Patent ID: 6273574
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
In combination with a motor vehicle having a vertically extending rear surface, a mirror system for reflecting an image of an area located behind the vehicle comprising:a generally J-shaped arm having inner and outer ends;a mirror mounted to said outer end of said arm;a housing mounted on an upper portion of said rear surface of said vehicle;a drive assembly within said housing having a motor responsive to an electrical current, a drive shaft operable by said motor, a driven shaft spaced from said drive shaft and coupled to said inner end of said arm, and a drive belt extending between and coupled with said drive shaft and said driven shaft;a circuit for providing said electrical current to energize said motor in a manner to rotate said drive shaft and said driven shaft in first or second opposed directions to move said arm coupled thereto between a first position where said mirror reflects an image of an area located behind said vehicle for view by a vehicle driver, and a second position where said mirror is at a storage position displaced from said first position and toward said rear surface of said vehicle, said first position and said second position presenting a movement zone therebetween;a mechanical movement limiter for limiting movement of said arm beyond said first and second positions to prevent said mirror from contacting the vehicle, having first and second stop lugs extending from said driven shaft, a stop post in said housing, said first stop lug engaging said stop post at said first position to preclude further rotation of said driven shaft in said first direction, said second stop lug engaging said stop post at said second position to preclude further rotation of said driven shaft in said second direction; andan electrical movement limiter for limiting movement of said arm beyond said first and second positions to prevent said mirror from contacting the vehicle, having first and second switches in said housing and incorporated in said circuit, said first switch being in a closed position to deliver current to said motor during said rotation of said drive shaft in said first direction, a first switch lug extending from said driven shaft to contact said first switch at said first position and open said first switch to cease said current delivery to said motor, said second switch being in a closed position to deliver current to said motor during said rotation of said drive shaft in said second direction, and a second switch lug extending from said driven shaft to contact said second switch at said second position and open said second switch to cease current delivery to said motor,said drive belt allowing slippage between said drive and driven shafts when said arm is moved between said first position and said second position for minimizing damage to the mirror system in the event of contact with an object within said movement zone.