Attachments for rearview mirrors

Claim 1

In a breakaway device for attaching a rearview mirror in an automobile, the combination comprising: first plate means for fixedly mounting said mirror, pin means projecting from said first plate means, said pin means having a conically shaped portion at its outer end and an inwardly directed shoulder means intermediate said portion and said plate means, at least one protuberance projecting from said plate means in the same direction as said pin means, second plate means fixedly mounted in said automobile having an opening therein of a size and shape to allow insertion and withdrawal of said pin means, a depression in said second plate means corresponding to each of said protuberances, located so that each protuberance projects into the corresponding depression when said pin means is inserted into said opening, a pair of laterally spaced grooves formed in one surface of said second plate, said grooves extending one on each side of said opening and spaced apart a distance less than the transverse dimension of said opening whereby said opening extends into each of said grooves intermediate their ends, and an elongated normally substantially straight bar spring mounted in each of said grooves and extending into said opening for engaging and releasably retaining said shoulder means when said pin means is inserted into said opening, said grooves having a transverse dimension greater than that of said bar springs at least in the area of said opening to permit limited movement of the adjacent portion of said bar springs toward and away from said opening upon a movement of said pin means into or out of said opening.