Detachable remotely-adjustable extension mirror system

• US 20040150900A1
• Filed: 01/31/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John Vanderhorst
• Original Assignee: John Vanderhorst
• Inventors: VanderHorst, John
• Application Number:
  US10/355,417
• Publication Number:
  US 20040150900A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/871
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/078 easily removable; mounted for bodily outward movement, e.g. when towing

Abstract

Motion from an inboard reflective surface of a remotely-adjustable original-equipment side-view mirror unit is coupled to a detachable extension mirror unit to provide a motor vehicle driver a remotely-adjustable extended rearward view around a wide trailer or similar object blocking the original inboard rearward view from the original equipment mirror unit.

Claims

1. A detachable remotely-adjustable extension mirror system for a motor vehicle comprising:

a remotely-adjustable side-view mirror unit comprising

a remote input device,

a transmission element,

an actuator,

a first reflective surface, and

a housing,

wherein said transmission element is between said remote input device and said first reflective surface; and

a detachable extension mirror unit comprising

a movement offset element and

an extension reflective surface,

wherein said movement offset element is between said first reflective surface and said extension reflective surface.

2. A system according to claim 1 further comprising an add-on wind deflector whereby wind can be deflected from said extension reflective surface.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said movement offset element eliminates interference between said extension reflective surface and said side-view mirror unit for all potential positions of said first reflective surface.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein said movement offset element comprises a vacuum suction cup.

5. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a mirror gap attachment element.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein said mirror gap attachment element protrudes through the gap between housing and said first reflective surface to the non-visible side of said first reflective surface.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein said extension reflective surface obscures said first reflective surface.

8. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a safety attachment element.

9. A system according to claim 6 wherein said safety attachment element comprises a cord between said extension reflective surface and said remotely-adjustable side-view mirror unit.

10. A detachable remotely adjustable extension mirror system for a motor vehicle comprising:

a remotely-adjustable side-view mirror unit comprising

a remote input device,

a transmission element,

an actuator,

a first reflective surface, and

a housing,

wherein said transmission element is between said remote input device and said first reflective surface;

an extension reflective surface; and

a detachable vacuum suction cup first attachment element,

wherein said detachable vacuum suction cup first attachment element is between said first reflective surface and said extension reflective surface.

11. A system according to claim 10 further comprising an add-on wind deflector whereby wind can be deflected from said extension reflective surface.

12. A system according to claim 10 wherein said detachable vacuum suction cup first attachment element comprises a movement offset element.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein said movement offset element eliminates interference between said extension reflective surface and said side-view mirror unit for all potential positions of said first reflective surface.

14. A system according to claim 10 wherein said extension reflective surface obscures said first reflective surface.

15. A system according to claim 10 further comprising a safety attachment element whereby said safety attachment element prevents said detachable extension mirror unit from falling off said side-view mirror unit if said detachable vacuum suction cup first attachment element fails.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein said safety attachment element comprises a cord between said extension reflective surface and said remotely-adjustable side-view mirror unit.

17. A detachable extension mirror system for a motor vehicle comprising:

a side-view mirror unit comprising a first reflective surface and a housing;

a detachable extension mirror unit comprising an extension reflective surface;

a detachable first attachment element between said side-view mirror unit and said detachable extension mirror unit; and

a safety attachment element whereby said safety attachment element prevents said detachable extension mirror unit from falling off said side-view mirror unit if said detachable first attachment element fails.

18. A system according to claim 17 further comprising an add-on wind deflector whereby wind can be deflected from said extension reflective surface.

19. A system according to claim 17 wherein said detachable first attachment element further comprises a movement offset element.

20. A system according to claim 19 wherein said movement offset element eliminates interference between said extension reflective surface and said side-view mirror unit for all potential positions of said first reflective surface.

21. A system according to claim 17 wherein said detachable first attachment element comprises a vacuum suction cup.

22. A system according to claim 17 wherein said detachable first attachment element comprises a mirror gap attachment element.

23. A system according to claim 22 wherein said mirror gap attachment element protrudes through the gap between housing and said first reflective surface to the non-visible side of said first reflective surface.

24. A system according to claim 17 wherein said extension reflective surface obscures said original reflective surface.

25. A system according to claim 17 wherein said safety attachment element comprises a cord between said extension reflective surface and said remotely-adjustable side-view mirror unit.

26. A system according to claim 17 wherein said side-view mirror unit is remotely-adjustable.

27. A detachable extension mirror system for a motor vehicle comprising:

a side-view mirror unit comprising a first reflective surface and a housing and a detachable extension mirror unit comprising

a fully-obscuring extension reflective surface and

a movement offset element

wherein said movement offset element is between said first reflective surface and said extension reflective surface.

28. A system according to claim 27 further comprising an add-on wind deflector whereby wind can be deflected from said extension reflective surface.

29. A system according to claim 27 wherein said movement offset element eliminates interference between said extension reflective surface and said side-view mirror unit for all potential positions of said first reflective surface.

30. A system according to claim 27 wherein said detachable first attachment element comprises a vacuum suction cup.

31. A system according to claim 27 wherein said detachable first attachment element comprises a mirror gap attachment element.

32. A system according to claim 31 wherein said mirror gap attachment element protrudes through the gap between housing and said first reflective surface to the non-visible side of said first reflective surface.

