Patent ID: 6598983
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A rearview mirror assembly for installation on the side of a motor vehicle, said assembly comprising:a support structure constructed and arranged to be fixedly mounted to the exterior side of the motor vehicle such that said assembly extends laterally outwardly with respect to the vehicle; a mounting structure comprising a generally U-shaped member having a bight portion and a pair of leg portions defining generally spaced apart and parallel tubular members, said mounting structure mounted to said support structure for angular movement about a generally vertically extending axis with respect to the vehicle; a mirror housing slidably mounted to said mounting structure and including a pair of openings for slidably receiving said tubular members therein; a mirror mounted on a mirror base, said mirror base being mounted to said mirror housing, said mirror being selectively positioned and configured to reflect images of objects disposed rearwardly of said mirror assembly to a driver seated within the motor vehicle; a clamp secured to said mirror housing and having a removable clamp-associated insert providing a mounting structure engaging surface for engaging said mounting structure in tightly fit relation so as to prevent relative vibratory movements between said mirror housing and said mounting structure such that (1) said mirror housing can be manually repositioned in a lateral direction towards or away from the vehicle through an infinite range of positions while said mirror faces rearwardly with respect to the vehicle by manually applying lateral force to said mirror housing directed towards or away from the vehicle sufficient to overcome said tightly fit relation without performing additional manual releasing operations and (2) said mirror housing will thereafter remain in a selected one of said positions absent application of lateral force to said mirror housing sufficient to overcome said tightly fit relation without performing additional manual securing operations; said clamp being configured to restrict relative movement between said mirror housing and said mounting structure only to the aforesaid lateral direction; said mounting structure engaging surface of said clamp engaging respective exterior surfaces of said leg portions to provide said tightly fit relation therebetween; and said mirror housing includes a longitudinal ridge, said clamp engaging said exterior surfaces of said leg portions so as to engage said exterior surfaces of said leg portion with said ridge provided by said mirror housing to provide said tightly fit relation.