Patent ID: 7014327

Claim:
A vehicle mirror assembly comprising: a bracket for attachment to a vehicle; a mounting arm having a first end in communication with said bracket and a second end remote from said first end; at least one mirror having a reflective mirror being secured at said second end, said mounting arm of sufficient length such that said reflective mirror can be seen from inside said vehicle through a windshield of said vehicle when said mounting arm is in a normal position; and a release mechanism for allowing said mounting arm to move with respect to said mounting bracket when a force greater than a predetermined force is applied to said mounting arm, wherein said release mechanism allows said mounting arm to move in a generally rearward direction with respect to the vehicle; wherein said release mechanism includes a magnet that keeps said mounting arm in said normal position and allows said mounting arm to move to a released position upon application of said force that is greater than said predetermined force, wherein a magnetic portion in communication with a metal portion on said mounting arm keeps said mounting arm in an unreleased position, wherein said magnetic portion is attached to a swing arm extending from said mounting bracket.