Exterior rearview mirror for motor vehicles

• US 8,425,061 B2
• Filed: 12/24/2010
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Henion, Paul R., Sinelli, Gary J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHERRY, EUNCHA P
• Application Number:
  US12/978,458
• Publication Number:
  US 20110157732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 359/864, 359/866, 359/868, 359/872
• US Class Current: 359/864
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/081 avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors

Abstract

An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having a primary mirror and a spotting mirror. Both the primary mirror and the spotting mirror are secured to the same single mirror support, or backing plate. The spotting mirror is snap fit to the backing plate by having a monolithic structure which is receivable by a recess or hole in the backing plate. The recess acts as a securing device by receiving an abutment surface extending outwardly away from the monolithic structure which snaps over the backing plate and prevents the spotting mirror from moving away from the backing plate.

Claims

1. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a bracket fixedly secured to the motor vehicle;

a mirror casing secured to said bracket, said mirror casing defining a primary opening;

a single mirror support movably secured within said mirror casing disposed adjacent said primary opening;

a primary mirror fixedly secured to said single mirror support and disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of the motor vehicle through a primary field of view;

a spotting mirror defining a reflective surface and a backing surface, said spotting mirror fixedly secured to said single mirror support and disposed adjacent said primary mirror, said reflective surface defined by a radius of curvature differing from said primary mirror such that said spotting mirror provides a second field of view rearward of the motor vehicle; and

a securing device formed with and extending out and away from said backing surface of said spotting mirror to secure said spotting mirror to said single mirror support.

2. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said securing device is a monolithic structure.

3. An external rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said single mirror support includes a recess to receive said monolithic structure therein.

4. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said monolithic structure includes an abutment surface for positively engaging said single mirror support for securing said spotting mirror to said single mirror support.

5. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said recess extends through said single mirror support.

6. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a bracket fixedly secured to the motor vehicle;

a mirror casing secured to said bracket, said mirror casing defining a primary opening;

a single mirror support movably secured within said mirror casing disposed adjacent said primary opening;

a primary mirror fixedly secured to said single mirror support and disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of the motor vehicle through a primary field of view;

a spotting mirror fixedly secured to said single mirror support and disposed adjacent said primary mirror, said spotting mirror defined by a radius of curvature differing from said primary mirror such that said spotting mirror provides a second field of view rearward of the motor vehicle;

and an abutment surface formed with said single mirror support to secure said spotting mirror to said single mirror support.

7. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said spotting mirror includes an edge defining a periphery.

8. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said edge includes a recess to receive said abutment surface therein.

9. An exterior rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said abutment surface is a barb positively engaging said recess in said edge of said spotting mirror.