Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly, especially suited for towing vehicles, includes a dual purpose spring that provides a break-away feature and holds a mirror subassembly in one of a plurality of positions along a mounting arm. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a housing supporting a reflective element, a mounting bracket adapted for mounting to a vehicle, and an arm supporting the housing and mounted to the mounting bracket. The arm is adapted to pivot about the mounting bracket between a normal operating position and a folded, break-away position and includes a spring cooperating with the arm to selectively bias the arm into frictional engagement with the housing to hold the housing and mirror-subassembly in a fixed position along the arm and with the mounting bracket to hold the arm in one of the two positions.

Abstract: An exterior mirror for a motor vehicle has a housing received within a recess in a vehicle body. A mirror support is mounted in the housing for angular movement between a deployed position and a stowed position in which the mirror support is contained within the housing.

Abstract: A rear view mirror assembly comprising a bracket adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body, and a case, in which a reflective member is pivotally mounted. A lead screw is mounted in the bracket. A pair of arms projecting laterally from the reflective member beyond the periphery thereof and have ridge formations which engage with the lead screw so that rotation of the lead screw causes angular movement of the reflective member.

Abstract: The wiper control method is capable of preventing damages on a wiper due to erroneous operation of the wiper when a vehicle is subjected to a car washer with its wiper operation kept in an "AUTO" mode, and the wiper automatically operates without troubles while driving. The wiper control method is used for an automatic wiper system which automatically controls wiper operation of a vehicle by sensing the climate condition by a rain drop sensor 7, and the state of a door mirror of the vehicle is detected by a mirror folding detection switch 5. When the door mirror is folded, wiper operation control performed by the automatic wiper system is stopped so that the wiper is not operated even if the rain drop sensor 7 detects a rain drop.

Abstract: A new visibility aid for providing a mirror for assisting in the hitching of a trailer to a towing vehicle and method of use have been developed. The visibility aid comprises a mounting portion adapted to be fit to a receiving portion of a towing vehicle and an extension coupled to the mounting portion. Attached to the extension is a reflective member. The mounting portion is constructed of a bendable member arranged for being configured by the user for a custom fit to the towing vehicle. The visibility aid is also uniquely designed to be adapted by the user to form a custom fit with various types of towing vehicle. The mounting portion is coated with a buffering material to avoid scratch damage to the receiving portion of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A detachable mirror designed to allow the driver of a vehicle to view the hitch ball when attempting to align the hitch ball with a trailer hitch. The invention has a stable triangular base and an adjustable mast for positioning a small mirror in the correct location.

Abstract: A single shell side-view mirror assembly is disclosed which provides improved aerodynamic features and improved vibrational resistance characterized by an aerodynamically domed shell structure, interchangeable mirror elements, an electrically activated vibration dampening element and a static vibration dampening elements. A mirror unit of the mirror assembly is disposed within a shell housing but is coupled directly to and supported by a support member mounting plate such that the mirror unit is substantially rigidly coupled to a support member without being supported by the shell housing.

Abstract: The rearview mirror, especially for an automobile, has an improved retention device for holding the mirror in a predetermined fixed position. This retention device (6) includes at least one fixing element for securing the mirror supporting arm (3) in a predetermined fixed position relative to its base (4). The fixing element or elements project from an internal surface of the holding member (40) or project from the pivot (30) provided on the supporting arm (3) and each include an elastic element (61) pressing in a radial direction from the holding member (40) toward the pivot (34) or from the pivot (34) to the holding member (40) and a corresponding recess (62) provided in the pivot (30) or in the holding member in which each elastic element (61) engages.

Abstract: A rearview mirror device for a vehicle. The mirror device includes a mirror base adapted to be fastened to the vehicle. A mirror head which includes a mirror is pivotable relative to the mirror base around the pivot axis. First contact surfaces are formed on the mirror head. Second contact surfaces are formed on the mirror base for cooperating with the first contact surfaces for limiting the pivotal rotation of the mirror head relative to the mirror base from at least a drive position to a parking position. A gear wheel is connected to the mirror base and arranged coaxially to the pivot axis. The gear wheel engages with a drive motor. A folding-path limiter is positioned between the mirror head and the mirror base for limiting the movement of the mirror head relative to the mirror base and a compression spring and a latching structure are used to connect the gear wheel to the mirror base.

Abstract: Since a notch 30 is formed in a circular arc form at a distal end upper corner portion of a protruding portion 16A, from a rear end portion of the protruding portion 16A towards a front side, even when a mirror 28 swings, a vehicularly transversely inward end portion 28A of the mirror 28 does not interfere with the distal end upper corner portion of the protruding portion 16A. Further, a front wall portion 16C of the protruding portion 16A is left at a front end portion of the notch 30. A front end portion 14A of a mirror body 14, the front end portion 14A facing the front wall portion 16C, is separated a predetermined amount from a side wall portion 30A of the notch 30 in an outward direction of a rotational radius. Accordingly, when the stay 16 is rotated a predetermined angle .theta. towards a front side of a vehicle body, a space S remains between the front end portion 14A of the mirror body 14 and the stay 16, and the front end portion 14A of the mirror body 14 does not interfere with the stay 16.

Abstract: A non-obstructive, auxiliary rear view mirror assembly and mounting apparatus to generally provide a driver of a vehicle with a full view of the vehicle's blind spot. The non-obstructive, auxiliary rear view mirror assembly and mounting apparatus is preferably mounted to a non-mirror reflective, support member of a factory-mounted side view mirror assembly. The support member being positioned between a reflective mirror surface of the factory-mounted side view mirror assembly and an exterior surface of a vehicle. The non-obstructive, auxiliary rear view mirror assembly and mounting apparatus is preferably mounted to the support member in the absence of engagement to or contact with, the reflective mirror surface of the factory-mounted side view mirror assembly, and in the absence of obstructing the driver's view of any portion of the reflective mirror surface of the factory-mounted side view mirror assembly, while generally providing the driver with a full view of the vehicle's blind spot.

Abstract: Provided herein is a toolbox system especially well suited for use on pickup trucks. The system provides quick and easy access to a wide variety of tools which may be contained in the toolboxes. The assemblies are modular and are readily loaded and unloaded from the bed portion of a pickup truck. An increased degree of safety and convenience is realized from use of the devices herein set forth.

Abstract: A driving arm (5) that is connected directly to an output shaft (4) of an electric motor (3) is connected to a mirror housing (8) through a ball joint (10). On the other hand, a driven arm (6) is connected to the mirror housing (8) through a connection device (11) having two orthogonally intersecting shafts (12, 14). The both arms (5, 6) are disposed in parallel with each other with a level difference being provided therebetween. As a result, the under view mirror is held in an attitude preferable for the stored position thereof and held in an attitude preferable for the use position thereof, when it is moved to the use position.

Abstract: An under view mirror apparatus includes a housing having an opening and a holding rib extending toward the opening and a frame fixed to the housing at the opening in the housing. The frame is provided with an opening and a projecting portion extending along the periphery of the opening in the frame. A holding clip extends from the frame. A mirror is mounted in the opening in the frame and is held against the projecting portion of the frame by the holding clip and the holding rib.

Abstract: A vehicle exterior rearview mirror assembly, especially suited for vehicles used for towing trailers, which selectively holds a mirror subassembly in one of a plurality of positions along a mounting arm to provide at least an inboard, non-towing position and an outboard, towing position. The vehicle exterior rearview mirror assembly includes the mirror subassembly, which includes a housing and a reflective element supported in the housing, a mounting bracket adapted for mounting to a vehicle, and a support for mounting the mirror subassembly to the mounting bracket. The support includes a pair of arms which cooperate with the housing to support the mirror subassembly in one of two or more extended positions from the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A rear view exterior mirror mount assembly for a vehicle includes a sealing device that seals off an interface between the mirror mount and a moveable shell to eliminate wind noise. The shell can be pivoted relative to the remainder of the vehicle from a normal viewing position to a folded position. In the normal viewing position, the interface between the shell and the mirror mount includes a gap that is sealed off by a sealing member in the form of a resilient gasket. The sealing member includes a mounting surface that preferably is adhesively secured to a contoured surface on the shell. At least one lip member extends away from the mounting surface and across the gap at the interface between the shell and the mirror mount when the mirror is in the normal viewing position.

