Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – External signal light system
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-17
2001-08-07
Wu, Daniel J. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
External signal light system
C340S471000, C340S475000, C362S137000, C362S494000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06271750
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a side flashing lamp, more particularly a side flashing lamp for fitting into the housing or cover cap of an external rear view mirror for a motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A side flashing lamp which can be fitted into the cover cap or housing of an external rear view mirror for a motor vehicle can be found for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,283. That side flashing lamp includes a lamp housing with a light exit opening which is closed by a translucent cover. The translucent cover is curved in such a way that, in the installed condition of the side flashing lamp, it extends from the outward end of the cover cap or housing, which is remote from the vehicle, with a continuous transition, into the front side of the cover cap or housing, which faces in the direction of travel of the vehicle. At least one light source is fixedly mounted in the lamp housing and the flashing lamp includes at least one reflector for focusing the light in a main radiation direction which in the installed condition points substantially in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The location at which the side flashing lamp is installed in the cover cap is disposed at the outwardly facing end thereof, remote from the vehicle, while the reflector surrounding the light source which is formed by an incandescent lamp member is arranged in such a way that the main radiation direction extends forwardly with an angle of inclination. The translucent cover is so shaped that it provides for a continuous extension of the external contour of the cover cap. In plan in relation to the position of installation thereof, the translucent cover is curved in such a way that it extends over an angle of about 90°, that is to say it faces with its outermost end region approximately transversely with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. That configuration is intended to provide that the light which is emitted by the light source when switched on can also be perceived by people who are positioned laterally of the motor vehicle. In order still further to enhance that effect, the reflector is longer in plan on the side which is closer to the vehicle, and is also extended further forwardly, so that it focuses the light which is outputted from the light source in a direction towards the vehicle and reflects it in a focused condition in the opposite lateral direction.
It will be noted however that a disadvantage with the arrangement as outlined above is that it is not possible to provide for rearward radiation of the light produced by the light source, that is to say the light cannot be radiated in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned main radiation direction or the direction of forward travel of the vehicle, so that people who are positioned inclinedly or precisely behind a vehicle fitted with such a side flashing lamp cannot see it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a side flashing lamp for fitting in an external rear view mirror of a motor vehicle, which can be seen not only from the front and from the side but also from positions which are inclinedly behind the vehicle on which the lamp is fitted.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a side flashing lamp for installation in a housing of a motor vehicle external rear view mirror, which can afford a more extensive and quasi-panoramic lighting effect to enhance the visibility of the lamp.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a side flashing lamp in a motor vehicle external rear view mirror housing, which affords enhanced light visibility while being of a simple internal structure.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a motor vehicle external rear view mirror housing and a side flashing lamp which entail a closely integrated structural configuration while affording a wide range of lamp visibility in terms of positions relative thereto.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention the foregoing and other objects are attained by a side flashing lamp for fitting in the cover cap or housing of an external rear view mirror for a motor vehicle, comprising a lamp housing having a light exit opening. A translucent cover closes the light exit opening of the lamp housing and is curved in such a way that, in an installed condition, it extends from the outward side of the cover cap, which is remote from the vehicle, with a continuous transition, into the front side of the cover cap which faces at least approximately in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle. At least one light source is mounted in the lamp housing at a fixed position therein. At least one reflector is operable to focus the light of the light source in a main radiation direction which in the installed condition faces substantially in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle. The lamp also includes at least one further light source, with a respective further reflector for reflecting and focusing the light of the further light source substantially transversely with respect to the main radiation direction, towards the outside. A light deflection element is arranged in the beam path of the further reflector and is operable to deflect the major part of the light focused by the further reflector in such a way that it has a radiation direction which extends inclinedly rearwardly with respect to the main radiation direction.
Accordingly, as will be seen in greater detail from the description hereinafter of preferred embodiments of the invention, in addition to the at least one light source which by virtue of its arrangement and the configuration of the reflector operatively associated therewith outputs its light in the main radiation direction, that is to say substantially in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle on which the external rear view mirror with side flashing lamp is fitted, the side flashing lamp according to the invention has a further light source which is positioned towards the outward side of the external rear view mirror, with a reflector of such a configuration that it focuses the light substantially transversely with respect to the main radiation direction, that is to say towards the outside of the motor vehicle. That arrangement can already be such that a certain part of the light focused by that reflector is irradiated with a component that is directed rearwardly of the vehicle. In order still further to enhance that effect, the invention additionally provides that disposed in the beam path of that further reflector is a light deflection element, for example a prism, so arranged that it deflects the major part of the light focused by the further reflector into a radiation direction which is directed inclinedly rearwardly of the vehicle, with respect to the main radiation direction.
Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description hereinafter of preferred embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5499169 (1996-03-01), Chen
patent: 5774283 (1998-06-01), Nagel et al.
patent: 5938322 (1999-08-01), Alonzo, Jr. et al.
patent: 6049271 (2000-04-01), Chu
patent: 6152587 (2000-11-01), Berg
patent: 6176602 (2001-01-01), Pastrick et al.
Bräutigam Markus
Künstler Rolf
Fer Fahrzeugelektrik GmbH
Pham Toan
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
Wu Daniel J.
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