Rearview mirror for vehicles

• US 8,876,305 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2008
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Mueller, Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafer, Ricky D
• Application Number:
  US12/125,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20080291560A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,357 Days
• Field of Search: 359/841, 359/871, 359/872, 359/877
• US Class Current: 359/841
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/062 with remote control for adjusting position B60R1/0607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/076 yieldable to excessive external force and provided with an indexed use position B60R1/0617, B60R1/074 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/343 using deformable body panel, bodywork or components
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/198 with means for adjusting the mirror relative to its support G02B7/1822 takes precedence

Abstract

The rear-view mirror comprises a mirror housing, in which a mirror glass is disposed. It is surrounded by a rim portion, wherein at least a part of the rim portion is configured moveable relative to the mirror housing. Said part can be configured elastically resilient, linked with the mirror housing, or it can be provided detachable. When the mirror housing touches its installed elements during an evasive movement, the corresponding part of the rim portion can move, whereby an additional travel distance for the mirror housing is provided.

Claims

1. A rear-view mirror for vehicles, comprising:

a mirror housing defining an opening facing rearward when said rear-view mirror is secured to the vehicle;

a mirror glass disposed within said opening and pivotal therewithin; and

said mirror housing including a rim portion operatively secured to said mirror housing having a gap disposed therebetween, said rim portion extending around said opening and spaced apart from said mirror glass, said rim portion movable with respect to said mirror housing and pivotally movable with respect to said mirror glass to vary an amount of space between said rim portion and said mirror glass assisting in removal of foreign objects that may lodge between said rim portion and said mirror glass.

2. A rear-view mirror according to claim 1, wherein said rim portion springs back into its initial position after a deflection.

3. A rear-view mirror according to claim 1, wherein said rim portion is detachable from said mirror housing when a force greater than a rated break point is applied.

4. A rear-view mirror according to claim 3, wherein said mirror housing includes a bar having a thickness less than said rim portion extend between said rim portion and said mirror housing.