With Rotary To Linear Motion Converting Mirror Adjustment Patents (Class 359/873)
  • Patent number: 5555137
    Abstract: A repair kit for repair and retrofit of an adjustable side view mirror for vehicles having four pliable mounting-bracket assemblies, each having a mirror-engaging adjustment screw for engaging and adjusting the position of the side view mirror within a mirror casing. The kit also includes four pieces of double-sided adhesive tape, each for securing and mounting each of the mounting-bracket assemblies to the inside surface of the mirror casing. Each of the mounting bracket assemblies also has a base member with a bottom surface for adhering one side of the double-sided adhesive tape thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Scott F. Whiting
  • Patent number: 5497275
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power pack for an exterior automotive mirror assembly having a central depression in its upper housing whereby a large diameter pivot cup can be used. The drive motors are arranged within the power pack housing such that the central depression partially extends below the top plane of the motors and an overall low profile for the power pack is maintained. The pivot cup, of this power pack, is separate from the mirror casing and is retained by a unique spring retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Perry, Kerry L. Helmer
  • Patent number: 5432641
    Abstract: The rearview mirror has a shaft attached to a base, a mirror body rotatably mounted on the shaft, a frame fixed to the mirror body, an electric drive motor and a speed reduction gear mechanism fixed to the frame, and a clutch gear mounted on the shaft and engaged with a final stage gear of the speed reduction gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Murakami Kaimeido Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 5400184
    Abstract: An adjustable mirror mount system for a mirror is disclosed comprising a mirror support having a planar surface thereon, a mirror frame containing a mirror and having a planar surface behind the mirror facing the planar surface of the mirror support and parallel to the reflecting surface of the mirror and mounted pivotally to the mirror support at a point central to the frame, a first adjustment means between the mirror support and the mirror frame spaced from the central pivot mount for adjusting the movement of the mirror along one axis lying in the plane of the planar surface of the mirror frame; and a second adjustment means between the mirror support and the mirror frame spaced from the central pivot mount for adjusting the movement of the mirror along a second axis lying in the plane of the planar surface of the mirror frame and perpendicular to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Thomas C. Kuklo
  • Patent number: 5331471
    Abstract: A rear view mirror assembly is disclosed which incorporates an improved drive system utilizing electric servo motors for positioning of the mirror. The improved drive system includes a two piece housing within which a jacking nut is rotatably positioned and adapted to be driven by the electric motors. A resilient coupling is provided to retain the two piece housing in assembled relationship. The drive system is designed to be used with a wide variety of mirror designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Britax Rainsfords Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Robert W. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 5291337
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for adjusting the magnification of a flexible mirror and a method of making the same. The device includes a flexible mirror having a reflective surface and a rear surface surrounded by a periphery. The device also includes a housing having a retainer member for retaining the mirror and a base member supported on the housing. The base member has an aperture therethrough and includes a plurality of angled guide members located about the periphery of the aperture. A retention member, which is connected to the rear surface of the mirror, includes a protrusion which is received in an aperture of an adjustment member and permits the adjustment member to rotate freely about the retention member. The adjustment member also includes a plurality of retainer members which are inserted into the aperture of the base member and engage the angled surfaces of the guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Zenith Products Corp.
    Inventors: Jeff Greger, Charles Geltz
  • Patent number: 5268796
    Abstract: A powered vehicle mirror includes a support shaft securable to a pair of support brackets in a fixed attachment. A mirror housing supports a mirror and defines an interior cavity through which the support shaft extends. A bidirectional motor and speed reduction gear mechanism is coupled to a rotatable threaded shaft having a pair of threaded shuttles supported thereby. A multiple arm linkage mechanism is coupled between the threaded shuttles and the support shaft such that rotation of the threaded shaft during motor energizing causes the threaded shuttles to be drawn closer together or spread farther apart and produce a rotational force against the support shaft which operates to pivot the mirror. A solenoid brake mechanism is operative to captivate a brake plate and prevents run-on or overshoot during mirror angular changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Inventors: Reg Tomerlin, Edward A. Chambers
  • Patent number: 5226034
    Abstract: The electrically remote-controlled type mirror assembly has a pair of plungers to tilt the mirror body supporting the mirror horizontally and vertically, respectively, within certain pivoting angles. The mirror assembly has a sliding mechanism including another motor to axially slide at least one of these plungers beyond said certain pivoting angles of the mirror body. The sliding mechanism is so arranged as to have no influence on the adjustment of the mirror angle within the certain pivoting angles of the mirror body. Thus, the mirror posture can be changed quickly from the mirror angle adjusted within the certain pivoting angle for ordinary car driving to the mirror angle with which the mirror is tilted further downward, and also the initially adjusted mirror angle can be restored accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshirou Nagayama, Takao Sekino
  • Patent number: 5116013
    Abstract: A mirror mounting mechanism for mounting a mirror to a vehicle and preventing mirror movement after the mirror is positioned. A retaining device, which is attached to the mirror and a vehicle mounting bar, is securely tightened in place after the mirror is positioned to prevent the mirror from moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Mirror Lite Co.
    Inventor: Kirk Malcolmson
  • Patent number: 5115354
    Abstract: A high-accuracy traveling table apparatus comprises a workpiece fixing device and a laser mirror for position measurement provided on a table capable of traveling at least in the direction of one axis. The table comprises a mount to which the workpiece fixing device and the laser mirror are fixed and at least one partially coupling member for partially coupling the mount to the table so as to prevent transmission of a distortion of the table to the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Iwase
  • Patent number: 5086357
    Abstract: An external mirror for a motor vehicle is provided. The mirror includes parts that are pivotable to a limited extent between two end positions. An electric motor serves to pivot these parts, with a slip coupling being interposed between the electric motor and the pivotable parts. To be able to automatically establish a synchronization between the pivotable parts and the electric motor, supply of power to the motor is effected via contact strips having an effective length that is greater than the pivot path of the pivotable parts such that even in the end positions of these parts, power can still be supplied to the electric motor. A loop that is associated with the contact strips is connected to the electric motor in such a way as to move therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Bernhard Mittelhauser
    Inventors: Bernhard Mittelhauser, Jan Schubert