Abstract: An extendable outside rearview mirror for a vehicle includes a spring-clamped slide mechanism that ensures a zero clearance fit between sliding components to avoid vibration. Bearing members between the sliding components reduce friction and provide a consistent reaction force to ensure smooth operation of an actuator mechanism which extends or retracts the mirror assembly along a support arm. The support arm includes V-shaped guiderails vertically aligned with opposing V-shaped guiderails on the mounting bracket assembly. Rod-like bearing means are interposed between the opposing guiderail pairs. A cantilever clamp jaw with spring means biases one guiderail toward the other with a high spring force which provides superior rigidity and thus enhanced mirror image clarity. The attachment end of the support arm may be divided into two attachment legs providing a dual-arm configuration for less wind resistance.

Abstract: An extensible outside rearview mirror for a vehicle includes a spring-clamped slide mechanism that ensures a zero clearance fit between sliding components to avoid vibration. Bearing members between the sliding components reduce friction and provide a consistent reaction force to ensure smooth operation of an actuator mechanism which extends or retracts the mirror assembly along a support arm. The slide mechanism includes V-shaped guiderails vertically aligned with opposing V-shaped guiderails on the mounting bracket assembly. Rod-like bearing means are interposed between the opposing guiderail pairs. A cantilever clamp jaw with spring means biases one guiderail toward the other with a high spring force which provides superior rigidity and thus enhanced mirror image clarity.

Abstract: A drop-and-slide attachment system for attaching a mirror to a vehicle rear-view mirror housing utilizes forward projecting, notched posts on a support panel fit axially into a slotted, mirror-back mounting plate. When the mirror mounting plate is moved laterally, the posts slide in the slots until notches engage arcuate edges at one end of each of the slots. During this lateral movement, a stop on the support panels bears against a compression spring on the mounting plate. When the mirror plate reaches the attached home position, a resilient latch snaps behind a retaining abutment of a catch on the support panel trapping the panel against the compressed spring. This construction requires only a very small gap between the edge of the mirror glass and the surrounding housing, thus providing a pleasing appearance.

Abstract: A temporary snap-in, hold-down, clip includes two sets of snap-fit fingers at opposite ends of a central sleeve for the purposes of temporarily holding a mirror housing to a vehicle body panel during the vehicle assembly process. One set of snap-fit fingers engages the mirror housing and an opposite set of fingers on the clip engages the inside edge of the vehicle body panel hole which normally receives an electrical wiring tail from the mirror assembly. The locking surfaces of barb-like heads on the two sets of fingers are designed so that the clip is more securely held to the mirror housing than to the body panel. A cylindrical sleeve portion of the clip projects outwardly and extends past the mirror housing gasket interposed between the housing and the body panel. The wiring tail passes through the sleeve unless the gasket is protected from the wiring tail as the wiring tail is pulled to the side by the installer.

Abstract: A mirror swing lock mechanism comprises an arm mounted at one end to the outside surface of a vehicle and a mirror heat assembly. The head assembly includes a first planar surface supported on a second planar surface associated with said arms coacting detent elements are formed in said planar surfaces for locating said mirror head assembly in either a first laterally extended rear viewing position or a second non rearward viewing position generally folded against the vehicle surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an outside rear viewing mirror of the type wherein a mirror head assembly is supported upon and rotated relative to the support arm to permit normal adjustment of the rear viewing field of vision and further which includes a mechanism for adjusting the lateral or axial position of the mirror head assembly along the support arm when the mirror head assembly is rotated to a forward facing, non-viewing position relative to the support arm.

Abstract: A mounting structure for an exterior rear view mirror assembly of a vehicle is disclosed including a mounting bracket having a platform portion, screws for securing the platform portion to an outer door panel of the vehicle, and an arm portion connected to the platform portion, the platform portion supporting the mirror assembly and the arm portion extending through the outer door panel whereby the mirror assembly is secured to an inner door panel at a point of securement below the mirror assembly thus providing a two-point mounting that is characterized by improved rigidity and durability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle outside rear view mirror assembly of the type wherein the mirror may be rotated between a laterally extended rear viewing position and a folded back non-viewing position, and more particularly which includes a goose-neck mirror supporting arm having a vertical arm portion including first detent means formed integrally therein and which means coacts with second detent means formed in a resiliently deformable mirror arm supporting sub-assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting mechanism for a mirror of the type adapted to be supported on an exterior surface of a vehicle and, more specifically, a mounting mechanism which allows the mirror and its support mechanism to be swung from its normal rearward viewing position to prevent damage to the mirror and its supporting structure.

Abstract: A hollow mirror head assembly including a thin wall mirror supporting shell, an internal bracket member secured between angularly related walls of the mirror head shell to reduce the tendency of said shell to vibrate.

Abstract: A planar magnetron cathode target assembly is formed from a plurality of individual target tiles arranged in end-to-end abutting relationship so as to form a continuous and enclosed length of consumable metal. In use, the individual targets are eroded so as to define a continuous annular track or trough having a curved V-shape or double-convex cross section with the deepest part of the trough being generally intermediate the width of each target tile. At this time, each target tile in the longitudinal rows is severed along the deepest part of the trough and reassembled with the thickets or least eroded parts of the several target segments in transversely abutting relationship. Each of the end tiles is also rotated 180.degree. to position its non-eroded portion in abutting relationship with the endmost severed and reassembled targets.

Abstract: An outside mounted vehicle mirror assembly including a unitary mirror head supporting bracket rotatable between a storage position generally parallel to the vehicle side wall and another position generally normal to the vehicle side wall and further wherein the mirror head is supported upon the unitary bracket for movement between inboard and outboard rearward viewing positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an outside rear view mirror assembly adapted to be mounted to a body portion of a vehicle wherein the bracket or support structure through which the mirror is mounted to the vehicle body is disposed within the interior of said body portion so as to eliminate such bracket or support structure from the exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: An outside rear view mirror assembly adapted to be mounted to the body portion of a vehicle, said assembly comprising a mirror head, a support arm including first and second leg portions, and means for adjustably mounting the mirror head upon said first leg portion, a monolithic housing structure integrally associated with said vehicle body portion and projecting exteriorly therefrom, and bracket means mounted interiorly of said housing such that the second leg portion of said support arm projects through a housing opening and is secured to said bracket means.

Abstract: An adjustable mirror assembly comprising a mirror head having an open shell on one side and a mirror member mounted within the open side of said shell, said shell and said mirror member cooperating to define an open space therebetween, a mirror head support arm extending through an opening in said shell and terminating in an end disposed within said open space, and means for frictionally mounting the shell upon the support arm to enable the mirror head to be tilted so that the distance between said support arm end and said mirror member can be varied to adjust the rearward field of view of the mirror member.