GB1576480A

GB1576480A - Mirror angle adjusting device

Info

Publication number: GB1576480A
Application number: GB3964277A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Ichikoh Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Ichikoh Industries Ltd
Priority date: 1976-10-21
Filing date: 1977-09-23
Publication date: 1980-10-08
Also published as: JPS5351363A

Description

(54) MIRROR ANGLE ADJUSTING DEVICE (71) We, 1CHIKOH INDUSTRIES LIMITED, a corporation organized under the law of Japan, of 10-18 Higashi-Gotanda, 5-chome, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to remotely controlled rear-view mirror apparatus for use in an automobile, and more particularly it pertains to a mirror angle adjusting device for such rear-view mirror apparatus.

In a remotely controlled rear-view mirror apparatus for use in an automobile, it is desired that, after the mirror has been tilted or adjusted in position through a desired angle, the mirror is continuously held stationary in its adjusted position. This state of the mirror presupposes that the mirror is not displaced easily from the adjusted position and is relatively unaffected by vibrations of the body of the automobile and/or externally applied impacts by persons or objects.

Japanese I,aid-Open Utility Model Application Specification No. SHO 47-846 discloses a mirror angle adjusting device for use in an automobile, comprising a mirror supported on a ball-and-socket joint; two slidable bars each having elongated slots, which slots are arranged to cross each other; a shaft extending from the ball of the balland-socket joint inserted in a through-hole defined by the crossed elongated slots of the bars; motors for moving the slidable bars via spur gears to displace the position of the through-hole of the crossed slots, so as to cause the mirror to tilt in any desired direction. Such a known mirror angle adjusting device, however, will allow the mirror to be easily displaced from its addusted position whenever vibrations, which develop during the running of the automobile, are transmitted to the mirror, or whenever an external impact is applied to the mirror, or whenever an impact produced by the opening and closing of a door is applied to the mirror.

Another problem which is inherent to such known device is that, whenever a rue sistance of some nature or other or a fault develops in either the mirror or the mesh;.

anism including the mirror through to the motor, a breakage of such mechanism or burning out of the motor results.

On the other hand, in such known motely controlled rear-view mirror appitra- tus, failure of the motor and the mechanism cannot be prevented from taking place. This is because the motor and the mechanism are without safeguards against all kinds of situations, i.e. the various actions of the user and the state in which the mirror is being used.

In such a case, manual adjustment of the mirror is needed. Furthermore it is necessary for the mirror to be continuously held firmly in position once it has been manually adjusted. With the mirror angle adjusting device of the prior art, however, it is extremely difficult to satisfy these requirements.

The present invention seeks to provide a mirror angle adjusting device for a remotely controlled rear-view mirror apparatus for use in an automobile in which some or all of the above mentioned disadvantages are obviated or reduced.

According to the invention there is provided a remote control mirror adjusting device comprising a frame, a mirror mounting carried by the frame, the mirror mounting carrying a mirror and being movable in two directions at right angles, a drive motor for moving the mirror mounting in each of the two directions, a one way drive connection between each of the motors and the mirror mounting for driving the mirror mounting but preventing drive of the motors by the mirror mounting and a slip mechanism associated with each drive connection for permitting manual adjustment of the mirror.

Preferably the drive motors are electric motors.

The mirror mounting may comprise a mirror attachment plate, a ball to which the mirror attachment plate is secured: a socket joint for rotatably holding the ball on the frame; a shaft extending from the ball at a site different from the site at which the mirror attachment plate is secured to the ball; slidable members crossing each other and movably held on the frame; slots provided in said slidable members to cross each other at right angles and having the shaft of the ball passing through the intersection point of these sloths. Each drive mechanism may comprise a rack provided on the asso ciated slidable members; a pinion gear en gaging said racks; a first worm wheel rotatable with the pinion gear; a first worm 'engaging the first worm wheel; a second worm wheel rotatable with said first worms, and a second worm secured to the shaft of the electric motor and engaging the sec ond. worm wheel, the worm wheel respec tively having teeth constituting automatic one-way motion function, the pinion gear being coupled to the first worm wheel via the'slip mechanism.

