Abstract:
A side view mirror cover is disclosed. The mirror cover includes a bonnet-like cover portion designed to conform to the exterior shape of the side view mirror housing. An elastic gather is provided along the open rear of the cover. A first pair of securement straps are provided for bringing together the ends of the elastic gather. A separate securement is provided for the open base of the cover about the stem attaching the mirror housing to the vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/176,488, filed Jan. 18, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a protective cover for the side view mirror of an automobile. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     During every day driving, a great deal of foreign matter such as road grime, tar, rocks, and insects are thrown up against the frontal surfaces of automobiles. This foreign matter often strikes the frontal areas of the vehicle at great speed and with great force and causes damage to the vehicle&#39;s body panels and finish. The areas that are particularly vulnerable to this type of damage include the front grille, the front bumper, the front portion of the hood, the front portions of the left and right quarter panels, and the fairings of the side view mirrors. 
     The so-called car bras which are used to cover the front of the car, protect portions of the front grille, the front bumper, the front portion of the hood, and the front portions of the left and right quarter panels. To protect the side view mirrors, covers which cover the mirror fairing have been proposed in the art. Examples of such mirror covers can be seen among the references cited below. However, none of the previously proposed mirror covers show the unique structural features of the mirror cover of the present invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,628, issued to Hyong K. Nahm on Jun. 6, 1995, is directed to a rain shield for protecting side view mirrors from rain water. The shield of Nahm has a visor-like extension which is intended to keep rain water from striking the surface of the reflecting surface of the mirror. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,141, issued to James K. Bane on Jul. 28, 1992, is directed to a rear view mirror cover having indicia such as a trademark, service mark, logo, emblem, or the like on the mirror cover&#39;s backside. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,848, issued to Jimmie L. Malone on May 26, 1992, is directed to bag-like enclosures for preventing the buildup of ice, frost, or snow on the surfaces of a vehicle&#39;s mirrors. The bag-like enclosures of Malone completely enclose the vehicle&#39;s mirrors. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,157, issued to Gerard Smith on May 30, 1989, is directed to a removable cover for protecting the housing of an exteriorly mounted mirror of a vehicle. The cover of Smith has an open side which allows the viewing of the mirror when the cover is applied to the mirror housing. An elastic seam extends along the rim of the open side. The ends of the elastic seam terminate at the straps used to secure the cover to the mirror housing. Thus, the elastic seam of the open side of the cover extends beyond the perimeter of the mirror&#39;s reflecting surface resulting in an open side that is longer than is necessary for viewing the mirror&#39;s reflective surface. The excessively long open side of the mirror cover of Smith results in a cover that can more easily slide off the mirror housing. Further, the excessively long open side of the mirror cover of Smith gives the mirror cover of Smith a less aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,132,201, issued to Paul Bertell et al. on May 5, 1964, is directed to a side view mirror for trucks. The side view mirror of Bertell has a shallow pan-like sheet metal housing. Although the sheet metal housing affords protection to the mirror of Bertell, the sheet metal housing does not constitute a removable, flexible mirror housing cover. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 390,529, issued to Kenneth Adams et al. on Feb. 10, 1998, shows a bag-like side view mirror cover which has a drawstring about its single opening. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 375,927, issued to Ross Quintana et al. on Nov. 26, 1996, shows an air scoop for attachment to a mirror. The air scoop aides in defogging and defrosting the mirror. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 335,646, issued to Elmar Solzer on May 18, 1993, shows a rigid automobile wind deflector designed to extend for the height of the driver&#39;s side window and to encase the side view mirror housing. 
     Japanese Published Patent Application Number 57-155133, by Riyouji Kawahara and published on Sep. 25, 1982, shows a visor-like device for attachment to a side view mirror. The visor-like device is intended to keep rain and snow from adhering to the reflective surface of the mirror. 
     Japanese Published Patent Application Number 55-44078, published on Mar. 28, 1980, shows a side view mirror that can be removably attached to the passenger side of an automobile. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a side view mirror cover intended to protect the side view mirror of a vehicle while giving an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the vehicle. The mirror cover includes a bonnet-like cover portion designed to conform to the exterior shape of the side view mirror housing. An elastic gather is provided along the open rear of the cover. A first pair of securement straps are provided for bringing together the ends of the elastic gather. A separate securement means is provided for securing the open base of the cover about the stem attaching the mirror housing to the vehicle. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a cover which protects the side view mirror of a vehicle. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a side view mirror cover that has an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a side view mirror cover that has an elastic gather about the opening for the reflective surface of the mirror. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a side view mirror cover that has a first securement means for bringing together the ends of an elastic gather provided about the opening for the reflective surface of the mirror, and a second securement means for securing the open base of the mirror cover about the stem attaching the mirror housing to a vehicle. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an environmental view of the first embodiment of the side view mirror cover according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the side view mirror cover according to the present invention, showing the fastening straps of the mirror cover in their closed configurations. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the side view mirror cover according to the present invention, showing the fastening straps of the mirror cover in their open configurations. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the first embodiment of the side view mirror cover according to the present invention in conjunction with removable closure flaps for completely enclosing a side view mirror. 
     FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the upper removable closure flap for use with the side view mirror cover according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing the lower removable closure flap for use with the side view mirror cover according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is an environmental view of the second embodiment of the side view mirror cover according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the third embodiment of the side view mirror cover according to the present invention, showing the securement strap of the mirror cover in its open configuration. 
     FIG. 8 is a top rear perspective view of the third embodiment of the side view mirror cover according to the present invention, showing the closure flaps in their open positions. 
     FIG. 9 is a bottom rear perspective view of the third embodiment of the side view mirror cover according to the present invention, showing the closure flaps in their open positions. 
     FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing the laminated structure of the material of the side view mirror cover according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the side view mirror cover according to the present invention, showing the securement strap and the closure flaps of the mirror cover in their open configurations. 
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention is directed to a protective cover  10  for a side view mirror of an automobile  11 . The side view mirrors of most modern passenger cars have a reflective mirror surface  12  and a fairing or mirror housing (not shown) which gives the side view mirror a more aerodynamically streamlined shape. The fairing has an open rear and the reflective surface  12  is positioned approximately within the open rear of the fairing. In a large number of vehicle models, the fairing is supported adjacent a side window of the automobile by a stem  14 . 
     The protective cover  10  includes a flexible, bonnet-like covering portion  16  having a base opening rim  18  and a side opening rim  20 . The base opening rim  18  has a first end  22  and a second end  24 . The side opening rim  20  also has a first end and a second end. The first end of the side opening rim  20  is approximately coincident with the first end  22  of the base opening rim  18 , and the second end of the side opening rim  20  is approximately coincident with the second end  24  of the base opening rim  18 . The bonnet-like covering portion  16  is made of a flexible material and is adapted to cover and conform to at least the shape of the fairing when the protective cover  10  is applied to the side view mirror. The bonnet-like covering portion  16  has an interior surface  26  which lies adjacent the fairing of the side view mirror when the protective cover  10  is applied to the side view mirror. The bonnet-like covering portion  16  also has an exterior surface  28  which faces away from the fairing of the side view mirror and is exposed to the elements when the protective cover  10  is applied to the side view mirror. 
     An elastic gather  30  is attached to the bonnet-like covering portion  16  and extends along the length of the side opening rim  20 . The elastic gather  30  has a first end located adjacent the first end  22  of the base opening rim  18  and a second end located adjacent the second end  24  of the base opening rim  18 . The elastic gather is made of a tubular sleeve of flexible material which houses an elastic band. The material of the tubular sleeve is generally the same as the material of the bonnet-like cover portion  16 . The ends of the elastic band are fixed, such as by sewing, to the ends of the tubular sleeve. The elastic band is of a shorter length than the tubular sleeve. Consequently, the tubular sleeve is bunched up along its length forming what is known as an elastic gather. The elastic gather is resilient in the sense that the gather tends to be restored to its original length after it has been stretched. The construction of this type of elastic gather is well known, therefore the details of the construction of the elastic gather  30  are not shown in the drawings. The elastic gather  30  is sewn to the bonnet-like cover portion  16  along a seam which is approximately coextensive with the side opening rim  20 . 
