Abstract: An external mirror for motor vehicles includes a housing having a one-piece foam core and a reinforcing layer enveloping the core, at least one mirror plate, and a swivelling mechanism secured to the mirror plate and the core of the housing for movably positioning the mirror plate relative to the housing. Method for manufacturing an external mirror for vehicles includes the steps of molding a housing, embedding at least one swivelling mechanism in the housing during the molding step, and attaching a mirror plate to the swivelling mechanism.

Abstract: A mirror pane for a front-surface mirror includes: a carrier plate including a front side defining a first main surface, a reflective coating disposed upon the first main surface, and a transparent, scratch-resistant nano-composite protective coating disposed upon and covering the reflective coating. The protective coating may include an inorganic-organic nano-composite gradient coating with fluoridized organic side chains.

Abstract: An electronic mirror circuit for the activation of mirrors for motor vehicles, where the mirrors are positioned adjusted by electric motors. The circuit is made of an operational component having a plurality of circuits for conducting currents. Also, a load control unit is correspondingly connected with the current conducting circuits. A plurality of load circuits are in communication with the load control unit. Each of the load circuits corresponds with a given one of the current conducting circuits. The load circuits are activated by the current conducting circuits. Also provided is an electrical coupling device for connecting the load circuits to the mirrors via a wire distribution tree.

Abstract: A mirror carrier plate assembly is slidably engageable along a sliding direction by a holding plate of a mirror housing for securing the mirror carrier plate assembly to the housing. The holding plate has two opposite sides. The mirror carrier plate assembly includes a substantially planar mirror carrier plate having a first surface for receiving a mirror and a second surface opposite the first surface, and at least two sets of projecting clips extending from the second surface of the mirror carrier plate and configured to receive and matingly retain the opposite sides of the holding plate. The sets are disposed substantially along the sliding direction. At least one of the sets of projecting clips is disposed on the mirror carrier plate along a first curved line so that a first portion of the one set is disposed further from a line extending in the sliding direction than a second portion of the one set. Related rear view mirror assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: An external mirror assembly for a vehicle is disclosed including a mirror head assembly including a housing, mirror secured to the housing, and two support arms extending from the housing. A mirror holder is disposed between the two support arms for mounting the mirror head assembly to the vehicle. A first connecting member secures together the mirror holder assembly and the mirror holder; and a second connecting member assembly secures together the mirror head assembly and the mirror holder. The second connecting member includes an extension extending radially therefrom, and one of the support arms defines an axially extending opening and a slot extending axially along the opening.

Abstract: A rearview mirror for motor vehicles includes a mirror housing, a mirror pane mounted in the housing, a support structure for attaching the mirror housing to the vehicle, and a pivoting connection disposed between the mirror housing and the support structure. The pivoting connection includes at least one safety catch which retains the mirror housing in an operating position relative to the support structure. The safety catch is releasable upon the approach of the mirror housing to an obstruction to thereby allow the mirror housing to pivot relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A pivotable external rearview mirror assembly for vehicles is disclosed. The assembly includes a bearing arm including a bearing arm segment having a proximal end securable to the vehicle and a distal end extending from the proximal end. The bearing arm also includes a holding rod for supporting a rearview mirror housing. An articulation is secured to the distal end of the bearing arm segment and to a pivot end of the holding rod, the articulation pivotally joining the bearing arm segment and the holding rod. The articulation defines a swivel axis extending substantially horizontally in a direction substantially at a right angle to a direction of travel of the vehicle when the bearing arm is in a use position. The articulation is disposable adjacent a side of the vehicle when the bearing arm is in a use position so that the holding rod may pivot about the swivel axis in a plane extending in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A double walled mirror carrier plate is disclosed for an external rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, the assembly including a mirror holder for attachment to the vehicle, a housing pivotably secured to the mirror holder so as to pivot around a pivot axis, and a mirror pane disposed within the housing. One embodiment of the carrier plate includes a base plate defining a curved substantially U-shaped first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The first end portion has a radius of curvature along the end portion extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis. The end portion curves substantially around the pivot axis, the mirror pane being securable to the base plate spaced from the first end portion. Other carrier plate designs and related mirror assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mirror carrier plate assembly is slidably engageable along a sliding direction by a holding plate of a mirror housing for securing the mirror carrier plate assembly to the housing. The holding plate has two opposite sides. The mirror carrier plate assembly includes a substantially planar mirror carrier plate having a first surface for receiving a mirror and a second surface opposite the first surface, and at least two sets of projecting clips extending from the second surface of the mirror carrier plate and configured to receive and matingly retain the opposite sides of the holding plate. The sets are disposed substantially along the sliding direction. At least one of the sets of projecting clips is disposed on the mirror carrier plate along a first curved line so that a first portion of the one set is disposed further from a line extending in the sliding direction than a second portion of the one set. Related rear view mirror assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Proposed is a rearview mirror in which a reflective coating (16) is found on the outer side (12) of a mirror carrier (6). This carrier (6) then, no longer serves for the support of a separate mirror element, for instance, a glass plate or the like and further the carrier (6) is not provided on its own inner surface (14) with the reflective coating (16). In other words, the carrier (6), that is, the material of the carrier (6), need not show any special qualities of an optical nature. Thus, preparatory steps for the machining and finishing of the inner surface (14), such as polishing, before application of the reflective coating (16), which steps are expensive in time and cost, can be dispensed with, since the reflective coating (16) is, in the present invention, directly on the outside (12) of the said carrier.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus for a rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, especially an outside mirror, with a base plate mounted on the vehicle body and one mirror support structure holding a mirror housing, which support structure is connectable with the base plate by at least one fastening element. Between the base plate and the mirror support structure a holding apparatus is inserted, which affixes the mirror support structure against the base plate without the interaction of at least one fastening element.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle having a mirror element attached to a carrier plate is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of assembling a rearview mirror assembly with an exchangeable mirror element.

Abstract: A clamping support for fastening a rearview mirror onto a vehicle is disclosed. The clamping support comprises a clamp reception fixture for attachment to the vehicle, an insertable component including a mirror end and a vehicle end, wherein the mirror end is connectable to the rearview mirror and the vehicle end is insertable in a first direction into the reception fixture, and a clamp wedge disposed within the insertable component and slidable in a second clamping direction perpendicular to the first direction. Movement of the clamp wedge in the clamping direction within the insertable component urges the clamp reception fixture and the insertable component into frictional engagement to thereby secure the rearview mirror to the vehicle. A related rear view mirror assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle having a mirror element attached to a carrier plate is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of assembling a rearview mirror assembly with an exchangeable mirror element.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for adjustably mounting a vehicle external mirror, the assembly including a first arm segment for securing to the vehicle a second arm segment for securing to the external mirror, and an axle member secured to one of the first and second arm segments and extending through an opening defined through the other of the first and second arm segments, the axle member defining a swivel axis therethrough and the first and second arm segments being pivotable and adjustably securable relative to each other about the swivel axis.

Abstract: A surveillance apparatus is provided for a vehicle to record data such as images over a period of time. The surveillance apparatus has a camera for collecting images in a field of view from the vehicle and a storage apparatus to record and store the data. A method of surveilling a vehicle operating area using the surveillance apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rearview mirror (2) is described, especially for motor vehicles, in which in the direction of a top view, at least one radiation emitting display element (8) is placed behind the mirror pane (6), which emits through the said mirror pane (6). The display element (8) can emit light in the visible range or in the infrared range. Said display element (8) is preferred as a light emitting diode (10) or a seven segment display. The object of the present invention can, for instance, be combined with a so-called back-up aid, whereby then the display element(s) (8) can display back-up distance data or distance codes between the tailgate and an obstruction or a target of back-up maneuvering.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly having a mirror, an imaging device and a monitor is provided for a vehicle. The monitor and the mirror may be integrated in the housing to provide the driver of the vehicle with at least two fields of view simultaneously.

Abstract: A fastening member for securing a rearview mirror housing to a vehicle and a related rearview mirror assembly are disclosed. The housing has a mirror carrier plate secured therein and defining an opening extending through the housing, the mirror carrier plate including at least one fastening connector disposed adjacent the opening. The fastening member includes a first support arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first support arm for securing to the vehicle, a second support arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second support arm for securing to the vehicle, the second support arm extending substantially parallel to the first support arm, and a connecting piece extending substantially perpendicular to the first and second support arms and formed integrally with the first and second support arms.