US3659477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote control mirror and control mechanism therefore
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-04-16
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Granted: 1972-05-02
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Expires: 1990-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A remotely controlled mirror, such as a vehicle rear view mirror, including a pivotally supported mirror member, a rotatable linkage system and a drive mechanism. The linkage system includes at least two pivotally connected link members; the first link member operably connected to the mirror member at a fixed acute angle relative to the reflective surface, and the second link member drivably connected to the first link member at a variable angle. The drive mechanism is adapted to rotate the linkage system, adjusting the position of the mirror relative to the vertical and horizontal axes, and shift the distal end of the second link member toward the mirror, adjusting the angle of inclination of the mirror relative to the axis perpendicular to the mirror.
Inventors
- 👤 William C Wehner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:53
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C1/00; F16C1/10; F16C1/12; B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/06; B60R1/062; B60R1/064; B60R1/066; B60R1/068; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/2042; Y10T74/20432
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A remotely controlled mirror, comprising: a pivotally supported mirror member having a generally planar reflective surface, a rotatable linkage means including at least two angularly related, pivotally connected link members, the first of said link members operably rotatably connected to said mirror member, opposite said reflective surface at a fixed acute angle to said reflective surface and the second link member drivably connected to said first link member, and a drive mechanism adapted to rotate said linkage means relatively to said mirror member, causing said mirror member to tilt relative to the vertical and horizontal axes in a predetermined path, said drive mechanism including a drive means operably connected to said second link member and adapted to shift the distal end of said second link member relative to said reflective surface, as the linkage means is rotated, varying the angle defined between said link members and the angle of inclination of said reflective surface relative to an axis perpendicular to the reflective surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A remotely controlled mirror, comprising: a pivotally supported mirror member having a generally planar reflective surface, a rotatable linkage means including at least two angularly related, pivotally connected link members, the first of said link members operably rotatably connected to said mirror member, opposite said reflective surface at a fixed acute angle to said reflective surface and the second link member drivably connected to said first link member, and a drive mechanism adapted to rotate said linkage means relatively to said mirror member, causing said mirror member to tilt relative to the vertical and horizontal axes in a predetermined path, said drive mechanism including a drive means operably connected to said second link member and adapted to shift the distal end of said second link member relative to said reflective surface, as the linkage means is rotated, varying the angle defined between said link members and the angle of inclination of said reflective surface relative to an axis perpendicular to the reflective surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The remotely controlled mirror defined in claim 1, characterized in that said linkage means is rotatable relative to said mirror member and said mirror member is secured against rotation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The remotely controlled mirror defined in claim 1, characterized in that said drive mechanism includes a drive means adapted to shift the distal end of said second link, such that the rate of movement is increased as said end is shifted toward said mirror member, increasing the increment of tilt of said mirror member per revolution of said linkage means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The control mechanism defined in claim 3, characterized in that said drive means includes a differential screw mechanism operably connected to said second link member, shifting the distal end of said second link member toward said mirror member as the linkage means is rotated, said differential screw mechanism causing the distal end of said second link member to shift at a differential rate as it is rotated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The control mechanism defined in claim 1, characterized in that said drive mechanism includes a single wire operably connected to a control means for the mirror member and said drive mechanism, said control means adapted to shift the wire axially, causing the linkage means to rotate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
A remotely controlled rear view mirror, comprising: a housing having a base portion adapted to be secured to a vehicle, a mirror member pivotally secured within said housing having a relatively planar reflective surface, a rotatable linkage means including a first link member operably rotatably secured to said mirror member opposite said reflective surface at a fixed acute angle to said reflective surface and a second link member pivotally secured to said first link member at an acute angle thereto and drivable therewith, and a drive mechanism including a drive means adapted to rotate said linkage means relatively to said mirror member, causing said mirror member to tilt relative to the vertical and horizontal axes in a predetermined path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
A remotely controlled rear view mirror, comprising: a housing having a base portion adapted to be secured to a vehicle, a mirror member pivotally secured within said housing having a relatively planar reflective surface, a rotatable linkage means including a first link member operably rotatably secured to said mirror member opposite said reflective surface at a fixed acute angle to said reflective surface and a second link member pivotally secured to said first link member at an acute angle thereto and drivable therewith, and a drive mechanism including a drive means adapted to rotate said linkage means relatively to said mirror member, causing said mirror member to tilt relative to the vertical and horizontal axes in a predetermined path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The remotely controlled rear view mirror defined in claim 6, characterized in that said drive means is operably connected to said seconD link member and is adapted to shift the distal end of said second link member toward said mirror member, adjusting the angle defined between said link members and thereby the angle of inclination of said mirror member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
95 words
The remotely controlled rear view mirror defined in claim 7, characterized in that said drive means includes a differential drive means adapted to vary the rate of shifting of said second link member per revolution of said linkage means, such that the rate of shifting increases as the end of said second link member is shifted toward the mirror member and decreases as it is shifted away from said mirror member, providing a relatively fine adjustment for the mirror member at relatively small angles of inclination and relatively coarse adjustment at larger angles of inclination.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The remotely controlled rear view mirror defined in claim 6, characterized in that said drive mechanism includes a single control wire operably connected to said drive means and a control means, said control means adapted to shift the wire axially, causing the linkage means to rotate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The remotely controlled rear view mirror defined in claim 9, characterized in that said wire is operably connected to a gear rack which forms part of the drive means, said rack shiftable axially in response to axial movement of said wire and said rack driving a gear means adapted to rotate said linkage means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The remotely controlled rear view mirror defined in claim 9, characterized in that said wire is received on a rotatably supported spool means which forms part of the drive means which rotates in response to axial movement of said wire, rotating said linkage means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The remotely controlled rear view mirror defined in claim 9, characterized in that said control means includes a rotatable control knob adapted to be mounted within the vehicle, said knob internally threaded to receive a transfer screw which is integral with said wire.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-02 | 1975-11-01 | 1976-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-02 | 1979-11-01 | 1980-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-02 | 1983-11-01 | 1984-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |