Abstract: A breakaway mirror assembly includes a housing forming a cavity therein. The housing has an opening in an end thereof. An applique is fixedly coupled to the door of an automotive vehicle. A pairs of springs has one end mounted to the applique on a pair of spring mounts. The other end of springs extend into the housing through the opening in the housing. An elongated bracket is connected to the opposite end of each spring. The spring force applied to the housing through the bracket holds the housing to the applique during operation of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A mirror assembly has a housing that defines a cavity therein. A mirror is disposed within the cavity. The mirror transmits and reflects at least a portion of the light incident thereupon. A light guide has a first surface spaced a predetermined distance apart from the second surface. The light guide is placed within the mirror housing. A plurality of light sources are coupled to the light guide and direct light between the first and second surfaces. Light is reflected out of the light guide and transmitted through the mirror to provide an indicator function on the mirror.

Abstract: A power folding mirror assembly has a mirror housing that defines a cavity therein. An applique is mounted proximate the mirror housing. The applique has a pivot arm extending into the mirror housing. The pivot arm has a pivot point thereon. The mirror housing is coupled to the pivot arm at the pivot point. A housing arm extends from the mirror housing. A motor mounted within the vehicle has a drive gear coupled thereto. A gear mechanism is coupled between the housing arm and the drive gear so that as the motor rotates, the pivot gear causes the mirror housing to pivot about the pivot point.

Abstract: A power pack for controlling the position of a rearview mirror of an automotive vehicle which is to be mounted within a mirror housing. The mirror housing is shaped to define a cavity. The power pack is connected to a base plate which holds the mirror within the housing cavity. A stationary pivot assembly is connected to the power pack to pivotally couple to the base plate. A movable pivot assembly is connected to the base plate for pivoting the mirror about the stationary pivot assembly. A motor is located within the power pack and is rotatably coupled to a drive shaft. A first portion of the drive shaft has a first set of threads and a second portion of the drive shaft has a second set of threads opposite that of the first portion. A first arm and second arm are coupled to said first set of threads and the said second set of threads, respectively. Each arm is also connected to the moveable pivot assembly.

Abstract: A pivot connection system includes an elongated member having a generally ball-shaped end. A rigid socket is sized to receive the ball-shaped end. The rigid socket has a first opening into which the ball-shaped end is inserted and a second opening. The ball-shaped end has a width greater than the width of the first opening. The ball-shaped end has a deformable hollow core. A core lock is sized to be received within the core to prevent the core from deforming after the ball-shaped end is inserted into the socket.

Abstract: A signaling mirror assembly for mounting to an exterior of a motor vehicle comprises a mirror shell mounted to a side of the vehicle body and a mirror mounted within the shell having reflectivity of at most 70% and transmissivity of at least 40%. The signaling mirror also has a light source disposed between the mirror and the shell which is operably illuminated in response to operating signals. Also included is diffractive means disposed between the light source and the mirror for diverting light from the vehicle operator to a viewing pattern which generally fans out from the side of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A rearview mirror and pivot construction therefor having improved stability in mechanically and electrically driven remote control mirror structures and which permits mounting and dismounting of the apparatus at the mirror end. A female hemispherical receiver is matingly engaged against a hemispherical male element. An intermediate armed cross pivot is engaged in a fixed path by both the male and female elements and confines relative pivotal movement between said male and female elements to transverse paths defined by the cross pivot element. One of the male and female elements is secured to a mirror base. The other of the male and female elements is detentably secured to a backing fixture holding the reflective element in the rearview mirror.

Abstract: An adjustable mirror stabilizing mounting useful in handset, power, and remote control automotive mirrors in which the fixed side of the mounting projects from the mirror housing to support spherically concentric nested surfaces sandwiching the movable element therebetween and including keying means and trunnion means in the sector retainer for providing stability of adjustable support with limited movement. A selected anti-friction pad is provided between certain of the spherical surfaces and assembly is by a compression loading of the spring element.