Retractable mirror and lock therefor

A retractable side view mirror for vehicles, comprising:

• mirror means for reflecting an image therein;
• an elongate arm having said mirror means mounted on one end thereof;
• bracket means adapted for connection with said vehicle, and having the other end of said arm pivotally mounted therein for rotation along a substantially horizontal path;
• said arm having an extended position for rear view by a driver of the vehicle, and a retracted position for folding said arm and mirror inwardly toward the body of the vehicle;
• a motor selectively rotating said arm between said extended and retracted positions;
• said motor having an output shaft;
• a pawl mounted on said bracket means, shaped for selective reception in a detent disposed in the other end of said arm, and including means for moving said pawl into said detent to positively lock said arm in at least one of said extended and retracted positions, and out of said detent to permit arm rotation therebetween;
• said pawl moving means comprising:
• a cam connected with the output shaft of said motor and rotating therewith;
• said cam having a lobe positioned adjacent said pawl, whereby activation of said motor rotates said cam into engagement with said pawl, and thereby unlocks said arm by lifting said pawl out of said arm detent;
• and
• means for selectively transmitting rotation from said motor output shaft to said arm, whereby activation of said motor automatically and sequentially unlocks said arm, and then rotates said arm to one of said extended and retracted positions.

A lock for retractable side view mirrors of the type comprising mirror means for reflecting an image therein;

• an elongate arm having said mirror means mounted on one end thereof;
• bracket means adapted for connection with a vehicle, and having the other end of said arm pivotally mounted therein for rotation along a substantially horizontal path;
• said arm having an extended position for rear view by a driver of the vehicle, and a retracted position for folding said arm and mirror inwardly toward the body of the vehicle;
• and means for selectively rotating said arm between said extended and retracted positions;
• said lock comprising:
• a pawl shaped for mounting on said bracket means, and being selectively received in a detent disposed in the other end of said arm;
• means for moving said pawl into said detent to positively lock said arm in at least one of said extended and retracted positions, and out of said detent to permit arm rotation therebetween;
• said pawl moving means comprising:
• a motor adapted for mounting on said bracket means, and having an output shaft;
• a cam connected with the output shaft of said motor and rotating therewith;
• said cam having a lobe positioned adjacent said pawl, whereby activation of said motor rotates said cam into engagement with said pawl, and automatically unlocks said arm by lifting said pawl out of said arm detent.