External mirror for motor vehicles
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An external mirror for a motor vehicle comprising:
- a housing including a self supporting one-piece foam core;
at least one mirror plate;
a swivelling mechanism secured to the mirror plate and attached to the housing solely via the core of the housing for movably positioning the mirror plate relative to the housing; and
means for mounting the housing to the motor vehicle, the means for mounting being spaced from the swiveling mechanism, the core supporting the swiveling mechanism relative to the means for mounting exclusive of any supporting structure connected to the means for mounting.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An external mirror for motor vehicles includes a housing having a one-piece foam core and a reinforcing layer enveloping the core, at least one mirror plate, and a swivelling mechanism secured to the mirror plate and the core of the housing for movably positioning the mirror plate relative to the housing. Method for manufacturing an external mirror for vehicles includes the steps of molding a housing, embedding at least one swivelling mechanism in the housing during the molding step, and attaching a mirror plate to the swivelling mechanism.
40 Citations
54 Claims
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1. An external mirror for a motor vehicle comprising:
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a housing including a self supporting one-piece foam core;
at least one mirror plate;
a swivelling mechanism secured to the mirror plate and attached to the housing solely via the core of the housing for movably positioning the mirror plate relative to the housing; and
means for mounting the housing to the motor vehicle, the means for mounting being spaced from the swiveling mechanism, the core supporting the swiveling mechanism relative to the means for mounting exclusive of any supporting structure connected to the means for mounting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for manufacturing an external mirror for a vehicle comprising the steps of:
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molding a self supporting housing;
providing a means for mounting the housing to the vehicle;
securing at least one swivelling mechanism to the housing spaced from the means for mounting, the housing supporting the swivelling mechanism relative to the means for mounting exclusive of any supporting structure connected to the means for mounting; and
attaching a mirror plate to the swivelling mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
molding a core; and
applying a reinforcing layer to a surface of the core.
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22. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the providing step includes embedding a fitting piece for securing the mirror to the vehicle in the housing during the molding step.
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23. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the providing step includes molding an opening extending through the housing for receiving a bar for securing the mirror to the vehicle.
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24. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the securing step includes the sub-steps of:
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embedding a socket portion of the swivelling mechanism in the housing during the molding the core step; and
securing a bearing shell portion of the swivelling mechanism to the socket portion.
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25. A method as recited in claim 21, further including the step of embedding tubing in the housing for receiving cables for controlling functions of the mirror plate during the molding the core step.
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26. A method as recited in claim 21, further including the step of placing the cables in the tubing.
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27. A method as recited in claim 21, further including the step of embedding cables in the housing for controlling functions of the mirror plate during the molding the core step.
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28. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the securing step includes embedding a plurality of swivelling mechanisms during the molding the core step, and the attaching step includes attaching a plurality of mirror plates, a respective one of the mirror plates being attached to a respective one of the swivelling mechanisms.
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29. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the providing step includes embedding a fitting piece for securing the mirror to the vehicle in the housing during the molding step.
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30. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the providing step includes molding an opening extending through the housing for receiving a bar for securing the mirror to the vehicle.
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31. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the securing step includes the sub-steps of:
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embedding a socket portion of the swivelling mechanism in the housing during the molding step; and
securing a bearing shell portion of the swivelling mechanism to the socket portion.
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32. A method as recited in claim 20, further including the step of embedding tubing in the housing for receiving cables for controlling functions of the mirror plate during the molding step.
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33. A method as recited in claim 32, further including the step of placing the cables in the tubing.
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34. A method as recited in claim 20, further including the step of embedding cables in the housing for controlling functions of the mirror plate during the molding step.
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35. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the securing step includes embedding a plurality of swivelling mechanisms during the molding step, and the attaching step includes attaching a plurality of mirror plates, a respective one of the mirror plates being attached to a respective one of the swivelling mechanisms.
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36. An external rear view mirror assembly for attachment to a vehicle by a mounting member, the assembly comprising:
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a housing including a substantially solid body unitarily molded from a foam;
an opening molded into the housing for receiving the mounting member;
a recess molded into the housing;
a swivelling mechanism secured to the housing within the recess, the swivelling mechanism spaced from and not directly attached to the mounting member, the housing supporting the swivelling mechanism relative to the mounting member exclusive of any supporting structure connected to the mounting member; and
a mirror plate attached to and supported by the swivelling mechanism so as to be pivotable relative to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. An external rear view mirror assembly for attachment to a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
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a housing including a substantially solid body unitarily molded from a foam, housing having a first end for attachment to the vehicle and a second end extending away from the first end;
a mounting member molded into the first end of the housing;
a recess molded into the housing between the first end and the second end;
a swivelling mechanism secured to the housing within the recess, the swivelling mechanism spaced from and not directly attached to the mounting member, the housing supporting the swivelling mechanism relative to the mounting member exclusive of any supporting structure connected to the mounting member; and
a mirror plate attached to and supported by the swivelling mechanism so as to be pivotable relative to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification