Mirror with split ball mount and hold-open device

• US 6,467,919 B1
• Filed: 11/02/2001
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: DeVries, Timothy S., Rumsey, Wayne, Hallack, Jason, Carter, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US10/004,254
• Time in Patent Office: 354 Days
• Field of Search: 359/872, 359/871, 359/875, 359/876, 359/877, 248/481
• US Class Current: 359/872
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence

Abstract

A mirror construction includes an interior rearview mirror housing having a socket, and includes a mirror mount having a ball section that angularly and adjustably engages the socket to form a ball connection. The ball section has a radially open portion permitting wiring to be laid laterally into the ball section to facilitate assembly. A wedge fits in the open portion for holding the open portion so that the ball connection cannot distort and collapse over time. The mount includes a window for snap-attachment of an electrical connector for the wiring.

Claims

1. A mirror construction for attachment to a vehicle proximate a vehicle front window, comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

a mirror mount adapted for attachment to a vehicle component; and

a ball connection including a ball section on one of the mirror assembly and the mirror mount, and including a socket on the other of the mirror assembly and the mirror mount, the ball section having a sphere-defining surface that slidably angularly engages a mating surface on the socket to permit angular adjustment and further having additional surfaces defining a laterally open portion that interrupts the sphere-defining surface to permit wiring to be laid laterally inside the ball section to facilitate assembly, the ball connection further including a separate holder engaging the additional surfaces for holding open the additional surfaces of the open portion in a spaced condition so that the ball section maintains a desired shape and the ball connection maintains a desired torsional frictional resistance to angular adjustment even after extended use.

2. The mirror construction defined in claim 1, wherein the holder includes a wedge engaging surfaces on the ball section forming the open section.

3. The mirror construction defined in claim 1, wherein the holder includes a protruding portion that lies flush with the sphere-defining surface.

4. The mirror construction defined in claim 1, wherein the holder includes a cylindrical-defining portion that fits into the open portion at a location spaced inwardly from the sphere-defining surface.

5. The mirror construction defined in claim 1, wherein the holder includes a C-shaped portion that fits snugly within the open portion.

6. The mirror construction defined in claim 1, wherein the ball section has an inner surface defining a hole having a first diameter, and the holder has arms that engage the inner surface and that extend partially around the hole.

7. The mirror construction defined in claim 1, wherein the holder helps retain the wiring in the ball section.

8. The mirror construction defined in claim 1, wherein the holder helps protect the wiring in the ball section.

9. The mirror construction defined in claim 1, wherein the mount includes a tubular section defining a laterally-open first channel and the open portion of the ball section defines a second channel that aligns with the first channel.

10. The mirror construction defined in claim 1, wherein the ball section is located on the mirror mount.

11. The mirror construction defined in claim 10, wherein the mirror mount includes walls shaped to receive an electrical connector.

12. The mirror construction defined in claim 1, including a wiring harness with wiring laid into the open portion.

13. The mirror construction defined in claim 12, wherein the wiring harness includes an electrical connector, and wherein the mount has a recess that receives the electrical connector.

14. The mirror construction defined in claim 13, wherein the electrical connector includes a clip for securing the electrical connector to the mount.

15. The mirror construction defined in claim 1, wherein the mount includes an opening, and including wiring laid into the open portion and that extends up through opening.

16. The mirror construction defined in claim 1, wherein the holder, when installed, extends inside a hole in the ball section and fills the open portion around the sphere-defining surface of the ball section.

17. The mirror construction defined in claim 16, wherein the holder has opposing arcuate wings that extend at least about 180 degrees around an inside of the ball section.

18. A mirror construction for attachment to a vehicle proximate a vehicle front window, comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly including a socket;

a mirror mount adapted for attachment to a vehicle component and including a ball section; and

the ball section angularly and adjustably engaging the socket to form a ball connection, the ball section having surfaces defining a radially and laterally open portion permitting wiring to be laid laterally into the ball section to facilitate assembly, and further including a separate holder engaging the surfaces of the ball section for holding the surfaces in a spaced condition to maintain a shape of the ball section so that the ball section cannot distort and collapse over time.

19. The mirror construction defined in claim 18, wherein the holder comprises a wedge in the open portion.