Abstract: A conical rotary joint is provided for a vehicle mirror assembly and the like having a fixed mount and a moveable support arm. A base is carried by one of the fixed mount and moveable arm, and a conical receptacle is carried by the base. A conical plug body is received in the conical receptacle. The conical plug is carried by the other of the fixed mount and support arm. The conical receptacle has a conical bearing surface which mates with the conical bearing surface of the conical plug. A biasing element presses the conical bearing surfaces together in a tight fit to reduce play and wear. First and second indents correspond to operating and folded positions of the support arm, and biased operator has a first deflected position in which the operator engages with a selected indent to retain the support arm in position.

Abstract: A locking system for adjustably mounting a mirror mounting support arm with a motor vehicle which includes a locking device for securing with a motor vehicle having a recess at one end for receiving an end of a support arm. The recess is formed with a stem having at least one key formed along its length. The support shaft end is formed with at least one slot which is sized and located to matingly fit with the key. The system also includes an anchor plate for securing with the vehicle which is also adapted to mount a support arm holder. The support arm holder includes a body portion having a shoulder adjacent one end and a recess. The recess is formed with a stem therein and a key along the stem. This recess is adapted to receive a second end of the support arm. In use, the first and second support arm ends are inserted into the recesses about the stems with the slots engaged by the keys.

Abstract: A connection sleeve having an open hollow end portion and being carried by one of the mirror support arm and the vehicle mount. A connector shaft carried by one of the mirror support arm and the vehicle mount for being received within the connection sleeve. A longitudinal wedge pocket formed in the connector shaft having a slanted pocket contact surface. A camming wedge disposed within the wedge pocket having a slanted bearing surface adapted to bear against the slanted pocket contact surface and the connection sleeve. An operator for moving the camming wedge into the wedge pocket against the slanted pocket contact surface whereby the wedge and connector shaft are simultaneously forced against the connection sleeve to provide a tight vibration resistant connection between a mirror support arm and a vehicle mount.

Abstract: A heatable external rearview mirror including a mirror housing for attachment to the vehicle and a mirror pane with a reflecting surface carried in the housing. A heating element is located adjacent the mirror pane for heating the pane to remove precipitation. A thermochromic heating indicator is provided in heat conducting contact with at least one of the heating element and the mirror pane that reacts to temperature changes for detecting heating of the mirror pane by the heating element and providing a visual indication of the operation of the heating element.

Abstract: A mirror support plate for use with vehicles, which can be attached to a holder by way of a chucking and sliding connection. The support plate is provided with two ridges which protrude from its back and include at least one projection which extends towards the other ridge in such manner that the border region of the holder can be inserted between the back of the holder and the projections. The mirror support plate includes a first elastic element and second elastic element, which function as upper and lower elements. The elastic elements are designed so that as the holder is inserted, it elastically deforms the lower one of the first and second elastic elements towards the back of the mirror support plate allowing outer edges of the holder to move into frictional contact with the projections and the back of the support plate and its upper end into interlocking contact with the upper of the first and second elastic elements.

Abstract: A support arm for a vehicle mirror having at least one mirror head with a mirror pane which includes an upper holding arm (1) made of plastic with an anchoring element (2) for mounting on a vehicle, and a lower holding arm (3) made of plastic with an anchoring element (4) at the bottom for mounting on a vehicle. A one-piece base (6) includes a metal tube (5) whose top or, as the case may be, bottom end is securely connected with the upper and lower holding arm, respectively. The base can also be built in the form of a base plate. In this case, the base has a removable positioning wedge (7) that can be removed from the base to change the angle of at least one mirror pane and/or mirror head carried by the base. The positioning wedge is attached to provide an exterior driver-side rear view mirror, and is removed to provide a passenger-side rear view mirror.

Abstract: A means of wireless data transmission between a tractor and a trailer using a data transfer system having a first communication unit that is installed on the front of the trailer and a second communication unit that is installed on the rear of the tractor cab. Both communication units on a coupled tractor-trailer are located facing each other across a hitching space between the tractor and trailer to define a communication gap over which data is wirelessly transmitted. A notification device is carried by the tractor and operatively connected to the second communication unit. At least one data collector is carried by the trailer and operatively connected to the first communication unit. Accordingly, the driver is provided with information through the notification device from the data collector by way of the first and second communication unit, which wirelessly transmit the data between the tractor and trailer.

Abstract: A modular outside mirror assembly for a commercial vehicle incorporates an upper body anchorage, with an upper pivot linkage, a lower body anchorage with a lower pivot linkage, a first mirror and a holding arm, onto which the first mirror is fastened. The holding arm is disposed in the upper and lower pivot linkage of the upper and lower body anchorage such that the holding arm is rotatable about an axis relative to the body anchorages. Due to modular construction, a multiplicity of different mirror variants are available. In another aspect a servomotor is attached to the holding arm to pivot the holding arm against or away from a side of the vehicle about a defined turning axis.

Abstract: A warning system for a vehicle is provided. The warning system has a sensor for detecting an obstruction near the vehicle, a control apparatus to produce a signal in response to the detected obstruction, and an alert device configured to direct a driver's attention to the obstruction.

Abstract: A rearview mirror arrangement for vehicles, in particular for utility vehicles, is disclosed which includes a mirror carrier plate 1 on which a mirror pane 11 is affixed, an adjusting unit 2 that can be attached directly to a vehicle-mounted, mirror support 4. A platform unit 22 capable of motorized rotation 23, 24 relative to a base unit 21 about at least one axis, is attached directly to the adjusting unit and a housing 3. The mirror carrier plate, as well as the housing, is thus attached directly to the platform unit and rotates with the platform unit.

Abstract: A light assembly for a vehicle mirror is provided. The light assembly in one aspect has a light directing arrangement attached to a transparent pane, which directs a light beam into a specified zone, controls a color of the light beam and controls an intensity of the light. In another aspect, a pane is provided having similar attributes and a water drain and drip edge.

Abstract: A mirror arrangement for a vehicle having a functional device, control apparatus, and a mode switch located in a mirror housing is provided. An activation device is provided to activate the mode switch for maintenance of the functional device. Various embodiments and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting a mirror assembly and an antenna assembly with a vehicle cab including a radio which includes grounding the antenna assembly with the vehicle cab. The mounting assembly includes a conductive metal support rod connected with a mounting bracket formed of molded polymeric resin including a conductive filler. The antenna assembly includes an antenna mounted to a support which is secured with the support rod. Also, an antenna cable extends from the antenna through the mounting rod and the cab assembly in usual manner. The arrangement provides a conductive path to the vehicle cab and radio.

Abstract: A maneuvering aid for a vehicle is provided which has a detector and an information provider in wireless communication with each other. The detector and the information provider are synchronized upon the start of the vehicle, a reversing operation or the like to monitor the area about the vehicle and alert a driver of the vehicle of an obstacle near the vehicle. The detector is portable for use with multiple trailers that are attachable to the vehicle such that the information provider and detector remain in wireless communication.