# US 2014/0192429 A1 · Sliding conversation mirror assembly with magnetic assist for vehicle overhead console > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0192429 A1 - Document ID: US20140192429A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/735,528 - Filed: 2013-01-07 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-07 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Ricardo Juarez Favila; Bhavani Thota; Anna Hill; Justin Lee Healy; Jane Maria Aselage - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192429A1 ## CPC - B60R 1/008: {allowing the driver to see passengers, e.g. for busses (combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08)} - B60R 1/04: mounted inside vehicle {(B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence)} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A vehicle overhead console is provided which includes a conversation mirror assembly having a housing defining a storage space for storing a conversation mirror. The conversation mirror may travel between a stowed and a use position. The conversation mirror is releasably secured to the stored and use positions by way of magnetic, tab, and spring arrangements. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle conversation mirror assembly comprising: a housing defining a storage space; a conversation mirror; a slider mechanism operatively coupled to the conversation mirror to move the conversation mirror between a stowed position within the storage space and a use position extending from the housing; and a magnetic arrangement in communication with the slider mechanism to attract the conversation mirror to one of the stored and use positions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The conversation mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the magnetic arrangement comprises a first magnet located at a first position for attracting the conversation mirror to the stowed position and a second magnet disposed in a second position to attract the conversation mirror to the use position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The conversation mirror assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the first and second magnets are operatively coupled to one of the mirror and the housing, and a ferrous material is operatively coupled to the other of the mirror and housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The conversation mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the slider mechanism moves vertically within the storage space to extend the conversation mirror downward within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The conversation mirror assembly of claim 4, wherein the housing is provided in an overhead console of the vehicle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The conversation mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the slider mechanism comprises a bracket and a pair of rails, wherein the bracket slidably engages the rails to move the conversation mirror between the stowed and use positions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The conversation mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the slider mechanism comprises a first plurality of slidable engagement members and the housing comprises a second plurality of slidable engagement members in communication with the first plurality of slidable engagement members. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The conversation mirror assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the first plurality of slidable engagement members comprises first and second indented guides and the second plurality of slidable engagement members comprises a first plurality of protruding members in slidable communication with the first indented guide and a second plurality of protruding members in slidable communication with the second indented guide. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The conversation mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising a release mechanism disposed to release the conversation mirror from the stowed position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The conversation mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising a return mechanism disposed to return the conversation mirror to the stowed position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The conversation mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of magnets and the conversation mirror is operatively coupled to a ferrous portion, wherein the ferrous portion is magnetically attracted to one of the plurality of magnets in the stowed position and another of the plurality of magnets in the use position. ### Claim 12 A vehicle overhead console comprising: a housing defining a storage space in the overhead console; a conversation mirror; a slider mechanism operatively coupled to the conversation mirror to move the conversation mirror between a stowed position within the storage space and a use position extending from the housing; and a magnet arrangement in communication with the slider mechanism to attract the conversation mirror to one of the stored and use positions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The vehicle overhead console as defined in claim 12, wherein the magnetic arrangement comprises a first magnet located at a first position for attracting the conversation mirror to the stowed position and a second magnet disposed in a second position to attract the conversation mirror to the use position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle overhead console as defined in claim 13, wherein the first and second magnets are operatively coupled to one of the mirror and the housing, and a ferrous material is operatively coupled to the other of the mirror and housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The vehicle overhead console of claim 12, wherein the slider mechanism moves vertically within the storage space to extend the conversation mirror downward within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The vehicle overhead console as defined in claim 12, wherein the slider mechanism comprises a bracket and a pair of rails, wherein the bracket slidably engages the rails to move the conversation mirror between the stowed and use positions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The vehicle overhead console as defined in claim 12, wherein the slider mechanism comprises a first plurality of slidable engagement members and the housing comprises a second plurality of slidable engagement members in communication with the first plurality of slidable engagement members. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The vehicle overhead console as defined in claim 17, wherein the first plurality of slidable engagement members comprises first and second indented guides and the second plurality of slidable engagement members comprises a first plurality of protruding members in slidable communication with the first indented guide and a second plurality of protruding members in slidable communication with the second indented guide. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The vehicle overhead console of claim 12 further comprising a release mechanism disposed to release the conversation mirror from the stowed position and a return mechanism disposed to return the conversation mirror to the stowed position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The vehicle overhead console of claim 12, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of magnets and the conversation mirror comprises a ferrous portion, wherein the ferrous portion is magnetically attracted to one of the plurality of magnets in the stowed position and another of the plurality of magnets in the use position.