     A first elongated strap  32  is attached to and extends from the first end of the elastic gather  30 . The first elongated strap  32  has a top side  36  and an underside  38 . The first elongated strap  32  has a first hook and loop fastener portion disposed on the underside  38  thereof. A second elongated strap  34  is attached to and extends from the second end of the elastic gather  30 . The second elongated strap  34  has a top side  40  and an underside  42 . The second elongated strap  34  has a second hook and loop fastener portion disposed on the top side  40  thereof. The second hook and loop fastener portion, disposed on the top side  40  of the second elongated strap  34 , is engageable with the first hook and loop fastener portion disposed on the underside  38  of the first elongated strap  32 . The elongated strips  32  and  34  are axially aligned with the first and second ends of the elastic gather  30 , respectively. 
     A flexible rectangular strip  44  is attached to the bonnet-like cover portion  16 . The rectangular strip  44  is preferably made of the same material as the bonnet-like cover portion  16 . The rectangular strip  44  is circumscribed by a pair of parallel, short sides  46  and  48  and a pair of parallel, long sides  50  and  52 . The corner of the rectangular strip, formed by the short side  48  and the long side  50 , is positioned approximately adjacent the second end  24  of the base opening rim  18 . The rectangular strip  44  is attached to the bonnet-like cover portion  16  along a seam which is approximately coextensive with the base opening rim  18 . The seam along which the strip  44  is attached to the bonnet-like cover portion  16 , is formed when the long side  50  of the rectangular strip  44  is sewn to the base opening rim  18  along the length of the base opening rim  18 . 
     The long sides  50  and  52  of the strip  44  are longer than the base opening rim  18 , such that a portion of the rectangular strip  44  extends beyond the first end  22  of the base opening rim  18 . The portion of the rectangular strip  44  extending beyond the first end  22  of the base opening rim  18 , forms a third strap  54 . The third strap  54  has a top side and an underside. A pair of hook and loop fastener portions  56  and  58  are disposed on the underside of the third strap  54 . Another pair of hook and loop fastener portions  60  and  62  are disposed on the exterior or top surface of the strip  44 . The exterior or top surface of the strip  44  is contiguous with the exterior surface of the bonnet-like covering portion  16 . The pair of hook and loop fastener portions  60  and  62  are located proximate the second end  24  of the base opening rim  18 . The pair of hook and loop fastener portions  60  and  62  are rectangular and have lengths which extend parallel to the base opening rim  18 . The pair of hook and loop fastener portions  60  and  62  are placed side-by-side, with the hook and loop fastener portion  60  placed adjacent the long side  52  of the strip  44  and the hook and loop fastener portion  62  placed adjacent the base opening rim  18 . One end of each of the hook and loop fastener portions  60  and  62  is positioned adjacent the short side  48  of the strip  44 . 
     The pair of hook and loop fastener portions  56  and  58  are rectangular and have lengths which extend parallel to the long side  50  of the strip  44 . The pair of hook and loop fastener portions  56  and  58  are placed side-by-side with one another. The hook and loop fastener portion  56  is placed adjacent the long side  52  of the strip  44  and the hook and loop fastener portion  58  is placed adjacent the long side  50  of the strip  44 . One end of each of the hook and loop fastener portions  56  and  58  is positioned adjacent the short side  46  of the strip  44 . The hook and loop fastener portions  56  and  58  are engageable with the hook and loop fastener portions  60  and  62 . 
     The hook and loop fastener portions  56  and  58  are engaged to the hook and loop fastener portions  60  and  62  to secure the strip  44  around the stem  14  and form the base opening of the mirror cover  10 . The hook and loop fastener portion fixed to the strap  32  is engaged to the hook and loop fastener portion fixed to the strap  34  to form a side opening through which the reflective surface  12  can be viewed. Further, the engagement of the hook and loop fastener portions on the straps  32  and  34  draws the elastic gather  30  snugly around the reflective surface  12  to completely frame the reflective surface  12  by the material of the cover  10  for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The elastic gather  30  in turn draws the bonnet-like cover portion tightly about the fairing of the side view mirror to minimize the impact of the cover  10  on the aerodynamics of the vehicle  11 , when the protective cover  10  is applied to the side view mirror of the vehicle  11 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 10, the protective cover  10  is preferably made of a flexible material which is a laminate made of a layer of a felt-like non-woven fabric  64  and a layer of material  66  selected from the group consisting of leather, vinyl, and other polymeric materials configured to simulate leather. The flexible material is applied such that the felt-like fabric lines the interior surface  26  and the leather or the leather-like material forms the exterior surface  28 . The layer of leather or leather-like material  66  gives an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the mirror cover  10 , in addition to being resistant to the elements and to the effects of foreign objects. The felt-like material is relatively soft and prevents abrasion of the finish of the side view mirror fairing. A woven fabric may be substituted for the felt-like material so long as it has the requisite softness. 
     Referring to FIGS. 4,  5 A, and  5 B, the protective cover  10  may optionally be provided with an upper closure flap  68  and a lower closure flap  70 . The upper closure flap  68  has an interior surface  74  and an exterior surface  76 . A plurality of hook and loop fastener portions  82  are provided on the interior surface of the upper flap  68 . The lower closure flap  70  has an interior surface  78  and an exterior surface  80 . A plurality of hook and loop fastener portions  84  are provided on the interior surface of the lower flap  70 . A plurality of hook and loop fastener portions  72  are provided on the exterior surface of the bonnet-like covering portion  16 . A number of the hook and loop fastener portions  72  are engaged by the hook and loop fastener portions  84  to hold the lower flap  70  in position over the lower half of the side opening of the cover  10  which is defined by the elastic gather  30 . Similarly, a number of the hook and loop fastener portions  72  are engaged by the hook and loop fastener portions  82  to hold the upper flap  68  in position over the upper half of the side opening of the cover  10 . 
     The lower edge  86  of the upper flap  68  overlies the upper edge  88  of the lower flap  70  when both flaps are applied to the cover  10 . A hook and loop fastener portion  90 , in the form of an elongated strip, is disposed on the interior surface  74  of the upper closure flap  68 , in proximity to the lower edge  86  of the flap  68 . Another hook and loop fastener portion  92 , also in the form of an elongated strip, is disposed on the exterior surface of the lower closure flap  70 . The hook and loop fastener portion  92  is located proximate the upper edge  88  of the lower flap  70 . The hook and loop fastener portion  90  engages the hook and loop fastener portion  92  when the flaps  70  and  68  are applied to the mirror cover  10 . The hook and loop fastener portions  90  and  92  help secure the flaps  70  and  68  in place. The flaps  70  and  68  are used to fully enclose the reflective surface  12  to protect the reflective surface from the elements when the vehicle  11  is parked. 
     Referring to FIGS. 6 and 11, a second embodiment of the mirror cover  10   a  can be seen. The cover  10   a  is for use with mirror housings, such as mirror housing  98 , which are attached to the vehicle by twin stems  94  and  96 . The protective cover  10   a  includes a flexible, bonnet-like covering portion  16   a  having a base opening rim  18   a  and a side opening rim  20   a.  The base opening rim  18   a  has a first end  22   a  and a second end  24   a.  The side opening rim  20   a  also has a first end and a second end. The first end of the side opening rim  20   a  is approximately coincident with the first end  22   a  of the base opening rim  18   a,  and the second end of the side opening rim  20   a  is approximately coincident with the second end  24   a  of the base opening rim  18   a.  The bonnet-like covering portion  16   a  is made of a flexible material and is adapted to cover and conform to at least the shape of the fairing or mirror housing  98  when the protective cover  10   a  is applied to a side view mirror. The bonnet-like covering portion  16   a  has an interior surface  26   a  which lies adjacent the fairing  98  of the side view mirror when the protective cover  10   a  is applied to a side view mirror. The bonnet-like covering portion  16   a  also has an exterior surface  28   a  which faces away from the fairing  98  and is exposed to the elements. 
     An elastic gather  30   a  is attached to the bonnet-like covering portion  16   a  and extends along the length of the side opening rim  20   a.  The elastic gather  30   a  has a first end located adjacent the first end  22   a  of the base opening rim  18   a  and a second end located adjacent the second end  24   a  of the base opening rim  18   a.  The elastic gather  30   a  is similar in construction to the elastic gather  30 . The elastic gather  30   a  is sewn to the bonnet-like cover portion  16   a  along a seam which is approximately coextensive with the side opening rim  20   a.    
     A first elongated strap  32   a  is attached to and extends from the first end of the elastic gather  30   a.  The first elongated strap  32   a  has a first hook and loop fastener portion on either its top side or its underside. A second elongated strap  34   a  is attached to and extends from the second end of the elastic gather  30   a.  The second elongated strap  34   a  has a second hook and loop fastener portion on either its top side or its underside, depending upon the location of the first hook and loop fastener portion on the strap  32   a.  The second hook and loop fastener portion, fixed to the strap  34   a,  is engageable with the first hook and loop fastener portion which is fixed to the strap  32   a.  The straps  32   a  and  34   a  are axially aligned with the ends of the elastic gather  30   a.    
     A flexible rectangular strip  100  is attached to the bonnet-like cover portion  16   a.  The rectangular strip  100  is preferably made of the same material as the bonnet-like cover portion  16   a.  The rectangular strip  100  has two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides. A portion of one of the long sides of the strip  100  is sewn to a portion of the base opening rim  18   a.  The female portion  102  of a snap fastener is fixed to strip  100  near one end of the strip  100  and a male portion  104  of a snap fastener is fixed to the strip  100  near the other end of the strip  100 . The female fastener portion  102  is engageable with the male fastener portion  104 . 
     The female fastener portion  102  is engaged to the male fastener portion  104  to secure the strip  100  around the stem  96 . The hook and loop fastener portion fixed to the strap  32   a  is engaged to the hook and loop fastener portion fixed to the strap  34   a  to form a side opening through which the reflective surface  12   a  can be viewed. Further, the engagement of the hook and loop fastener portions on the straps  32   a  and  34   a  draws the elastic gather  30   a  snugly around the reflective surface  12   a  to completely frame the reflective surface  12   a  by the material of the cover  10   a  for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The elastic gather  30   a  in turn draws the bonnet-like cover portion  16   a  tightly about the fairing  98  to minimize the impact of the cover  10   a  on the aerodynamics of the vehicle to which the mirror housing  98  is attached. 
     Referring to FIGS. 7-9, a third embodiment  10   b  of the side view mirror cover can be seen. The cover  10   b  is similar to the cover  10   a  with the main difference being that the elastic gather  30   a  and the straps  32   a  and  34   a  have been eliminated from the cover  10   b.  The cover  10   b  is also intended for use with mirror housings, such as mirror housing  98 , which are attached to the vehicle by twin stems  94  and  96 . The protective cover  10   b  includes a flexible, bonnet-like covering portion  16   b  having a base opening rim  18   b  and a side opening rim  20   b.  The ends of the base opening rim  18   b  are coincident with the ends of the side opening rim  20   b.  The bonnet-like covering portion  16   b  is made of a flexible material and is adapted to cover and conform to at least the shape of the fairing or mirror housing  98  when the protective cover  10   b  is applied to a side view mirror. The bonnet-like covering portion  16   b  has an interior surface  26   b  and an exterior surface  28   b.  The interior surface  26   b  lies adjacent the exterior of the mirror housing  98  when the cover  10   b  is applied to a side view mirror. The exterior surface  28   b  which faces away from the mirror housing  98 , is exposed to the elements. 
