Key system for a mirror assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A key system for a motor vehicle for adjustably mounting a mirror attached to a support arm, the assembly comprising:
- a locking device configured to receive a portion of the support arm to mount the support arm to the motor vehicle, the locking device including an extension for attachment to the motor vehicle, a complementary extension for attachment to the support arm, a key, and means for urging the extension and the complementary extension together, the extension and complementary extension respectively defining a spherical surface and a complementary spherical surface configured to movably mate together, the key configured for insertion through the extension and complementary extension to lock the extension and complementary extension together; and
a brace configured to receive another portion of the support arm to mount the support arm to the motor vehicle, the brace including an anchor and a support arm holder, the another portion of the support arm securable in the support arm holder such that the support arm is fixed relative to the brace.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A locking device is provided for mounting a support arm for a mirror assembly to a motor vehicle. The locking device including an extension, a complementary extension, and a key to lock the locking device together. A complementary brace cooperates with the locking device to mount another portion of the support arm to the motor vehicle. A method for using the locking device and the brace is also provided.
12 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A key system for a motor vehicle for adjustably mounting a mirror attached to a support arm, the assembly comprising:
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a locking device configured to receive a portion of the support arm to mount the support arm to the motor vehicle, the locking device including an extension for attachment to the motor vehicle, a complementary extension for attachment to the support arm, a key, and means for urging the extension and the complementary extension together, the extension and complementary extension respectively defining a spherical surface and a complementary spherical surface configured to movably mate together, the key configured for insertion through the extension and complementary extension to lock the extension and complementary extension together; and
a brace configured to receive another portion of the support arm to mount the support arm to the motor vehicle, the brace including an anchor and a support arm holder, the another portion of the support arm securable in the support arm holder such that the support arm is fixed relative to the brace. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A locking device configured to receive a portion of a mirror assembly support arm to mount the support arm to a motor vehicle, the locking device comprising:
an extension for attachment to the motor vehicle, a complementary extension for attachment to the support arm, a key, and a spring, the extension and complementary extension respectively defining a spherical surface and a complementary spherical surface configured to movably mate together, the key configured for insertion through the extension and complementary extensions to movably lock the extension and complementary extension together, the inserted key further configured for rotation and release such that the inserted key and compressed spring cooperate to movably hold the extension and complementary extension together.
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7. A locking device configured to receive a portion of a mirror assembly support arm to mount the support arm to a motor vehicle, the locking device comprising:
an extension for attachment to the motor vehicle, a complementary extension for attachment to the support arm, a key, and a spring, the extension and complementary extension configured to movably mate together, the key configured for insertion through the extension and complementary extensions to movably lock the extension and complementary extension together, the inserted key further configured for rotation and release such that the inserted key and compressed spring cooperate to movably hold the extension and complementary extension together.
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8. A brace configured to receive a portion of a mirror assembly support arm to mount the support arm to a motor vehicle, the brace comprising:
an anchor for attachment to the motor vehicle, a support arm holder for attachment to the support arm, and a spring, the anchor defining a plurality of teeth extending from a surface of the anchor, the support arm holder defining a plurality of complementary teeth extending from a surface of the support arm holder and configured to matingly receive the plurality of teeth in a plurality of orientations, the spring disposed around the support arm holder and compressed between an inner surface of the anchor and the support arm holder to thereby urge the teeth together, the support arm relative to the anchor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A brace configured to receive a portion of a mirror assembly support arm to mount the support arm to a motor vehicle, the brace comprising:
an anchor for attachment to the motor vehicle and a support arm holder for attachment to the support arm, at least one of the anchor and support arm holder formed from a material selected from the group consisting of an elastomeric material, a plastic, a high density polyethelene, a polymer, a polyoxymethylene (acetal plastic) material, a structural plastic, an engineered plastic, a glass-filled plastic, a glass-filled nylon, a fiberglass, a KEVLAR®
brand fiber and combinations thereof, the anchor defining a cavity therein, the support arm holder being larger than the cavity and configured to pressingly fit into the cavity such that at least one of the anchor and support arm deformably yields to fix the support arm holder in the cavity, the portion of the support arm securable in the support arm holder such that the support arm is fixed relative to the brace.- View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for assembling a mirror mounting assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a locking device configured to receive a portion of a support arm to mount the support arm to a motor vehicle, the locking device including an extension, a complementary extension, a key, and a spring, the extension and complementary extension configured to movably mate together, the spring disposed about the key, the key defining a mating shoulder;
b) inserting the key through an aperture in the extension and a complementary aperture in the complementary extension thereby compressing the spring;
c) rotating the inserted key; and
d) releasing the inserted key such that the mating shoulder cooperates with the complementary extension to maintain compression on the spring to movably hold the extension and complementary extension together. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification