Retractable side view mirror for a tractor trailer

• US 7,178,925 B1
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald R. Tidwell
• Original Assignee: Donald R. Tidwell
• Inventors: Tidwell, Donald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafer; Ricky D.
• Application Number:
  US11/165,805
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 359/841, 359/872, 359/877, 359/881, 248/480, 248/484
• US Class Current: 359/841
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle

Abstract

A retractable mirror assembly for a tractor trailer includes a base component having a pair of arms and a motorized hydraulic cylinder mounted on the upper surface thereof. The arms are pivotally attached at a lower end to the base component and at an upper end to a mirror. The hydraulic cylinder includes an upper distal end that is pivotally attached to an outer edge of the mirror. A control panel within the vehicle passenger compartment activates the motor allowing a driver to automatically extend and retract the mirror between an operable and inoperable position.

Claims

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

a base component having an upper surface and a lower surface;

means for securing the base component to a vehicle;

a telescoping cylinder pivotally mounted on the upper surface of the base component, said cylinder having an upper distal end;

at least one support arm having a lower end pivotally attached to the upper surface of the base component and an upper end;

a mirror pivotally attached to the upper end of said support arm and the upper end of said cylinder;

means for automatically extending and retracting said cylinder to move said mirror outwardly and inwardly relative to the vehicle.

2. The retractable side view mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said means for automatically extending and retracting said cylinder to move said mirror outwardly and inwardly relative to a vehicle comprises a reversible motor electrically connected to a vehicle electrical system.

3. The retractable side view mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 2 wherein said motor is activated with a control panel positioned within a vehicle passenger compartment, said control panel having a two way switch thereon for operating said motor in either of two directions to selectively extend and retract said cylinder.