     A flexible rectangular strip  100   b  is attached to the bonnet-like cover portion  16   b.  The rectangular strip  100   b  is identical to the rectangular strip  100 . The rectangular strip  100   b  has two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides. A portion of one of the long sides of the strip  100   b  is sewn to a portion of the base opening rim  18   b.  The female portion  102  of a snap fastener is fixed to strip  100   b  near one end of the strip  100   b  and a male portion  104  of a snap fastener is fixed to the strip  100   b  near the other end of the strip  100   b.  The female fastener portion  102  is engaged to the male fastener portion  104  to secure the strip  100   b  around the stem  96 . 
     FIGS. 6-9 and  11  also illustrate upper and lower closure flaps  68   a  and  70   a  that may be used with any of the covers  10 ,  10   a,  and  10   b.  The upper and lower closure flaps  68   a  and  70   a  are generally similar to the upper and lower closure flaps  68  and  70 . The upper closure flap  68   a  has an interior surface  74   a  and an exterior surface  76   a.  At least one hook and loop fastener portion  82   a  is provided on the interior surface of the upper flap  68   a.  The upper flap  68   a  is attached to the bonnet-like cover portion  16 ,  16   a,  or  16   b  by a flexible strip of material  106  which is sewn to both the upper flap  68   a  and the bonnet-like cover portion. In addition, the upper flap  68   a  has a strap  108  attached thereto. The strap  108  carries a hook and loop fastener portion  110 . The lower closure flap  70   a  has an interior surface  78   a  and an exterior surface  80   a.  A plurality of hook and loop fastener portions  84   a  are provided on the interior surface of the lower flap  70   a.  The lower flap  70   a  is attached to the bonnet-like cover portion  16 ,  16   a,  or  16   b  by a flexible strip of material  112  which is sewn to both the lower flap  70   a  and the bonnet-like cover portion. At least one hook and loop fastener portion  72   a  is provided on the exterior surface of the bonnet-like covering portion  16 ,  16   a,  or  16   b.  A hook and loop fastener portion  114  is provided on the exterior surface of the bonnet-like covering portion  16 ,  16   a,  or  16   b  near the base opening rim  18 ,  18   a,  or  18   b.  In addition, a plurality of hook and loop fastener portions  72   b  is provided on the lower half of the exterior surface of the bonnet-like covering portion  16 ,  16   a,  or  16   b.    
     The lower edge  86   a  of the upper flap  68   a  overlies the upper edge  88   a  of the lower flap  70   a  when both flaps are in the closed position. A hook and loop fastener portion  90   a,  in the form of an elongated strip, is disposed on the interior surface  74   a  of the upper closure flap  68   a,  in proximity to the lower edge  86   a  of the flap  68   a.  Another hook and loop fastener portion  92   a,  also in the form of an elongated strip, is disposed on the exterior surface of the lower closure flap  70   a.  The hook and loop fastener portion  92   a  is located proximate the upper edge  88   a  of the lower flap  70   a.  The hook and loop fastener portions  84   a  engage the hook and loop fastener portions  72   b  to secure the lower flap  70   a  in the closed position. The hook and loop fastener portion  82   a  engages the hook and loop fastener portion  72   a,  the hook and loop fastener portion  110  engages the hook and loop fastener portion  114 , and the hook and loop fastener portion  90   a  engages the hook and loop fastener portion  92   a  in order to secure the upper flap  68   a  in the closed position. In the closed position, the flaps  70   a  and  68   a  are used to fully enclose the reflective surface  12  or  12   a  to protect the reflective surface from the elements when the vehicle  11  is parked. The reflective surface  12  or  12   a  can be viewed when the flaps  68   a  and  70   a  are moved to their open positions, as illustrated in FIG.  6 . 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.