Rearview mirror assembly for motor vehicles

• US 20070053087A1
• Filed: 09/21/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Inventors: Courbon, Emmanuel, Centmayer, Stefan, Lang, Heinrich, Seiboth, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 7,357,522 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/879
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0605 specially adapted for mounting on trucks, e.g. by C-shaped support means

Abstract

A rearview mirror assembly for attachment to a holding tube carried by a vehicle. The assembly includes a housing framing configured to encase a portion of the holding tube and to attach with a mirror element. A clamping bracket is also configured to encase a portion of the holding tube and to attach with the housing frame. A projection formed with one of the housing framing and the clamping bracket is positioned to extend into the holding tube when encased by the clamping bracket and housing framing. Connectors are engaged with the housing framing, clamping bracket and the extension locking them in position relative to each other and the holding tube.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror assembly for attachment to a vehicle via a holding tube, the assembly comprising:

clamping bracket configured to receive and attach to the holding tube; and

a housing including a framing element configured to receive the holding tube and disposed opposite of the clamping bracket;

said clamping bracket further configured to releasably attach with a mirror element;

a projection carried on one of said framing element and said clamping bracket, said projection being received within said holding tube adjacent a bore through one surface of said holding tube;

a first connector passing through said bore and engaging with said projection and second connectors attaching said framing element and said clamping bracket together;

wherein,

said first and second connectors secure said framing element, said clamping bracket and said projection in fixed position relative to said holding tube.

2. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the clamping bracket includes a recess adapted to receive a portion of the circumference of the holding tube.

3. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 2, wherein said extension is positioned centrally of said recess.

4. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said holding tube includes a slot positioned opposite said bore, said extension passing through said slot when positioning said clamping bracket about said holding tube in position relative to said framing element.

5. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the clamping bracket is a material selected from the group consisting of reinforced plastic, fiberglass and metal.

6. A rearview mirror assembly with a mirror element for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a mirror element;

a holding component configured to attach to the vehicle;

a clamping part having at least one extension, one receptor and a recess configured to engage with the holding component; and

a framing part having at least one extension and one receptor and a recess configured to receive the holding component opposite the clamping part;

a screw connector engaging between said mirror element and said clamping part securing said mirror element and said clamping part together;

a second screw connector engaging between said framing part and said clamping part securing said clamping part with said framing part and said clamping part and said framing part with said holding element.

7. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein said clamping part includes a projection positionable through an opening within said holding element and an engaging element passing through a bore in said holding element engaging with said projection locking said mirror assembly with said holding component.

8. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein said projection end extends to a position adjacent an inner surface of said holding element, said engaging element bringing said inner surface of said holding element into contact with said projection end when tightened.

9. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein said engaging element comprises a screw.

10. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein said engaging element passes through said framing part when locking said clamping part with said holding component.