Patent ID: 7006268

Claim:
A combination pivoting mirror and support bracket with reduced stress transmitted to said mirror through said bracket, said combination comprising: a bracket for supporting said pivoting mirror and for attaching said pivoting mirror to a using device, the bracket comprising a first portion having a first side and a second side extending along an edge, and a second portion joined to said first portion along said first side, said first portion defining first and second mounting areas for fixedly securing said first portion to said using device and a mirror mounting aperture located between said first and second mounting areas, said first portion further defining an isolation slot extending from said edge on said second side between said mirror mounting aperture and one of said first and second mounting areas to said second portion joined to said first side; and a pivoting mirror comprising a pair of torsional hinges for pivotally supporting a reflecting surface, each hinge of said pair extending away from said reflecting surface and along a selected axis to an anchor portion and said anchor portion of each hinge mounted to said first portion of said bracket to suspend said pivoting mirror above said mirror mounting aperture.