Mirror with adjustable detent

A mirror unit for a vehicle includes a base from which extends an arm holding a mirror housing. The arm is pivotably mounted in the base to permit the mirror to be pivoted toward the vehicle in the event that the mirror is struck, for example. The extended position of the mirror when not folded is defined by a detent in the pivoting movement. The detent position of the mirror is the result of a bolt that presses a spring. The spring in turn presses a hub on the arm against an indexing pivot post, so that ramps on the hub bear against ramps on the indexing pivot post and define the detent position of the mirror. The indexing pivot post has an arrangement of teeth that engage into tooth recesses on the base when pressed thereagainst by the spring. The detent position of the mirror can be changed by the user by the user releasing the bolt to relieve spring pressure on the teeth so that the teeth of the indexing pivot post disengage from the tooth recesses and can be pivoted to a new detent position. The new detent position is ensured by tightening the bolt so that the spring presses the teeth into the tooth recesses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an external mirror for a motor vehicle and in particular to a mirror mounting and housing permitting pivoting movement of the mirror housing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Motor vehicles, such as trucks, have externally mounted mirrors extending from one or both sides of the vehicle by which the driver can see behind the vehicle. Such mirrors are provided on the vehicle when purchased new and they are also sold as after-market items for replacement of the original mirror mounts. Since the mirrors extend from the vehicle, they are subject to being struck or sticking objects that pass close to the sides of the vehicle. As such, it has become common to provide mirror mounts that fold the mirror head toward the vehicle when struck.

The mirrors and mirror mounts are sized for the configuration of the vehicle when sold and when driven by the average driver. When the vehicle is used to tow a trailer, for example, or when a truck has a truck body added onto the frame or a camper body mounted on the truck, the original mirrors are likely to be inadequate to provide a full view to the driver. Add-on mirrors or replacement mirrors are commonly used in such situations. Drivers who desire additional visibility may also change mirrors on their vehicles.

The assignee of this application developed and sold a family of extended rearview mirrors that could replace the standard OEM mirrors on most domestic vans and pickup trucks. This original family of automotive styled mirrors was designated as the 2015 series and was designed to fit on the door as a direct replacement for the OEM mirror allowing our customers to easily retrofit this mirror to the vehicle for wide body applications. These wide body applications use a standard full-sized cutaway Ford, GM or Chrysler van or pickup chassis that is later outfitted with a utility box or camper body.

The original 2015 mirror had a friction pivot system that would allow the long arm to rotate rearwards if the mirror struck an object or if the mirror needed to be folded away in a tight parking situation. The design only allowed the mirror to rotate to the rear of the vehicle and not forward.

An upgrade to this mirror was an improved pivot system that consisted of a spring loaded joint applying pressure to a set of ramps that provided the pivot with a sort of “snap action” as it was rotated. The 2020 name was given to this new and improved series of mirrors. Other improvements allowed the mirror to pivot both forward and rearward and the ramps were oriented so when the mirror was approximately 90 degrees perpendicular to the body of the vehicle, the arm would drop into a locked or “home position”. This pivot home position places the mirror head in the proper set position for viewing from the driver's seat allowing for a “no tools” adjustment. This pivot home position is set and can not be changed by the end-user.

SUMMARY THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a mirror housing and mounting for a motor vehicle which not only pivots to fold the mirror housing toward the vehicle but also permits an adjustment of the home position of the mirror housing by the end-user.

In one embodiment, the mirror housing is mounted on an arm that has a pivot end at the end of the arm opposite the mirror housing. The pivot end of the arm is held in a bracket portion of a base. A hub in the pivot end of the arm has ramps that interact with ramps on a pivot post to provide the pivoting and detent function. The pivot post has an indexing surface that in one embodiment has teeth that engage into tooth recesses. The teeth are kept engaged in the tooth recesses during normal operation, but when selectively released by a user the teeth disengage from the recesses and permit movement of the detent or home position of the mirror unit. Advantages according to various embodiments are as follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first toFIG. 1, a mirror unit10for a motor vehicle includes a mounting base12by which the mirror unit10is mounted onto a vehicle. The base12supports an arm14that extends from the base to hold the mirror away from the vehicle when the mirror unit10is mounted to a vehicle. The arm14is connected to a mirror housing16that holds one or more mirrors. The mirror(s) in the mirror housing16may be flat to provide an undistorted view or may be convex to provide a wide angle view to the driver.

The mounting base12includes a mounting surface18that is affixed to the vehicle. Preferably, the mounting surface18is configured to replace the original mirror unit of the vehicle. Mounting screws20are shown on the mounting surface by which the mirror unit is affixed to the vehicle.

The mounting base12, arm14and mirror housing16may be in any of a variety of configurations, shapes and proportions, all of which are within the scope of this invention.

InFIG. 2, the mounting base12has a bracket portion including a cylindrical space22at the ends of which is a ring shaped support24and a cap portion26, respectively. The mounting surface18is on the opposite side of the bracket portion from the cylindrical space22. The cylindrical space22is open to the sides to permit pivoting movement of the arm14relative to the base12. In the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical space22is open to permit the arm to pivot both rearward as well as forward relative to the vehicle.

The cap portion26has an indexing surface30facing the cylindrical space22. The indexing surface30includes a threaded bore32that is axially aligned relative to the cylindrical space22. A ring of tooth recesses34is formed in the indexing surface30of the cap portion26. The tooth recesses34are generally at a constant radius from the threaded bore32and are preferably arranged at a regular spacing from one another. In one embodiment includes tooth recesses34at approximately six degree intervals around the circumference of the ring, in other words, about 60 equally spaced tooth recesses. Other spacings are of course encompassed within the scope of this invention. It is envisioned that the tooth recesses may not be arranged in a continuous ring but that they may be disposed in only a partial ring or arc about the threaded bore32, or several partial rings. More than one centric ring or partial ring is also envisioned.

The arm14has a cylindrically shaped end40that is slightly smaller than the cylindrical space22in the bracket portion of the base12. The cylindrically shaped end40fits into the cylindrical space22and permits pivoting movement of the arm14relative to the base12. The cylindrically shaped end40is hollow except for hub portion in the hollow interior, which may be near one axial end of the cylindrical hollow interior of the end40. The hub portion has a central opening, a ramp or cam shaped surface on one side surrounding the central opening facing toward the indexing surface30of the cap portion26, and a smooth surface on the opposite surface of the hub. The hub of one embodiment is a disc shaped plate within the hollow interior, although other shapes are possible as well.

An indexing pivot post50is provided in the hollow interior of the cylindrically shaped end40of the arm14. The indexing pivot post50has a post portion52that fits through the central opening of the hub. A disc shaped pivot and indexing portion54is provided on the end of the post portion. The disc shaped portion54has teeth56at an indexing surface58. The teeth56are arranged in a ring that corresponds to the ring of tooth recesses34in the indexing surface of the cap portion26. The teeth56fit into the tooth recesses34of the cap portion26in an engagement that resists rotation of the pivot post50relative to the base12while the teeth are engaged.

The opposite surface of the disc shaped pivot and indexing portion54is provided with ramps60. The ramps60have raised portions (raised in the axial direction of the pivot post50) and angled surfaces leading to the raised portions from both sides, relative to the rotation about an axis of the pivot post50. The ramps60preferably match with and fit into cooperative engagement with the ramp or cam surface of the hub in the hollow interior of the arm end40.

The post portion52of the indexing pivot post50has two flats62at the free end which are used to inhibit unintended rotation. A bore64extends through the indexing pivot post50in an axial direction.

It is foreseen that the indexing pivot post may be formed in two or more pieces or may eliminate the post portion altogether. For example, the disc shaped portion with the indexing surface on one side and the detent ramps on the other side may be a separate part unto itself. The post portion prevents rotation of the spring holding disc. However, it may be possible to engage the spring holding disc with the bracket, for example, and thereby prevent rotation of the spring holding disk without requiring the post portion. Other configurations are of course possible.

A slip disc70is provided in the hollow interior of the cylindrically shaped end40of the arm14and is positioned to bear against the smooth surface of the hub. The slip disc70is pressed against this surface by a preset spring72. The preset spring72is preferably a coil spring of spring steel. The opposite end of the spring72is held by a pivot support disc74.

The pivot support disc74has includes a cylindrical portion76of a first exterior diameter so as to fit into the hollow of the end40of the arm14. The end of the spring72opposite the slip disc70fits onto the pivot support disk74where it is supported on a disc shaped surface provided with a central hole. The pivot support disk74has a second portion78of a second exterior diameter that fits into snug engagement in the ring shaped support24of the base12. The disc shaped portion has the central hole with a recess of a diameter to accommodate the end of the post and includes flats to engage the flats62of the pivot post. A smaller diameter central hole continues through the disc shaped portion of the pivot support disc74.

An elongated threaded bolt80fits into the central hole of the pivot support disc74, through the bore64in the indexing pivot post50and threads into the threaded bore32in the end cap26of the base12. The bolt80of a preferred embodiment is a shoulder bolt and in one embodiment is a ⅜ inch Allen bolt.

The threaded bolt80and the spring72are of steel, while in the preferred embodiment the base12, arm14, indexing pivot post50and pivot support disc74are of an aluminum alloy that is preferably die cast into the desire shapes. The slip disc70is of a low friction material A cover of injection molded plastic serves as the outside surface of the mirror unit. The plastic covering provides durability, weather resistance and the a color or surface texture as desired by the user.

Turning now toFIG. 3, the threaded bolt80is shown extending from the upon bottom of the mirror unit10, through the pivot support disc74, through the end of the post portion52of the indexing pivot post50, through the hollow center of the post portion52and into the threaded bore32in the end cap26. The pivot support disc74has the end of the post portion52fit into a corresponding opening82in the pivot support disc74. The opening82has two flats just like the end of the post52. The flats62on the post52and the flats in the opening82prevent rotation between these two parts. Any rotation in the system occurs at the slip disc70.

The teeth56of the indexing pivot post50are shaped to engage into the tooth recesses34of the cap portion26and prevent these two parts from rotating relative to one another when the spring72is pressing these parts together. The teeth56and/or the tooth recesses34may be shaped with a taper to enable the teeth56to readily fit into the recesses34during adjustment of the detent position. However, the teeth and recess engagement should be secure enough so as not to permit rotation of the indexing pivot post50when the spring force is applied. Otherwise, an inadvertent shifting of the detent position will occur.

The hub, indicated inFIG. 3as element84, inside the end40of the arm14is shown. The hub84generally is a disc shaped portion86formed inside the hollow end40, the disc shaped portion86including one or more ramp surfaces that engages the ramps60on the indexing pivot post60. The ramps of the disc portion86interacting with the ramps60of the indexing pivot post50under the force of the spring72and not only define the detent but also permit pivoting of the mirror to the folded positions.

The hub84also includes a sleeve portion88into which the post portion52of the indexing pivot post50fits. The spring72fits around the sleeve88of the hub84.

An insert90is provided in the end cap26. An opening92is provided in the insert90and an opening94is in the indexing pivot post50. An opening96is also provided in the slip ring70. The covering98of the mirror unit10is seen inFIG. 3as well.

The position of the ramps60on the indexing pivot post50relative to the ramps on the hub84of the arm14defines the home position of the mirror unit10relative to the vehicle body. The mirror unit10may be pivoted either forward or rearward by applying a force to the mirror unit10sufficient to overcome the spring force of the spring72and permit the ramps on the hub84of the arm14to slide on the ramps60of the indexing pivot post50. After being moved to the pivoted position, the arm14of the mirror unit10is returned to the home position, where the spring force of the spring72forces the ramps60to an engaged home position to resist ready folding movement of the arm14. This provides the detent or home position of the mirror.

The end78of the pivot support disc74is in the ring portion24and provides the support for the pivoting movement of the mirror in the base12at the end of the pivot opposite the cap26. The post portion52of the indexing pivot post50provides pivoting support for the pivoting of the mirror as well.

The pivoting movement of the arm14in the base12requires that the spacing of the ring portion24from the end cap26be greater than the axial length of the end40of the arm14, preferably by at least the height of the ramps. This is because the arm14shifts axially relative to the threaded screw80during movement from the home position to the pivot position, and vise versa.

The force of the spring72on the hub84of the arm14which in turn applies the force to the indexing pivot post50keeps the teeth56engaged in the tooth recesses34of the end cap. This maintains the home position of the mirror arm14in a fixed position.

The home position or detent position of the mirror arm14can be changed in increments (for example in six degrees increments or any other configurable increment) by loosening the bolt80. In one embodiment, approximately one inch of the threaded bolt80is threaded into the threaded bore32in the end cap26. Loosening the pivot bolt80will result in relaxing the pressure on the spring72and backing the spring away from the slip disc70. Without the spring72pressing on the slip disc70, the teeth56of the pivot post50can disengage from the tooth recesses34in the end cap26. The mirror arm14can then be pivoted about the bolt80, which is still engaged in the threaded bore32, to a new home position by the user. In this condition, the arm14can be rotated freely in either direction and a new home position can be provided. The home position is changed for example to provide better visibility for the driver who is taller, shorter, who's truck is larger or smaller, or who otherwise wishes a different view to the rear of the vehicle.

By tightening the threaded bolt80, pressure is again applied by the pivot support disc74on the spring72, causing the spring72to press the hub of the arm14against the indexing pivot post and causing engagement between of the teeth56of the indexing pivot post into the tooth recesses34. This results in the arm14being indexed relative to the base12to a new home or detent position. The engagement of the teeth secures the detent position in the new position. The mirror unit10can then be pivoted to a folded position and returned to the new home position.

It should be noted that frictional fit or other interference fit or other shaped engagement surface arrangements are envisioned in place of the teeth56and tooth recesses34. The teeth may be made wider or narrower, may be staggered at different radiuses or otherwise vary from the illustrated preferred embodiment without departure from the principles of the present invention.

Similar to the above-described system, the spring loaded joint applies pressure to a set of ramps60that provided the pivot with a sort of “snap action” as it is rotated. The ramps60interface with a ramp interface on the hub of the arm14. The ramps60comprise a flattened portion that biases the hub to have a preferred location. The ramps60interface with the hub at ramp interface portions. Thus, the mirror is allowed to pivot both forward and rearward and the ramps60can be oriented so when the mirror is in a user-adjusted angular relationship to the body of the vehicle, the arm14drops into the locked or “home position”. This pivot home position is therefore adjustable and can changed by the end-user.

This adjustable home position is highly desirable since it allows the end-user to fine adjust the position mirror head for optimum viewing. Personal preference and varying height drivers require different seating adjustments making this feature desirable.

FIGS. 4 and 5show an alternative embodiment of the mirror unit which embodies the same principles as in the previously described embodiment. The differences are primarily in the shaped of the arm14aand the pivot support disc74a.The person of ordinary skill will understand the structure and operation of this embodiment from the description of the previous described embodiment.

The present apparatus provides pivot stability. The stability of the pivot is improved by way of the pivot support disc74that fits snugly into the bottom bore in the ring portion24of the mounting base12. A pivot system without this extra support can result in the potential of a downward movement of the arm14relative to indexing pivot post50under conditions of heavy vertical loading at the mirror head. This can happen, for example, when the vehicle is driving across a very rough road.

The pivot bolt80holds the entire assembly in a compressive state, minimizing the potential of releasing the energy of the compressed spring during some unusual catastrophic failure.

The present mirror unit10be assembled, disassembled or adjusted by way of a common Allen Wrench that can fit on the end of the pivot bolt80. In one embodiment, the end of the bolt may have a cover that shields the bolt80from the elements).

In an alternative embodiment, the spring72presses the ramps together to define the detent or home position of the mirror, while another means causes the indexing surfaces to engage one another. For example, a threaded screw may be used to engage and release the indexing surfaces. The threaded screw may either be the bolt80or a further screw or bolt.

It is also foreseen that the spring may press the index member against the hub instead of pressing the hub against the index member.

Thus, there is shown and described a mirror unit for a vehicle that includes a base from which extends an arm holding a mirror housing. The arm is pivotably mounted in the base to permit the mirror to be pivoted toward the vehicle in the event that the mirror is struck, for example. The extended position of the mirror when not folded is defined by a detent in the pivoting movement. The detent position of the mirror is the result of a bolt that presses a spring. The spring in turn presses a hub on the arm against an indexing pivot post, so that ramps on the hub bear against ramps on the indexing pivot post and define the detent position of the mirror. The indexing pivot post has an arrangement of teeth that engage into tooth recesses on the base when pressed thereagainst by the spring. The detent position of the mirror can be changed by the user by the user releasing the bolt to relieve spring pressure on the teeth so that the teeth of the indexing pivot post disengage from the tooth recesses and can be pivoted to a new detent positions The new detent position is ensured by tightening the bolt so that the spring presses the teeth into the tooth recesses.