The rotation of the electric motors is reduced in speed by the worms and the worm wheels, and furthermore the speed is reduced by the rack-and-pinion members, and is thereby converted to reciprocating motions, to cause the slidable members to make reciprocating movements. These reciprocating movements, in turn, displace the cross point of the slots, so that the mirror as well as its attachment plate will be tilted about the ball-and-socket joint. By suitable actuation of the two electric motors, the mirror can .be adjusted in its position into any direction desired by the driver of the automobile. After the mirror has been adjusted in position, the mirror is held firmly in the adjusted position by the one-way motion function provided by the worm and its mating worm wheel. Even when vibra tions of the body of the automobile or ex ternal impacts by persons or by objects are applied to the mirror, the mirror can be prevented from being displaced.

In the mirror angle adjusting device ac cording to the present invention, the slip mechanism may have any suitable form.

This slip mechanism can prevent an over load of the electric motors even when a force is applied to the mirror which hampers themoqrement of the mirror, or when a failure or resistance occurs in the entire mechanism leading from the mirror to the first worm wheels.

Each slip mechanism preferably com prises a tubular hole provided in the first worm wheel; teeth formed on the inner cir cumferences of this tubular hole; a disc to one surface of which the pinion gear is secured a structure provided on the other surfaces of the disc and having a height cor responding.to. the depth of the tubular hole; one or more movable pieces movably ac comodated . within. th,.e structures and each having a projection engaging the teeth formed on the inner circumference of the tubular hole; and one or more leaf springs provided within the structure to contact the movable piece(s) to insure the engagement of the projection(s) with the teeth. Such slip mechanism can be incorporated within the worm wheels, and accordingly the device as a whole can be constructed compactly.

Even when a fault develops in the entire mechanism, the mirror can be adjusted in its position manually, and after the adjustment, it is possible for the second worms and worm' wheels to prevent the forced displacement of the mirror caused by the vibrations of the body of the automobile or by the impact applied to the mirror externally.

In the mirror angle adjusting device according to the present invention, the balland-socket joint preferably is designed to prevent either the mirror or the mirror attachment plate from rotating about a horizontal axis. In an example of the mirror angle adjusting device according to the present invention, the socket of the ballmand- socket joint comprises a seat provided on the frame for receiving the ball; an opening provided through this ball-receiving seat for the passage therethrough of the shaft of the ball; small shafts extending from the ball to cross the shaft at right angles; an urging plate secured to the frame and having projections projections arranged at positions at which these projections cross the small shafts at right angles; and a spring plate having grooves engaging both the small shafts and the projections of the urging plate.

By so arranging the ball-and-socket joint, it becomes possible to prevent the relative positional relationship between the parts of the whole mechanism from altering even when the mirror, after being adjusted in its position. is forcibly displaced by an external force applied thereto, and it also becomes possible to insure that a readjustment of the position of the mirror can be carried out smoothly and positively. Furthermore, in case the mirror has a configuration other than a circular shape, it becomes possible to prevent rotation of the mirror caused by the centre of gravity of the mirror being located away from the position at which the mirror is supported.

Since the ball is urged onto the ballreceiving seat by a spring plate, it will be understood that, even when the ball or the ball-receiving seat or both have become worn, the torque of the ball is maintained constant. Thus, the rear view mirror apparatus functions stably for an extended period of time.

The invention will now be described in greater. .d,etail, 'by way of example,' with reference 'to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view taken from the driver's seat of an automobile, showing a rear view mirror apparatus, having a mirror angle adjusting device in according with the present invention, mounted on the front wing of the automobile; Figure 2 is a front view of the mirror angle adjusting device of the present invention, partly broken away to show the mechanism contained therein.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the device shown in Figure 2, partly broken away to show the mechanism contained herein.

Figure 4 is a side view of the mirror angle adjusting device of the present invention, partly broken away, and showing a part thereof in a central vertical section; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the essential parts of the driving mechanism of the mirror angle adjusting device of the present invention, somewhat modified relative to the other figures, to briefly explain the mechanism; Figure 6 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view showing the details of the overload operation preventing mechanism or slip mechanism employed in the driving mechanism; Figure 7 is a plan view of the cover of the device; Figure 7A is a plan view showing the arrangement of the frame of the device; Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the details of the arrangement of the device in the vicinity of the ball-andsocket joint of somewhat modified and enlarged for better understanding, and Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view of the leaf spring taken along the line IX-IX in Figure 8.

A mirror angle adjusting device according to the present invention is mounted within a rear-view mirror apparatus shown at 10 in Figure 1. This rear view mirror apparatus 10 has a housing 6 of an aerodynamic shape and is firmly mounted on the body of an automobile by attachment of the base of a leg 7 integral with the housing to either a fender or a wing of the automobile. A mirror 8 is arranged in the opening of the housing 6 and is held by the mirror angle adjusting device of the present invention which is arranged within this housing 6. The mirror 8 is adapted to be adjusted - as to its angle, as required, from the driver's seat by operation of switch means 9 provided within the driver's operating area.

Figures 2 to 9 show the details of a mirror angle adjusting device according to the present invention. A frame 11 is fixed within the housing 6. On one side of this frame 11, the mirror 8 is supported by a ball-andsocket joint. A driving mechanism is provided on the other side of the frame and is enclosed in sealed fashion by a cover 12 which is placed over the entire side of the frame 11.

The rear of the mirror 8 is bonded or otherwise secured to an attachment or supporting plate 13. This attachment plate is fixed to the ball 14 of the ball-and-socket joint for free rotary movement in any desired direction. The ball 14 of this ball-andsocket joint is held in a ball-receiving seat 17 provided on the frame 11. A shaft 19 extends from the ball 14, and this shaft 19 extends through to the opposite side of the frame 11 after passing through an opening 20 in the ball-receiving seat 17.

On the opposite side of the frame 11, two slidable bars 21 and 21a are provided, arranged to cross over each other at right angles. These two slidable bars are provided with slots 22 and 22a, respectively, which also cross each other at right angles. The shaft 19 of the ball 14 passes through the crossing point of these two slots 22 and 22a.

It will be understood that, as the slidable bars 21 and 21a are displaced, the position of the crossing point of the slots will be displaced accordingly, so that the ball 14 is moved angularly thereby, causing the attachment plate 13 of the mirror 8 to tilt.

The respective slots 22 and 22a are arranged so that, when the rear view mirror apparatus 10 is installed onto the body of the automobile, these slots will allow the mirror 8 to be pivoted about both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis extending in the direction of the width of the automobile body. Thus, by the displacement of the respective slidable bars 21 and 21a, the mirror 8 is pivoted both to right and left and also up and down, providing for tilting the mirror into slant position upwardly and downwardly.

The respective slidable bars 21 and 21a have arms, which extend in the crossing directions. These arms form racks 23 and 23a, respectively, which engage mating pinion gears 24 and 24a respectively. The respective pinions are attached to worm wheels 25 and 25a, for rotation therewith, the worm wheels 25 and 25a engaging worms 26 and 26a, respectively. These worms 26 and 26a are coaxial with associated worm wheels 27 and 27a, respectively, for rotation therewith. Worms 30 and 30a are secured to the shafts of electiic motors 29 and 29a, respectively. These worms 30 and 3()a engage the worm wheels 27 and 27a, respectively. In the driving mechanisms which are associated with the respective slidable bars 21 and 21a the rotational speed of the clectric motors is reduced by the two sets of worms and worm gears and is further reduced and are converted into reciprocal motions, respectively, by the slidable bars.

At least one of these two sets of worm gears, and preferably both sets, possesses a one-way motion transmitting function. More particularly, the pitch angle of the worm and the co-efficient of friction at the surface of thread thereof are selected in such a manner as to insure that rotation of the worm is transmitted to the worm wheel, but, conversely, rotation of the worm wheel is not transmitted to the worm. Thus, the attachment plate 13 can be tilted by the electric motors, but, when an external force is applied to the attachment plate 13, it can be prevented, by the worm gears from being tilted.

The slidable bars 21 and 21a are fitted, in superposed fashion relative to each other, on the inside of a guide wall 41 'which is provided on the frame 11. The arms which constitute the racks 23 and 23a and are provided for the respective slidable bars, extend to the outside of the guide wall 41 through cutouts 42a which are formed in the guide wall. These arms are arranged to cross their mating slots at right angles, respectively. Rack teeth 23 and 23a are formed on one side of these respective arms. Pinion gears 24 and 24a are mounted on the worm wheels 25 and 25a respectively coaxially therewith.

A unit comprising a pinion gear 24 and worm wheel 25 is accommodated in a recess 43 formed ih the frame 11. This r cess 43 has an inner diameter which is slightly large than the outer diameter of the worm wheel 25, and has, extending from its bottom, a shaft 44 which passes througli both the pinion gear 24 and the worm wheel 25. A cover 12 is provided for the recess 43 and has a projection 81 which is urged against the side surfaces of both the pinion gear and the worm wheel mentioned above.

The unit comprising the pinion gear 24 and the worm wheel 25 is positioned in place and also is rotatably held on the frame 11 and the cover 12 by this projection 81.

The worm 26 and the worm wheel 27 are arranged coaxially, and are formed integrally. These members are accommodated within another recess 45 'which, in turn, is also formed in the frame 11. The shaft portions which extend at the opposite ends of the assembly of the worm 26 and the worn wheel 27 are each rotatably supported by a semi-circular half bearing 46 which is formed on the frame 11 and by another semi-circular half bearing 82 which is provided on the cover 12. The worm 26 and worm wheel 27 are arranged in parallel with the rack or arm 23. The worm 30 has shaft portion .provided at its opposite ends, ar.d each of these shaft abortions are supported rotatably by a semi-circularlhalf bearing 47 'which is formed on the frame 11 and by another semi-circular half bearing 83 which -is 'provided on the cover 12, and the worm 30 is arranged so as to bridge the base portion of the arm 23, the worm 26 and the worm wheel 27, An electric mot0r 29 is held by a recess 48 in the frame 11 and also by a recess 84 in the cover 12. The worm 30 is mounted on the shaft of this motor 29. The shaft of the motor 29 and the hole in the worm into which the shaft of this motor is inserted both have the cross section of a circle with a cut-out. Thus, the motive power of this motor 29 is transmitted to the worm 30 solely by mounting the worm 30 onto the shaft of the motor 29. In addition to this arrangement, it should be noted that the slidable bar 21 and the pinion gear 24 are arranged in the space delimited by the worm 30 and the worm wheel 25, the worm 26 and the worm wheel 2, or in other words, they are arranged iu different planes, so that the driving mechanism as a whole has a compact site.

Also, the respective constituting elements 22 29a of the other driving mechanism associated with the slidable bar 21a is constructed in a similar way to the mechanism just described above. These elements are held and arranged by recesses formed in the frame, the semi-circular half bearings 43alma which are provided on the frame Ii and also by the projection of the cover or the semi-circular half bearings 8la-84a of the cover. However, the unit comprising the worm 26a and the worm wheel 27a cross the arm of the slidable bar 2la at right angles whereas the worm 30a is arranged in parallel with this arm.

The assembly of the driving mechanisms of the rear view mirror apparatus is carried out in the manner described below: The worm wheels 25 and 25a are fitted into the recesses 43 and 43a of the frame 11 together with the pinion gears 24 and 24a, and the slidable bars 21 and 21a are placed successively on the guide wall 41. Then the two units formed by the worm 26 and the worm wheel 27, and the worm 26a and the worm wheel 27a are fitted into the recesses 45 and 45a of the frame 11, respectively, and the worms 30 and 30a are placed on the semi-circular half bearings 47 and 47a, re spectively. Together therewith, the electric motors 29 and 29a are placed in the recesses 48 and 48a, respectively. Then, the cover 12 is fitted onto the frame 11. As a result, the respective constituting elements are held in place and also the associ-ated elements are brought into engagement with each other. This arrangement of the driving mechanisms allows the user to obtain-easy access to fhe device at one side thereof for any desired purpose. It should be noted also that the cover 12 is fixed to the frame 11 by pressing pins 85 of this covet into holes which are provided in the frame in a cor r spondiwng position. As stated, the assembly of the mechanisms can be accomplished only by successive assembly of the respective elements or parts into the prefabricated recesses or projections of the frame. Moreover, the whole assembly opera- tion can be performed from one side of,the frame. Thus it is possible to accomplish:.the assembly quite easily.

In the mirror angle adjusting device of the present invention, in order to prevent the occurrence of damage of the electric motors due to burning out, there are provided slip mechanisms between the pinion gears 24, 24a and the first worm wheels 25, 25a respectively. These slip mechanisms can have various kinds of structure. Such a slip mechanism, however, desirably is capable of not only preventing the corr;espond- ing electric motor from overload operation, when there develops a resistance or a fault in the mechanism arranging from the mirror up to the electric motor, but also allows the mirror to be angularly adjusted manually if there is a fault in the electric motor, and also a large-sized structure as well as a complexity of the device as a whole can be avoided.

Figure 6 shows the details of a preferred example of such a slip mechanism. The worm wheel 25 is provided with a tubular recess 50. On the inner circumference of this tubular hole 50 are formed a number of teeth 51. On the other hand, the pinion gear 24 is fixed to a disc 52 which, in turn, is fitted into the tubular hole formed in the worm wheel 25. The positions at which the discs 52 are fitted in the tubular hole' of the worm wheel 26 are limited by a struc- ture 53 which has a height corresponding to the depth of the tubular hole and which is provided on the rear side of the disc 52.

Each structure 53 has movable pieces 56 which are allowed to move towards and away from each other. Each of these movable pieces 56 has a small projection 57 which engages the teeth 51 which are formed on the inner circumference of the worm wheel 25. The engagement of these projections 57 with the inside teeth of the worm wheel is maintained by leaf springs 58 held in the structure 53, the leaf springs urging the movable pieces against the internal teeth of the worm wheel. As the worm wheel 27 is rotated, the associated pinion gear 24 is rotated therewith. When the rotation of the pinion gear 24 is disturbed for some reason or other, the movable pieces are moved in against the spring force of the leaf springs, and the projections and the teeth are disengaged thereby, so that the worm wheel 25 is allowed to rotate by itself. A mechanism having a similar arrangement is provided between the pinion 24a and the worm wheel 25a.

For the foregoing reason, when an external force is applied to the mirror 'd,iiring a tilting' operation it will be understood that only the slidable bar and its m ting pinion gear are locked so that the worm wheel is rotatable. As a result, the entire mechanism as well as the electric motor are not forceably loaded. Even when the mirror has been tilted by an external force up t'Q ,its maximum angle of tilting, neither the mechanism nor the electric motor is forceably loaded. Not only that, but, because the mirror and the slidable bar plus its mating pinion gear are locked, it will be noted that even when the worm wheel is rotated the mirror is not caused to rotate by this worm wheel, and that the mirror is firmly held in its position. Furthermore, even when the electric motor becomes faulty, it is possible to manually tilt the mirror. In such an in stance, the slidable bar and its mating pinion gear are rotated, but the worm wheel is not rotated. Therefore, the mirror is able to firmly maintain its tilted position.

Such a slip mechanism as stated above enables, with the automatic one-way motion relationship between the worm and its mating worm gear, the mirror not to be displaced in its position by virtue of this automatic one-way motion function even when an external impact of magnitude below the value set for the slip mechanism is applied, to the mirror by the vibrations of the body of the automobile or by a person or by an external object. It is only when a load or an impact having a magnitude greater than the set value has been applied to the mirror during an inoperative state of the motor that the mirror is caused to be displaced.

The slip mechanism described above is such that it can be easily made and as-, sembled by fitting the leaf springs 58, into the slits provided in the structure 53, then by causing the movable pieces 56 to engage a guide in the structure 53, and then by fitting the disc 52 into the tubular hole 50 of the worm gear.

As stated above, the mirror is supported by both the ball-and-socket joint and the slidable bar, and tilting of the mirror initiated on the mirror side is prevented, though only to a certain extent, by the provision of the worm gear. Therefore, the mirror is extremely stable against externally applied vibrations or impact. Thus, the mirror faithfully keeps its adjusted position, and along therewith it is possible to minimise the development of blurring of the image in the mirror These advantages can be further positively assured by constructing the ball-andsocket joint in a manner to be described later. Moreover, it is possible, even when the mirror does not have a circular configuration, to prevent the mirror from rotat ing about 'a 'horizofa"l axis 'lying 'in fhe longitudinal direction of the body of the utmobile, i.e. rotation in the directions shown by the ,arrows in Figure 2.

The ball 14 is seated on the ball-receiving seat 1,7 of hemi-spherical shape which is formed in a hollow member projecting from the frame. Thk ball 14 has small shafts 61, which are aligned so as to extend along the same rectilinear line and arranged perpendicular to both the shaft 19 and a cylinder 15 and which extend from the surface of the ball. These small shafts 61, are fitted in slits 71 which are provided in the seat 17. A'spring 18 has a ring-like shape and has'two pairs of either U-shape or V-shaped recesses 62, 63 which, as regards each pair, are arranged to cross each other at right angles; As shown best in Figure 8 and Figure 9, the U-shaped or V-shaped grooves 62, 63 of each pair, have their bottoms projecting in directions opposite to each other. A pair of grooves 62 are in contact with the small shafts 61 of the ball. An urging plate or holder 64 is screwed to a seat 70 which is provided on the frame. Projections 65, are in contact with the grooves 63. The ball 14 is urged against the seat 17 by this spring plate 18, in such a way that the ball can be rdtated' with an appropriate resistance or friction. The ball is arranged so that it is nipped between the seat 17 and the spring plate 18 via the holder 64. Since the ballreceiving seat 17 has no resiliency, the ball 14-is always held with a constant torque by the spring plate 18, so that no change can occur in the retention due to such reasons as vibtations. The degree of the resistance or torque can be set by taking into account th in a lug 76 provided on the frame 11. Electric cables 77, 77a leading from the electric motors 29 29a are led out after passing through grooves 49, 49a which are provided on the frame 11, and thereafter the cables are passed through the leg or stay 7 of the housing 6, and via a switch 9, they are connected to a power source. When the elec- tric motor 29 is actuated via the switch 9, the slidable bar 21 is moved via the worm gear and the rack-and-pinion gear. ,As a result, the mirror 8 is tilted in the forward as well as the rearward direction as viewed from the driver's seat. When the electric motor 29a is actuated, the mirror 8 is tilted sideways as viewed from the driver's seat.

Through these operations, the driver is able to obtain a required rear view, while the driver is sitting in the driver's position.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A remote control mirror adjusting device comprising a frame, a mirror mounting carried by the frame, the mirror mounting carrying a mirror and being movable in two directions at right angles, a drive motor for moving the mirror mounting in each of the two directions, a one way drive connection between each of the motors and the mirror mounting for driving the mirror mounting but preventing drive of the motors by the mirror mounting and a slip mechanism associated with each drive connection for permitting manual adjustment of the mirror.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive motors are electric motors.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the mirror mounting comprises a mirror attachment plate; a ball to which the mirror attachment plate is secured; a socket for rotatably holding the ball on the frame; a shaft extending from the ball at a site different from the site at which the mirror attachment plate is secured to the b!all; slidable members crossing each other and movably held on the frame; slots provided in the slidable members to cross each other at right angles and having the shaft of the ball passing through the intersection point of these slots.

4. A device according to cdaim 3, wherein each drive connection comprises a rack provided on the associated slidable member; a pinion gear engaging the rack; a first worm wheel rotatable with the pinion gear; a first worm engaging this first worm wheel; a second worm wheel rotatable with the first worm; and a second worm secured to the shaft of the electric motor and engaging the second worm wheel, the worm wheels respectively having teeth constituting automatic one-way motion function, and the pinion gears being coupled to the first worm wheels via the slip mechanism.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein each slip mechanism comprises a tubular hole provided in the first worm wheel; teeth formed on the inner circumference of this tubular hole; a disc to one surface of which the opinion gear is secured; a structure provided on the other surface of the discs and having a height correspond ing to the depth of the tubular hole; one or more movable pieces movably accom moated within the structure and each having a projection engaging the teeth formed on the inner circumference of the tubular hole; and one or more leaf springs provided within the structure to contact the movable piece(s) to insure the engagement of the projection(s) with the teeth.

6. A device according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the socket of the ball-and-socket joint comprises a seat provided on the frame for receiving the ball; an opening provided through this ball-receiving seat for the passage therethrough of the, shaft of the ball; small shafts extending from the ball to cross the shaft at right angles; an urging plate secured to the frame and having projections arranged at positions at which these projections cross the small shafts at right angles; and a spring plate having grooves engaging both the small shafts and the projections of the urging plate.

7. A device according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the said pinion gears are arranged on the first worm wheels, the first worms and the second worm wheels are arranged coaxially, the slidable bars and the pinion gears are positioned between their respective second worms and their respective first worms and worm wheels, and are arranged on planes different from the planes of the second worms, the first worm wheels and the first worms, and in one of the drive connections, the first worm is arranged substantially in parallel with its associated racks, and the second worm is positioned to cross the said rack at substantially right angles, and in the other of the drive connections, the first worm is arranged to cross its associated racks at substantially right angles and the second worm is arranged substantially in parallel with the said racks.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the pinion gears and worm wheels are accommodated in recesses provided in the frame and have shafts passing through them and extending from the bottoms of these recesses, the first worms and the second worm wheels are accommodated in recesses provided in the frame and are supported on semi-circular bearings provided on the frame and the second worms are supported on semi-circular bearings provided on the frame, a cover being provided, secured to the frame, the cover comprising projections for holding the first worm

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. in a lug 76 provided on the frame 11. Electric cables 77, 77a leading from the electric motors 29 29a are led out after passing through grooves 49, 49a which are provided on the frame 11, and thereafter the cables are passed through the leg or stay 7 of the housing 6, and via a switch 9, they are connected to a power source. When the elec- tric motor 29 is actuated via the switch 9, the slidable bar 21 is moved via the worm gear and the rack-and-pinion gear. ,As a result, the mirror 8 is tilted in the forward as well as the rearward direction as viewed from the driver's seat. When the electric motor 29a is actuated, the mirror 8 is tilted sideways as viewed from the driver's seat. Through these operations, the driver is able to obtain a required rear view, while the driver is sitting in the driver's position. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A remote control mirror adjusting device comprising a frame, a mirror mounting carried by the frame, the mirror mounting carrying a mirror and being movable in two directions at right angles, a drive motor for moving the mirror mounting in each of the two directions, a one way drive connection between each of the motors and the mirror mounting for driving the mirror mounting but preventing drive of the motors by the mirror mounting and a slip mechanism associated with each drive connection for permitting manual adjustment of the mirror.

wheels in cooperation with the recesses; and semi-circular bearings for holding the first worms, the second worm wheels and the second worms in cooperation with the semicircular bearings of the frame.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the frame has, formed in the circumference of the ball-receiving seat, slits for receiving the small shafts of- the ball, and also has a projection at a position corresponding to the site at which said urging plate is attached, the urging plate has a cutout engaging the projection of the frame, the ball has pins at positions corresponding to the sites at which the mirror attachment plate is secured to the ball, and the mirror attachment plate has small holes for receiving the pins at positions corresponding to the sites of these pins.

10. A device according to claim 6 or and claim appendant directly or indirectly thereto, wherein the grooves of the spring plate engaging the small shafts have engage ing surfaces adapted to engage the small shafts, which surfaces are curved with a curvature concentric with the small shafts, the projections of the urging plate have curved surfaces, and those surfaces of the grooves of the spring plate which engage the curved surfaces of the projections are formed concentrically with the curves of the projections of the urging plate.

1-1. A remote control mirror adjusting device substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings