Movable Or Disengageable On Impact Or Overload Patents (Class 248/900)
  • Patent number: 4872636
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Bernhard Mittelhauser
    Inventors: Bernhard Mittelhauser, Bernd Winkler
  • Patent number: 4858876
    Abstract: A post and ground support is illustrated utilizing a helical member forming an auger for digging the ground support into the earth, and easily removing the ground support from the ground and reusing said support in another location. The ground support includes a ground engaging stabilizing member affording resistance to a force having a component at right angles to the post, and a breakaway connection is provided between the ground support member and the post, together with a connection for retaining the post in a position near the ground after separation therefrom. The breakaway connection positions the post upon the ground support above the ground and separates in response to a force coming from any direction about the post. A shear pin having longitudinally flat surfaces extending circumferentially thereabout prevents turning of the post with respect to the ground support and a groove extending about said flat surfaces assure uniformity of shearing from any direction in which the force is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Inventor: Albert M. Moreno
  • Patent number: 4850565
    Abstract: A post and ground support is illustrated utilizing a helical member forming an auger for digging the ground support into the earth, and easily removing the ground support from the ground and re-using said support in another location. The ground support includes a ground engaging stabilizing member affording resistance to a force having a component at right angles to the post, and a breakaway connection is provided between the ground support member and the post, together with a connection for retaining the post in a position near the ground support after separation therefrom. The breakaway connection positions the post upon the ground support above the ground and separates in response to a force coming from any direction about the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: Albert M. Moreno
  • Patent number: 4848607
    Abstract: A tray classifier in which the trays are locked together easily, and stay locked together while being shaken, but are movable with respect to each other if the trays came in contact with an object. The trays have upper and lower locking surfaces which nest with the locking surfaces of the stack locking member of an adjacent upper or lower tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventor: David G. Halley
  • Patent number: 4848888
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Hohe KG
    Inventor: Herwig W. Polzer
  • Patent number: 4840475
    Abstract: The invention concerns an external mirror for vehicles, having a mirror casing, in which a mirror glass is held so as to be adjustable, the mirror casing being held stationary, in the operating position, on a mirror base. In the event of a collision, the mirror casing can pivot away, either to the front or to the rear, about two approximately vertical axes located one behind the other in the direction of travel. In the case of a rigid streamlined fairing for both the mirror casing and the mirror base, there are certain problems in pivoting the fairing parts forward so as to avoid contact. To deal with this, the invention proposes a guide part which is rigidly located relative to the mirror casing and which interacts with a guide track in the mirror base. The guide track is so designed that when the mirror casing executes a pivoting motion in the forward direction, the mirror casing first lifts off from the mirror base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Siegfried Herzog, Dieter Eckert, Max Bausch
  • Patent number: 4832476
    Abstract: A Blind Spot Rear-View Mirror Assembly System whereby the blind spot to either rearside of the driven vehicle can be observed by the operator. Such system comprises a secondary mirror assembly swivally mounted to the primary or interiorly mounted rear-view mirror assembly in the vehicle. The system includes a base member mounted to the backwall of the primary assembly, and on which a pivot mechanism is mounted, a rod-and-ball arrangement pivotally mounted to such mechanism, with the ball being universally swiveable in a socket in the secondary mirror assembly. A retainer is mounted on the base member to retain the rod in its adjustable length-wise position to the primary assembly with such retention also preventing the primary assembly from freely pivoting about the pivot mechanism, the rod becoming automatically free of the retainer in the event the body of operator or passenger strikes the secondary assembly in a jarring collesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Mher Gabrielyan
  • Patent number: 4832477
    Abstract: A door mirror assembly for automobiles having a vehicle side member which includes a strut, a lower case supported about the strut, an upper case fixed to the lower case, reduction gears and a motor accommodated in a space inside both cases, a driving gear which meshes with a final gear of the reduction gears and which is held around the strut, and a spring which urges the driving gear upwards and the lower case downwards. The lower case is supported on a lower part of the strut, while the upper case is supported about an upper part of the strut, and a shaft is disposed by the side of the strut and in parallel therewith and has its ends supported by the lower and upper cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nozomu Torii, Keiji Mori, Hidekazu Kogita
  • Patent number: 4824175
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an anchorage for a webbing of a vehicle seat belt system. The anchorage is of the type that when an abrupt tensile force is applied to the webbing, a bracket fixed on a seat slide rail is deformed to bring a pin of a base plate secured on the bracket into engagement with a recess of an anchor stay fixed on a stationary base of a vehicle thereby to distribute the abrupt tensile force to the stationary base. The bracket comprises two parts consisting of a first bracket fixed on the seat slide rail and a second bracket which is secured on the base plate and is deformed upon application of a force of at least a predetermined value to the webbing. An engaged portion is provided with one of the first bracket and second bracket while an engaging portion is provided with the other bracket. The engaged portion and engaging portion are normally maintained in mutual engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Tokugawa
  • Patent number: 4809942
    Abstract: A bracket (10) for releasably engaging a goggle (14) to a headgear (12). The bracket (10) includes a receptacle (52) with inside tapered sidewalls (124) matable with a goggle stud (55) having corresponding outer tapered sidewalls (125). A release lever (22) is housed in said stud (55) and includes a transverse notch (140) latchable with a lug (146) on a catch arm (144) adjustably fixed within the receptacle (52). The catch arm (144) is adjustable by an eccentric (162) while the goggle stud (55) is engaged within the receptacle (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Varo, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Kastendieck, Richard T. Hart, Wayne Isbell
  • Patent number: 4789232
    Abstract: A break-away mounting for vehicle-mounted mirrors includes a mounting member for securing to the side exterior of a vehicle, with a portion projecting outwardly from the vehicle. A mirror support receives a mirror and has a pivot boss where the mirror support can be pivotally mounted to the portion of the mounting member. A follower guide is secured to either the portion or pivot boss and a follower is mounted in the guide. Cam surfaces are provided on the other of the portion and boss, and a resilient spring urges the follower against the cam surface. The cam surface defines firstly a detent or recess for receiving the cam follower when the mirror support is in its normal operating position, and further defines sloping cam surfaces to either side of the recess which are such that when the mirror support is deflected forwardly or rearwardly it automatically returns to its normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Dominion Automotive Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Karel Urbanek
  • Patent number: 4787726
    Abstract: Remote controlled rearview truck-type mirror has slip clutch pre-assembled and pre-loaded as a part of a longitudinal support rod that connects the mirror housing to a support bracket attached to the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Inventor: Richard M. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 4786156
    Abstract: A remote control side mirror device for a vehicle capable of rotating a mirror housing with respect to a mirror base fixed to an automotive body by a motor driven remote control. The motor driven by a remote control is fixed in the mirror housing to rotate a first gear through a reduction gear. A support shaft for rotatably supporting the mirror housing vertically is formed at the mirror base, and a second gear engaged in mesh with a first gear is arranged at the mirror housing side of the support shaft. Since the second gear is stationarily connected by the frictional force to the support shaft through a friction transmitting mechanism. When the motor is driven, the mirror housing is rotated around the support shaft of the mirror base. When the mirror housing receives a strong external force, the second gear can slide around the support shaft to prevent the reduction gear from damaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries Limited
    Inventors: Kunio Kotani, Tatsuo Nakamura, Masagoro Kushida
  • Patent number: 4778265
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Paccar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Fingerle, Richard D. Chapman
  • Patent number: 4765674
    Abstract: A pivot axle bearing for a sun visor, the one end of which bearing is connected to the ceiling of a vehicle and the other end of which is connected to the sun visor. At least one end of the pivot axles of the sun visor is formed by at least one universal joint coupling, the component parts of which are resiliently connected together and which, when the sun visor is subjected to a force directed in the plane of the visor and exceeding a given magnitude, are forced out of engagement with one another. This ensures that a passenger will not be seriously injured by contact with the visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Autopart Sweden AB
    Inventor: E. Gunnar Svensson
  • Patent number: 4759620
    Abstract: A back-mirror device for small-sized vehicles of the type that a back-mirror is mounted to an upper side portion of a fairing which covers a front portion of a vehicle body by the intermediary of an arm member projecting from the side portion. The arm member is provided with an opening which penetrates through the arm member in the direction of running of the vehicle, hence upon running of the vehicle, running wind blows through the opening from the forth to the rear, and thereby an air resistance is reduced. Among two arm portions separated to the above and the below by the opening, one arm portion is may be made to be able to avoid an external load by separation or bending in the event that an external load exceeding a predetermined amount is applied thereto, and the other arm portion could be provided with a flexible vibration-absorptive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sakuma, Tamotsu Miura, Toshiaki Kishi
  • Patent number: 4755033
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Britax Wingard Limited
    Inventors: Peter J. Whitehead, Ian Boddy
  • Patent number: 4740066
    Abstract: An exterior mirror for a vehicle comprises a base member attached to the vehicle body, first pivotal engagement means mounted on an arm secured to the base member so as to project laterally in the opposite direction to the mounting face, a housing for a reflective member having second pivotal engagement means. Resilient means extend between a point on the base member which is nearer to the mounting face than the pivot axis and a chain comprising a first link and a second link. The first link is pivotally attached to the base member at one end and pivotally attached to the second link at the other end, the resilient means being pivotally attached to an intermediate point on the second link. A cam surface on the second link is urged by the resilient means into engagement with a projection on the base member located between the pivot axis and the point of connection of the first link to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Britax (Wingard) Limited
    Inventor: Peter J. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 4733956
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventor: Frank A. Erickson
  • Patent number: 4732461
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Inventor: Bernhard Mittelhauser
  • Patent number: 4728181
    Abstract: A shock absorbing apparatus for a door mirror of automobiles capable of absorbing a shock applied to the door mirror when a pedestrian or the like strikes the door mirror, by automatically rotating the door mirror; comprising an inner cylinder rotatably mounted on a supporting axis, and outer cylinder into which the inner cylinder can be received, and a shock absorbing member disposed between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and fixed to the inner and outer cylinders respectively, the inner cylinder having a longer length in the axial direction than that of the outer cylinder, the supporting axis being disposed between upper and lower flanges mounted on either a door or a mirror case, both ends of the inner cylinder being fastened by the upper and lower flanges, and the outer cylinder being connected to the other provided with no flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Kakinuma
  • Patent number: 4724279
    Abstract: This invention is a ground supported communication terminal having the ability to flex back and forth in response to an impact from a vehicle or the like so as to prevent and/or minimize damage to the terminal housing and base support structure as well as its internal components. The communication terminal is of a modular design so as to simplify the repair or replacement of parts that may be damaged as a result of a severe impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Inventor: Larry C. Ayscue
  • Patent number: 4712891
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Midorikawa, Isamu Inoh
  • Patent number: 4697783
    Abstract: A bracket (10) for releasably engaging a goggle (14) to a headgear (12). The bracket (10) includes a receptacle (52) with inside tapered sidewalls (124) matable with a goggle stud (55) having corresponding outer tapered sidewalls (125). A release lever (22) is housed in said stud (55) and includes a transverse notch (140) latchable with a lug (146) on a catch arm (144) adjustably fixed within the receptacle (52). The catch arm (144) is adjustable by an eccentric (162) while the goggle stud (55) is engaged within the receptacle (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Varo, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Kastendieck, Richard T. Hart, Wayne Isbell
  • Patent number: 4696555
    Abstract: An electric remote control mirror apparatus comprising pivotably supporting means fixed within a mirror housing for pivotably supporting the mirror body having a mirror by utilizing a pivot connection mechanism composed of a boss portion mounted on the mirror body and a concave portion mounted on a drive casing to be resiliently fitted to the boss portion, a mirror driving mechanism composed of two ball bases mounted on the mirror body and disposed on two lines orthogonal to each other, threaded rods each of which has a ball to be fitted to the ball base and mounted in the direction parallel to the axial direction of the pivot connection mechanism thereby slanting the mirror body, and O-ring for stably supporting the threaded rods and surely sealing the threaded rods from water and/or dust, wherein a stable movement of the mirror is achieved and the mirror is stably maintained even when the mirror is affected with wind pressure and/or vibration due to automobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries Limited
    Inventor: Masao Enomoto
  • Patent number: 4692000
    Abstract: A mirror housing for holding a mirror is automatically swung and collapsed by remote operation in the car. The mirror housing supported by a base is swung round a fixed shaft and shifted to a predetermined position by a drive mechanism which includes a drive motor, speed reducer mechanism and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuto Wada, Yoshihiko Ishiyama, Makoto Yamashita
  • Patent number: 4681409
    Abstract: An outside rear view mirror for cars wherein a mirror housing which is formed independently of a base is swingably supported by the base through a speindle member and automatically swung toward the car body by remote operation in the car room, and wherein when load is forcedly added to the mirror housing from outside, the mirror housing is swung toward the car body by a buffer mechanism, which is arranged between the base and the mirror housing, to thereby absorb the impact of the load added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Enomoto
  • Patent number: 4679758
    Abstract: An exterior mirror for a vehicle comprises a base member adapted to be mounted on the vehicle body, first pivotal engagement means mounted on an arm secured to the base member so as to project laterally from the vehicle body, a housing for a reflective member having second pivotal engagement means, and resilient means for urging the first and second pivotal engagement means into engagement with one another so that the housing is pivotally movable relative to the base member about a first pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Britax Wingard Limited
    Inventors: Ian Boddy, Shaun Gurteen
  • Patent number: 4674432
    Abstract: A collapsible barricade comprising a rigid cross-member coupled by an elastic joint to at least one pair of rigid legs. The elastic joint is developed by a flexible, elastic, resilient connecting member which is attached at one end to the cross-member and at the other end to the rigid leg in a manner such that the formed elastic joint is capable of stretching under stress to allow the pair of legs and attached cross-member to deform from a sturdy configuration when subjected to an impact by a vehicle or other moving object. The collapsible barricade can then be restored to its sturdy condition by merely repositioning or reattaching the connecting members to the respective legs and cross-member and by repositioning the deformed structure to its original configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Carsonite International Corporation
    Inventor: Donald W. Schmanski
  • Patent number: 4661038
    Abstract: A protection arrangement for industrial robotics and other applications reacts to torsion moments and pressure forces in addition to bending moments and traction forces acting upon the flange of the industrial robotics. In the protection arrangement, a protection flange (1) is pulled or held in compression against pins (6) arranged on a divided circle with the tie rod (2) by means of springs (3). On the left end of the tie rod (2) an activating element (10) has been arranged, pressed against a sliding member (12) and/or activating levers (17) by means of spring (11). Upon shifting the activating element (10), a switch (13) is activated for deactivating the industrial robots. This protection arrangement provides mechanical protection for the gripper in addition to the conventional fuse electrical protection for the activating drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerd Kohler, Rudolf Burger
  • Patent number: 4645168
    Abstract: A traffic marker support comprises a base (10) formed from polyvinyl chloride with a first angle iron section (16) and a second angle iron section (18) molded integral therewith. The lateral sides of the angle iron sections (16) and (18) form a channel (24) in the base (10). An upright marker (12) is disposed within the channel (24) and a bolt (30) used to secure the devices together. The lower surface (20) of the angle iron (18) and the lower surface (22) of the angle iron (16) are imbedded within the base (10) proximate the lower surface thereof with the channel (24) extending below the surface of the base (10) but not exposing the apexes of the angle iron sections (16) and (18). The reinforcement structure prevents rotational movement of the upright marker (12) with respect to the base (10) such that breakage at the uppermost portions of the angle iron sections (16) and ( 18) is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Sea Hawk Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Beard
  • Patent number: 4623115
    Abstract: The rear view mirror bracket support incorporates multiple detent positions. The inverted cup-like cover has opposed pairs of grooves inside the side walls of the cover. A moving bracket has one end fixed to the cover and carries the mirror. A molded spring member having arcuate, radially flexible, spring arms engageable with the grooves is connected to a fixed bracket through a retainer. The retainer and the spring have serrations which are engageable to prevent relative rotation between the spring and the retainer when a bolt passing through the cover and the spring member and the retainer is tightened. When the bolt is loosened the spring member can be moved relative to the retainer to set the initial operative detent position. Now the moving bracket can be moved to any one of a number of additional detented positions or can be moved to any intermediate position which will not be detented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Velvac, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Brester
  • Patent number: 4616799
    Abstract: A yieldable highway swing sign is described which swings out of the way when struck by farm equipment or other objects such as wet snow from snow plows. The sign has a torsion bar which returns the sign to its original position after being struck. The sign has notches in its hinges to maintain its original position. The notches resist any displacement forces by providing an inclined plane of 40.degree. which must be overcome before the sign is displaced in an arc pivoting around the torsion bar. The displacement of the sign is limited to a 90.degree. displacement from the original position by the configuration of the hinges and is helped by the increased torque created by the torsion bar as the sign swings further from its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Hugo E. Rebentisch
  • Patent number: 4606619
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Murakami Kaimeido Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tohru Yamana
  • Patent number: 4593878
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Wink Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Stewart
  • Patent number: 4592529
    Abstract: A shock absorbing mechanism for a rearview mirror assembly of a motor vehicle includes a mirror body movable in a horizontal direction with respect to a mounting stay mounted to the motor vehicle in such a manner that the mirror body is initially located at the neutral standing position and is movably supported to be inclined when an external force is applied thereto. The mirror body is automatically returned to the standing position upon removal of the external force or is inclined toward one side of the motor vehicle upon necessity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masaru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4592620
    Abstract: An aircraft head-up unit includes a collimator that is automatically swung upwards out of the pilot's ejection envelope by an actuator, driven by gas pressure from an ejector seat mechanism. The collimator is supported by a first frame, and the actuator is supported by a second frame on which the first frame is pivotally mounted. The frames are held in position by spring detents, which can be overcome by an upward or downward impact. The collimator has a concave surface bearing a holographic element and is mounted below the pilot's line-of-sight, with a CRT display. A reflector, mounted above the line-of-sight, reflects a display image from the CRT display, through a combiner, to the collimator. The collimator reflects the display image to the combiner which directs it into the pilot's line-of-sight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Poole
  • Patent number: 4558840
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Societe Manzoni-Bouchot
    Inventor: Stephane Manzoni
  • Patent number: 4548483
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignees: Ichikoh Industries Limited, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Moro, Michio Tenmaya
  • Patent number: 4520984
    Abstract: An improved adjustable overhead sign bracket system of the type having: a supporting cable clamp, adjustment in the plane of a supporting cable for setting lateral angle of a sign, adjustment about a substantially vertical axis for setting direction in which a sign is to face, and provision permitting a sign to swing in the plane of the direction in which facing to lessen the magnitude of wind loads, provides improved access and swinging clearance at the adjustment about a substantially vertical axis, in the form of a centrally located vertical locking bolt as slim shank portion of an integral inverted "T" member, the lower, substantially horizontal portion of which is a compact sleeve for a pivot bolt providing for the swinging of a sign suspended from it by a sign frame having upward arms engaging the pivot bolt; for economy and versatility in wrenching operations and adjustment in fabrication if desired, the vertical locking bolt may be a conventional bolt with head welded to the sleeve, and a nut and back
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Inventor: Robert J. Rouleau
  • Patent number: 4514060
    Abstract: An external rear view mirror for motor vehicles, with a shell-shaped housing for receiving a mirror body which is preferably adjustable from the vehicle interior. The freely projecting part of the mirror housing is pivotably mounted on the housing base, and the gap between the freely projecting part on the one hand, and the housing base on the other hand, is adapted to be bridged by a flat seal. One edge of the seal is securely clamped, while the other edge engages releasably in, and is capable of being lifted from, a groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Inventor: Bernhard Mittelhauser
  • Patent number: 4511214
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exterior mirror for vehicles, with a mirror-housing which, in normal operation, is retained in a fixed location on the vehicle and which, in the event of a collision, can fold away, forwards or backwards, until it assumes at least an approximately flat position against the vehicle. Folding occurs about a pair of pivot-axes. A mirror-shell, carrying a reflector, is retained in the interior of the mirror-housing. An aerodynamically efficient fairing is provided on the leading side of the mirror-housing. In order to be able to design the fairing with a shape which is particularly aerodynamically efficient, namely with a shape which is particularly long in the direction in which the vehicle travels and which resembles a wedge, while nevertheless being able, on the other hand, to permit the mirror to fold away effectively and with little overhang, at least one separate pivot-axis is provided for the fairing of the mirror-housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm Klein, Jorg Koske, Siegfried Herzog, Hans-Peter Jordan, Wilhelm Bauer, Max Bausch, Christian Grabner
  • Patent number: 4498738
    Abstract: An electric device for adjusting the angle of reflection of a mirror mounted on a motor vehicle. The mirror is pivotally connected to an actuator unit housing containing two actuators. Two adjusting nuts each having a movable pivot are respectively moved forward or backward by their actuators so as to adjust the angle of the mirror. The device of the invention is characterized by having a first guide means and/or a second guide means for controlling the direction of inclination, horizontal or vertical, of the mirror so as to prevent the mirror from being obliquely displaced during the operation of the motor vehicle. The first guide means comprises a cross-shaped member provided in front of the actuator unit housing and a cross-shaped groove, engaging therewith, provided on a mirror holder. Alternatively, the first guide means may comprise a cross pin, one of the two axes thereof being supported on the actuator unit housing, the other axis thereof being supported on the mirror holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Murakami Kaimeido Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Kumai
  • Patent number: 4490012
    Abstract: A safety rear view mirror device has a detachable mounting base part for removably securing it alternately on the brim or peak portion of a cap or the crown portion of a hat or other type of head covering. The mounting base part is bifurcated to alternately fit over and to be securely clamped by a mounting screw to the peak portion of a cap or alternatively, to rest against and to be clamped on the crown portion of a hat by a through-extending mounting screw. A flexible and ductile connector cable is endwise slidably removably mounted at one end within a collar portion of the base part and, at its other end, is adapted to be securely and detachably mounting by a spring clip to a back mounting for a back-viewing mirror. The cable is constructed for easy finger-grip bending to move the mirror into the best rear viewing position, with full assurance that the cable will stay in its selected bent positioning. The cable has a metal core cast within and enclosed by a hollow insulating sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Inventor: David M. Magiske
  • Patent number: 4482332
    Abstract: An arrangement for steerably mounting an outboard motor on a boat in which the mounting is effected such that the steering axis of rotation of the motor is angled rearwardly so that the center of gravity of the motor lies at or forward of the axis. The outboard motor has a lower pivotal attachment point generally forward of the motor drive shaft and preferably above and/or forward of the hydraulic center of pressure on the lower motor gear case housing. The upper pivotal attachment of the outboard motor may be effected by a single pivot point generally rearward of the motor drive shaft or by the provision of a virtual pivot point to provide the desired angle for the axis of rotation. The virtual pivot point is obtained through the use of a linkage arrangement including a pair of links. The links are pivotally attached to the rear of the boat at their first ends and pivotally attached on opposite sides of the lower gear case housing at their other ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Inventor: J. Bruce Emmons
  • Patent number: 4466630
    Abstract: A sparking accessory adapted to be mounted on a bicycle, or the like, and comprising a stationary friction disc member and a rotational sparking disc member. In one embodiment of the invention, the accessory is mounted on a pivotal arm member which in turn is secured to the bicycle, the arm member being manually movable between upper and lower positions, the upper position being the storage position for the accessory in a non-operative position therefor, and the lower position placing the rotational sparking disc member in frictional engagement with the outer periphery of the bicycle tire for achieving a sparking effect. In another embodiment of the invention, the stationary friction disc member is secured to a housing structure and the rotational sparking disc member is secured to the drive shaft of a battery powered motor for selective rotation of the sparking disc member with respect to the friction disc member to achieve a sparking effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Inventor: Larry C. Larkin
  • Patent number: 4466594
    Abstract: A mounting for a rear view mirror comprises a bracket member to be fastened to a vehicle door or body surface, a coupling member joined with the bracket member so that the coupling member can be set about a horizontal axis for any desired angle of protrusion from the bracket member, and a mirror supporting arm connected with the coupling member and normally latched in a protruded viewing position but releasably latched so that the arm will be turned about a vertical axis and thus folded toward the vehicle under an abnormal force at its outer end, such as an impact against the supported mirror head. The mounting structure serves for a mirror installed on either side of a vehicle, reducing the hazards of outboard mirrors such as those required for trucks or trailers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Bernard C. Sharp
  • Patent number: 4464017
    Abstract: A remotely controlled mirror apparatus having a shock absorbing mechanism and the control mechanism, wherein even when a mirror housing is applied with strong external force thereby to be inclined or fallen, the mirror follows the inclination of the mirror housing for preventing damage to the mirror and further the mirror housing can be positively returned to its initial or normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries Limited
    Inventor: Yasuto Wada
  • Patent number: 4464016
    Abstract: A power-adjusted exterior rear-view mirror for large or long vehicles, having a motor and a remote control switch which permits the driver of the vehicle to adjust the mirror while seated in the driver's seat. The mirror can be mounted on the vehicle using existing attachment brackets and can be wired into the existing electrical system of the vehicle. Upon activation of the switch, the mirror rotates from side to side a short distance in a slow and continuous motion until proper adjustment is reached and the switch is turned off. A spring located inside the mirror assembly provides tension to hold the mirror in its adjusted position, and to permit the mirror to give way to a force applied rearwardly on its outside edge and to turn toward the vehicle, then to return the mirror to its original position when the force is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Bock Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall W. Weber, Charles A. Weber