Optical: systems and elements – Mirror – Retractable vehicle mirror
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-18
2001-01-30
Shafer, Ricky D. (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Mirror
Retractable vehicle mirror
C359S872000, C359S881000, C248S478000, C248S480000, C248S483000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179428
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automotive vehicle exterior rearview mirror. More specifically, the present invention relates to an exterior rearview mirror which is particularly useful for a vehicle occasionally utilized for towing a trailer, camper, boat, storage container or the like, but which also has a substantial duration of operation with no vehicle being towed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles and light trucks, are often purchased because of their ability for towing other vehicles such as campers, recreational vehicles, boats, storage containers and the like. During normal operation of the vehicle, a conventional side rearview mirror allows the vehicle operator to view traffic at the rear of the vehicle. However, when the vehicle is being used to tow another vehicle and the vehicle operator wants to view traffic at the rear of the towed vehicle, a conventional side rearview mirror usually does not offer such a view, particularly when the object being towed has a wide width such as a boat or trailer home. One solution to the rearview vision problem when towing a load has been to provide an extended mirror mounting frame which holds the mirror far away from the lateral side of the towing vehicle so that the operator can observe the rear of their tow. However, extra-wide mirror mounting frames usually have a three-part support frame that must be permanently affixed to the vehicle, which is aesthetically undesirable. Quite often the features affecting its appearance are a critical factor in the decision-making process when purchasing an automotive vehicle. It is therefore desirable to provide an extendable mirror that closely resembles the appearance of a non-extendable conventional rearview mirror when the vehicle is not being utilized to tow.
It is also desirable to provide an extendable rearview mirror which not only can be manually positioned, but which can be tilted or pivoted along a horizontal axis to allow for easier adjustment by grabbing the housing without having to touch the mirror glass. It is also desirable to provide an extendable rearview mirror that has a sturdy construction and is inexpensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To make manifest the above delineated desires the revelation of the present invention is brought forth. The present invention provides a vehicle operator the freedom to manually extend the rearview mirror away from the vehicle when the vehicle is being utilized to tow another vehicle such as a trailer or boat. A preferred embodiment of the present invention also allows the vehicle operator to pivot the mirror for up and down adjustment by grabbing the housing of the mirror without contacting the plate glass mirror. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides the freedom of providing an extendable mirror at a low manufacturing cost while at the same time providing an extendable mirror which is aesthetically appealing in its innermost position by having the appearance of a conventional rearview mirror. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an arrangement for a rearview mirror for an automotive vehicle utilized for towing a trailer or like vehicle. The rearview mirror arrangement includes a base support for connection to an outer surface of the vehicle adjacent a window panel of the vehicle. A single support arm is fixably connected along its first end with the base support. The support arm has a plurality of annular circular cross-sectional grooves, which are axially separated from one another. A mirror housing is provided having a forward closed end and an open rear end. A side of the mirror housing adjacent the vehicle has an aperture to receive the support arm therethrough. Adjacent to the vehicle side of the mirror housing is an upper spring support providing a nest for an upper spring. One hundred eighty degrees from the upper spring support is a second spring support which provides a nest for an opposing lower spring. A first detent ball is biased towards the groove in the support arm by the first spring to capture a position of the mirror housing on the support arm. In like manner a second detent ball is biased towards the annular groove in the support arm by the second spring to capture the position of the mirror housing on the support arm. A stop is mounted on a second end of the support arm opposite the first end having a major dimension larger than the aperture in the mirror housing to prevent the mirror housing from being removed from the support arm. A mirror plate conceals the support arm spring housing's springs and detent balls from view and also closes the rear end of the support mirror housing. The position of the mirror housing upon the support arm can be adjusted in and out by simply axially translating the housing on the support arm. To adjust the mirror up and down, the vehicle operator simply grabs the housing and pivots it upon the support arm.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an extendable rearview mirror.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an extendable rearview mirror wherein the mirror housing can be pivoted.
The above noted objects and other features of the present inventive automotive vehicle exterior rearview mirror will become more apparent to those skilled in the art as the invention is further explained in the accompanying drawings and detailed description.
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DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Shafer Ricky D.
Shurupoff Lawrence J.
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