass through the at least partially transparent surface. The internal support 70 may preferably have a position and size such that the cavity 72 is properly aligned with the illumination portion 34 of the front panel 30. In some embodiments, the area defined by the illumination portion 34 may fit within the area defined by the cavity 72 such that the light will be evenly dispersed through the transparent surface.

Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an illuminated vanity mirror assembly 28, wherein a bottom portion of assembly 28 is visible. Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of the same embodiment of an illuminated vanity mirror assembly 28, with a top portion of the assembly 28 visible. These figures depict the front plate 30 and its connection to the cosmetic mirror housing 36 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The vanity mirror housing 36 may be attached to a wall, a table, or any other suitable surface.

The first mount 38 and the second mount 40 are attached to the back face 48 of the front plate 30. The first mount 38 is attached at or near a first edge 39 of a back face 48 of the front panel 30. The second mount 40 is attached at or near a second edge 41 (e.g., an opposite edge) of the back face of the front panel. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3 and 4, the first edge 39 corresponds to a top edge of the back side 48 of the front panel 30, and the second edge 41 corresponds to a bottom edge of the back side 48 of the front panel 30. However, in other embodiments, the first edge 39 may correspond to a bottom edge of the back side 48 of the front panel 30 and the second edge 41 may correspond to a top edge of the back side 48 of the front panel 30. These attachments may be accomplished in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, fasteners, adhesives, snap connections, or other connection methods. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first mount 38 and/or the second mount 40 may be integrally formed with the back side 48 of the front plate 30.

The cosmetic mirror housing 36 can have a first wall 44 (e.g., a first edge member) and a second wall 46 (e.g., a second edge member). The first wall 44 and the second wall 46 may be located on the perimeter of the vanity mirror housing 36. The first wall 44 and the second wall 46 may at least partially define a perimeter of the vanity mirror housing 36. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3 and 4, the first wall 44 is a top wall of the cosmetic mirror housing 36 and the second wall 46 is a bottom wall of the cosmetic mirror housing 36. However, in other embodiments, the first wall 44 may be a bottom wall of the vanity mirror housing 36 and the second wall 46 may be a top wall of the vanity mirror housing 36.

The first wall 44 may define a cavity 50 (e.g., a recess, an opening, a through-hole, etc.). Portions of the first mount 38 may be physically received within a cavity 50 defined by the first wall 44. In fig. 5, the downward facing lip 55 on the first mount 38 is a portion that may be physically received within the cavity 50. In some embodiments, the cavity 50 may be of a size and shape large enough so that portions of the first mount 38 may be received in the cavity 50. However, the cavity 50 may be small enough to secure portions of the first mounting member 38 in a fixed position. The attached front panel 30 may also be held in a fixed or relatively fixed position by fixing the first mount 38.

As shown in fig. 3, the second wall 46 of the cosmetic mirror housing 36 may abut the second mounting member 40. The second wall 46 may be connected or attached to the second mount 40. In fig. 3, the second mounting member 40 is coupled to a second wall 46 of the vanity mirror housing 36 using a fastener 42. In some embodiments, fastener 42 may be a screw that extends through holes in second mount 40 and second wall 46. However, other fasteners, such as snap connections, nuts and bolts, and the like, may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In fig. 3, two fasteners 42 are used, but more or fewer fasteners may be used.

In some embodiments, the fasteners 42 may be evenly spaced along the second mount 40, but the fasteners 42 may secure the second mount 40 and the second wall 46 at any location along the second mount 40. In an exemplary embodiment, the vanity mirror housing 36 will rest on top of the second mount 40, and the fastener 42 will be applied to secure the vanity mirror housing 36 and the second mount 40 together. However, in other embodiments, the second mounting member 40 may rest on top of the vanity mirror housing 36 and one or more fasteners may be applied to secure the vanity mirror housing 36 and the second mounting member 40 together. In addition to or in lieu of applying the fasteners 42 to the second wall 46, fasteners may be applied to a sidewall or other surface of the vanity mirror housing 36 to secure the front plate 30.

Fig. 5 depicts a perspective cross-sectional view of the assembly such that the connection between the first mounting member 38 and the cavity 50 defined within the first wall 44 of the vanity mirror housing 36 can be more clearly seen. The first mount 38 has a downwardly facing lip 55, the lip 55 being received within the cavity 50.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the first mount 38 has a first portion 52, a second portion 54, and a third portion 56. The first portion 52 extends in a first direction 58 as indicated by the arrow in fig. 5 and is attached to the back side 48 of the front plate 30. As shown in fig. 5, the first direction 58 is vertically downward. The second portion 54 extends in a second direction 60 as indicated by the arrow in fig. 5. The second direction 60 is different from the first direction 58. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the second direction 60 is in a horizontal direction and perpendicular to a plane formed by the back side 48 of the front plate 30.

