REMOTE ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED REARVIEW MIRROR

• US 3,634,002 A
• Filed: 07/15/1970
• Issued: 01/11/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arthur E. Vollrath
• Original Assignee: Arthur E. Vollrath
• Inventors: Vollrath, Arthur E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leonard, John W.
• Application Number:
  US05/055,175
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 74/51M,89.15,89.17 350/289,307,303,304
• US Class Current: 359/873
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0612 by electrically actuated means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18576 including screw and nut
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18808 with rack

Abstract

The mirror assembly includes support structure for mounting on a vehicle. The support structure includes means for pivotally mounting a mirror thereon. Actuating mechanism driven by a reversible electric motor is provided for changing the angular adjustment of the mirror. The actuating mechanism is mounted within a sealed-tight housing which is interiorly compartmentalized to snugly receive the various components of the actuating mechanism without use of fasteners or brackets, the structure permitting direct dropping of the components into the housing. The motor is energized by means of a switch remotely located, normally within the cab of the truck or bus on which the mirror assembly is mounted.

Claims

1. A rear view mirror assembly for mounting on the side of a vehicle comprising a support structure securable to a vehicle, spaced apart mirror holding members carried on said support structure, a mirror, pivotal means pivotally connecting said mirror at two spaced apart locations to the mirror holding members, said pivotal means defining a pivot axis for adjustment of the mirror with respect to a vehicle, one of said mirror holding members including an actuating mechanism for powered mirror adjustment from a remote location, said actuating mechanism comprising a housing including separable portions, means securing said separable portions together in sealed condition, at least one of said portions having recessed compartments formed therein, a reversible electric motor and gear train operably connected to the output thereof received in said compartments, said compartments being shaped to match the shape of said motor and components of said gear train permitting assembly of said components in said one housing portion by lowering the components therein in proper operating position, the output of said gear train including a rack and gear assembly, said one portion including side-by-side compartments receiving said gear and said motor and an elongated compartment extending between peripheral portions of said compartments receiving said rack, said housing being provided with shaft opening means in alignment with the axis of said gear, shaft means extending through said opening means from said one mirror holding member and defining pivotal means associated therewith, said shaft means extending into connection with said gear for rotation therewith, sealing means sealing said shaft opening means around said shaft means, said housing having additional opening means for extension of electrical cable means from the motor exteriorly of the housing, means sealing said additional opening means, said shaft opening means and said additional opening means for the electrical cable means forming the only opening means into the housing, and remote switch means for energization of the motor.

2. An assembly as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that the compartment for retaining the gear includes a central cylindrical recess in the bottom thereof of reduced diameter with respect to the main compartment portion, said gear having a cylindrical projection received in said cylindrical recess, said cylindrical projection and central cylindrical recess defining means journaling the gear within the housing.