EXTERIOR SIDEVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An exterior sideview mirror assembly suitable for vehicular use, said exterior sideview mirror assembly comprising:
- a bracket configured for fixedly securing said exterior sideview mirror assembly to a vehicle body side;
a mirror housing secured to said bracket, said mirror housing defining a primary opening;
a single mirror backing plate element within said mirror housing and disposed adjacent to said primary opening;
said single mirror backing plate element movable by an electrically-operable actuator;
a main plano mirror element fixedly secured to and supported by said single mirror backing plate element and disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly through a first primary field of view;
an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element fixedly secured to and supported by said single mirror backing plate element and disposed adjacent to said main plano mirror element, said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element defined by a single radius of curvature differing from said main plano mirror element such that said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly;
wherein said first primary field of view of said main plano mirror element overlaps said second auxiliary field of view of said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element;
wherein said single mirror backing plate element comprises a generally rigid polymeric molding able to support said main plano mirror element and said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element;
wherein said single mirror backing plate element comprises a generally flat portion for supporting said main plano mirror element and a curved portion for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element;
wherein said curved portion of said single mirror backing plate element for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element is angled relative to said generally flat portion of said single mirror backing plate element for supporting said main plano mirror element in a mariner such that, when a driver of a vehicle equipped with said exterior side view mirror assembly aligns the rearward field of view of said main plano mirror element, the rearward field of view of said main plano mirror element is aligned downwardly relative to the vehicle body side to which said exterior side view mirror assembly is attached; and
wherein said main plano mirror element comprises one of (a) a generally flat glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exterior sideview mirror assembly includes a single mirror backing plate element within a mirror housing. A main plano mirror element and an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element are supported by the backing plate element. The backing plate element has a generally flat portion for supporting the main plano mirror element and a curved portion for supporting the auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element. The curved portion may be angled relative to the generally flat portion in a manner such that, when a driver of the vehicle aligns the rearward field of view of the main plano mirror element, the rearward field of view of the main plano mirror element may be aligned downwardly relative to the vehicle body side. The main plano mirror element includes a generally flat reflector-coated glass substrate or a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. An exterior sideview mirror assembly suitable for vehicular use, said exterior sideview mirror assembly comprising:
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a bracket configured for fixedly securing said exterior sideview mirror assembly to a vehicle body side; a mirror housing secured to said bracket, said mirror housing defining a primary opening; a single mirror backing plate element within said mirror housing and disposed adjacent to said primary opening; said single mirror backing plate element movable by an electrically-operable actuator; a main plano mirror element fixedly secured to and supported by said single mirror backing plate element and disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly through a first primary field of view; an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element fixedly secured to and supported by said single mirror backing plate element and disposed adjacent to said main plano mirror element, said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element defined by a single radius of curvature differing from said main plano mirror element such that said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly; wherein said first primary field of view of said main plano mirror element overlaps said second auxiliary field of view of said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element; wherein said single mirror backing plate element comprises a generally rigid polymeric molding able to support said main plano mirror element and said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element; wherein said single mirror backing plate element comprises a generally flat portion for supporting said main plano mirror element and a curved portion for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element; wherein said curved portion of said single mirror backing plate element for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element is angled relative to said generally flat portion of said single mirror backing plate element for supporting said main plano mirror element in a mariner such that, when a driver of a vehicle equipped with said exterior side view mirror assembly aligns the rearward field of view of said main plano mirror element, the rearward field of view of said main plano mirror element is aligned downwardly relative to the vehicle body side to which said exterior side view mirror assembly is attached; and wherein said main plano mirror element comprises one of (a) a generally flat glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An exterior sideview mirror assembly suitable for vehicular use, said exterior sideview mirror assembly comprising:
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a mirror housing secured to a vehicle body side, said mirror housing defining a primary opening; a main plano mirror element fixedly secured to and supported by said single mirror backing plate element and disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly through a first primary field of view; an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element disposed adjacent to said main plano minor element, said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element defining a periphery and having a circumferential edge; a single mirror backing plate element for supporting said main plano mirror element and said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element with respect to each other and within said primary opening; said single mirror backing plate element including a molded wall that generally circumscribes the circumferential edge of said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element when said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element is supported by said single mirror backing plate element; wherein said molded wall of said single mirror backing plate element demarcates said main plano mirror element from said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element when both are supported by said single mirror backing plate element; wherein said single mirror backing plate element comprises a generally flat portion for supporting said main plano mirror element and a curved portion for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element; wherein said curved portion of said single mirror backing plate element for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element is angled relative to said generally flat portion of said single mirror backing plate element for supporting said main plano mirror element in a manner such that, when a driver of a vehicle equipped with said exterior side view mirror assembly aligns the rearward field of view of said main plano mirror element, the rearward field of view of said main plano mirror element is aligned downwardly relative to the vehicle body side to which said exterior side view mirror assembly is attached; and wherein said main plano mirror element comprises one of (a) a generally flat glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An exterior sideview mirror assembly suitable for vehicular use, said exterior sideview mirror assembly comprising:
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a bracket configured for fixedly securing said exterior sideview mirror assembly to a vehicle body side; a mirror housing secured to said bracket, said mirror housing defining a primary opening; a main plano mirror element disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of an vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly through a primary field of view, said main plano mirror element defining a primary plane; an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element spaced apart from said main plano mirror element, said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element extending through a secondary plane different from said primary plane; a divider extending between said main plano mirror element and said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element that demarcates said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element from said main plano mirror element visually; wherein said single mirror backing plate element comprises a generally flat portion for supporting said main plano mirror element and a curved portion for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element; wherein said curved portion of said single mirror backing plate element for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element is angled relative to said generally flat portion of said single mirror backing plate element for supporting said main plano mirror element in a manner such that, when a driver of a vehicle equipped with said exterior side view mirror assembly aligns the rearward field of view of said main plano mirror element, the rearward field of view of said main plano mirror element is aligned downwardly relative to the vehicle body side to which said exterior side view mirror assembly is attached; and wherein said main plano mirror element comprises one of (a) a generally flat glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. An exterior sideview mirror assembly suitable for vehicular use, said exterior sideview mirror assembly comprising:
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a mirror housing defining a primary opening; a single mirror backing plate element within said mirror housing and disposed adjacent to said primary opening; said single mirror backing plate element movable by an electrically-operable actuator; a main plano mirror element fixedly secured to and supported by said single mirror backing plate element and disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly through a first primary field of view; an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element fixedly secured to and supported by said single mirror backing plate element and disposed adjacent to said main plano mirror element, said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element defined by a single radius of curvature differing from said main plano mirror element such that said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly; wherein said first primary field of view of said main plano mirror element overlaps said second auxiliary field of view of said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element; wherein said single mirror backing plate element comprises a generally rigid polymeric molding able to support said main plano mirror element and said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element; wherein said single mirror backing plate element comprises a generally flat portion for supporting said main plano mirror element and a curved portion for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element; wherein said curved portion of said single mirror backing plate element for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element is angled relative to said generally flat portion of said single minor backing plate element for supporting said main plano mirror element in a manner such that, when a driver of a vehicle equipped with said exterior side view mirror assembly aligns the rearward field of view of said main plano mirror element, the rearward field of view of said main plano mirror element is aligned downwardly relative to a vehicle body side to which said exterior side view mirror assembly is attached; wherein said main plano mirror element comprises one of (a) a generally flat glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto; and wherein said auxiliary spotting portion of said single mirror backing plate element defines an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element backing plate element radius of curvature substantially equal to said single radius of curvature. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An exterior sideview mirror assembly suitable for vehicular use, said exterior sideview mirror assembly comprising:
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a mirror housing defining a primary opening; a single mirror backing plate element within said mirror housing and disposed adjacent to said primary opening; said single mirror backing plate element movable by an electrically-operable actuator; a main plano mirror element fixedly secured to and supported by said single mirror backing plate element and disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly through a first primary field of view; an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element fixedly secured to and supported by said single mirror backing plate element and disposed adjacent to said main plano mirror element, said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element defined by a curvature differing from said main plano mirror element such that said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly; wherein said first primary field of view of said main plano mirror element overlaps said second auxiliary field of view of said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element; wherein said single mirror backing plate element comprises a generally rigid polymeric molding able to support said main plano mirror element and said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element; wherein said single minor backing plate element comprises a generally flat portion for supporting said main plano mirror element and a curved portion for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element; wherein said curved portion of said single mirror backing plate element for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element is angled relative to said generally flat portion of said single mirror backing plate element for supporting said main plano mirror element in a manner such that, when a driver of a vehicle equipped with said exterior side view mirror assembly aligns the rearward field of view of said main plano minor element, the rearward field of view of said main plano mirror element is aligned downwardly relative to a vehicle body side to which said exterior side view mirror assembly is attached; wherein said main plano minor element comprises one of (a) a generally flat glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto; and wherein said auxiliary spotting portion of said single mirror backing plate element defines an auxiliary non-plano curved minor element backing plate element radius of curvature substantially equal to said curvature of said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. An exterior sideview mirror assembly suitable for vehicular use, said exterior sideview mirror assembly comprising:
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a mirror housing defining a primary opening; a single mirror backing plate element within said mirror housing and disposed adjacent to said primary opening; said single mirror backing plate element movable by an electrically-operable actuator; a main plano mirror element fixedly secured to and supported by said single mirror backing plate element and disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly through a first primary field of view; an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element fixedly secured to and supported by said single mirror backing plate element and disposed adjacent to said main plano mirror element, said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element defined by a curvature differing from said main plano mirror element such that said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly; a divider between said main plano mirror element and said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element that demarcates said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element from said main plano mirror element visually; wherein said single mirror backing plate element comprises a generally rigid polymeric molding able to support said main plano mirror element and said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element; wherein said single mirror backing plate element comprises a generally flat portion for supporting said main plano mirror element and a curved portion for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror clement; wherein said curved portion of said single mirror backing plate element for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element is angled relative to said generally flat portion of said single mirror backing plate element for supporting said main plano mirror element in a manner such that, when a driver of a vehicle equipped with said exterior side view mirror assembly aligns the rearward field of view of said main plano mirror element, the rearward field of view of said main plano mirror element is aligned downwardly relative to a vehicle body side to which said exterior side view mirror assembly is attached; wherein said main plano mirror element comprises one of (a) a generally flat glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto; and wherein said auxiliary spotting portion of said single mirror backing plate element defines an auxiliary non-plano curved minor element backing plate element radius of curvature substantially equal to said curvature of said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. An exterior sideview mirror assembly suitable for vehicular use, said exterior sideview mirror assembly comprising:
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a mirror housing defining a primary opening; a single mirror backing plate element within said mirror housing and disposed adjacent to said primary opening; said single mirror backing plate element movable by an electrically-operable actuator; a main plano mirror element fixedly secured to and supported by said single mirror backing plate element and disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly through a first primary field of view; an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element fixedly secured to and supported by said single mirror backing plate element and disposed adjacent to said main plano mirror element, said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element defined by a curvature differing from said main plano mirror element such that said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the vehicle equipped with said exterior sideview mirror assembly; a divider between said main plano mirror element and said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element that demarcates said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element from said main plano mirror element visually; wherein said single mirror backing plate element comprises a generally rigid polymeric molding able to support said main plano mirror element and said auxiliary non-plano curved minor element; wherein said single mirror backing plate element includes a molded wall extending from a surface thereof and wherein said divider comprises at least a portion of said molded wall; wherein said single mirror backing plate element comprises a generally flat portion for supporting said main plano mirror element and a curved portion for supporting said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element; wherein said main plano mirror element comprises one of (a) a generally flat glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto; and wherein said auxiliary spotting portion of said single mirror backing plate element defines an auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element backing plate element radius of curvature substantially equal to said curvature of said auxiliary non-plano curved mirror element. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification