Vehicle rear view mirror extension device

• US 5,217,197 A
• Filed: 04/09/1991
• Issued: 06/08/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vernon J. Spitzer
• Original Assignee: Vernon J. Spitzer
• Inventors: Spitzer, Vernon J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Purol, David M.
• Application Number:
  US07/682,333
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 248/479, 248/483, 248/480, 248/485, 248/486, 248/487, 248/475.1, 350/631
• US Class Current: 248/479
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/078 easily removable; mounted for bodily outward movement, e.g. when towing

Abstract

An extension device to extend an original equipment vehicle side rear view mirror away from the vehicle so that the mirror may be used with wide loads. One end of a U-shaped extension device is inserted in the original mirror mounting bracket on the vehicle and the original mirror support arm is inserted in a sleeve that is rigidly secured to the other end of the extension device. Threaded fasteners, which are accessible to the driver through the vehicle window, extend through the sleeve to lock the mirror in adjusted position.

Claims

1. An extension device adapted to extend a vehicle original equipment mirror away from the side of the vehicle, and wherein the original mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket secured to the vehicle and a generally vertically extending cylindrical mirror support arm received within the mounting bracket, the extension device comprising:

an inverted generally U-shaped extension arm having a cylindrical first end portion of a diameter to fit within the original equipment mirror mounting bracket, said extension device including a second end portion having a sleeve member integrally rigidly secured therewith, said sleeve including an internal bore of a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the mounting arm of the original equipment mirror with which it is intended to be used, and threaded fastener means in said sleeve adapted to clamp the mirror support arm in fixed position.

2. The subject matter of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped extension comprises a solid steel member.

3. The subject matter of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped extension comprises a solid aluminum member.

4. The subject matter of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped member is circular in cross-section throughout its length.

5. The subject matter of claim 4, wherein the sleeve is generally circular in cross-section.

6. The subject matter of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is welded to the U-shaped member.

7. The subject matter of claim 1, wherein threaded fasteners extend through openings in the sleeve.

8. An extension device adapted to extend a vehicle original equipment mirror away from the side of the vehicle, and wherein the original mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket secured to the vehicle and a generally vertically extending cylindrical mirror support arm received within the mounting bracket, the extension device comprising:

an inverted generally U-shaped extension arm of solid metal having a cylindrical first end portion of a diameter to fit within the original equipment mirror mounting bracket, said extension device including a second end portion having a sleeve member welded thereto along the length thereof, said sleeve including an internal bore of a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the mounting arm of the original equipment mirror with which it is intended to be used, and threaded fastener means extending through openings in said sleeve located adjacent said weld, said threaded fastener means being adapted to secure the mirror support arm in a fixed position.

9. An extension device adapted to extend a vehicle original equipment mirror away from the side of the vehicle, and wherein the original mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket secured to the vehicle and a generally vertically extending cylindrical mirror support arm received within the mounting bracket, the extension device comprising:

an extension arm of solid metal having a cylindrical first end portion of a diameter to fit within the original equipment mirror mounting bracket, said extension device including a second end portion having a sleeve member welded thereto, said sleeve including an internal bore of a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the mounting arm of the original equipment mirror with which it is intended to be used, and threaded fastener means extending through openings in said sleeve, said threaded fastener means being adapted to secure the mirror support arm in a fixed position.

10. The subject matter of claim 9, wherein the extension device comprises a U-shaped steel member.

11. The subject matter of claim 9, wherein the extension device comprises a U-shaped solid aluminum member.

12. The subject matter of claim 9, wherein the extension member is circular in cross-section throughout its length.

13. The subject matter of claim 9, wherein the sleeve is generally circular in cross-section.

14. The subject matter of claim 9, wherein the sleeve is welded to the U-shaped member.

15. The subject matter of claim 9, wherein the threaded fastening means are positioned so as to be accessible to the seated driver of a vehicle through the window.