Abstract: A mirror mounting assembly is disclosed for mounting a mirror glass to a mounting bar, the mirror mounting assembly including a base member for attachment to the mounting bar and defining a spherical surface, and a first slide member secured to the base member and defining a spherical surface. A mirror housing for supporting the mirror glass is disposed between the first slide member and the base member, the mirror housing defining a first spherical surface contacting the spherical surface of the base member and a second spherical surface opposite the first spherical surface. A second slide member is slidably secured to the base member disposed between the first slide member and the mirror housing, the second slide member defining a first spherical surface contacting the spherical surface of the first slide member and a second spherical surface contacting the second spherical surface of the mirror housing.

Abstract: A precision mirror mount that is adjustable and able to be securely locked in angular orientation about two perpendicular axes (20, 30), to a high degree of angular resolution. A mirror (10) is bonded to a mirror cell (12), to which is rigidly connected a rod (18). The rod (18) engages a hole in a block 22 and is rotatable to adjust the angular orientation of the mirror about a first rotation axis. The block 22 is part of a mount stage (14) that also includes a second rod (26) designed to engage a hole in another block (28) that is part of a mirror mount stand (16). Rotation of the mount stage (14) about the axis (30) of the second rod (26) provide for mirror adjustment about a second rotation axis. Each of the blocks (22, 28) has a slot (34, 42) and a locking screw (36, 44) that together form locking mechanisms that clamp the respective rods (18, 26) to prevent unwanted angular movement.

Abstract: A viewing device permitting users to view true, non-reversed images of objects out of the viewer's normal line of sight as, for example, an image placed or projected behind the viewer. The device includes at least one pair of mirrors adjustably disposed in substantially direct side-by-side relationship to form a mutual angle. While the mirrors may be supported in a variety of ways, they are preferably disposed to rotate about a common axis, and may be held in place by friction mounts. In the present structure, the common axis is represented by a generally vertical support, which itself is adjustably attached to a second support so as to be adjustable and three-dimensionally rotatable. To adjust the reflective angles of an image being viewed, pressure applied to the housing of one mirror causes it to pivot against its frictional mount so as to change its angular relationship with respect to the second mirror. Either or both mirrors may be adjusted to perfect the view.

Abstract: One or more side-view mirror assemblies located in shell housings which are supported at a distance relative to a vehicle in a manner which allows the shell housings to swing relative to the support structure thereof, further includes a telescopic support brace whose principle function is to reduce and substantially eliminate vibration. The telescopic support brace has inner and outer tubes which slide relative to one another and which are releasably locked at a normal position, but which allow the mirror holding shell to swing outwardly or inwardly in the event of a collision with an object, thereby preventing permanent damage thereto.

Abstract: A power unit is attached on one end of a stay as an angle adjustment mechanism, with a mirror holder that has a configuration of housing mounted on the power unit to be capable of tilting, while the mirror holder holds the mirror body and the power unit is housed in a chamber defined by the mirror body and the mirror holder, so that the mirror body and the mirror holder are tilted with respect to the stay and the power unit by the power unit, thereby adjusting the angle. Thus a mirror housing, that contains the power unit, of the prior art located on the fixed side together with the power unit and the stay is eliminated and, instead, the mirror holder having a configuration of housing is installed together with the mirror body on the tilting side.

Abstract: An extendable exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket, a mirror subassembly, and a support which is supported by the mounting bracket. The mirror subassembly is supported by the support and is mounted for selective movement along the support arm to one of a plurality of viewing positions. The mirror subassembly includes a housing, a reflective element, and an actuator which supports the reflective element on a forward facing wall of the housing. The rearview mirror assembly further includes a clamping assembly which provides a force to urge frictional engagement between the housing and the support to limit movement of the mirror subassembly along the support. In preferred form, the support extends into the housing and frictionally engages an exterior surface of the forward facing wall.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror for vehicles has a housing having an interior. A mirror support has a first end and a second end, wherein the housing is connected to the first end of the mirror support and wherein the first end projects into the interior of the housing. A mirror pane is mounted in an opening of the housing. A switching member is mounted in the interior of the housing and is pivotable on the first end of the mirror support. An adjusting lever is mounted in the housing and projects from the housing. At least one spring is configured to act on the adjusting lever. The adjusting lever is movable against a force of the at least one spring and acts on the switching member for pivoting the mirror pane from a normal viewing position into a non-glare position. The switching member receives the force of the at least one spring exerted onto the adjusting lever and thus prevents deformation of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fender rearview mirror for an automotive vehicle which can be later attached in an easy and quick manner by a nonprofessional even in a vehicle using a door sideview mirror and satisfies a safety standard, such door sideview mirror being constituted by a mirror portion (1), a mounting seat portion (2) and a leg portion (3) therebetween, the mirror portion (1) forming a cylindrical base portion (8) which has an open lower portion on one side of a mirror cover (4) commonly serving as a hood; the mounting seat portion (2) can be gripped and fixed by a fastening bolt (13) with holding a frontward side edge portion (10) of a bonnet (9); the leg portion (3) rotatably engaging an upper portion with the cylindrical base portion (8) of the mirror portion (1) and forming a lower end surface in a cylindrical shape supported on the mounting seat portion (2); a tension coil spring (14) being provided so that an upper end portion (15) thereof may be engaged with an integral portion (17) of

Abstract: In a mirror housing integrally formed with a stay fixed to a vehicle, a tilting mechanism for tilting a prism mirror is formed by a horizontal bearing, full reflection position engaging grooves and partial reflection position engaging grooves formed on the inside surface of the mirror housing and a plate spring and, head light from a vehicle running in the rear can thereby be dimmed. A mirror surface adjusting mechanism for the prism mirror is formed by a support, a plate pivot and a cap support and a driver can adjust the prism mirror to a position where he can easily watch the prism mirror.

Abstract: An extendable exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket, a mirror subassembly, and a support arm which is supported by the mounting bracket. The mirror subassembly is supported by the support arm and is mounted for selective movement along the support arm to one of a plurality of viewing positions. The mirror subassembly includes a housing, a reflective element, and an actuator which supports the reflective element in the housing. The actuator is mounted to the housing by an actuator bracket. The rearview mirror assembly further includes a biasing member which urges the support arm into frictional engagement with the actuator bracket to limit movement of the mirror subassembly along the support arm. In preferred form, the biasing member comprises a plate spring having an undulating cross-section which urges the support arm into frictional engagement with the actuator bracket while absorbing manufacturing tolerances of the actuator bracket and the support arm.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a vehicle interior rearview mirror of the automatic dimming type includes a vehicle mount having a rearwardly projecting first ball portion, a tube having a first end that receives the first ball portion and a second end including a rearwardly projecting second ball portion fixed with respect to the tube and having a wire hole therethrough, a ball clamp within the tube for engaging the first ball portion, a helical spring for biasing the ball clamp to a clamping relationship with the first ball portion, and a mirror socket for receiving and clamping the second ball portion. The tube of the mounting assembly and the first ball portion are unitary in one embodiment, while another embodiment has the tube and second ball portion provided with flanges that are biased into engagement with each other by the helical spring.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle has a housing with a mirror pane pivotably connected therein. A first and a second and cable pull have first ends connected to the mirror pane. The first and second cable pulls act on the mirror pane in a same direction to pivot the mirror pane about a first axis and act on the mirror pane opposite directions to pivot the mirror pane about a second axis extending perpendicularly to the first axis. The first and second cable pulls have second ends. A transverse member is provided, and the second ends of the cable pulls are connected to opposite ends of the transverse member. A ball joint is connected to the housing. An actuating lever is connected to the ball joint and is accessible from the interior of the vehicle for actuating the ball joint. An arm is connected to the transverse member and the ball joint.

Abstract: An adjustable stuffed animal mirror support assembly is provided to facilitate viewing of a rear facing infant in the back seat of an automobile. The stuffed animal's body carries a convex mirror. A support strap is connected to the rear side of the body and extends upwardly to the back side of the head. An anchor strap connects to the back of the head and is also connected to a weighted bag. The mirror is adjusted by adjusting the weighted bag on the rear deck of the automobile and by manipulating the support strap relative to the anchor strap, each of which carries a strip of Velcro.

Abstract: A new ear mirror for permitting self-examination of an ear by a user. The inventive device includes a handle and a reflective member. A pivot arm is outwardly extended from the reflective member and is pivotally coupled to the handle.

Abstract: A support device for temporarily supporting a mirrored surface from flat or uneven surfaces on a tow vehicle, the tow vehicle having a towing coupling, the device being temporarily mountable near the tow attachment in order to allow the viewing of the towing coupling while connecting the towing coupling to an object to be towed. The support device includes a mirror, a support for holding the mirror about an axis. The support being connected a first leg having a first section and a second section, the first section being connected to the second section by a hinge that allows pivoting of the first section relative to the second section from a first position where the second section is proximate to the mirror and a second position where the second section extends away from the mirror, the first section being releaseably attachable to the axial support. The second section further includes a support for attaching the second section to a surface of the tow vehicle.

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 mirror recoil preventing device suitable for a camera has a mirror and a mirror support frame. The mirror support frame movably supports the mirror in movement from a first position to a second position. In a camera having a photographic lens and a range finding element, the mirror guides light from the photographic lens to the range finding element when positioned at the second position. As a first alternative, the mirror support frame has a U-shaped groove at one end thereof. A regulating member is located in the vicinity of the second position to engage with the U-shaped groove when the mirror support frame is at the second position. As a second alternative, the mirror support frame has a leading edge and a trailing edge such that in movement from the first position to the second position, the trailing edge trails the leading edge. A first regulating member is located to be immediately adjacent to the leading edge of the mirror support frame when the mirror support frame is at the second position.

Abstract: A dual state mirror assembly for use with motor vehicles includes a housing having an open front for receiving an outer substrate to form an enclosure. The outer substrate has a surface coated with a thin metal film to act as a beam splitter. An inner substrate having a reflective front surface is mounted within the enclosure so that in a first position, the inner substrate is in direct contact with the outer substrate, to produce a single bright reflected image, and so that in a second position, the inner substrate is placed at an angle with respect to the outer substrate, to provide a dimmed image and to minimize glare.

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 exterior rear view mirror for a motor vehicle of the breakaway design is disclosed which a mirror support member having a one piece integrally formed clamp mechanism for securing the mirror housing to the pivot post and in which the clamping pressure may be easily and conveniently adjusted without requiring removal of the mirror or its outer housing.

Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror for a motor vehicle has a housing with a pivotable mirror pane. A first and a second cable pull having first ends are connected to the mirror pane. The cable pulls act on the mirror pane in a same direction to pivot the mirror pane about a first mirror axis and act on the mirror pane in opposite directions to pivot the mirror pane about a second mirror axis extending perpendicular to the first axis. The cable pulls have second ends connected to opposite ends of a transverse member. A ball joint is connected to the housing. An actuating lever is connected to the ball joint and is accessible from the interior of the vehicle for actuating the ball joint. An arm connects the transverse member to the ball joint and extends at an angle to the actuating lever.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive attachment of a rigid strip to the top right edge of an existing rearview mirror, the strip attaching to a metal strip ending distally in a knurled ball adapted to be fixingly grasped by a two piece, adjustable socket. The socket is connected to a similar socket fixingly grasping a similar knurled ball extending to another metal strip. The other metal strip attaches to a frame supporting a rearview mirror in a lateral position to the right hand side of the interior rearview mirror.

Abstract: A hand held mirror which allows a user to obtain a rear view while the handle of the mirror is positioned directly in front of the user. The hand held mirror comprises a mirror, a frame to which the mirror is secured and an elongated handle. A lower portion of the frame is pivotally mounted to the upper end of the handle so that the frame can pivot about the same. The frame is adapted to be releasably locked in place.

Abstract: A power pack for controlling the position of a rearview mirror of an automotive vehicle which is to be mounted within a mirror housing. The mirror housing is shaped to define a cavity. The power pack is connected to a base plate which holds the mirror within the housing cavity. A stationary pivot assembly is connected to the power pack to pivotally couple to the base plate. A movable pivot assembly is connected to the base plate for pivoting the mirror about the stationary pivot assembly. A motor is located within the power pack and is rotatably coupled to a drive shaft. A first portion of the drive shaft has a first set of threads and a second portion of the drive shaft has a second set of threads opposite that of the first portion. A first arm and second arm are coupled to said first set of threads and the said second set of threads, respectively. Each arm is also connected to the moveable pivot assembly.

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: A dual state mirror assembly for use with motor vehicles includes a housing having an open front for receiving an outer substrate to form an enclosure. The outer substrate has a surface coated with a thin metal film to act as a beam splitter. An inner substrate having a reflective front surface is mounted within the enclosure so that in a first position, the inner substrate is in direct contact with the outer substrate, to produce a single bright reflected image, and so that in a second position, the inner substrate is placed at an angle with respect to the outer substrate, to provide a dimmed image and to minimize glare.

Abstract: A mirror angle adjusting device for use with an automotive rearview mirror assembly has a base member adapted to be fixed to an automobile body, a mirror housing assembly angularly movably coupled to the base member, a mirror holder tiltably supported on the mirror housing assembly and holding a rearview mirror, a control lever assembly for remotely controlling angular adjustment of the rearview mirror, and a coupling assembly for coupling the mirror holder and the control lever assembly. The coupling assembly includes a rotatable shaft mechanism having at least one shaft rotatable about an axis thereof in response to operation of the control lever assembly, an arm swingable about the shaft in response to rotation of the shaft for tilting the mirror holder, and a clutch assembly for selectively disconnecting the control lever assembly from the mirror holder, the clutch assembly including a cam on the shaft and a flat spring assembly between the arm and the shaft for resiliently engaging the cam.

Abstract: A rear-view mirror assembly is provided for motor vehicles, particularly commercial trucks. A housing defines an interior volume and at least one mirror glass assembly is removably attached to the open front side of the housing. A non-rotatable longitudinal support rod extends completely through the interior volume of the housing in a longitudinal vertical direction. Portions of the support rod extend from the housing at the top and bottom thereof for attaching the mirror to a support structure of the motor vehicle. The housing is manually or remotely rotatable relative to the longitudinal support rod.

Abstract: An external rear-view mirror for motor vehicles, particularly trucks, has a support arm and brackets for mounting the support arm to a motor vehicle. A longitudinal housing defines an interior volume and an open-faced front chamber. The support arm has a vertical portion which extends completely through the interior volume in a longitudinal direction. At least two vertically aligned support plates are disposed within the open-faced front chamber and are mounted directly to the support arm vertical portion. A remotely controlled motor drive mechanism is mounted on each support plate front side within the open-faced chamber. An adjustable mirror assembly is configured with each motor drive mechanism and includes a mirror support plate with a mirror glass surface fixed to a front side thereof. The mirror assembly is variably positionable relative to the housing and the support plate by the motor drive mechanism.

Abstract: The speed reduction device for the electrically powered foldable rearview mirror includes a two stage speed reduction worm mechanism connecting an electrically powered motor for folding the rearview mirror which is fixed on a frame of a mirror body and a clutch gear engageably and removably mounted on a shaft which stands on a base and on which the mirror body is rotatably mounted. The first stage worm of the speed reduction worm mechanism is a twin gear including a worm screw portion with a coaxial spur gear on an end thereof. The second stage worm is a twin gear including a worm screw portion with a coaxial worm wheel on an end thereof. The spur gear of the first stage worm is engaged with a pinion mounted on an output shaft of the motor but the axis of the worm screw portion of the first stage worm is parallel with the motor output shaft.

Abstract: An automotive exterior mirror assembly being comprised of a mirror which is held in place and adjusted through a hand set adjustment mechanism which, in turn, is fastened to a bracket; the bracket is attached to an aesthetically pleasing shell. The hand set adjustment mechanism is a low profile assembly, having all of its components mounted from one side. The components are a base, a pivot cup, a sleeve, a retainer, a spring, and a spring retainer. The hand set adjustment mechanism has a partially spherical base with a post centrally extending therefrom for compressibly mounting a pivot cup thereupon. The post extends between the inside of the base and the backside of the mirror casing.

Abstract: A rear-view mirror comprises a holder and a housing adjustably supported on the latter. A mirror glass is tightly, but detachably disposed on the housing. The mirror glass is fixed on a support plate, its entire surface lying free. The support plate is detachably disposed on the housing, in particular by elastic locking.

Abstract: An external rearview mirror for motor vehicle has a housing and a mirror support plate connected in the housing so as to be pivotable about two axes perpendicular to one another. A pivot joint is connected to the mirror support plate for pivoting the mirror support plate. An actuating lever for pivoting the mirror support plate is provided. Two push rods are pivotably connected with a first end to the mirror support plate at a distance from the pivot joint. An intermediate lever is pivotably connected to the actuating lever and to the push rods. The intermediate lever has a transverse rod with two ends in the form of bearing balls. The push rods have at a second end thereof a bearing cup, wherein each bearing ball of the transverse rod rests in one of the bearing cups.

Abstract: A motor vehicle rear view mirror comprising a housing, a mirror glass support supported by a pivot joint disposed in the housing to be pivotable relative to the housing and a mirror glass disposed on the mirror glass support. The mirror glass support defines an installation chamber sized to hold at least one servomotor for the remote-controlled pivotable adjustment of the mirror glass support and thus of the mirror glass relative to the housing.

Abstract: An attachment for an existing rear view mirror structure of an automobile, said attachment including a one-piece mirror for attachment to the existing mirror structure, the one-piece mirror including a flat portion and an angled portion separated by a concave radius.

Abstract: 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 new and improved remotely controlled, day/night mirror apparatus includes an outer housing assembly for connection to an exterior portion of a motor vehicle. An inner housing support assembly is contained within the outer housing assembly and is supported by the outer housing assembly. An inner housing assembly is provided, and an adjustable connection assembly is connected between the inner housing assembly and the inner housing support assembly, for adjusting an angular orientation of the inner housing assembly with respect to the outer housing assembly. A day/night mirror assembly is pivotally supported by the inner housing assembly by a mirror pivot pin. An incremental tilt assembly is connected between the day/night mirror assembly and the inner housing assembly distal from the mirror pivot pin, for incrementally tilting the day/night mirror assembly around the mirror pivot pin from a day position to a night position and vice versa.

Abstract: An automotive rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror housing adapted to be mounted on a fixed member of an automobile outside of the passenger's compartment, a mirror swingably disposed in the mirror housing, a control mechanism including a control lever adapted to project from the housing into the passenger's compartment, and a rotatable shaft mechanism pivotally coupled to a rear surface of the mirror at a plurality of positions thereon, the rotatable shaft mechanism being rotatable in response to control movements of the control lever, for vertically and laterally adjusting the angle of the mirror with respect to the mirror housing. The mirror housing is angularly movable about the axis of the rotatable shaft mechanism in unison with the mirror within the mirror housing.

Abstract: An improved microbeam holder to focus and control a laser beam to direct it to a target for laser beam microsurgery. The holder has a simple specular mirror holder and joystick mechanism for ease in laser beam direction. The laser beam holder allows focusing the laser beam during surgery. An attachment is included to hold the microbeam holder on the microscope apparatus being used for surgery and allows the microbeam holder to be rotated relative to the microscope. An adjustable hand rest is provided to allow ease in control of the joystick mechanism for laser beam direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an outside rear viewing mirror of the type wherein a mirror head assembly is supported upon and rotated relative to the support arm to permit normal adjustment of the rear viewing field of vision and further which includes a mechanism for adjusting the lateral or axial position of the mirror head assembly along the support arm when the mirror head assembly is rotated to a forward facing, non-viewing position relative to the support arm.

Abstract: Tilt control device for an exterior "break-away" mirror assembly (10) of a motor vehicle comprises at least two lines (18) extending from the mirror back (13) of the mirror assembly over rigid curved guide line surfaces (20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27) which guide the lines between the mirror back (13) and the control lever (24, 64), the lines being secured at the control lever ends in a manner to provide maximum line movement in response to control lever movement within an available space at the inner end of the control lever.

Abstract: A retractable turn-over type rearview door mirror in which angular adjustment of the mirror member can be effected by manually operating an actuation lever. By using a certain linkage mechanism, a favorable correspondence is achieved between the direction of movement of the actuation lever and the direction of movement the mirror member. The use of a clutch unit permits the adjusted state of the mirror member to be conserved, even when the rearview door mirror is retracted and restored, by minimizing the influences of the retracting movement upon the linkage mechanism. This can be accomplished by applying a suitable amount of friction to the linkage mechanism, but, by using a lock lever which fixes the angular orientation of the mirror member when the rearview door mirror is retracted, the angular orientation of the mirror member may be kept fixed without requiring such a friction and it allows the operation of the actuation lever to be performed with a small force.

Abstract: A manually operated remote control type door mirror having a base unit and a bracket unit which are separate from each other and can be assembled integrally, wherein the base unit comprises an attaching stay to be attached on the side of a vehicle body, a base extended from the attaching stay, a manipulation lever supported turnably to the attaching stay with one end being protruded to the inside of the vehicle body and with the other end being exposed to the inside of a recess formed in the base, and the bracket unit comprises a cylindrical member having one end to be combined with the recess of the base and a shaft having one end extended from the cylindrical member a bracket supported to the cylindrical member and a mirror tiltably held to the bracket and connected by way of a link mechanism to the mirror and the other end.