US 4,629,296 A · Adjustable convex mirror assembly for a vehicle mirror

Abstract

A selectively adjustable convex mirror assembly for allowing a motor vehicle operator to see alternative rear views comprises a cylindrical housing and a circular convex mirror positioned in the housing. The housing is rotatably mounted on a swivel mechanism. The mirror is mounted in the housing in such a manner that rotation of the housing upon the swivel mechanism moves the convex mirror through a plurality of reflective orientations. A locking and indexing mechanism is provided to retain the housing in a selected position relative to the swivel mechanism and to provide for controlled and incremental rotation of the housing about the swivel mechanism. The entire assembly is secured to a planar mirror surface of an outside rearview mirror of a motor vehicle.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An adjustable convex mirror assembly, adapted to be mounted on a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) a mirror mounted on said housing;
(i) said mirror having a convex reflecting surface;
and
(c) a swivel mechanism connected to and cooperating with said housing;
(i) said housing swivel mechanism having a substantially planar rear mounting surface for mounting said assembly on the vehicle;
(ii) said housing being rotatably connected to said swivel mechanism such that said housing has an axis-of-rotation associated therewith;
said axis-of-rotation being generally perpendicular to said swivel mechanism rear mounting surface;
(iii) said mirror being asymmetrically positioned relative to said axis-of-rotation such that rotation of said housing results in movement of said convex mirror through a plurality of different reflective orientations;
(d) whereby rotation of said mirror housing permits selection of a field of view, as reflected by said convex mirror, to a viewer.

7 more elements

An adjustable convex mirror assembly, adapted to be mounted on a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising:

(a) an angularly truncated cylindrical housing having a circular base, an oblique edge opposite said base and a longitudinal axis;
(b) a circular mirror mounted on said housing;
(i) said mirror being convex with a generally fixed radius and a reflecting surface, and having a center, with a rotational axis-of-symmetry passing through said center, and a base;
(c) a swivel mechanism connected to and cooperating with said housing;
(i) said swivel mechanism having a first component on a tongue and groove mechanism, a base and a substantially planar rear mounting surface;
(d) said housing having a second component of said tongue and groove mechanism such that:
(i) said housing is rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism;
said tongue and groove mechanism retaining said housing on said swivel mechanism and permitting rotation of said housing relative to said swivel mechanism;
(e) said housing having an axis-of-rotation associated with the rotation of said housing relative to said swivel mechanism;
said axis-of-rotation being generally perpendicular to said rear mounting surface;
and
(f) said housing also including a circular slot;
said mirror base being snugly retained in said slot such that:
(i) said circular slot asymmetrically mounts said mirror about said axis-of-rotation with said axis-of-symmetry non-colinear and non-parallel with said axis-of-rotation such that rotation of said housing results in movement of said convex mirror through a plurality of different reflective orientations;
(g) whereby rotation of said mirror housing permits selection of a field of view as reflected by said convex mirror to a viewer.

12 more elements

An adjustable convex mirror assembly in operational combination with a substantially planar rearview mirror of a motor vehicle;

(a) said planar mirror having a reflective surface with said convex mirror assembly mounted thereon;
(b) said assembly including a housing, a convex mirror, a swivel mechanism, locking means, indexing means and mounting means;
(i) said housing having an angularly truncated cylindrical body with a circular base, an oblique edge opposite said base, a longitudinal axis, a circular slot and a radially inner groove;
(ii) said convex mirror being mounted in said housing near said oblique edge and having a crown with a rotational axis-of-symmetry passing through said crown;
(iii) said swivel mechanism being connected to and cooperating with said housing;
said swivel mechanism including a radially outer tongue, a base, and a substantially planar rear mounting surface;
said housing being rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism through cooperation of said tongue and groove;
said tongue retaining said swivel mechanism relative to said housing and permitting rotation of said housing about said swivel mechanism;
(c) rotation of said housing defining an axis-of-rotation, said axis-of-rotation being co-linear with said longitudinal axis and generally perpendicular to said rear mounting surface;
(i) said mirror being asymmetrically mounted relative to said axis-of-rotation and said axis-of-symmetry being non-colinear and non-parallel with said axis-of-rotation such that rotation of said housing results in movement of said convex mirror through a plurality of different reflective orientations;
(d) said locking means retaining said housing in a manually selective position relative to said swivel mechanism so as to temporarily hold said mirror in one of said plurality of different reflective orientations;
(e) said indexing means providing controlled and incremental rotation of said housing about said swivel mechanism;
and
(f) said mounting means securing said convex mirror assembly, by said rear mounting surface, onto said planar mirror reflective surface;
(g) whereby rotation of said mirror housing permits selection of a field of view, as reflected by said convex mirror, to a viewer.

12 more elements

An adjustable convex mirror assembly adapted to be mounted on a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising:

(a) an angularly truncated cylindrical housing having a circular base, an oblique end opposite said base, an inner sidewall, and a longitudinal axis;
(b) a circular slot in said inner sidewall and located substantially near said oblique end;
(c) a circular convex mirror, having a mirror base, mounted in said circular slot so as to be snugly retained in said housing;
(i) said convex mirror having a convex reflecting surface of uniform radius with a crown and a rotational axis-of-symmetry passing through said crown;
(d) a swivel mechanism connected to and cooperating with said housing;
(i) said swivel mechanism having a plate with a first component of a tongue and groove mechanism extending therefrom and a substantially planar rear mounting surface;
said plate having a plurality of knob receivers therein, said receivers being spaced apart and forming a circular pattern;
(e) said housing including a second component of a tongue and groove mechanism;
(i) said housing being rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism by cooperation of said tongue and groove first and second components;
rotation of said housing defining an axis-of-rotation substantially colinear with said housing longitudinal axis and substantially perpendicular to said rear mounting surface;
(ii) said convex mirror being asymmetrically mounted relative to said housing axis-of-rotation with said mirror axis-of-symmetry being non-colinear and non-parallel with said housing axis-of-rotation;
and
(f) a follower mechanism mounted on said housing inner sidewall;
said follower mechanism having an indexing tab with a knob aligned with said swivel mechanism knob receivers such that:
(i) said indexing tab knob is biased into alternative of said knob receivers upon rotation of said housing to temporarily lock said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism;
(ii) said engagement between said indexing tab knob and said plate being frictional and breakable by rotative force applied to said housing;
(iii) rotation of said housing permitting a plurality of engagements between said indexing tab knob and said knob receivers to provide controlled and incremental rotation of said convex mirror through a variety of reflective orientations;
(g) whereby said convex mirror is selectively positioned into a variety of reflective orientations to present a plurality of reflected fields to a viewer.

15 more elements

An adjustable convex mirror assembly, adapted to be mounted on a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising:

(a) an angularly truncated cylindrical housing having a circular base, an oblique edge opposite said base and a longitudinal axis;
(b) a circular mirror mounted on said housing;
(i) said mirror being convex with a generally fixed radius and a reflecting surface, and having a center, with a rotational axis-of-symmetry passing through said center, and a base;
(c) a swivel mechanism connected to and cooperating with said housing;
(i) said swivel mechanism having a first component of a tongue and groove mechanism, a base and a rear mounting surface;
(d) said housing having a second component of said tongue and groove mechanism such that:
(i) said housing is rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism;
said tongue and groove mechanism retaining said housing on said swivel mechanism and permitting rotation of said housing relative to said swivel mechanism;
(e) said housing having an axis-of-rotation associated with the rotation of said housing relative to said swivel mechanism;
said axis-of-rotation being generally perpendicular to said rear mounting surface;
(f) said housing also including a circular slot;
said mirror base being snugly retained in said slot such that:
(i) said circular slot asymmetrically mounts said mirror about said axis-of-rotation with said axis-of-symmetry non-colinear with said axis-of-rotation such that rotation of said housing results in movement of said convex mirror through a plurality of different reflective orientations;
(g) locking means for retaining said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism so as to temporarily hold said mirror in one of said plurality of different reflective orientations;
and
(h) indexing means providing for controlled and incremental rotation of said housing about said swivel mechanism;
(i) said swivel mechanism including a plate with a plurality of knob receivers therein, said knob receivers being spaced apart and forming a circular pattern;
(i) said indexing means including a follower mechanism mounted on said housing sidewall;
said follower mechanism having an indexing tab with a knob aligned with said swivel mechanism knob receivers such that:
(i) said indexing tab knob is biased into alternative knob receivers upon rotation of said housing to temporarily lock said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism;
(ii) said engagement between said indexing tab knob and said plate is frictional and is breakable by rotative force applied to said housing;
(iii) rotation of said housing permits a plurality of engagements between said indexing tab knob and said plate knob receivers to provide controlled and incremental rotation of said convex mirror through a variety of reflective orientations;
(j) whereby rotation of said mirror housing permits selection of a field of view as reflected by said convex mirror to a viewer.

20 more elements

An adjustable convex mirror assembly in operational combination with a substantially planar rearview mirror of a motor vehicle, wherein said operational combination:

(a) said planar mirror has a reflective surface with said convex mirror assembly mounted thereon;
(b) said assembly includes a housing, a convex mirror, a swivel mechanism, locking means, indexing means and mounting means;
(i) said housing having an angularly truncated cylindrical body with a circular base, an oblique edge opposite said base, a longitudinal axis, a circular slot and a radially inner groove;
(ii) said convex mirror being mounted in said housing near said oblique edge and having a crown with a rotational axis-of-symmetry passing through said crown;
(iii) said swivel mechanism being connected to and cooperating with said housing;
said swivel mechanism including a radially outer tongue, a base, and a rear mounting surface;
said housing being rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism through cooperation of said tongue and groove;
said tongue retaining said swivel mechanism relative to said housing and permitting rotation of said housing about said swivel mechanism;
(iv) said swivel mechanism further including a plate with said tongue extending therefrom and a plurality of knob receivers therein, said knob receivers being spaced apart and forming a circular pattern;
(c) rotation of said housing defining an axis-of-rotation, said axis-of-rotation is co-linear with said longitudinal axis and generally perpendicular to said rear mounting surface;
(i) said mirror being asymmetrically mounted relative to said axis-of-rotation;
and, said axis-of-symmetry being non-colinear with said axis-of-rotation of said housing such that rotation of said housing results in movement of said convex mirror through a plurality of different reflective orientations;
(d) said locking means retaining said housing in a manually selective position relative to said swivel mechanism so as to temporarily hold said mirror in one of said plurality of different reflective orientations;
(e) said indexing means provides controlled and incremental rotation of said housing about said swivel mechanism;
(i) said indexing means including a follower mechanism mounted on said housing sidewall;
said follower mechanism having an indexing tab with a knob aligned with said swivel mechanism knob receivers such that:
said indexing tab knob is biased into alternative knob receivers upon rotation of said housing to temporarily lock said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism;
said engagement between said indexing tab knob and said plate is frictional and breakable by rotative force applied to said housing;
and, rotation of said housing permits a plurality of engagements between said indexing tab knob and said plate knob receivers to provide controlled and incremental rotation of said convex mirror through a variety of reflective orientations;
(f) said mounting means securing said convex mirror assembly, by said rear mounting surface, onto said planar mirror reflective surface;
(g) whereby rotation of said mirror housing permits selection of a field of view, as reflected by said convex mirror, to a viewer.

18 more elements

A mirror assembly comprising:

(a) a swivel mechanism with a generally planar mounting base;
(i) said swivel mechanism including a plate with a plurality of knob receivers therein, said knob receivers being spaced apart and forming a circular pattern;
(b) a housing rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism and connected to said swivel mechanism such that said housing has an axis-of-rotation generally perpendicular to said swivel mechanism mounting base;
(c) a convex mirror having a reflective surface with a generally uniform radius of curvature and a mirror base;
said mirror having an axis-of-symmetry;
(d) said mirror base being mounted on said housing such that said mirror axis-of-symmetry is substantially non-parallel to and non-perpendicular to said housing axis-of-rotation;
(e) indexing means comprising a follower mechanism mounted in said housing;
said follower mechanism having an indexing tab with a knob aligned with said swivel mechanism knob receivers such that:
(i) said indexing tab is biased into alternative knob receivers upon rotation of said housing to temporarily lock said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism;
(ii) said engagement between said indexing tab knob and said plate is frictional and breakable by rotative force applied to said housing;
and
(iii) rotation of said housing permits a plurality of engagements between said indexing tab knob and said knob receivers to provide controlled and incremental rotation of said convex mirror through a variety of reflective orientations;
(f) whereby rotation of said housing permits selection of various fields of view, to a stationary viewer, through said mirror.

10 more elements

An adjustable mirror assembly, adapted to be mounted on a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) a mirror mounted on said housing;
(i) said mirror having a reflecting surface;
(c) a swivel mechanism connected to and cooperating with said housing;
(i) said housing swivel mechanism having a substantially planar rear mounting surface for mounting said assembly on the vehicle;
(ii) said housing being rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism such that said housing has an axis-of-rotation associated therewith;
said axis-of-rotation being generally perpendicular to said swivel mechanism rear mounting surface;
(iii) said mirror being asymmetrically positioned relative to said axis-of-rotation such that rotation of said housing results in movement of said mirror through a plurality of different reflective orientations;
(d) locking means for retaining said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism so as to temporarily hold said mirror in one of said plurality of different reflective orientations;
(e) indexing means providing for controlled and incremental rotation of said housing about said swivel mechanism;
(i) said swivel mechanism including a plate with a plurality of knob receivers therein, said knob receivers being spaced apart and forming a circular pattern;
and
(f) said indexing means including a follower mechanism mounted on said housing;
said follower mechanism having at least one indexing tab with a knob aligned with said swivel mechanism knob receivers such that:
(i) said indexing tab knob is biased into alternative knob receivers upon rotation of said housing to temporarily lock said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism;
(ii) said engagement between said indexing tab and said plate is frictional and is breakable by rotative force applied to said housing;
and
(iii) rotation of said housing permits a plurality of engagements between said indexing tab knob and said plate knob receivers to provide controlled and incremental rotation of said mirror through a variety of reflective orientations;
(g) whereby rotation of said mirror housing permits selection of a field of view as reflected by said mirror to a viewer.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Abstract

Claims21

Dependent claims

An adjustable convex mirror assembly, adapted to be mounted on a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) a mirror mounted on said housing;
(i) said mirror having a convex reflecting surface;
and
(c) a swivel mechanism connected to and cooperating with said housing;
(i) said housing swivel mechanism having a substantially planar rear mounting surface for mounting said assembly on the vehicle;
(ii) said housing being rotatably connected to said swivel mechanism such that said housing has an axis-of-rotation associated therewith;
said axis-of-rotation being generally perpendicular to said swivel mechanism rear mounting surface;
(iii) said mirror being asymmetrically positioned relative to said axis-of-rotation such that rotation of said housing results in movement of said convex mirror through a plurality of different reflective orientations;
(d) whereby rotation of said mirror housing permits selection of a field of view, as reflected by said convex mirror, to a viewer.

7 more elements

An adjustable convex mirror assembly, adapted to be mounted on a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising:

(a) an angularly truncated cylindrical housing having a circular base, an oblique edge opposite said base and a longitudinal axis;
(b) a circular mirror mounted on said housing;
(i) said mirror being convex with a generally fixed radius and a reflecting surface, and having a center, with a rotational axis-of-symmetry passing through said center, and a base;
(c) a swivel mechanism connected to and cooperating with said housing;
(i) said swivel mechanism having a first component on a tongue and groove mechanism, a base and a substantially planar rear mounting surface;
(d) said housing having a second component of said tongue and groove mechanism such that:
(i) said housing is rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism;
said tongue and groove mechanism retaining said housing on said swivel mechanism and permitting rotation of said housing relative to said swivel mechanism;
(e) said housing having an axis-of-rotation associated with the rotation of said housing relative to said swivel mechanism;
said axis-of-rotation being generally perpendicular to said rear mounting surface;
and
(f) said housing also including a circular slot;
said mirror base being snugly retained in said slot such that:
(i) said circular slot asymmetrically mounts said mirror about said axis-of-rotation with said axis-of-symmetry non-colinear and non-parallel with said axis-of-rotation such that rotation of said housing results in movement of said convex mirror through a plurality of different reflective orientations;
(g) whereby rotation of said mirror housing permits selection of a field of view as reflected by said convex mirror to a viewer.

12 more elements

An adjustable convex mirror assembly in operational combination with a substantially planar rearview mirror of a motor vehicle;

(a) said planar mirror having a reflective surface with said convex mirror assembly mounted thereon;
(b) said assembly including a housing, a convex mirror, a swivel mechanism, locking means, indexing means and mounting means;
(i) said housing having an angularly truncated cylindrical body with a circular base, an oblique edge opposite said base, a longitudinal axis, a circular slot and a radially inner groove;
(ii) said convex mirror being mounted in said housing near said oblique edge and having a crown with a rotational axis-of-symmetry passing through said crown;
(iii) said swivel mechanism being connected to and cooperating with said housing;
said swivel mechanism including a radially outer tongue, a base, and a substantially planar rear mounting surface;
said housing being rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism through cooperation of said tongue and groove;
said tongue retaining said swivel mechanism relative to said housing and permitting rotation of said housing about said swivel mechanism;
(c) rotation of said housing defining an axis-of-rotation, said axis-of-rotation being co-linear with said longitudinal axis and generally perpendicular to said rear mounting surface;
(i) said mirror being asymmetrically mounted relative to said axis-of-rotation and said axis-of-symmetry being non-colinear and non-parallel with said axis-of-rotation such that rotation of said housing results in movement of said convex mirror through a plurality of different reflective orientations;
(d) said locking means retaining said housing in a manually selective position relative to said swivel mechanism so as to temporarily hold said mirror in one of said plurality of different reflective orientations;
(e) said indexing means providing controlled and incremental rotation of said housing about said swivel mechanism;
and
(f) said mounting means securing said convex mirror assembly, by said rear mounting surface, onto said planar mirror reflective surface;
(g) whereby rotation of said mirror housing permits selection of a field of view, as reflected by said convex mirror, to a viewer.

12 more elements

An adjustable convex mirror assembly adapted to be mounted on a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising:

(a) an angularly truncated cylindrical housing having a circular base, an oblique end opposite said base, an inner sidewall, and a longitudinal axis;
(b) a circular slot in said inner sidewall and located substantially near said oblique end;
(c) a circular convex mirror, having a mirror base, mounted in said circular slot so as to be snugly retained in said housing;
(i) said convex mirror having a convex reflecting surface of uniform radius with a crown and a rotational axis-of-symmetry passing through said crown;
(d) a swivel mechanism connected to and cooperating with said housing;
(i) said swivel mechanism having a plate with a first component of a tongue and groove mechanism extending therefrom and a substantially planar rear mounting surface;
said plate having a plurality of knob receivers therein, said receivers being spaced apart and forming a circular pattern;
(e) said housing including a second component of a tongue and groove mechanism;
(i) said housing being rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism by cooperation of said tongue and groove first and second components;
rotation of said housing defining an axis-of-rotation substantially colinear with said housing longitudinal axis and substantially perpendicular to said rear mounting surface;
(ii) said convex mirror being asymmetrically mounted relative to said housing axis-of-rotation with said mirror axis-of-symmetry being non-colinear and non-parallel with said housing axis-of-rotation;
and
(f) a follower mechanism mounted on said housing inner sidewall;
said follower mechanism having an indexing tab with a knob aligned with said swivel mechanism knob receivers such that:
(i) said indexing tab knob is biased into alternative of said knob receivers upon rotation of said housing to temporarily lock said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism;
(ii) said engagement between said indexing tab knob and said plate being frictional and breakable by rotative force applied to said housing;
(iii) rotation of said housing permitting a plurality of engagements between said indexing tab knob and said knob receivers to provide controlled and incremental rotation of said convex mirror through a variety of reflective orientations;
(g) whereby said convex mirror is selectively positioned into a variety of reflective orientations to present a plurality of reflected fields to a viewer.

15 more elements

An adjustable convex mirror assembly, adapted to be mounted on a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising:

(a) an angularly truncated cylindrical housing having a circular base, an oblique edge opposite said base and a longitudinal axis;
(b) a circular mirror mounted on said housing;
(i) said mirror being convex with a generally fixed radius and a reflecting surface, and having a center, with a rotational axis-of-symmetry passing through said center, and a base;
(c) a swivel mechanism connected to and cooperating with said housing;
(i) said swivel mechanism having a first component of a tongue and groove mechanism, a base and a rear mounting surface;
(d) said housing having a second component of said tongue and groove mechanism such that:
(i) said housing is rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism;
said tongue and groove mechanism retaining said housing on said swivel mechanism and permitting rotation of said housing relative to said swivel mechanism;
(e) said housing having an axis-of-rotation associated with the rotation of said housing relative to said swivel mechanism;
said axis-of-rotation being generally perpendicular to said rear mounting surface;
(f) said housing also including a circular slot;
said mirror base being snugly retained in said slot such that:
(i) said circular slot asymmetrically mounts said mirror about said axis-of-rotation with said axis-of-symmetry non-colinear with said axis-of-rotation such that rotation of said housing results in movement of said convex mirror through a plurality of different reflective orientations;
(g) locking means for retaining said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism so as to temporarily hold said mirror in one of said plurality of different reflective orientations;
and
(h) indexing means providing for controlled and incremental rotation of said housing about said swivel mechanism;
(i) said swivel mechanism including a plate with a plurality of knob receivers therein, said knob receivers being spaced apart and forming a circular pattern;
(i) said indexing means including a follower mechanism mounted on said housing sidewall;
said follower mechanism having an indexing tab with a knob aligned with said swivel mechanism knob receivers such that:
(i) said indexing tab knob is biased into alternative knob receivers upon rotation of said housing to temporarily lock said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism;
(ii) said engagement between said indexing tab knob and said plate is frictional and is breakable by rotative force applied to said housing;
(iii) rotation of said housing permits a plurality of engagements between said indexing tab knob and said plate knob receivers to provide controlled and incremental rotation of said convex mirror through a variety of reflective orientations;
(j) whereby rotation of said mirror housing permits selection of a field of view as reflected by said convex mirror to a viewer.

20 more elements

An adjustable convex mirror assembly in operational combination with a substantially planar rearview mirror of a motor vehicle, wherein said operational combination:

(a) said planar mirror has a reflective surface with said convex mirror assembly mounted thereon;
(b) said assembly includes a housing, a convex mirror, a swivel mechanism, locking means, indexing means and mounting means;
(i) said housing having an angularly truncated cylindrical body with a circular base, an oblique edge opposite said base, a longitudinal axis, a circular slot and a radially inner groove;
(ii) said convex mirror being mounted in said housing near said oblique edge and having a crown with a rotational axis-of-symmetry passing through said crown;
(iii) said swivel mechanism being connected to and cooperating with said housing;
said swivel mechanism including a radially outer tongue, a base, and a rear mounting surface;
said housing being rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism through cooperation of said tongue and groove;
said tongue retaining said swivel mechanism relative to said housing and permitting rotation of said housing about said swivel mechanism;
(iv) said swivel mechanism further including a plate with said tongue extending therefrom and a plurality of knob receivers therein, said knob receivers being spaced apart and forming a circular pattern;
(c) rotation of said housing defining an axis-of-rotation, said axis-of-rotation is co-linear with said longitudinal axis and generally perpendicular to said rear mounting surface;
(i) said mirror being asymmetrically mounted relative to said axis-of-rotation;
and, said axis-of-symmetry being non-colinear with said axis-of-rotation of said housing such that rotation of said housing results in movement of said convex mirror through a plurality of different reflective orientations;
(d) said locking means retaining said housing in a manually selective position relative to said swivel mechanism so as to temporarily hold said mirror in one of said plurality of different reflective orientations;
(e) said indexing means provides controlled and incremental rotation of said housing about said swivel mechanism;
(i) said indexing means including a follower mechanism mounted on said housing sidewall;
said follower mechanism having an indexing tab with a knob aligned with said swivel mechanism knob receivers such that:
said indexing tab knob is biased into alternative knob receivers upon rotation of said housing to temporarily lock said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism;
said engagement between said indexing tab knob and said plate is frictional and breakable by rotative force applied to said housing;
and, rotation of said housing permits a plurality of engagements between said indexing tab knob and said plate knob receivers to provide controlled and incremental rotation of said convex mirror through a variety of reflective orientations;
(f) said mounting means securing said convex mirror assembly, by said rear mounting surface, onto said planar mirror reflective surface;
(g) whereby rotation of said mirror housing permits selection of a field of view, as reflected by said convex mirror, to a viewer.

