Assembly for vehicles including adjustable mirrors

• US 7,963,590 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2007
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFM Limited LLC
• Original Assignee: IFM Limited LLC
• Inventors: Hart, Robert Lee, Schmahl, Karen Ellerson
• Primary Examiner(s): GUTMAN, HILARY L
• Application Number:
  US11/805,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20070267900A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,491 Days
• Field of Search: 296/193.09, 296/203.01
• US Class Current: 296/193.09
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/04 Door pillars ; windshield pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/081 Cowls ventilating openings situated directly in front of the vehicle front window B60H1/28
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/082 Engine compartments

Abstract

An assembly configured to be attachable to a front portion of a frame for a vehicle, wherein a longitudinal axis extends through the assembly. The assembly includes: a first cross member oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis positioned at a forward end of the assembly; a first side member attached to a first end of the first cross member at a first end thereof, the first side member extending rearward and upward therefrom; a second side member attached to a second end of the first cross member at a first end thereof, the second side member extending rearward and upward therefrom; a second cross member connected to a second end of the first side member at a first end thereof and to a second end of the second side member at a second end thereof wherein an open area is defined by the first cross member, the first side member, the second side member, and the second cross member; a first side mirror assembly movably attachable to the first side member, and, a second side mirror assembly movably attachable to the second side member. In this way, the first and second side mirror assemblies are adjustable to a desired position.

Claims

1. An assembly configured to be attachable to a front portion of a frame for a vehicle, wherein a longitudinal axis extends through said assembly, comprising:

(a) a first cross member oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis positioned at a forward end of said assembly;

(b) a first side member attached to a first end of said first cross member at a first end thereof, said first side member extending rearward and upward therefrom;

(c) a second side member attached to a second end of said first cross member at a first end thereof, said second side member extending rearward and upward therefrom;

(d) a second cross member connected to a second end of said first side member at a first end thereof and to a second end of said second side member at a second end thereof, wherein an open area is defined by said first cross member, said first side member, said second side member, and said second cross member;

(e) a first side mirror assembly movably attachable to said first side member; and

,

(f) a second side mirror assembly movably attachable to said second side member;

wherein said first and second side mirror assemblies are adjustable to a desired position such that said first and second side mirror assemblies are adjustable to the desired position having a desired location along said respective side member such that each side member is an A pillar of the vehicle.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second side mirror assemblies are adjustable to the desired position having a desired height relative to said longitudinal axis.

3. The assembly of claim 1, each of said first and second side mirror assemblies further comprising:

(a) a track mechanism provided along one of said first and second side members;

(b) a side mirror housing; and

,

(c) a rod member connected to said side mirror housing at a first end and coupled to said track mechanism at a second end;

wherein said side mirror housing is movable between a first position and a second position.

4. The assembly of claim 3, said rod member being connected to an upper portion of said side mirror housing so that said side mirror housing extends below said respective side member.

5. The assembly of claim 4, said rod member being pivotably coupled to said track mechanism so that said side mirror housing is movable above said respective side member.

6. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said first and second side mirror housings are able to be positioned in a substantially horizontal plane with a rear view mirror in said vehicle.

7. The assembly of claim 3 , said side mirror housing further comprising a mirror positioned along a rear surface thereof.

8. The assembly of claim 7, said side mirror housing further comprising a lighting package positioned adjacent to and outwardly from said mirror.

9. The assembly of claim 8, said lighting package further comprising a first light indicative of a directional signal.

10. The assembly of claim 8, said lighting package further comprising a second light indicative of brake activation.

11. The assembly of claim 8, said lighting package further comprising a third light indicative of rearward movement.

12. The assembly of claim 8, said lighting package further comprising a fourth light focused downward.

13. The assembly of claim 3, said side mirror housing further comprising a speaker associated therewith.

14. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said side mirror housing is pivotable with respect to said rod member.

15. An assembly configured to be attachable to a front portion of a frame for a vehicle, wherein a longitudinal axis extends through said assembly, comprising:

(a) a first cross member oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis positioned at a forward end of said assembly;

(b) a first side member attached to a first end of said first cross member at a first end thereof, said first side member extending rearward and upward therefrom;

(c) a second side member attached to a second end of said first cross member at a first end thereof, said second side member extending rearward and upward therefrom;

(d) a second cross member connected to a second end of said first side member at a first end thereof and to a second end of said second side member at a second end thereof, wherein an open area is defined by said first cross member, said first side member, said second side member, and said second cross member;

(e) a substantially planar member attached to and extending rearward from said second cross member;

(f) a module affixed to a top surface of said planar member;

(g) a first side mirror assembly movably attachable to a first side of said module; and

,

(h) a second side mirror assembly movably attachable to a second side of said module;

wherein said first and second side mirror assemblies are adjustable to a desired position such that said first and second side mirror assemblies are adjustable to the desired position having a desired location along said respective side member such that each side member is an A pillar of the vehicle.

16. An assembly configured to be attachable to a front portion of a frame for a vehicle, wherein a longitudinal axis extends through said assembly, comprising:

(a) a first cross member oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis positioned at a forward end of said assembly;

(b) a first side member attached to a first end of said first cross member at a first end thereof, said first side member extending rearward and upward therefrom;

(c) a second side member attached to a second end of said first cross member at a first end thereof, said second side member extending rearward and upward therefrom;

(d) a second cross member connected to a second end of said first side member at a first end thereof and to a second end of said second side member at a second end thereof, wherein an open area is defined by said first cross member, said first side member, said second side member, and said second cross member;

(e) a substantially planar member attached to and extending rearward from said second cross member;

(f) a module affixed to a top surface of said planar member, said module including a light incorporated therein facing rearward that is indicative of brake actuation;

(g) a first side mirror assembly movably attachable to a first side of said module; and

,

(h) a second side mirror assembly movably attachable to a second side of said module;

wherein said first and second side mirror assemblies are adjustable to a desired position such that said first and second side mirror assemblies are adjustable to the desired position having a desired location along said respective side member such that each side member is an A pillar of the vehicle.