Abstract: A rear-mounted mirror assembly for trucks, vans and the like, for providing rear viewing as the vehicle is being backed up, for example, into a truck loading dock area. The mirror assembly comprises a mirror unit that is connected by a mirror arm to a support structure, e.g., a flange or bracket, that is fixed to the vehicle. The support structure projects minimally sideways of the vehicle and pivotably supports the mirror arm in a manner whereby the mirror unit and its arm can swing about a pivot axis, enabling the mirror and its arm to lie alongside a side wall of the vehicle or tightly against the rear of the vehicle. A return or rebound mechanism returns the mirror unit to its normal operational position, once contact with an obstruction that have pivoted the mirror unit from its normal position, has been removed.

Abstract: A tripod style mirror mount system for vehicles which secures the main mirror hole in a vehicle mount which is substantially in the shape of a socket subassembly that is secured to the vehicle and in which a spherical ball stud of the mirror pole is received and retained in a manner which allows the mirror to swivel relative to the body of the vehicle without being detached from the vehicle. First and second braces support the main mirror pole and maintain its position and prevent vibration. The terminal ends of the braces are anchored in joints by means of spherical ball studs which snap out when an obstruction is hit. Thereby the mirror assembly prevents being itself damaged or damaging the vehicle body when the mirror assembly inadvertently is struck by an obstacle.

Abstract: A tripod style mirror mount system for vehicles which secures the main mirror hole in a vehicle mount which is substantially in the shape of a socket subassembly that is secured to the vehicle and in which a spherical ball stud of the mirror pole is received and retained in a manner which allows the mirror to swivel relative to the body of the vehicle without being detached from the vehicle. First and second braces support the main mirror pole and maintain its position and prevent vibration. The terminal ends of the braces are anchored in joints by means of spherical ball studs which snap out when an obstruction is hit. Thereby the mirror assembly prevents being itself damaged or damaging the vehicle body when the mirror assembly inadvertently is struck by an obstacle.

Abstract: A rear-mounted mirror assembly for trucks, vans and the like, for providing rear viewing as the vehicle is being backed up, for example, into a truck loading dock area. The mirror assembly comprises a mirror unit that is connected by a mirror arm to a support structure, e.g., a flange or bracket, that is fixed to the vehicle. The support structure projects minimally sideways of the vehicle and pivotably supports the mirror arm in a manner whereby the mirror unit and its arm can swing about a pivot axis, enabling the mirror and its arm to lie alongside a side wall of the vehicle or tightly against the rear of the vehicle. A return or rebound mechanism returns the mirror unit to its normal operational position, once contact with an obstruction that have pivoted the mirror unit from its normal position, has been removed.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating the certification process for school bus mirrors, especially cross-view school bus mirrors, using artificial visualization. The method of the invention qualifies and certifies the field of view coverage of mirror systems for compliance with predetermined criteria, and comprises the steps of: defining to a first software facility the dimensions and physical configuration of a vehicle, adding a definition and location of at least one prototype mirror, including data that defines the shape of the prototype mirror. A second software facility, coupled to the first software facility, traces light rays to synthesize and model an image reflected from the surface of the prototype mirror, which then is used to detect a plurality of physical objects at predefined distances relative to the vehicle and visualizing those physical objects on the prototype mirror artificially.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating the certification process for school bus mirrors, especially cross-view school bus mirrors, using artificial visualization. The method of the invention qualifies and certifies the field of view coverage of mirror systems for compliance with predetermined criteria, and comprises the steps of: defining to a first software facility the dimensions and physical configuration of a vehicle, adding a definition and location of at least one prototype mirror, including data that defines the shape of the prototype mirror. A second software facility, coupled to the first software facility, traces light rays to synthesize and model an image reflected from the surface of the prototype mirror, which then is used to detect a plurality of physical objects at predefined distances relative to the vehicle and visualizing those physical objects on the prototype mirror artificially.

Abstract: A mounting unit for a vehicular side-view mirror includes a substantially planar face plate defined by first and second spaced apart peripheral edges and third and fourth spaced apart peripheral edges, adjacent peripheral edges defining corners; first, second, third, and fourth sides disposed at respective peripheral edges of the face plate, the face plate and sides defining a frame for receiving either a flat or convex mirror; and one or more apertures disposed at one or more of the corners of the face plate, the apertures being sized and shaped such that a convex mirror may be received within the frame and edges thereof may be received at least partially within the apertures.

Abstract: A mount assembly for securing the staff or pole of a mirror to a vehicle, including a plastic, integrally molded mount body which defines an interior chamber with a peripherally extending edge shaped to mate and fit a base piece which itself is shaped to fit the vehicle surface to which the mount body is to be secured. A clamping plate is disposed within the interior chamber and several screws, accessible through the exterior of the mount body, engage the mounting plate and are capable of being tightened to pull the clamping plate, and thus secure between the interior surface of the mount body and the clamping plate, the staff which holds the mirror element.

Abstract: A mirror element for a school bus is mounted to the front to provide wide angle viewing of the ground in front of and to the side of the bus. An upper portion of the mirror element which is generally dome shaped is treated to reduce glare resulting from possible sun rays reflected in the direction of the bus driver.

Abstract: A mirror assembly for vehicles, preferably busses and including school busses, comprises an integrated mirror supporting unit which houses therein a pair of rear view mirrors and a single cross view mirror. The integrated mirror supporting unit is suspended from a supporting arm which extends between the vehicle and the mirror supporting unit.

Abstract: One or more side-view mirror assemblies located in shell housings which are supported at a distance relative to a vehicle in a manner which allows the shell housings to swing relative to the support structure thereof, further includes a telescopic support brace whose principle function is to reduce and substantially eliminate vibration. The telescopic support brace has inner and outer tubes which slide relative to one another and which are releasably locked at a normal position, but which allow the mirror holding shell to swing outwardly or inwardly in the event of a collision with an object, thereby preventing permanent damage thereto.

Abstract: A single shell side-view mirror assembly is disclosed which provides improved aerodynamic features and improved vibrational resistance characterized by an aerodynamically domed shell structure, interchangeable mirror elements, an electrically activated vibration dampening element and a static vibration dampening elements. A mirror unit of the mirror assembly is disposed within a shell housing but is coupled directly to and supported by a support member mounting plate such that the mirror unit is substantially rigidly coupled to a support member without being supported by the shell housing.

Abstract: A safety mirror lens assembly includes a mirror unit with a mirror lens that has a three-dimensional convex/ellipsoid reflective surface which terminates in an oval shape peripheral edge. The reflective surface is such that a notional line traced to coincides with the major axis has a first constant radius of curvature and a second notional line traced to coincide with the minor axis has a second constant radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is substantially greater than the second radius of curvature. The mirror lens is usable for a cross-over mirror for a vehicle, for example, a school bus.

Abstract: A safety mirror lens assembly includes a mirror unit with a mirror lens that has a three-dimensional convex/ellipsoid reflective surface which terminates in an oval or round or other shape peripheral edge. The reflective surface is such that a notional line traced to coincides with the major axis has a first constant radius of curvature and a second notional line traced to coincide with the minor axis has a second constant radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is substantially greater than the second radius of curvature. The mirror lens is usable for a cross-over mirror for a vehicle, for example, a school bus.

Abstract: A safety mirror lens assembly includes a mirror unit with a mirror lens that has a three-dimensional convex/ellipsoid reflective surface which terminates in an oval shape peripheral edge. The reflective surface is such that a notional line traced to coincides with the major axis has a first constant radius of curvature and a second notional line traced to coincide with the minor axis has a second constant radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is substantially greater than the second radius of curvature. The mirror lens is usable for a cross-over mirror for a vehicle, for example, a school bus.

Abstract: One or more side-view mirror assemblies located in shell housings which are supported at a distance relative to a vehicle in a manner which allows the shell housings to swing relative to the support structure thereof, further includes a telescopic support brace whose principle function is to reduce and substantially eliminate vibration. The telescopic support brace has inner and outer tubes which slide relative to one another and which are releasably locked at a normal position, but which allow the mirror holding shell to swing outwardly or inwardly in the event of a collision with an object, thereby preventing permanent damage thereto.

Abstract: A safety mirror lens assembly includes a mirror unit with a mirror lens that has a three-dimensional convex/ellipsoid reflective surface which terminates in an oval or round or other shape peripheral edge. The reflective surface is such that a notional line traced to coincides with the major axis has a first constant radius of curvature and a second notional line traced to coincide with the minor axis has a second constant radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is substantially greater than the second radius of curvature. The mirror lens is usable for a cross-over mirror for a vehicle, for example, a school bus.

Abstract: A safety mirror lens assembly includes a mirror unit with a mirror lens that has a three-dimensional convex/ellipsoid reflective surface which terminates in an oval shape peripheral edge. The reflective surface is such that a notional line traced to coincides with the major axis has a first constant radius of curvature and a second notional line traced to coincide with the minor axis has a second constant radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is substantially greater than the second radius of curvature. The mirror lens is usable for a cross-over mirror for a vehicle, for example, a school bus.