Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A collapsible rear view mirror apparatus for an automobile, comprising: a rear view mirror; a support member adapted to be fixed to the body of the automobile; a ball and socket joint comprised of a ball element and at least two socket elements, one of said socket elements being fixed to said support member, a second socket element being movable with respect to said support member, said ball element having at least one substantial ridge on its spherical surface portion away from the portion thereof adjacent to said fixed socket element, said ridge having a spherical surface, the radius thereof being identical with the radius of the spherical surface of said ball element, said other movable socket element having at least one recess complementary in configuration and location to said ridge for receiving said ridge therein; a mirror arm arm having two ends, one end holding said rear view mirror, the other end being secured to said ball element, said mirror arm being thereby secured to said support member; and a coil spring provided between said support member and said movable socket element to urge both said ball element and said movable socket element toward said one fixed socket element so that said ridge Is fitted in said recess, thereby holding said mirror arm in place.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A collapsible rear view mirror apparatus for an automobile, comprising: a rear view mirror; a support member adapted to be fixed to the body of the automobile; a ball and socket joint comprised of a ball element and at least two socket elements, one of said socket elements being fixed to said support member, a second socket element being movable with respect to said support member, said ball element having at least one substantial ridge on its spherical surface portion away from the portion thereof adjacent to said fixed socket element, said ridge having a spherical surface, the radius thereof being identical with the radius of the spherical surface of said ball element, said other movable socket element having at least one recess complementary in configuration and location to said ridge for receiving said ridge therein; a mirror arm arm having two ends, one end holding said rear view mirror, the other end being secured to said ball element, said mirror arm being thereby secured to said support member; and a coil spring provided between said support member and said movable socket element to urge both said ball element and said movable socket element toward said one fixed socket element so that said ridge Is fitted in said recess, thereby holding said mirror arm in place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A collapsible rear view mirror apparatus according to claim 1, in which the center of the spherical surface of said ridge is identical with the center of said ball element, said ridge thus constituting a part of the spherical surface of said ball element and thus providing, on its sides, spherically-surfaced recessed portions representing the loci of said radius but the center thereof being deviated from the center of the ball element toward the surface portion of said ball element adjacent to said fixed socket element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A collapsible rear view mirror apparatus according to claim 2, in which said ridge has a spherically-surfaced cross-shape, and said recess has a configuration complementary to that of said ridge and has a radius equal to that of said ball element and has its imaginary center deviated outwardly for a distance equal to the distance of deviation of the center of said spherically-surfaced recessed portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A collapsible rear view mirror apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said ridge has a configuration complementary to that of said ridge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A collapsible rear view mirror apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said ridge has a Y-shape and said recess has a configuration complementary to that of said ridge.