Self-cleaning exterior mirror for trucks and like vehicles and associated method

A self-cleaning exterior mirror for trucks and like vehicles includes a rigid mounting bracket provided with axially opposed first and second ends respectively, and monolithically formed first, second, and third sections respectively. A plurality of coupling plates is integrally attached to the first and second ends of the bracket. The coupling plates are attached to the exterior of the existing vehicle for supporting the bracket above a ground surface. A substantially rectangular shaped frame is pivotally connected to the third section of the bracket, and a mirror is attached to the frame. A mechanism remotely cleans the mirror, and is attached to the frame.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/804,005, filed Jun. 6, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to mirror cleaning systems and, more particularly, to a self-cleaning exterior mirror system for assisting a user to remove water, snow, and debris from a surface of the vehicle mirror connected to the exterior of an existing vehicle while the user remains positioned within an interior of the existing vehicle.

PRIOR ART

Truck drivers rely on their side mounted rearview mirrors since most trucks have freight hauling portions which block the use of a rearview mirror mounted internally in the cab. Of course, it is very important that the driver get a good view of traffic behind him from his rearview mirror. However, being exposed to rain, snow, dew, dirt and road salt, the outside mirrors can become dirty and smeared, blocking the driver's view. Because the view through the outside mounted mirror is so critical to safe operation of the truck, the truck driver needs to keep the mirror clean.

One prior art example shows a rear view truck mirror and wiper assembly for improving the rear views for truckers by keeping the mirror clean and lighted. The rearview truck mirror and wiper assembly includes a first housing assembly including a first housing member having side, top, bottom, and back walls, and also including an open front, and also including a mirror being securely disposed at the open front of the first housing member with the first housing assembly being adapted to be securely mounted to mirror supports on a truck; and also includes a second housing member being attached to the first housing member and having top, bottom, front and side walls; and further includes a wiper drive assembly being disposed in the second housing member and including a track member and a two-directional motor; and also includes a wiper assembly being attached to the wiper drive assembly and including a wiper member being movable upon the mirror; and further includes a heating element being disposed in the first housing member; and also includes a light-emitting assembly also being disposed in the first housing member. Unfortunately this prior art example requires a multitude of parts which may become damaged or lost, thereby rendering the invention useless for its intended purpose.

Another prior art example shows a truck mirror wiper for a truck having a side mirror to be wiped and a side window glass which may be raised and lowered and through which a driver looks to view the mirror. A clamp clamps the truck mirror wiper to the top of the window glass, and a bracket extends from the clamp to the proximity of the mirror. The bracket includes two lengths of rod, each having a threaded end, and a turnbuckle with two opposed threaded bores into which the two lengths of threaded rod may be screwed a desired distance to adjust the bracket length. A blade support has a pivotal connection to one of the rods, and a wiper blade affixed to the blade support is in contact with the mirror so that the azimuthal orientation of the blade may be matched to the azimuthal orientation of the mirror. When the driver lowers or raises the window glass, the wiper blade passes over the mirror to wipe it. Unfortunately this prior art example requires the user to manually manipulate an existing vehicle window in order to effectuate cleaning of the mirror. Such manual manipulation of the existing vehicle window may be undesirable during inclement weather conditions.

Accordingly, a need remains for a self-cleaning exterior mirror for trucks and like vehicles and associated method in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a system that is convenient and easy to use, is lightweight yet durable in design, and assists a user to remove water, snow, and debris from a surface of the vehicle mirror connected to the exterior of an existing vehicle while the user remains positioned within an interior of the existing vehicle. The system increases the driving safety of large trucks and RVs, and can reduce the number of accidents that result from mirrors being dirty. The present invention is simple to use, inexpensive, and designed for many years of repeated use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system for a self-cleaning exterior mirror for trucks and like vehicles and associated method. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a self-cleaning vehicle mirror system for removing water, snow and debris from a surface of the vehicle mirror while the user remains positioned within an interior of the vehicle.

The system includes a rigid mounting bracket provided with axially opposed first and second ends respectively, and monolithically formed first, second, and third sections respectively. Such a third section of the bracket is conveniently located intermediate of the respective first and second sections of the bracket and equidistantly offset from the coupling plates (herein described below). The third section further has a longitudinal length oriented perpendicular to respective longitudinal lengths of each of the respective first and second sections. Such a longitudinal length of the third section is greater than the respective longitudinal lengths of the first and second sections respectively while the respective longitudinal lengths of the first and second sections are equal.

The system further includes a plurality of coupling plates integrally attached to the first and second ends of the bracket respectively. Such coupling plates are advantageously directly attached to the exterior of the existing vehicle for supporting the bracket above a ground surface during operating conditions. Each of such coupling plates conveniently includes a substantially square-shaped and planar base member provided with upper and lower surfaces respectively. A plurality of threaded apertures is effectively formed in opposed corners of the base member and penetrate therethrough. Each of such apertures has a centrally registered axis oriented perpendicular to the upper surface of the base member.

The coupling plates further include a hollow cylindrical tube integrally attached to the upper surface of the base member. Such a tube is located in a center region of the base member and effectively extends outwardly and away therefrom. The tube has a longitudinal length registered parallel to the centrally registered axis of each of the apertures of the base member. The tube also has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the first and second ends of the bracket respectively such that the respective first and second ends of the bracket statically interfit within an associated one of the tubes during operating conditions. The tubes effectively prohibit the respective first and second ends of the bracket from prematurely and undesirably separating from the tubes during operating conditions.

The system further includes a substantially rectangular shaped frame pivotally connected to the third section of the bracket. Such a frame includes a planar base that has a rear wall and an open front face respectively. Such a base includes monolithically formed first, second, third, and fourth walls advantageously located along an outer perimeter of the base and effectively extending away therefrom such that a compartment is formed therebetween.

The frame further includes a plurality of linear slots monolithically formed in the first and second walls respectively. The first and second walls are advantageously located at opposed longitudinal ends of the base and further have respective longitudinal lengths registered parallel with each other. Each of such slots has a longitudinal length registered parallel to the rear wall of the base, and that is less than a lateral width of the base.

The frame further includes a plurality of anchors monolithically formed in the rear wall of the base and effectively extending outwardly therefrom. Each of such anchors has a central opening formed therein with a centrally registered axis oriented parallel with a longitudinal length of the base. Each of the anchors is attached to the rear wall of the base at a lateral midpoint thereof, and each of the anchors is conveniently disposed adjacent to the respective opposed ends of the base and spaced from each other.

The third section of the bracket is pivotally interfitted within each of the anchors such that the third section effectively penetrates the anchors simultaneously and independently during operating conditions. The base is pivotal about the third section along a fulcrum axis defined along the longitudinal length of the base and about the lateral midpoint of the base.

The system further includes a mirror attached directly to the frame. Such a mirror interfits within the open front face of the frame, and the mirror has an outer perimeter statically abutted against inner surfaces of each of the first, second, third, and fourth walls respectively. Such a mirror is advantageously spaced from the base such that a hollow chamber is effectively formed within a region defined between the mirror and the first, second, third, and fourth walls and the base respectively.

The system further includes a mechanism for remotely cleaning the mirror. Such a mechanism is attached to the frame and conveniently includes a reversible power motor housed within the hollow chamber and directly attached to the inner surface of the fourth wall.

The remote cleaning mechanism further includes first and second gear wheels having respective outer circumferences formed in a saw tooth pattern. Such a first gear wheel is directly and rotatably attached to a bottom end of the motor and has a bottom surface registered perpendicular to the inner surface of the fourth wall. Such a second gear wheel is directly and rotatably attached to the inner surface of the third wall and oppositely spaced from the first gear wheel.

The remote cleaning mechanism further includes a flexible cable looped about each of the first and second gear wheels simultaneously. Such a cable has a longitudinal length registered parallel to the respective longitudinal lengths of the first and second walls during operating conditions. The cable has an inner surface formed in a saw tooth pattern such that the saw tooth pattern of the cable effectively interfits within the respective saw tooth patterns of each of the first and second gear wheels respectively during operating conditions in such a manner that a rotational force applied to the first gear wheel via the motor is advantageously transferred to the second gear wheel via the cable.

The remote cleaning mechanism further includes a squeegee including a planar blade provided with axially opposed upper and lower ends respectively. Such a blade has a longitudinal length registered parallel with the longitudinal length of the base and equal to the longitudinal length of the base. The blade contacts an outer surface of the mirror for cleaning purposes during operating conditions. Each of such respective upper and lower ends of the blade has a hole monolithically formed therein, and each of the holes has a longitudinal length registered parallel with the longitudinal length of the blade.

The squeegee further includes a driven rod provided with axially opposed first and second ends respectively. Such a rod simultaneously penetrates through the slots of the first and second walls respectively. Such a first end of the rod is removably attached directly to the upper end of the blade while the second end of the rod is removably attached directly to the lower end of the blade during operating conditions. The rod has a longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the blade. The cable is directly attached to a medial portion of the rod and advantageously spaced from the blade. The cable effectively moves the rod along a bi-directional linear path defined by the first and second slots such that the blade is alternately pushed and pulled along a major portion of the outer surface of the mirror during operating conditions.

The remote cleaning mechanism further includes a switch electrically coupled to the motor. Such a switch is conveniently located within the interior portion of the existing vehicle such that the user can effectively actuate the system from the interior of the existing vehicle. The motor is electrically coupled to the switch and an existing power source of the vehicle respectively.

A method for removing water, snow, and debris from a surface of a vehicle mirror while the user remains positioned within an interior of the vehicle includes the steps of providing a rigid mounting bracket that has axially opposed first and second ends respectively and monolithically formed first, second, and third sections respectively, attaching a plurality of coupling plates to the first and second ends of the bracket respectively, pivotally connecting a substantially rectangular shaped frame to the third section of the bracket, directly attaching a mirror to the frame, and cleaning the mirror while the mirror is attached to the frame.

The method of directly attaching a mirror to the frame includes the step of interfitting the mirror within the open front face of the frame. The mirror has an outer perimeter statically abutted against inner surfaces of each of the first, second, third, and fourth walls respectively. The mirror is spaced from the base such that a hollow chamber is formed within a region defined between the mirror and the first, second, third, and fourth walls and the base respectively.

The method of cleaning the mirror includes the steps of housing a reversible power motor within the hollow chamber by directly attaching the motor to the inner surface of the fourth wall, and providing first and second gear wheels. Each of the gear wheels has outer circumferences formed in a saw tooth pattern, and the first gear wheel is directly and rotatably attached to a bottom end of the motor. The first gear wheel has a bottom surface registered perpendicular to the inner surface of the fourth wall. The second gear wheel is directly and rotatably attached to the inner surface of the third wall and oppositely spaced from the first gear wheel.

The method of cleaning the mirror further includes the steps of looping a flexible cable about each of the first and second gear wheels simultaneously. The cable has a longitudinal length registered parallel to the respective longitudinal lengths of the first and second walls during operating conditions. The cable has an inner surface formed in a saw tooth pattern such that the saw tooth pattern of the cable interfits within the respective saw tooth patterns of each of the first and second gear wheels respectively during operating conditions in such a manner that a rotational force applied to the first gear wheel via the motor is transferred to the second gear wheel via the cable.

The method of cleaning the mirror further includes the steps of providing a squeegee including a planar blade provided with axially opposed upper and lower ends respectively. The blade has a longitudinal length registered parallel with the longitudinal length of the base, and the longitudinal length of the blade is equal to the longitudinal length of the base. Each of the respective upper and lower ends has a hole monolithically formed therein, and each of the holes has a longitudinal length registered parallel with the longitudinal length of the blade. The blade contacts an outer surface of the mirror for cleaning purposes during operating conditions.

The method of cleaning the mirror further includes the steps of providing a driven rod provided with axially opposed first and second ends respectively. The rod simultaneously penetrates through the slots of the first and second walls respectively. The first end of the rod is removably attached directly to the upper end of the blade while the second end of the rod is removably attached directly to the lower end of the blade during operating conditions. The rod has a longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the blade, and the cable is directly attached to a medial portion of the rod and spaced from the blade.

