Vehicle rearview mirror remote-control device

• US 4,470,323 A
• Filed: 04/06/1982
• Issued: 09/11/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Societe Manzoni-Bouchot
• Original Assignee: St/E/ Phane Manzoni
• Inventors: Manzoni, St/e/ phane
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McKenzie, Jr., Frank M.
• Application Number:
  US06/366,015
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 74/501 R, 74/501 M, 350/320
• US Class Current: 74/502.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/07 by electrically powered actuators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20432 for moving a mirror

Abstract

A vehicle rearview mirror remote control device, mounted on a casing to which a mirror is mounted and which contains a control mechanism is disclosed. A support member is constructed of a bar or U-shaped tube fixed at its two ends on the vehicle body and of which the central part extends inside the casing through two openings provided therein. The central part of the U-shaped tube includes a predetermined axis on which a cross-piece carrying the casing is pivotally mounted by means of half-clips. The cross-piece includes a second predetermined axis along which the casing is pivotally mounted. The central mechanism pivots the cross-piece about the first predetermined axis and further pivots the casing about the second predetermined axis.

Claims

1. A rearview remote control mirror device for attachment to a vehicle body, said mirror device being mounted in a casing containing a control mechanism and having a mirror attached thereto, said remote control mirror device comprising:

a U-shaped support member having one end attached to said vehicle body; and

opposite end attached to said vehicle body; and

a central part extending into said casing, said U-shaped support member further having a first predetermined axis substantially coaxial with said central part of said U-shaped support member;

a cross-piece pivotally mounted within said casing and cooperating with said central part of said U-shaped support member, said cross-piece having a second predetermined axis substantially perpendicular to said first predetermined axis of said U-shaped support member, said casing having said mirror attached thereto being mounted to said cross-piece along said second predetermined axis;

first means for controlling movement of said mirror, said first means for controlling movement disposed along said second predetermined axis of said cross-piece and further interposed said U-shaped support member and said cross-piece;

second means for controlling movement of said mirror, said second means for controlling movement being offset a predetermined distance from said second predetermined axis of said cross-piece;

said casing further having at least two openings through which extend said one end and said opposite end, respectively, of said U-shaped support member, said casing further having means for bearing integral with said casing;

at least one half-clip mounted to said cross-piece and having an opening at one end;

a pin member mounted to said central part of said U-shaped support member and said opening of said at least one half-clip such that said pin and said opening cooperate to pivot said cross-piece about said first predetermined axis when said first means for movement of said mirror is activated; and

said cross-piece further comprising at least one pivot disposed along said second predetermined axis and engaging said means for bearing of said casing such that said cross-piece cooperates through said at least one pivot and means for bearing with said second means for controlling movement of said mirror to pivot said casing about said second predetermined axis when said second means for controlling movement of said mirror is activated.

2. The remote control mirror device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for bearing further comprises:

at least one cup-shaped recess integrally formed with said casing for receiving said at least one pivot of said cross-piece;

a resilient strip mounted to said casing adapted to bias said at least one pivot into said at least one cup-shaped recess such that said cross-piece communicates with said at least one cup-shaped recess to pivot within said cup-shaped recess.

3. The remote control mirror device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first means for controlling movement of said mirror further comprises:

a ball joint mounted to said at least one half-clip; and

means for exerting a force on said ball joint, said means for exerting a force interposed said ball joint and said cross-piece such that said means for exerting a force on said ball joint rotates said casing about said first predetermined axis.

4. The remote control mirror device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second means for controlling movement of said mirror further comprises:

a ball joint mounted to said cross-piece a predetermined distance from said second predetermined axis; and

means for exerting a force on said ball joint, said means for exerting a force interposed said ball joint and said cross-piece such that said means for exerting a force on said ball joint rotates said casing about said second predetermined axis.

5. The remote control mirror device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means for exerting a force further comprises:

a sleeve member attached to said ball joint, said sleeve member having an integral helical thread;

a threaded helical rod member mounted to said internal helical thread of said sleeve member;

a tangential wheel member mounted to said threaded helical rod member for rotation therewith, said tangential wheel member having a worm thread on its outer radial periphery;

an endless screw member spaced a predetermined distance from said tangential wheel member and cooperating therewith whereby rotation of said endless screw member causes rotary movement of said tangential wheel member and said threaded helical rod member such that said sleeve member moves axially along the complementary helical thread of said sleeve member and said threaded helical rod member with respct to said threaded helical rod member; and

means for rotating said endless screw member.

6. The remote control mirror device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for exerting a force further comprises:

a sleeve member attached to said ball joint, said sleeve member having an internal helical thread;

a threaded helical rod member mounted to said internal helical thread of said sleeve member;

a tangential wheel member mounted to said threaded helical rod member for rotation therewith, said tangential wheel member having a worm thread on its outer radial periphery;

an endless screw member spaced a predetermined distance from said tangential wheel member and cooperating therewith whereby rotation of said endless screw member causes rotary movement of said tangential wheel member and said threaded helical rod member such that said sleeve member moves axially along the complementary helical thread of said sleeve member and said threaded helical rod member with respect to said threaded helical rod member; and

means for rotating said endless screw member.