Rearview mirror

• US 6,168,277 B1
• Filed: 04/11/2000
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Murakami Corporation
• Original Assignee: Murakami Corporation
• Inventors: Kanazawa, Toru
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THONG Q
• Application Number:
  US09/546,517
• Time in Patent Office: 266 Days
• Field of Search: 359/601-614, 359/871-880
• US Class Current: 359/606
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/086 using a mirror angularly movable between a position of use and a non-glare position reflecting a dark field to the user, e.g. situated behind a transparent glass used as low-reflecting surface; Wedge-shaped mirrors

Abstract

In a mirror housing integrally formed with a stay fixed to a vehicle, a tilting mechanism for tilting a prism mirror is formed by a horizontal bearing, full reflection position engaging grooves and partial reflection position engaging grooves formed on the inside surface of the mirror housing and a plate spring and, head light from a vehicle running in the rear can thereby be dimmed. A mirror surface adjusting mechanism for the prism mirror is formed by a support, a plate pivot and a cap support and a driver can adjust the prism mirror to a position where he can easily watch the prism mirror.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror for a vehicle comprising a prism mirror, a mirror surface adjusting unit, a prism angle switching unit and a mirror housing enclosing them,

the prism angle switching unit being mounted in the mirror housing and the mirror surface adjusting unit being connected, on one hand, to the prism angle switching unit and holding the prism mirror on the other hand,

the prism angle switching unit being capable of pivoting the prism mirror with the mirror surface adjusting unit and thereby switching incident light to the prism mirror between a position in which the incident light is fully reflected and a position in which the incident light is partially reflected,

the mirror surface adjusting unit being capable of pivoting the mirror surface vertically and laterally, separately from the prism angle switching unit, and thereby adjusting the angle of the mirror surface, and

the mirror housing being supported on the vehicle.

2. A rearview mirror for a vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein the prism mirror angle switching unit is formed with a convex or concave surface and the mirror surface adjusting unit is formed with a concave or convex surface which fits the convex or concave surface of the mirror angle switching unit and the angle of the mirror surface of the prism mirror held by the mirror surface adjusting unit can be adjusted by fitting of the convex or concave surface of the prism mirror angle switching unit to the concave or convex surface of the mirror surface adjusting unit.

3. A rearview mirror as defined in claim 1 wherein a part of the mirror surface adjusting unit extends to form a mirror surface adjusting operator means and the mirror housing has an opening formed therein through which the mirror surface adjusting operator means projects outwardly.

4. A rearview mirror for a vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein the prism angle switching unit has a horizontal shaft and is mounted pivotably to the mirror housing by means of the horizontal shaft.

5. A rearview mirror for a vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein a part of the prism angle switching unit extends to form a prism angle switching operator means and the mirror housing is formed with an opening through which the prism angle switching operating means projects outwardly.

6. A rearview mirror for a vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein a mirror surface adjusting operator means which is formed by extending a part of the mirror surface adjusting unit and projects outwardly through an opening formed in the mirror housing is disposed in a position which is different from a position of a prism angle switching operating means which is formed by extending a part of the prism angle switching unit and projects outwardly through an opening formed in the mirror housing.

7. A rearview mirror for a vehicle as defined in claim 1 which further comprises a ring which covers a peripheral portion of an opening portion of the mirror housing.

8. A rearview mirror for a vehicle as defined in claim 1 which further comprises a support member for mounting the mirror housing to a main body of the vehicle, said support member being formed integrally with the mirror housing.

9. A rearview mirror for a vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein the prism mirror is made of synthetic resin.