Low profile mirror pivot

• US 10,640,045 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2017
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Filipiak, Kenneth R., Koleszar, Christopher J., Kuester, Ulrich A., Roth, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen, Stephone B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Abdur, Rahman
• Application Number:
  US15/698,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20180065555A1
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 359876
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/1821 for rotating or oscillating mirrors

Abstract

A rearview assembly includes a mount configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle. A first support includes a generally linear body and extends downward from the mount. The first support defines a first axis of rotation. A second support defines a second axis of rotation and extends from a side of the first support in a direction generally orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the first support. A brace is coupled with the second support and extends below the second support. A spring clip extends around and is in abutting contact with the second support. A housing is operably coupled with the second support. The housing is rotatable about both the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation.

Claims

1. A rearview assembly comprising:

a mount configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle;

a first support having a generally linear body and extending downward from the mount, the first support defining a first axis of rotation;

a second support defining a second axis of rotation and extending from a side of the first support in a direction generally orthogonal to the first axis of rotation of the first support;

a brace coupled with the second support and abutting a carrier plate, the brace and the carrier plate being concealed within a housing;

a spring clip extending around and in abutting contact with the second support and exerting a clamping force on at least one of the carrier plate and the brace;

first and second connecting members configured to operably couple the brace with the second support and including apertures aligned with the second axis of rotation, wherein the spring clip is disposed between the first and second connecting members, wherein

the housing is operably coupled with the second support and is rotatable about both the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation.

2. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring clip includes a clamping portion disposed below the second support.

3. The rearview assembly of claim 2, wherein the clamping portion includes first and second engagement tabs disposed on opposing sides of the spring clip.

4. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring clip includes a generally L-shaped configuration defining an open interior.

5. The rearview assembly of claim 4, further comprising:

an L-shaped connecting structure disposed within the L-shaped configuration.

6. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the brace is operably coupled with the carrier plate which supports a full display device.

7. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the brace is operably coupled with the carrier plate which supports an electro-optic device operable between a generally clear state and a generally darkened state.

8. A rearview assembly comprising:

a mount configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle;

a first support extending downward from the mount and defining a first axis of rotation;

a wave spring disposed within the mount and extending about the first axis of rotation;

a second support defining a second axis of rotation and extending orthogonal from the first support;

a brace coupled with the second support and disposed at least partially within a housing, the brace being proximate a carrier plate operably coupled with an electro-optic device; and

a spring clip disposed at least partially within the housing, the spring clip extending around and in abutting contact with at least one of the brace and the carrier plate, wherein

the housing is operably coupled with the second support and conceals the carrier plate, the housing being rotatable about both the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation.

9. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein the spring clip includes a generally L-shaped configuration defining an open interior.

10. The rearview assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

an L-shaped connecting structure disposed within the L-shaped configuration.

11. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein the brace is operably coupled with the carrier plate which supports a full display device.

12. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein the mount is coupled with a bracket that includes channels configured to receive channels of the mount.

13. A rearview assembly comprising:

a mount operably coupled with a housing;

a first support extending downward from the mount and defining a first axis of rotation;

a second support defining a second axis of rotation that extends orthogonal to the first axis of rotation;

a brace coupled with the second support proximate a carrier plate operably coupled with an electro-optic device, the brace and the carrier plate disposed within the housing; and

a spring clip including an upper clamp portion proximate a top of the housing and that provides a clamping force around the second support and a lower clamp portion with clamping fingers within the housing that frictionally engage at least one of the brace and the carrier plate.

14. The rearview assembly of claim 13, wherein the spring clip is disposed between first and second connecting members.

15. The rearview assembly of claim 14, wherein the first and second connecting members operably couple the brace with the second support.

16. The rearview assembly of claim 13, wherein the brace is operably coupled with the carrier plate which supports a full display device.

17. The rearview assembly of claim 13, wherein the brace is operably coupled with the carrier plate which supports the electro-optic device operable between a generally clear state and a generally darkened state.

18. The rearview assembly of claim 13, wherein the mount is coupled with a bracket that includes channels configured to receive channels of the mount.