Abstract: A pivot arrangement between a mirror head and a mirror mounting bracket of a rear vision mirror for a motor vehicle which uses a disc spring with a negative spring rate over part of its travel. The disc spring has a height to thickness ratio of greater than ?2(1.414).

Abstract: An exterior mirror for a vehicle, which is forward foldable for storage and shipment of a vehicle. The mirror may also fold to the rear and includes lights and accessories in the sail and the mirror casing.

Abstract: A vehicle external mirror assembly (10) comprising a mirror head (30) adapted to support a mirror, the mirror head (30) having an external shell (36), a first foam core (37) providing support for the shell (36), a mirror base (20) adapted for mounting to a vehicle, the mirror base (20) connected to the mirror head (30) or integral with the mirror head (30) and a plurality of electrical conductors (32) disposed within the first foam core (37), the conductors (32) are arranged and constructed to diffuse stress within the foam core (37).

Abstract: An exterior mirror assembly including an attachment member for supporting an approach light. The attachment member interconnects a mirror housing to a vehicle and includes an opening for receiving a lens. Light projects through the lens from the attachment member in order to illuminate a predetermined area in proximity to the vehicle. A light source may be housed within the support member or, alternatively, a light source may be housed interior to the vehicle and a light path transport light from the light source to the lens for projection from the support member.

Abstract: An exterior mirror for a vehicle, which is forward foldable for storage and shipment of a vehicle. The mirror may also fold to the rear and includes lights and accessories in the sail and the mirror casing.

Abstract: A vehicle external mirror assembly (10) comprises three main parts: a vehicle-to-mirror assembly attachment bracket (15), a mirror housing (20) and a mirror (41). Housing (20) comprises a thin molded external plastic shell (50) and a foam core (21), the foam anchoring and supporting the shell. A load diffuser (45) may be positioned within foam (21) to reduce the maximum tensile and compressive stresses within the foam (21). Attachment bracket (15) is of a similar construction with a thin shell (15) internal foam (18) and load diffuser (16).

Abstract: A pivot and detent mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism includes: a base 30 for mounting on a vehicle; an arm 40 for supporting a mirror head 20, the arm 40 pivotally connected to the base 30 to allow angular movement of the head 20, the arm having spaced apart first and second flexible branches 44 and 44?; and a deploy detent recess and a cooperating detent member 46 set, the deploy detent member 46 engageable with the detent recess to hold the mirror head 20 with respect to the base 30 in a deployed position. The flexible branches 44 and 44? are resiliently movable with respect to each other to allow disengagement and engagement of the deploy detent member 46 from the detent recess upon the application of sufficient force to the mirror head 20 allowing the head 20 to move from the deployed position to a non-deployed position.

Abstract: An exterior rear vision mirror assembly (10) for a motor vehicle, the assembly (10) having a base (14) to be attached to the vehicle, at least one arm (15, 16) extending from the base (14) and a mirror head (11) mounted to the at least one arm (15, 16) and having a mirror (13), the mirror head (11) and arm (15, 16) is adapted to be rotated about an axis in the base (14), a power fold system having a motor assembly (24) in the at least one arm or each arm (15, 16) to drive the mirror (13) from a driving position to a foldaway position and from the foldaway position to the driving position and an override system including a clutch (64) is provided so that the mirror (13) can be manually moved to the foldaway position.

Abstract: A vehicle external review-view mirror assembly having an extension and retraction mechanism for a telescopic arm support that connects a mirror head to a mirror mounting bracket is disclosed. The assembly comprises: a hollow outer arm extending from the bracket, an inner arm mounted to the head and extending into the outer arm for relative sliding movement out of and into the outer arm; a driving wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm or the head; a driven wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm and positioned within the outer arm at a location spaced apart from the driven wheel; and a toothed belt extending between the driving wheel and the driven wheel for power transmission between them. A pair of laterally spaced apart contact rollers are mounted coaxially with the driven wheel, the pair of contact rollers engaging spaced apart bearing surfaces depending from the outer arm.

Abstract: A mirror mounting assembly including a mirror support, a base portion, a pivoting joint between the support and the base portion allowing the support to pivot with respect to the base portion, a link extending between the support and the base portion, a first end of the link being held with respect to either the support or the base portion, an aperture provided in the support or the base portion into which the second end of the link locates, a tight sliding fit between the aperture and the link, the link moving through the aperture allowing the support to be adjusted with respect to the base portion, the fit being such that unwanted movement between the support and base portion is prevented during normal use.

Abstract: An exterior rear vision mirror assembly (10) for a motor vehicle, the assembly (10) having a base (14) to be attached to the vehicle, at least one arm (15, 16) extending from the base (14) and a mirror head (11) mounted to the at least one arm (15, 16) and having a mirror (13), the mirror head (11) and arm (15, 16) is adapted to be rotated about an axis in the base (14), a power fold system having a motor assembly (24) in the at least one arm or each arm (15, 16) to drive the mirror (13) from a driving position to a foldaway position and from the foldaway position to the driving position and an override system including a clutch (64) is provided so that the mirror (13) can be manually moved to the foldaway position.

Abstract: A rear view mirror control circuit arrangement is disclosed for a vehicle. The vehicle may have at least two rear view mirror assemblies each having a housing and respective motors located external of the vehicle. The motors are adapted and mechanically coupled to mirror elements so as to control the position of the mirror elements with respect to the vehicle for the viewing convenience of the vehicle driver. The control circuit arrangement consists of a common electronic control circuit located internal of the vehicle for controlling each motor and predetermined other functions of the rear view mirror assembly. This has the advantage that only one common control circuit is used to control multiple mirrors that being located internal of the vehicle, protects it from extreme environmental and physical conditions. Furthermore, it is cheaper to design and supply as an OEM product to vehicle manufacturers.

Abstract: A pivot assembly (10) adapted to connect a mirror head (11) and a mirror mounting bracket (12) of a rear vision mirror assembly. The pivot assembly (10) has a spigot extending from a spigot plate (40), a plate (35) journalled to the spigot and a detent arrangement between the plate (35) and spigot. An attachment arrangement on both the spigot plate (40) and plate (35) allows the spigot plate (40) to be secured to either one of the mirror head (11) or the mirror mounting bracket (12). The attachment arrangement also allows the plate (35) to be secured to the other of the mirror head (11) or the mirror ounting bracket (12). A stop means associated with the spigot and adapted to engage with a stop arrangement on either the mirror head (11) or the mirror mounting bracket (12) limits rotation of the mirror head (11) with respect to the mirror mounting bracket (12).

Abstract: This invention relates to a mirror head (10) for an external vehicle mirror that comprises a load carrying structure (11) that is located within the mirror head, a connector (16) on the load carrying structure (11) that connects the mirror head (10) with respect to the vehicle, a shell (12, 13, 14) forming the external surface of the mirror head (10) within which at least a portion of the load carrying structure (11) locates, said connector (16) being positioned to enable connection with respect to the vehicle, and foam within the internal cavity of the shell (12, 13, 14), that acts to bond the load carrying structure (11) with respect to the shell components (12, 13, 14). This assembly provides a lighter mirror head (10) by comparison to conventional construction techniques while at the same time remaining rigid. It provides a means whereby loads can be transferred to the foam which are in turn transferred to the external shell components (12, 13, 14) of the mirror head (10).

Abstract: The present application includes a vehicle mirror which includes an approach light in the attachment assembly. The approach light is a single light source positionable in relation to predetermined inputs for directing light to various areas, depending on the inputs. Additionally, an intercom system is provided for communication between the interior of the vehicle and exterior of the vehicle, by way of the vehicle mirror. Also, a remote sensor is utilized to set predetermined memory positions of interior vehicle components such as seats, steering columns and brake pedals. This allows customization of the interior components upon an individual's approach to the vehicle.

Abstract: A mirror parking mechanism for a vehicle exterior rear view mirror that rotates a mirror head to a parked position. It comprises a mirror mounting bracket (14), a mirror head (11) that is pivotally connected to the mirror mounting bracket (14) so that the mirror head (11) can rotate from a deployed position where the outermost portion of the mirror head (11) is positioned closer to the vehicle. A detent (22, 23) acts between the mirror mounting bracket (14) and the mirror head (11) that changes from a locked position where the mirror head (11) is held with respect to the mirror mounting bracket (14) to a disengaged position where the mirror head (11) is able to rotate with respect to the mirror mounting bracket (14). A spring (25) acts against the detent (22, 23) to hold it in a locket position a gear wheel (35) is secured with respect to the mirror head (11), and a worm drive (30) having a shaft (29) is journaled in bearings in the mirror mounting bracket (14).

Abstract: A vehicle external review-view mirror assembly having an extension and retraction mechanism for a telescopic arm support that connects a mirror head to a mirror mounting bracket is disclosed. The assembly comprises: a hollow outer arm extending from the bracket, an inner arm mounted to the head and extending into the outer arm for relative sliding movement out of and into the outer arm; a driving wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm or the head; a driven wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm and positioned within the outer arm at a location spaced apart from the driven wheel; and a toothed belt extending between the driving wheel and the driven wheel for power transmission between them. A pair of laterally spaced apart contact rollers are mounted coaxially with the driven wheel, the pair of contact rollers engaging spaced apart bearing surfaces depending from the outer arm.

Abstract: A minor parking mechanism for an exterior rear view mirror that rotates a mirror head to a parked position. The mechanism has a mirror mounting bracket, a mirror head pivotally connected to the mirror mounting bracket so the mirror head can rotate from a deployed position to a parked position. A detent acting between the mirror mounting bracket and the mirror head to lock and unlock the mirror head. A spring acts against and locks the detent in position. A worm drive in the mirror head moves longitudinally along a shaft and rotates about an axis to act against the spring, which in turn reduces the spring force applied to the detent to enable it to disengage whereupon continued rotation of the worm drive causes the mirror head to rotate.

Abstract: The present invention is a mould and a method of moulding a plastic component using the mould that enable the manufacturer of a moulded component (45) which has an external covering. The method of moulding comprises either locating a pre-formed component (41) into a first part of the mould or vacuum forming a thin film (40) into a mould cavity. A first mould part (15) has a mould cavity into which the pre-formed component (41) is placed or the thin film (40) is vacuumed formed into. The method continues by partly closing a second part of the mould (25) into the first part of the mould (15) and injecting molten plastic (34) onto the surface of the pre-formed component (41) or thin film (40). The second mould part (25) is then fully closed to force the molten plastic (34) to fill the resultant mould cavity (36). This bonds the molten plastic to either the pre-formed component (41) or the thin film (40) to form the final shape of the moulded component (45).

Abstract: The present application includes a vehicle mirror which includes an approach light in the attachment assembly. The approach light is a single light source positionable in relation to predetermined inputs for directing light to various areas, depending on the inputs. Additionally, an intercom system is provided for communication between the interior of the vehicle and exterior of the vehicle, by way of the vehicle mirror. Also, a remote sensor is utilized to set predetermined memory positions of interior vehicle components such as seats, steering columns and brake pedals. This allows customization of the interior components upon an individual's approach to the vehicle.