Lockable rearview mirror assembly

• US 20020135910A1
• Filed: 01/22/2002
• Published: 09/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Inventors: Popp, Albrecht, Lang, Heinrich, Pfanz, Jurgen
• Granted Patent: US 7,631,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/841
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0605 specially adapted for mounting on trucks, e.g. by C-shaped support means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0617 foldable along the vehicle, e.g. in case of external force applied thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/081 avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7559 Cylinder type

Abstract

A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle is disclosed, the rearview mirror assembly including a support structure for mounting the mirror assembly to the vehicle. The support structure includes a first part for substantially permanent connection to the vehicle and a second part for selective connection to the first part. A support arm is provided on which at least one mirror is mounted, the second part of the support structure being disposed on the support arm. A locking mechanism is disposed on the support structure for selectively locking together the first and second parts of the support structure to thereby secure the support arm and mirror to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, the rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a support structure for mounting the mirror assembly to the vehicle, the support structure including a first part for substantially permanent connection to the vehicle and a second part for selective connection to the first part;

a support arm on which at least one mirror is mounted, the second part of the support structure being disposed on the support arm; and

a locking mechanism disposed on the support structure for selectively locking together the first and second parts of the support structure to thereby secure the support arm and mirror to the vehicle.

2. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, further including an adjustment mechanism attached to the support arm, the adjustment mechanism configured to allow the support arm to be pivoted relative to the vehicle.

3. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, wherein the support structure first part includes a clamp receptacle affixed to the vehicle, and the support structure second part includes an insertable component inserted into the clamp receptacle in an inserting direction, further including a slidably installed clamping wedge on the insertable component, the wedge, upon pushing of the insertable component, clampingly locking the insertable component and the clamping wedge to the clamp receptacle.

4. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 3, wherein the clamping wedge is slidable on the insertable component in a direction at right angles to the inserting direction of the insertable component.

5. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a snap-in detent apparatus.

6. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 5, wherein the snap-in detent apparatus includes a snap-in spring element affixed to the support structure first part and which snaps into a corresponding recess in the support -structure second part.

7. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is a key activated locking mechanism.

8. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 7, wherein the key activated locking mechanism includes a key cylinder.

9. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism includes a rotatable latch member.

10. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is mounted on the first part of the support structure for selectively lockingly engaging the second part of the support structure.

11. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, further including a cover removably attachable to the support structure first part, removal of the cover exposing the locking mechanism.

13. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism is a key activated locking mechanism.

14. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism is mounted on the first part of the support structure for selectively lockingly engaging the second part of the support structure.

15. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 11, wherein the support structure first part includes a clamp receptacle affixed to the vehicle, and the support structure second part includes an insertable component inserted into the clamp receptacle in an inserting direction, further including a slidably installed clamping wedge on the insertable component, the wedge, upon pushing of the insertable component, clampingly locking the insertable component and the clamping wedge to the clamp receptacle.

17. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 16, wherein the locking mechanism is a key activated locking mechanism.

12. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, the rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a support structure for mounting the mirror assembly to the vehicle, the support structure including a first part for substantially permanent connection to the vehicle and a second part for selective connection to the first part, the support structure including a snap-in detent apparatus including a spring element affixed to the first part and a recess in the second part for receiving the spring element;

a support arm on which at least one mirror is mounted, the second part of the support structure being disposed on the support arm;

a locking mechanism disposed on the support structure for selectively locking together the first and second parts of the support structure to thereby secure the support arm and mirror to the vehicle; and

a cover removably attachable to the support structure first part, removal of the cover exposing the locking mechanism and the spring element.

16. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, the rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a support structure for mounting the mirror assembly to the vehicle, the support structure including a first part for substantially permanent connection to the vehicle and a second part for selective connection to the first part, the support structure including a snap-in detent apparatus including a spring element affixed to the first part and a recess in the second part for receiving the spring element, the support structure first part including a clamp receptacle affixed to the vehicle, and the support structure second part including an insertable component inserted into the clamp receptacle in an inserting direction, further including a slidably installed clamping wedge on the insertable component, the wedge, upon pushing of the insertable component, clampingly locking the insertable component and the clamping wedge to the clamp receptacle;

a support arm on which at least one mirror is mounted, the second part of the support structure being disposed on the support arm;

a locking mechanism disposed on the support structure for selectively locking together the first and second parts of the support structure to thereby secure the support arm and mirror to the vehicle, the locking mechanism being mounted on the first part of the support structure for selectively lockingly engaging the second part of the support structure; and

a cover removably attachable to the support structure first part, removal of the cover exposing the locking mechanism and the spring element.