US3603555A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Outside rearview mirror assembly
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1969-03-21
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1989-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A rearview mirror assembly for attachment to the outside of a vehicle, such as a motor car, at a convenient location for the driver to see and reach for manual adjustment, which is provided with a ball and socket swivel joint secured by a pretensioned adjustable spring retainer. The mirror is supported on a stem which extends into a mirror support column having a ball on the other end for swivel support within a ball socket formed in the base support bracket and the ball is retained in the ball socket by an adjustable pretensioned leaf spring, the construction being such that all members can be preassembled together in a convenient manner. The supporting portions of the mirror are made of plastic material of such strength, at least at the swivel joint, as to break or snap off under impact to provide a safety feature.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E Lohr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A universally angularly adjustable mirror assembly comprising: a support base for attachment to a panel member, a portion of said base shaped into a spherical protrusion along its top faCe, said protrusion having an opening; a mirror retained within a casing, said casing culminating into an elongated hollow column; a spherically shaped formation disposed at the end of said column, said formation extending pivotally over said spherical protrusion to sealingly close said opening in any angularly adjusted position of said mirror; a ball member disposed within said spherical protrusion for universal engagement therewith; a stem integral with said ball member, said stem having a diameter substantially smaller then said opening extending into said column and secured thereto, said stem having a portion of reduced diameter adapted to snap off from said ball member upon impact; at least one leaf spring having a spherical seat portion to frictionally retain said ball member within said spherical protrusion; and means for adjustably securing said leaf spring within said support base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A universally angularly adjustable mirror assembly comprising: a support base for attachment to a panel member, a portion of said base shaped into a spherical protrusion along its top faCe, said protrusion having an opening; a mirror retained within a casing, said casing culminating into an elongated hollow column; a spherically shaped formation disposed at the end of said column, said formation extending pivotally over said spherical protrusion to sealingly close said opening in any angularly adjusted position of said mirror; a ball member disposed within said spherical protrusion for universal engagement therewith; a stem integral with said ball member, said stem having a diameter substantially smaller then said opening extending into said column and secured thereto, said stem having a portion of reduced diameter adapted to snap off from said ball member upon impact; at least one leaf spring having a spherical seat portion to frictionally retain said ball member within said spherical protrusion; and means for adjustably securing said leaf spring within said support base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, in which said leaf spring comprises a longitudinal substantially planar body portion having opposite ends, one of said opposite ends being provided with tongues for extension through apertures provided in said support base to retain said one end, the other end having a threaded aperture and a fastener associated with said support base to adjustably secure said other end of said leaf spring to said support base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, in which said one end of said leaf spring is provided with a depending leg portion extending out of the plane of said spring for extension through an aperture in said panel member, said leg portion having a resilient finger at its end for clamping engagement with the underside of said panel member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
The mirror assembly as defined in claim 3, in which said pair of leaf springs comprises an upper spring and a lower spring, said upper spring having a spherical protrusion extending from the body of said spring for insertion within said spherical protrusion of said support base, said lower spring being provided with a spherical recess opposite said spherical protrusion for retainment of said ball member in said spherical protrusion of said upper spring and adjustable fastening means at one end of said upper and said lower spring to clamp said springs together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, in which said resilient means comprises a pair of oppositely disposed leaf springs adjustably retained within said support base and having means to pivotally frictionally engage said ball member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The mirror assembly as defined in claim 5, in which said upper spring is provided at opposite ends with means comprising tongues adapted to engage complementary means in said support base for retainment therein, said lower spring having a free end secured by said fastener to said upper spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The mirror assembly as defined in claim 5, in which said spherical protrusion of said upper spring is provided with an opening registering with said mouth-shaped opening in said spherical protrusion of said support base to permit the extension of said stem of said ball member therethrough for angular pivotal displacement therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, in which said casing including said column and said ball member including said stem are made of corrosion-resistant plastic material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |