Side window air deflector incorporating a side view mirror

• US 5,150,941 A
• Filed: 11/20/1991
• Issued: 09/29/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arvan, Inc. (Churchill Aerospace LLC)
• Original Assignee: Arvan, Inc. (Churchill Aerospace LLC)
• Inventors: Leung, Emil Y., Silzer, Elmar
• Primary Examiner(s): SONG, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/795,027
• Time in Patent Office: 314 Days
• Field of Search: 296/91, 296/180.1, 296/152, 454/135, 248/486, 248/481, 248/479
• US Class Current: 296/152
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/2002 Wind deflectors specially adapted for preventing soiling, e.g. for side windows integral with sealing arrangements B60J10/72
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence

Abstract

A combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit is attached to a front edge of a window frame of an automobile door. The automobile deflector and side view mirror unit comprises a mirror housing secure to the window frame and supporting a side view mirror, and a shroud having a leading edge extending along the periphery of the front edge of the window frame and attached thereto. The shroud also has a curved portion for enclosing the side view mirror, the curved portion attached to the mirror housing.

Claims

1. A combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit for attachment to a front edge of a window frame of an automobile door, comprising:

a mirror housing secured to the window frame and supporting a side view mirror; and

a shroud having an elongated portion having a leading edge attached to the entire periphery of the front edge of the window frame, the elongated portion extending outwardly in a curved fashion from the front edge thereof to define an open space between the door and the elongated portion, the elongated portion further having a curved portion at a lower end thereof for enclosing the mirror housing.

2. The combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit of claim 1, wherein the mirror housing includes a lower plate extending outwardly from the door, the lower plate provided with a plurality of first holes, and wherein the shroud includes a plate extending inwardly from a lower edge of the curved portion, the plate provided with a plurality of second holes, further comprising:

a plurality of fasteners threaded through the plurality of first and second holes to attach the shroud to the mirror housing.

3. The combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of bolts for securing the mirror housing to the window frame.

4. The combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit of claim 1, wherein the mirror housing includes an upper plate extending outwardly from the door, further comprising:

a strip of adhesive tape for attaching an edge of the curved portion of the shroud to the upper plate of the mirror housing.

5. The combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit of claim 4, wherein the strip of adhesive tape has adhesive applied to both sides thereof.

6. The combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit of claim 1, further comprising a strip of adhesive tape for attaching the leading edge of the shroud to the periphery of the front edge of the window frame.

7. The combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit of claim 6, wherein the strip of adhesive tape has adhesive applied to both sides thereof.

8. The combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit of claim 1, further comprising a strip of molding fitted along the leading edge of the shroud.

9. The combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit of claim 1, wherein the shroud is made from a lightweight, high-impact resistant material.

10. The combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit of claim 1, wherein the shroud directs the air flow around the front edge of the window frame and away from the interior of the automobile.

11. The combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit of claim 1, further comprising a gasket secured along the front edge of the window frame, the gasket having a channel for receiving and holding the leading edge of the shroud.

12. A combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit for attachment to a front edge of a window frame of an automobile door, comprising:

a mirror housing supporting a side view mirror at a rear portion thereof and including a front portion;

means for securing the front portion of the housing to the window frame;

a shroud including an elongated portion having a leading edge extending along the entire periphery of the front edge of the window frame, the elongated portion extending outwardly in a curved fashion from the front edge thereof to define an open space between the door and the elongated portion, the elongated portion further including a curved portion at a lower end thereof for enclosing the mirror housing;

means for securing the shroud to the mirror housing; and

means for attaching the leading edge of the elongated portion of the shroud to the entire periphery of the front edge of the window frame.

15. The combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit of claim 12, wherein the elongated portion directs the air flow around the front edge of the window frame and shields the interior of the automobile.

13. A combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit for attachment to a front edge of a window frame of an automobile door, comprising:

a mirror housing supporting a side view mirror at a rear portion thereof, the housing including a front portion, an upper plate extending outwardly from the door and a lower plate extending outwardly from the door, the lower plate provided with a plurality of first holes;

a plurality of bolts for securing the front portion of the housing to the window frame;

a shroud adapted to be attached to both the front edge of the window frame and the mirror housing, the shroud including an elongated portion having a leading edge extending along the entire periphery of the front edge of the window frame, the elongated portion extending outwardly in a curved fashion from the front edge of the window frame and defining an open space between the door and the elongated portion, the elongated portion further including a curved portion at a lower end thereof for enclosing the mirror housing, and a plate extending inwardly from a lower edge of the curved portion, the plate provided with a plurality of second holes;

a plurality of fasteners threaded through the first and second plurality of holes to attach the shroud to the housing;

a first strip of adhesive tape for attaching an edge of the curved portion of the shroud to the upper plate of the housing;

a strip of molding fitted along the leading edge of the elongated portion; and

a second strip of adhesive tape for attaching the leading edge of the elongated portion of the shroud to the entire periphery of the front edge of the window frame.

14. The combined automobile deflector and side view mirror unit of claim 13, wherein the elongated portion directs the air flow around the front edge of the window frame and shields the interior of the automobile.