US4973147A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Holding device for a connector associated with an electrically controlled automotive mirror
Assignee: Tokai Rika Co Ltd
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Filing: 1990-03-23
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Granted: 1990-11-27
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Expires: 2010-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A holding device for a connector associated with an electrically controlled automotive mirror is provided such that the connector becomes fixed to a mirror unit. With the connector being fixed to the mirror unit, connections between the connector and mated connectors provided in automotive vehicle bodies may be made in a much easier fashion.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaki Fujita
- 👤 Noriyasu Shamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:36
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/06; B60R1/062; B60R1/07; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/73; H01R13/74; H01R13/741; H01R13/743; H01R2103/00; H01R24/00; H01R24/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A holding device for a connector associated with an electrically controlled automotive mirror, the connector being adapted for connection to a mated connector provided in an automotive vehicle body, the device comprising: a mirror unit, adapted for connection to an automotive vehicle body, including a mirror, an electrical driving device for driving the mirror, and a housing for housing the mirror and the electrical driving device; a bracket adapted to be fixed to a side of the housing adapted for connection to the automotive vehicle body; a through hole provided in the bracket, the through hole including two engaging portions at opposing sides of the through hole; a hollow cylindrical member including a non-elastic claw and an elastic claw, the non-elastic claw being adapted to engage with one of the engaging portions, the elastic claw being adapted to engage with another one of the engaging portions; and a connector provided at an end of a wiring extending from the electrical driving device, the connector being adapted for insertion into and to be held by an inner surface of the hollow cylindrical member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A holding device for a connector associated with an electrically controlled automotive mirror, the connector being adapted for connection to a mated connector provided in an automotive vehicle body, the device comprising: a mirror unit, adapted for connection to an automotive vehicle body, including a mirror, an electrical driving device for driving the mirror, and a housing for housing the mirror and the electrical driving device; a bracket adapted to be fixed to a side of the housing adapted for connection to the automotive vehicle body; a through hole provided in the bracket, the through hole including two engaging portions at opposing sides of the through hole; a hollow cylindrical member including a non-elastic claw and an elastic claw, the non-elastic claw being adapted to engage with one of the engaging portions, the elastic claw being adapted to engage with another one of the engaging portions; and a connector provided at an end of a wiring extending from the electrical driving device, the connector being adapted for insertion into and to be held by an inner surface of the hollow cylindrical member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a sealing member adapted to be disposed between the bracket and the hollow cylindrical member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device according to claim 2, wherein: the sealing member includes a projection adapted to be interposed between the connector and the elastic claw; and wherein the projection prevents the elastic claw from disengaging with the another one of the engaging portions.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for securing a connector associated with an electrically controlled automotive mirror, the connector being adapted for connection to a mated connector provided in an automotive vehicle body, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mirror unit, adapted for connection to an automotive vehicle body, including a mirror, an electrical driving device for driving the mirror, and a housing for housing the mirror and the electrical driving device; providing a bracket to be fixed to a side of the housing adapted for connection to the automotive body; providing a through hole in the bracket, the through hole including two engaging portions at opposing sides of the through hole; providing a hollow cylindrical member including a wide end, a narrow end, a non-elastic claw, and an elastic claw; providing a wiring from the electrical driving device; disposing the hollow cylindrical member within the mirror unit, such that the wide end is closer to the bracket than the narrow end; passing the wiring through the hollow cylindrical member; providing a connector at an end of the wiring extending from the electrical driving device, wherein the connector is adapted to be inserted into the wide end of the hollow cylindrical member; engaging the non-elastic claw and the elastic claw with the engaging portions of the through hole; and securing the connector through the through hole and into the interior of the hollow cylindrical member.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for securing a connector associated with an electrically controlled automotive mirror, the connector being adapted for connection to a mated connector provided in an automotive vehicle body, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mirror unit, adapted for connection to an automotive vehicle body, including a mirror, an electrical driving device for driving the mirror, and a housing for housing the mirror and the electrical driving device; providing a bracket to be fixed to a side of the housing adapted for connection to the automotive body; providing a through hole in the bracket, the through hole including two engaging portions at opposing sides of the through hole; providing a hollow cylindrical member including a wide end, a narrow end, a non-elastic claw, and an elastic claw; providing a wiring from the electrical driving device; disposing the hollow cylindrical member within the mirror unit, such that the wide end is closer to the bracket than the narrow end; passing the wiring through the hollow cylindrical member; providing a connector at an end of the wiring extending from the electrical driving device, wherein the connector is adapted to be inserted into the wide end of the hollow cylindrical member; engaging the non-elastic claw and the elastic claw with the engaging portions of the through hole; and securing the connector through the through hole and into the interior of the hollow cylindrical member.
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) | 1993-11-26 | 1994-05-28 | 1994-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-26 | 1998-05-28 | 1998-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-26 | 2002-05-28 | 2002-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |