Case for encapsulating mirror element

• US 6,648,484 B1
• Filed: 08/17/2001
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Camryn Industries LLC (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Burke, Stephen L.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHERRY, EUNCHA P
• Application Number:
  US09/931,990
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 359/838, 359/871, 359/879, 359/872
• US Class Current: 359/879
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10

Abstract

A case comprises a back wall, a side wall integral with the back wall, and a lip extending from the side wall. The lip defines an opening that is adapted to receive a mirror element. A biasing element is adapted to act upon the mirror element when the mirror element is encapsulated in the case to apply a force against the mirror element in a first direction. The biasing element is coupled to the side wall of the case to pull the side wall in a second direction so as to pull the lip against the mirror element.

Claims

1. A case for encapsulating a mirror element, said case comprising:

a back wall;

a side wall integral with said back wall;

a lip extending from said side wall, said lip defining an opening that is adapted to receive the mirror element; and

a biasing element adapted to act upon the mirror element when the mirror element is encapsulated in said case to apply a force against the mirror element in a first direction, said biasing element being coupled to said side wall to pull said side wall in a second direction so as to pull said lip against the mirror element.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein said case is molded from a flexible polymer.

3. The case of claim 1, wherein said case is molded from polypropylene.

4. The case of claim 1, wherein said biasing element is a tab supported by said back wall of said case.

5. The case of claim 4, wherein said tab is integral with said back wall.

6. The case of claim 4, wherein said tab is defined by holes in said back wall.

7. The case of claim 4, wherein said tab has a first end integrally connected to said back wall and a second end is adapted to move freely.

8. The case of claim 4, wherein said tab has a bump, the mirror element is adapted to be received between said lip and said bump.

10. The case of claim 1, wherein said opening of said case is normally smaller than the periphery of the mirror element, the mirror element being insertable through said opening by flexing said side wall.

9. A case for encapsulating a mirror element, said case comprising:

a back wall;

a side wall integral with said back wall;

a lip extending from said side wall, said lip defining an opening that is adapted to receive the mirror element; and

a biasing element adapted to act upon the mirror element when the mirror element is encapsulated in said case to apply a force against the mirror element in a first direction, said biasing element being a tab supported by said back wall and coupled to said side wall to pull said side wall in a second direction so as to pull said lip against the mirror element, wherein a portion of said tab is coupled to said side wall by a tie-in element, said tie-in element being adapted to pull said side wall to engage said lip with the mirror element.

11. A mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror element; and

a case encapsulating said mirror element, said case comprising a back wall, a side wall integral with said back wall, a lip extending from said side wall, said lip defining an opening that is adapted to receive said mirror element, and a biasing element acting upon said mirror element when said mirror element is encapsulated in said case to apply a force against said mirror element in a first direction, said biasing element being coupled to said side wall to pull said peripheral side wall in a second direction.

12. The mirror assembly of claim 11, wherein said biasing element is a tab supported by said back wall of said case.

13. The mirror assembly of claim 12, wherein said tab is integral with the back wall.

14. The mirror assembly of claim 12, wherein said tab is defined by holes in said back wall.

15. The mirror assembly of claim 12, wherein said tab has a first end integrally connected to said back wall and a second end adapted to move freely.

16. The mirror assembly of claim 12, wherein said tab has a bump, said mirror element being received between said lip and said bump.

17. A mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror element; and

a case encapsulating said mirror element, said case comprising a back wall, a side wall integral with said back wall, a lip extending from said side wall, said lip defining an opening that is adapted to receive said mirror element, and a biasing element acting upon said mirror element when said mirror element is encapsulated in said case to apply a force against said mirror element in a first direction, said biasing element being coupled to said side wall to pull said peripheral side wall in a second direction, wherein said biasing element is a tab supported by said back wall of said case, wherein a portion of said tab is coupled to said side wall by a tie-in element that pulls said side wall to engage said lip with said mirror element.

18. A mirror case of for encapsulating a mirror element, said case comprising:

a back wall;

a side wall integral with said back wall;

a lip extending from said side wall, said lip defining an opening that is adapted to receive the mirror element; and

a biasing element adapted to act upon the mirror element when the mirror element is encapsulated in said case to apply a force against the mirror element in a first direction, said biasing element being a tab supported by said back wall and coupled to said side wall to pull said side wall in a second direction so as to pull said lip against the mirror element, wherein said tab has a first end integrally connected to said back wall and a second end is adapted to move freely, said second end having a bump, the mirror element being adapted to be received between said lip and said bump, said second end of said tab further being coupled to said side wall by a tie-in element, said tie-in element being adapted to pull said side wall to engage said lip with the mirror element.

19. A mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror element; and

a case encapsulating said mirror element, said case comprising a back wall, a side wall integral with said back wall, a lip extending from said side wall, said lip defining an opening that is adapted to receive said mirror element, and a biasing element acting upon said mirror element when said mirror element is encapsulated in said case to apply a force against said mirror element in a first direction, said biasing element being coupled to said side wall to pull said peripheral side wall in a second direction, wherein said biasing element is a tab supported by said back wall of said case, wherein said tab has a first end integrally connected to said back wall and a second end is adapted to move freely, said second end having a bump, the mirror element being adapted to be received between said lip and said bump, said second end of said tab further being coupled to said side wall by a tie-in element, said tie-in element being adapted to pull said side wall to engage said lip with the mirror element.