Interchangeable mirror scalp for trailer towing

• US 6,511,189 B1
• Filed: 10/20/2000
• Issued: 01/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Original Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Inventors: Henion, Paul R., Lettis, Andrew, Rehill, Graham, Raymo, Ronald R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US09/693,539
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 359/850, 359/855, 359/864, 359/865, 359/866, 359/871
• US Class Current: 359/850
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/078 easily removable; mounted for bodily outward movement, e.g. when towing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/081 avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

A vehicle side mirror that includes a forward scalp portion selectively removable from a forward side of the mirror housing. The scalp portion can be replaced with an extended auxiliary towing mirror scalp that conforms with the housing of the side mirror, and provides an extended auxiliary mirror attached thereto that is suitable for providing extended side viewing for towing purposes. In one particular embodiment, the towing scalp is interchangeable with an auxiliary turn signal light scalp to allow the towing vehicle to be readily converted to a suitable towing situation. In alternate embodiments, the towing mirror is slidably extendable from a support panel associated with a side mirror, or the tow mirror is pivotally extendable from a bottom surface of the side mirror.

Claims

1. A side view mirror assembly for a vehicle, said assembly comprising:

a housing configured to be secured to the vehicle, said housing defining an enclosure including an outer wall having a forwardly facing portion positioned within a forward opening in the outer wall, where the forwardly facing portion forms a smooth transition with the outer wall, and a generally rearwardly facing opening;

a first reflective mirror disposed within the rearwardly facing opening; and

an auxiliary mirror assembly, said auxiliary mirror assembly including a decorative cover member releasably secured to the housing and including a scalp portion forming the forwardly facing portion of the outer wall opposite to said first reflective mirror, wherein the inside of the enclosure is exposed through the forward opening if the auxiliary mirror assembly is removed from the housing, said auxiliary mirror assembly further including an extended portion integral with the cover member and including a rearwardly facing opening, said extended portion including a second reflective mirror disposed within the opening of the extended portion.

2. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the decorative cover member includes a plurality of tabs that selectively lock with openings in the housing to secure the auxiliary mirror assembly to the housing in a removable engagement.

3. A mirror assembly comprising:

a housing having an inner side, outer side, upper side and lower side all defining an enclosure having an outer wall, said outer wall having a forwardly facing portion positioned within a forward opening in the outer wall, where the forwardly facing portion forms a smooth transition with the outer wall;

a rearward facing opening disposed within said housing on an inner surface;

a first reflective mirror disposed within said rearward facing opening; and

an auxiliary mirror assembly releasably secured to the housing, the auxiliary mirror assembly including an extended portion and a scalp portion being integral therewith, said scalp portion forming the forwardly facing portion of the outer wall opposite to the first mirror, wherein the inside of the enclosure is exposed through the forward opening if the auxiliary mirror assembly is removed from the housing, said extended portion including a second reflective mirror for providing an operator additional views when using said side mirror assembly.

4. The assembly according to claim 3 wherein the scalp portion includes a plurality of tabs that selectively lock with openings in the housing to secure the auxiliary mirror assembly to the housing in a removable engagement.