External mirror assembly for vehicles and method of assembling same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A rear view mirror assembly for a vehicle made by the process comprising the steps of:
- providing a support frame having a first end, a second end and a surface, the first end configured for attachment to the vehicle, the second end disposed apart from the first end and configured to attachably receive a mirror;
molding a core member with a complementary surface, the core member having a first density;
placing the core member about at least a portion of the support frame such that the complementary surface mates about the surface, wherein the placing step occurs after the molding steps; and
molding a molded part about the core member and the at least a portion of the support frame such that the molded part encapsulates the core member and the at least a portion of the support frame.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rear view mirror assembly for commercial vehicles comprises a tubular support structure having a first end fixable to a commercial vehicle and a second end extending from the commercial vehicle, and a support arm including a molded part and at least one core element. The molded part encapsulates the core element and a substantial portion of the tubular support structure. The molded part and the core element each have a respective density, the core element density being less than the molded part density, whereby the presence of the core element within the molded part reduces the overall weight of the support arm.
14 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A rear view mirror assembly for a vehicle made by the process comprising the steps of:
-
providing a support frame having a first end, a second end and a surface, the first end configured for attachment to the vehicle, the second end disposed apart from the first end and configured to attachably receive a mirror;
molding a core member with a complementary surface, the core member having a first density;
placing the core member about at least a portion of the support frame such that the complementary surface mates about the surface, wherein the placing step occurs after the molding steps; and
molding a molded part about the core member and the at least a portion of the support frame such that the molded part encapsulates the core member and the at least a portion of the support frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A rear view mirror assembly for a vehicle made by the process comprising the steps of:
-
providing a support frame configured for attachment to the vehicle;
molding a core member;
forming a recess on the core member;
placing the core member about a portion of the support frame such that the support frame is matingly received in the recess; and
encasing the core member and the portion of the support frame in a shell, wherein the shell is formed by applying a polyurethane solution about the core member and the support frame. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A rear view mirror assembly for a vehicle made by the process comprising the steps of:
-
providing a support frame configured for attachment to the vehicle;
molding a core member;
forming a complementary surface on the molded core member;
placing the molded core member about a portion of the support frame such that the complementary surface mates about the surface;
molding a shell about the core member and the portion of the support frame; and
lacquering the shell.
-
-
17. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle made by the process comprising the steps of:
-
providing a support frame configured for attachment to the vehicle;
molding a core member;
forming a recess on the core member;
placing the core member about a portion of the support frame such that the support frame is matingly received in the recess;
applying a polyurethane solution about the core member and portion of the support frame; and
solidifying the polyurethane solution to form a shell about the core member and the portion of the support frame.
-
Specification