US5828504A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Exterior rearview mirror for a vehicle
Assignee: SMR Automotive Systems France SA
•
Filing: 1995-11-17
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Granted: 1998-10-27
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Expires: 2015-11-17
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Xavier Beuzeville
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:30
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/06; B60R1/062; B60R1/07; B60R1/074
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
An exterior rearview mirror for a vehicle comprising a base member adapted to be secured to a vehicle body, a mirror head mounted on the base member for angular movement about a substantially vertical axis between a position of normal use and a position folded alongside the vehicle body, an intermediate member mounted for angular movement about said substantially vertical axis, detent means adapted to engage with the intermediate member, thereby to hold the mirror head in its normal position, an electric motor, transmission means powered by the electric motor and arranged to cause movement of the detent means out of engagement during an initial phase of movement and to cause angular movement of the mirror head away from its normal position during a subsequent phase of movement, and further detent means adapted to couple the intermediate member to the base member and to disengage when an external force exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied to the mirror head so as to cause angular movement thereof about said substantially vertical axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
An exterior rearview mirror for a vehicle comprising a base member adapted to be secured to a vehicle body, a mirror head mounted on the base member for angular movement about a substantially vertical axis between a position of normal use and a position folded alongside the vehicle body, an intermediate member mounted for angular movement about said substantially vertical axis, detent means adapted to engage with the intermediate member, thereby to hold the mirror head in its normal position, an electric motor, transmission means powered by the electric motor and arranged to cause movement of the detent means out of engagement during an initial phase of movement and to cause angular movement of the mirror head away from its normal position during a subsequent phase of movement, and further detent means adapted to couple the intermediate member to the base member and to disengage when an external force exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied to the mirror head so as to cause angular movement thereof about said substantially vertical axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, further comprising spring means (28, 38) acting between the intermediate member (86) and the base member (10) to bias the further detent means (90) into alignment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 2, wherein the transmission means includes a cam member (106) having a cam surface (144) adapted to engage with the detent means (102) and an abutment surface (146) adapted to abut against a complementary surface (148) on the mirror head (56, 78, 82) when the cam surface has caused displacement of the detent means (102) out of its engaged position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 3, wherein the electric motor (142) is arranged to cause displacement of the cam member (106) in one direction by application of tension to a flexible cable (112).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 4, wherein a spring (116) is arranged to cause movement of the cam member (106) in an opposite direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 4, wherein a second flexible cable (164) is arranged to cause movement of the cam member (106) in an opposite direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 3, wherein the electric motor (142) is coupled to the cam member (106) by a plurality of gears (182-188).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means includes a cam member (106) having a cam surface (144) adapted to engage with the detent means (102) and an abutment surface (146) adapted to abut against a complementary surface (148) on the mirror head (56, 78, 82) when the cam surface has caused displacement of the detent means (102) out of its engaged position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 8, wherein the electric motor (142) is arranged to cause displacement of the cam member (106) in one direction by application of tension to a flexible cable (112).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 9, wherein a spring (116) is arranged to cause movement of the cam member (106) in an opposite direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 9, wherein a second flexible cable (164) is arranged to cause movement of the cam member (106) in an opposite direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 8, wherein the electric motor (142) is coupled to the cam member (106) by a plurality of gears (182-188).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
159 words
An exterior rearview mirror for a vehicle comprising a base member adapted to be secured to a vehicle body, a mirror head mounted on the base member for angular movement about a substantially vertical axis between a position of normal use and a position folded alongside the vehicle body, detent means adapted to hold the mirror head in its normal position, an electric motor, and transmission means powered by the electric motor and arranged to cause movement of the detent means out of engagement during an initial phase of movement and to cause angular movement of the mirror head away from its normal position during a subsequent phase of movement; the transmission means including a cam member having a cam surface adapted to engage with the detent means and an abutment surface adapted to abut against a complementary surface on the mirror head when the cam surface has caused displacement of the detent means out of its engaged position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
159 words
An exterior rearview mirror for a vehicle comprising a base member adapted to be secured to a vehicle body, a mirror head mounted on the base member for angular movement about a substantially vertical axis between a position of normal use and a position folded alongside the vehicle body, detent means adapted to hold the mirror head in its normal position, an electric motor, and transmission means powered by the electric motor and arranged to cause movement of the detent means out of engagement during an initial phase of movement and to cause angular movement of the mirror head away from its normal position during a subsequent phase of movement; the transmission means including a cam member having a cam surface adapted to engage with the detent means and an abutment surface adapted to abut against a complementary surface on the mirror head when the cam surface has caused displacement of the detent means out of its engaged position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 13, wherein the electric motor (142) is arranged to cause displacement of the cam member (106) in one direction by application of tension to a flexible cable (112).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 14, wherein a spring (116) is arranged to cause movement of the cam member (106) in an opposite direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 14, wherein a second flexible cable (164) is arranged to cause movement of the cam member (106) in an opposite direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
An exterior rearview mirror according to claim 13, wherein the electric motor (142) is coupled to the cam member (106) by a plurality of gears (182-188).
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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) | 2001-10-26 | 2002-04-27 | 2002-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-26 | 2006-04-27 | 2006-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-26 | 2010-04-27 | 2010-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |