Rearview mirror targeting and repositioning system

• US 4,971,430 A
• Filed: 07/19/1989
• Issued: 11/20/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vision Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Robert M. Lynas
• Inventors: Lynas, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Henry, Jon W.
• Application Number:
  US07/382,551
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 350/605, 350/600, 350/637, 350/632, 356/138, 356/150
• US Class Current: 359/843
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/025 comprising special mechanical means for correcting the field of view in relation to particular driving conditions, e.g. change of lane; scanning mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence

Abstract

A rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes a plane mirror pivotably mounted to a vehicle having a directional signal means. A solenoid is operatively connected to the plane mirror for automatically changing the position of the plane mirror in response to a signal from the directional signal means in order to render the blind spot viewable to a driver. A reference position corresponding to a properly focused mirror is established by visually aligning an indicium on the mirror with an indicium on the vehicle.

Claims

1. In a rear view mirror system for a vehicle, said system including a plane mirror, and means for mounting the plane mirror to the vehicle, and said vehicle having directional signal means to indicate a change in direction of the vehicle, the improvement comprising:

actuating means adapted to receive a signal from the directional signal means and operatively connected to the plane mirror mounting means for automatically moving the plane mirror between a normal position and an indexed position with respect to the vehicle when said actuating means receives a signal indicating a change in direction of the vehicle,

a first visual indicium located on the vehicle, and

a second visual indicium on said plane mirror adapted to be aligned with the first visual indicium when the first visual indicium is viewed in the plane mirror by pivoting said plane mirror with respect to the vehicle to establish said normal position.

2. A rear view mirror system according to claim 1 wherein the directional signal means comprises

a first signal to indicate a left turn of the vehicle;

a second signal to indicate a right turn of the vehicle;

a third signal to indicate a left lane change of the vehicle; and

a fourth signal to indicate a right lane change of the vehicle.

3. A rear view mirror system according to claim 2 wherein the bracket is moved to the indexed position only in response to one of the third signal and fourth signal.

4. A rear view mirror system according to claim 3 wherein the signal from the directional signal means is delayed before it is received by the actuating means.

5. A rear view mirror system according to claim 1 wherein the plane mirror mounting means comprises a housing connected to said vehicle and a bracket pivotally connected to said housing, said actuating means being mounted to said housing and operatively connected to the bracket so that said bracket pivots when said actuating means is actuated.

6. A rear view mirror system according to claim 1 wherein the actuating means includes a solenoid having a push rod pivotably connected to the bracket for causing the bracket to pivot between a normal position and an indexed position.

7. A rear view mirror system according to claim 1 wherein the signal from the directional signal means is delayed before it is received by the actuating means.

8. In a rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said system including a housing mounted to the vehicle, a plane mirror, means for mounting the plane mirror in the housing, said plane mirror being pivotably connected to the plane mirror mounting means, and said vehicle having directional signal means to indicate a change in direction of the vehicle, the improvement comprising:

said vehicle including a first visual indicium and said plane mirror including a second visual indicium adapted to be aligned with the first visual indicium by pivoting the plane mirror with respect to the plane mirror mounting means to establish a reference position for the plane mirror with respect to the vehicle; and

actuating means adapted to receive a signal from the directional signal means and operatively connected to the plane mirror mounting means for automatically changing the position of the plane mirror with respect to the vehicle when said actuating means receives a signal indicating a change in direction of the vehicle.