Twin-arm vehicle mirror with powerfold and powerextend features
AssigneeMagna Donnelly Mirrors North America L.L.C.
InventorsIan Boddy, Keith D. Foote, Kenneth C. Peterson
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Abstract
An external rearview mirror assembly comprises an arm assembly comprising a pair of parallel support arms rigidly attached to a pivot tube which connects the arm assembly to a base. The pivot tube is held to the base in a cradle which is securely holds the arm assembly to the base while enabling the arm assembly to pivot relative to the base. A motorized powerfold mechanism is used to fold the reflective element assembly against the vehicle, and a motorized powerextend mechanism is used to adjust the position of the reflective element assembly outwardly of the vehicle.
Claims12
A vehicular mirror system, comprising:
- a base adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, the base comprising a cradle extending outwardly therefrom;
- a reflective element assembly for providing a rearward reflective view to an operator of the motor vehicle;
- a support tube assembly comprising a pair of arms interconnected by a support element, wherein the pair of arms are attached to the reflective element assembly and the support element is received in the cradle;
- and
- a retainer mounted to the base and extending across at least a portion of the cradle to retain the support element therein;
- wherein the support of the support tube assembly by the cradle has increased strength and resistance to vibration while enabling the support tube assembly to pivot relative to the base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.