Rearview mirror mounting assembly

• US 6,983,920 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2003
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: DeLine, Jonathan E.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAN, KO HUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/397,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20030160146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: 248/481, 248/483, 248/484, 248/288.31, 248/288.51, 248/478, 248/61, 248/68.1, 359/871, 359/872, 359/873, 138/112
• US Class Current: 248/481
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence

Abstract

A support assembly for pivotally securing an accessory to a vehicle includes a mounting base adapted for mounting to the vehicle and a mounting arm pivotally secured to the mounting base and the accessory. The accessory has at least one electronic component which is electrically connected to a vehicle wiring via an accessory wiring. The mounting base includes a first ball receiving socket. The mounting arm includes a first ball member for pivotally engaging the first ball receiving socket and a second ball member for pivotally engaging a second ball receiving socket on the accessory. The first ball member is positioned at an opposite end of the mounting arm from the second ball member. The mounting arm further includes an outer sleeve which may at least partially encase the mounting arm and the accessory wiring. The outer sleeve may provide a channel therealong for receiving the accessory wiring.

Claims

1. A support assembly for pivotally securing an interior rearview mirror to a vehicle, the interior rearview mirror having at least one electronic component which is electrically connected to a vehicle wiring via an accessory wiring, said support assembly comprising:

a mounting base adapted for mounting to the vehicle, said mounting base comprising a first ball receiving socket; and

a mounting arm pivotally secured to said mounting base and to the interior rearview mirror, said mounting arm comprising a first ball member for pivotally engaging said first ball receiving socket and a second ball member for pivotally engaging a second ball receiving socket of the interior rearview mirror, said first ball member being positioned at an opposite end of said mounting arm from said second ball member, said mounting arm having an outer surface between said ball members, said support assembly further comprising an outer sleeve which at least partially encases said outer surface of said mounting arm and the accessory wiring, said outer sleeve comprising a channel therealong for receiving the accessory wiring.

2. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting base further comprises a wiring passageway for encasing a portion of the accessory wiring as it is routed to and within said outer sleeve.

3. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting base is securable to an interior surface of a windshield of the vehicle.

4. A support assembly for pivotally securing an accessory to a vehicle, the accessory having at least one electronic component which is electrically connected to a vehicle wiring via an accessory wiring, said support assembly comprising:

a mounting base adapted for mounting to the vehicle, said mounting base comprising a first ball receiving socket; and

a mounting arm pivotally secured to said mounting base and the accessory, said mounting arm comprising a first ball member for pivotally engaging said first ball receiving socket and a second ball member for pivotally engaging a second ball receiving socket on the accessory, said first ball member being positioned at an opposite end of said mounting arm from said second ball member, said mounting arm further comprising an outer sleeve which at least partially encases said mounting arm and the accessory wiring, said outer sleeve comprising channel therealong for receiving the accessory wiring, wherein said outer sleeve of said mounting arm comprises a recessed portion and a perforated cover over said recessed portion, said recessed portion being adaptable to receive scented inserts therein.

5. The support assembly of claim 4, wherein the accessory is an interior rearview mirror.

6. The support assembly of claim 4, wherein said recessed portion is positioned adjacent to said channel, such that heat generated by the accessory wiring in said channel is at least partially received in said recessed portion.