Method of manufacturing a vanity assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9573443-B2
Application number	US-201313743799-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 17, 2013
Priority date	Oct 5, 2010
Publication date	Feb 21, 2017
Grant date	Feb 21, 2017

Abstract

A vanity mirror and light assembly is provided for use on a vehicle visor. The vanity assembly includes a clear frame molded to a reflective film to define a reflector portion and a partially transmissive portion. The assembly also includes a lighting device located behind the partially transmissive portion of the reflective film to provide a vanity light passing through the partially transmissive portion. A method of forming the vanity assembly in a mold is also provided.

First claim

We claim:

1. A method of manufacturing a vanity assembly comprising the steps of:
providing a reflective film that is partially light transmissive;
molding a frame to the reflective film; and
installing a lighting device behind a lighting portion of the reflective film such that light emitted by the lighting device passes through the reflective film at the lighting portion to provide vanity lighting and a reflective portion of the reflective film provides a mirror.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the reflective film is reflective on a front side and is partially transmissive to light directed from a back side toward the front side.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the step of molding comprises molding the frame from a clear, light transmissive material.

4. The method as defined in claim 3 , wherein the clear, light transmissive material comprises a molded plastic.

5. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the reflective film is rearward of the frame.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising the step of installing the vanity assembly onto a vehicle visor.

7. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the reflective film comprises a polyester film with a metallic coating.

8. The method as defined in claim 7 , wherein the polyester film with metallic coating has a thickness of less than 200 microns.

9. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the step of molding comprises molding the frame and the reflective film together in a mold.

10. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a rib in the frame that defines an outer perimeter of the lighting portion through which the light passes.

11. The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein the rib directs the light within the light portion and prevents light from being emitted through the reflective portion.

12. A method of manufacturing a vanity assembly comprising the steps of:
providing a reflective film having a reflective front side and a back side that is partially transmissive to light that is directed from the back side toward the front side;
molding a frame to the reflective film; and
installing a lighting device behind the reflective film to provide vanity lighting passing through a portion of the reflective film.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Li Chi
• Stakoe John Andrew

Classifications

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• B60J3/0282

  specially adapted for a courtesy mirror · CPC title

• B29C45/1418 Primary

  the inserts being deformed or preformed, e.g. by the injection pressure · CPC title

• B60J3/00 Primary

  Antiglare equipment associated with windows or windscreens (optical viewing arrangements for vehicles B60R1/00); Sun visors for vehicles (sun visors having appliances for storing or holding personal property B60R7/05) · CPC title