Device to manipulate side view mirrors for motor vehicles
First Claim
1. A motor vehicle side view mirror assembly comprising;
- (a) a mirror housing attachable to a motor vehicle;
(b) a mirror mounting plate within said housing and pivotally affixed thereto about a generally vertical axis;
(c) a mirror within said housing spaced from and extending in generally parallel relationship to said mounting plate, said mirror being supported by said mounting plate and pivotal with respect thereto about a generally vertical axis;
(d) means associated with the mirror mounting plate for adjusting said place and supported mirror to a normal side viewing position;
(e) at least one electrical solenoid means mounted on the mirror mounting plate, each solenoid means having an actuating arm movable upon electrical energization of said solenoid means between extended and retracted positions;
(f) means operatively connecting the actuating arm of each solenoid means to the mirror such that upon extension and retraction of said arm the mirror is caused to pivot about its generally vertical axis between its normal side viewing position and a swept viewing position to eliminate blind spots; and
(g) electrical control means connected to the electrical solenoid means so as to control the extension and retraction of the actuating arm and thereby the position of the mirror.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Side view mirrors are provided on motor vehicles. They give driver visibility to the rear and side of the vehicle. An area to the rear and side of the vehicle includes a blind area which becomes visible to the driver when the side view mirrors are rotated 3° to 4° beyond their conventional setting through actuation of a manipulatable button adjacent the driver'"'"'s seat or actuation of the turning lever. Instantaneous initial movement of the side view mirror to cover the blind spot through fast moving mechanism is accompanied by a dwell of approximately two seconds to retain visiblity for a needed intravel after initial manipulation to initiate a turn or to permit opening of the driver'"'"'s door into the adjacent lane of traffic during parallel parking to give visibility to the driver in the adjacent lane and blind area.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A motor vehicle side view mirror assembly comprising;
-
(a) a mirror housing attachable to a motor vehicle; (b) a mirror mounting plate within said housing and pivotally affixed thereto about a generally vertical axis; (c) a mirror within said housing spaced from and extending in generally parallel relationship to said mounting plate, said mirror being supported by said mounting plate and pivotal with respect thereto about a generally vertical axis; (d) means associated with the mirror mounting plate for adjusting said place and supported mirror to a normal side viewing position; (e) at least one electrical solenoid means mounted on the mirror mounting plate, each solenoid means having an actuating arm movable upon electrical energization of said solenoid means between extended and retracted positions; (f) means operatively connecting the actuating arm of each solenoid means to the mirror such that upon extension and retraction of said arm the mirror is caused to pivot about its generally vertical axis between its normal side viewing position and a swept viewing position to eliminate blind spots; and (g) electrical control means connected to the electrical solenoid means so as to control the extension and retraction of the actuating arm and thereby the position of the mirror. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A motor vehicle side view mirror assembly for providing a driver with normal side viewing and blind spot viewing of rear and adjacent vehicles comprising:
-
(a) a mirror housing attachable to the side of a motor vehicle; (b) a mirror mounting plate within said housing and pivotally affixed thereto about a generally vertical axis; (c) a mirror within said housing spaced from and extending in generally parallel relationship to said mounting plate between said plate and the open side of said housing, said mirror being supported by said mounting plate and pivotal with respect thereto about a generally vertical axis; (d) means associated with the mirror mounting plate for adjusting said plate and supported mirror to a normal side viewing position; (e) at least one electrical solenoid means mounted on the mirror mounting plate, each solenoid means having an actuating arm movable upon electrical energization of said solenoid means between extended and retracted positions; (f) means operatively connecting the actuating arm of each solenoid means to the mirror such that upon extension and retraction of said arm the mirror is caused to pivot about its generally vertical axis between its normal side viewing position and a swept position to provide blind spot viewing; and (g) electrical control means connected to the electrical solenoid means so as to control the extension and retraction of the actuating arm and thereby the position of the mirror for normal viewing and blind spot viewing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification