Abstract:
Motion from an inboard reflective surface of a remotely-adjustable original-equipment side-view mirror unit is coupled to a detachable extension mirror unit to provide a motor vehicle driver a remotely-adjustable extended rearward view around a wide trailer or similar object blocking the original inboard rearward view from the original equipment mirror unit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Not Applicable  
         FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH  
         [0002]    Not Applicable  
         SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM  
         [0003]    Not Applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:  
         [0004]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0005]    This invention relates to exterior rearview mirror assemblies located on the side of a vehicle, particularly to the addition of a detachable extension mirror unit to extend rearward vision around wide objects blocking the driver&#39;s original rearward view. Wide objects blocking the driver&#39;s original rearward view could be campers or other wide loads mounted on a vehicle, trailers attached to the rear of the vehicle, or similar items that obstruct a driver&#39;s rearward view.  
           [0006]    2. Description of the Problem and Prior Art  
           [0007]    Motor vehicles typically come equipped with mirror units secured to the driver&#39;s side and the passenger&#39;s side for viewing to the side and rear of the vehicle. These side-view mirror units protrude from the side of the vehicle and generally determine the overall width of the vehicle.  
           [0008]    The side-view mirror units permanently mounted on a vehicle are designed not to protrude too far because it would be easier to hit something with the mirror unit while driving. Many of these side-view mirror units now include a housing around a remotely-adjustable reflective surface mounted on the exterior of the vehicle and a remote control input device mounted inside the vehicle. Having such a remote control system allows the driver to adjust both the driver&#39;s side and the passenger&#39;s side rearward views to accommodate different driver heights and driving positions without needing to reach out of the vehicle, leave his driving position, or use an assistant to adjust the mirrors. This remote adjustability is now common and popular.  
           [0009]    People can use their vehicles to tow trailers or fifth wheelers that are wider than their vehicle. With pickup trucks one can also install a camper or carry a load that is wider than the truck body. When using a trailer, fifth wheeler, camper or similar object with this additional width, the normal exterior mirrors often become useless because the primary exterior rearward view is blocked by the trailer or similar wide object. In addition, the view through the interior rearview mirror is usually also blocked by the camper, fifth wheeler, trailer, or similar wide object leaving the driver with no rearward view at all. It is both dangerous and illegal in most places to drive without having a rearward view.  
           [0010]    It is known to provide a separate extension mirror unit that attaches to a vehicle and extends further laterally from the vehicle than the original mirror unit so the driver of a vehicle can see rearwards around a wide object attached to the vehicle behind him, such as a truck camper or a trailer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,296 to Tomlin discloses a extension mirror unit that provides an extended rearward view to solve the wide trailer problem. The extension mirror unit disclosed by Tomlin can be detached when not needed to return the overall width of the vehicle back to its original width. However, mirror units of this type do not provide remote adjustability. It would be complex and costly to add remote adjustability to this type of extension mirror unit.  
           [0011]    It is known to provide temporary extension mirror units that: attach to permanently-inistalled side-view mirror units; extend the lateral viewing angle from the vehicle; and detach to return the vehicle to its original width when the extended view is not needed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,111,532 to Budish discloses a mirror unit that mounts over an existing exterior mirror unit to give an extended rearward view around wide objects. The extension mirror mounting configuration disclosed by Budish cannot provide remote adjustability because it is based on attachment elements that will not fit in the narrow gap between the remotely adjustable reflective surface in the existing mirror and the stationary housing around this reflective surface in typical remotely-adjustable mirror units.  
           [0012]    Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,400 to Brookes, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,401 to Kittridge, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,340 to Dyer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,283 to Croteau, U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,236 to Barksdale disclose different types of temporary mirror units that attach to existing mirror units to provide an extended rearward view. However, when used with remotely-adjustable existing mirror units, these detachable extension mirror units are fixed to the stationary housing, not to the remotely-adjustable reflective surface and therefore do not provide remote adjustability of the extension reflective surface.  
           [0013]    It is known to permanently attach a replacement reflective surface to an original reflective surface to repair the original reflective surface. In this case, if the original reflective surface was remotely adjustable, the replacement reflective surface will also become remotely-adjustable. However, this configuration does not extend rearward vision around wide objects. This idea can not be used to create an adjustable extension mirror because most modern side view mirror units have adjustable reflective surfaces located inside a stationary housing and separated from this housing by a narrow gap. Also, the repair of one reflective surface by another is designed to be permanent. Therefore, the attachment method used is permanent.  
           [0014]    It is known to have a compound mirror assembly comprising multiple mirrors surfaces that move together. U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,871 to Hou discloses an exterior rearview mirror assembly containing three mirror elements that adjust together. U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,459 to Lewis, U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,743 to Hoek and U.S. patent application Publication No. 2002/0072026 to Lynam et al disclose exterior rearview mirror assemblies containing two elements that adjust together. These compound mirror assemblies allow more than one mirror to be adjusted at once. Some of these configurations are also remotely adjustable.  
           [0015]    It is known to have remotely-adjustable side view mirror units that can move laterally from a position close to the vehicle to a position further out from the vehicle when an extended rearward image is needed. In some cases, such remotely-adjustable extension mirror systems even have remote control movement of the reflective surface from the inboard (non-towing) to an outboard (towing) position. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,930 to Deedreek discloses such an extension mirror system.  
           [0016]    However, U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,871, U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,459, U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,743, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,930, and U.S. patent application Publication No. 2002/0072026 all disclose mirror units that are used as or substitute for original equipment mirror assemblies and are subsequently permanently attached. In the automotive aftermarket, replacing an original equipment mirror assembly is quite difficult and typically involves taking off the interior door panel. If the extension mirror unit is to be remotely-controlled, a new remote control input device compatible with the rest of the extension mirror unit must typically also be installed in the vehicle. Consequently, people who did not buy specialized “towing mirrors” when they purchased their vehicle prefer add-on mirrors that can be attached in a simple way to their existing side view mirrors. Many motor vehicle buyers who anticipate that they may need extension mirrors still prefer to use detachable extension mirrors because these are generally significantly less expensive than the incremental cost of buying an original equipment or dealer-installed “towing mirror” that can be manually or automatically moved from an inboard to an extended position.  
           [0017]    To summarize, it is not known to have a system:  
           [0018]    (a) with a mirror unit that provides an extended rearward view to see around a wide trailer or similar object;  
           [0019]    (b) that is easily attached and detached when not needed to reduce the overall width of the vehicle; and  
           [0020]    (c) that uses the remote adjustability elements of an existing remotely-adjustable exterior rearview mirror unit permanently attached to a motor vehicle;  
           [0021]    (d) to adjust the extension mirror unit;  
           [0022]    thereby providing a low cost, remotely adjustable, end-user installable solution to the “towing mirror” problem.  
           [0023]    In addition, add-on extension mirrors can fall off and get lost or damaged during operation as a result of high wind loads or poor installation. It is not known to have a secondary attachment system as a backup, such as a safety cord, in case the primary extension mirror unit mounting fails.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0024]    This invention provides exterior rearview mirrors that give better visibility and more convenient adjustability (and therefore better safety) to drivers of automotive vehicles that are towing a trailer (fifth wheeler, boat, etc) or are carrying wide loads (as for truck campers, etc) by:  
           [0025]    (a) Protruding further from the side of the vehicle than the original mirror units to see around obstacles,  
           [0026]    (b) Using the remote adjustability controls of the original mirror unit,  
           [0027]    (c) Being removable to allow the use of the original mirror unit when an extended image is not needed,  
           [0028]    (d) Being quickly installable and removable with minimal or no tools,  
           [0029]    (e) Offering the option of giving the driver a single large perfectly-adjusted mirror instead of several mirrors,  
           [0030]    (f) Providing extra security for the auxilary mirror by also attaching the vehicle or existing mirror housing with a safety cord, and  
           [0031]    (g) Being manufacturable for a fraction of the cost of other products that provide remote adjustability. These other products must replace some or all of the current remote controls and actuators.  
           [0032]    The invention consists of an extension mirror unit for an existing remotely-adjustable side view mirror unit. The invention uses the remote control input device and the mirror actuator of the existing mirror unit to provide a remotely-adjusted extended rearward view. The extension mirror unit can be installed by a novice with no tools and detached by a novice using rudimentary tools such as a knife blade.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0033]    In the accompanying drawings:  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1 is a top view of a vehicle and a wide trailer;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 is an exploded top view of a basic detachable remotely-adjustable extension mirror system (basic extension mirror system) consisting of a remotely-adjustable side-view mirror unit (side-view mirror unit) that has a first reflective surface and a preferred embodiment detachable extension mirror unit (preferred extension mirror unit);  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 3 is a top view of the basic extension mirror system;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4 is an exploded rear view, taken from the side of a motor vehicle looking forwards, of the basic extension mirror system;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 5 is a rear view of the basic extension mirror system;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 6 is a top view of the basic extension mirror system showing the preferred extension mirror unit pivoted about the vertical axis through movement of the first reflective surface;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 7 is a top view of the preferred embodiment detachable remotely-adjustable extension mirror system (preferred system) comprising the side-view mirror unit, the preferred extension mirror unit, an add-on wind deflector, and a safety cord.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 8 is a rear view of the preferred system.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 9 is an exploded rear view of an alternate embodiment detachable remotely-adjustable extension mirror system (alternate system) comprising the side-view mirror unit and an alternate embodiment detachable extension mirror unit (alternate extension mirror unit) incorporating an alternate movement offset element and a mirror gap attachment element;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 10 is a rear view of the alternate system;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the alternate system taken at section A-A from FIG. 10; and  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 12 is a top view of the alternate system showing the alternate extension mirror unit pivoted about the vertical axis through movement of the first reflective surface.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0046]    Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle is shown at  100 . A wide trailer, shown at  101 , is attached to the rear of the vehicle  100 . Remotely-adjustable side-view mirror units are shown at  102 . The side-view mirror units  102  include reflective surfaces that provide primary exterior rearward views, shown at  98 , to the driver of the vehicle. The primary exterior rearward views  98  are acceptable when the vehicle is not pulling a trailer wider than the vehicle because they allow the driver to see behind the side of the vehicle and because the right and left primary exterior rearward views  98  can converge at some point behind the vehicle.  
         [0047]    Also referring to FIG. 1, the primary exterior rearward views  98  cannot show the sides of the wide trailer  101  or anything directly behind the wide trailer  101  because the wide trailer  101  is wider than the distance between the outermost portion of the reflective surfaces of the side-view mirror units  102 .  
         [0048]    Also referring to FIG. 1, non-obscuring extension reflective surfaces, shown at  40 , have been located further from the side of the vehicle than the outermost portion of the reflective surfaces of the side-view mirror units  102 . The non-obscuring extension reflective surfaces  40  provide extended rearwards views, shown at  99 , that include views of the sides of the trailer  101 . Although there is still a blind spot directly behind the trailer, the width of this blind spot decreases the further one is behind the trailer. By locating the non-obscuring reflective surfaces out further from the side of the vehicle, the size of the blind spot decreases, but the distance between the non-obscuring reflective surfaces  40  and therefore, the effective width of the vehicle also increases.  
         [0049]    Also referring to FIG. 1, the non-obscuring extension reflective surfaces  40 , are called “non-obscuring” because the extension surfaces do not block the driver from seeing the primary exterior rearward views  98 . Extended rearward views  99  can be provided by:  
         [0050]    fully-obscuring extension reflective surfaces, that block all the primary exterior rearwards view  98 ;  
         [0051]    partially-obscuring extension reflective surfaces, that block some of the primary exterior rearwards view  98 ; or  
         [0052]    non-obscuring extension reflective surfaces, block none of the primary exterior rearwards view  98 .  
         [0053]    The invention described here can have non-obscuring extension reflective surfaces  40 , partially-obscuring extension reflective surfaces, or non-obscuring extension reflective surfaces. A full-obscuring extension reflective surface is shown as  30  in FIG. 5. Although a partially-obscuring reflective surface is not illustrated, the concept and implementation can be understood by anyone skilled in the art. The preferred embodiment uses a fully-obscuring extension reflective surface  30  in FIG. 5 because this is the configuration preferred by the inventor for solving his own “towing mirror problem.” 
         [0054]    Referring to FIG. 2, the side-view mirror unit is shown at  102 . The side view mirror unit  102  includes a housing shown at  21 . The housing  21  includes a base member shown at  22  for securing the side-view mirror unit  102  to the vehicle. The side-view mirror unit  102  also includes a remote input device, shown at  24 , and an actuator, shown at  25 . The remote input device  24  is external to the housing  21  and is typically mounted inside the motor vehicle within reach of the driver. The actuator  25 , is typically mounted inside the housing  21 . The actuator  25 , typically imparts a pivoting motion to a mirror element having a reflective surface, shown as  20 . This pivoting motion adjusts that projects the primary exterior rearward view shown as  98  in FIG. 1.  
         [0055]    Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the driver adjusts the original rearward view,  98  in FIG. 1, by interacting with the remote input device,  24  in FIG. 2, which transmits force, power, or signals via a transmission element, shown as  23 , to the actuator  25  which pivots the first reflective surface, shown as  20 .  
         [0056]    Referring to FIG. 3 the preferred extension mirror unit  103  has been attached to the side-view mirror unit  102 , making a basic detachable remotely-adjustable extension mirror system, shown at  110 .  
         [0057]    Also referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 a preferred embodiment detachable extension mirror unit is shown as  103 . The preferred extension mirror unit  103  includes an obscuring extension reflective surface, shown as  30 , made of a clear material including, but not limited to glass, polycarbonate, and acrylic, with a reflective coating on the side opposite the visible side of the obscuring extension reflective surface  30 . The preferred extension mirror unit  103  also includes vacuum suction cups, shown at  31  that are connected to the non-visible side of the obscuring extension reflective surface  30  by means of adhesives, hook and loop fasteners (Velcro™ made by Velcro Industries) or some equivalent. Although the attachment detail is not illustrated, it is capable of being understood by anyone skilled in the art. The connection between the vacuum suction cups  31  and the obscuring reflective surface  30  can be permanent or detachable, direct or indirect. This attachment can be made using a variety of different means of connection including, but not limited to, adhesives, fasteners, and various other mechanical elements or adapters between the vacuum suction cups  31  and the non-visible side of the reflective surface  30 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 6 shows typical motion of the reflective surface  20  and how this is coupled to the obscuring extension reflective surface  30  in the basic system  110 . In this basic system, the vacuum suction cups  31  serve two functions:  
         [0059]    the vacuum suction cups  31  are detachable first attachment elements, providing a first method by which the extension reflective surface is attached to the first reflective surface  20 ; and  
         [0060]    the vacuum suction cups  31  are movement offset elements that allow the first reflective surface  20  to go through its full range of motions and all potential positions without creating interference between the extension reflective surface  30  and any of the side-view mirror, especially the housing  21 . In particular, it is important that any movement offset elements have enough height so the extension mirror surface will clear as it is moved.  
         [0061]    Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the first reflective surface  20  sits inside the space enclosed by the housing  21  for at least some possible positions in most side-view mirror units  102 . The first reflective surface  20  is typically separated from the housing  21  by a narrow gap, called a mirror gap. Because by geometry, any extension reflective surface—whether it is obscuring, non-obscuring or partially obscuring—that provides an extended image,  99  in FIG. 1, must be located outside the envelope created by the potential positions of the first reflective surface  20 , it is important that the first reflective surface  20  and any extension reflective surface are connected in a way that does not create interference with the housing for all ranges of motion of the basic system  110 .  
         [0062]    Referring to FIG. 4, in the first embodiment detachable extension mirror unit  103 , vacuum suction cups  31  must also adhere to the first reflective surface  20  with a force great enough to support the preferred extension mirror unit  103 . The preferred extension mirror unit  103  uses four vacuum suction cups made of polyynyl chloride (PVC). It is possible to use a different number of suction cups to give the planar coupling required. It is possible to use suction cups made of other materials. It is also possible to make a frame that attaches the preferred extension unit to the original mirror unit or to the vehicle in a way that reduces the forces placed onto the first reflective surface  20  by the extension mirror unit  103  while still allowing the motion of the first reflective surface  20  to couple to and adjust the obscuring extension reflective surface  30  or a non-obscuring extension reflective surface  40  in FIG. 1.  
         [0063]    Referring also to FIG. 4, installation of the preferred extension mirror unit  103  to the original mirror unit  102  is best accomplished by first cleaning the first reflective surface  20  with a mirror cleaner to ensure long-term adhesion of the vacuum suction cups  31 . Installation needs to be performed accurately enough to give a good appearance and not to create interference with any part of the side-view mirror unit  102  or the vehicle. No tools or specialized expertise are required to install the extension mirror unit  103  onto the side-view mirror unit  102 .  
         [0064]    Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, detachment of the preferred extension mirror unit  103  from the side-view mirror unit  102  is accomplished by pivoting the first reflective surface  20  successively to positions where each vacuum suction cup  31  is accessible and then slipping a knife blade between the first reflective surface  20  and the lip of each vacuum suction cup  31 .  
         [0065]    Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a preferred embodiment detachable remotely-adjustable extension mirror system is shown at  120 . This preferred system  120  includes all of the elements of the basic system  110  described previously plus an add-on wind deflector, shown at  42  and a secondary or safety attachment element, shown at  43 . The preferred embodiment uses a safety cord  43  to connect the preferred extension mirror unit, shown at  103  to the side-view mirror unit, shown at  102 . The wind deflector  42 :  
         [0066]    reduces the wind forces on the extension mirror unit  103 ;  
         [0067]    reduces the possibility that the extension mirror unit  103  is accidentally bumped; and  
         [0068]    improves the appearance of the preferred system  120 .  
         [0069]    The safety cord  43  can be used as a backup in case the vacuum suction cup detachable spacing elements fail. Although the safety cord  43  is shown as connecting the preferred extension mirror unit  103  to the original mirror unit  102 , the safety cord  43  can also be used to connect the preferred extension mirror unit  103  to some other part of the vehicle. The alternatives materials and mountings of this type of safety cord  43  are not critical and can be understood and implemented by anyone skilled in the art.  
         [0070]    Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 an alternate embodiment detachable remotely-adjustable extension mirror system is shown at  130 . The difference between the preferred system described previously is that the vacuum suction cups  31  in FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 have been replaced by mirror gap attachment elements  52  and alternate movement offset elements  53 . Instead of using one type of element (vacuum suction cups) for both the attachment and the offset function, as was the case in the basic detachable remotely adjustable extension mirror system shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, the alternate embodiment  130  separates these functions into two types of elements, mirror gap attachment elements  52  and alternate movement offset elements  53 .  
         [0071]    Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 the mirror gap attachment element is shown at  52 . In this embodiment, the mirror gap attachment elements  52  are made of a spring steel that has been formed into a “U-shape”. Because:  
         [0072]    the gap between the first reflective surface  20  and the housing  21  is minimal in most modern original mirror units;  
         [0073]    the first reflective surface  20  moves relative to the housing  21  in most modern original mirror units; and  
         [0074]    a detachable system like the present invention should be designed to be usable with a variety of original mirror units,  
         [0075]    the mirror gap attachment element  52  has been designed to be of the thinnest possible commercially-feasible material that gives a good clamping force on the edges of the first reflective surface  20  with minimal requirement for any retention on the side opposite the viewing side of the first reflective surface  20 .  
         [0076]    Also referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the alternate movement offset element  53  establishes the necessary distance between the original reflective surface  20  and the obscuring extension reflective surface  30 . Although the alternate movement offset elements  53  shown in this embodiment are rectangular cross-section beams, these alternate movement offset elements  53  can be made in any of a variety of geometries out of any of a variety of materials using any of a variety of direct or indirect attachment methods to the obscuring reflective surface  30  so long as the alternate movement offset elements  53  accomplish the objective of resting on the original reflective surface  20  and have the height necessary to provide sufficient spacing between the obscuring reflective surface  30  and the first reflective surface  20  so that there is no interference between the obscuring reflective surface  30  and the housing  21  for all potential positions of the first reflective surface  20 . It is possible to make a single element that combines the functions of the alternate spacing element  53  and the mirror gap attachment element  52 .  
         [0077]    Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, installation of the alternate extension mirror unit  104  to the side-view mirror unit  102  can be accomplished by pressing the alternate extension mirror unit over the original reflective surface  20 . If there is any difficulty getting any of the legs of the mirror gap attachment elements  52  to seat properly, it is possible to move the first reflective surface  20  to a position where one can access the legs of the mirror gap attachment elements  52  to help seat them. Detachment of the alternate extension mirror  104  is accomplished by moving the first reflective surface  20  successively to positions where the each leg of each mirror gap attachment element  52  is accessible and then slipping a thin knife blade between the leg of the mirror gap attachment element  52  and the edge of the first reflective surface  20  while pulling the alternate extension mirror unit  104  away from the first reflective surface  20 .  
         [0078]    The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practised other than as specifically described.