Twin-arm vehicle mirror with powerfold and powerextend features

• US 7,267,449 B1
• Filed: 08/16/2004
• Issued: 09/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Donnelly Mirrors North America, LLC (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Peterson, Kenneth C., Boddy, Ian, Foote, Keith D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cherry; Euncha P.
• Application Number:
  US10/710,995
• Time in Patent Office: 1,121 Days
• Field of Search: 359/871, 359/872, 359/877
• US Class Current: 359/877
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0605 specially adapted for mounting on trucks, e.g. by C-shaped support means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0607 with remote position control adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/078 easily removable; mounted for bodily outward movement, e.g. when towing

Abstract

An external rearview mirror assembly comprises an arm assembly comprising a pair of parallel support arms rigidly attached to a pivot tube which connects the arm assembly to a base. The pivot tube is held to the base in a cradle which is securely holds the arm assembly to the base while enabling the arm assembly to pivot relative to the base. A motorized powerfold mechanism is used to fold the reflective element assembly against the vehicle, and a motorized powerextend mechanism is used to adjust the position of the reflective element assembly outwardly of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicular mirror system, comprising:

a base adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, the base comprising a cradle extending outwardly therefrom;

a reflective element assembly for providing a rearward reflective view to an operator of the motor vehicle;

a support tube assembly comprising a pair of arms interconnected by a support element, wherein the pair of arms are attached to the reflective element assembly and the support element is received in the cradle; and

a retainer mounted to the base and extending across at least a portion of the cradle to retain the support element therein;

wherein the support of the support tube assembly by the cradle has increased strength and resistance to vibration while enabling the support tube assembly to pivot relative to the base.

2. A vehicular mirror system according to claim 1, and further comprising a clamp adapted for attachment to the cradle to form a cylindrical channelway.

3. A vehicular mirror system according to claim 1, wherein the support tube assembly comprises a pair of parallel extender tubes rigidly attached at one end to a pivot tube, the pivot tube adapted to be received in the channelway with the extender tubes extending outwardly from the base.

4. A vehicular mirror system according to claim 1, wherein the support of the support tube assembly by the cradle has increased strength and resistance to vibration while enabling the support tube assembly to pivot relative to the base.

5. A vehicular mirror system according to claim 1, and further comprising a motorized powerfold assembly mounted to at least one of the base and the reflective element assembly for selectively pivoting the support tube assembly alongside the vehicle or laterally outwardly from the vehicle.

6. A vehicular mirror system according to claim 1, and further comprising a motorized powerextend assembly mounted to at least one of the base and the reflective element assembly for selectively extending the reflective element assembly laterally outwardly from the vehicle or inwardly toward the vehicle.

7. A vehicular mirror system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one stop comprises a cylindrical body attached to an outer surface of the support tube assembly.

8. A vehicular mirror system according to claim 7, and further comprising two stops attached to the support element, the first stop corresponds to a first position of the reflective element assembly laterally outwardly from the vehicle, and the second stop corresponds to a second position of the reflective element assembly inwardly toward the vehicle.

9. A vehicular mirror system according to claim 7, wherein the retainer comprises a plate having a crimp therein for receiving a stop.

10. A vehicular mirror system according to claim 9, wherein the retainer is movably attached to the base adjacent the cradle.

11. A vehicular mirror system according to claim 10, wherein the retainer is biased away from the cradle and toward the support tube assembly.

12. A vehicular mirror system according to claim 11, wherein the retainer is biased by a spring.