Rearview mirror redirecting system

• US 6,824,282 B1
• Filed: 08/19/2003
• Issued: 11/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas W. Morrell
• Original Assignee: Douglas W. Morrell
• Inventors: Morrell, Douglas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cherry, Euncha P.
• Application Number:
  US10/642,988
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 359/874, 359/873, 359/875, 359/877, 359/872, 359/830, 359/843, 359/849
• US Class Current: 359/877
• 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 rearview mirror redirecting system includes a housing having a back wall and a peripheral wall having a first side wall and a second side wall. A mirror has a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is pivotally attached to an inner surface of the first side wall. A first stop and a second stop are each mounted on an inner surface of the second side wall such that the second edge of the mirror is positioned between the first and second stops. The first stop is positioned adjacent to a peripheral edge of the peripheral wall. The second stop is positioned such that the mirror is angled downward when the second edge of the mirror is adjacent to the second stop. A driving assembly is mounted in the housing for selectively moving the second edge back and forth from the first stop to the second stop.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror repositioning system for positioning on a vehicle, said system comprising:

a housing having a back wall and a peripheral wall being attached to and extending forward from said back wall, said peripheral wall having a peripheral edge defining an opening in said housing, said peripheral wall including a first side wall and a second side wall positioned opposite of each other, said first side wall being attached to the vehicle;

a mirror having a reflective side, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first edge and a second edge, said mirror being positioned in said housing adjacent to said opening such that said reflective side of said mirror is directed outward of said opening, said first edge being pivotally attached to an inner surface of said first side wall;

a first stop and a second stop being mounted on an inner surface of said second side wall such that said second edge of said mirror is positioned between said first and second stops, said first stop being positioned adjacent to said peripheral edge, said second stop being positioned such that said mirror is angled downward when said second edge of said mirror is adjacent to said second stop;

a driving assembly being mounted in said housing for selectively moving said second edge back and forth from said first stop to said second stop;

an actuator being operationally coupled to said driving assembly for selectively turning said driving assembly on or off; and

wherein said reflective side of said mirror is directed away from an adjacent side of the vehicle and downward when said driving assembly is turned on.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second stops comprising an elongated flange generally extending from a top wall to a bottom wall of said housing.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said first stop is substantially vertically orientated, said second stop being angled with respect to said first stop such that an angle formed by said second stop and said top wall is greater than an angle formed by said second stop and said bottom wall.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said first and second stops has an inner surface facing each other, a cushioning material being mounted on said inner surfaces of said first and second stops.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said driving assembly includes a solenoid mounted in said housing, a piston extending outwardly from and being mechanically coupled to said solenoid, said piston having a free end pivotally attached to a non-reflective side of said mirror, wherein said free end is moved toward said solenoid when said solenoid is turned on such that said second edge is moved toward said second stop.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said driving assembly further includes a biasing means being mounted in said housing for biasing said mirror toward said first stop.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said biasing means comprising a spring mounted on said piston and extending between said solenoid and said mirror.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein said driving assembly includes a solenoid mounted in said housing, a piston extending outwardly from and being mechanically coupled to said solenoid, said piston having a free end pivotally attached to a non-reflective side of said mirror, wherein said free end is moved toward said solenoid when said solenoid is turned on such that said second edge is moved toward said second stop.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said driving assembly further includes a biasing means being mounted in said housing for biasing said mirror toward said first stop.

10. A rearview mirror repositioning system for positioning on a vehicle, said system comprising:

a housing having a back wall and a peripheral wall being attached to and extending forward from said back wall, said peripheral wall having a peripheral edge defining an opening in said housing, said peripheral wall including a first side wall and a second side wall positioned opposite of each other;

a mounting being attached to said first side wall for attaching said housing to a side of the vehicle;

a mirror having a reflective side, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first edge and a second edge, said mirror being positioned in said housing adjacent to said opening such that said reflective side of said mirror is directed outward of said opening, said first edge being pivotally attached to an inner surface of said first side wall;

a first stop and a second stop being mounted on an inner surface of said second side wall such that said second edge of said mirror is positioned between said first and second stops, each of said first and second stops comprising an elongated flange generally extending from a top wall to a bottom wall of said housing, said first stop being positioned generally adjacent to said peripheral edge and said second stop being spaced from said first stop, said first stop being substantially vertically orientated, said second stop being angled with respect to said first stop such that an angle formed by said second stop and said top wall is greater than an angle formed by said second stop and said bottom wall, said first and second stops having an inner surface facing each other, a cushioning material being mounted on said inner surfaces of said first and second stops, said cushioning material comprising an elastomeric material;

a driving assembly being mounted in said housing for selectively moving said second edge back and forth from said first stop to said second stop, said driving assembly including;

a solenoid mounted in said housing;

a piston extending outwardly from and being mechanically coupled to said solenoid, said piston having a free end pivotally attached to a non-reflective side of said mirror, wherein said free end is moved toward said solenoid when said solenoid is turned on such that said second edge is moved toward said second stop;

a biasing means being mounted in said housing for biasing said mirror toward said first stop, said biasing means comprising a spring mounted on said piston and extending between said solenoid and said mirror;

an actuator being operationally coupled to said driving assembly for selectively turning said driving assembly on or off, said actuator comprising a turn signal of the vehicle; and

wherein said reflective side of said mirror is directed away from an adjacent side of the vehicle and downward when said driving assembly is turned on.