GB2192370A

GB2192370A - Internal rear view mirror for motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2192370A
Application number: GB08712871A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernhard Mittelhauser
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-06-10
Filing date: 1987-06-02
Publication date: 1988-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2007-06-02
Also published as: IT8721761V0; JPS6322748A; KR880000274A; FR2599686A1; GB8712871D0; IT8720818A0; GB2192370B; DE8615559U1

Abstract

Rearview mirror for a motor vehicle. A lamp 9 is incorporated at the lower edge of the dished housing 1. Automotive industry. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Internal rear view mirror for motor vehicles The invention relates to an internal rear view mirror for motor vehicles with a dish-shaped housing enclosing the mirror, in which the housing is attached to the vehicle by a bracket or the like and is preferably adjustably mounted.

The object of the invention is to construct the above mirror in such a way that it may serve not just as a mirror but also for other advantageous purposes.

To achieve this object in accordance with the invention the projecting bottom edge of the mirror housing is provided with one or more lights, preferably shining downwards, which are particularly designed to match the rounded pad shape of the edge. Accordingly the light housing is preferably likewise of a rounded pad shape and is shaped flush with the pad section of the housing. The light housing may be provided with a transparent member so that the lights may function by means of an incandescent bulb. The light housing may also be provided with an aperture so that light is provided by radiation of the light beam.

Preferably, the lights are located at the end regions of the bottom edge or form these regions. Also preferably, the light housing is the operating control for the light switch. Further preferably, the light housing forms the end portion of the pad and is bevelled at the distal end. Desirably, a light is provided in each end portion of the pad and control units and/or indicator units are located between the light units.

Further desirably, the pad is at least substantially in front of the mirror surface. Also desirably the light housing is of substantially cylindrical shape and is preferably ridged on the outside.

The invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an internal mirror for a private motor vehicle shown in diagrammatical form and seen in the direction of the mirror; Figure 2 is a partial cross-section through the mirror according to Fig. 1 taken along the line ll-ll; and Figure 3 and 4 are perspective views of an inside mirror differing from that in Fig. 1, in diagrammatical form.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, housing, constructed of impact-resistant plastics material, is con nected to the motor vehicle, generally above the windscreen, by means of a bracket on its rear side. The mounting is therefore adjustable. The upper edge of the housing 1 is pro vided with an indicator 2 and a bellows-like covering member 3 forming a bridge to the motor vehicle. The substantially dish-shaped housing 1 verves as a mounting for the mirror 4. The transverse bottom edge of the housing 1- is of a rounded pad shape. This pad 6 has a number of units 8 for operation of the car, indication and the like, in the portion which projects slightly beyond surface 7 of the mirror 4 (Fig. 2).

Lights 9 with incandescent bulbs 10, which are located in a recess 11 of a ridged light housing 12 are located at the ends of pad 6.

The cross-section of this housing 12 is so shaped that its external contour corresponds to that of pad 6 so that there is an effectively smooth transition between the pad 6 and the housing 12. The position of recess 11 can be altered by rotating housing 12 so as to alter the angle of projection of the light. The light can therefore for example be directed at the dashboard of the vehicle or the lap of the driver.

The switch for the light 9 may be constructed in the form of e.g. a rotary switch in the centre of pad 6 which can be operated e.g. as shown in Fig. 4 by the thumb. The rotary switch is labelled 13. A particularly simple switch for light 9 is achieved if switching on and off can be effected by rotating housing 12. Whilst in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 the lights 9 are set into the pad 6, the two lights according in Fig. 3 form the end portions of pad 6. The effectively cylindrical housing 14 is cut obliquely at its ends in order to provide a reflective effect for better illumination. Housing 14 can also be rotated in this case. In this embodiment, the direction of the light is obliquely to the side in the direction of arrow 15, in the embodiment according to Fig. 4 it is at right angles to the longitudinal direction of pad 6.Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate other directions for the light from lights 9 which can be achieved by rotating housing 14.

In general a light 9 is provided at each end of pad 6 but it is also possible for such a light to be provided at only one end of the pad.

1. An internal rear view mirror for motor vehicles with a substantially dish-shaped housing enclosing the mirror, characterised in that one or more lights are located on the bottom edge of the mirror housing.

2. A mirror according to claim 1, characterised in that the lights are located at the end regions of the bottom edge or form these regions.

3. A mirror according to claim 1, characterised in that the bottom edge of the mirror housing is of a rounded pad shape and the lights are located in the rounded pad of the mirror housing so formed.

4. A mirror according to claim 3, characterised in that the light housings have an ex

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Internal rear view mirror for motor vehicles The invention relates to an internal rear view mirror for motor vehicles with a dish-shaped housing enclosing the mirror, in which the housing is attached to the vehicle by a bracket or the like and is preferably adjustably mounted. The object of the invention is to construct the above mirror in such a way that it may serve not just as a mirror but also for other advantageous purposes. To achieve this object in accordance with the invention the projecting bottom edge of the mirror housing is provided with one or more lights, preferably shining downwards, which are particularly designed to match the rounded pad shape of the edge. Accordingly the light housing is preferably likewise of a rounded pad shape and is shaped flush with the pad section of the housing. The light housing may be provided with a transparent member so that the lights may function by means of an incandescent bulb. The light housing may also be provided with an aperture so that light is provided by radiation of the light beam. Preferably, the lights are located at the end regions of the bottom edge or form these regions. Also preferably, the light housing is the operating control for the light switch. Further preferably, the light housing forms the end portion of the pad and is bevelled at the distal end. Desirably, a light is provided in each end portion of the pad and control units and/or indicator units are located between the light units. Further desirably, the pad is at least substantially in front of the mirror surface. Also desirably the light housing is of substantially cylindrical shape and is preferably ridged on the outside. The invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an internal mirror for a private motor vehicle shown in diagrammatical form and seen in the direction of the mirror; Figure 2 is a partial cross-section through the mirror according to Fig. 1 taken along the line ll-ll; and Figure 3 and 4 are perspective views of an inside mirror differing from that in Fig. 1, in diagrammatical form. As illustrated in Fig. 1, housing, constructed of impact-resistant plastics material, is con nected to the motor vehicle, generally above the windscreen, by means of a bracket on its rear side. The mounting is therefore adjustable. The upper edge of the housing 1 is pro vided with an indicator 2 and a bellows-like covering member 3 forming a bridge to the motor vehicle. The substantially dish-shaped housing 1 verves as a mounting for the mirror 4. The transverse bottom edge of the housing 1- is of a rounded pad shape. This pad 6 has a number of units 8 for operation of the car, indication and the like, in the portion which projects slightly beyond surface 7 of the mirror 4 (Fig. 2). Lights 9 with incandescent bulbs 10, which are located in a recess 11 of a ridged light housing 12 are located at the ends of pad 6. The cross-section of this housing 12 is so shaped that its external contour corresponds to that of pad 6 so that there is an effectively smooth transition between the pad 6 and the housing 12. The position of recess 11 can be altered by rotating housing 12 so as to alter the angle of projection of the light. The light can therefore for example be directed at the dashboard of the vehicle or the lap of the driver. The switch for the light 9 may be constructed in the form of e.g. a rotary switch in the centre of pad 6 which can be operated e.g. as shown in Fig. 4 by the thumb. The rotary switch is labelled 13. A particularly simple switch for light 9 is achieved if switching on and off can be effected by rotating housing 12. Whilst in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 the lights 9 are set into the pad 6, the two lights according in Fig. 3 form the end portions of pad 6. The effectively cylindrical housing 14 is cut obliquely at its ends in order to provide a reflective effect for better illumination. Housing 14 can also be rotated in this case. In this embodiment, the direction of the light is obliquely to the side in the direction of arrow 15, in the embodiment according to Fig. 4 it is at right angles to the longitudinal direction of pad 6.Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate other directions for the light from lights 9 which can be achieved by rotating housing 14. In general a light 9 is provided at each end of pad 6 but it is also possible for such a light to be provided at only one end of the pad. CLAIMS

4. A mirror according to claim 3, characterised in that the light housings have an ex ternal contour corresponding to the pad and the transition from them to the pad is substantially and effectively smooth.

5. A mirror according to claim 1, characterised in that the light housing is the operating control for the light switch.

6. A mirror according to claim 3, characterised in that the light housings at the two ends merge smoothly into the pad and incorporate a recess in which is located an incandescent bulb.

7. A mirror according to claim 3, characterised in that the light housing forms the end portion of the pad and is bevelled at the distal end.

8. A mirror according to claim 3, characterised in that a light is provided in each end portion of the pad and control-units and/or indicator units are located between the light units.

9. A mirror according to claim 3, characterised in that the pad is at least substantially in front of the mirror surface.

10. A mirror according to claim 3, characterised in that the light housing is of substantially cylindrical shape and is preferably ridged on the outside.

11. An internal rear view mirror, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.