EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

• US 20090174959A1
• Filed: 01/03/2008
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: Visiocorp Patents S.a.r.l.
• Inventors: Sinelli, Gary J., Henion, Paul R., Wilson, Douglas J., Jaquays, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 7,857,469 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/864
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/081 avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors

Abstract

An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having a bracket which is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A mirror casing is secured to the bracket. The mirror casing defines a primary opening. A primary mirror is disposed within the primary opening and provides a view rearward of the motor vehicle through a primary field of view. A spotting mirror is disposed adjacent the primary mirror. The spotting mirror is defined by a single radius of curvature differing from the primary mirror such that the spotting mirror provides a secondary field of view rearward of the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a bracket fixedly secured to the motor vehicle;

a mirror casing secured to said bracket, said mirror casing defining a primary opening;

a primary mirror disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of the motor vehicle through a primary field of view; and

a spotting mirror disposed adjacent said primary mirror, said spotting mirror defined by a single radius of curvature differing from said primary mirror such that said spotting mirror provides a second field of view rearward of the motor vehicle.

2. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a single mirror support for supporting said primary mirror and said spotting mirror with respect to each other and within said primary opening.

3. An external rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first field of view of said primary mirror overlaps said second field of view of said spotting mirror.

4. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said single mirror support defines a primary portion for having said primary mirror fixedly secured thereto and a spotting portion for having said spotting mirror fixedly secured thereto.

5. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said primary portion of said single mirror support defines a primary plane that is substantially flat.

6. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said spotting portion of said single mirror support defines a spotting mirror support radius of curvature substantially equal to said single radius of curvature.

7. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said spotting portion is forward of said primary plane.

8. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said spotting portion is substantially rearward of said primary plane.

9. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a bracket fixedly secured to the motor vehicle;

a mirror casing secured to said bracket, said mirror casing defining a primary opening;

a primary mirror disposed within said primary mirror for providing a view rearward of the motor vehicle through a primary field of view;

a spotting mirror disposed adjacent said primary mirror, said spotting mirror defining a periphery and including a rim flange extending thereabout; and

a single mirror support for supporting said primary mirror and said spotting mirror with respect to each other and within said primary opening, said single mirror support including a flange channel for receiving a portion of said rim flange therein.

10. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein a portion of said rim flange extends between said primary mirror and said single mirror support to accurately position said spotting mirror with respect to said primary mirror.

11. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein a portion of said rim flange includes a rim extension extending perpendicularly to said rim flange.

12. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said spotting mirror defines an outer reflective surface having a single radius of curvature.

13. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said spotting mirror defines an inner reflective surface.

14. An exterior side mirror assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said inner reflective surface defines a single radius of curvature.

15. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said spotting mirror is fabricated from a translucent polymer resin.

16. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said inner reflective surface is coated with a reflective material.

17. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said reflective material is chrome.

18. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a bracket fixedly secured to the motor vehicle;

a mirror casing secured to said bracket, said mirror casing defining a primary opening;

a primary mirror disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of the motor vehicle through a primary field of view, said primary mirror defining a primary plane;

a spotting mirror spaced apart from said primary mirror, said spotting mirror extending through a secondary plane different from said primary plane; and

a divider extending between said primary mirror and said spotting mirror to separate said primary and secondary mirrors visually.

19. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said spotting mirror is forward of said primary plane.

20. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said spotting mirror is rearward of said primary plane.