Abstract:
A mounting bracket for securing a mirror assembly to a vehicle exterior includes a body having a non-planar outer surface and a mounting surface that is securable to the vehicle. A slit is defined in the body, opens away from the mounting surface, and defines a first plane. An aperture extends through the body and the slit substantially perpendicularly to the first plane. A counterbore is recessed with respect to the outer surface and surrounds the aperture. At least a portion of a cap is positioned in the counterbore and overlies the counterbore and the aperture.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to provisional patent application No. 60/387,652, filed on Jun. 11, 2002. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to supports, and more particularly to a mounting bracket for a vehicle tripod mirror mounting system.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Tripod mirror systems are well known for mounting safety mirrors to the fender areas of trucks, buses, and similar road-going vehicles. In some known systems, a safety mirror is supported by a first support, and the first support is in turn supported by second and third supports. All three supports are coupled to the vehicle fender area and the supports are often adjustable in a lengthwise direction to allow the mirror to be adjustably positioned. Generally, the supports are either fastened directly to the vehicle exterior, or are coupled to specialized mounting fixtures commonly referred to as “bells.” The bells pivotally couple the mirror supports to the vehicle to further improve the adjustability of the tripod mirror system.  
           [0004]    Many prior art bells include a pair of tabs that cooperate to define a slot. A flattened end of each support is positioned in the slot of a respective bell, and a mounting fastener is extended through the tabs and the flattened support end to pivotally couple the support to the bell.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    While the above-described mounting bells are generally effective, the mounting bells present a problem in that the mounting fasteners are left uncovered and are therefore exposed to the environment. In this respect, rain, snow, salt, and other corrosive substances that the vehicle may encounter can corrode and damage the fastener. The corroded fastener may then become difficult to loosen in order to adjust or remove the mirror assembly. In addition, the fastener itself (and particularly a corroded fastener) is somewhat aesthetically unappealing and can detract from the overall appearance of the vehicle.  
           [0006]    To address these and other concerns with conventional tripod mirror bells, the invention provides a mounting bracket for securing a mirror assembly to a vehicle exterior. The bracket includes a body having a non-planar outer surface and a mounting surface that is securable to the vehicle. The body defines a slit that opens away from the mounting surface and defines a first plane. An aperture extends through the body and the slit substantially perpendicularly to the first plane. A counterbore is recessed with respect to the outer surface and surrounds the aperture. At least a portion of a cap is positioned in the counterbore and overlies the counterbore and the aperture.  
           [0007]    In some embodiments, the aperture defines a first axis and includes grooves that extend axially with respect to the first axis from the outer surface toward the slit. The cap may include tabs that are engageable with the grooves to secure the cap to the body. Preferably, a fastener extends through the aperture and includes a head portion, which is positioned in the counterbore. The cap may be positioned to overlay and conceal the head portion. The mounting surface may be engageable with a stud that extends from the vehicle exterior to secure the mounting bracket to the vehicle.  
           [0008]    The invention also provides a mirror assembly for use on a vehicle. The assembly includes a reflective body, a first elongated support member including a first end couplable to the reflective body and a second end, a second elongated support member having a first end coupled to the first support member and a second end, and a third elongated support member having a first end coupled to at least one of the first and second support members and a second end. The assembly also includes a first mounting member that is securable to the vehicle and is coupled to the second end of the first support member by a first fastener. A second mounting member is securable to the vehicle and is coupled to the second end of the second support member by a second fastener. A third mounting member is securable to the vehicle and is coupled to the second end of the third support member by a third fastener. Each mounting member includes structure to overlie the fasteners and hide the fasteners from view.  
           [0009]    Preferably, each mounting member includes a non-planar outer surface that provides a bell-shaped contour and a mounting surface that engages the vehicle. Each mounting member may include a slit that extends through the outer surface and opens away from the mounting surface to receive the second ends of the support members.  
           [0010]    In some embodiments, the mounting members include counterbores and the fasteners include portions positioned within the counterbores. Preferably, the structure overlying the fasteners comprises removable caps positioned in the counterbores. At least one of the support members preferably includes an expandable portion between the first and second ends.  
           [0011]    The present invention further provides a mounting bracket for securing a mirror assembly to a road vehicle. The bracket includes an upper portion having a non-planar outer surface and a lower surface. A lower portion is securable to the vehicle. The upper portion defines a slit and the slit defines a central plane. An aperture defines a first axis and extends through the upper portion and the slit generally perpendicularly to the central plane. A counterbore surrounds the aperture and provides an inner annular wall that is generally parallel to the central plane and a circumferential wall having a diameter and surrounding the first axis.  
           [0012]    Preferably, a groove is formed in the circumferential wall and extends axially toward the annular wall. An elongated cutout extends from the lower surface into the upper portion to intersect the groove. The cutout preferably has a length greater than the circumferential wall diameter and cooperates with the groove to provide an internal lip in the upper portion. The cutout extends generally perpendicularly from the lower surface and is generally parallel to the central plane.  
           [0013]    In some embodiments, a cap is received by the counterbore and includes a tab having a projection. The tab is received by the groove and the projection engages the internal lip to secure the cap to the body. The cap overlies the aperture, the annular wall, and the circumferential wall.  
           [0014]    The upper portion and the lower portion may cooperate to provide a substantially bell-shaped outer contour. The lower portion preferably includes a substantially cylindrical boss that extends generally perpendicularly from the lower surface and defines a central axis. A skirt portion extends axially and radially away from the lower surface and surrounds the cylindrical boss. Preferably, the skirt portion has a substantially uniform thickness.  
           [0015]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tripod mirror mount including a mounting member embodying the invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting member illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the mounting member illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  in FIG. 3.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is an end view of the mounting member illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the mounting member.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  in FIG. 6. 
     
    
       [0023]    Before one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]    The drawings illustrate a tripod mirror mounting system  10  including mounting members  14  embodying the present invention. Referring first to FIG. 1, the mounting system  10  includes a safety mirror  18  mounted to a vehicle fender area and supported by three elongated support members  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c . The first elongated support member  22   a  extends between the safety mirror  18  and the vehicle fender area, the second support member  22   b  extends between the first support member  22   a  and the vehicle fender area, and the third support member  22   c  also extends between the first support member  22   a  and the vehicle fender area. Each support member  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  is coupled to the vehicle fender area by a respective mounting member  14   a ,  14   b ,  14   c , each mounting member  14   a ,  14   b ,  14   c  being secured to the vehicle fender area using one or more suitable mounting fasteners, as further discussed below (see FIG. 4, mounting stud  86 , for example).  
         [0025]    Specifically, the second and third support members  22   b ,  22   c  are coupled to the first support member  22   a  by clamps  46 , and the first and second support members  22   a ,  22   b , each include an expandable portion  50 . The expandable portions  50  allow the lengths of the first and second support members  22   a ,  22   b  to be adjusted, thereby providing positional adjustment of the mirror  18 . Each support member  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  also includes a flattened portion  54  having a hole formed therein. Each flattened portion  54  is coupled to one of the mounting members  14  by extending a fastener (hidden in FIG. 1) through the hole, as will be further explained below.  
         [0026]    Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, each mounting member  14  includes a non-planar outer surface  56  that defines an upper frusto-spherical portion  58 , and a lower skirt portion  62 . The upper portion  58  includes a slit  66  that receives the flattened portion  54  of the support member  22  (each support member  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  having a substantially identical flattened portion  54 ), and the skirt portion  62  extends toward and partially defines a mounting surface  70  that mates with the vehicle. The upper portion  58  is also configured to receive caps  74  that conceal and protect the support member mounting fasteners, as described further below.  
         [0027]    As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper portion  58  includes a planar lower surface  76 . A central boss  78  extends from the planar lower surface  76  toward the mounting surface  70  and is surrounded by the skirt portion  62 . The central boss  78  defines a central axis  80  and includes a bore  82  that receives a mounting stud  86  to secure the mounting member  14  to the vehicle. The slit  66  is substantially aligned with the central axis  80  and defines a central plane  90  (see FIG. 7).  
         [0028]    The upper portion  58  also includes an aperture  92  extending therethrough substantially perpendicularly to the central plane  90 . The aperture  92  intersects the slit  66  and defines a first axis  94  that is generally perpendicular to the central axis  80 . To secure the support member  22  to the mounting member  14 , the hole in the flattened end  54  of the support member  22  is aligned with the aperture  92 . A mounting fastener  96  having a head portion  98 , and a threaded portion  102  is then extended through the aperture  92  and the hole, and a nut  104  is threaded onto the threaded portion  102 , thereby securing the support member  22  to the mounting member  14 .  
         [0029]    The upper portion  58  also includes at least one counterbore  110  that is recessed with respect to the outer surface  56  and surrounds the aperture  92 . The counterbore  110  provides an annular wall  112  that is substantially parallel to and faces away from the central plane  90 . The counterbore  110  also provides a circumferential wall  114  that defines a diameter D (see FIG. 7) of the counterbore  110  and surrounds the first axis  94 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting member  14  is substantially symmetric with respect to the central plane  90  and includes two counterbores  110 , one on each side of the central plane  90 . The head portion  98  of the fastener  96  engages one annular wall  112 , and is surrounded by one counterbore  110 , and the nut  104  engages the other annular wall  112  and is surrounded by the other counterbore  110 . In alternative embodiments of the invention, one of the counterbores  110  is eliminated leaving a substantially solid mass of material on one side of the slit  66 . A threaded blind bore may then be formed in the upper portion  58 . The threaded blind bore is substantially aligned with the first axis  94  and opens toward the slit  66  such that the mounting fastener  96  may be extended through the aperture  92  and the hole in the flattened end  54 , and threaded directly into the threaded blind bore.  
         [0030]    The upper portion  58  also includes a pair of grooves  118  (FIG. 4) formed in each circumferential wall  114 . The grooves  118  are diametrically opposed with respect to the first axis  94  and extend axially from the outer surface  56  toward a respective annular wall  112 . The grooves  118  are oriented about the first axis  94  such that a plane extending through the grooves  118  is substantially perpendicular to the central axis  80  and substantially parallel to the lower surface  76 .  
         [0031]    Cooperating with each pair of grooves  118  is an elongated cutout  122  that extends from the planar lower surface  76 , into the upper portion  58 . The cutouts  122  intersect the grooves  118  (see FIG. 4) and include a length L (see FIG. 5) in a direction generally parallel to the central plane  90 . The length L is greater than the diameter D of the counterbore  110  for reasons that will become apparent below. As best illustrated in FIG. 7, the cutouts  122  and the pairs of grooves  118  provide a pair of internal lips  126  on each side of the upper portion  58 . The lips  126  are provided to secure the caps  74  to the upper portion  58  so that the caps  74  conceal and overlie the fastener  96 , the nut  104 , and the counterbores  110 .  
         [0032]    As best shown in FIG. 7, each cap  74  includes a pair of diametrically opposed tabs  130 . The tabs  130  include radially outwardly extending projections  134  that engage the internal lips  126  to secure the caps  74  to the mounting member  14 . The caps  74 , tabs  130 , and projections  134  are sized and configured such that the tabs  130  and projections  134  are received by the grooves  118  and guided toward the internal lips  126  as the caps  74  are inserted into the counterbores  110 . As the caps  74  are inserted, the tabs  130  deflect inwardly until the projections  134  move past the lips  126  and snap radially outwardly into place, thereby securing the cap  74  to the mounting member  14 . The caps  74  also include an outer surface  138  that is contoured to smoothly blend with the outer surface  56  of the mounting member  14 . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the caps  74  installed, the mounting member  14  has a smooth, bell-shaped contour, and the fastener  96 , the nut  104 , the counterbores  110 , the grooves  118  and the cutouts  122  are all hidden from view.  
         [0033]    Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.