Abstract: An inside rearview mirror assembly for use in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a base, a stay detachably mounted on the base, and a mirror unit supported on the stay. The base and the stay have respective joint surfaces intimately contacting each other, partly spherical interfitting projections and dimples formed respectively on front ends of the joint surfaces, and non-contact surfaces disposed forwardly of the projections and dimples and providing a gap between the stay and the base. When the mirror unit is subjected to an impact, the stay is angularly moved forwardly about the projections and dimples, and detached from the base.

Abstract: A remote controlled rearview mirror assembly is disclosed, in which a mirror body is foldably mounted on a shaft forwardly or rerawardly, a mirror is tiltably mounted on a pivot in the mirror body, and a mirror angle control lever with a ball joint provided on the shaft is mounted on the back side of the mirror via a mirror operation arm. The ball joint consists of a pair of semi-spherical members being vertically separable with a clutch provided between opposed surfaces of these members. When the mirror body is folded forwardly or rearwardly from its neutral position, the ball joint is separated into the upper and lower semi-spherical members by the clutch between the opposed surfaces of the members, so that the connection between the control lever and mirror operation arm is released. When the mirror body is returned to the neutral position, the clutch is engaged again to restore the connection between the control lever and mirror operation lever.

Abstract: An outside mirror for motor vehicles employs an electromotive drive to position a mirror housing between a viewing position and garage position. The mirror housing is moved in a direction opposite to the direction of travel against the vehicle body to position the housing at the garage position however, a mobility of the mirror housing in the event of collisions in both directions is provided so that the mirror housing automatically returning to the viewing position in the case of movements in the direction of travel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an outside rear-view mirror for a vehicle, having a mirror base and a mirror housing which is adapted to assume a normal position for use relative to said mirror base and to rock forwardly and rearwardly and which is coupled to said mirror base by a rocker. To reduce the danger of injuries particularly of fingers, caused by a back-swinging mirror housing between said mirror housing and said mirror base, at least one spreading spring is provided one end of which abuts said mirror housing and the other end of which abuts said mirror base, and which urges said housing to a fully backward tilted position relative to said mirror base.

Abstract: In addition to a base and a mirror-holder casing, the rearview mirror has a front-to-rear tilting piece articulated by a member for permanent forward pivoting relative to the casing and a member for permanent rearward pivoting relative to the base and coupled by a spring to the casing, which is further connected to the base at the front by a retractable pivoting member and at the rear by a sliding pivoting member, a locking member with elastic return being mounted on the tilting piece and cooperating selectively with two notches in the base defining the positions of use and of parking of the casing.

Abstract: An internal mirror for a motor vehicle. A plate is secured to the vehicle, and a mirror base can be pressed onto and pulled from the plate. A spring is connected with and in the hollow base and has bent edges that engage undercuts of the plate. The spring has a tongue with a hook-like end that catches against a projection of the plate. To pull the base from the plate, this hook-like tongue end can be raised from the plate projection. The base has two side walls and one end wall that rest against the plate.

Abstract: An automotive remotely controlled rearview mirror assembly is remotely controlled from within an automobile for adjusting the angle of the reflecting surface of the rearview mirror to obtain a desired rear sight. The remotely controlled rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing adapted to be mounted on the automobile body by a mount, a mirror swingably supported in the housing, a control lever swingably mounted on the mount for remotely controlling the mirror for a desired angle thereof from within the automobile, and a link mechanism operatively interconnecting the mirror and the control lever and angularly movable vertically and laterally in response to swinging movement of the control lever. The link mechanism is angularly movable vertically about an axis which is inclined upwardly in a lateral direction away from a nominal vertical plane, and also angularly movable laterally about an axis which lies in a plane including a line substantially normal to a nominal horizontal plane.

Abstract: An exterior mirror for a motor vehicle has a base member adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body, a housing containing a reflective member and having an end face to confront the base member with a peripheral edge serving as an abutment edge which engages the base member for relative pivotal movement. A link is pivotally connected at one end to the base member and a tension spring is connected between the link and an attachment point in the interior of the housing to urge the abutment edge on the housing into abutment with the base member. The end of the link opposite to the end connected to the base member is pivotally connected to the housing and the spring is connected to an intermediate point on the link. The base member and housing are shaped to conceal the abutment edge of the housing when said peripheral edge is in engagement with the base member around its entire periphery.

Abstract: In this invention a motor vehicle rear vision mirror mounting bracket has a hinge member which stands out away from an outer face of the bracket, and a rear vision mirror assembly has lugs with notches which engage the hinge member and allow the mirror assembly to hinge without contact being made between the mirror case of the assembly and the mounting bracket, thereby avoiding scuffing of the mirror case.

Abstract: A console assembly for a vehicular rearview mirror having breakway capabilities includes a base adapted for attachment to an interior portion of a vehicle, a panel structure mounting the rearview mirror and an overcenter spring for securely, but releasably, holding the panel structure to the base. The base, panel structure and spring are constructed to cooperatively interact such that an impacting force acting on the mirror and having a magnitude above a predetermined level will cause said overcenter spring to release the panel structure from the base and thereby permit the rearview mirror to break away.

Abstract: To reliably reduce the risk of injury in the returning tilting movement of the mirror housing from a rearward tilted end position into a position of normal use a spherical cap is mounted to a pedestal for the mirror housing which covers the open space between a front edge section of the mirror housing and the pedestal when the mirror housing is tilting rearwardly. Stops are provided for ensuring safe support of the mirror housing when assuming the rearward tilted end position thereof. The stops can be removed only by an application of force to the mirror housing whereafter the mirror housing tilts from said rearward tilting end position into the position of normal use.

Abstract: A break-away mirror is provided with an extensible resilient tension member (26) coupled to the pivoted assembly (11) of the mirror (10) and also coupled to a head (21) on the outer end of a tilt control lever (19), the tension member extending into the pivoted assembly from the head, and being arranged to guide the head (21) back into its track (22) after it has been displaced therefrom by break-away or other forces.

Abstract: To reliably reduce the risk of injury in the return tilting of a mirror housing from a tilted end position into a position for normal use, the mirror housing initially swings against an overcomable stop, which ensures a safety distance between the lifted mirror housing edge and the mirror base. This safety distance is dimensioned such that a trapping of fingers between the mirror housing edge and the mirror base does not occur. The stop can only be overcome by the mirror housing by renewed application of force to the mirror housing, after which the mirror housing then tilts into the position for normal use.

Abstract: An exterior mirror for a vehicle includes a mirror housing in which a mirror is fixed and which is held in normal use position on a mirror mounting and can be swung forwards and backwards relative to the mirror mounting, with a retention member fixed on the mirror mounting extending into the mirror housing. One part of the mirror mounting protrudes from the vehicle body when fitted on the vehicle body so that, in the normal use position, the mirror housing completely laterally surrounds the one part of the mirror mounting, and an edge of the mirror housing which is at the mirror mounting side, rests without pressure against the vehicle body. Furthermore, a retention member which is fixed on the mirror mounting and extends into the mirror housing has at least one flexible band which is anchored at one end at the mirror mounting and extends through a slot in a transverse wall of the mirror housing, the transverse wall being situated at the mirror mounting side.

Abstract: An external mirror for a vehicle, including a base that is secured to the vehicle and a housing that is mounted on the base in such a way as to be pivotable about an approximately vertical axis. The housing accommodates a mirror body that is adjustable via an electric motor, with adjustment members being provided between the motor and the mirror body. To avoid vibrations of the housing, the motor is mounted in the base. Coupling elements can be provided that disengage when the housing is swung out, and that engage when the housing is swung in.

Abstract: An exterior mirror for a vehicle, including a support or base mounted on the vehicle, and a housing that accommodates a mirror body and is mounted on the support or base in such a way that it is pivotable to the front and to the rear relative to the forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The housing is pivotable against a spring force in such a way that after a pivoting movement the housing returns to a normal position. A slide member is mounted to the housing and in the normal position of the latter rests against the base of an approximately V-shaped channel in the mirror base or support under spring force. During pivoting of the housing in one direction, the slide member, against the spring force, moves along one of the side surfaces of the channel, while during pivoting of the housing in the opposite direction, the slide member moves along the other side surface of the channel.

Abstract: A breakaway rear vision mirror has a mounting base and a pivoted assembly. A control lever is pivoted to the base and coupled to a mirror backing plate which carries a mirror, which is adjusted for position by the lever.The hinge between the mounting base and pivoted assembly is releasable, but held together by a spring which co-acts between the pivoted assembly and the lever, thereby applying a pressure which urges the lever into firm frictional contact with the mounting base and tends to retain the mirror in its set position.

Abstract: The invention provides an inside rear-view mirror for a car which comprises a mirror arm projecting to the interior of the car and having a base which may be mounted releasably to a supporting plate fastened to the car body or the windshield of the car. The lower free end of the arm supports a mirror housing. For suppressing any vibrations of the mirror housing caused by the running car engine, a supporting leg is provided which projects in spaced relationship to the upper base of the arm towards the windshield or the car body and is adhered thereto. Upon impact above a predetermined threshold the supporting leg may collapse.

Abstract: An exterior mirror for a vehicle, including a base mounted on the vehicle, and a housing, for a mirror body, mounted on the base in such a way as to be pivotable to the front and to the rear relative to the forward direction of travel of the vehicle. A lever arm is mounted on the base in such a way as to be pivotable in the direction of pivot of the housing. One end of a swivel arm is directed toward the base and is hingedly connected with the lever arm. One end of a tension spring is connected to that end of the swivel arm that is remote from the base. A second end of the tension spring is connected to the base in the vicinity of where the lever arm is mounted on the base. The housing is connected to the swivel arm, in the vicinity of that end of the latter remote from the base, in such a way that the housing is pivotable about either its front or rear edge against the force of the tension spring.

Abstract: A breakaway rear vision mirror assembly having a mounting frame and a pivoted assembly which carries the mirror, the pivoted assembly being coupled to the mounting frame by means of an elongate U-shaped spring, the ends of which are coupled to the mounting frame and an intermediate portion which bears on the pivoted assembly to return the pivoted assembly to a usable position after it has been deflected.

Abstract: A breakaway/swingaway mirror mounting assembly is provided that conveniently attaches to the side of a vehicle's door panel. The mirror assembly includes a mounting plate, a breakaway swing plate, a mirror strut, and a mirror. The mounting plate is securely fastened to the vehicle in a conventional manner. The mirror strut and the mirror are conventional but instead of attaching directly to the mounting plate, the mirror strut attaches to the swing plate. The improvement in the present invention relates to the attachment of the swing plate to the mounting plate. An attachment means for releasably engaging the mirror assembly to the mounting plate is provided. The attachment means preferably includes a pair of bolts each having an associated rubber bushing. The bolts attach to the swing plate while the bushings are press fit into the mounting plate. Upon sustaining any substantial impact, the bushings pop free from the mounting plate thereby allowing the mirror assembly to swing or breakaway.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle has a housing mounted on a base member by means of a ball-and-socket joint comprising a socket formed in the base member and a convex member attached to the housing. The socket comprises the concave inner surface of a hollow part-spherical member. An arm has a concave surface formed on one end and adapted to engage with the convex outer surface of the part-spherical member. Resilient means are arranged to bias the arm towards the convex member so as to urge the concave surface on the arm against the convex outer surface of the part-spherical member and to urge the concave inner surface of the part-spherical member against the convex member, and release means on the other end of the arm are operable to reduce the friction resisting movement of the housing relative to the base member about the part-spherical member. Operation of the release means thus enables the orientation of the housing relative to the base member to be adjusted with relatively little effort.

Abstract: A mirrored system and components therefor are disclosed herein for use in an automobile having front and rear seats covered by a roof structure from which a rear view mirror and a forward facing mirror downwardly depend in fixed spaced apart optical alignment relationship. The mirrors are adjustable to accommodate an optical line of sight from the driver's position on the front seat to an infant's position on the rear seat. The forward facing mirror is removably mounted by a suction cup attachment to roof structure or rear window by a base that carries a dome type mirror on a backing plate by a resilient metal band. A screw adjustment connects one end of the band to the base while the other end of the band adhesively adheres to the mirror backing plate.

Abstract: An external rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, whereby a support serves for fastening of the mirror to the vehicle, with a mirror housing, in which is disposed a mirror body, being pivotably connected to the support, via a closed bracket, in such a way that the mirror housing can tilt or fold in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle under certain driving conditions. The support is also provided with releasable catch mechanisms for holding the mirror housing in its effective position. The pivot connections for the closed bracket are provided on the support and on the mirror housing, and are formed by catch or snap connections and/or by two sections that come together during assembly of the mirror.

Abstract: A mirror and bracket assembly wherein the mirror housing has a flat mirror and a convex mirror. The mirrors are secured to support posts within the mirror housing such that if the mirror housing is dropped or jarred the flat mirror and the convex mirror would not become misaligned.

Abstract: A vehicular door mirror having a base part mounted to a vehicle body and a housing rotatably supported on the base part and incorporated with a mirror, in which a deflectable soft material having a high elasticity is used for forming the base part and housing in order to permit rotation or pivotal motion of the housing towards vehicle front side, this leading to an increased degree of freedom in door mirror design.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rear view mirror assembly which facilitates installation of components of the rear view mirror assembly on a windshield of a vehicle. The rear view mirror assembly includes a first base member and a unit. The first unit includes a second base member, a spring, a mounting member, a second ball member, a bolt and a support arm on which a rear view mirror is rotatably mounted. The first base member has a plurality of flanges on which the second base member of the unit is mounted. The first base member is adhered to the windshield by an adhesive. In addition, the first base member is made of rolled stainless steel so that pores do not exist in a contact surface of the first base member. Therefore, air does not exist between the contact surface and the windshield, the air expanding and destroying the adhesive bond when heated by the sun. Further, the first base member preferably has a similar coefficient of expansion as that of the windshield.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rear view mirror assembly which facilitates installation of components of the rear view mirror assembly on a windshield of a vehicle. The rear view mirror assembly includes a first base member and a unit. The first unit includes a second base member, a spring, a mounting member, a second ball member, a bolt and a support arm on which a rear view mirror is rotatably mounted. The first base member has a plurality of flanges on which the second base member of the unit is mounted. The spring is mounted on the second base member. The mounting member includes a first socket portion and a first aperture. The support arm has a first ball portion which is slidably mounted on the first socket portion of the mounting member, and a second socket portion which is slidably mounted on the second ball member. The bolt has an end connected to the second ball member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rear view mirror assembly which can break away, when more then a predetermined force is applied to a rear view mirror. The rear view mirror assembly includes a base member and a first unit. The first unit includes a mounting member, a second socket member and a support arm on which the rear view mirror is rotatably mounted. The mounting member is mounted on the base member, and the mounting member has a first ball portion. The support arm has a first socket portion on an outer surface thereof, and the first socket portion is slidably mounted on the first ball portion of the mounting member. The support arm further includes a second ball portion on an inner surface thereof, and the inner surface is slidably mounted on the second socket member. The first unit is supported on the base member through a bolt and a spring. When a force is applied to the rear view mirror, the support arm can rotate on the mounting member and the first unit can rotate on the base member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rear view mirror assembly which facilitates installation of the components of the rear view mirror assembly on a windshield of a vehicle. The rear view mirror assembly includes a base member, a spring and a unit. The unit includes a mounting member, a second ball member, a bolt and a support arm on which the rear view mirror is rotatably mounted. The spring is mounted on the base member, and the spring has a first engagement device. The mounting member includes a first socket portion and a first aperture. The support arm has a first ball portion which is slidably mounted on the first socket portion of the mounting member, and the support arm has a second socket portion which is slidably mounted on the second ball member. The second ball member has a protrusion which is disposed in a second aperture of the support arm.

Abstract: A rear-view mirror mounted on an upper portion of a door panel or a door window of a vehicle. When the rear-view mirror receives a shock from forward or backward, a mirror body thereof is folded backward or forward to weaken the shock. Furthermore, when the vehicle is parked or transported, the mirror body can be easily kept in a folded state so that it occupies less space.

Abstract: A rear view mirror device for relatively permanent attachment to a transparent support such as an automotive vehicle windshield. The rear view mirror device comprises a housing holding a light reflective member, such as a mirror, permitting a view rearwardly of the device, a pivoted arm extending rearwardly of the housing and a bracket adapted for attachment to the windshield. A bonding layer is located in the bracket and is rigidly adhered thereto. An intermediate member, such as a plastic layer, is incidental the opposite side of the bonding layer. Fracturable pins are integral with the bonding layer and extend into the intermediate member and which fracturable pins have ends which are adapted for attachment to a transparent support such as a windshield.

Abstract: A mounting for joining a mirror casing to a support member. The support member is attached to a vehicle body panel or gusset. An intermediate member secured to the mirror casing is connected to the support member by a single joint which is adjustable and which yields upon impact to the mirror casing. In one embodiment, a control lever may be used to rotate the mirror from inside the vehicle. The control lever is connected to the intermediate member by a releasable pivot joint to allow the mirror casing to pivot relative to the control lever upon impact.

Abstract: A rear view mirror head for vehicles, especially automotive vehicles such as small trucks, comprises a mirror head body constituted by a unitary, resilient dish-shaped molding of a tough, weather-resistant organic polymer composition, preferably an ABS resin, which presents about its front side peripheral formations for supporting a reflecting mirror plate with an edge gasket of the plate adhered thereto and comprises a backwardly hollowed narrow ear-shaped portion the hollow of which opens to the front side of the molding and has fitted into it rigid ear-reinforcing arms of angled brackets of which rigid base portions extend over and are fixed to areas of the front side adjacent to the hollowed portion of the molding. The resin of the molding can be of an electroplatable type having a stiffening decorative metal coating plated onto at least the outside surfaces.

Abstract: A door mirror device for automobiles, wherein a mirror housing supporting a mirror is urgingly held by a coil spring to a mirror base fixed to a vehicle body. Their respective end portions which are held are provided with marginal portions which are closely attached to each other throughout their respective entire areas. On the inside of the respective marginal portions of the mirror housing and the mirror base, a plurality of projections extend into each other's inside portion in staggered fashion one above the other, so that when the mirror housing is tilted, the respective opposing projections are engaged with each other to prevent any vertical displacement of the mirror housing, and that when an applied external force is removed, the mirror housing returns to its initial position without a fail.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for attaching a mirror to the exterior of a vehicle, the bracket having a pair of metal plates disposed in face-to-face abutting relationship and encased within a synthetic plastic resin frangible along the plane of abutment of the plates. Each plate includes threaded members so that the bracket may be secured to the vehicle and to mirror supporting members.

Abstract: A rearview mirror support bracket is disclosed having a body defining a front surface, a rear surface, a top end and a bottom end. A pair of elongated, spaced, opposed clips are formed on the back surface of the body. The clips define grooves for receipt of a windshield mounted button. The body has an I-beam configuration in cross section and includes a central web and front and rear flanges defining the front and back surfaces. A wall surrounds the opposed clips and defines an open end through which the button may be slid. Resilient tension and support members are defined by the rear flange in the clip area. At least one resilient retainer is defined by the rear flange. The retainer engages the button and retains the bracket on the button after assembly. The front flange adjacent its lower end defines a spherical ball which is adapted to be snap fitted into a correspondingly configured socket included in a mirror case assembly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite which includes a mirror panel comprising the steps of water-tightly bonding a first backing sheet made of waterproof material to the rear side of a mirror including a vitreous sheet bearing a radiation-reflecting coating on its rear side, thereby forming a mirror/backing sheet laminate; locating the laminate and a second backing sheet between a pair of dies with the laminate and the second backing positioned in spaced relationship; injecting the space between the laminate and the second backing sheet with a foamable plastic material; allowing or causing the foamable plastic material to foam and thereby press the laminate and the second backing sheet into close conformity with the respective die faces and, allowing or causing the foam to set and adhere to each backing sheet while the laminate and second backing sheet are pressed against the die faces to form a substantially rigid composite sandwich structure.

Abstract: A fastening means for a rearview mirror in an automobile interior, which comprises a fastening base formed on the supporting arm of the rearview mirror and a fitting member for securing the fastening base on the automobile body by using a setscrew. The fitting member is provided with a flange-shaped engaging portion having thin-walled portions which is readily broken under an impact which is caused by colliding a human body into the rearview mirror in case of an accidental sudden deceleration of the automobile for example, thereby to permit the mirror to fall off the automobile body.

Abstract: A break-away mirror having a mirror, a mirror bracket attaches to the mirror, a molded synthetic resin bracket, and a nylon nut for attaching the mirror bracket to the molded bracket to hold the mirror in an upright position. A mount bracket connects to the molded bracket to mount the combined mirror-mirror bracket-molded bracket on an automobile or the like. The combined mirror-mirror bracket breaking-away from the molded synthetic resin bracket upon impact. A process for preparing a break-away mirror and mirror bracket wherein the mirror is attached to the mirror bracket.

Abstract: A rear view mirror for mounting on the interior surface of an automobile windshield so constructed and arranged that in the event of its being struck by the head of an occupant due to a sudden stop or collision the mirror mount will automatically snap loose and drop out of the way without causing serious injury to the occupant. Further, the construction is such that the mirror cannot easily be slipped off its mount by a pilferer.

Abstract: A safety mirror for cycles which includes a stem having a reduced diameter or breakaway portion lying adjacent the mounting portion of the stem and remote from the mirror head. The reduced diameter or breakaway portion preferably lies closely adjacent the upper surface of the locking nut.