Exterior rearview mirror for vehicles

Patent 5721646 Issued on February 24, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date:

February 23, 2016. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

D268665

D283998

D302964

D316841

D318837

D325017

3346229

3375053

3408136

3476464

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Inventors

Assignee

KAM Truck Components, Inc.

Application

No. 604758 filed on 02/23/1996

US Classes:

359/865, Relatively adjustable248/476, Mirror or picture position adjustable359/872, Mirror movable relative to support359/877With switch or motor controlling mirror movement

Examiners

Primary: Dzierzynski, Paul M.
Assistant: Robinson, Mark A.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP

Foreign Patent References

2043982 CA. 07/25/1992
0287181A2 EP. 10/25/1988
0310261A1 EP. 04/25/1989
0490734A1 EP. 06/25/1992
0590510A1 EP. 04/25/1994
2628042 FR. 09/25/1989
2649953 FR. 01/25/1991
2409748 DE. 09/25/1975
1186443 JP. 07/25/1989
WO 95 30495 WO. 11/25/1995

International Classes

G02B 005/08
G02B 007/182
A47G 001/24

Abstract

An exterior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles such as trucks, vans and recreation vehicles provides reduced weight and vibration and improved stability. The assembly includes a mirror mount securing a reflective mirror element to an elongated support bracket, and a mirror housing secured to the support bracket and shielding the mirror element, mount and support bracket. The support bracket spans the interior of the housing from adjacent one end of the housing to adjacent the other end, is spaced from the side and rear walls of the housing, and has spaced, elongated support members and at least one brace member extending between the support members. Preferably, the brace members are arranged in an X-pattern along the bracket length, while the mirror mount is an electric actuator providing remote adjustment of the mirror element about multiple axes. In one form, the bracket may include a covering wall over the brace members and support members to increase rigidity and reduce vibration. Also, the bracket may support two spaced actuators for separate, independent adjustment of a planar mirror element and a convex mirror element.