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Mirror operating mechanism

  • US 6,322,221 B1
  • Filed: 05/27/1998
  • Issued: 11/27/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An exterior rear view mirror comprising:

  • a mirror mounting bracket, a spigot on said mounting bracket, a mirror head supported on said mounting bracket for rotation with respect to said spigot, at least one detent located between said mirror mounting bracket and said mirror head for holding said mirror mounting bracket and said mirror head in position, resilient means acting between said mirror mounting bracket and said mirror head, with respect to said detent, for holding said detent engaged thereby restraining movement of said mirror head, drive means operatively coupling said spigot to said mirror head for rotating said mirror head with respect to said spigot, and an actuator incorporated within said drive means which is moved by said drive means, relative to the spigot, upon initial operation of the drive means while said detent remains at least partially engaged and therefore initially resists rotation of said mirror head with respect to said mirror mounting bracket, the initial movement of said actuator applying a force to said resilient means which, in turn, compresses said resilient means and, once said resilient means is sufficiently compressed by movement of said actuator so that said detent becomes sufficiently disengaged to allow relative movement between said mirror head and said mirror mounting bracket, said actuator ceases movement, relative to the spigot, and further operation of said drive means, in turn, causes rotation of said mirror head with respect to said spigot.

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