Exterior vehicle mirror with forward folding feature

• US 20040141245A1
• Filed: 12/12/2003
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Original Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Inventors: Olijnyk, Mark, Gersch, Alex, Schwarz, Paul, VanDeLoo, Paul, McCaffery, Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 6,976,761 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/879
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2692 retractable lights retractable headlights B60Q1/05
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1276 with radio receivers, loud-speakers or buzzers
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3266 using the mirror of the vehicle

Abstract

An exterior mirror for a vehicle, which is forward foldable for storage and shipment of a vehicle. The mirror may also fold to the rear and includes lights and accessories in the sail and the mirror casing.

Claims

1. An exterior mirror for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing assembly including a reflective element normally facing in a direction for viewing rearward; and

an electrically powered folding mechanism operably folding and maintaining the mirror between a rearward and a forward direction, wherein the mirror housing is operable to travel a greater distance in the forward direction relative to the distance traveled in the rearward direction, whereby the overall width dimension of the vehicle is reduced.

2. The mirror according to claim 1 wherein said mirror housing is substantially ahead of a vehicle windshield when folded in the forward direction.

3. The mirror according to claim 1 further comprising an attachment assembly including a sail portion, said attachment assembly attaching the mirror housing to the exterior of the vehicle.

4. The mirror according to claim 3 wherein the attachment assembly includes at least one attachment arm coupled between the mirror housing and the sail portion, said folding mechanism folding the mirror at a connection point between the at least one arm and the sail portion.

5. The mirror according to claim 1 wherein the mirror is foldable to a second position adjacent a side window.