Mirror with interchangeable appearance covers
First Claim
1. A method of attaching an interchangeable cover to a mirror housing, comprising:
- providing a mirror support framework having a portion thereof being an outside show surface of the mirror housing, wherein said mirror support frame work has a first fixed securement structure formed on an exterior surface thereof and a tang formed on said exterior surface;
providing a first interchangeable outer cover member having an opening formed therein, which is adapted to surround the portion for forming a substantially continuous surface, and the first interchangeable outer cover member being slidable over the mirror support framework for providing an outer cover to the mirror housing;
providing a substantially vertical receiving structure formed on the interior surface of said first interchangeable outer cover member;
installing said first interchangeable outer cover member over the mirror support framework by engaging said first fixed securement structure to said substantially vertical receiving structure;
providing a mounting bracket portion for attachment to a vehicle, including an underlying framework having a second fixed securement surface formed on the surface of said mounting bracket portion;
providing a second interchangeable outer cover member for changing the stylistic appearance of said mounting bracket portion, wherein said second interchangeable outer cover member has an attachment protrusion formed on an interior surface of said second interchangeable outer cover member; and
installing said second interchangeable outer cover member to said mounting bracket portion by engaging said attachment protrusion to said tang.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mirror system having a common framework that allows interchangeability of mirror styles. The mirror system includes a first skeleton support structure operatively attached to a portion of a vehicle. The support structure including a mounting bracket therein. A removable cover adapted to be attached thereover for providing a stylistic appearance to the bracket portion. A second support structure is provided for attachment to the bracket portion. A second support structure includes attachments for supporting a mirror assembly therein. The support assembly includes a connection structure. An outer interchangeable cover portion is provided, which is interchangeably fitted to the support structure for providing a variable stylistic outer surface to the mirror.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of attaching an interchangeable cover to a mirror housing, comprising:
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providing a mirror support framework having a portion thereof being an outside show surface of the mirror housing, wherein said mirror support frame work has a first fixed securement structure formed on an exterior surface thereof and a tang formed on said exterior surface; providing a first interchangeable outer cover member having an opening formed therein, which is adapted to surround the portion for forming a substantially continuous surface, and the first interchangeable outer cover member being slidable over the mirror support framework for providing an outer cover to the mirror housing; providing a substantially vertical receiving structure formed on the interior surface of said first interchangeable outer cover member; installing said first interchangeable outer cover member over the mirror support framework by engaging said first fixed securement structure to said substantially vertical receiving structure; providing a mounting bracket portion for attachment to a vehicle, including an underlying framework having a second fixed securement surface formed on the surface of said mounting bracket portion; providing a second interchangeable outer cover member for changing the stylistic appearance of said mounting bracket portion, wherein said second interchangeable outer cover member has an attachment protrusion formed on an interior surface of said second interchangeable outer cover member; and installing said second interchangeable outer cover member to said mounting bracket portion by engaging said attachment protrusion to said tang. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A mirror system comprising:
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a first outer decorative cover portion having an area defining a first aperture; a second outer decorative cover portion having an area defining a second aperture; a single structural member adapted for attachment to a vehicle, said structural member including a mounting bracket and a mirror support; wherein said mirror support is operable to be received through said first aperture such that said first decorative cover portion is operable to cover a first portion of said mirror support; wherein said mounting bracket is operable to be received through said second aperture such that said second decorative cover portion is operable to cover a second portion of said structural member; and wherein said mirror support is operable to support a mirror member, said mirror support including a portion for receiving a mirror adjustment module therein; wherein said structural member includes a first fixed securement structure formed on an exterior surface thereof and a tang formed on said exterior surface; wherein said mounting bracket includes a second fixed securement structure formed on an exterior surface thereof; wherein the first fixed securement structure is operable to engage a substantially vertical receiving structure formed on an interior surface of the first decorative cover portion and the second securement structure has an attachment protrusion formed on an interior surface of the second decorative cover portion for engaging said tang; wherein either the first or second decorative cover portion are interchangeable with respective first or second decorative cover portions. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A mirror system having interchangeable component parts, comprising:
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a skeletonized mirror support structure for supporting a mirror control module having a mirror attached to said skeletonized mirror support structure; said skeletonized mirror support structure being configured for supporting one of a plurality of mirror control modules having pre-selected features; said skeletonized mirror support structure has a first fixed securement structure formed on an exterior surface thereof for attaching one of a plurality of first cover members using a substantially vertical receiving structure formed on the interior surface of each said first plurality of cover members; an adaptable folding mechanism for providing folding between a bracket and said skeletonized mirror support structure, wherein said folding mechanism is adaptable for configuration between a manually foldable configuration and a power foldable configuration while maintaining the configuration of the skeletonized mirror support structure and the bracket structure; a mounting bracket structure adaptable for attachment to a vehicle; said bracket structure including a second fixed securement structure formed on an exterior surface of said mounting bracket structure; and said second fixed securement structure allowing attachment of a second outer cover selected from a plurality of second outer covers using a tang formed on the exterior of said first fixed securement structure and an attachment protrusion formed on the interior surface of said second outer cover.
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Specification