US3873190A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mounting assembly for external vehicle rear view mirror
Assignee: Metallwerk Max Brose GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1973-08-01
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A mounting assembly is provided for a vehicle rear view mirror whereby the mirror may be located externally of the vehicle and have its viewing position adjusted from within the vehicle. The assembly comprises a base member affixed to the exterior of the vehicle with a mirror adjustably mounted within the base member. Swivel means pivotally mount the mirror to the base member and a pair of fluid controlled elements each extending between the mirror and the base member, and each being adapted to have their lengths adjustably varied by control of fluid pressure thereto, operate to enable adjustment of the positioning of the mirror by pivotal motion thereof about the swivel means. Each of the fluid controlled elements is swivelly interconnected to the mirror and fluid control means operate to enable selective variations from within the vehicle of application of fluid pressure to each of the fluid controlled elements. The swivel means and each of the fluid controlled elements are individually connected to the mirror, respectively, at three spaced apart points not linearly aligned each taken relative to the others. By a further aspect of the invention, the base member is formed of resilient material shaped to define internally thereof a fluid pressure enclosure containing therein a fluid under pressure to impart to the base member dimensional stability while collapsibly supporting the mirror.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Hess
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/06; B60R1/076; B60R1/062; B60R1/0625; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/2042; Y10T74/20432
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
A mounting assembly, for a vehicle rear view mirror adapted to be mounted externally of the vehicle and to have its position adjusted from within the vehicle, said assembly comprising, in combination; a base member affixed to the exterior of said vehicle; a mirror; swivel means pivotally interconnecting said mirror and said base member; a pair of fluid controlled elements each extending between said mirror and said base member and each being adapted to have its length adjustably varied by control of fluid pressure applied thereto; means swivelly interconnecting each of said fluid controlled elements with said mirror; fluid pressure control means comprising a pair of fluid pressure transmitters each connected, respectively, in fluid communication with one of said pair of fluid controlled elements for selectively individually varying application of pressure to said fluid controlled elements; said swivel means and said fluid controlled elements each being individually connected to said mirror, respectively, at points arranged in triangular trianglular configuration; a controlled lever universal swivel bearing; a control lever mounted for universal pivoted motion by said control lever swivel bearing; a pair of lever arms extending relative to each other through an angle smaller than 180* connected to and laterally projecting from said control lever, said lever arms being individually connected, respectively, to one of said fluid pressure transmitters to transmit motion of said control lever thereby to effect control of fluid pressure within each of said fluid controlled elements; whereby adjusting movement of said mirror may be effected by movement of said control lever in directions generally correlated to the directions of movement of said mirror.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
A mounting assembly, for a vehicle rear view mirror adapted to be mounted externally of the vehicle and to have its position adjusted from within the vehicle, said assembly comprising, in combination; a base member affixed to the exterior of said vehicle; a mirror; swivel means pivotally interconnecting said mirror and said base member; a pair of fluid controlled elements each extending between said mirror and said base member and each being adapted to have its length adjustably varied by control of fluid pressure applied thereto; means swivelly interconnecting each of said fluid controlled elements with said mirror; fluid pressure control means comprising a pair of fluid pressure transmitters each connected, respectively, in fluid communication with one of said pair of fluid controlled elements for selectively individually varying application of pressure to said fluid controlled elements; said swivel means and said fluid controlled elements each being individually connected to said mirror, respectively, at points arranged in triangular trianglular configuration; a controlled lever universal swivel bearing; a control lever mounted for universal pivoted motion by said control lever swivel bearing; a pair of lever arms extending relative to each other through an angle smaller than 180* connected to and laterally projecting from said control lever, said lever arms being individually connected, respectively, to one of said fluid pressure transmitters to transmit motion of said control lever thereby to effect control of fluid pressure within each of said fluid controlled elements; whereby adjusting movement of said mirror may be effected by movement of said control lever in directions generally correlated to the directions of movement of said mirror.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
A assembly according to claim 1 wherein said mirror is formed in a generally planar configuration, and wherein said assembly includes guide means extending between said mirror and said base member enabling position of said mirror by operation of said fluid controlled elements but preventing pivotal motion of said mirror about said swivel means in directions lying within the plane of said mirror, said guide means comprising a longitudinal groove formed in said base member and a lug affixed to said mirror and positioned for slidable engagement within said groove, said groove being formed to extend in a direction transversely of the plane of said mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said fluid controlled elements comprise a pair of bellows mechanisms each having a first and a second end with one end of each being attached to said base member and with the opposite end of each said beLlows mechanisms being swivelly connected to said mirror by a ball-and-socket joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said fluid controlled elements comprise a pair of fluid cylinders each having a piston slidably positioned in sealing engagement therein with each of said piston and cylinder arrangements being swivelly connected by a ball-and-socket joint, respectively, to both said mirror and said base member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said fluid pressure transmitters comprise a bellows mechanism each having a first and a second end, with each of said first and second ends being attached, respectively, between one of said lever arms and a fixed support, at least one of the attachments of said ends comprising a universally pivotable swivel bearing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said base member is formed of resilient material shaped to define internally thereof a fluid pressure enclosure containing therein a fluid under pressure imparting to said base member dimensional stability for collapsibly supporting said mirror, said base member being formed with projecting edges extending about said mirror for all positions occupied by said mirror during the operation of the mounting assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said fluid pressure transmitters comprise a pair of cylinders each having a working piston slidably mounted in sealing engagement therein, each of said piston and cylinder arrangements being in fluid communication with said fluid controlled elements with displacement of said pistons operating to individually control fluid pressure in said fluid controlled elements, said assembly further comprising means swivelly connecting each of said lever arms, respectively, to one of said piston and cylinder arrangements whereby pivotal motion of said control lever will effect relative displacement between said cylinders and said pistons, and a second swivel connection interposed between one of said lever arms and one of said cylinder and piston arrangements to accommodate lateral displacement of said lever arms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
An assembly according to claim 7 wherein said control lever is pivotally mounted by a swivel arm extending between one end of said control lever and a fixed point, said swivel arm having one end thereof swivelly connected to an end of said control lever and the other end thereof connected to pivot at least about an axis perpendicularly to said lever arms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An assembly according to claim 6 wherein substantially the entire portion of said base member defines therein an internal volume forming said pressure enclosure and having fluid under pressure contained therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
An assembly according to claim 6 wherein said base member includes integrally formed walls located internally thereof extending to impart enhanced dimensional stability to said base member, said internal walls including portions defining apertures permitting fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
An assembly according to claim 6 including relief valve means for permitting escape of fluid contained within said fluid enclosure upon increase in the fluid pressure thereof caused by deformation of said base member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
An assembly according to claim 11 wherein said relief valve means comprise a stopper member and orifice means shaped to engage said stopper member by a press fit but to enable expulsion of said stopper member upon increase in the fluid pressure in said pressure enclosure caused by deformation of said base member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly according to claim 11 wherein said base member includes a filler valve for enabling refilling of said pressure chamber with fluid under pressure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |