Abstract: A kinematic optical mount comprising a frame supporting an optical element; a base member having first and second surfaces and providing magnetic attraction to seat the frame against first, second, and third point contacts. The kinematic optical mount further includes threaded yaw and pitch adjustment cavities extending through the base member from the first surface to the second surface, together with threaded yaw and pitch adjustment inserts that can be inserted into the yaw and pitch adjustment cavities from either the first or second surfaces of the base member enabling adjustment of two of the point contacts from the direction of the either the first or second surfaces.

Abstract: A mirror drive apparatus includes a movable unit including a mirror used to switch an optical path in an imaging apparatus, a drive mechanism capable of switching the movable unit between a first and second attitudes by pivoting the movable unit around a predetermined pivotal axis, an elastic member and a locking mechanism provided on one side of the pivotal axis, the elastic member producing an urging force for switching the movable unit from the first attitude to the second attitude, the locking mechanism capable of maintaining the first attitude of the movable unit on which the urging force acts and releasing the movable unit, and a toggle mechanism provided on the other side of the pivotal axis and capable of switching the movable unit between the first attitude and the second attitude by urging the movable unit so that the movable unit takes the first or second attitude.

Abstract: In the subject three-axis pointing system, the elevation and tip mirror axes are permanently mounted with their rotation axes orthogonal to each other to eliminate gimbal lock over the hemisphere, to avoid high accelerations as the zenith or nadir pointing directions are approached, and to provide optimal two-axis beam pointing control.

Abstract: A mirror angle controller is provided which includes a pivot plate (H) which is attached to a reverse side of a mirror (M), and an actuator (A) which holds the pivot plate (H), in which the actuator (A) includes a housing (A1), a rod (A3) which pushes and pulls the pivot plate (H), and a motor which provides driving force to the rod (A3), in which, a ringed holder (121) which is placed to surround the rod (A3) is formed in the housing (A1), and in which the pivot plate (H) includes a ringed sliding part (H31) which is contact with and arbitrarily slides on the holder (121), and an engaging part which is engaged with an end of the rod (A3) so as to securely hold the mirror (M).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a side mirror for an automobile, and more particularly, to a side mirror for an automobile in which an assembled structure is modified such that even in case of an excessive pressing the side mirror to fall in a driver's view, in comparing with pressing a mirror for adjusting to fall in a driver' view as a conventional method, the assembled state is not return to a disassembled state. In accordance with the present invention, an assembly work is easily preformed and further a assemble state is not easily return to a disassemble state by an external force.

Abstract: A sliding structure and a joint member, which are provided with a sliding means which substantially eliminates the so-called Stick-Slip effect. This is achieved through the provision of free ends of a plurality of projections, sliding upon the surface of a complementary opposed and facing surface. By appropriately dimensioning the individual free end contact surfaces of the projections and by selectively varying in the number of the projections per area unit, the difference between the initial still-stand holding effect and the sliding friction in the case of selected material pairings is considerably reduced. The force, which is necessary to set the two sliding components into motion, relative to one another, is then only insignificantly greater than the force necessary to overcome dynamic or sliding friction. The Stick-Slip effect is known and unavoidable in a case with a sliding pair of unfavorable materials and, in this manner, can be effectively reduced.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element and an attachment plate attached thereto. A mounting assembly is configured to mount the mirror assembly to an interior portion of the vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a toggle portion and a cam actuator, with the toggle portion pivotally mounting to a first mounting element and the cam actuator pivotally mounting to a second mounting element of the attachment plate. The toggle portion engages the cam actuator such that pivotal movement of the cam actuator imparts a pivotal movement of the toggle portion. The attachment plate may include at least one mounting element protruding through a circuit element supported at the attachment plate.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element having at least one substrate with a reflective coating thereon. A specularly reflective indicia reflector is established to form indicia or information at the reflective element. The indicia reflector provides a visible contrast to the main mirror reflector so that the indicia or information is subtly viewable by a person viewing the mirror assembly. The reflective element reflects light incident thereon over the surface coated by the reflective coating of the main mirror reflector, including the area at which the indicia reflector is established.

Abstract: Disclosed are a mirror and an angle detection device that detects an inclined angle of a mirror surface of the mirror. A mirror includes a mirror surface, an actuator for swiveling the mirror surface, at least one magnet for changing its orientation by an angle according to a variation in an inclined angle of the mirror surface, and at least one signal output unit for outputting a signal according to the inclined angle, based on the orientation of the magnet. An angle detection device that detects an inclined angle of a mirror surface of a mirror includes at least one magnet for changing its orientation by an angle according to a variation in the inclined angle of the mirror surface, and at least one signal output unit for outputting a signal according to the inclined angle, based on the orientation of the magnet.

Abstract: An exterior vehicle mirror system has a vehicle mountable support and a support arm. A mirror housing is movable along the support arm between the support and a distal end. An electrically powered mirror unit adjust mechanism can adjust the mirror unit about horizontal and vertical axes. An electrically powered pivoting and extending mechanism pivots the support arm about the support between an extended position and a position folded against a vehicle side. An electronic control system controls movement of the mirror housing along the support arm, and folding of the support arm, independent of an adjustment of the mirror unit. The electronic control system comprises a memorized position for the powered pivoting and extending mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle side mirror (10) that includes an internal case frame (30) having a spherical concave support portion (38) and a ‘T shaped’ retention post (40). The spotter mirror (28) also includes a backing plate (54) having a dish portion (56) with a center opening (58). The backing plate (54) is positioned against the case frame (30) so that the support portion and the dish portion (56) cooperate and the retention post (40) extends through the opening (58) in the dish portion (56). The spotter mirror (28) further includes a single piece retention ring (66) having ramped cam surfaces (72, 74) and leaf springs (78). The retention ring (66) is positioned within the dish portion (56) so that the retention post (40) extends through a center slot (58) in the ring (66). The retention ring (66) is rotated so that ramped cam surfaces (72, 74) push against a back surface of the post (40). The pointing direction of the glass (86) can be manually adjusted by rotating the dish portion (56) on the support portion (30).

Abstract: An exterior vehicle mirror system has a support mounted to the side of the vehicle; a support arm extending from said support to a distal end; a mirror housing movable along said support arm from a first position proximate said fixed support to a second position proximate said distal end, and enclosing a mirror unit and an electrically powered mirror unit adjust mechanism for adjusting said mirror unit about horizontal and vertical axes; an electrically powered pivoting and extending mechanism for pivoting said support arm about said support between an extended position and a folded position, and for moving said mirror housing along said support arm from said first position to said second position; and an electronic control system operable by a driver of the vehicle to control the operation of said powered pivoting and extending mechanism independent of the operation of said powered mirror unit adjust mechanism.

Abstract: An external rearview mirror assembly is fixedly secured to a motor vehicle. The external rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket which is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. An arm is pivotally secured to the mounting bracket. The arm defines an elongated channel having an upper arm surface, a lower arm surface, and an intermediate arm surface disposed between the upper and lower arm surfaces. A case frame extends between a bracket and a distal end. The case frame defines an elongated channel for receiving the elongated channel therein. A mirror is movably secured to the distal end of the case frame to provide a view rearward of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A fast steering mirror that houses all of the electronics needed to operate the mirror in the mirror, more particular, its base assembly.

Abstract: A Newtonian telescope secondary mirror mount which includes means for attaching a Newtonian telescope secondary mirror to the secondary mirror mount. The attachment means will define a secondary mirror plane. The mount also includes first and second means for adjusting the angular alignment of the secondary mirror plane. The first adjustment means defines a first adjustment axis and the second adjustment means defines a second adjustment axis. In all embodiments both the first and second axes of angular orientation adjustment are substantially parallel to the secondary mirror plane. Methods of adjusting the angular alignment of a Newtonian telescope secondary mirror are also disclosed.

Abstract: A foldable exterior rearview mirror includes a housing, a bracket fixed to a side of a motor vehicle, and a connecting arm mounted in the housing and including a sleeve portion suitable for receiving an electric adjusting device or manual adjusting device. The manual adjusting device includes a pivot shaft and a support frame. The pivot axle includes an axle and a base fixed to a lower end of the axle. The base is mounted to the bracket. The support frame includes a cylindrical portion and a coupling portion extending outward from a periphery of the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion and the coupling portion of the support frame are removable engaged in the sleeve portion of the connecting arm. A user may select the manual adjusting device or the electric adjusting device to be mounted in the sleeve portion of the connecting arm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mirror unit for a vehicle, which includes a mirror case (10) having a receiving space formed therein; a pivoting bracket (20) axially coupled to an inside of the mirror case (10); a first operating unit (30) installed to a predetermined position in the mirror case (10) to rotate the pivoting bracket (20) as much as 180 degrees by one touch; and front and rear mirrors (40)(45) systematically attached and detached freely to/from both sides of the pivoting bracket (20).

Abstract: A tire pressure alert system suitable for use in a vehicle includes a vehicular tire pressure monitoring system and a telematic system of the vehicle. The telematic system of the vehicle is operable to wirelessly communicate between the vehicle and an external service provider external to the vehicle. The tire pressure monitoring system is operable to detect or determine or estimate a tire pressure in a tire mounted on a wheel of the vehicle and to communicate an output signal indicative of the tire pressure to the external service provider. The external service provider receives the output signal from the tire pressure monitoring system and processes the output signal and communicates an alert to the subject vehicle to alert the driver or occupant of the vehicle of a tire pressure condition in one or more of the vehicle's tires.

Abstract: An external rearview mirror assembly is fixedly secured to a motor vehicle. The external rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting bracket which is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. An arm is pivotally secured to the mounting bracket. The arm defines an elongated channel having an upper arm surface, a lower arm surface, and an intermediate arm surface disposed between the upper and lower arm surfaces. A case frame extends between a bracket and a distal end. The case frame defines an elongated channel for receiving the elongated channel therein. A mirror is movaably secured to the distal end of the case frame to provide a view rearward of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A motorized tilt actuator assembly comprises one or more threaded jack screws attached to a mirror glass case and traveling along one or more threaded actuator shafts with rotation of the motor. When a jack screw reaches its limit of travel, relative movement between the actuator shaft and the glass case can occur through a slip clutch mechanism during such time as the motor continues to operate. In one embodiment, the relative movement is accommodated by a spherical actuator head rotating in a compressively spring-biased socket. In another embodiment, the relative movement is accommodated by slippage along a friction surface interposed between the actuator shaft and the motor. Manual repositioning of the mirror can be accommodated by slippage of the jack screw threads past the actuator shaft threads, or by a coarse threaded interconnection of the jack screw and the actuator shaft.

Abstract: An adjustable mirror apparatus suitable for operatively connecting to a mining truck or other prime mover to facilitate sight of extremities of the truck or prime mover from a cab is described. The adjustable mirror apparatus comprises, in a broad form, a reflecting assembly including a reflecting surface for displaying a reflected image of the one or more extremities of the truck, the reflecting assembly including an adjustment means for rotating the reflecting assembly about roll, and/or pitch and/or yaw axes relative to the truck or prime mover; and a manually releasable locking means operatively connected to the reflection assembly for controlling the rotation of the reflecting assembly. A replaceable mirror element is also described, as well as a mirror having a replaceable mirror element, and an adjusting mechanism.

