Adjustable mirror support

• US 4,056,253 A
• Filed: 07/27/1976
• Issued: 11/01/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NI Industries, Inc. (TriMas Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Tenna Corporation
• Inventors: Young, Thomas A., Repay, Laszlo N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Parsons, Jr., Marion
• Application Number:
  US05/709,161
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 248/476, 248/479, 248/481, 248/482, 248/483, 248/484, 248/485, 248/486, 248/487, 248/16, 248/18, 85/8.9, 350/289
• US Class Current: 248/479
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing

Abstract

A mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, in which a mirror backplate is angularly adjustable by an electric motor and drive mechanism. The mirror backplate is pivotably connected to a motor drive casing with a secure yet releasable interconnection that includes a central stud on the backplate, locating structure for the stud on the casing, and a coupling member for releasably securing the stud to the casing. The central stud and two extending screws on the backplate are universally pivotable and integrally formed with the backplate. The screws are driven axially relative to the casing by motor driven rotated nuts within the casing to pivot the backplate and a supported mirror about the central stud.

Claims

1. A one piece back for supporting a mirror for pivotable adjustment relative to a support, said back having a plate portion and as an integral part thereof a central mounting stud, two screws, and means integral with the plate portion connecting each said stud and screws at one end thereof to the plate portion for universal pivoting, each said connecting means comprising (a) a first portion substantially rigid, received within an aperture of the plate portion and spaced from the periphery of the aperture, (b) first and second web portions on diametrically opposite sides of said first portion, between the first portion and the plate portion, rigid in the direction of plate thickness but each flexible about a common axis in the plane of said portion, and (c) a third web portion rigid in the direction of plate thickness and flexible about an axis parallel to the plane of said plate portion and perpendicular to said common axis, extending transversely of and located between said first and second web portions, at least partially surrounded by and integral with said first portion, and supporting the end of said respective stud or screw.

2. A back as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second web portions are L-shaped and one leg of each L-shaped web portion is received in a recess of said first portion.

3. A back as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first portion extends from a rear surface of said plate portion and is recessed with respect to a front surface of said plate portion, the distance the first portion is recessed varying progressively in a direction transverse to said common axis, being greatest farthest from said common axis;

said front surface being adapted to receive and support the back of a mirror.

4. A one piece back for supporting a mirror for pivotable adjustment relative to a support, said back having a plate portion and as an integral part thereof a central mounting stud, two screws, and means integral with the plate portion connecting each said stud and screws at one end thereof to the plate portion for universal pivoting, each said connecting means comprising (a) a first portion substantially rigid and received within an aperture of the plate portion and spaced from the periphery of the aperture, (b) first and second web portions on diametrically opposite sides of said first portion, between the first portion and the plate portion, rigid in the direction of plate thickness but each flexible about a common axis in the plane of said plate portion, and (c) a third web portion rigid in the direction of plate thickness and flexible about an axis parallel to the plane of said plate portion and perpendicular to said common axis, extending transversely of and located between said first and second web portions, at least partially surrounded by and integral with said first portion, and supporting the end of said respective stud or screw;

said stud including a portion extending beyond the plane of said plate portion of smaller cross sectional dimension than a distal end of the stud.

5. A back as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first and second web portions are L-shaped and one leg of each L-shaped web portion is received in a recess of said first portion.

6. In combination:

a casing for a mirror drive, a plate for supporting a mirror for pivotable adjustment relative to the casing, and means to releasably secure the plate to the casing;

said plate having an aperture and, as an integral part of the plate, a mounting stud and connecting means within the aperture connecting the stud to the plate for universal pivoting;

said connecting means having (a) a first substantially rigid portion received within and spaced from the periphery of the aperture, and first and second web portions between the rigid portion and the plate forming a first axis, said web portions being flexible about said axis and rigid in the direction of plate thickness, and (b) a third web portion rigid in the direction of plate thickness and flexible about a second axis that is transverse to said first axis, said third web portion being carried by the rigid portion;

said housing having means to locate a distal portion of said stud and means adjacent the locating means for receiving and retaining a coupler; and

a coupler interengageable with both the stud and the receiving means to couple the stud to the housing.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for receiving the coupler is comprised of two spaced parallel projections on opposite sides of said locating means and forming a groove T-shaped in cross section into which the coupler slides.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said projections have surfaces that diminish the cross sectional area of the T-shaped groove along its length and wherein said projections and said coupler have variations on opposed surfaces that interengage to retain the two together.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said casing includes guide means for restricting movement of said plate to pivotal movement about two transverse axes.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said guide means is comprised of two pairs of opposed parallel surfaces, one pair on a diametrically opposite side of the locating means for the stud from the other pair and aligned therewith, and said plate has portions on opposite sides of said stud, aligned with said first axis, and slidably received between pairs of said parallel surfaces.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said support includes guide means for restricting movement of said back to pivotal movement about two transverse axes.

11. In combination:

a support for a motor and drive for an adjustable mirror, a mirror back for carrying a mirror for pivotal movement relative to the support, and separate coupling means for releasably securing the mirror back to the support;

said back having two integral adjusting members each pivotable relative to the back through an integral universal connection, and an integral centrally located mounting stud pivotable relative to the back through an integral universal connection;

said support having locating means for said stud and receiving means for said separate coupling means; and

said separate coupling means being engageable with both the stud and the receiving means to releasably couple the stud to the support.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein the stud has a narrow portion intermediate its ends, the coupling means has wedge-forming portions and a slot that receives the narrow portion of the stud, and the receiving means forms a wedge-shaped recess for receiving and retaining said coupling means.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein the receiving means has teeth projecting into the wedge-shaped recess and the coupling means has teeth that cooperate and interengage with the recess teeth to releasably retain the coupling means in the receiving means.