WO1997035218A1

WO1997035218A1 - Rear-view mirror assembly with removable back cover

Info

Publication number: WO1997035218A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/004524
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heinrich Lang
Original assignee: Lang, Sabine
Priority date: 1996-03-22
Filing date: 1997-03-20
Publication date: 1997-09-25

Abstract

An external rear-view mirror assembly (10) for commercial vehicles having a support arm (12) and brackets (18) for mounting the support arm to a motor vehicle. A housing (20) having a back member (22), a front member (24) and an interior volume (30) between the back and front members. The support arm extends longitudinally through the interior volume. At least one support plate (32) is removably attached directly to the support arm. An adjustable mirror assembly (58) is mounted to the front side of the support plate and is variably positionable within an open chamber (52) of the front member. A release mechanism (81) is configured on the back surface of the back member of the housing for releasably attaching the back member directly to the front member of the housing without interfering with other components of the rear-view mirror assembly.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

REAR-VIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH REMOVABLE BACK COVER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a rear-view mirror assembly, particularly an adjustable rear-view mirror for commercial vehicles such as trucks.

Adjustable rear-view mirrors for commercial vehicles, particularly commercial trucks, or well-known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,991,950 and 5,110,196 describe various embodiments of motor driven adjustable rear-view mirrors.

A trend has developed in the industry to make the rear- view mirrors more aerodynamic and aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, it has become desirable to paint or otherwise color coordinate the housings of the rear-view mirrors with the rest of the truck cab. It is also desired that the components of the mirror typically incurring road damage be readily and easily replaceable with minimal expense and effort. For example, the back side of the mirror housings may need more frequent replacement due to damage from rocks, stones, insects, and the like, particularly where the back cover is painted or color coordinated with the vehicle cab.

The present invention relates to an improved configuration for a rear-view mirror, particularly a rear- view mirror having a readily removable and replaceable back cover member. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a principle object of the present invention to provide an external rear-view mirror assembly for a vehicle, particularly commercial trucks, wherein the mirror housing includes a readily replaceable back cover. It is another object of the present invention to provide an external rear-view mirror wherein the back cover can be replaced with minimum effort or special tooling. An additional object of the present invention is to provide an external rear-view mirror for vehicles incorporating a relatively inexpensive back cover member which can be painted and is aesthetically pleasing.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an external rear-view mirror wherein the working components of the mirror assembly, such as the mirror assembly housing, motor drives, etc., are generic and can be used on any manner or style of vehicles while the back cover member can be configured to achieve a certain aesthetic appearance for particular vehicles. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

To achieve the objects and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an embodiment of the present invention includes a rear-view external mirror for motor vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles.

The external rear-view mirror includes a support arm and mounting devices, such as conventional brackets, for mounting the support arm to a motor vehicle, as is commonly understood in the art. A housing is provided having a back member and a front member and an interior volume defined between the back and front members. The support arm comprises a vertical portion which extends completely through the housing interior volume in a longitudinal direction. At least one support plate is removably attached directly to the support arm vertical portion within the interior volume of the housing. The support plate has a front side and a back side. The housing front member is removably attached to the support plate. An adjustable mirror assembly is mounted directly to the support plate front side so as to be variably positionable relative thereto. A release mechanism is configured on a back surface of the housing back member for releasably attaching the housing back member directly to the housing front member. In a preferred embodiment, the release mechanism may comprise screws which mount into screw mounts defined on a back surface of the front housing member. In an alternative embodiment, the release mechanism may comprise any manner of conventional interlocking devices, such as bayonet or barb projection locks configured between the back member and front member. The back member is only indirectly supported on the support arm through attachment to the housing front member. The back member does not support any other components of the mirror. The housing back member is readily replaceable merely by releasing the release mechanisms provided on the back side of the back member and does not require adjustment or interference with the other components of the rear-view mirror.

Preferably, the housing, and in particularly the back member, is formed of a lightweight plastic material which is easily painted. For example, the housing back member may be formed as an aerodynamic plastic convex shell member.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing front member defines an open-faced front chamber. The support plate is disposed within the open-faced front chamber and includes mounting devices, such as clamps, which extend through the front member into the interior volume of the housing for direct engagement with the support arm. The mirror assembly is attached directly to the support plate and includes a mirror surface which is variably positionable within the open-faced front chamber.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an external rear-view mirror according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a back view of the rear-view mirror illustrated in Figure 1 according to the invention; and

Figure 3 is a disassembled view of the mirror shown in Fig. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, the features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as common within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. The number of components in the drawings is consistent throughout the application with the same components having the same numbering in each of the drawings. The present invention will be described herein as it relates to a commercial vehicle, particularly a commercial truck. However, this is not meant as a limitation of the invention and is for illustrative purposes and ease of explanation. It should be appreciated that the rear-view mirror described herein can be utilized on any manner of vehicle, and any such contemplated use is within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an external rear-view mirror 10 according to the invention. Mirror 10 includes a support arm 12 having horizontal portions 16 connected by a vertically extending portion 14. Support arm 12 can be mounted to the vehicle by means of any conventional device, such as brackets 18 illustrated in Figure 1 and commonly understood in the art. Cables 48 and 50 may also run through support arm 12 directly into the vehicle cab or frame for interfacing with the vehicle's electrical system. Cables 48 and 50 may supply power to remotely operated motor drive mechanisms for the mirrored surfaces or act as a receiving cable for antenna 40.

Referring again to Figure 1 in general, mirror 10 includes a housing 20 having a front member 24 and a back member 22. Mirror 10 includes at least one mirror assembly 58 disposed in an open front chamber 52 of front member 24. In the embodiment illustrated, two such mirror assemblies are vertically aligned. The uppermost mirror assembly 58 includes a relatively flat mirrored surface 86, while the bottommost mirror assembly 58 includes a convex mirror surface 87. The mirrored surfaces 86 and 87 are supported by respective mirror support plates 60. Mirror 10 may also include an antenna assembly 40 which extends through a hole 66 defined in a top surface of the housing 20.

Referring particularly to Figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that front member 24 and back member 22 define an interior volume or space 30 therebetween. Vertical portion 14 of support arm 12 runs completely through interior volume 30. Support plates 32, preferably formed of a high strength metal, are mounted directly to vertical portion 14 by any conventional device, such as clamp blocks 78 and clamps 80 as illustrated in Figure 2. Clamp blocks 78 extend through a back wall 25 of front housing member 24 for direct attachment to vertical portion 14 of support arm 12. The attachment devices, as well as the other operating components of the mirror, are contained within the interior volume 30. For example, the uppermost support plate 32 may also include an antenna assembly 38 formed on the back side thereof which also extends through wall 25 of housing front member 24. A conventional antenna 40 can be configured with the antenna mount 38. The associated antenna would extend through hole 66 defined in back cover member 22, as generally illustrated in Figure 1. Interior volume 30 may also house cables 48 and 50 for antenna 40 and a motor drive mechanism (not illustrated) for the mirror assembly. Again, all of these components are easily located within interior volume 30. Housing 20 also includes a back member 22 preferably formed as an aerodynamic convex shell member, as particularly seen in Figures 2 and 3. The housing members 22 and 24 are preferably formed of a lightweight plastic material since they do not directly support the operating components of the mirror. Thus, the housing members can be formed at minimum cost. Additionally, housing member 22 and

24 are easily painted and can be color coordinated with the vehicle ca .

A release mechanism or device is configured on a back surface 23 of back housing member 22, as particularly seen in Figure 3. In the embodiment illustrated, the release mechanism can comprise a bolt or screw 81 which extends through a sleeve 85 into a mount 84 defined on back surface

25 of front housing member 24. Sleeve 85 is defined by web structures 79 on a back surface of the housing back member.

Preferably, caps 83 are provided to cover screws or bolts 81 in sleeve 85 so that the release mechanism is flush with the outer surface 23. Although not illustrated in the drawings, it should be understood that any manner of release mechanism can be utilized in this regard and is within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the release mechanism may comprise bayonet type fasteners or barb projection fasteners which extend through the interior volume and releasably attach back member 22 to front member 24.

It should be apparent from the figures that back member 22 serves as a shell or covering for interior volume 30 which houses the majority of the operating components and attaching mechanisms for mirror 10. The operating components are readily accessible simply by removing back cover 22. The components are thus accessible for servicing or repair without requiring the entire mirror assembly to be removed from support arm 12. Additionally, the operating components and front housing member 24 can be formed as generic components useable on any line of vehicles. Back cover member 22 can be particularly shaped or painted to give a distinctive look or style for mirrors of certain vehicles. Thus, minimum expense is incurred in manufacturing distinctive looking mirrors for different vehicles. The distinctive look can be accomplished merely by configuring or painting the back members 22 and interchanging the back members with the remaining generic components of the mirror.

Additionally, it may become desirable to replace back member 22 in cases where the member becomes damaged from flying stones, chips, insects, or the like. In thiε regard, the operator of the vehicle can readily remove the back cover and simply replace the cover with a new one. The operator need not disassemble or otherwise interfere with the other operating components of the mirror.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, the housing back cover member can be configured in any desired style or shape. Additionally, the release mechanism can comprise any manner of conventional devices. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS;

1. An external rear-view mirror for motor vehicles, particularly commercial trucks, comprising: a support arm, and mounting devices for mounting said support arm to a motor vehicle; a housing, said housing further comprising a back member and a front member and an interior volume defined therebetween, said support arm comprising a vertical portion extending completely through said housing interior volume in a longitudinal direction; at least one support plate removably attached directly to said support arm vertical portion, said support plate having a front side and a back side, said housing front member removably attached to said support plate; an adjustable mirror assembly mounted to said support plate front side so as to be variably positionable relative thereto; a release mechanism configured on a back surface of said housing back member for releasably attaching said housing back member directly to said housing front member; and wherein said back member is only indirectly supported on said support arm through attachment to said housing front member and said housing back member is readily replaceable without adjustment or interference with other components of said rear-view mirror.

2. The rear-view mirror as in claim 1, wherein said housing is formed of a lightweight plastic material.

3. The rear-view mirror as in claim 1, wherein said release mechanism extends through said housing interior volume to connect said housing back member to said housing front member.

4. The rear-view mirror as in claim 3, wherein said release mechanism comprises a screw member attaching into a screw mount formed on a back surface of said housing front member and extending into said housing interior volume.

5. The rear-view mirror as in claim 1, wherein said housing front member defines and open-faced front chamber, said mirror assembly variably positionable within said open- faced front chamber, said support plate disposed within said open-faced front chamber and mounted directly to said support arm through said housing front member.

6. The rear-view mirror as in claim 1, wherein said release mechanism is flush with a back surface of said housing back member.

7. The rear-view mirror as in claim 6, wherein said housing back member comprises an aerodynamic convex shell member.

8. An external rear-view mirror for motor vehicles, particularly commercial trucks, comprising: a support arm, and means for mounting said support arm to a motor vehicle; a housing, said housing further a front member which defines a open-faced front chamber and a convex shell back member, said housing further defining an interior volume between said front member and said back member said support arm comprising a vertical portion extending completely through said housing interior volume in a longitudinal direction; at least one support plate removably attached directly to said support arm vertical portion, said support plate disposed within said open-faced front chamber and having a front side and a back side, said housing front member removably attached to said support plate; an adjustable mirror assembly mounted to said support plate front side so as to be variably positionable relative thereto within said open-faced front chamber; a release mechanism configured on a back surface of said convex shell back member for releasably attaching said convex shell back member directly to said housing front member; and wherein said convex shell back member does not support any other components of said mirror and is only indirectly supported on said support arm through attachment to said housing member front member, said convex shell back member being readily replaceable without adjustment or interference with other components of said rear-view mirror.