Covering of an exterior rear view mirror assembly

• US 8,678,627 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2011
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Serve, Gregor, Hein, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Anh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Breval, Elmito
• Application Number:
  US13/302,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20120127745A1
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 362/494, 362/516, 362/511, 264/134, 248/466
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1679 applying surface layers onto injection-moulded substrates inside the mould cavity, e.g. in-mould coating [IMC] applying suface layers after ejection B29C45/0053
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

A covering (16) for an exterior rear view mirror assembly for motor vehicles includes a plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) defining a contact point (24) between each of the plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20). At least one of the covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) is provided in a two-component or multi-component injection molding procedure. A coating (25) of plastic forms an outer layer, which covers the covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20). The coating (25), being a light-resistant and transparent plastic, forms a high-gloss surface. One of the covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) is void of the coating (25) at the contact point (24).

Claims

1. A covering (16) for an exterior rear view mirror assembly for motor vehicles, said covering (16) comprising:

a plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) defining a contact point (24) between each of said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20), whereby at least one of said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) is provided in a two-component or multi-component injection molding procedure, wherein said contact point includes a hinge joint connection between two of said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20), whereby said two of said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) are folded onto each other about an axis defined by said hinge-joint connection;

a coating (25) of plastic forming at least one outer layer to cover said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20), said coating (25) includes polycarbonate and/or PMMA;

said coating (25) being a light-resistant and transparent plastic, said coating (25) forming a high-gloss surface, wherein one of said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) is void of said coating (25) at said contact point (24).

2. A covering (16) according to claim 1, wherein said two of said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) include housing part (12, 13, 15) of an exterior rear view mirror housing (02) and a cover part of a mirror base cover, whereby both of said two of said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) are connected to one another in such a way that they can pivot about a hinge axis, about which the exterior rear view mirror (01) of the exterior rear view mirror assembly can be pivoted in relation to the mirror base from an operating position into and out of a folded position.

3. A covering (16) according to claim 1, wherein said contact point (24) is defined by a position whereby all of said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) are non-rotatable with respect to each other thereat.

4. A covering (16) according to claim 3 including a locking connection at said contact point (24) between two or more of said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20).

5. A covering (16) according to claim 4, wherein said locking connection includes locking elements extending along said contact point (24).

6. A covering (16) according to claim 4, wherein one of said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) includes an electrical component (11) of the exterior rear view mirror assembly.

7. A covering (16) according to claim 6, wherein said electrical component (11) includes at least one of said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20).

8. A covering (16) according to claim 7, wherein said electrical component (11) includes a light disc (22).

9. A covering (16) according to claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) is a housing part (12, 13, 15) of the exterior rear view mirror housing (02).

10. A covering (16) according to claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of covering parts (17, 18, 19, 20) is a cover part of a mirror base cover.