Mirror with interchageable appearance covers

• US 20040233558A1
• Filed: 06/21/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2001
• 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: Rehill, Graham
• Granted Patent: US 7,216,996 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/879
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence

Abstract

A mirror system is described wherein a common framework is used which allows interchangeability for mirror styles.

Claims

1. A mirror system with interchangeable covers which fit over a single common support structure.

17. The mirror system of claim 1 wherein a bottom portion of said bracket forms an outer surface of said mirror housing.

2. A mirror system wherein a portion of the support structure forms part of the outside show surface of the mirror along with an outer surface of a mirror cover interchangeably attached to the support structure.

3. A method of attaching an interchangeable cover to a mirror housing comprising:

providing a mirror support framework having a portion thereof being an outside show surface of the mirror housing, and providing a cover member having an opening formed therein, which is adopted to surround the portion for forming a substantially continuous surface, and the cover member is slidable over the mirror support member for providing an outer cover to the mirror, and installing the cover member over the mirror support framework for attaching said cover to said mirror support framework.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising providing a bracket mounting portion for attachment to the vehicle, including an underlying framework and an interchangeable outer cover for changing the stylistic appearance of said bracket.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the mirror support member and the bracket mounting portion are foldably attached with respect to one another.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said foldable attachment is interchangeable between a manual fold mechanism and a powerfold module.

7. The method of claim 3 further comprising providing a plurality of mirror styles for fitting over a support member an selecting a particular style and attaching it to the support member.

8. The method of claim 3 wherein said mirror support framework includes a control module accepting portion thereof for receiving an interchangeable mirror control module, providing an interchangeable support module, and snap fitting the module into said mirror support structure prior to installing said cover member.

9. The method of claim 3 wherein said portion thereof being an outside show surface forms a bottom portion of the mirror housing.

10. A mirror system comprising:

a bracket support adapted for attachment to a vehicle, said bracket support including a bracket for attachment of an outer decorative cover portion attached to and covering said bracket;

a mirror support portion attached to said bracket, said mirror support including a portion for receiving a mirror adjustment module therein, said mirror support portion including securement structure thereon; and

an outer decorative contour cover portion having cooperating structure corresponding to said securement structure for securing the cover thereto.

11. The mirror system of claim 10 wherein said mirror support portion is a skeletonized support structure for supporting said mirror and said cover portion.

12. The mirror of claim 10 wherein said support bracket and said mirror support portion are foldable with respect to one another.

13. The mirror system of claim 12 wherein said folding mechanism can be interchanged between a manual fold and power fold mechanism.

14. The mirror system of claim 10 wherein said mirror member is manually adjustable in said support.

15. The mirror system of claim 14 wherein said mirror member is remotely adjustable from inside the vehicle.

16. The mirror system of claim 10 wherein said mirror member is electronically adjustable from inside the vehicle.

18. The mirror system of claim 10 wherein the support member receives a generic module which is inserted for providing a manually top type adjustable mirror, an electronically adjustable mirror, a remote manually adjustable mirror, or an electrically adjustable mirror with memory.

19. The mirror system of claim 11 wherein said skeletonized support structure accepts a cover portion selected from a plurality of different designs of cover portions having a commonly configured attachment securement structure.

20. A mirror system having interchangeable component parts comprising:

a bracket structure adaptable for attachment to a vehicle;

said bracket structure including a securement structure;

said securement structure allowing attachment of an outer cover selected from a plurality of outer covers having unique designs with common connection structure for securement to said securement structure of said bracket;

a skeletonized mirror support structure for supporting a mirror control module having a mirror attached thereto;

said support structure being configured for supporting one of a plurality of mirror control modules having pre-selected features;

said support structure including a cover attachment structure for attaching one of a plurality of cover members having compatible attachment structure with said support structure; and

an adaptable folding mechanism for providing folding between said bracket and said mirror support structure;

said folding mechanism being adaptable for configuration between a manually foldable configuration and a power foldable configuration while maintaining the configuration of the mirror support structure and the bracket portion.