Vehicle exterior mirror system with signal light

Abstract

An exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a signal light or security light that provides illumination at a side of the vehicle. The exterior mirror assembly includes a housing with a reflective element, and may include a positioning device for adjusting the position of the reflective element in the housing. The signal light includes a light source and may be adapted to project light from a non-folding portion or support member of the mirror housing.

1 . An exterior rear view mirror assembly comprising:
 a housing;   a reflective mirror supported by the housing and arranged in a rearwardly facing direction;   a support member having an outboard end attached to the housing and an inboard end secured to an outer surface of a motor vehicle, the support member including an opening; and   a light transmitting lens disposed in the opening of the support member, the lens enabling light to project from an interior of the support member to an exterior of the support member to illuminate a predetermined area in proximity to the motor vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the support member and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the motor vehicle and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens; and   a light path traversing between the lens and the light assembly housing, the light path transporting light between the light source and the lens.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the light path includes a reflective element for reflecting light from the light source in the direction of the lens. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a sail formed integrally with the support member, the sail securing the support member to the motor vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a sail formed integrally with the support member for securing the support member to the motor vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the motor vehicle and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens; and   a light path integrally formed in the support member and traversing between the lens and the light assembly housing, the light path transporting light between the light source and the lens.   
     
     
         8 . An exterior rear view mirror assembly comprising:
 a housing;   a reflective mirror supported by the housing and arranged in a rearwardly facing direction;   a support member having an outboard end attached to the housing and an inboard end secured to an outer surface of a motor vehicle, the support member including an opening;   a sail attached to the inboard end of the support member, the sail securing the support member to the motor vehicle; and   a light transmitting lens disposed in the opening of the support member, the lens enabling light to project from an interior of the support member to an exterior of the support member to illuminate a predetermined area in proximity to the motor vehicle.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the support member and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the motor vehicle and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens; and   a light path traversing between the lens and the light assembly housing, the light path transporting light between the light source and the lens.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the light path includes a reflective element for reflecting light from the light source in the direction of the lens. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the lens forms a smooth contour in the opening. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the motor vehicle and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens; and   a light path integrally formed in the support member and traversing between the lens and the light assembly housing, the light path transporting light between the light source and the lens.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the motor vehicle and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens; and   a light path traversing between the lens and the light assembly housing, the light path transporting light between the light source and the lens.