Abstract: An escape device for an inner mirror includes a stay base mounted on a ceiling of a cabin of a vehicle a stay suspended from and supported by the stay base and connected to the stay base pivotably about an axis extending horizontally in the direction of width of the vehicle, the stay having a mirror body attached to a lower portion thereof, and a stop mechanism provided between the stay base and the stay for stopping the pivotal movement of the stay about the axis relative to the stay base and thereby holding the stay in a suspended state in a normal mode of use and, when an external force exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the stay in the forward direction of the vehicle, disengaging the stay by the external force to allow the pivotal movement of the stay about the axis.

Abstract: A breakaway mirror assembly includes a housing forming a cavity therein. The housing has an opening in an end thereof. An applique is fixedly coupled to the door of an automotive vehicle. A pairs of springs has one end mounted to the applique on a pair of spring mounts. The other end of springs extend into the housing through the opening in the housing. An elongated bracket is connected to the opposite end of each spring. The spring force applied to the housing through the bracket holds the housing to the applique during operation of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A water droplet removing system for a vehicle provided with door mirror assemblies each having a door mirror base attached to a door body, and a mirror unit guides air discharged by a blower installed in a door body of the automobile to at least either the surface of a mirror included in the mirror unit or the outer surface of a side window to blow off water droplets wetting the surface of the mirror or the outer surface of the side window. The blower is installed in a dead space defined in front of a guide rail placed in the door body to guide the front edge of the side window for vertical movement in the door body so that the interference between the blower and parts arranged within the door body including the side window can be avoided.

Abstract: A vehicle exterior rearview mirror assembly provides a break-away housing which exhibits increased dampening, reduce vibration, and consistent break-away force while requiring simplified tooling to manufacture. The mirror assembly includes a housing having a reflective element supported and a mounting bracket adapted for mounting to a vehicle. The mounting bracket includes a pivot extending between the mounting bracket and the housing, for pivotally mounting the housing to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket and housing include a plurality of detent assemblies for releasably coupling the housing to the mounting bracket. At least two detent assemblies have a longitudinal extent which is substantially parallel to a line which extends through a center of rotation of the pivot. Preferably, the at least two detent assemblies are positioned on opposite sides of the pivot and are positioned on opposed sides of mounting bracket.

Abstract: A power folding mirror assembly has a mirror housing that defines a cavity therein. An applique is mounted proximate the mirror housing. The applique has a pivot arm extending into the mirror housing. The pivot arm has a pivot point thereon. The mirror housing is coupled to the pivot arm at the pivot point. A housing arm extends from the mirror housing. A motor mounted within the vehicle has a drive gear coupled thereto. A gear mechanism is coupled between the housing arm and the drive gear so that as the motor rotates, the pivot gear causes the mirror housing to pivot about the pivot point.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for motor vehicles has a mirror arm and a mirror housing connected to the mirror arm so as to foldable about a pivot axis relative to the mirror arm. A support plate is mounted in the mirror housing. A mirror pane is attached to the support plate so as to face outwardly relative to the mirror housing. An adjusting device for adjusting a position of the mirror pane from the interior of the motor vehicle is provided. The adjusting device includes a first adjusting member accessible from the interior of the motor vehicle. The adjusting device includes a second adjusting member mounted within the housing. The first and second adjusting members are connected to one another so as to be pivotable about a common axis. The common axis coincides substantially with the pivot axis of the housing.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly, especially suited for towing vehicles, includes a dual purpose spring that provides a break-away feature and holds a mirror subassembly in one of a plurality of positions along a mounting arm. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a housing supporting a reflective element, a mounting bracket adapted for mounting to a vehicle, and an arm supporting the housing and mounted to the mounting bracket. The arm is adapted to pivot about the mounting bracket between a normal operating position and a folded, break-away position and includes a spring cooperating with the arm to selectively bias the arm into frictional engagement with the housing to hold the housing and mirror-subassembly in a fixed position along the arm and with the mounting bracket to hold the arm in one of the two positions.

Abstract: A plug-in side mirror assembly removably attachable to a side portion of a vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a mirror housing connected to a top end of a support arm and a male mounting attachment connected to the bottom end of the support arm. A mounting structure in a side portion of a vehicle has a female receiving socket therein. The male mounting attachment is shaped and sized to removably plug into the receiving socket such that the support arm and the mirror housing are supported at a predetermined position adjacent to the side portion of the vehicle. A heater and positioning motor are coupled to the mirror housing, and electrical wires extend from the heater and motor, through the support arm, and terminate at electrical blade connectors adjacent to the male mounting attachment.

Abstract: A door mirror with a small dead angle which enables the driver to easily see the areas where the right and left front and rear wheels are touching the ground that could not been seen with conventional door mirrors due to dead angles, and to easily see the horizontal forward direction (if there are oncoming cars) on the side of the assistant driver's seat at the time of passing another car ahead by manipulating buttons on the driver's seat and, then, automatically returns to its initial state. The door mirror with a small dead angle comprises a support arm which includes a straight-moving screw, a slide plate that slides in the lengthwise direction thereof, and a mirror case pivoted on the slide plate to rotate. The door mirror may be further equipped with movable sources of light, may be constructed so as to be folded and may contain a fine adjustment mechanism in the mirror case.

Abstract: An external mirror arrangement is provided including a holder for attachment to a truck vehicle body and for supporting at least one mirror. The holder includes a support arm pivotably secured to the vehicle body and a tie-bar releaseably coupled to the support arm and also attached to the vehicle body. The arrangements provides a releasable coupling that may be readily attached and reattached. A specific embodiment includes an interlocking groove and connection head providing the releasable coupling.

Abstract: An external mirror for a motor vehicle includes a mirror base attachable to the vehicle, a mirror head which bears a mirror, which head can be rotated relative to the base by a motor, and which is mounted on the mirror base by an articulation, and when subjected to an impulse can yield in a deflection direction in which it is tilted toward the vehicle from the operating position of the mirror head. The articulation includes a tubular element fixed to the mirror base, and the articulation further has a bushing which is pressed coaxially over the tubular element by a spring, and a mechanism for limiting the rotational excursion of the mirror head around the tubular element.

Abstract: As extensible mirror apparatus for a vehicle including an elongate arm having a rack gear thereon, a mirror housing mounted for moving longitudinally along the arm, and a driving motor and spur gear enclosed within the mirror housing operable to drive such along the arm for extending and retracting the mirror. An extensible and retractable flexible boot provides a cover between the vehicle and mirror housing for portions of apparatus which otherwise would be exposed upon extension of the mirror.

Abstract: A reversible external sideview mirror has a mirror element and a left/right reversing mechanism for alternatingly mounting the mirror on a left side and on a right side of the vehicle and including two joints, with an arm having a plurality of mirror stabilization grooves provided for a right side use and for a left side use, and formed by two segments a spring located in an angular joint a stepped swivel pin having a smaller diameter portion extending through the spring and a larger diameter portion which is pressed against the spring and an a elastic pin extending through a radial perforation provided in an end of the swivel pin and also in one of the mirror stabilization grooves for a right side use or in respect to one of the mirror stabilization grooves for a left side use, depending on whether the mirror is installed for use on the left side or the right side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A is a pivot connection and detent mechanism for a vehicle mirror (10) comprising:a mounting bracket (14) that is attached to a motor vehicle having at least one pivot connection member a mirror assembly (11) including a mirror and at least one pivot connection for pivotal connection to the pivot connection member or members of the mounting bracket to allow angular movement of the mirror assembly (11) with respect to the mounting bracket (14), at least one detent recess (30) on at least one of the pivot connection members of either the mounting bracket (14) or the mirror assembly (11), a resilient arm held at its first end with respect to the pivot connection member that connects to the other pivot connection member with the detent recess (30), and a detent member (30) located at the second end of the resilient arm (40). The detent member (44) is positioned so that it engages the detent recess (30) to hold the mirror assembly (11) with respect to the mounting bracket (14).

Abstract: A method of widening the directional range of view of a mirror device without enlarging the surface area of the device by suitably combining a number of partially-reflecting surfaces includes provision to avoid discontinuities and overlaps in the field of view. It also makes it possible for the viewer to visually identify an image with the particular reflector that generates the image seen in the image field and hence relate it to a zone of the field of visibility wherein the object is located. A device incorporating the method can be useful as a side-view mirror of an automobile.

Abstract: A telescopic automotive side mirror including a mirror housing attached to a side of a vehicle. The mirror housing has a tubular mirror bracket and a mirror supported therein. The housing has a support tube positioned within and interconnected to a plurality of webbing supports. A hydraulic cylinder is interconnected to a first end of the bracket and within the support tube. The hydraulic cylinder has an exit port and a receiving coupler. A shaft is positioned within the hydraulic cylinder, with a portion projecting from the exit port. The shaft has a threaded proximal end and a threaded distal end secured within the mirror housing by a locking nut. Lastly, an air compressor is in the vehicle and has a supply tube extending through to the mirror bracket. The supply tube couples with the receiving coupler. The air compressor supplies air pressure to the shaft to move the shaft within the hydraulic cylinder, for movement of the mirror housing.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for a vehicle comprises a base member (10) adapted to be secured to a vehicle body, and a mirror head (56, 78, 82) mounted on the base member (10) for angular movement about a substantially vertical axis between a position of normal use and a position folded alongside the motor vehicle body. A detent (102) is adapted to hold the mirror head (56, 78, 82) in its normal position, an electric motor (142). A cam powered by the electric motor (142) is arranged to cause movement of the detent (102) out of engagement during an initial phase of movement and to cause angular movement of the mirror head (56, 78, 82) away from its normal position during a subsequent phase of movement.

Abstract: A positioning device intended for use in a housing of a car sideview mirror to turn the housing to a viewing position where the driver is allowed to have a rear view, a front parking position where the rear side of the housing is generally parallel with the car body and to a rear parking position where the mirror side of the housing is generally parallel with the car body, has a stationary member to be coupled to a base of the sideview mirror and a rotary member to be coupled to the housing. The stationary member has a pair of arcuate grooves formed therein and the rotary member has also a pair of arcuate grooves therein correspondingly to those in the stationary member. The corresponding arcuate grooves in the stationary and rotary members define together regions, respectively, in each of which a ball is retained so as to roll. Also a stopping mechanism is provided between the rotary and stationary members to limit the turning of the housing to a predetermined range.

Abstract: A levelness adjusting device includes a positioning a unit mounted on a support surface for an actuator unit which is fixed on a frame, in which said positioning a unit comprises a base screw hole to play a support point, several adjusting screw holes which are located on a same circumference centering the base screw hole and are opened at positions adjusted to an inclination of the shaft for rotating a mirror body and several screws threaded into the screw hole so as to fix the actuator unit on the frame. The screw is penetrated from the actuator unit front portion to the frame via the screw hole which is formed on a periphery edge of the actuator unit. The screw is threaded into the base screw hole and the corresponding screw hole, and the actuator unit is positioned on the frame.

Abstract: An external mirror for a motor vehicle which includes a mirror base which can be fixed to the body of the vehicle, a mirror housing which is swingable with respect to the base and which surrounds the mirror glass on all sides and projects rearwardly of the glass to form a generally encircling bead structure, a mounting plate which bears the mirror glass, a cap part which is releasably fixable to the mounting plate, and a base part of the mirror housing. To improve the appearance of the mirror device, the cap part of the housing is constructed to project rearwardly beyond the plane of the mirror glass, with the rearward projecting part of the cap forming at least a substantial part of the edge bead.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle has a base for connecting the rearview to the vehicle. A pivot axle is positioned in the base so as to extend vertically or at an acute angle to the vertical. A housing is connected to the base so as to be pivotable about the pivot axle for allowing a forced folding of the rearview mirror in a folding direction from a rest position into a folded position. The housing has an opening for receiving an adjustable mirror pane. A lever with a first and a second end is connected with the first end to the pivot axle. The lever extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or at an acute angle to this direction. The housing has a housing section facing the base. The lever penetrates the housing section and extends into the interior of the housing. A spring rests at the second end of the lever for forcing the housing against the base.

Abstract: A remotely adjustable rearview truck mirror includes a streamlined housing that is stationarily secured to the exterior of the truck cab, the housing having walls that define an enclosure that has a rearwarly facing rectangular aperture. A generally rectangular mirror support covers the aperture and is pivotally mounted for rotation about a vertical axis through one side of the aperture, and a sealing lid or flange extends generally forward from the periphery of the mirror support so as to lie in close overlapping relationship with the periphery of the aperture, and a sealing element extending along the aperture periphery, slidably engages the flange, and an electrically driven drive mechanism within the enclosure can be controlled from the cab to adjust the orientation of the mirror support. A wiper blade mechanism and a heater are mounted to the mirror support, and spray nozzles on the mirror support are supplied from a reservoir within the enclosure.

Abstract: A dual rearview mirror system has a secondary rearview mirror separately adjustable with respect to a primary rearview mirror and stowable within a housing to which the primary mirror is mounted. The secondary mirror is positioned for viewing a separate field of vision by a deployment mechanism, such as a push-push latching arrangement, which allows the secondary mirror to descend from its stowed position by pushing on an exposed surface while permitting stowage by pushing on that same surface to force the secondary mirror into a cavity within the housing. In the stowed position, the secondary mirror is hidden from sight.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to allow the operator of a vehicle wishing to change traffic lanes to temporarily scan an angle of the passing lane which is in his or her "blind spot", i.e., an area outside the normal angle of viewing of a conventional flat side rear view mirror. The invention is also useful to divert the headlight reflection from a vehicle in a passing lane out of an operator's eyes. Accomplishment is through temporary pivotal movement of the side mirror to shift the mirror viewing angle from the position at which it had been preset by the operator for normal driving.

Abstract: A device for regulating a motor-driven foldable rear view mirror of an automobile is disclosed. The device has a shaft reinforcing ring having a plurality of U-shaped slots on its upper outside edge, and a frame reinforcing ring having a plurality of V-shaped slots on its upper inside edge. The frame reinforcing ring is placed about the shaft reinforcing ring, so that their slots are opposed to each other respectively. A plurality of regulating balls are seated on the slots of the reinforcing rings and placed in guide depressions of a shaft gear, so that the balls can move radially of the shaft. The reinforcing rings are tightly compressed by a compression coil spring and tightly kept in their places during the operation of the device.

Abstract: The reversible rearview mirror has a mirror plate (1); a housing (2) which houses the mirror plate, both the mirror (1) and the housing (2) being symmetrical with respect to a horizontal axis (X); a supporting member (3) which is semirigid so as to be bendable when its ends are pressed toward each other in an axial direction; and a base (6) fixed to a vehicle body and on which the supporting member (3) is pivotally mounted and an attachment device for assembling and attaching the housing (2) to the supporting member (3) which is provided between the housing (2) and the supporting member (3). The attachment device includes two L-shaped clamps (4) which extend perpendicularly from respective outside regions of a lateral portion (10) of the supporting member (3) which receives the housing (2); and respective grooves (5) provided in a lateral portion (11) of the housing (2), adjacent to the lateral portion (10) of the supporting member (3), which receive the respective L-shaped clamps (4).

Abstract: A mounting for an external rear-view mirror of a commercial vehicle comprises a tubular arm, which is supported on a metal bracket to be joined to the commercial vehicle for pivoting about a pivot axis and for snap-in locking in various pivoting positions. The end, close to the vehicle, of the arm is inserted directly as a pivoting pin in a pivot bearing opening of the bracket, a bearing bush being placed in between for the formation of a plastics-metal bearing combination, and the bearing bush having an annular projection, which is provided with locking teeth meshing with mating teeth on the bearing bush.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rear under view mirror device having a driving arm and a follower link which are compact in structure. The first driving arm is coupled to a power source and rotatably supported on a mirror assembly and the follower link is coupled to a deflector and the mirror housing. The first driving arm is lockated in parallel with the follower link.

Abstract: An under view mirror apparatus for a vehicle comprises a mirror structure mountable on a rear portion of a vehicle and selectively positionable in either a first condition in which the mirror structure is stored in the rear portion of the vehicle or a second condition in which the mirror structure projects out from the rear portion of the vehicle. The first operating mechanism is adapted to be disposed between one side of the minor structure and the rear portion of the vehicle, while the second operating mechanism is adapted to be disposed between the other side of the mirror structure and the rear portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly comprising a housing assembly, a mirror unit, a support assembly to support the housing assembly, a power operated pivot assembly between the support assembly and the housing assembly to enable the housing assembly to be pivoted with respect to the support assembly about a generally upright axis (1) between an operative position and a folded position in response to the power operation of the pivot assembly and (2) from the operative position thereof in either direction in response to an unwanted impact blow applied in either direction thereto. A spring biased pivotal control system is disposed between a movable tubular member of the pivot assembly and the support assembly to provide a control resistance to pivotal movement of the movable tubular member and hence the housing assembly connected thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly comprising a housing assembly, a mirror unit, a support assembly to support the housing assembly thereon, a power operated pivot assembly between the support assembly and the housing assembly to enable the housing assembly to be pivoted with respect to the support assembly about a generally upright axis (1) between an operative position and a folded position in response to the power operation of the pivot assembly and (2) from the operative position thereof in either direction in response to an unwanted impact blow applied in either direction thereto. A spring biased pivotal control system is disposed between a movable tubular member of the pivot assembly and the support assembly to provide a control resistance to pivotal movement of the movable tubular member and hence the housing assembly connected thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly comprises a housing assembly and a mirror unit mounted on the housing assembly. A support assembly is provided which is constructed and arranged to be fixedly mounted on a vehicle and to support the housing assembly thereon in an operative position extending laterally outwardly from the vehicle so that the mirror unit serves as an exterior rear view mirror for the driver of the vehicle. A power operated pivot assembly is provided between the support assembly and the housing assembly constructed and arranged to enable the housing assembly to be pivoted with respect to the support assembly about a generally upright axis (1) between the operative position thereof and a folded position with respect to the vehicle in response to the power operation of the pivot assembly and (2) from the operative position thereof in either direction in response to an unwanted impact blow applied in either direction thereto.

Abstract: An exterior side-mounted rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror shell having a sleeve mounted on a pivot cup. The pivot cup is selectively rotatable about the central axis of a post fixed to a vehicle. The assembly has complementary interlocking structure located at the base of the pivot cup and adjacent the base of the post. In combination with a spring and retainer which holds the spring against the pivot cup, these complementary structures allow for the selective rotation of the pivot cup about the post. The shell is mounted to the pivot cup in a non-rotatable fashion, by simply sliding the sleeve onto the pivot cup. The method of assembling the mirror assembly is thus simplified.

Abstract: An outside rearview mirror for vehicles having a fixed part and a folding part pivotally connected to each other. A reversible motor is mounted on the fixed part. A serrate shaft is commonly received in the pivot bosses of the parts, thus to pivotally couple the folding part to the fixed part. The rotational force of the motor is transmitted to the serrate shaft through power transmission means. The pivot boss of the folding part has an internal gear gearing into the serrate shaft, the internal gear coupling the second pivot boss to the serrate shaft in the spline type coupling. Both the rotating motion and the number of revolutions of the motor are controlled by motor control means. The power transmission means comprises a drive gear on the output shaft of the motor and speed reduction middle gears gearing into both the drive gear and the serrate shaft.