GB2154969A

GB2154969A - Illuminated roar view mirror

Info

Publication number: GB2154969A
Application number: GB08501682A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Winstanley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-01-25
Filing date: 1985-01-23
Publication date: 1985-09-18
Also published as: GB2153315A; GB8401920D0; GB8501683D0; GB8501682D0

Abstract

A vehicle rear view mirror comprises a casing (2), a reflective panel (1) disposed in the casing (2) arranged to face rearwardly of the vehicle, and one or more lamps (5, 6) also disposed in the casing. The lamps may comprise one or more amber indicator and red brake and rear lamps. The amber lamp is preferably located above the red lamp. A vent (11) with inlet (12) and outlet (13) may be provided to demist the panel (1). The mirror may be detachable for use as a portable lamp. <IMAGE>

Description

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GB2154 969A 1

SPECIFICATION Illuminated rear view mirror

5 This invention relates to a rear view mirror for an automobile or other vehicle particularly but not exclusively to a mirror adapted to be secured to a door or other body panel adjacent the driver's side window.

10 According to this invention a vehicle rear view mirror comprises a casing, a reflective panel disposed in the casing and arranged to face rearwardly of the vehicle in use of the mirror and one or more lamps also disposed 15 in the casing.

The lamps may comprise one or more of rearwardly facing amber indicator and red brake and rear lamps. The amber lamp is preferably located above the red lamp. The 20 lamps are preferably located in or on the extremity of the casing which is arranged in use at the furthest distance from the vehicle.The bulbs may be located under the lamp covers close to the mirror surface so that 25 the heat dissipated by the bulbs heats the mirror preventing misting.This serves to provide the clearest possible indication of the full width of the vehicle to a person behind the latter. The said one or more lamps alterna-30 tively or in addition may comprise a white or naturally coloured lamp arranged to face for-wardly of the mirror casing. This lamp may serve as a conventional side light. Alternatively the rear view mirror may be adapted to 35 be detatched from the vehicle door or body panel for use as a portable lamp, for example when making emergency repairs in the engine compartment. An electric cable may be retrac-tably stored in the casing to maintain the 40 power supply to the lamp after detatchment from the vehicle.

The mirror may also include a vent arranged to direct a flow of air onto the reflective panel as the vehicle moves forwardly. 45 The vent may comprise an inlet open forwardly of the casing and an outlet adjacent or facing the surface of the panel.

The vent serves to demist the reflective panel as the vehicle moves. The vent may 50 further serve to keep the panel free from moisture in wet conditions. Two or more vents may be provided if convenient.

The casing may be adapted to be secured in use to a door or other body panel of a 55 vehicle by means of one or more extensible supports. The supports may facilitate increasing the distance of the reflective panel from the vehicle so that a driver's rearward vision is not obstructed by a wide trailer, caravan or 60 other load.

The supports may be telescopically extensible or may be arranged to retract into the casing.

The invention is further described by means 65 of example with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, of which:—

Figure 7 is a rear view of a mirror in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a section on A-A of Fig. 1; and 70 Figure 3 is an end elevation of the mirror.

The Figures show a rear view mirror in accordance with the invention, comprising a reflective panel 1 disposed in a casing 2. The casing is secured to a body panel 3 of a 75 vehicle by means of a support 4. Two lamps are located beneath coloured plastics covers located in the extremity of the mirror. An upper cover 5 is coloured amber and a lower cover 6 is coloured red. The covers are ar-80 ranged so that the lamps may only be seen from the rear or side of the vehicle. A transparent or white cover 7 illuminated by a third lamp, is arranged to be visible only from the front or side of the vehicle. The amber lamp is 85 connected to the indicator or hazard circuit of the vehicle and the red lamp is connected to the rear and brake light circuits.

The casing 2 is detatchable from the support 4 and is provided with an electric cable 90 (not shown) stored within the casing. The white lamp 7 may thereby serve to illuminate the interior of the engine compartment, for example in the event of a breakdown.

A vent 11 located on the upper portion of 95 the casing, comprises an inlet 12 and outlet 1 3 the latter being located adjacent and facing the panel 8. Air is drawn through the vent in the direction shown by the arrows during forward movement of a vehicle fitted 100 with the mirror. The flow of air serves to demist the panel 8 and prevents accumulation of rain drops, dirt or other deposits.

A pair of extensible supports 18 slidably mounted in the casing 1 5, allow the position 105 of the casing to be adjusted relative to the vehicle. This facilitates use of the mirror when towing a wide trailer or caravan. The casing may be lockable to prevent unwanted sliding upon the supports 18. Telescopically extensi-110 ble supports may be alternatively provided.

Claims

1. A vehicle rear view mirror comprising a casing, a. reflective panel disposed in the

115 casing and arranged to fave rearwardly of the vehicle in use of the mirror, and one or more lamps also disposed in the casing.

2. A mirror as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lamps are located in or on the extremity of

120 the casing which is arranged in use at the furthest distance from the vehicle.

3. A mirror as claimed in claim 1 or 2, adapted to be detatched from the vehicle for use as a portable lamp.

125

4. A mirror as claimed in any preceding claim, including a vent arranged to direct a flow of air onto the reflective panel as the vehicle moves forwardly.

5. A mirror as claimed in claim 4, wherein 130 the vent comprises an inlet open forwardly of

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GB2154 969A 2

the casing and an outlet adjacent or facing the reflective panel.

6. A mirror as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to be secured in use to a

5 vehicle by means of one or more extensible supports.

7. A mirror substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Printed in the United Kingdom for

Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Dd 8818935, 1985, 4235. Published at The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings,

London, WC2A 1AY, from which copies may be obtained.