GB2259489A

GB2259489A - Vehicle rearview mirror assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2259489A
Application number: GB9217642A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Giuseppe Valde
Original assignee: Gilardini SpA
Current assignee: Marelli Europe SpA
Priority date: 1991-09-10
Filing date: 1992-08-19
Publication date: 1993-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2012-08-19
Also published as: ES2063659R; DE4228604A1; ITTO910690A0; ES2063659A2; GB2259489B; ITTO910690A1; GB9217642D0; FR2681022A1; ES2063659B1; IT1250302B

Abstract

A rearview mirror assembly (1) having a U-shaped element (3) and a hinged connecting device (8) for connecting free end portions (9, 10) of the U-shaped element (3) to a vehicle body (2) and enabling the U-shaped element (3) to rotate in relation to the body (2) about a given axis (11); the connecting device (8) comprising a pair of intermediate elements (34), each connected, on one side, to a respective end portion (9, 10) of the U-shaped element (3) in axially-fixed manner and so as to rotate about the axis (33) of the respective end portion (9, 10), and, on the other, to the vehicle body (2) so as to rotate about an axis (39) incident with the axis (33) of the respective end portion (9, 10). <IMAGE>

Description

VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a

vehicle rearview mirror assembly.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a rearview mirror assembly of the type comprising a U-shaped element supporting the mirror; and means for hinged connection of the U-shaped element to the vehicle body, said means enabling rotation of the U-shaped element in relation to the vehicle body and about a given, conveniently vertical, axis. and defining at least one preferred angular position of the U-shaped element, and consequently also the mirror, in relation to the vehicle body.

Normally, said preferred angular position of the U-shaped element in relation to the vehicle body is achieved by providing. between at least one arm of the U-shaped element and the vehicle body. an angular positioning device comprising two plate elements arranged facing each other and pressed together by an elastic element. One of the plates presents one or more projections extending towards the other plate, which in turn presents one or more seats engaged by a respective projection on the other plate. as the U-shaped element is rotated about said vertical axis, so as to define one or more preferred angular positions.

Though widely used, rearview mirror assemblies of the aforementioned type present a major drawback due to the reliability of the assembly depending on the geometric and dimensional tolerances involved,, particularly as regards the U-shaped element and the portion of the vehicle body to which the assembly is fitted. Indeed, for ensuring optimum performance of the assembly, the plate elements of the positioning device must be maintained parallel when the assembly is fitted to the vehicle body, which of course depends on the geometric and dimensional accuracy of both the assembly and the vehicle body portion involved.

Such accuracy in the manufacture of both the assembly and the vehicle body naturally involves a substantial increase in cost. particularly on a mass production scale.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rearview mirror assembly designed to overcome the aforementioned drawback, and which is both cheap and easy to produce.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle rearview mirror assembly comprising a substantially U-shaped element; and hinged connecting means for securing free end portions of said U-shaped element to the vehicle body, and enabling the U-shaped element to rotate in relation to the vehicle body about a given axis; characterized by the fact that said hinged connecting means comprise at least one intermediate element between at least one of said end portions and the vehicle body; said intermediate element being connected to said end portion in axiallyfixed manner and so as to rotate about an axis of said end portion, and being secured to the vehicle body so as to rotate about an axis incident with said axis of said end portion.

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of a rearview mirror assembly in accordance with the present invention; Fig.2 shows an enlarged, partially sectioned view of a first portion of the Fig.1 assembly; Fig.3 shows a section along line III-III in Fig.2; Fig.4 shows a section along line IVIV in Fig.3; Fig.5 shows an enlarged section of a second portion of the Fig.1 assembly; Fig.6 shows a section along line W-VI in Fig.5.

Number 1 in Fig.1 indicates a rearview mirror assembly designed for fitment to the body 2 of a vehicle (not shown), and comprising a substantially U-shaped tubular supporting element 3 in turn comprising an upright 4 fitted with a rearview mirror 5. and two arms 6 and 7 defining the opposite ends of tubular element 3.

Assembly 1 also comprises a hinged connecting device 8 between body 2 and respective free end portions 9 and 10 of arms 6 and 7, for enabling tubular element 3 to rotate in relation to body 2 about a substantially vertical axis 11 (Fig.1).

As shown in Fig.1 and particularly Fig.s 3 and 5. device 8 comprises a pair of fork-shaped brackets 15, 16 arranged with their concave sides facing respective free ends 9, 10 of arms 6, 7, and fitted stably to body 2 in known manner (not shown).

As shown in Fig.3, device 8 also comprises a bracket 17 extending partly inside fork-shaped bracket 15, and comprising a flat plate 18 fitted in angularly-fixed manner with a first plate 19 of a device 191 for defining at least one preferred angular position of tubular element 3 in relation to body 2. Device 191 also comprises a second plate 20 parallel to and facing first plate 19. and connected integral with the bottom wall 21 of bracket 15. First plate 19 is secured for rotation in relation to bracket 15 by a pin 22 coaxial with axis 11. and presents a number of projections 23 extending towards second plate 20 and designed to engage a respective flared seat 24 in second plate 20 when tubular element 3 is rotated about axis 11. First plate 19 is pressed against second plate 20 by a spring 25 housed inside bracket 15. and extending coaxially with pin 22 between plate 18 and wall 26 of bracket 15.

As shown in Fig.2. plate 18 of bracket 17 comprises an appendix 27 extending perpendicular to axis 11 and arm 6 of tubular element 3, and having a beveled edge adjacent to lateral plate 28 of bracket 15 and defining a flat surface 29 parallel to axis 11 and designed to contact lateral plate 28 for limiting rotation of tubular element 3 about axis 11.

Device 8 also comprises a first joint 30 (Fig.s 2 and 3) connecting bracket 17 to arm 6; and a second joint 31 (Fig.5) located between and connecting arm 7 and bracket 16.

As shown in Fig.s 2, 3 and 4, joint 30 comprises a cylindrical body 32 extending along axis 33 of end portion 9 of arm 6, and in turn comprising a portion 34, and a portion 35 extending inside and fitted stably to portion 9.

Joint 30 also comprises a parallelepiped body 36 located between cylindrical body 32 and bracket 17, and having a hole 361 coaxial with axis 33 and engaged in rotary manner by portion 34 of cylindrical body 32. Parallelepiped body 36 extends between arms 37 of a fork 371 integral with bracket 17. and is hinged to fork 37 by a screw 38 acting as a pin. extending along axis 39 perpendicular to axes 11 and 33 inside a hole 40 (Fig.4) in body 36, and loosely engaging a hole 41 formed in portion 34 and coaxial with hole 40.

As shown in Fig.s 2 and 4, screw 38 presents an intermediate annular projection 42 tapering outwards. and -6 having a substantially triangular axial half section and an outside diameter substantially equal to the diameter of hole 41. More specifically, projection 42 presents a rounded outer edge (Fig. 2), and is so located that its axis of symmetry coincides with axis 33 of end portion 9.

As shown in Fig.s 5 and 6.. second joint 31 is similar to joint 30, the component parts of which are therefore indicated using the same numbering system.

Cylindrical body 32 of joint 31 extends along axis 43 of end portion 10 of arm 7; and parallelepiped body 36 is hinged, together with portion 34, to bracket 16 by a screw 44 extending along axis 45 coincident with axis 11.

Screw 44, which is similar to 38. loosely engages a hole 46 in portion 34, and presents a projection 47 similar to 42, and the axis of symmetry of which coincides with axis 43 of end portion 10.

The advantages of rearview mirror assembly 1 according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description. In particular, it provides for ensuring ideal operating conditions of the assembly at all times, and, more especially, regardless of the manufacturing tolerances of element 3 and body 2 to which assembly 1 is fitted. by virtue of joint 30 enabling relative rotation of bracket 17 and arm 6. More specifically. joint 30 provides for a first rotation about axis 39 for eliminating any problems posed by misalignment of plates 19, 20 due, for example, to dimensional or geometric inaccuracy of element 3; and a second rotation about axis 33 for eliminating the same problems due to inaccurate angular positioning of arm 6 and bracket 15.

Moreover, joint 31 enables angular rotation of bracket 16 and arm 7, for eliminating any torsional stress caused by inaccurate angular positioning of bracket 16 and arm 7.

To those skilled in the art it will be clear that changes may be made to assembly 1 as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, changes may be made to the design of joints 30 and 31, which need not necessarily be different or arranged as described. For example, joint 31 may be substituted by one similar to joint 30, or both may be other than as described, providing the degrees of freedom of assembly 1 in relation to body 2 are maintained.

Claims

1 1) A vehicle rearview mirror assembly (1) comprising a substantially U-shaped element (3); and hinged connecting means (8) for securing free end portions (9, 10) of said U-shaped element (3) to the vehicle body (2), and enabling the U-shaped element (3) to rotate in relation to the vehicle body (2) about a given axis (11); characterized by the fact that said hinged connecting means (8) comprise at least one intermediate element (36) between at least one of said end portions (9, 10) and the vehicle body (2); said intermediate element (36) being connected to said end portion (9, 10) in axially-fixed manner and so as to rotate about an axis (33, 43) of said end portion (9, 10), and being secured to the vehicle body (2) so as to rotate about an axis (39, 45) incident with said axis (33r 43) of said end portion (9, 10).

2) A rearview mirror assembly as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one fork-shaped element (371, 16); said intermediate element (36) being hinged to said fork-shaped element (371r 16) by a pin (38, 44) extending along said axis (39, 45) incident with said axis (33, 43) of said end portion (9, 10).

3) A rearview mirror assembly as claimed in Claim 2, characterized by the fact that said fork-shaped element (16) is fitted to said vehicle body (2) so as to 1 constitute a fixed element of said connecting means (8); and said axis (45) incident with said axis (43) of said end portion (10) is substantially parallel to said axis of rotation (11) of said U-shaped element (3).

4) A rearview mirror assembly as claimed in Claim 2, characterized by the fact that said fork-shaped element (371) is integral with a movable element (17) of said hinged connecting means (8); and said axis (39) incident with said axis (33) of said end portion (9) is substantially perpendicular to said axis of rotation (11) of said U-shaped element (3).

5) A rearview mirror assembly as claimed in Claim 4, characterized by the fact that said movable element (17) comprises a plate (18) fitted in angularly-fixed manner with a first plate (19) of a device (191) defining at least one preferred angular position of said U-shaped element (3) in relation to said body (2) and also comprising a second plate (20) connected integral with a wall (21) of a fork-shaped bracket (15) fixed in relation to said body (2); said plate (18) comprising an appendix (27) extending perpendicular to said axis (11) and having a beveled edge adjacent to a lateral plate (28) of said fork-shaped bracket (15) and defining a flat surface (29) designed to contact said lateral plate (28) for limiting rotation of said U-shaped element (3) about said axis (11).

6) A rearview mirror assembly as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims from 2 to 5, characterized by the fact that said intermediate element (36) presents a hole (361) coaxial with said axis (33, 43) of said end portion (gi 10); and said connecting means (8) comprise at least one cylindrical body (32) connected integral with said end portion (9, 10), extending coaxially with said axis (33, 43) of said end portion (9, 10), and comprising an end portion (34) engaging in rotary manner said hole (361) in said intermediate element (36); said end portion (34) of said cylindrical body (32) presenting a hole (41, 46) coaxial with said axis (39, 45) incident with said axis (33, 43) of said end portion (9, 10), and engaged loosely by said pin (38. 44).

7) A rearview mirror assembly as claimed in Claim 6, characterized by the fact that said pin (38. 44) comprises an outwardly-tapering intermediate projection (42, 47) having an outside diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said hole (41. 46) in said end portion (34) of said cylindrical body (32).

8) A vehicle rearview mirror assembly, substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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