Abstract: A rearview assembly includes a mount configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle. A first support includes a generally linear body and extends downward from the mount. The first support defines a first axis of rotation. A second support defines a second axis of rotation and extends from a side of the first support in a direction generally orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the first support. A brace is coupled with the second support and extends below the second support. A spring clip extends around and is in abutting contact with the second support. A housing is operably coupled with the second support. The housing is rotatable about both the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation.

Abstract: A socket for a vehicle assembly is disclosed. The socket comprises a mounting structure comprising a plurality of side portions forming a first frame and a ball receiving structure formed by a second frame. The second frame is disposed within a perimeter of the first frame and comprises a plurality of support beams interconnected with the side portions of the first frame. The socket further comprises a ball mount interface comprising a contoured recess formed in each of the beams. The ball mount interface is configured to receive an exterior surface of a ball to form a ball and socket assembly.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly includes a housing, a bezel and an electro-optic mirror element. The electro-optic mirror element includes a first substantially transparent substrate having an edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the first substantially transparent substrate and a second substrate having a second edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the second substrate and a fourth surface. The first substantially transparent substrate and the second substrate define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic material is disposed within the cavity. The edge of the first substantially transparent substrate and the second edge of the second substrate are coupled to at least one of the bezel and the housing.

Abstract: A socket for a vehicle assembly is disclosed. The socket comprises a mounting structure comprising a plurality of side portions forming a first frame and a ball receiving structure formed by a second frame. The second frame is disposed within a perimeter of the first frame and comprises a plurality of support beams interconnected with the side portions of the first frame. The socket further comprises a ball mount interface comprising a contoured recess formed in each of the beams. The ball mount interface is configured to receive an exterior surface of a ball to form a ball and socket assembly.

Abstract: A rearview assembly includes a mount configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle. A first support includes a generally linear body and extends downward from the mount. The first support defines a first axis of rotation. A second support defines a second axis of rotation and extends from a side of the first support in a direction generally orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the first support. A brace is coupled with the second support and extends below the second support. A spring clip extends around and is in abutting contact with the second support. A housing is operably coupled with the second support. The housing is rotatable about both the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly includes a housing, a bezel and an electro-optic mirror element. The electro-optic mirror element includes a first substantially transparent substrate having an edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the first substantially transparent substrate and a second substrate having a second edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the second substrate and a fourth surface. The first substantially transparent substrate and the second substrate define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic material is disposed within the cavity. The edge of the first substantially transparent substrate and the second edge of the second substrate are coupled to at least one of the bezel and the housing.

Abstract: A rearview device mounting assembly includes a bracket having a windshield engagement surface. The bracket further includes a neck with a ball. The ball has at least one of either a knurled patch or a striation and the ball is configured to engage a socket in the rearview device. The socket of the rearview device includes fingerlike projections and a ball engaging surface. The ball engaging surface has raised features to frictionally engage the ball and minimize or eliminate droop of the rearview device.

Abstract: A rearview device mounting assembly includes a bracket having a windshield engagement surface. The bracket further includes a neck with a ball. The ball has at least one of either a knurled patch or a striation and the ball is configured to engage a socket in the rearview device. The socket of the rearview device includes fingerlike projections and a ball engaging surface. The ball engaging surface has raised features to frictionally engage the ball and minimize or eliminate droop of the rearview device.

Abstract: A rearview device mounting assembly including a mount configured to be operably coupled to a windshield. A first support extends downward from the mount. A second support is rotatably connected with the first support and is rotatable about a first axis of rotation. The second support includes a carrier that extends substantially orthogonal to the first axis of rotation. A rearview device assembly is operably connected to the carrier. The rearview device assembly is substantially vertically rotatable about the carrier and substantially horizontally rotatable about the first support.

Abstract: A rearview device mounting assembly including a mount configured to be operably coupled to a windshield. A first support extends downward from the mount. A second support is rotatably connected with the first support and is rotatable about a first axis of rotation. The second support includes a carrier that extends substantially orthogonal to the first axis of rotation. A rearview device assembly is operably connected to the carrier. The rearview device assembly is substantially vertically rotatable about the carrier and substantially horizontally rotatable about the first support.

Abstract: An interior rearview assembly comprising a mount, a rearview housing having a rearview element therein and a connector being configured to be located between the mount and the rearview mirror housing.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly comprises a two-ball connector having at least one pivot ball thereon, a receiver having a plurality of fingers defining a ball receiving area, and a spring forming a circle. The spring is placed around the fingers of the receiver and the at least one pivot ball is placed into the ball receiving area of the receiver. The two-ball connector can be made of a high strength material and formed on a screw machine. The receiver does not experience a weight loss changing the torque force between ?40° Celsius and 85° Celsius, thereby substantially maintaining the torque force at a substantially constant level between ?40° Celsius and 85° Celsius.

Abstract: An interior rearview assembly comprising a mount, a rearview housing having a rearview element therein and a connector being configured to be located between the mount and the rearview mirror housing.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly comprises a two-ball connector having at least one pivot ball thereon, a receiver having a plurality of fingers defining a ball receiving area, and a spring forming a circle. The spring is placed around the fingers of the receiver and the at least one pivot ball is placed into the ball receiving area of the receiver. The two-ball connector can be made of a high strength material and formed on a screw machine. The receiver does not experience a weight loss changing the torque force between ?40° Celsius and 85° Celsius, thereby substantially maintaining the torque force at a substantially constant level between ?40° Celsius and 85° Celsius.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a prototype by providing at least one polymeric board material having a glass transition temperature less than the molten temperature of a thermoplastic molding material and removing at least a portion of the polymeric board material to form, according to a computer-aided design, a reverse image of a desired article to be molded. Selected molten polymeric molding material is injected into the resulting mold to produce the desired prototype.