Rearview device mounting assembly with rotatable support

• US 8,646,924 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2012
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Roth, Mark R., Rizk, Peter N., Minikey, Danny L. Jr., Filipiak, Kenneth R., Tuttle, Darin D., Frye, Kent H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen, Stephone B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Washington, Tamara Y
• Application Number:
  US13/405,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20120218656A1
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 333/33, 333/55.R, 333/56, 333/55, 340/440, 340/693.5, 340/438, 359/872, 359/871, 359/881, 359/873, 359/874, 359/838, 359/841, 359/843, 359/844, 248481-487, 248548-549
• US Class Current: 359/872
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors

Abstract

A rearview device mounting assembly including a mount configured to be operably coupled to a windshield. A first support extends downward from the mount. A second support is rotatably connected with the first support and is rotatable about a first axis of rotation. The second support includes a carrier that extends substantially orthogonal to the first axis of rotation. A rearview device assembly is operably connected to the carrier. The rearview device assembly is substantially vertically rotatable about the carrier and substantially horizontally rotatable about the first support.

Claims

1. A rearview device mounting assembly comprising:

a mount configured to be operably coupled to a vehicle;

a first support extending downward from the mount;

a second support rotatably connected with the first support about a first axis of rotation, the second support including a carrier that extends substantially orthogonal to the first axis of rotation;

a rearview device assembly operably connected to the carrier, the rearview device assembly being substantially vertically rotatable about the carrier and substantially horizontally rotatable about the first support;

a coupler that rotatably connects the carrier with a housing of the rearview device assembly; and

wherein the coupler is configured to rotate relative to the carrier about only the second axis of rotation, which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.

2. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the carrier includes first and second extension members disposed on opposing sides of the first support.

3. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an offset extension that is disposed between and operably connects the first support to the mount.

4. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a light sensor device operably connected with the first support and disposed inside the housing.

5. A rearview device mounting assembly comprising:

a first support;

a second support operably connected with the first support and rotatable about a first axis of rotation, the second support including a carrier and a coupler that is rotatable relative to the carrier only in a second axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the first axis of rotation; and

a rearview device assembly operably connected to the coupler.

6. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein the carrier includes first and second extension members.

7. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein the second support includes first and second downwardly extending arms that support the carrier.

8. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

a housing having a rear wall with an engagement member adapted to engage a distal end of each of the first and second downwardly extending arms.

9. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein the second support includes an engagement member that extends around at least a portion of an outer circumference of the first support.

10. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein the mount is configured to be operably connected to a header assembly.

11. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 5, further comprising:

an accessory support operably connected to the second support.

12. A rearview device mounting assembly comprising:

a first support rotatable about a substantially vertical axis;

a second support operably coupled with the first support;

a carrier extending from the second support and operably connected to a rearview device assembly, wherein the rearview device assembly is rotatable relative to the carrier about a substantially horizontal axis;

a coupler that rotatably connects the carrier with a housing of the rearview device assembly; and

wherein the coupler is configured to rotate relative to the carrier about only the second axis of rotation, which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.

13. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 12, wherein the second support includes first and second downwardly extending arms, and wherein the carrier extends between the first and second downwardly extending arms.

14. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 13, wherein the first and second downwardly extending arms are substantially arcuate.

15. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 12, wherein the carrier includes an extension member that extends in a substantially horizontal direction.

16. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 12, wherein the second support includes an engagement member that operably connects with the first support, and wherein the carrier forms an extension member that supports the rearview device assembly.

17. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 16, wherein a width of the engagement member is approximately equal to a length of the extension member.

18. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 12, wherein the rearview device assembly is substantially covered by a housing, and wherein the first support extends into a top portion of the housing.

19. The rearview device mounting assembly of claim 12, wherein the rearview device assembly is substantially covered by a housing, and wherein the first support extends into a rear portion of the housing.