Interior rearview mirror assembly with polymeric components
First Claim
1. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle having an interior portion comprising:
- a reflective mirror element providing a field of view for a user of the rearview mirror assembly;
a first polymeric pivot joint allowing pivotal adjustment of the field of view of said reflective element, said first pivot joint including a first polymeric ball member formed of polymeric material and a first polymeric socket formed of polymeric material, said first ball member pivotally received by said first socket;
a polymeric support element formed of polymeric material;
said support element including one of said first polymeric ball member and said first polymeric socket;
a polymeric rearview mirror mount formed of polymeric material, said rearview mirror mount adapted for attachment to the interior portion of the vehicle;
said support element pivotally attaching to said rearview mirror mount for adjustment by a second polymeric pivot joint;
wherein said second polymeric pivot joint includes a second polymeric ball member formed of polymeric material and a second polymeric socket formed of polymeric material, said second ball member pivotally received by said second socket; and
wherein at least one of said first pivot joint and said second pivot joint includes frictional resistance means for generating increased frictional resistance to movement of the ball member of the joint in its socket;
said frictional resistance means comprising a textured surface on at least one of said first ball member and said first socket.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles incorporates a reflective mirror element and a first polymeric pivot joint allowing pivotal adjustment of the field of view of the reflective element. The assembly includes a polymeric support element, a polymeric rearview mirror mount, and a second polymeric pivot joint. The polymeric support element includes one of a first polymeric ball member and a first polymeric socket. The polymeric rearview mirror mount is adapted for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle. The support element pivots on the second polymeric pivot joint about the rearview mirror mount. At least one of the pivot joints includes joint members generating increased frictional resistance to movement of a ball member in a socket, such joint members preferably comprising a textured surface on the ball member or socket.
112 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle having an interior portion comprising:
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a reflective mirror element providing a field of view for a user of the rearview mirror assembly; a first polymeric pivot joint allowing pivotal adjustment of the field of view of said reflective element, said first pivot joint including a first polymeric ball member formed of polymeric material and a first polymeric socket formed of polymeric material, said first ball member pivotally received by said first socket; a polymeric support element formed of polymeric material; said support element including one of said first polymeric ball member and said first polymeric socket; a polymeric rearview mirror mount formed of polymeric material, said rearview mirror mount adapted for attachment to the interior portion of the vehicle; said support element pivotally attaching to said rearview mirror mount for adjustment by a second polymeric pivot joint; wherein said second polymeric pivot joint includes a second polymeric ball member formed of polymeric material and a second polymeric socket formed of polymeric material, said second ball member pivotally received by said second socket; and wherein at least one of said first pivot joint and said second pivot joint includes frictional resistance means for generating increased frictional resistance to movement of the ball member of the joint in its socket; said frictional resistance means comprising a textured surface on at least one of said first ball member and said first socket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle having an interior portion comprising:
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a reflective mirror element providing a field of view for a user of the rearview mirror assembly; a first polymeric pivot joint allowing pivotal adjustment of the field of view of said reflective element, said first pivot joint including a first polymeric ball member formed of polymeric material and a first polymeric socket formed of polymeric material, said first ball member pivotally received by said first socket; a polymeric support element formed of polymeric material; said support element including one of said first polymeric ball member and said first polymeric socket; a polymeric rearview mirror mount formed of polymeric material, said rearview mirror mount adapted for attachment to the interior portion of the vehicle; said support element pivotally attaching to said rearview mirror mount for adjustment by a second polymeric pivot joint; wherein said second polymeric pivot joint includes a second polymeric ball member formed of polymeric material and a second polymeric socket formed of polymeric material, said second ball member pivotally received by said second socket; and wherein at least one of said first pivot joint and said second pivot joint includes frictional resistance means for generating increased frictional resistance to movement of the ball member of the joint in its socket; said frictional resistance means comprising a textured surface on at least one of said second ball member and said second socket. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification