Optical: systems and elements – Mirror – With support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-09-11
Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Mirror
With support
C248S478000, C403S097000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286968
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to vehicle mirror mounting assemblies, and more particularly relates to mirror mounting assemblies with a stop feature that allows a mirror mounting bar to be moved only a predetermined amount relative to the vehicle.
Many different arrangements are known for mounting external mirrors on vehicles. On large, commercial vehicles, such as trucks and busses, mirrors are often secured within mirror housings mounted so as to extend the mirror out from the vehicle thereby providing a clear view of different areas around the vehicle. Depending on the size and design of the mirror, as well as the area around the vehicle to be observed, different mounting arrangements have been used.
One such type of mounting arrangement includes a bar extending outwardly from the vehicle, often in substantially a U-shape, in which the ends of the U-bar are attached to the side of the vehicle. Alternately, a bar may be attached to the vehicle at only one end, with a mirror housing being disposed at a distal end or central portion, or both, of such bar. In either of such applications, one mounting bar is typically attached to each side of the driver's cab of a truck for placement of at least one mirror housing. These one-piece mounting bar arrangements are often referred to in the industry as “C-loops,” to differentiate them from other available types of mounting arrangements made of several interconnected, generally smaller diameter rods that are secured together, often by nuts and bolts. Some one-piece mounting bar arrangements do, however, include additional bracing members for additional support in certain applications. Examples of mirrors mounted on one-piece mounting bars are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,991,950; 5,110,196; 5,687,035; and 5,798,882 and in U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 385,243; 387,317; and 407,361.
Mirror housings may be attached to the central (upright when installed) portions of the U-bars or to the extending bars in various ways. For example, the bar may pass through the center of the mirror housing, with a clamping mechanism of some type disposed within the housing securing the mirror housing to the bar (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,035). Alternately, a mounting mechanism may extend from the mirror housing and be secured to the bar externally of the mirror housing (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,950). Both of these methods of attachment provide reliable securing of the mirror housing to the bar.
One-piece mounting bar arrangements generally provide a reliable, vibration-reducing, and sturdy mounting arrangement for mirrors. Also, one-piece mounting bar arrangements beneficially do not require assembly of several smaller rods during manufacture, installation, or repair. Also, one-piece bars favorably provide a visually streamlined styling that many people prefer on vehicles, as compared to the multi-rod designs.
One-piece mounting bars have been made that are pivotable into or out of position. Pivotable mounting bars are useful in that they provide versatility and adjustability in mounting mirrors on vehicles. Such mounting bars also beneficially allow mirrors to be moved out of their operating positions for parking in tight spots, washing, etc., or in case a driver were to inadvertently collide the mirror with an object.
Although it is desirable to have mirror mounting bars be pivotable to some extent, pivotable mounting bars could potentially be pivoted too far from their desired position, possibly causing the mirror housing to be damaged, or causing damage to the vehicle or mounting hardware. For example, if a driver were to drive too close to an object adjacent the vehicle, the mounting bar could be pivoted so that the mirror housing and/or bar would impact the vehicle.
OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, it is a principle objective of the present invention to provide an efficient and simplified vehicle mirror mounting assembly to allow for reliable and efficient manufacture and assembly of vehicle mirror assemblies, and to allow for safe and reliable use of vehicle mirrors.
Other objectives and advantages of the invention will be made clear from the written description and claims that follow, taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, or may be learned from practice of the invention.
To achieve these objectives, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described and depicted herein, a mirror mounting assembly for attaching a mirror mounting bar to a vehicle, the mirror mounting assembly comprising a bracket for attachment to the vehicle; a connector for attachment to the mounting bar; a first detent piece non-rotatably mounted to the bracket and including a contact surface defining alternating radial grooves and ridges, the first detent piece also including at least one shoulder; a second detent piece non-rotatably mounted to the connector and including a contact surface defining alternating radial grooves and ridges, the contact surface of the second detent piece contacting the contact surface of the first detent piece, the grooves and ridges of each of the first and second detent pieces matingly engageable with the ridges and grooves of the other of the first and second detent pieces in at least two orientations, the second detent piece also including at least one stop for contacting the shoulder of the first detent piece to preclude relative rotational movement between the first detent piece and the second detent piece in a given rotational direction; and a spring-loaded axle extending through the bracket, the connector, the first detent piece, and the second detent piece for urging together the first detent piece and the second detent piece.
Preferably, the first detent piece and the second detent piece each include six radially extending grooves and six radially extending ridges. Also, the first detent piece preferably further includes a second shoulder and the second detent piece further includes a second stop for contacting the second shoulder to preclude relative rotational movement between the first detent piece and the second detent piece in the rotational direction opposite the given rotational direction.
The bracket preferably defines a recess for receiving the first detent piece, the recess including an indentation, the first detent piece including a protrusion disposed within the indentation to preclude rotation of the first detent piece relative to the bracket. The connector preferably defines a recess for receiving the second detent piece, the recess including an indentation, the second detent piece including a protrusion disposed within the indentation to preclude rotation of the second detent piece relative to the connector.
The shoulder may be formed integral with the first detent piece and the stop is formed integral with the second detent piece.
Optionally, the first detent piece may be formed integral with the bracket and the second detent piece is formed integral with the connector.
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Kidd Benjamin D.
Sailer Kenneth D.
Dority & Manning P.A.
Lang-Mekra North America LLC
Robinson Mark A.
Spyrou Cassandra
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