Adjustment mechanism for day/night outside mirror

Abstract

An apparatus is described which provides for selected positioning of an article such as a rear vision mirror. Such a mirror commonly is located on the exterior of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes first and second actuators which are adapted to be mounted on a support panel, normally interiorly of the vehicle. The first and second actuators are movable relative to one another, and also relative to the supporting panel. A transmission mechanism is also supported from that panel, and has a pair of independently movable lever elements in operative relation to the relation to the actuators. The transmission mechanism preferably includes flexible wire means having one wire of a predetermined fixed length. The flexible wire means has two opposed ends, one of which is attachable to the article to be positioned, with each of the other of the wire ends being connectable to one of the lever elements. Manipulation of one of the first and second actuators generates a force which acts through the transmission mechanism to cause selective positioning of the article. In a preferred embodiment, detent means are provided in operative relation to the first and second actuators. This detent means serves to position one of the actuators selectively in one of a pair of predetermined locations. Positioning of that actuator causes the article to be realigned to a corresponding predetermined condition or orientation. In the context of a rear vision mirror mounted exteriorly of a vehicle, the predetermined condition to which the mirror can be positioned by the detent means provides for one of day and night reflectivity characteristics for the mirror.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.