Powered telescoping trailer tow mirror

• US 7,270,430 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2005
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• 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: Flynn, Daniel J., Olijnyk, Mark L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafer; Ricky D.
• Application Number:
  US11/057,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20050200988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 359/841, 359/872, 359/877, 359/881, 248/479, 248/480, 248/486
• US Class Current: 359/841
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/078 easily removable; mounted for bodily outward movement, e.g. when towing

Abstract

A vehicle external review-view mirror assembly having an extension and retraction mechanism for a telescopic arm support that connects a mirror head to a mirror mounting bracket is disclosed. The assembly comprises: a hollow outer arm extending from the bracket, an inner arm mounted to the head and extending into the outer arm for relative sliding movement out of and into the outer arm; a driving wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm or the head; a driven wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm and positioned within the outer arm at a location spaced apart from the driven wheel; and a toothed belt extending between the driving wheel and the driven wheel for power transmission between them. A pair of laterally spaced apart contact rollers are mounted coaxially with the driven wheel, the pair of contact rollers engaging spaced apart bearing surfaces depending from the outer arm.

Claims

1. A vehicle external rear view mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror head;

a mount for connecting said mirror assembly to a vehicle;

an outer arm extending from said mount;

an inner arm mounted to said mirror head and extending into said outer arm for relative sliding movement out of and into said outer arm;

a driving wheel mounted to said inner arm or said mirror head;

a motor mounted to said mirror head;

a gear train connected between said motor and said driving wheel for transferring power from said motor to said driving wheel; and

a clutch member forming part of said gear train, wherein said clutch member functions to selectively disengage said motor from said driving wheel;

a rack disposed substantially within and connected to said outer arm; and

at least one drive pinion formed on said driving wheel, wherein said drive pinion meshes with said rack for transmitted power thereto.

2. The vehicle external mirror of claim 1 wherein the rotation of said gear train causes said inner arm to move telescopically with respect to said outer arm.

3. The vehicle external mirror of claim 1 wherein said clutch member allows for said mirror head to be positioned manually by disengaging said motor from said driving wheel.

4. The vehicle external mirror of claim 1 wherein said clutch member comprises a clutch disk operably engaged to said motor, so that said clutch disk limits the amount of torque that can be transmitted between said motor and said driving wheel.

5. The vehicle external mirror of claim 1 further comprising a looped transmission member extending between said driving wheel and said gear train for the transmission of power between said motor and said driving wheel.

6. The vehicle external mirror of claim 1 wherein said clutch member allows for manual placement of said mirror head.

7. A vehicle external rear view mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror head;

a mount for connecting said mirror assembly to a vehicle;

an outer arm extending from said mount;

an inner arm mounted to said mirror head and extending into said outer arm for relative sliding movement out of and into said outer arm;

a driving wheel mounted to said inner arm or said mirror head;

a motor mounted to said mirror head;

a gear train connected between said motor and said driving wheel for transferring power from said motor to said driving wheel;

a clutch member forming part of said gear train, wherein said clutch member functions to selectively disengage said motor from said driving wheel;

a rack having a plurality of gear teeth disposed substantially within and connected to said outer arm;

two or more gear teeth formed on said driving wheel; and

two or more gear teeth formed on each gear in said gear train, wherein said two or more gear teeth of said driving wheel are in meshed engagement with said gear teeth on said rack and said gear teeth on said at least one gear of said gear train for transmitting power from said gear train to said driving wheel.

8. The vehicle external mirror of claim 7 wherein the rotation of said gear train causes said inner arm to move telescopically with respect to said outer arm.

9. The vehicle external mirror of claim 7 wherein said clutch member allows for said mirror head to be positioned manually by disengaging said motor from said driving wheel.

10. The vehicle external mirror of claim 7 wherein said clutch member comprises a clutch disk operably engaged to said motor, so that said clutch disk limits the amount of torque that can be transmitted between said motor and said driving wheel.

11. The vehicle external mirror of claim 7 further comprising a looped transmission member extending between said driving wheel and said gear train for the transmission of power between said motor and said driving wheel.

12. The vehicle external mirror of claim 7 wherein said clutch member allows for manual placement of said mirror head.