IE44139B1 - Rear view mirror assembly - Google Patents

Rear view mirror assembly

Info

Publication number
IE44139B1
IE44139B1 IE2177A IE2177A IE44139B1 IE 44139 B1 IE44139 B1 IE 44139B1 IE 2177 A IE2177 A IE 2177A IE 2177 A IE2177 A IE 2177A IE 44139 B1 IE44139 B1 IE 44139B1
Authority
IE
Ireland
Prior art keywords
actuator
case
back portion
mirror assembly
lugs
Prior art date
Application number
IE2177A
Other versions
IE44139L (en
Original Assignee
Donnelly Mirrors Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Donnelly Mirrors Ltd filed Critical Donnelly Mirrors Ltd
Priority to IE2177A priority Critical patent/IE44139B1/en
Priority to FR7710637A priority patent/FR2376776A1/en
Priority to GB4544577A priority patent/GB1587645A/en
Priority to JP15720477A priority patent/JPS5387440A/en
Priority to IT3133677A priority patent/IT1089740B/en
Priority to DE19782800319 priority patent/DE2800319C3/en
Publication of IE44139L publication Critical patent/IE44139L/en
Publication of IE44139B1 publication Critical patent/IE44139B1/en

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/02Rear-view mirror arrangements
    • B60R1/08Rear-view mirror arrangements involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots, e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors
    • B60R1/083Anti-glare mirrors, e.g. "day-night" mirrors
    • B60R1/086Anti-glare mirrors, e.g. "day-night" mirrors using a mirror angularly movable between a position of use and a non-glare position reflecting a dark field to the user, e.g. situated behind a transparent glass used as low-reflecting surface; Wedge-shaped mirrors

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Rear-View Mirror Devices That Are Mounted On The Exterior Of The Vehicle (AREA)

Abstract

A prismatic mirror mirror device comprising a molded thermoplastic casing and side walls which define with the rear wall a cavity for receiving the prismatic mirror-like element itself, and a ball-and-socket actuator mounted in the casing . This mirror is characterized in that the operating element 13 comprises a molded body 25 which comprises two lugs 31 arranged on either side of the body 25 and molded in one piece with it, each of these lugs 31 being placed in a corresponding opening formed in a transverse wall molded in one piece with the rear part of the housing.

Description

This invention relates to mirror assemblies for vehicles and. in particular, to a prismatic rearview mirror assembly.
Conventional prismatic rearview mirror assemblies include a toggle-type actuator, which may be adjusted to either a day or a night position as required.
Conventional toggle actuators comprise a moulded body provided with a pair of axles which are snapped inplace in generally cylindrical apertures in actuator supports in the mirror ease as described, for example, in British Patent Specification Nos. 1 227 735 and 1 433 098. With prior mirror assemblies it has been found that the application of a load to the toggle actuator above a given value, for example by a person striking the toggle actuator in a collision, has caused the toggle actuator to be ejected from the acuator supports with consequent ejection or breaking of the mirror element.
To meet new safety regulations in various countries, manufacturers of rearview mirrors assemblies have been required to provide such assemblies with toggle acuators which are more resistant to such ejection following the application of a load thereto. To meet these regulations complications have been introduced into the manufacture and construction of prismatic rearview mirror assemblies, to provide for the retention of the toggle actuator on impact.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a prismatic rearview mirror assembly which includes few components with consequent ease of manufacture and wherein the toggle actuator is more resistant to ejection following the application of a load thereto.
According to the invention there is provided a prismatic rearview mirror assembly comprising a moulded thermoplastic case of generally rectangular dished configuration having a back portion and upstanding continous side walls integral with the back portion which together define a cavity for the reception of a prismatic mirror element, and a toggle-type actuator mounted in the case between the back portion and the mirror element for shifting the case and mirror element with respect to an external support and allowing the selection of day and night positions thereof, the toggle-type actuator comprising a moulded body including a pair of lugs positioned one on either side of the actuator body and moulded integrally therewith, and each of the lugs being in engagement with a respective complementary retaining aperture in a respective web in the case, which web is transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis of the case and is moulded integrally with the back portion thereof, the toggle actuator being mounted in the case by a pair of axles each supported in partially cylindrical apertures in a respective pair of supports integral with the back portion of the case, the retaining apertures being located intermediate the two pairs of supports, the toggle actuator further including means for connection of the assembly to an external support, the engagement of the lugs in the apertures being such that the actuator is resistant to ejection when a load is applied thereto.
Preferably, the lugs are angled with respect of the body of the toggle actuator to facilitate engagement of the lugs with the apertures in the transverse webs of the case during assembly.
The toggle actuator may be comprised of any suitable metallic or plastics material; however, a plastics material such as polypropylene is preferred.
The invention will be understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings iniwhich: Fig.l is a perspective view of an embodiment of a prismatic rearview mirror assembly according to the invention; Pig.2 is a half sectional end elevation of the lb assembly shown in Fig.l; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the front surface of the toggle-type actuator for use in the assembly of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig 4 is a side view of the toggle actuator shown 20 in Fig.3.
Referring to the drawings there is provided a prismatic rearview mirror assembly, indicated generally at lo, said assembly 10 comprising a moulded polypropylene case 11, a mirror element 12 and a polypropylene toggle-type actuaror 13. The mirror element 12 is a prismatic mirror wherein the front and back surfaces are each generally planar but are not parallel to each other. The case 11 has a back portion 14 and continuous upstanding side walls 15 integral with said back portion 14, said back portion 14 and said side walls 15 together defining a cavity 16 adapted for reception of the mirror element 12 and said side wails 15 generally conforming to the outline of the mirror element 12. Further, the case 11 is shaped so as to accommodate the inclined shape of the prismatic mirror element 12. Mirror supports 17 are provided moulded integrally with the back portion 14 of the case 11, said supports 17 maintaining said mirror element 12 is spaced apart relationship with said back portion 14. The supports 17 are adapted so as to accommodate the shape of the prismatic mirror element 12. A continous peripheral lip 18 is provided on the side walls 15 at their upper surface 19, for retaining the mirror element 12 in its cavity 16. The back portion 14 of the case 11 is further provided with a pair of upstanding transverse webs 20 and two pairs of lengthwise aligned toggle actuator supports 21a/21b, moulded integrally therewith. Each of said webs 20 is provided with a retaining aperture 22. The supports 21a/21b and the apertures 22 are adapted to receive the toggle actuator 13.
The toggle actuator 13 is a one-piece actuator moulded from polypropylene and having a front face 23 and a rear face 24. Said actuator 13 has a main body portion 25 which has an integral axle 26 at its upper end 27 and which axle 26 is adapted for engagement with actuator supports 21a. The actuator 13 further includes a flip tab 28 which has an axle 29 integral therewith which is adapted for engagement with acuator supports 21b and which axle 29 is linked to the main toggle body portion 25 by means of a conventional living hinge 30. The tab 28 serves to operate the toggle action of the actuator 13. The main body portion 25 further has a pair of aligned side lugs 31 which are adapted for engagement in the apertures 22 in the webs 20. The rear surfaces of the lugs 31 are angled at approximately 450 wj.th respect to the front face 23 of the main body portion 25 of the actuator 13 so as to facilitate assembly of said actuator 13 in the case 11.
The rear face 24 of the actuator 13 is provided with a ball socket 34 which is mounted in the main body portion 25 of said actuator 13. The ball socket 34 is adapted to receive a support member 32 which has an integral ball member 33. The support member 32 provides means for connecting the mirror assembly 10 to an external support (not shown). The support member 32 may be manufactured from zinc or any other suitable metallic or plastics material.
Preferably, the support member 32 is inserted in the ball socket 34 after assembly of the mirror element 12 and the actuator 13 in the case 11.
To assemble the actuator 13 in the case 11, the axle 26 is snapped into supports 21a.
The lugs 31 and the axle 29 are then snapped into position in their apertures 22 and supports 21b, respectively. The support member 32 and the ball socket 34 project through a circular opening 35 in the back portion 14 of the case 11, so as to permit connection of said support member 32, in use, to the external support. The tab 28 projects from the case 11 by way of a tab opening 36 which includes a part of the back portion 14 and part of one side wall 15 of the case 11. Finally to complete the assembly 10, the mirror element 12 is snapped in position and is retained by the peripheral lip 18.
In use, the tab 28 may be operated in conventional manner to adjust the assembly 10 from its day to its night position, as required. The operation Of the toggle actuator 13 is generally the same as that described in the aforementioned British Patent Specifications Nos. 1227736 and 1433098.
The present assembly 10 is such that application of a load thereto·, as hereinbefore described, does not cause ejection, of the toggle actuator 13 from its 44130 supported position with consequent displacement and/or breakage of the mirror element 12.
It will also be appreciated that since the case II and the actuator 13 are of relatively simple construction and are easy to assemble together, a considerable reduction in production costs compared with those incurred in the manufacture of conventional prismatic rearview mirror assemblies, is achieved.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments 10 described above which may be modified and/or varied without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (7)

    CLAIMS:
  1. L. A prismatic rearview mirror assembly comprising a moulded thermoplastic case of generally rectangular dished configuration having a back portion and upstanding substantially continous side walls integral 5 with the back portion which together define a cavity for the reception of a prismatic mirror element, and a toggle-type actuator mounted in the case between the back portion and the mirror element for shifting the case and mirror element with respect to an external 10 support and allowing the selection of day and night positions thereof, the toggle type actuator comprising a moulded body including a pair of lugs positioned one on either side of the acuator body moulded integrally therewith, and each of the lugs being 15 in engagement with a respective complementary retaining aperture in a respective web in the case which web is transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis of the case and is moulded integrally with the back portion thereof, the toggle actuator being 20 mounted in the oase by a pair of axles each supported in partially cylindrical apertures in a respective pair of supports integral with the back portion of the case, the retaining apertures being located intermediate the two pairs of supports, the toggle actuator 25 further including means for connection of the assembly to an external support, the engagement of the lugs in the retaining apertures being such that the actuator is resistant to ejection when a load is applied thereto. 30
  2. 2. A mirror assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the lugs are angled with respect to the actuator body to facilitate engagement of the lugs With the retaining apertures in the transverse webs. M. 8 —
  3. 3. A mirror assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for connection of the assembly to an external support comprises a support member connected by a ball and socket joint to the actuator body on 5 the portion thereof facing the back portion of the case, access to the actuator body being provided by an aperture in the back portion of the case.
  4. 4. A mirror assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the actuator comprises a flip tab 10 hinged to the actuator body the flip tab including one cf the axles and the actuator body including the other axle which flip tab extends through an aperture at the side of the case for manual operation of the actuator.
  5. 5. A mirror assembly as claimed in any preceding 15 claim, wherein the actuator is mounted in the case by a snap action.
  6. 6. A mirror assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the actuator is moulded from polypropylene
  7. 7. Λ mirror assembly substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
IE2177A 1977-01-06 1977-01-06 Rear view mirror assembly IE44139B1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE2177A IE44139B1 (en) 1977-01-06 1977-01-06 Rear view mirror assembly
FR7710637A FR2376776A1 (en) 1977-01-06 1977-04-07 MIRROR MIRROR FOR CARS
GB4544577A GB1587645A (en) 1977-01-06 1977-11-01 Rear view mirror assembly
JP15720477A JPS5387440A (en) 1977-01-06 1977-12-26 Prism type rearrview mirror system
IT3133677A IT1089740B (en) 1977-01-06 1977-12-28 REAR VIEW MIRROR
DE19782800319 DE2800319C3 (en) 1977-01-06 1978-01-04 Anti-glare rearview mirror for automobiles

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE2177A IE44139B1 (en) 1977-01-06 1977-01-06 Rear view mirror assembly

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
IE44139L IE44139L (en) 1978-07-06
IE44139B1 true IE44139B1 (en) 1981-08-26

Family

ID=11005410

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
IE2177A IE44139B1 (en) 1977-01-06 1977-01-06 Rear view mirror assembly

Country Status (6)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS5387440A (en)
DE (1) DE2800319C3 (en)
FR (1) FR2376776A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1587645A (en)
IE (1) IE44139B1 (en)
IT (1) IT1089740B (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4524941A (en) * 1981-06-24 1985-06-25 Donnelly Corporation Rearview mirror support bracket
USD300312S (en) 1986-02-27 1989-03-21 Donnelly Corporation Combined rearview mirror and light unit
JP4089224B2 (en) 2001-12-26 2008-05-28 市光工業株式会社 Inside mirror for vehicle

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3870404A (en) * 1973-05-01 1975-03-11 Donnelley Mirrors Inc Mirror actuator and support means therefor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1089740B (en) 1985-06-18
DE2800319B2 (en) 1980-05-08
DE2800319A1 (en) 1978-07-13
DE2800319C3 (en) 1981-01-22
FR2376776A1 (en) 1978-08-04
JPS5387440A (en) 1978-08-01
FR2376776B1 (en) 1979-05-11
GB1587645A (en) 1981-04-08
IE44139L (en) 1978-07-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5460906A (en) Portable radio battery latch
US4574285A (en) Remote control device having a pivoting case cover
US3936833A (en) Garage door radio control transmitter assembly
US4953064A (en) Sun visor for motor vehicles
USD403576S (en) Battery dispenser box opening
JPS6432938A (en) Back mirror assembly
US20020132556A1 (en) Toy vehicle remote controller
ES2210917T5 (en) WRENCH, ESPECIALLY FOR AUTOMOBILE VEHICLE, WITH HEAD THAT FORM A REMOTE CONTROL HOUSING AND CONTRAIBLE INSERTION AND PROCEDURE FOR CONSTRUCTION.
US4701064A (en) Ball joint
IE44139B1 (en) Rear view mirror assembly
USD402258S (en) Battery charger
USD425417S (en) 9V battery package
USD439738S1 (en) Eyeglass case
US4949422A (en) Connecting member for a wiper blade and a wiper arm
US5742013A (en) Two-way lever switch
US5436421A (en) Progressive switch
USD324024S (en) Housing for a battery charger or similar article
USD409127S (en) Two-part rearview mirror for automotive vehicles
US3206594A (en) Electric flashlight
USD343915S (en) Recessed housing for vehicle interior dome light
US5261552A (en) Box or case device with a movable lid
USD387726S (en) Peripheral molding for automobile window glass
US5326952A (en) Electric switch
USD400422S (en) Car accessories
USD427767S (en) Combination carry, storage and display case for dolls and toys

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MK9A Patent expired