Remotely controlled mirror apparatus for motor vehicles

• US 4,464,017 A
• Filed: 03/29/1982
• Issued: 08/07/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ichikoh Industries Limited (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Ichikoh Industries Limited (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Wada, Yasuto
• Primary Examiner(s): Henry, Jon W.
• Application Number:
  US06/363,222
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 350/307, 350/288, 248/900
• US Class Current: 248/549
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/066 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/90 Movable or disengageable on impact or overload

Abstract

A remotely controlled mirror apparatus having a shock absorbing mechanism and the control mechanism, wherein even when a mirror housing is applied with strong external force thereby to be inclined or fallen, the mirror follows the inclination of the mirror housing for preventing damage to the mirror and further the mirror housing can be positively returned to its initial or normal position.

Claims

1. A remotely controlled mirror apparatus for motor vehicles comprising:

a mirror, a mirror body for holding said mirror, a mirror housing supporting said mirror body so that said mirror body can be adjustably moved or inclined within said mirror housing, a base member for supporting said mirror housing on the body of a motor vehicle, spring means disposed between said mirror housing and said base member for resiliently holding said mirror housing on said base member, connecting means for rotatably connecting said mirror housing with said base member and a control mechanism for adjusting or inclining said mirror body with respect to said mirror housing in a remote control fashion, said control mechanism comprising a first link rotatably mounted on said mirror body, a second link rotatably mounted on said base member and rotatably connected with said first link, the rotation center of said second link with respect to said base member being remote from the rotation center of said first link with respect to said mirror body, and a stopper on said first link to restrict the rotation angle of said second link relative to said base member in such a manner that when said first link is rotatated through a predetermined rotation angle relative to said mirror body, said stopper contacts a portion of said mirror body.

2. A remotely controlled mirror apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control mechanism further comprises a supporting member detachably secured to said mirror body and rotatably connected to said first link.

3. A remotely controlled mirror apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said stopper is formed in such a manner that the line connecting the two rotation centers is located in the mirror housing side with respect to the line connecting the moving center of said mirror body and the rotation center of said first link located in the mirror body side.

4. A remotely controlled mirror apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said stopper is formed coaxial with the rotation center of said first link located in the mirror body side.

5. A remotely controlled mirror apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said supporting member is secured to said mirror body on the side thereof opposite said mirror by means of screws.

6. A remotely controlled mirror apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said stopper is formed coaxially with the rotational center of said first link located in the mirror body side.