Auxiliary rear view mirror assembly
First Claim
1. An auxiliary rear view mirror assembly which attaches onto an existing automotive interior main rear view mirror of the type which has a laterally elongated frame and means connected to said frame to mount the mirror inside the vehicle, the auxiliary mirror assembly comprising at least one auxiliary rear view mirror, at least one support plate including means for attaching the same onto a rear surface of the frame of the main rear view mirror, an auxiliary arm connecting said auxiliary mirror to said support plate to position said auxiliary rear view mirror beyond an end of the main rear view mirror, and auxiliary mirror adjusting means for independently adjusting the position of said auxiliary mirror in three dimensions relative to said main rear view mirror, after the assembly is attached in place onto the main rear view mirror, in order to permit a vehicle operator to raise or lower the auxiliary mirror, to move the auxiliary mirror laterally closer to or farther from the end of the main rear view mirror, and to move the auxiliary mirror ahead or back in respect to the frame of the main rear view mirror.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An auxiliary rear view mirror device has left and right auxiliary mirrors and support plates which mount onto the back of the frame of an existing main rear view mirror. An adjustable support brace can connect the two support plates. A support arm assembly connects the support plates to the associated auxiliary mirrors, and provides for independent adjustment of mirror position in three dimensions, in addition to permitting angulation adjustment for each mirror. This can include a rack and toothwheel for lateral adjustment, and a threaded post for elevational adjustment. A vertical hinge can be employed for front-to-back adjustment. The assembly can be provided as original equipment, including a main mirror and associated auxiliary mirrors, or as assemblies to attach onto an existing rear view mirror.
47 Citations
34 Claims
- 1. An auxiliary rear view mirror assembly which attaches onto an existing automotive interior main rear view mirror of the type which has a laterally elongated frame and means connected to said frame to mount the mirror inside the vehicle, the auxiliary mirror assembly comprising at least one auxiliary rear view mirror, at least one support plate including means for attaching the same onto a rear surface of the frame of the main rear view mirror, an auxiliary arm connecting said auxiliary mirror to said support plate to position said auxiliary rear view mirror beyond an end of the main rear view mirror, and auxiliary mirror adjusting means for independently adjusting the position of said auxiliary mirror in three dimensions relative to said main rear view mirror, after the assembly is attached in place onto the main rear view mirror, in order to permit a vehicle operator to raise or lower the auxiliary mirror, to move the auxiliary mirror laterally closer to or farther from the end of the main rear view mirror, and to move the auxiliary mirror ahead or back in respect to the frame of the main rear view mirror.
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15. An auxiliary rear view mirror assembly which attaches onto an existing automotive main rear view mirror of the type which has a laterally elongated frame and means connected to said frame to support the rear view mirror on a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising left side and right side auxiliary mirrors, left side and right side support plate assemblies each including means for attaching same onto a rear surface of the frame of the main rear view mirror, a rigid support connector for connecting the left and right support plate assemblies to one another when the latter are attached onto said main rear view mirror frame;
- left and right auxiliary arms connecting the left and right side auxiliary mirrors respectively to the left side and right side support plate assemblies to position and hold the left side auxiliary mirror leftward of the main rear view mirror and to position and hold the right side auxiliary mirror rightward of the main rear view mirror; and
respective left and right side auxiliary mirror position adjusting means for independently adjusting the positions of the left side auxiliary rear view mirror and the right side auxiliary rear view mirror in three dimensions, namely right-left, up-down, and fore-aft with respect to the main rear view mirror after the auxiliary rear view mirror assembly has been installed thereon. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
- left and right auxiliary arms connecting the left and right side auxiliary mirrors respectively to the left side and right side support plate assemblies to position and hold the left side auxiliary mirror leftward of the main rear view mirror and to position and hold the right side auxiliary mirror rightward of the main rear view mirror; and
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25. A rear view mirror assembly for a vehicle which avoids blind spots to left and right of the vehicle, comprising a main rear view mirror which includes a laterally elongated housing having a front in which a glass is mounted and a rear, and a mounting arm attached to the rear of the housing for supporting the main rear view mirror in said vehicle;
- left and right auxiliary rear view mirrors disposed to the left of a left end of the main mirror and to the right of a right end of the main mirror, respectively;
left and right auxiliary support arms extending to the left and to the right from the rear of the main mirror housing, respectively, on which the left and right auxiliary mirrors are respectively mounted; and
auxiliary mirror adjusting means for independently adjusting the position of said auxiliary mirrors in three dimensions relative to the main mirror and permitting a vehicle operator to raise or lower each auxiliary mirror, to move each auxiliary mirror laterally closer to or farther from the respective end of the main mirror, and to move each of the auxiliary mirrors fore and aft in respect to the main mirror. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
- left and right auxiliary rear view mirrors disposed to the left of a left end of the main mirror and to the right of a right end of the main mirror, respectively;
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31. An anti-blindspot mirror device for a motor vehicle which is blind to the rear from inside its cab, comprising an elongated male support which extends to left and right of a mounting post, left and right female casings which slide laterally over said male support and including means for retaining the left and right casings on the male support;
- left and right auxiliary mirrors to be disposed leftwards of a left end of the left female casing and rightwards of a right end of the right female casing, respectively;
left and right support arms extending from the left and right female casings to support the left and right auxiliary mirrors;
universal mounting means on said support arms by which the associated auxiliary mirrors are attached and permitting independent angular adjustment of the mirrors; and
mirror position adjusting means for adjusting the position of said auxiliary mirrors in three dimensions relative to said male support, independently of the angular adjustment of the mirrors achieved by said universal mounting means, permitting a vehicle operator to raise or lower the auxiliary mirrors, to move the auxiliary mirrors closer to or farther from the ends of the female casings, and to move the mirrors ahead or back in respect to the position of the male support. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
- left and right auxiliary mirrors to be disposed leftwards of a left end of the left female casing and rightwards of a right end of the right female casing, respectively;
Specification