The third portion 56 extends downwardly in a third direction 62 as indicated by the arrow in fig. 5. The third portion 56 may correspond to the downward facing lip 55. The third direction 62 is different from the second direction 60. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the third direction 62 extends downward and rearward toward the back side 48 of the front plate 30. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the second portion 54 and the third portion 56 form an acute angle.

In other embodiments, the third direction 62 may be such that the second portion 54 and the third portion 56 form a right angle or an obtuse angle. For example, as shown in fig. 6, the third portion 56 extends perpendicularly from the second portion 54. As shown in fig. 7, the third portion 56 extends at an obtuse angle relative to the second portion 54.

The first, second and

third portions

52, 54, 56 of the first mount 38 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, the portions of the first mount 38 may be separate components that are attached together.

As shown in fig. 3-5, the first mounting member 38 may extend through the cavity 50 of the first wall 44 and may extend into the vanity mirror housing 36. Portions of the first mount 38 may extend into the chamber 72 where light is illuminated from a light source and passes through the illumination portion 34 of the front panel 30. Preferably, however, only a small amount or part of the first mount will extend into the cavity to avoid disturbing the lighting.

For example, the cosmetic mirror housing 36 may have a depth D. The first mounting member 38 may extend a distance of no more than about 50% of the depth of the vanity housing, such as no more than about 30% of the depth of the vanity housing, such as no more than about 20% of the depth of the vanity housing.

In one exemplary embodiment, the first mounting member 38 does not extend more than about 1.5 inches within the vanity mirror housing 36. In another exemplary embodiment, the first mounting member 38 does not extend more than about 0.75 inches within the vanity mirror housing 36.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5-7, the first mount 38 has a first portion 52, a second portion 54, and a third portion 56. However, in other embodiments, the first mount may comprise only two parts or it may comprise more than three parts.

Fig. 8-11 depict another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in which the first mount is received within a cavity defined by a bottom wall of the vanity housing. In the exemplary embodiment, front plate 130 is attached to vanity mirror housing 136 to form an integrally illuminated vanity mirror assembly 128. The first mount 138 and the second mount 140 are attached to a back face 148 of the front plate 130. The first mount 138 is connectively attached at or near a first edge 139 of the rear face 148 of the front plate 130 and the second mount 140 is attached at or near a second edge 141 of the rear face 148 of the front plate 130.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 9 and 10, the first edge 139 corresponds to a bottom edge of the back face 148 of the front plate 130 and the second edge 141 corresponds to a top edge. However, in other embodiments, the first edge 139 may correspond to a top edge of the back side 148 of the front plate 130 and the second edge 141 may correspond to a bottom edge. These attachments may be achieved by various means including, but not limited to, fasteners, adhesives, snap connections, and the like. Alternatively, the first mount 138 and/or the second mount 140 may be integrally formed with the back side 148 of the front plate 130.

The cosmetic mirror housing 136 can include a first wall 144 and a second wall 146. In fig. 9 and 10, the first wall 144 may be a bottom wall of the vanity mirror housing 136 and the second wall 146 may be a top wall of the vanity mirror housing 136. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the first wall 144 may be a top wall of the vanity mirror housing 136 and the second wall 146 may be a bottom wall of the vanity mirror housing 136.

The first wall 144 may define a cavity 150. Portions of the first mount 138 may be physically received in the cavity 150. In fig. 9, the downward facing lip 155 of the first mount 138 is the portion physically received within the cavity 150. In some embodiments, the cavity 150 may accommodate portions of the first mount 138. In this manner, portions of the first mounting member 138 may be secured in a fixed position via the cavity 150. By securing the first mount 138 via the cavity 150, the attached front plate 130 may also be held in a fixed or relatively fixed position.

As shown in fig. 10, the second wall 146 of the cosmetic mirror housing 136 can be connected or attached to the second mount 140. In fig. 10, the second mount 140 is secured to the second wall 146 of the vanity mirror housing 136 using fasteners 142. The fasteners 142 in fig. 10 are screws that extend through holes in the second mount 140 and the second wall 146. However, other connection methods, such as snap connections, nuts and bolts, and the like, may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In fig. 10, two fasteners 142 are used, but more or fewer fasteners may be used. In some embodiments, the fasteners 142 may be evenly spaced along the second mount 140. However, the fastener 142 can secure the second mount and the second wall 146 at any location along the second mount 140. In addition to or in lieu of applying the fasteners 142 to the second wall 146, the fasteners 142 may be applied to a sidewall or other surface of the vanity mirror housing 136 to secure the front plate 130.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 12 and 13, the one or more light sources include a first light source 280 and a second light source 284. For example, the first light source 280 may be controlled by a first driver 282 and the second light source 284 may be controlled by a second driver 286. The first and

second drivers

282, 286 may be configured to illuminate the first and second

light sources

280, 284 independently and/or simultaneously. For example, the first and

second drivers

282, 286 may be independently controlled such that only the first light source 280 is illuminated, only the second light source 284 is illuminated, and/or such that both and/or neither of the first and/or second

light sources

280, 284 are illuminated simultaneously.

For example, the first light source 280 may be positioned to illuminate a first portion 290 of the chamber 272. For example, the first light source 280 may be positioned along the inner support 270 to illuminate a first portion 290 of the chamber 272. The second light source 284 may be positioned to illuminate a second portion 292 of the chamber 272. For example, a second light source may be positioned along inner support 270 to illuminate second portion 292 of chamber 272. The first light source 280 and/or the second light source 284 may additionally or alternatively be positioned along one or more other suitable surfaces within the vanity housing 236, such as the

walls

244, 246, 274, 276 and/or the back of the vanity housing 236. The first and second portions 290, 292 may be different portions and/or may overlap. For example, the first portion 290 may be a portion adjacent to the first wall 244, the third wall 274, and the fourth wall 276, and the second portion 292 may be a portion adjacent to the second wall 246. For example, the first light source 280 may be positioned along a portion of the inner support 270 parallel to the first, third, and

fourth walls

244, 274, 276, and the second light source 284 may be positioned along a portion of the inner support 270 parallel to the second wall 246. Thus, independently illuminating the second light source may illuminate the illumination portion 34 adjacent to the second wall 246, and simultaneously illuminating the first light source 280 and the second light source 284 may illuminate the entire illumination portion 34.

As another example, the first portion 290 may include the entire chamber 272, and the second portion 292 may include a portion of the chamber 272 that is also part of the first portion 290. For example, the first light source 280 may be positioned around most or the entire inner support 270 to illuminate most or the entire illumination portion 34 of the illumination portion 34 without the need to simultaneously illuminate the second light source 284. The second light source 284 may then be positioned along a portion of the inner support 270 that includes some of the first light source 280 or the entire first light source 280. For example, the second light source 284 may be positioned closer to and/or further from the illumination portion 34 than the first light source 280. As another example, the second light source 284 may be positioned at a similar distance from the illumination portion as the first light source 280 and may be integrated into the same structure as the first light source 280. For example, a string of LEDs including an LED connected to the first driver 282 and an LED connected to the second driver 286 may be attached to the portion of the inner support 270 including the first light source 280 and the second light source 284.

The second light source 284 may be independently illuminated to provide a lower light level on the one or more reflective surfaces 32 than when the first light source 280 is independently or simultaneously illuminated with the second light source 284. For example, the second light source 284 may be illuminated in a night time mode of operation or a low light mode of operation. For example, using an illuminated vanity mirror assembly 28, a lower light level may make the individual more aesthetically and/or functionally pleasing. For example, switches, such as separate light switches or a main switch and/or an auxiliary switch, may be used to control the first light source 280 and the second light source 284. As another example, the first and

second drivers

282, 286 may be connected to a control system configured to control the illumination of the first and second

light sources

280, 284. For example, the control system may independently illuminate the second light source 284 in response to a signal from a clock (e.g., indicating nighttime hours), a light sensor (e.g., indicating a low ambient light level), or other suitable sensor, or a combination thereof.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the

front plate

30, 130 has a rectangular shape. Other components of the assembly, such as the first and second mounts, the illuminating

surface

34, 134 of the front plate, and the

internal supports

70, 170 of the

cosmetic mirror housings

36, 136, are modified to accommodate this shape. This embodiment allows light to be illuminated along the perimeter of the front plate so that when someone looks at the central

reflective surface

32, 132, the light is uniformly illuminated. However, in other embodiments, the

front plates

30, 130 may have a circular, elliptical, polygonal, or any other shape. Thus, other components and assemblies may be changed to accommodate the shape of the front plate. For example, if a circular front plate is used, a circular inner support and a circular illumination portion on the front plate may be used. However, the illumination portion may have any shape, and need not be formed around the periphery of the front plate.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. An illuminated vanity mirror, the illuminated vanity mirror comprising:

a front plate comprising a front side and a back side, the front side comprising a reflective surface;

a cosmetic mirror housing;

at least one light source positioned within the vanity mirror housing; and

a first mount attached to the back side of the front plate, the first mount having a downward facing lip, wherein the vanity mirror housing defines a cavity that receives at least a portion of the downward facing lip.

2. The illuminated vanity mirror according to claim 1, wherein the first mount is attached to the back side of the front plate at or near a first edge of the back side of the front plate.

3. The illuminated vanity mirror of claim 1, further comprising a second mount attached to the back face of the front plate at or near a second edge of the back face of the front plate, the second mount configured to be secured to the vanity mirror housing by one or more fasteners.

4. The illuminated cosmetic mirror according to claim 1, wherein:

a first edge of the back side of the front panel is a top edge of the back side of the front panel; and is

A second edge of the back side of the front panel is a bottom edge of the back side of the front panel.

5. The illuminated cosmetic mirror according to claim 1, wherein:

a first edge of the back side of the front panel is a bottom edge of the back side of the front panel; and is

A second edge of the back side of the front panel is a top edge of the back side of the front panel.

6. The illuminated cosmetic mirror according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source comprises at least one Light Emitting Diode (LED) light source.

7. The illuminated cosmetic mirror of claim 1, wherein the downward facing lip is received within the cavity such that the downward facing lip extends no more than about 1.5 inches in the cosmetic mirror housing.

8. The illuminated cosmetic mirror of claim 1, wherein the downward facing lip is received within the cavity such that the downward facing lip extends no more than about 0.75 inches in the cavity.

9. The illuminated cosmetic mirror of claim 1, wherein the first mount comprises:

a first portion extending in a first direction, the first portion attached to the back side of the front plate;

a second portion extending from the first portion in a second direction different from the first direction; and

a third portion extending downward from the second portion in a third direction different from the second direction, the third portion including a downward facing lip.

10. The illuminated cosmetic mirror according to claim 9, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

11. The illuminated cosmetic mirror according to claim 9, wherein the third portion extends from the second portion such that an acute angle is defined between the second portion and the third portion.

12. The illuminated cosmetic mirror according to claim 9, wherein the third direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

13. The illuminated vanity mirror according to claim 9, wherein the third portion extends from the second portion such that an obtuse angle is defined between the second portion and the third portion.

14. The illuminated cosmetic mirror according to claim 9, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are integrally formed with one another.

15. A mount for securing a front plate of an illuminating vanity mirror to a vanity mirror housing, the vanity mirror housing configured to secure the illuminating vanity mirror to a surface and to house one or more light sources configured to provide light through at least a portion of the front plate, the mount comprising:

a first portion extending in a first direction, the first portion configured to be attached to a back side of the front panel;

a third portion extending from the second portion in a third direction different from the second direction;

wherein the third portion includes a downward facing lip configured to engage a cavity formed in the vanity mirror housing to secure the front plate to the vanity mirror housing.

16. The mount of claim 15, wherein the third portion extends from the second portion such that an acute angle is defined between the second portion and the third portion.

17. The mount of claim 15, wherein the third direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

18. The mount of claim 15, wherein the third portion extends from the second portion such that an obtuse angle is defined between the second portion and the third portion.

19. An illuminated vanity mirror comprising:

a front panel comprising a front side and a back side, the front side comprising a reflective surface, the front side having an illumination portion that is at least partially transparent to allow light to pass therethrough;

a cosmetic mirror housing;

at least one light source positioned within the vanity mirror housing, the at least one light source configured to emit light through the illumination portion; and

a first mount attached to a first edge of the back face of the front plate, the first mount having a downward facing lip, wherein the vanity mirror housing defines a cavity at an edge of the vanity mirror housing, the cavity receiving at least a portion of the downward facing lip;

a second mount attached to a second edge of the back face of the front plate, the second mount configured to be adjacent to a second edge of a vanity mirror assembly, the second mount configured to be secured to the vanity mirror housing by one or more fasteners.

20. The illuminated cosmetic mirror of claim 19, wherein the first mount comprises:

a third portion extending downward from the second portion in a third direction different from the second direction, wherein the third portion includes a downward facing lip.