GB1024998A - External rear-viewing observation mirrors for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

1,024,998. Rear-view mirrors. H. P. SMALLBONE. Oct. 21, 1964 [June 12, 1964], No. 24442/64. Addition to 828,175. Heading B7J. An external rear-view mirror, Fig. 1, comprises a reflector 21 rotatable about the central axis normal to the reflector surface by means of a gearwheel 15 rotatable by a cable 25 extending to the interior of the vehicle. The reflector is carried in a casing 20 under the urge of a spring 22, the casing being connected through a free-wheel with a spindle 14 rotatably mounted in a bearing 12 carried in a housing 10. The latter is secured to the vehicle wing through a universal joint device 11. The gearwheel is rotatable on a pin 16 carried between parts 12a of the bearing and the teeth thereon mesh with teeth 14a on the spindle 14. The cable 25 is secured to the gear-wheel by a pin 24, Fig. 2 (not shown), and when the cable is pulled the reflector is rotated through the free-wheel. On release of the cable, the reflector continues to rotate under its own inertia but the free-wheel permits the gear-wheel and spindle 14 to return to their normal positions by the action of a spring 26, Fig. 2 (not shown), secured to the gear-wheel and to a horn 27 on the bearing 12. In another embodiment pulling of the cable causes the gear-wheel to rotate and wind up a spring concentric with the pin carrying the gear-wheel, but drive is not then transmitted to the reflector spindle. On release of the cable the spring unwinds to drive the spindle through the free-wheel device. In alternative embodiments, the gear-wheel may be replaced by a pivoted gear quadrant or by a slidable rack or the cable may be wound on to a small diameter drum coaxial with the reflector and connected thereto through a freewheel. The housing of the rear-view mirror may carry an L-section rotably adjustable ring at its open end the ring supporting a wiper blade to engage the reflector.