Truck mirror positioning device

• US 9,956,916 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2012
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alpine Tech Australia Pty., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Alpine Tech Australia Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: Dalton, Richard John, Hunt, Stuart Gerald
• Primary Examiner(s): Alexander, William R
• Assistant Examiner(s): MADONNA, JEFFREY E
• Application Number:
  US14/240,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20140192432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,078 Days
• Field of Search: 359871-882
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0612 by electrically actuated means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing

Abstract

A truck mirror positioning device for adjusting the position of a rear-view truck mirror includes a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to a truck external to the truck driver'"'"'s cabin. A pivotal support means is provided mechanically coupled to the mounting bracket for substantially supporting the weight of the truck mirror. An electric motor is mounted on the mounting bracket for moving the mirror, and a gearbox is mechanically coupled to the motor and adapted to be mechanically coupled to the truck mirror so as to adjust the plane in which the mirror lies wherein, in use, an operator can adjust the angle of the mirror by activating the electric motor.

Claims

1. A truck mirror positioning device comprising:

a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to a truck external to the truck driver'"'"'s cabin;

a truck mirror;

a pivotal support means mechanically coupled to the mounting bracket for substantially supporting the weight of the truck mirror, the pivotal support means being pivotally coupled to the mirror at first and second coupling points, and wherein the first and second coupling points are hinge connections adapted to substantially support the weight of the mirror;

a first elongate linear actuator mounted on the device for moving the mirror about a substantially vertical axis; and

,

a second elongate linear actuator mounted on the device for moving the mirror about a substantially horizontal axis;

whereby, in use, an operator can adjust the angle of the mirror by activating either one or both of the first and second actuators;

wherein the linear actuators are electrically driven linear actuators including an electric motor and an extension arm;

wherein the pivotal support means includes a substantially vertically oriented elongate support shaft which is rotatably received in a sleeve fixed to the mounting bracket, the support shaft being adapted to pivot about a substantially vertical axis; and

wherein the support shaft has a support arm fixed to one end, the support arm being mechanically coupled to the truck mirror at the first coupling point.

2. A truck mirror positioning device as defined in claim 1, wherein the second actuator is mounted on the other end of the support shaft and is mechanically coupled to the truck mirror at the second coupling point.

3. A truck mirror positioning device as defined in claim 2, wherein the first linear actuator is mechanically coupled at one end to the mounting bracket and the other end to the support arm.

4. A truck mirror positioning device as defined in claim 3, wherein the support shaft has a U-shaped support bracket fixed thereto at the top end of the support shaft for supporting the second actuator, and the second actuator is pivotally mounted on the U-shaped support bracket.

5. A truck mirror positioning device as defined in claim 1, further comprising an electronic controller for controlling activation of the first and second actuators.

6. A truck mirror positioning device as defined in claim 5, wherein the controller is located in the vehicle cabin and enables the first and second actuators to be activated independently or simultaneously.

7. A truck mirror positioning device as defined in claim 6, wherein the controller comprises a joystick for controlling motion of the mirror about the horizontal (panning) and vertical (tilting) axes.