Abstract: A socket joint device includes a first and a second joint component (2, 6). The first joint component (2) has a spherical surface element (10) with a convex or concave exterior (11). The exterior (11) of the spherical surface element (10) is part of a spherical surface. An engagement mechanism (14) engages over the spherical surface element (10), so that the engagement mechanism (14) and the spherical surface element (10) contact one another via a first contact surface (22). A spherical cap-shaped receptacle (24) in the first or second joint component (2, 6) and an associated convex spherical cap (26) in the respective other joint component result in a second contact surface (28) that has a smaller radius of curvature R2 than the radius of curvature R1 of the spherical surface element (10).

Abstract: A visualization system for vehicles includes a mirror glass, three housing elements and a securing element. The first element includes an engagement aperture. The second element includes a first shaft extending in an outward direction. The first shaft has a first undercut opposite a rear side. The third element includes a second shaft that extends in an inward direction towards the housing. The second shaft has a second undercut opposite a rear side. The securing element extends in the inward direction into the engagement aperture and presses against both rear sides of the shafts causing both the first and second undercuts to press against the edge of the engagement aperture from opposite sides and thereby preventing the first and second shafts from moving either inward or outward with respect to the first element. The mirror glass is disposed on the opposite side of the third element from the first element.

Abstract: A socket joint device is provided which has a low installation height and a fairly small installation volume. The socket joint includes a first and a second joint component (2, 6). The first joint component (2) has a spherical surface element (10) with a convex or concave exterior (11). The exterior (11) of the spherical surface element (10) is part of a spherical surface. An engagement mechanism (14) engages over the spherical surface element (10), so that the engagement mechanism (14) and the spherical surface element (10) contact one another via a first contact surface (22). A spherical cap-shaped receptacle (24) in the first or second joint component (2, 6) and an associated convex spherical cap (26) in the respective other joint component result in a second contact surface (28) that has a smaller radius of curvature R2 than the radius of curvature R1 of the spherical surface element (10).

Abstract: A swivel joint system for pivotally connecting a mirror to a vehicle includes a first arm, a second arm, a locking pin, a spring element and a centering element. The first arm has first and second bearing shells. The second arm has a first counter bearing shell and a second counter bearing shell. The counter bearing shells are disposed between the first bearing shell and the second bearing shell. A first latching surface of the first counter bearing shell contacts and presses against a second latching surface of the first bearing shell. The locking pin passes through the first bearing shell, the second bearing shell and a hole in the centering element. The second arm swivels relative to the first arm about a joint axis that is oriented co-axially to the locking pin. The spring element pushes the locking pin away from the first counter bearing shell.

Abstract: A visualization system for vehicles includes a mirror glass, three housing elements and a securing element. The first element includes an engagement aperture. The second element includes a first shaft extending in an outward direction. The first shaft has a first undercut opposite a rear side. The third element includes a second shaft that extends in an inward direction towards the housing. The second shaft has a second undercut opposite a rear side. The securing element extends in the inward direction into the engagement aperture and presses against both rear sides of the shafts causing both the first and second undercuts to press against the edge of the engagement aperture from opposite sides and thereby preventing the first and second shafts from moving either inward or outward with respect to the first element. The mirror glass is disposed on the opposite side of the third element from the first element.

Abstract: A swivel joint system for pivotally connecting a mirror to a vehicle includes a first arm, a second arm, a locking pin, a spring element and a centering element. The first arm has first and second bearing shells. The second arm has a first counter bearing shell and a second counter bearing shell. The counter bearing shells are disposed between the first bearing shell and the second bearing shell. A first latching surface of the first counter bearing shell contacts and presses against a second latching surface of the first bearing shell. The locking pin passes through the first bearing shell, the second bearing shell and a hole in the centering element. The second arm swivels relative to the first arm about a joint axis that is oriented co-axially to the locking pin. The spring element pushes the locking pin away from the first counter bearing shell.

Abstract: A mounting device for an indirect vision system of a vehicle includes a support arm attached to the vehicle, an imaging device such as a mirror glass and a carrier member onto which the imaging device is mounted. The carrier member includes thermoplastic melt-processable material that is molded around a fixing area of the support arm such that the thermoplastic material completely seals and circumferentially surrounds the fixing area of the support arm. Except in the fixing area, the cross section of the support arm is circular. For example, in the fixing area the support arm is oval or kidney shaped or has a groove into which the thermoplastic material enters as the material is molded around the fixing area. In the fixing area, the support arm has various gripping surfaces or protruding pins or bolts that improve the axial positional fixing of the carrier member to the support arm.

Abstract: A detent joint interconnecting first and second hinge pieces of vehicle mirrors. The detent joint includes an axis of rotation around which the hinge pieces are pivoted. A spring urged detent element carried by one of the hinge pieces for movement along a plane transverse to the axis of rotation and is movable in a direction of engagement. The detent element includes a surface with at least two protruding teeth. The hinge also includes a counter surface with complementary cuts formed therein which act with the teeth of the detent element to provide that at least two teeth of the detent element engage with the complementarily cuts in the counter surface to provide a detent position.

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 detent joint interconnecting first and second hinge pieces of vehicle mirrors. The detent joint includes an axis of rotation around which the hinge pieces are pivoted. A spring urged detent element carried by one of the hinge pieces for movement along a plane transverse to the axis of rotation and is movable in a direction of engagement. The detent element includes a surface with at least two protruding teeth. The hinge also includes a counter surface with complementary cuts formed therein which act with the teeth of the detent element to provide that at least two teeth of the detent element engage with the complementarily cuts in the counter surface to provide a detent position.

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 rotary switch selects individual incoming transmissions which characterize the actual operation of amplifiers and like components within a data-transmission network.A memory is programmed with data characteristic of incoming transmissions which indicate proper operation of the components actually supervised. As the rotary switch selects an individual transmission, the transmission is interpreted and compared with the data stored in the memory. In the event that a defective component is detected, an alarm sounds and repairs can be quickly made since the individually defective component can be identified automatically.