Exterior mirror

• US 7,040,770 B1
• Filed: 10/19/2000
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Original Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Inventors: Olijnyk, Mark, Gersch, Alex, Schwarz, Paul, VanDeLoo, Paul, McCaffery, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US09/692,435
• Time in Patent Office: 2,028 Days
• Field of Search: 359/838, 359/841, 359/844, 359/850, 359/871, 359/872, 359/877, 248/549, 248/900, 248/466, 248/475.1, 381/86
• US Class Current: 359/841
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2692 retractable lights retractable headlights B60Q1/05
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1276 with radio receivers, loud-speakers or buzzers
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3266 using the mirror of the vehicle

Abstract

An exterior mirror for a vehicle, which is forward foldable for storage and shipment of a vehicle. The mirror may also fold to the rear and includes lights and accessories in the sail and the mirror casing.

Claims

1. An exterior mirror for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing assembly including a reflective element normally facing in a direction for viewing rearward;

an attachment assembly including at least one attachment arm and a sail portion for attaching the mirror housing assembly to the exterior of the vehicle, said sail portion being directly attached to the vehicle, said sail portion including a microphone/speaker; and

a folding mechanism operably folding and maintaining the mirror in a forward direction whereby the overall width dimension of the vehicle is reduced.