Rear view mirror assembly

• US 20050068647A1
• Filed: 09/26/2003
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dale E. Brandt
• Original Assignee: Dale E. Brandt
• Inventors: Brandt, Dale E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,932,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/877
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/081 avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors

Abstract

A rear view mirror assembly comprising a frame and a mirror supported by the frame. The mirror includes a first mirror section and a second mirror section pivotally coupled to the first mirror section. A screw drive is supported by the frame for rotation relative to the frame, and has a first threaded surface. An arm has an inner arm end supported by the screw drive and extends outwardly from the screw drive to an outer arm end. The inner arm end has a second threaded surface that engages the first threaded surface. The outer arm end supports the second mirror section. An arm cam projects from the outer arm end away from the second mirror section and defines a first cam surface. A frame cam projects from the frame toward the second mirror section and defines a second cam surface contacting the first cam surface.

Claims

1. A rear view mirror assembly comprising:

a frame;

a mirror supported by the frame and having a first mirror section and a second mirror section movably coupled to the first mirror section, the second mirror section having an inner mirror portion adjacent the first mirror section and an outer mirror portion opposite the inner mirror portion;

a cam mechanism supporting the outer mirror portion and including a mirror cam connected to the second mirror section and defining a first cam surface, and a frame cam connected to the frame and defining a second cam surface; and

a linear drive mechanism supported by the frame and connected to the cam mechanism to move the first cam surface relative to the second cam surface.

2. The rear view mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising a joint movably coupling the second mirror section to the first mirror section for movement relative to the first mirror section, the joint supporting the inner mirror portion.

3. The rear view mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member connected to the second mirror section and biasing the first cam surface toward the second cam surface.

4. The rear view mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the linear drive mechanism includes a screw drive that rotates about a rotational axis.

5. The rear view mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the second mirror section pivots relative to the first mirror section in response to translational movement of the linear drive mechanism.

6. A rear view mirror assembly comprising:

a frame;

a mirror supported by the frame and having a first mirror section and a second mirror section pivotally coupled to the first mirror section;

a screw drive supported by the frame and having a first threaded surface;

an arm having an inner arm end supported by the screw drive and extending outwardly to an outer arm end supporting the second mirror section, the inner arm end having a second threaded surface engaging the first threaded surface;

an arm cam projecting from the outer arm end away from the second mirror section and defining a first cam surface; and

a frame cam projecting from the frame toward the second mirror section and defining a second cam surface contacting the first cam surface.

7. The rear view mirror assembly of claim 6, further comprising a biasing member connected to the second mirror section and biasing the first cam surface toward the second cam surface.

8. The rear view mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein the biasing member includes a torsion spring biasing the second mirror section rearwardly.

9. The rear view mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein the screw drive includes a knob extending below the frame and out of the line of sight of the mirror.

10. The rear view mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein the screw drive rotates about a rotational axis and the second mirror section pivots about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the rotational axis.

11. The rear view mirror assembly of claim 6, further comprising a hinge pivotally coupling the first mirror section to the second mirror section.

12. The rear view mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein the arm moves in a translational direction in response to rotational movement of the screw drive.

13. The rear view mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein the second mirror section pivots relative to the first mirror section in response to translational movement of the arm.

14. The rear view mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein the position of the first mirror section is fixed relative to the frame.

15. A rear view mirror assembly comprising:

a frame;

a mirror supported by the frame and having a first mirror section and a second mirror section pivotally coupled to the first mirror section, the second mirror section having an inner mirror portion adjacent the first mirror section and an outer mirror portion positioned opposite the inner mirror portion;

an adjustment mechanism supported by the frame for rotation relative to the frame;

an arm connected to the adjustment mechanism and supporting the second mirror section;

a first connection means for transferring rotational movement of the adjustment mechanism into linear movement of the arm; and

a second connection means for transferring linear movement of the arm into pivotal movement of the arm, the second mirror section pivoting relative to the first mirror section in response to pivotal movement of the arm.

16. A method of adjusting a rear view mirror having a first mirror section and a second mirror section pivotally coupled to the first mirror section, the method comprising the acts of:

rotating a screw drive relative to a frame;

translating an arm in response to rotating the screw drive as the screw drive engages the arm;

pivoting the arm in response to translating the arm as a first cam surface engages a second cam surface; and

pivoting the second mirror section relative to the first mirror section in response to pivoting the arm.