Vacuum controlled side-rear view mirror for exposing blind spot
First Claim
1. A vacuum controlled rear-view mirror for viewing a blind spot existing in the direction in which a vehicle makes a turn, comprising:
- a mirror frame mounted on a vehicle body;
a mirror means for viewing selected views pivotally connected to said frame;
a manifold vacuum line having a one way valve disposed therein to maintain a vacuum in said line whenever such vacuum drops in said manifold;
a diaphragm housing mounted to the frame, the diaphragm housing having a diaphragm sealingly disposed therein to define a first and a second chamber,the first chamber adjacent to said frame having an inlet,the second chamber having,a rod guide facing the back of said mirror means,a connecting rod having one end sealingly connected to said diaphragm, a body protruding from said rod guide and a second end mounted to the back of said mirror means;
a spring means for returning the mirror means to its original position;
a tube having a first end adapted to be connected to said inlet in the first chamber;
a vented valve housing havingan inlet, comprising a valve seat, said inlet adapted to be connected to the manifold vacuum line,an outlet adapted to be connected to a second end of said tube,a valve seated in the valve seat for providing selective communication between said manifold vacuum line and said diaphragm housing;
a solenoid actuated by a signal from a winker switch, so that upon the solenoid activation, the valve in said valve housing moves away from the seat allowing the suction in the manifold vacuum line to create a vacuum in the valve housing which in turn creates a vacuum in the first chamber of said diaphragm housing, causing the diaphragm to be sucked away from the mirror means against the opposing force of the spring, dragging said connecting rod which pivots the mirror means to expose the blind spot, further, when the winker switch is turned off, the mirror means returns to its original position as vented air permeates the tube allowing the force of the spring to return the mirror forward to its original position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus, which exposes the blind spot in the direction in which a vehicle makes a turn, to be installed at the back of mechanically or electrically operated side-rear view mirrors. A mechanical device, connected to a mirror unit and to the frame, having a diaphragm sealingly disposed therein. When a winker switch is activated, the diaphragm housing is activated by vacuum, causing the diaphragm to be sucked backwards, resulting in said mirror unit pivoting backwards to expose the blind spot, further, when there is no vacuum the mirror unit is returned to its original position by the returning means. The invention also operates where instead of one mirror, there are two mirrors hinged together, whereby the mechanical device pivots only one of the mirrors to expose the blind spot, such that the other mirror is left to expose the rear-view of the car. The invention can also operate by pivoting the mirror frame to expose the blind spot rather than pivoting the mirror unit.
20 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A vacuum controlled rear-view mirror for viewing a blind spot existing in the direction in which a vehicle makes a turn, comprising:
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a mirror frame mounted on a vehicle body; a mirror means for viewing selected views pivotally connected to said frame; a manifold vacuum line having a one way valve disposed therein to maintain a vacuum in said line whenever such vacuum drops in said manifold; a diaphragm housing mounted to the frame, the diaphragm housing having a diaphragm sealingly disposed therein to define a first and a second chamber, the first chamber adjacent to said frame having an inlet, the second chamber having, a rod guide facing the back of said mirror means, a connecting rod having one end sealingly connected to said diaphragm, a body protruding from said rod guide and a second end mounted to the back of said mirror means; a spring means for returning the mirror means to its original position; a tube having a first end adapted to be connected to said inlet in the first chamber; a vented valve housing having an inlet, comprising a valve seat, said inlet adapted to be connected to the manifold vacuum line, an outlet adapted to be connected to a second end of said tube, a valve seated in the valve seat for providing selective communication between said manifold vacuum line and said diaphragm housing; a solenoid actuated by a signal from a winker switch, so that upon the solenoid activation, the valve in said valve housing moves away from the seat allowing the suction in the manifold vacuum line to create a vacuum in the valve housing which in turn creates a vacuum in the first chamber of said diaphragm housing, causing the diaphragm to be sucked away from the mirror means against the opposing force of the spring, dragging said connecting rod which pivots the mirror means to expose the blind spot, further, when the winker switch is turned off, the mirror means returns to its original position as vented air permeates the tube allowing the force of the spring to return the mirror forward to its original position. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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2. A vacuum controlled rear-view mirror for viewing a blind spot existing in the direction in which a vehicle makes a turn, comprising:
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a mirror frame pivotally mounted on a vehicle body; a mirror means for viewing selected views connected to said frame; a manifold vacuum line having a one way valve disposed therein to maintain a vacuum in said line whenever such vacuum drops in said manifold; a diaphragm housing mounted to the back of said frame and anchored to said vehicle, the diaphragm housing having a diaphragm sealingly disposed therein to define a first and a second chamber, the first chamber adjacent to said frame having an inlet, the second chamber having, an rod guide facing the back of said frame; a connecting rod having one end sealingly connected to said diaphragm, a body protruding from said guide and a second end mounted to the back of said frame; a spring means for returning the frame to its original position; a tube having a first end adapted to be connected to said inlet in the first chamber; a vented valve housing having an inlet, comprising a valve seat, said inlet adapted to be connected to the manifold vacuum line, an outlet adapted to be connected to a second end of said tube, a valve seated in the valve seat for providing selective communication between said manifold vacuum line and said diaphragm housing; a solenoid actuated by a signal from a winker switch, so that upon the solenoid activation, the valve in said valve housing moves away from the seat allowing the suction in the manifold vacuum line to create a vacuum in the valve housing which in turn creates a vacuum in the first chamber of said diaphragm housing, causing the diaphragm to be sucked away from the mirror means against the opposing force of the spring, dragging said connecting rod which pivots the mirror means to expose the blind spot, further, when the winker switch is turned off, the mirror means returns to its original position as vented air permeates the tube allowing the force of the spring to returns the frame forward to its original position.
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Specification