US3828623A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote outside rearview mirror
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
•
Filing: 1973-02-12
•
Granted: 1974-08-13
•
Expires: 1993-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A remote-adjustable outside rearview mirror for motor vehicles having an adjuster mechanism arranged in the mirror housing operable through a rotatable, flexible drive shaft, from the vehicle interior.
Inventors
- 👤 G Zillner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/06; B60R1/062; B60R1/064; B60R1/066; B60R1/068; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S248/00; Y10S248/90; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/2042; Y10T74/20432
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
273 words
A remotely adjustable outside rearview mirror assembly for motor vehicles, the mirror assembly comprising a housing, a mirror peripherally surrounded by the housing, and an adjuster mechanism within the housing coupled to the mirror and operable from the vehicle interior through a rotatable flexible shaft, characterized in that: the mirror housing surrounDing the mirror is formed integrally with a mirror assembly base of elastomeric material, the mirror housing has a flexible rim to which the mirror is fixed, a mounting plate is attached to the mirror within the housing, a fixed bearing is mounted on the housing, the mounting plate is supported on the bearing through the medium of two central, vertical pins carried on a slider ring journalled on a swash plate, a vertical pin laterally offset from the two central vertical pins is mounted on the mounting plate, a lever arm means articulated to the laterally mounted vertical pin extends to the fixed bearing, a coupling means journals the swash plate on the fixed bearing for rotational and axial movement thereon, and the rotatable flexible shaft is coupled to the swash plate to rotate the latter to cause the same to be displaced on the fixed bearing, the swash plate as it is rotated causing the slider ring to translate the tumble action of the swash plate through the two central, vertical pins into tilting movement of the mirror about a horizontal axis, the swash plate further upon being rotated causing the lever arm means to translate axial movement of the swash plate into pivotal movement of the mounting plate about the vertical axis defined by the two central, vertical pins.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
273 words
A remotely adjustable outside rearview mirror assembly for motor vehicles, the mirror assembly comprising a housing, a mirror peripherally surrounded by the housing, and an adjuster mechanism within the housing coupled to the mirror and operable from the vehicle interior through a rotatable flexible shaft, characterized in that: the mirror housing surrounDing the mirror is formed integrally with a mirror assembly base of elastomeric material, the mirror housing has a flexible rim to which the mirror is fixed, a mounting plate is attached to the mirror within the housing, a fixed bearing is mounted on the housing, the mounting plate is supported on the bearing through the medium of two central, vertical pins carried on a slider ring journalled on a swash plate, a vertical pin laterally offset from the two central vertical pins is mounted on the mounting plate, a lever arm means articulated to the laterally mounted vertical pin extends to the fixed bearing, a coupling means journals the swash plate on the fixed bearing for rotational and axial movement thereon, and the rotatable flexible shaft is coupled to the swash plate to rotate the latter to cause the same to be displaced on the fixed bearing, the swash plate as it is rotated causing the slider ring to translate the tumble action of the swash plate through the two central, vertical pins into tilting movement of the mirror about a horizontal axis, the swash plate further upon being rotated causing the lever arm means to translate axial movement of the swash plate into pivotal movement of the mounting plate about the vertical axis defined by the two central, vertical pins.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An outside rearview mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: the rotatable and axially displaceable swash plate is threadedly coupled to the fixed bearing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An outside rearview mirror assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: the lever arm means articulated to the laterally mounted vertical pin has a limited universal degree of freedom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An outside rearview mirror assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: the flexible rim of the mirror housing has increased elasticity through a flexible fold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An outside rearview mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: the lever arm means articulated to the lateral, vertical pin has a limited universal degree of freedom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An outside rearview mirror assembly as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: the flexible rim of the mirror housing has increased elasticity through a flexible fold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An outside rearview mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: the flexible rim of the mirror housing has increased elasticity through a flexible fold.
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) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |