US3638899A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Outside mirror for motor vehicles
Assignee: Daimler Benz AG
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Filing: 1968-08-09
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1988-08-09
Abstract
Abstract An outside mirror for motor vehicles which includes a base portion adapted to be secured at the vehicle body, in particular, to the outer wall of a front door, and a head portion that carries the mirror glass; the head portion is adjustably retained at the base portion at a place which is located on the side of the vehicle in relation to its vertical center axis, and is rotatable with respect to the base portion about an essentially vertical axis while a resistance opposes the relative rotary movement about this axis which is larger than the aerodynamic forces that occur normally.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert Bonisch
- 👤 Heinz Gaiser
- 👤 Guntram Huber
- 👤 Erwin Kolle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:16
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
336 words
A safety outside mirror for motor vehicles which includes a unitary base portion with two ends adapted to be fixedly secured at one end to the side of a body and a head portion carrying a mirror glass having a vertical center axis and adapted to be adjusted relative to said base portion, characterized in that the head portion is frictionally and adjustably retained on the other end of the base portion about a substantially vertical pivot axis that is located in relation to the vertical center axis of the mirror on the side nearer the vehicle so that the distance from the outer edge of said mirror to said pivot axis is greater than the distance from the inner edge of said mirror to said pivot axis, and in that a threaded screw means forming said substantially vertical pivot axis of rotation if provided which connects the head portion with the base portion, said threaded screw means being substantially vertically arranged and having a screw head, said threaded screw means extending through an approximately spherically shaped bearing means provided on tHe head portion, and the head portion being frictionally supported with its bearing means against a complementary socket for the bearing means provided on the base portion by a coil spring means surrounding the threaded screw means and engaging under stress the screw head as well as the bearing means so that the head portion, in case of impact against its outer edge area, is able to deflect from its normal operating position without danger of damages to the motor vehicle due to the relatively long lever arm formed by the distance from the outer edge to said pivot axis, notwithstanding a frictional resistance between the bearing means and bearing socket that is larger than the aerodynamic forces, normally counteracting a rotary movement about said pivot axis, said threaded screw means together with said bearing means and said bearing socket constituting the sole means enabling adjustment of the head portion relative to the base portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
336 words
A safety outside mirror for motor vehicles which includes a unitary base portion with two ends adapted to be fixedly secured at one end to the side of a body and a head portion carrying a mirror glass having a vertical center axis and adapted to be adjusted relative to said base portion, characterized in that the head portion is frictionally and adjustably retained on the other end of the base portion about a substantially vertical pivot axis that is located in relation to the vertical center axis of the mirror on the side nearer the vehicle so that the distance from the outer edge of said mirror to said pivot axis is greater than the distance from the inner edge of said mirror to said pivot axis, and in that a threaded screw means forming said substantially vertical pivot axis of rotation if provided which connects the head portion with the base portion, said threaded screw means being substantially vertically arranged and having a screw head, said threaded screw means extending through an approximately spherically shaped bearing means provided on tHe head portion, and the head portion being frictionally supported with its bearing means against a complementary socket for the bearing means provided on the base portion by a coil spring means surrounding the threaded screw means and engaging under stress the screw head as well as the bearing means so that the head portion, in case of impact against its outer edge area, is able to deflect from its normal operating position without danger of damages to the motor vehicle due to the relatively long lever arm formed by the distance from the outer edge to said pivot axis, notwithstanding a frictional resistance between the bearing means and bearing socket that is larger than the aerodynamic forces, normally counteracting a rotary movement about said pivot axis, said threaded screw means together with said bearing means and said bearing socket constituting the sole means enabling adjustment of the head portion relative to the base portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
156 words
An outside mirror with a mirror shell means forming part of the head portion and having a lower boundary edge according to claim 1, wherein said bearing means includes a substantially spherically shaped bearing body integral with said head portion and provided with an opening exceeding the screw diameter to permit adjustment of the head portion within said socket, and a bearing member provided with a partial substantially spherically shaped bearing surface complementary to the inner bearing surface of the bearing body, said bearing member being provided with a bore only slightly larger than the external diameter of the screw means and having a top surface against which is supported one end of the spring means, said top surface extending above the lower boundary edge of the mirror shell means whereby, in case of a collision, a tilting of the head portion in the driving direction toward the rear and in a downward direction is precluded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An outside mirror according to claim 1, wherein said base portion is relative short and is directed upwardly at a relatively steep inclination.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
An outside mirror with a mirror shell means forming part of the head portion and having a lower boundary edge according to claim 1, wherein a separating surface is formed between the head portion and the base portion which extends above the lower boundary edge of the mirror shell means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An outside mirror mounted on the side door of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said pivot axis is disposed a substantial distance from the inner edge of said head portion to minimize the lateral protuberance of the outside mirror when mounted on a side door.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |