Rearview mirror assembly

A rearview mirror assembly includes first and second sections each adapted to extend over about one half a length of a vehicle windshield. The first and second sections each include a housing, a mirror disposed in the housing, and a pull-down visor disposed in the housing behind the mirror when in a stored position. Each pull-down visor includes a plurality of generally telescopically coupled panels for adjustably setting a length of the visor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a rearview mirror, and more particularly relates to a panoramic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicles typically come equipped with a rearview mirror that is small relative to the length of a windshield. Such rearview mirrors are located in an upper central portion of the windshield. The relatively short length of rearview mirrors creates a relatively narrow field of vision reflected in the mirrors. As a result, drivers are forced to shift their glance away from the windshield and toward the side windows or side view mirrors in order to supplement the field of vision. Unfortunately, taking one's glance away from the forward view through the windshield, however briefly, increases the risk of accidents.

Based on the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rearview mirror assembly that avoids the above-mentioned drawbacks and disadvantages associated with prior rearview mirrors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rearview mirror assembly embodying the present invention includes first and second sections each adapted to extend over about one half a length of a vehicle windshield. The first and second sections each include a housing, a mirror disposed in the housing, and a pull-down visor disposed in the housing behind the mirror when in a stored position. Each pull-down visor includes a plurality of telescopically coupled panels for adjustably setting a length of the visor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, a rearview mirror assembly embodying the present invention is generally indicated by the reference number10. The assembly10comprises a first section12and a second section14. The first and second sections12,14are each adapted to extend over about one half a length of a vehicle windshield. More specifically, the first section12is adapted to extend over the left side of a windshield as seen within the vehicle. Similarly, the second section14is adapted to extend over the right side of a windshield as seen within the vehicle. The first and second sections12,14can be fabricated in several various lengths so that the sections can be selected to accommodate the length of a particular windshield.

The first section12includes a first housing16, a first mirror18to be disposed within the first housing, and a first pull-down visor20to be disposed in the first housing behind the first mirror when in a stored position. Similarly, the second section14includes a second housing22, a second mirror24to be disposed within the second housing, and a second pull-down visor26to be disposed in the second housing behind the second mirror when in a stored position. The first and second mirrors18,24can be fabricated from glass, or more preferably fabricated from a lightweight material such as plasti-glass. Moreover, the front surfaces of the first and second mirrors18,24are preferably generally planar so as to avoid distortion of the rearview provided by the mirrors which would otherwise occur if the mirrors had curvature.

The housings16,22are each preferably fabricated from a lightweight plastic or other material and each includes an opening on one side for receiving and securing an associated mirror therein. Preferably, the housings16,22are each about three inches wide and about one inch thick, but can take other practical dimensions. As shown inFIG. 1, the first housing16defines an opening28on a left side thereof from a driver's perspective for receiving the first mirror18. The first housing16includes rims or lips29bordering three sides along a front portion thereof for retaining the first mirror18. Similarly, the second housing22defines an opening30on a right side thereof from a driver's perspective for receiving the second mirror24. The second housing22includes rims or lips31bordering three sides along a front portion thereof for retaining the second mirror24. Moreover, the first housing16defines a longitudinal opening or slot32on a bottom portion thereof to permit the first pull-down visor20to be pulled out of the first housing into an operative position and to be returned to and stored within the first housing when not in use. Similarly, the second housing22defines a longitudinal opening or slot34on a bottom portion thereof to permit the second pull-down visor26to be pulled out of the second housing into an operative position and to be returned to and stored within the second housing when not in use.

As shown inFIG. 2, the first pull-down visor20includes first, second and third generally telescopically coupled panels36,38,40, respectively. The panels36,38,40are made from an opaque and generally rigid material such as a lightweight plastic so as to prevent the panels from flapping, bending or otherwise moving when a vehicle is in motion. By way of example, the first panel36is pulled downwardly away from the first housing16in order to shield a driver's eyes from the sun or other glare coming through a windshield. Should the length of the first pull-down visor20need to be increased to accommodate a driver's size or the particular direction of glare through a windshield, the second panel38is pulled downwardly away from the first panel36. Moreover, should the length of the first pull-down visor20need to be further increased, the third panel40is pulled downwardly away from the second panel38.

Similarly, the second pull-down visor26includes first, second and third generally telescopically coupled panels42,44,46, respectively. The panels42,44,46are made from an opaque and generally rigid material. By way of example, the first panel42is pulled downwardly away from the second housing22in order to shield a driver's or passenger's eyes from the sun or other glare coming through a windshield. Should the length of the second pull-down visor26need to be increased, the second panel44is pulled downwardly away from the first panel42. Moreover, should the length of the second pull-down visor26need to be further increased, the third panel46is pulled downwardly away from the second panel44. As can be seen fromFIG. 2, the first and second pull-down visors20,26are independently adjustable. Although the first and second pull-down visors20,26are each shown and described as having three panels, it should be understood that the pull-down visors can have a fewer or greater number of panels without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the first section12includes first and second projections48,50extending laterally away from sides of the first housing16in opposite directions relative to each other for reasons to be explained below. Likewise, the second section14includes first and second projections52,54extending laterally away from sides of the second housing22in opposite directions relative to each other.

With reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B, the first projection48of the first section12is adapted to engage a side fastener assembly56to be secured to a side of a vehicle. Specifically, the side fastener assembly56includes a mounting plate57defining two holes59for receiving fasteners61such as screws to secure the side fastener assembly to a side of a vehicle. Preferably, the side fastener assembly56includes a plurality of spring-loaded sockets58for rotatably engaging the first projection48of the first section12. Similarly, the first projection52of the second section14is adapted to engage another side fastener assembly56(not shown) to be secured to the other side of a vehicle.

With reference toFIGS. 4A and 4B, the second projection50of the first section12is adapted to engage a center fastener assembly60to be secured to a rooftop of a vehicle. Specifically, the center fastener assembly60includes a mounting plate64including hooks66for mounting the center fastener assembly to a rooftop of a vehicle. Preferably, the center fastener assembly60includes a plurality of spring-loaded sockets62for rotatably engaging the second projection50of the first section12. Similarly, the second projection54of the second section14is adapted to engage the center fastener assembly60such that the first and second sections12,14are coupled to each other via the center fastener assembly in side-by-side relationship. As shown inFIG. 2, the length of the first projections48,52are preferably longer than the length of the second projections50,54. The additional length of the first projections48,52permits the first projections to reach the side fastener assemblies56secured on the side of a vehicle.

In operation, the first and second sections12,14are placed side-by-side across an interior upper portion of a vehicle windshield. The space between adjacent sides of the first and second sections12,14should be minimal such as, for example, about one inch. The first and second sections12,14are selected so that the lengths of the sections when placed side-by-side generally cover the length of a windshield. The first and second mirrors18,24provide a panoramic view, and more specifically create a wide rear view of about 180 degrees. Moreover, the first and second mirrors18,24cooperate to eliminate the typical blind spots on the sides of a vehicle to enable a driver to always be looking forward through a windshield while driving.

The first projection48of the first section12rotatably engages an associated side fastener assembly56, and the second projection50of the first section rotatably engages the center fastener assembly60to permit the first housing16to be pivoted in either direction along a longitudinal axis in order to adjust the orientation of the first mirror18to accommodate the view of a driver. Similarly, the first projection52of the second section14rotatably engages an associated side fastener assembly56, and the second projection54of the second section rotatably engages the center fastener assembly60to permit the second housing22to be pivoted in either direction along a longitudinal axis in order to adjust the orientation of the second mirror24to accommodate the view of the driver. Because the first section12and the second section14are separate units, the first mirror18and the second mirror24are independently adjustable in orientation.

A driver uses the first pull-down visor20by, for example, pulling the first panel36downwardly through the first slot32so that the first panel is exposed beneath the first housing16. Should a driver desire to extend the length of the first pull-down visor20, the second panel38is pulled downwardly from the first panel36so that the first and second panels36,38are exposed beneath the first housing16. Should a driver desire to further extend the length of the first pull-down visor20, the third panel40is pulled downwardly from the second panel38so that the first, second and third panels36,38,40are exposed beneath the first housing16.

Alternatively, a driver can use the first pull-down visor20by pulling the third panel40downwardly through the first slot32so that the third panel is exposed beneath the first housing16. Should a driver desire to extend the length of the first pull-down visor20, the second panel38is pulled downwardly through the first slot32so that the second and third panels38,40are exposed beneath the first housing16. Should a driver desire to further extend the length of the first pull-down visor20, the first panel36is pulled downwardly through the first slot32so that the first, second and third panels36,38,40are exposed beneath the first housing16.

A driver or passenger uses the second pull-down visor26in the same way as explained above with respect to the first pull-down visor20. Because the first section12and the second section14are separate units, the first pull-down visor20and the second pull-down visor26are independently adjustable. In order to shorten or store the pull-down visors20,26, the above-mentioned steps for lengthening the pull-down visors are reversed.

While the present invention has been described in a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that numerous modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention has been described in a preferred embodiment by way of illustration, rather than limitation.