33. A system according to claim 27 further comprising a safety attachment element.

34. A system according to claim 33 wherein said safety attachment element comprises a cord between said fully-obscuring extension reflective surface and said remotely-adjustable side-view mirror unit.

35. A system according to claim 27 wherein said side-view mirror unit is remotely-adjustable.

36. A method of providing the driver of a motor vehicle with a remotely-adjustable extended rearward view comprising:

interacting with a remote input device located inside the vehicle to create an input;

transmitting said input to a mirror actuator;

converting said input at said mirror actuator to a pivoting motion of a first reflective surface; and

transferring said pivoting motion through a movement offset element to a detachable extension reflective surface.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of attaching an add-on wind deflector to a housing around said first reflective surface thereby deflecting wind from said extension reflective surface.

38. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of making said movement offset element sufficiently thick to eliminate potential interference between said extension reflective surface and a housing around said first reflective surface for all potential positions of said first reflective surface.

39. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of making said movement offset element from vacuum suction cups.

40. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of detachably securing said first reflective surface to said extension reflective surface through a mirror gap attachment element.

41. The method of claim 40 further comprising the step of protruding part of said mirror gap attachment element through the gap between a housing around said first reflective surface and said first reflective surface to the non-visible side of said first reflective surface.

42. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of obscuring said first reflective surface with said extension reflective surface.

43. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of secondarily attaching said extension reflective surface to a part of said motor vehicle in case a primary attachment element fails.

44. The method of claim 43 further comprising the step of using a safety cord as said secondary attachment method.

45. A method of providing the driver of a motor vehicle with a remotely-adjustable extended rearward view comprising:

interacting with a remote input device located inside the vehicle to create an input;

transmitting said input to a mirror actuator;

converting said input at said mirror actuator to a pivoting motion of a first reflective surface; and

transferring said pivoting motion through a detachable vacuum suction cup first attachment element to a extension reflective surface.

46. The method of claim 45 further comprising the step of attaching an add-on wind deflector to a housing around said first reflective surface thereby deflecting wind from said extension reflective surface.

47. The method of claim 45 further comprising the step of using the vacuum suction cup first attachment elements as movement offset elements between said first reflective surface and said extension reflective surface.

48. The method of claim 45 further comprising the step of making said movement offset element sufficiently thick to eliminate potential interference between said extension reflective surface and a housing around said first reflective surface for all potential positions of said first reflective surface.

49. The method of claim 45 further comprising the step of obscuring said first reflective surface with said extension reflective surface.

50. The method of claim 45 further comprising the step of secondarily attaching said extension reflective surface to a part of said motor vehicle with a secondary attachment element in case said vacuum cup first attachment element fails.

51. The method of claim 50 further comprising the step of using a safety cord as said secondary attachment method.

52. A method of redundantly mounting a detachable extension mirror unit to a vehicle comprising:

attaching said detachable extension mirror unit to a side-view mirror unit with a first fastening method; and

secondarily attaching said detachable extension mirror unit to said side-view mirror unit using a safety attachment element with a second fastening method substantially different from said first attachment method.

53. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of attaching an add-on wind deflector to a housing around said first reflective surface thereby deflecting wind from said extension reflective surface.

54. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of using the vacuum suction cup first attachment elements as movement offset elements between said first reflective surface and said extension reflective surface.

55. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of making said movement offset element sufficiently thick to eliminate potential interference between said extension reflective surface and a housing around said first reflective surface for all potential positions of said first reflective surface.

56. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of making said movement offset element from vacuum suction cups.

57. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of detachably securing said first reflective surface to said extension reflective surface through a mirror gap attachment element.

58. The method of claim 57 further comprising the step of protruding part of said mirror gap attachment element through the gap between a housing around said first reflective surface and said first reflective surface to the non-visible side of said first reflective surface.

59. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of obscuring said first reflective surface with said extension reflective surface.

60. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of using a safety cord as said secondary attachment method.

61. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of remotely adjusting said secondary reflective surface by interacting with a remote input device located inside the vehicle to create an input.

70. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of remotely adjusting said secondary reflective surface by interacting with a remote input device located inside the vehicle to create an input.

62. A method of providing the driver of a motor vehicle with an extended rearward view comprising:

placing a movement offset element onto the visible side of a first reflective surface that is part of a side-view mirror unit;

mounting a fully-obscuring reflective extension mirror onto said movement offset element; and

attaching said fully obscuring reflective surface and said movement offset element to said side-view mirror unit with a primary attachment element.

63. The method of claim 62 further comprising the step of attaching an add-on wind deflector to a housing around said first reflective surface thereby deflecting wind from said extension reflective surface.

64. The method of claim 62 further comprising the step of making said movement offset element sufficiently thick to eliminate potential interference between said extension reflective surface and a housing around said first reflective surface for all potential positions of said first reflective surface.

65. The method of claim 62 further comprising the step of making said movement offset element from vacuum suction cups.

66. The method of claim 62 further comprising the step of detachably securing said first reflective surface to said extension reflective surface through a mirror gap attachment element.

67. The method of claim 66 further comprising the step of protruding part of said mirror gap attachment element through the gap between a housing around said first reflective surface and said first reflective surface to the non-visible side of said first reflective surface.

68. The method of claim 62 further comprising the step of secondarily attaching said extension reflective surface to a part of said motor vehicle with a secondary attachment element in case said primary attachment method fails.

69. The method of claim 68 further comprising the step of using a safety cord as said secondary attachment method.