This patent is subject to an expiration for failure to pay maintenance fees. See comments below.
Mirror with illuminating device, in particular for motor vehicles
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A mirror (14) borne by a cover (34) and an illuminating device (8, 11) are arranged in a shallow housing (1). When mirror (14) is in its position of non-use, cover (34) extends parallel to the main wall of the housing (1). Cover (34) has a U-shaped recess extending from a longitudinal edge to provide clearance for passage of diffusion screen (8) and light rays projecting therethrough. Screen (8) is developed in the shape of a quarter circle corresponding to the dimensions of the recess. The edge region of cover (34) having the recess is articulated to the housing (1). In the bottom of the housing (1) is mounting opening (31) for the individual parts of the illuminating device, and housing (1) is provided with an electric circuit and switch (6). The latter is operable between a first position to turn the light off, a second position to turn the light on or off via a contact in the door of a vehicle wherein housing (1 ) is mounted, and a third position to turn the light on or off by swinging movement of the cover (34).
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1. Illuminated mirror apparatus adapted particularly for motor vehicles, said apparatus including:
a generally rectangular shallow trough-like housing (1) having a main rear wall;
a cover (34) including a mirror (14), said cover being pivotally mounted to said housing (1) along an edge thereof for movement between a closed and an open position, in said closed position said cover (14) being forward of said rear wall and
generally parallel thereto with said mirror (14) concealed, and in said open position said mirror (14) being outside of said housing (1) and being accessible for use;
an illuminating device mounted to said housing (1) and including a source of electric light (11) and a dispersion screen (8);
said cover (34) having a recess that provides clearance for said dispersion screen (8) when said cover (34) is in said closed position;
said housing (1) being equipped with an electric circuit (7, 16, 20,) and a switch (6) connected in said circuit, said switch (6) being operable to first, second and third positions;
said switch (6) when operated to said first position turning said light (11) off, said switch when in said second position enabling said light (11) to be turned on and off responsive to closing and opening of a vehicle door, and said switch (6)
when in said third position enabling said light to be turned on and off by pivoting said cover (34) to said open and closed positions.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the screen (8) is formed as a quarter circle and is of a shape corresponding to said recess in said cover (34).
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the cover (34) includes a lower part (12) and an upper part (15), said recess being in both said lower and upper parts (12, 15) and said upper part having a window opening with which the mirror (14) is
aligned; and
said recess being defined partially by spaced boundary walls wherein there are mounting openings (22) to receive mounting pins (13, 23) on said housing (1) which form a pivot axis for the cover (34) on the housing (1).
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which a first of the mounting pins (13) for the cover (34) has an eccentric pin attachment (27) which is in resting engagement with a spring tongue (26) on said housing (1).
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 also including a spring-loaded locking device (4) for holding the cover (34) in said closed position, said locking device (4) being located on said housing (1) along a side thereof remote from said illuminating device (8, 11).
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which the housing (1), along a free edge thereof, is provided with a surrounding flange (35) which is parallel to the rear wall; and
the housing (1), on a longitudinal wall thereof, is provided with outwardly protruding mounting hooks (2) and, on its opposite longitudinal wall, is provided with outwardly protruding mounting springs (3).
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the flange (35) is provided with a receiving slot (33) within which the switch (6) is movable between said first, second and third positions.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, also including a reflector (9) for the electric light (11), an opening (31) in said housing (1) for mounting said reflector (9), said housing(l) also being provided with holding straps (21) for retaining portions of the illuminating device and mounting straps for articulation of the cover (34) on the housing (1) in the vicinity of the mounting opening (31).
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the housing (1) and the cover (34) are formed as plastic injection moldings.
10. Apparatus according to claim 1, that is proportioned and constructed to be operatively mounted in a mounting opening developed in a ceiling as well as in a sun visor of a motor vehicle.
11. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which a first of the mounting pins (13) for the cover (34) has an eccentric pin attachment (27) which is in resting engagement with a spring tongue (26) on said housing (1).
12. Apparatus according to claim 1 also including a spring-loaded locking device (4) for holding the cover (34) in said closed position, said locking device (4) being located on said housing (1) along a side thereof remote from said illuminating device (8, 11).
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the cover (34) includes a lower part (12) and an upper part (15), said recess being in both said lower and upper parts (12, 15) and said upper part having a window opening with which the mirror (14)
is aligned; and
said recess being defined partially by spaced boundary walls wherein there are mounting openings (22) to receive mounting pins (13, 23) on said housing (1) which form a pivot axis for the cover (34) on the housing (1).
14. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the housing (1), along a free edge thereof, is provided with a surrounding flange (35) which is parallel to the rear wall; and
the housing (1), on a longitudinal wall thereof, is provided with outwardly protruding mounting hooks (2) and, on its opposite longitudinal wall, is provided with outwardly protruding mounting springs (3).
15. Apparatus according to claim 14, in which a first of the mounting pins (13) for the cover (34) has an eccentric pin attachment (27) which is in resting engagement with a spring tongue (26) on said housing (1).
16. Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the housing (1) and the cover (34) are developed as plastic injection moldings.
17. Apparatus according to claim 9, that is proportioned and constructed to be operatively mounted in a mounting opening developed in a ceiling as well as in a sun visor of a motor vehicle.
18. Apparatus according to claim 6, that is proportioned and constructed to be operatively mounted in a mounting opening developed in a ceiling as well as in a sun visor of a motor vehicle.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18 also including a spring-loaded locking device (4) for holding the cover (34) in said closed position, said locking device (4) being located on said housing (1) along a side thereof remote from said illuminating device (8, 11).
20. Apparatus according to claim 19, in which a first of the mounting pins (13) for the cover (34) has an eccentric pin attachment (27) which is in resting engagement with a spring tongue (26) on said housing (1).
Comments from the community
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#1|FizzMaster comments:
United States Patent No. 5,442,530 expired on August 15, 2007, due to a failure to pay applicable maintenance fees. See the Official Gazette notice here.
For more information on patent maintenance fees, see 35 U.S.C. 41(b) and 37 C.F.R. 1.362(g).