Abstract: A rearview mirror tilt actuator comprises a clutch assembly that selectively transfers torque from an actuator motor to one of at least two output shafts based upon the speed of the motor. One output shaft can pivot the mirror about a first axis of rotation; another output shaft can pivot the mirror about a second axis of rotation. One output shaft can pivot the mirror housing; the other output shaft can extend and retract the mirror housing. At a low speed, the clutch assembly is disengaged, thus only the first output shaft is activated. At a high speed, the clutch assembly is engaged, thus both output shafts are activated The mirror assembly described herein also has an improved mass configuration which allows for lower moments of inertia in the direction of mirror travel.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror comprises: a mirror surface; an actuator 100 which tilts the mirror surface; a plate pivot 110, which changes its direction together with the mirror surface; a spring 112, which applies a resilient force to the plate pivot 110 in the direction substantially vertical to the mirror surface; a guide spring 114 which is fitted to the end of the spring 112 at the side far from the interlocking member; a semiconductor pressure sensor 116, which is in contact with the guide spring at substantially one point so as to detect a load loaded on the one point from the pressing member; and a signal outputting portion which outputs a signal depending upon the tilted angle of the mirror surface based on the force detected by the semiconductor pressure sensor 116.

Abstract: A beam steerer comprising a mirror, a joint, and two linear actuators. The joint, which is attached to a periphery of the mirror is rotatable about two perpendicular axes. The linear actuators control rotational movement of the mirror about the two axes. A laser beam or other signal is reflected off of the mirror and redirected to define a field of regard and a focal point in front of the mirror. The beam steerer may be mounted behind a window of an object such that a plane of the window and the focal point coincides and a foot print of the field of regard of the beam through the window is smaller compared to a corresponding foot print when the beam directed onto the mirror is aligned with the joint and the alignment is maintained throughout the rotation of the mirror about the joint.

Abstract: A mirror switch assembly that may be incorporated with a mirror unit for tilting a mirror. A set of contacts rotates when the mirror unit is rotated between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. The set of contacts is electrically coupled to two motors and to a set of terminals. The set of terminals is electrically coupled to at least one mirror adjustment switch that is located in the interior of the vehicle. When the set of contacts rotate, the connections between the terminals and the motors are reconfigured to compensate for a change in orientation of the mirror.

Abstract: An apparatus for deflecting a laser beam includes a deflecting mirror disposed in a holder, a lever, a rotatable coupler, and a drive member. The mirror is pivotable about a first pivot axis lying on a surface of the mirror, and the holder is rotatable about a second pivot axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis to cause the mirror to rotate about the second pivot axis. The lever is coupled to the mirror along a first lever axis parallel to and separated from the first pivot axis. The rotatable coupler is coupled to the lever along a second lever axis parallel to and separated from the first pivot axis, the coupler is rotatable about the second pivot axis, and the rotatable coupler and the holder are longitudinally translatable relative to each other along the second pivot axis. The drive member is coupled to the holder, and the drive member is longitudinally translatable along the second pivot axis to cause the mirror to rotate about the first pivot axis.

Abstract: The hinge (13) should preferably be formed to have a higher resistance than ever against the pivoting of the mirror body (12) to effectively prevent the hinge (13) from being damaged. By adopting a suitable one of a variety of production steps as necessary, the hinge (13) can be formed more finely and with a higher precision and thus the micro mirror unit can be produced more easily in a shorter time. To this end, the hinge (13) is formed from a different material, such as SiNx, from the mirror substrate material from which the frame (11) and mirror body (12) are formed.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus is provided which includes a projector, image source and reflective element. The reflective element is capable of being rotated by a mechanism housed within the reflective element. Light projected from the projector and through the image source is directed to the relective element and reflective onto a surface for viewing. The rotation of the reflective element creates reflected images which move in a desired direction across the viewing surface.

Abstract: An external mirror assembly for a motor vehicle with a base (16) and an adjustable mirror head (12) and a pivot and vibration absorption mechanism (14) on the base (16) allowing manual adjustment of the mirror head (12) with respect to the base (16). The pivot and vibration absorption mechanism (14) has a ball joint (22, 26) to enable pivoting and frictionally engaging faces (36, 38, 42) spaced apart from the ball joint (22, 26) on the base (16) and the mirror head (12) to provide vibration absorption. The respective faces (36, 38, 42) are part spherical surfaces resiliently urged together by resilient means (46).

Abstract: In an outer mirror device for a vehicle, an electrically-driven retracting unit, a mirror surface angle adjusting unit, a mirror surface angle detecting sensor, a foot lamp device, a heater, and an ECU which is a control device, which are respectively internal mechanisms, are disposed within a door mirror visor which covers a reverse surface side of a mirror and between the mirror and which a space is formed. A wire harness led into the door mirror visor is only two power source wires and three signal wires connected to the ECU. As compared with a structure in which the ECU is disposed outside of the door mirror visor, a number of wires can be greatly reduced.

Abstract: A safety mirror for attaching to a patrol car having a front, a driver side, and a driver side rear-view mirror, for use when an officer is walking back to the patrol car from a stopped vehicle located in front of the patrol car. The safety mirror has a housing having a front and a rear, a mirror surface located at the housing front, and a bracket extending rearwardly from the housing. The bracket is attached to the driver side door adjacent the rear view mirror, and the mirror surface is oriented forwardly. Accordingly when walking toward the patrol vehicle substantially alongside and parallel to the driver side, the officer can see the stopped vehicle in the mirror surface while simultaneously watching oncoming traffic.

Abstract: A movement mechanism applicable to a vehicle outside rearview mirror and employing a substantially spherical holder and a substantially spherical bowl nested one in the other and relative rotatable relative to each other about first and second mutually perpendicular axes with the plane of the outer edge of the holder lying in or parallel to the plane of the axes. The disk is located between the holder and bowl and connected to the bowl for rotation about one of the axes and connected to the holder for rotation only about the other of the axes.

Abstract: A rearview mirror arrangement for vehicles, in particular for utility vehicles, is disclosed which includes a mirror carrier plate 1 on which a mirror pane 11 is affixed, an adjusting unit 2 that can be attached directly to a vehicle-mounted, mirror support 4. A platform unit 22 capable of motorized rotation 23, 24 relative to a base unit 21 about at least one axis, is attached directly to the adjusting unit and a housing 3. The mirror carrier plate, as well as the housing, is thus attached directly to the platform unit and rotates with the platform unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for tilting a carrier for optical elements with two optical faces which are arranged together on a carrier and are fixed at a fixed angle to one another, the carrier being fastened on a base plate via articulated connections. The carrier can be pivoted about three tilting axes, a first tilting axis preferably being located in the plane of the first optical face and extending normal to the plane of the second optical face, the second tilting axis preferably being located in the plane of the second optical face and extending normal to the plane of the first optical face, and the third tilting axis being located parallel to the line of intersection between the two planes of the optical element.

Abstract: A mirror mount includes a mirror-head-attached first mount component, a window-attached second mount component, and a tubular connector. The first component includes a base defining an attachment plane, an angled stem, and a first ball section with a clearance area around the stem. A bore extends into the stem for receiving an attachment screw. A clearance area is formed around the stem near the ball section and extends at an acute angle to the attachment plane, thus providing increased angular adjustability of the mirror head in at least an upward direction. The second component includes a ball section and angled extended stem, and is connected to the first component by the tubular connector. The first and second ball sections define a distance less than a distance from a flat side of the second component to the second ball section, thus providing improved rigidity against vibration.

Abstract: First and second reciprocable members are arranged between a motor and a mirror and are selectively reciprocated by rotational force conducted from the motor to tilt the mirror. When the motor is rotated in a first rotational direction, the second reciprocable member is held stationary, and the first reciprocable member is reciprocated to tilt the mirror in a vertical direction. When the motor is rotated in a second rotational direction, which is opposite from the first rotational direction of the motor, the first reciprocable member is held stationary, and the second reciprocable member is reciprocated to tilt the mirror in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A Laser Airborne Depth Sounder (LADS) system for the measurement of water depth is disclosed, the system includes a transmitter and a receiver of laser light having at least two wavelengths so as to receive a first reflection from a water surface and a second reflection from a water bottom, and a mirror (32) adapted to reflect the second reflection laser light and rotate around a major axis (34) and minor axis (36) where the rotation of the mirror (32) around the minor axis (36) is provided by a piezo electric actuator (68). The piezo electric actuator (68) drives the mirror (32) around the minor axis (36) through a mechanical level (72).

Abstract: An optical component casing (40) that houses a plurality of optical components including a reflection mirror (424) and disposes the plurality of optical components on a planarly defined illumination optical axis (L1) has a holder (81) that holds the reflection mirror (424) and a housing main body (401) that houses the other optical components. A bulging portion (816) bulging in an out-plane direction of the reflection mirror (424) is formed on a side of the holder (81) opposite to the side on which the reflection mirror (424) is attached, the bulging portion (816) pivotally moving on the inner surface of the housing main body (401) to rotate the holder (81) relative to the housing main body (401), where a rotation center (P) of the holder (81) is substantially coincident with an intersecting point (Q) of the illumination optical axis (L1) and a reflection surface (424A) of the reflection mirror (424).

Abstract: An adjustable accessory mirror for vehicles includes a fastening base, a double-sided adhesive fabric, an adjustable mirror bracket, and an accessory convex mirror wherein the fastening base mount, annular in shape, is provided with a round retaining cavity defining the top surface thereof and an engaging ball protruding at the center of the retaining cavity thereon, and the adjustable mirror bracket, disk-like, has a mirror groove concaved at the top side thereon for the accessory convex mirror to be mounted therein and a spherical ball chamber defined by elastic arc plates protruding at the bottom thereon. Via resilient support of the elastic arc plates thereof, the engaging ball of the fastening base is adapted to the spherical ball chamber of the adjustable mirror bracket in abutting location by the elastic arc plates thereof.

Abstract: An adjustment apparatus of a reflection mirror is disclosed, the apparatus comprising a holding base plate, an affixing block affixed on the holding base plate, at least one adjusting set, and a rotatable chassis affixed onto the affixing block, wherein the reflection mirror is affixed on the rotatable chassis. Moreover, the adjusting set comprises an adjusting screw and an adjusting spring. The adjusting screw is mounted onto the holding base plate and transpierces the holding base plate to fix an extending portion of the rotatable chassis. The adjusting spring associated with the adjusting screw supports an extending portion of the rotatable chassis to counterbalance the adjustments in the adjusting screw. When the adjusting screw is rotated in, the rotatable chassis rotates along a first direction and compresses the adjusting spring. When the adjusting screw is rotated out, the rotatable chassis rotates along an opposite direction to the first direction and stretches the adjusting spring.

Abstract: A mirror mounting assembly including a mirror support, a base portion, a pivoting joint between the support and the base portion allowing the support to pivot with respect to the base portion, a link extending between the support and the base portion, a first end of the link being held with respect to either the support or the base portion, an aperture provided in the support or the base portion into which the second end of the link locates, a tight sliding fit between the aperture and the link, the link moving through the aperture allowing the support to be adjusted with respect to the base portion, the fit being such that unwanted movement between the support and base portion is prevented during normal use.

Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle is securable to a tubular member that defines a central axis and is secured to the vehicle. The mirror assembly comprises a clamping assembly including a concave surface that is engagable with the tubular member. A housing is coupled to the clamping assembly and supports a mirror. A latching assembly engages the clamping assembly and the housing and is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. In the latched position, the housing is held substantially fixed with respect to the tubular member. In the unlatched position, the clamping assembly is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis and is pivotable about the central axis, and the housing is pivotable with respect to the clamping assembly about a pin axis that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) apparatus has a base and a flap with a portion coupled to the base so that the flap may move out of the plane of the base between first and second position. The base may have a cavity with largely vertical sidewalls that contact a portion of the flap when the flap is in the second position Electrodes may be placed on the vertical sidewalls and electrically isolated from the base to provide electrostatic clamping of the flap to the sidewall. The base may be made from a substrate portion of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer and the flap defined from a device layer of the SOI wafer. The flap may be connected to the base by one or more flexures such as torsional beams. An array of one or more of such structures may be used to form an optical switch.

Abstract: A viewing panel device, such as a mirror device used inside a motor vehicle for observing an infant in a rear-facing child safety seat secured to the rear seat of the vehicle. The viewing panel device may be employed in a plurality of attachment configurations, for use with a plurality of possible vehicle configurations. In one configuration, the top tether anchorage point included in newer vehicles as part of the LATCH anchorage point system is employed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards shock protectors for a pedestal suspended over a lower surface by a plurality of gimbal springs. Each gimbal spring is connected to a linkage arm that attaches to an actuator. A stop located below the bottom of the pedestal prevents the gimbal springs and/or other structures from impacting the lower surface. In addition, the stop prevents excessively high strain in the gimbal springs. A shock absorber extending from at least one linkage arm serves a similar purpose when the pedestal is tilted, rather than simply displaced.

Abstract: Even when a stay is mounted to a mounting surface with tilting angle different according to types of vehicles, a predetermined or more tilting range of the mirror assembly can be obtained, thereby securing a rear field of view. As a result, since an inside mirror can be for general-purpose use of types of vehicles having a mounting surface with different tilting angles, the inside mirror does not have to be designed and manufactured according to each type of vehicles, thereby lowering the cost of the inside mirror.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards apparatuses for rotating a gimbaled platform with rotatable actuators. Gimbal springs comprised of component springs with compliant axes that intersect at a nonzero angle are coupled to the gimbaled platform. Preferably, the compliant axes of the component springs are oriented at an approximately 45 degree angle relative to the actuator rotation axes. Wraparound lever arms coupling the rotatable actuators with the gimbal springs serve to increase the leverage ratio, thereby permitting greater platform rotation for a given actuator rotation.

Abstract: An automobile exterior rearview mirror system in which adjustments by the vehicle operator to the driver side mirror are used to make automatic adjustments to the passenger side mirror without requiring the operator to make separate, independent adjustment of that mirror. The automatic adjustment is determined using the measured horizontal angle of the driver side mirror along with distance data related to the position of an inboard edge of each of the exterior mirrors.

Abstract: A fast steering mirror method and apparatus comprising employing a plurality of linear actuators and a plurality of springs. Four actuators and four springs may be employed, with one at each corner of the mirror. If only two amplifiers are employed, the linear actuators are then cross coupled. Control means supplies current to the plurality of linear actuators, preferably with each actuator providing force proportional to current supplied, each comprising a motor and one or more current loops around the motor, with the control means causing displacement of the spring paired with a corresponding linear actuator by a distance approximately proportional to current supplied to the corresponding linear actuator and with the control means causing rotation of the mirror by an angle approximately equal to the displacement of the spring divided by the moment arm from the center line of the mirror to the center of the corresponding linear actuator.

Abstract: An articulated arm of the rear mirror for cars, bicycles and/or to that of an additional internal car rear mirror, suitable for efficient mounting either on the handlebar or inside the car and allowing for simple adjustment of the viewing position. The articulated rear mirror arm referred to in this invention allows for simple adjustment and arresting of the selected position by means of the articulated parts including the rod shaped structure of the carrier element, the intermediate connection element and the fixing element. The mirror is with its frame fixed to one end of the intermediate connection element, thereby forming an articulation.