The method of cleaning the mirror further includes the steps of providing a switch electrically coupled to the motor. The switch is located within the interior portion of the existing vehicle such that the user can actuate the system from the interior of the existing vehicle. The motor is electrically coupled to the switch and an existing power source of the vehicle respectively. The steps further include biasing the rod along a bi-directional linear path defined by the first and second slots such that the blade is alternately pushed and pulled along a major portion of the outer surface of the mirror during operating conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The system of this invention is referred to generally inFIGS. 1-7by the reference numeral10and is intended to provide a self-cleaning exterior mirror for trucks and like vehicles and associated method. It should be understood that the system and method10may be used to clean many different types of vehicle mirrors and should not be limited in use to cleaning only those types of mirrors described herein.

Referring initially toFIGS. 1,2,3,4,5and6, the system10includes a rigid mounting bracket20provided with axially opposed first21and second22ends respectively, and monolithically formed first23, second24, and third25sections respectively. Such a third section25of the bracket20is located intermediate of the respective first and second sections23,24of the bracket20and equidistantly offset from the coupling plates26(herein described below). The third section25further has a longitudinal length oriented perpendicular to respective longitudinal lengths of each of the respective first and second sections23,24. Such a longitudinal length of the third section25is greater than the respective longitudinal lengths of the first and second sections23,24respectively while the respective longitudinal lengths of the first and second sections23,24are equal.

Again referring toFIGS. 1 through 6, the system10further includes a plurality of coupling plates26integrally attached to the first and second ends21,22of the bracket20respectively. Such coupling plates26are directly attached to the exterior of the existing vehicle, without the use of intervening elements, for supporting the bracket20above a ground surface during operating conditions. The coupling plates26allow the user to position the bracket20as desired along the exterior of the vehicle. Each of such coupling plates26includes a substantially square-shaped and planar base member27provided with upper28and lower29surfaces respectively. A plurality of threaded apertures30is formed in opposed corners of the base member27and penetrate therethrough. Each of such apertures30has a centrally registered axis oriented perpendicular to the upper surface28of the base member27.

Yet again referring toFIGS. 1 through 6, the coupling plates26further include a hollow cylindrical tube31integrally attached to the upper surface28of the base member27. Such a tube31is located in a center region of the base member27and extends outwardly and away therefrom. The tube31has a longitudinal length registered parallel to the centrally registered axis of each of the apertures30of the base member27. The tube31also has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the first and second ends21,22of the bracket20respectively, which is essential such that the respective first and second ends21,22of the bracket20statically interfit within an associated one of the tubes31during operating conditions. The tubes31prohibit the respective first and second ends21,22of the bracket20from prematurely and undesirably separating from the tubes31during operating conditions. The tubes31also house the bracket20in the proper position related to respective vertical and horizontal planes during operating conditions.

Still referring toFIGS. 1 through 6, the system10further includes a substantially rectangular shaped frame32pivotally connected to the third section25of the bracket20. Such a frame32includes a planar base33that has a rear wall34and an open front face65respectively. Such a base33includes monolithically formed first35, second36, third37, and fourth38walls located along an outer perimeter of the base33and extending away therefrom, which is critical such that a compartment is formed therebetween.

The frame32further includes a plurality of linear slots39monolithically formed in the first and second walls35,36respectively. The first and second walls35,36are located at opposed longitudinal ends41of the base33and further have respective longitudinal lengths registered parallel with each other. Each of such slots39has a longitudinal length registered parallel to the rear wall34of the base33, and that is less than a lateral width of the base33.

The frame32further includes a plurality of anchors40monolithically formed in the rear wall34of the base33and extending outwardly therefrom. Each of such anchors40has a central opening formed therein with a centrally registered axis oriented parallel with a longitudinal length of the base33. Each of the anchors40is attached to the rear wall34of the base33at a lateral midpoint thereof, and each of the anchors40is disposed adjacent to the respective opposed ends41of the base and spaced from each other. The anchors40allow the user to manually position the frame32for optimal viewing during operating conditions.

The third section25of the bracket20is pivotally interfitted within each of the anchors40, which is crucial such that the third section25penetrates the anchors40simultaneously and independently during operating conditions. The base33is pivotal about the third section25along a fulcrum axis defined along the longitudinal length of the base33and about the lateral midpoint of the base33. Such a pivoting function allows the user to manually position the frame32for optimal viewing with a minimum of expended energy.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 5, the system10further includes a mirror42attached directly to the frame32, without the use of intervening elements. Such a mirror42interfits within the open front face65of the frame32, and the mirror42has an outer perimeter statically abutted against inner surfaces of each of the first, second, third, and fourth walls35,36,37,38respectively. Such a static abutment prohibits the mirror42from prematurely and undesirably separating from the frame32during operating conditions. Such a mirror42is spaced from the base33, which is necessary such that a hollow chamber43is formed within a region defined between the mirror42and the first, second, third, and fourth walls35,36,37,38and the base33respectively.

Referring toFIGS. 2,6and7, the system10further includes a mechanism44for remotely cleaning the mirror42. Such a mechanism44is attached to the frame32and includes a reversible power motor45housed within the hollow chamber43and directly attached to the inner surface of the fourth wall38, without the use of intervening elements. Such placement of the motor45within the hollow chamber43protects the motor45from damage caused by harsh environmental conditions.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 6, the remote cleaning mechanism44further includes first46and second47gear wheels having respective outer circumferences formed in a saw tooth pattern. Such a first gear wheel46is directly and rotatably attached to a bottom end of the motor45, without the use of intervening elements, and has a bottom surface registered perpendicular to the inner surface of the fourth wall38. Such a second gear wheel47is directly and rotatably attached to the inner surface of the third wall37, without the use of intervening elements, and oppositely spaced from the first gear wheel46.

Referring toFIG. 2, the remote cleaning mechanism44further includes a flexible cable48looped about each of the first and second gear wheels46,47simultaneously. Such a cable48has a longitudinal length registered parallel to the respective longitudinal lengths of the first and second walls35,36during operating conditions. The cable48has an inner surface formed in a saw tooth pattern, which is important such that the saw tooth pattern of the cable48interfits within the respective saw tooth patterns of each of the first and second gear wheels46,47respectively during operating conditions in such a manner that a rotational force applied to the first gear wheel46via the motor45is transferred to the second gear wheel47via the cable48. Such respective saw tooth patterns of the first and second gear wheels46,47and the cable48prohibit the cable48from slipping off of the first and second gear wheels46,47respectively during operating procedures.

Still referring toFIGS. 1 through 6, the remote cleaning mechanism44further includes a squeegee49including a planar blade50provided with axially opposed upper51and lower52ends respectively. Such a blade50has a longitudinal length registered parallel with the longitudinal length of the base33and equal to the longitudinal length of the base33. The blade50contacts an outer surface53of the mirror42for cleaning purposes during operating conditions. Each of such respective upper and lower ends51,52of the blade50has a hole monolithically formed therein, and each of the holes has a longitudinal length registered parallel with the longitudinal length of the blade50.

Referring toFIGS. 1,2,4and6, the squeegee49further includes a driven rod55provided with axially opposed first56and second57ends respectively. Such a rod55simultaneously penetrates through the slots39of the first and second walls35,36respectively, and into the hollow chamber43. Such a first end56of the rod55is removably attached directly to the upper end51of the blade50, without the use of intervening elements, while the second end57of the rod55is removably attached directly to the lower end52of the blade50, without the use of intervening elements, during operating conditions. Such removability allows the user to easily replace a worn or damaged blade50as needed.

The rod55has a longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the blade50. The cable48is directly attached to a medial portion of the rod55, without the use of intervening elements, and spaced from the blade50. The cable48moves the rod55along a bi-directional linear path defined by the slots39such that the blade50is alternately pushed and pulled along a major portion of the outer surface53of the mirror42during operating conditions. Such alternate pushing and pulling of the blade50along the outer surface53of the mirror42ensures that the entire outer surface53of the mirror42is repeatedly cleaned as needed.

Referring toFIG. 7, the remote cleaning mechanism44further includes a switch58electrically coupled to the motor45. Such a switch58is located within the interior portion of the existing vehicle, which is essential such that the user can actuate the system10from the interior of the existing vehicle. This allows the user to actuate the system10while the vehicle is in motion. The motor45is electrically coupled to the switch58and an existing power source11of the vehicle respectively.

Again referring toFIG. 7, the remote cleaning mechanism44further includes a pump59directly connected to the switch58and the motor45and the power supply source11respectively. The pump59has a liquid reservoir60attached thereto for housing a cleaning agent used to help remove the water, snow, and debris from the outer surface53of the mirror42. A discharge nozzle61is connected to the pump59and disposed subjacent to the mirror42such that the discharge nozzle61directs a quantity of the cleaning agent directly onto the outer surface53of the mirror42during operating conditions.

Having the switch58located within the interior of the vehicle provides the unexpected benefit of allowing the user to actuate the system10while the vehicle is in motion. In addition, the alternate pushing and pulling of the blade50across the outer surface53of the mirror42ensures repeated cleaning of the outer surface53of the mirror42as needed during operating conditions, thereby overcoming the prior art shortcomings.

A method10for removing water, snow, and debris from a surface53of a vehicle mirror42while the user remains positioned within an interior of the vehicle includes the steps of providing a rigid mounting bracket20that has axially opposed first21and second22ends respectively and monolithically formed first23, second24, and third25sections respectively, attaching a plurality of coupling plates26to the first21and second22ends of the bracket20respectively, pivotally connecting a substantially rectangular shaped frame32to the third section25of the bracket20, directly attaching a mirror42to the frame32, without the use of intervening elements, and cleaning the mirror42while the mirror42is attached to the frame32.

The method10of directly attaching a mirror42to the frame32includes the step of interfitting the mirror42within the open front face65of the frame32. The mirror42has an outer perimeter statically abutted against inner surfaces of each of the first, second, third, and fourth walls35,36,37,38respectively. The mirror42is spaced from the base33such that a hollow chamber43is formed within a region defined between the mirror42and the first, second, third, and fourth walls35,36,37,38and the base33respectively.

The method10of cleaning the mirror42includes the steps of housing a reversible power motor45within the hollow chamber43by directly attaching the motor45to the inner surface of the fourth wall38, without the use of intervening elements, and providing first46and second47gear wheels. Each of the first and second gear wheels46,47has outer circumferences formed in a saw tooth pattern, and the first gear wheel46is directly and rotatably attached to a bottom end of the motor45, without the use of intervening elements. The first gear wheel46has a bottom surface registered perpendicular to the inner surface of the fourth wall38. The second gear wheel47is directly and rotatably attached to the inner surface of the third wall37, without the use of intervening elements, and oppositely spaced from the first gear wheel46.

The method10of cleaning the mirror42further includes the steps of looping a flexible cable48about each of the first and second gear wheels46,47simultaneously. The cable48has a longitudinal length registered parallel to the respective longitudinal lengths of the first and second walls35,36during operating conditions. The cable48has an inner surface formed in a saw tooth pattern such that the saw tooth pattern of the cable48interfits within the respective saw tooth patterns of each of the first and second gear wheels46,47respectively during operating conditions in such a manner that a rotational force applied to the first gear wheel46via the motor45is transferred to the second gear wheel47via the cable48.

The method10of cleaning the mirror42further includes the steps of providing a squeegee49including a planar blade50provided with axially opposed upper51and lower52ends respectively. The blade50has a longitudinal length registered parallel with the longitudinal length of the base33, and the longitudinal length of the blade50is equal to the longitudinal length of the base33. Each of the respective upper and lower ends51,52has a hole monolithically formed therein, and each of the holes has a longitudinal length registered parallel with the longitudinal length of the blade50. The blade50contacts an outer surface53of the mirror42for cleaning purposes during operating conditions.

The method10of cleaning the mirror42further includes the steps of providing a driven rod55provided with axially opposed first56and second57ends respectively. The rod55simultaneously penetrates through the slots39of the first and second walls35,36respectively. The first end56of the rod55is removably attached directly to the upper end51of the blade50, without the use of intervening elements, while the second end57of the rod55is removably attached directly to the lower end52of the blade50, without the use of intervening elements, during operating conditions. The rod55has a longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the blade50, and the cable48is directly attached to a medial portion of the rod55, without the use of intervening elements, and spaced from the blade50.

The method10of cleaning the mirror42further includes the steps of providing a switch58electrically coupled to the motor45. The switch58is located within the interior portion of the existing vehicle such that the user can actuate the system10from the interior of the existing vehicle. The motor45is electrically coupled to the switch58and an existing power source11of the vehicle respectively. The steps further include biasing the rod55along a bi-directional linear path defined by the slots39such that the blade50is alternately pushed and pulled along a major portion of the outer surface53of the mirror42during operating conditions.