Shiftable outside rearview mirror for use on vehicles
First Claim
1. A shiftable outside mirror for use on a vehicle having a turn signal lever arm and switch means operable to shift said mirror, wherein the improvement comprises:
- said switch means being pivotally mounted on said turn signal lever arm, pivotal relative to said turn signal lever arm in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of motion of said turn signal lever arm from a rest position to an activated position in which the mirror is shifted;
said switch means being movable with said turn signal lever arm when in said rest position such that only a turn signal is actuated;
said switch means being movable with said turn signal lever arm when in said activated position such that said mirror is shifted and said turn signal is actuated;
said switch means having a longitudinal axis which in its rest position is essentially a continuation of the longitudinal axis of said turn signal lever arm;
said turn signal lever arm having an end portion and said switch means having an end portion being formed to interfittingly engage each other, with spring means engaging both end portions;
said end portion of said switch means comprising two opposed, curved tongue portions surrounding said end portion of the turn signal lever arm; and
at least one of said tongue portions having an end that is provided with at least one electrical contact, said turn signal lever arm adjacent said tongue portion is also provided with at least one electrical contact, said electrical contact on said tongue portion and said electrical contact on said turn signal lever arm engaging upon pivoting of said switch means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a shiftable outside mirror for use on a motor vehicle having a turn signal lever arm to eliminate a driver'"'"'s blind spot. The turn signal lever arm is provided with a switch mechanism at its free end. The invention comprises a switch mechanism capable of being articulated about the end of the turn signal lever arm from a rest position in a plane parallel to the plane of motion of the turn signal lever arm to an activated position in which the position of the mirror is altered. The switch mechanism is moved counter-clockwise to shift a left outside mirror, and clockwise to shift a right outside mirror.
25 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A shiftable outside mirror for use on a vehicle having a turn signal lever arm and switch means operable to shift said mirror, wherein the improvement comprises:
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said switch means being pivotally mounted on said turn signal lever arm, pivotal relative to said turn signal lever arm in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of motion of said turn signal lever arm from a rest position to an activated position in which the mirror is shifted; said switch means being movable with said turn signal lever arm when in said rest position such that only a turn signal is actuated; said switch means being movable with said turn signal lever arm when in said activated position such that said mirror is shifted and said turn signal is actuated; said switch means having a longitudinal axis which in its rest position is essentially a continuation of the longitudinal axis of said turn signal lever arm; said turn signal lever arm having an end portion and said switch means having an end portion being formed to interfittingly engage each other, with spring means engaging both end portions; said end portion of said switch means comprising two opposed, curved tongue portions surrounding said end portion of the turn signal lever arm; and at least one of said tongue portions having an end that is provided with at least one electrical contact, said turn signal lever arm adjacent said tongue portion is also provided with at least one electrical contact, said electrical contact on said tongue portion and said electrical contact on said turn signal lever arm engaging upon pivoting of said switch means. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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2. A shiftable outside mirror for use on a vehicle having a turn signal lever arm and switch means operable to shift said mirror, wherein the improvement comprises:
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said switch means being pivotally mounted on said turn signal lever arm, pivotal relative to said turn signal lever arm in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of motion of said turn signal lever arm from a rest position to an activated position in which the mirror is shifted; said switch means being movable with said turn signal lever arm when in said rest position such that only a turn signal is actuated; said switch means being movable with said turn signal lever arm when in said activated position such that said mirror is shifted and said turn signal is actuated; said switch means having a longitudinal axis which in its rest position is essentially a continuation of the longitudinal axis of said turn signal lever arm; said turn signal lever arm having an end portion and said switch means having an end portion being formed to interfittingly engage each other, with spring means engaging both end portions; said end portion of said switch means comprising two opposed, curved tongue portions surrounding said end portion of the turn signal lever arm; and an elastic cover covering the interfitting engagement of said switch means and said turn signal lever arm.
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Specification