GB2247045A

GB2247045A - Impact yielding mount

Info

Publication number: GB2247045A
Application number: GB9116080A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ivor Maldwyn Hugh Pagden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-07-25
Filing date: 1991-07-25
Publication date: 1992-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2011-07-25
Also published as: GB2247045B; GB9016288D0; GB9116080D0

Abstract

An adjustable mirror mount comprises two joints, one a ball joint and the other a translatable rotating joint part of which can be integral with the mirror and capable of yielding under impact. The mirror mount is used for forward view mirrors of motor vehicles. The translatable joint comprises a pair of members which define a cylindrical bore in which beading around the mirror is clamped. The mounting is such that the mirror may be completely released upon impact. <IMAGE>

Description

Impact Fieldung Mount This invention relates to a vehicle viewing system where a driver because of position in the vehicle requires an additional view forwand from a position which is laterally translated through a substantially horizontal plane from the griver's viewpoint.

This might be achieved with a lateral periscope employing two reflecting surfaces. Although such a system can be a gleans for increasing safety it is desirable that in the event of accidental impact the components of such a system present the least damaging aspect to the occupants of a vehicole.

periscope would typically be installed in front of the occupants with a viewing mirror above the fascia forward of the steering wheel and an objective mirror attached to the passenger side windscreen pillar. Under impact conditions the components of the periscope should not present a rigid aspect to impinging tissue but yield, preferably in a manner which dissipates the forces over larger areas.

The invention is described by way of example with reference'to Fig. 1 which is a section through a mirror held captive in a ball joint fixed to part of the vehicle structure. Fig. 2 shows a mirror substrate in perspective where the reflecting surface is bounded by a rim of circular cross section except for the region in class proximity to the mirror. The stiffness of the ball section may be controlled by exerting pressure between the cap 1 and base 2 of the joint, say by the action of a sorew or screws. Similarly the freedon of the mirror to translate or rotate in the holder may be controlled by the. clamping action of a screw and thread.

The ball and mirror holder may comprise two approximately equal mating halves as in Fig. 3. In the case where each half has a zone of reduced section the maximum thickness 't' of the assembled holder section may be greater than the diameter of the entrant aperture 'a' in the cap 1. The insertion of a hemisphere into a circular aperture of lesser radius than the hemisphere may require that the hemisphere has some part of its spherical surface relieved so that there is a viewpoint which presents a cross section whose maximum dimension is less than that of the aperture. The relieved surface would constitute a zone of reduced section.

In use the viewing mirror, which presents a potential hazard to the driver, would be secured by clamping on the long cylindrical surface whereas the objective, which is potentially hazardous to the front seat passenger, would be secured by the short cylindrical surface.

The interior Cesigr of moter vehicles is sllch that a variety of internal configurations would exist in the vicinity of the mirrors used for periscope systems. In these circumstances the least damaging aspect is presented if the displaced mirrors lie flat against existing. surfaces rather than being wedged at some angle.ln this invention the three decrees of rotational freedom in the ball joint are supplemented by an additional degres of rotational freedon present at a discrete distance from the ball joint and a degree of translational freedom through the same joint.

Under impact the mirror and ball would both be free to rotate and offer a path of lea.st resistance to impacting' individuals. The cap 1 may incorporate a relieved channel continuous with the entrant aperture allowing the ball and holder to lie substantially within the outer surface envelope of the cap under impact, as in Fig. 4.

Although Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a. cylindrical peripheral rim held in a cylindrical clamp other geometries ere possible which allow rotation and translation at the second joint. Reduced to its simplest form a cylindrical periphery wrrnld be sufficiently retained by a four point contact setisfying kinematic principles.By way of example a cylindrical rim could be retained in .?, longitudinal channel whose cross section might be triangular, rhombic, circular or some combination of these. "he geometric requirement is also satisfied by inverse configurations where a cylindrical holder retains a periphery having four points of contact or more. For example a triangular prismatic rim with radiused edges would satisfy the condition.

A mirror peripheral cross section may be accommodated within this by means of a-plastic bead with external cylindrical profile and internal profile to match the mirror periphery. An example of this is shown in Fig. 5'. In another embodiment the mirror is clamped between plane parallel surfaces so it may release completely under external force. In the preferred embodiment the mirror has a plastic periphery of substantially circular cross section as this minimises local pressures to tissue under impact.

Claims

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1. an adjustaile actical@@ @@@@ moupt pormitting We mentern to dic placo under impret.

2. d fevice according te clain t@@@@ jasment and displact- @opt in obtained in part by a translatabl rotating joint.

3. @ @ovice according to clai 2 wherein the joint comprises two @@bers one substentielly cylindrical.

4. @ davice according te elaims 1,2 or wherein the remsinder of the adjustement and displecement is obtained through a ball joint.

5. a device according to claims 1,2,3 or 4 wherein one momber of the translatable joint comprises the periphery of the mounted object.

6. A device according to claims 1,2,3 or 4 wherein one member of the translatable joint comprises a bead of suitable material conforming to the peripheral shape of the mounted member and the internal shape of the other joint member.

7. A device according to claims 1,2,3,4,5 or 6 wherein the adjust ments may be clamped by tightening the joints.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ball joint comprises not necessarily equal split ball elements of reduced section for ease of assembly.

A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the mounted object may release completely by its periphery under external force.

10. An adjustable articulated mount substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.