US 4,789,232 A · Break-away pivot system for rearview mirrors

Abstract

A break-away mounting for vehicle-mounted mirrors includes a mounting member for securing to the side exterior of a vehicle, with a portion projecting outwardly from the vehicle. A mirror support receives a mirror and has a pivot boss where the mirror support can be pivotally mounted to the portion of the mounting member. A follower guide is secured to either the portion or pivot boss and a follower is mounted in the guide. Cam surfaces are provided on the other of the portion and boss, and a resilient spring urges the follower against the cam surface. The cam surface defines firstly a detent or recess for receiving the cam follower when the mirror support is in its normal operating position, and further defines sloping cam surfaces to either side of the recess which are such that when the mirror support is deflected forwardly or rearwardly it automatically returns to its normal position.

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Drawings

Claims6

Dependent claims

A break-away mounting for vehicle-mounted mirrors, comprising:

a mounting member adapted to be secured to the side exterior of a vehicle,
a portion of said mounting member projecting outwardly from the vehicle when the mounting member is secured thereto,
a mirror support adapted to receive and support a mirror,
a pivot boss forming part of said mirror support,
pivot means pivotally mounting said pivot boss to said portion such that the mirror support can pivot with respect to the portion about an axis which is oriented substantially vertically when the mounting member is secured to the vehicle,
a guide ring affixed to one of said portion and said pivot boss, the guide ring having a generally planar upper sirface including two integral raised portions at diametrically opposed positions - has been inserted. defining two diametrically opposed recesses, a roller bearing in each of the recesses,
and cam means on the other of said portion and said pivot boss, the cam means operatively interacting with said roller bearings,,
resilient means urging said roller bearings against the cam means,
the cam means defining detent means for receiving the roller bearings when the mirror support is in that position with respect to the mounting member which corresponds to normal vehicle operation,
the cam means further defining sloping cam surfaces to either side of each detent means which are such that when the mirror support is deflected either forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the vehicle, it automatically returns to the position which corresponds to normal vehicle operation,
the said cam surfaces including, for each detent means:
(a) a first cam surface contacted by the corresponding roller bearing when the mirror support is deflected forwardly,
(b) and a second cam surface contacted by the corresponding roller bearing when the mirror support is deflected rearwardly,
the said cam surfaces extending within a common annulus around the said axis,
all cam surfaces defining with a plane normal to said axis an angle large enough to ensure that friction will not retain the roller bearings at any position along them, whereby when the mirror support is moved to a forward or a rearward position with respect to its normal operating position, it will tend to be returned to its normal operating position by camming action in cooperation with said resilient means.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description2,318 words

Summary574 words

#This invention relates generally to outside rearview mirrors for vehicles such as trucks, automobiles and the like, and has to do particularly with a break-away pivot system for such mirrors.

#Existing break-away systems for rearview mirrors are usually of one of two types:

#1. Those based on the double hinge principle, centred by a large tension spring attached to the door mounting feature at one end and to the mirror housing at the other. These constructions will generally self-centre whether they are deflected in the forward or rearward directions.

Brief description of the drawings6 figures

#Two embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

#FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a vehicle, showing a complete rearview mirror mounted externally of the vehicle, and constructed in accordance with this invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective, partly broken away, exploded view of the various components of the first embodiment of the structure to which this invention is directed;

Detailed description1,569 words

#Attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which shows part of a vehicle 10 to include the front windshield 12, the hood 14, and a side door 16.

#A mirror housing 17 is constructed to enclose the mirror (the mirror not being seen in FIG. 1). The mirror housing 17 is secured to an internal frame 18 which is pivotally mounted to a portion 20 of a mounting member 22 which is in turn secured to the side exterior of the vehicle 10.

#Attention is now directed to FIG. 2 for a more detailed description of the first embodiment.

Break-away pivot system for rearview mirrors

Life of this patent

Break-away pivot system for rearview mirrors

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims6

Description2,318 words

Classification4 codes

Life of this patent

Drawings

Description2,318 words