18 more elements

A mirror assembly comprising:

(a) a swivel mechanism with a generally planar mounting base;
(i) said swivel mechanism including a plate with a plurality of knob receivers therein, said knob receivers being spaced apart and forming a circular pattern;
(b) a housing rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism and connected to said swivel mechanism such that said housing has an axis-of-rotation generally perpendicular to said swivel mechanism mounting base;
(c) a convex mirror having a reflective surface with a generally uniform radius of curvature and a mirror base;
said mirror having an axis-of-symmetry;
(d) said mirror base being mounted on said housing such that said mirror axis-of-symmetry is substantially non-parallel to and non-perpendicular to said housing axis-of-rotation;
(e) indexing means comprising a follower mechanism mounted in said housing;
said follower mechanism having an indexing tab with a knob aligned with said swivel mechanism knob receivers such that:
(i) said indexing tab is biased into alternative knob receivers upon rotation of said housing to temporarily lock said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism;
(ii) said engagement between said indexing tab knob and said plate is frictional and breakable by rotative force applied to said housing;
and
(iii) rotation of said housing permits a plurality of engagements between said indexing tab knob and said knob receivers to provide controlled and incremental rotation of said convex mirror through a variety of reflective orientations;
(f) whereby rotation of said housing permits selection of various fields of view, to a stationary viewer, through said mirror.

10 more elements

An adjustable mirror assembly, adapted to be mounted on a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) a mirror mounted on said housing;
(i) said mirror having a reflecting surface;
(c) a swivel mechanism connected to and cooperating with said housing;
(i) said housing swivel mechanism having a substantially planar rear mounting surface for mounting said assembly on the vehicle;
(ii) said housing being rotatably mounted on said swivel mechanism such that said housing has an axis-of-rotation associated therewith;
said axis-of-rotation being generally perpendicular to said swivel mechanism rear mounting surface;
(iii) said mirror being asymmetrically positioned relative to said axis-of-rotation such that rotation of said housing results in movement of said mirror through a plurality of different reflective orientations;
(d) locking means for retaining said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism so as to temporarily hold said mirror in one of said plurality of different reflective orientations;
(e) indexing means providing for controlled and incremental rotation of said housing about said swivel mechanism;
(i) said swivel mechanism including a plate with a plurality of knob receivers therein, said knob receivers being spaced apart and forming a circular pattern;
and
(f) said indexing means including a follower mechanism mounted on said housing;
said follower mechanism having at least one indexing tab with a knob aligned with said swivel mechanism knob receivers such that:
(i) said indexing tab knob is biased into alternative knob receivers upon rotation of said housing to temporarily lock said housing in a selected position relative to said swivel mechanism;
(ii) said engagement between said indexing tab and said plate is frictional and is breakable by rotative force applied to said housing;
and
(iii) rotation of said housing permits a plurality of engagements between said indexing tab knob and said plate knob receivers to provide controlled and incremental rotation of said mirror through a variety of reflective orientations;
(g) whereby rotation of said mirror housing permits selection of a field of view as reflected by said mirror to a viewer.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustable convex mirror assembly for a vehicle mirror

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21

Adjustable convex mirror assembly for a vehicle mirror

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21