Remote controlled rearview mirror
First Claim
1. In a vehicular remote control outside rearview mirror assembly, first and second cooperating pivot assembly portions, said first pivot portion being rotatable through an angle about each of two mutually perpendicular axes relative to said second portion, a reflective mirror member, means for supporting said reflective mirror member on said first pivot portion for rotation therewith, selectively operable drive means, first and second generally arcuate drive arm means each selectively rotatable through an angle about substantially perpendicular axes by said selectively operable drive means, said drive means including a pair of worms, each rotatable about an individual worm axis, and a worm follower individual to each of said worms and rotatable by the respective worm about an axis spaced from the worm axis of the worm individual thereto, and actuating arm means secured to said first pivot portion and in driving engagement with said first and second drive arm means and effective when selectively driven by said drive arm means to rotate said first pivot portion.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrically powered remote control rearview mirror for a vehicle in which the mirror is pivotally supported for rotation about either or both of two mutually perpendicular axes, with the pivotal drive forces being exerted through the pivot mechanism and with the drive means for transmitting the pivotal forces automatically declutching in response to efforts to drive the mirror beyond preselected limit positions or in response to manual manipulation of the mirror itself.
69 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. In a vehicular remote control outside rearview mirror assembly, first and second cooperating pivot assembly portions, said first pivot portion being rotatable through an angle about each of two mutually perpendicular axes relative to said second portion, a reflective mirror member, means for supporting said reflective mirror member on said first pivot portion for rotation therewith, selectively operable drive means, first and second generally arcuate drive arm means each selectively rotatable through an angle about substantially perpendicular axes by said selectively operable drive means, said drive means including a pair of worms, each rotatable about an individual worm axis, and a worm follower individual to each of said worms and rotatable by the respective worm about an axis spaced from the worm axis of the worm individual thereto, and actuating arm means secured to said first pivot portion and in driving engagement with said first and second drive arm means and effective when selectively driven by said drive arm means to rotate said first pivot portion.
- 6. In a vehicular remote control outside rearview mirror assembly, first and second cooperating pivot assembly portions, said first pivot portion being rotatable through an angle about a first axis, a generally arcuate drive arm rotatable through an angle about an axis parallel with said first axis, and a pair of actuating arms secured to said first portion and extending in substantial parallelism therefrom and firmly clasping a portion of said arcuate drive arm therebetween for restraining relative rotation between said actuating arms and said drive arm about said axes, said actuating arms having an interference fit with said drive arm and being limitedly resilient and at least one thereof being resiliently deflected from the free position thereof by said drive arm, rotation of said drive arm through an angle in either of two directions applying rotational forces through at least one of said actuating arms to said first pivot portion.
- 11. In a vehicular remote control outside rearview mirror assembly, first and second cooperating pivot assembly portions, said first portion being rotatable unless restrained through an angle about each of first, second and third mutually perpendicular axes relative to said second portion, and means for selectively pivoting said first pivot portion about at least one of said first and second axes while preventing rotation of said first portion about said third axis comprising a first generally arcuate drive arm rotatable about an axis parallel with said first axis, a pair of actuating arms secured to said first portion and extending in substantial parallelism therefrom and clasping a portion of said arcuate drive arms therebetween, and means for selectively rotating said drive arm.
- 13. In a vehicular remote control outside rearview mirror assembly, a housing, a fixed pivot assembly portion on said housing and having a central aperture therethrough extending through a wall of said housing, a movable pivot assembly portion seatably engaging said fixed pivot assembly portion and tiltable in plural directions with respect thereto, attachment means on a portion of said movable pivot assembly portion exterior of said housing, a reflective mirror member, means for securing said reflective mirror member to said attachment means, actuating arm means on said movable assembly portion and projecting within said housing through said central aperture in said fixed pivot assembly portion, force transmitting means, drive means within said housing engageable with said actuating arm means for exerting forces thereon to tilt said movable pivot assembly portion relative to said fixed pivot assembly portion, spring means continuously exerting a force on said movable pivot portion in a direction to seat said movable pivot portion on said fixed pivot portion, said spring means having a plurality of arm portions engaging said housing and a central portion engaging said movable pivot assembly portion.
Specification