ELECTRIC REMOTE CONTROL REAR VIEW MIRROR

• US 3,609,014 A
• Filed: 06/10/1970
• Issued: 09/28/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NI Industries Incorporated NOVI Michigan
• Original Assignee: Arthur W. Kurz Jr
• Inventors: Kurz, Arthur W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leonard, John W.
• Application Number:
  US05/045,141
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 85/32V,36,32R 310/191,209 74/459,424.8,51M 248/479,481 350/289,307,288,303,304
• US Class Current: 359/874
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18624 Plural inputs, single output
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1872 Imperforate enclosure

Abstract

An electric remote power-controlled rearview mirror for a vehicle, which is adapted to be mounted externally of the vehicle adjacent the windshield and at the left or right side of the vehicle for convenient viewing by the operator of the vehicle. The mirror is pivotally supported by a three-point pivot connection of which the center pivot connection is stationary to permit angular movement of the mirror therearound. The remaining two pivot connections are spaced an equal distance radially outwardly from the center pivot and are connected to pins or rods which are individually actuatable for longitudinal movement by power means including at least one reversible motor to thereby positively angularly adjust the mirror around the center pivot.

Claims

1. A power operated remote control rearview mirror assembly for an automotive vehicle or the like, in which a mirror having a reflective surface and a backside supported by a mirror support plate disposed on the backside of said mirror, a spherical mounting member upon which said mirror and said support plate are clamped for pivotal movement around horizontal and vertical axes, and a support member carries said spherical mounting member, the improvement comprising:

a pair of ball sockets provided in said mirror support plate in spaced relation to said spherical mounting member and defining with said spherical mounting member a triangular pattern, a pair of rods each being exteriorally threaded and projecting from said mirror support, each of said rods having an end pivotally secured in one of said sockets and secured therein against rotational and axial displacement relative to said mirror support plate;

a pair of nuts rotatably supported by said support member, each nut engaging one of said threaded rods;

electric power means for selectively rotating said nuts to pivotally adjust said mirror and said support plate about said spherical mounting member, and a switch positioned within thE vehicle movable to multiple spaced positions to energize said electric power means to angularly adjust said mirror.

2. In the mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said power means includes a separate drive motor for each nut.

3. In the mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said power means includes a single electric motor which is selectively shiftably into and out of driving engagement with either of said nuts.

4. In the mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said nuts has an axial bore surrounding said threaded rods, resilient means are attached to each of said nuts and have a position transversely intersecting said bore for threading engagement with said threaded rods, said portion being resiliently deflectable to permit axial movement of said threaded rods relative to said nuts when said nuts are retained against rotation.

5. In a remote control mirror for a vehicle, a mirror, support means fixed to said mirror and movable about a central axis, a pair of threaded rods nonrotatably secured to said support means in spaced relation to said axis, rotatable nut means engageable with said threaded rods, actuatable electric motor means for driving said nut means to selectively advance and retract said threaded rods, thereby tilting said mirror about said axis, and a resilient stop for said support means located between said central axis and the points of attachment of said threaded rods to said support means, said electric motor means including at least one electric motor having a shaft, a drive gear mounted on said shaft in continuous engagement with one of said rotatable nut means, and resilient means supporting said shaft for initial axial displacement upon actuation of said motor to accommodate a torque buildup by said motor prior to driving said rotatable nut means, said torque buildup and the resiliency of said stop cooperating to initially move said mirror support and the mirror fixed thereto upon actuation of said electric motor means.