Remote controlled mirror system for vehicles

• US 5,971,549 A
• Filed: 05/20/1997
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leslie Cruickshank
• Original Assignee: Leslie Cruickshank
• Inventors: Cruickshank, Leslie
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Robinson, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US08/859,220
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 359/843, 359/872, 359/877, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 359/843
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/025 comprising special mechanical means for correcting the field of view in relation to particular driving conditions, e.g. change of lane; scanning mirrors

Abstract

A remote controlled mirror system for vehicles, particularly for trucks and articulated vehicles, providing a view to the rear of the vehicle over a large area by sweeping a rear view mirror. The mirror is urged into an adjustable normal rest position whenever it is moved from that position by actuating a control mechanism adjacent the vehicle driver. The position of the mirror is under control of the driver at all times, who actuates a convenient corresponding lever arm on a hand grip. The lever arm is lockable in multiple deflected positions under ratchet control of forced movement. The system provides for rapid return of the mirror to its normal rest position whenever the lever arm is released for return to its rest position.

Claims

1. A mirror deflecting system comprising:

a mirror;

means mounting the mirror for movement about a mirror axis so that field of view through the mirror can be changed, from that when in a rest position of the mirror, upon its said movement;

a lever arm mounted for movement between a rest position and a deflected position;

means for urging said lever arm into its rest position whenever moved from that position;

operative means connecting said lever arm and said mirror for effecting movement of said mirror about said axis when said lever arm is deflected from said rest position;

means for setting the rest position of said mirror; and

means for locking said lever arm in multiple deflected positions out of said rest position of said lever arm.

2. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for urging said lever arm comprises a return spring for urging said mirror into its rest position.

3. A system as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the operative means connecting the lever arm and the mirror comprises a Bowden cable link, and an operating arm mounted to said mirror axis, said operating arm being connected to said cable.

4. A system as defined in claim 3, said rest position of said mirror being adjustable by threaded screw sleeve means mounted in said hand grip means for urging a sleeve of the Bowden cable link with respect to a core member of said cable.

5. A system as defined in claim 4, said lever arm forming part of a hand grip means for gripping by an operator and movement of said lever arm.

6. A system as defined in claim 5, said hand grip means being mounted to a gearshift lever of said vehicle.

7. A system as defined in claim 5, said hand grip means being mounted to said vehicle adjacent an operator position in said vehicle.

8. A system as defined in claim 3, said lever arm forming part of a hand grip means for gripping by an operator and movement of said lever arm.

9. A system as defined in claim 8, said hand grip means being mounted to a gearshift lever of said vehicle.

10. A system as defined in claim 8, said hand grip means being mounted to said vehicle adjacent an operator position in said vehicle.

11. A system as defined in claim 1 or 2, said means for locking said lever arm comprising ratchet means on said lever arm, permitting movement of said lever arm when forced from any deflected locked position.

12. A system as defined in claim 11, said ratchet means comprising at least one toothed wheel mounted to said lever arm and spring-loaded means in said hand grip means engaging into teeth of said at least one toothed wheel.

13. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein said spring-loaded means comprises a housing, a plunger in the housing, and spring means between the housing and the plunger urging said plunger into engagement with said teeth.

14. A system as defined in claim 13, further comprising a bistable rod mechanism engaging said housing for placing said housing in a first position where said plunger engages the teeth, and a second position in which said plunger is raised from said teeth.

15. A system as defined in claim 14, further comprising a push push bistable mechanism for said bistable rod mechanism.

16. A system as defined in claim 14, comprising a detent bistable mechanism for said bistable rod mechanism.

17. A system as defined in claim 11, said lever arm forming part of a hand grip means for gripping by an operator and movement of said lever arm.

18. A system as defined in claim 17, said hand grip means being mounted to a gearshift lever of said vehicle.

19. A system as defined in claim 17, said hand grip means being mounted to said vehicle adjacent an operator position in said vehicle.

20. A system as defined in claim 1 or 2, said lever arm forming part of a hand grip means for gripping by an operator and movement of said lever arm.

21. A system as defined in claim 20, said hand grip means being mounted to a gearshift lever of said vehicle.

22. A system as defined in claim 20, said hand grip means being mounted to said vehicle adjacent an operator position in said vehicle.

23. A mirror deflecting system comprising:

a mirror;

means mounting the mirror for movement about a mirror axis so that field of view through the mirror can be changed, from that in a rest position of the mirror, upon its said movement;

a lever arm mounted for movement between a rest position and a deflected position;

means for urging said lever arm into its rest position whenever moved from that position;

operative means connecting said lever arm and said mirror for effecting movement of said mirror about said axis when said lever arm is deflected from said rest position;

means for setting the rest position of said mirror;

wherein the operative means comprises a reversible motor connected to said mirror for moving it about its mirror axis, means sensing the position of said lever arm, means connecting said motor and said means sensing the position of said lever arm for driving said motor in a direction corresponding to direction of movement of said lever arm, second sensing means for sensing position of said mirror about said axis, feed back means to said motor from said second sensing means for terminating operation of said motor when the mirror has been moved to a position corresponding to sensed position of said lever arm; and

variable potential adjusting means connected to said second sensing means for setting shaft position of said motor with respect to the position of said lever arm for allowing rest position adjustment of said mirror.

24. A system as defined in claim 23, wherein an operational amplifier is intermediate the means sensing the position of said lever arm and said motor, said feedback means including said operational amplifier.

25. A system as defined in claim 23 or 24, wherein said means sensing the position of said lever arm comprises potentiometer means driven by said lever arm.

26. A system as defined in claim 25, further comprising means for locking said lever arm in multiple deflected positions out of said rest position of said lever arm.

27. A system as defined in claim 23 or 24, said variable potential means being mounted on hand grip means.

28. A system as defined in claim 27, further comprising means for locking said lever arm in multiple deflected positions out of said rest position of said lever arm.

29. A system as defined in claim 23 or 24, said lever arm forming part of a hand grip means for gripping by an operator and movement of said lever arm.

30. A system as defined in claim 29, said hand grip means being mounted to a gearshift lever of said vehicle.

31. A system as defined in claim 29, said hand grip means being mounted to said vehicle adjacent an operator position in said vehicle.

32. A system as defined in claim 23 or 24, further comprising means for locking said lever arm in multiple deflected positions out of said rest position of said lever arm.

33. A system as defined in claim 32, said means for locking said lever arm comprising ratchet means on said lever arm, permitting movement of said lever arm when forced from any deflected locked position.