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  Twin-arm vehicle mirror system with support bracket bearingsUSPTO Application #: 20080024892Title: Twin-arm vehicle mirror system with support bracket bearings Abstract: A vehicular external rearview mirror system comprises a twin-arm assembly comprising a pair of parallel support arms connected at one end to a base attached to the vehicle and movably connected at another end to a reflective element assembly through a movable support bracket. The support bracket supports a reflective element assembly and is attached to the twin-arm assembly through a pair of integral bearings which translate along the arms to extend or retract the reflective element assembly. In one embodiment, the bearing imparts a friction force to the arm to enable the bracket to be moved along the arm under the influence of an extension/retraction force, but to maintain the bracket at a selected position along the arm when the force is removed. In another embodiment, the bearing is adapted for frictionless translation of the bracket along the arms under the influence of a powerextend actuator. In yet another embodiment, the bearing is integrated into the movable support bracket for frictional support of the bracket on the arms. (end of abstract)
Agent: Mcgarry Bair PC - Grand Rapids, MI, US Inventors: James A. Ruse, Keith D. Foote, Kenneth C. Peterson USPTO Applicaton #: 20080024892 - Class: 359881000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080024892. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/906,427, filed Feb. 18, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/521,095, filed Feb. 20, 2004 and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/521,677, filed Jun. 16, 2004, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates generally to a rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle and more particularly to a twin-arm rearview mirror assembly having modular bearings between the arms and a mirror support bracket. In another embodiment, the mirror support bracket is provided with integral bearings. In yet another embodiment, a spring-biased friction wedge assembly controls the movement of the mirror support bracket relative to the arms. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Motor vehicles typically include at least one external rearview mirror system for providing the operator with a rearward view. The mirror system typically comprises a base attached to the motor vehicle, a reflective element assembly comprising a mirror and a supporting bracket, and an arm assembly interconnecting the reflective element assembly and the base. With large mirrors, such as those found on trucks, the arm assembly will frequently comprise a twin-arm assembly. [0006] The reflective element assembly can be adapted for selective extension away from, or retraction toward, the vehicle to adjust the rearward field of view. This extension and retraction can be accomplished manually by pushing or pulling the reflective element assembly to move the supporting bracket along the twin arms, or by a remotely controlled, motorized powerextend mechanism mounted to the base or the arm assembly and adapted to move the mirror bracket along the arms. [0007] Typically, different mirror brackets will be utilized depending upon whether the mirror system is manually extendable or powerextended. The manually extended mirror system will typically utilize a supporting bracket which comprises a frictional bearing assembly which will enable the bracket to be moved along the twin arms but remain in a selected position. The powerextend mirror system will typically utilize a different support bracket comprising a roller bearing assembly to enable the powerextend mechanism to easily move the support bracket along the twin arms. The support bracket will be held in the selected position by the power extend mechanism. [0008] It may be desirable to select an extension assembly which is different than that installed by the manufacturer. Thus, the owner of the vehicle may at some point desire powerextend functionality for a mirror system which was originally installed for manual extension. While this selectivity can be currently accommodated, it typically will involve either replacement of the entire mirror system, or disassembly of the mirror system and replacement of the support bracket. Moreover, if one bearing must be replaced due to wear or damage, regardless of the type of extension assembly involved, it will be necessary to replace the entire support bracket. Either situation will involve the expenditure of time, the removal of the vehicle from service, and cost. Finally, it may be necessary to modify the performance characteristics of the bearing assembly to accommodate changes in the fit and performance of the bearings due to wear, temperature, driving conditions, and the like. Conventional brackets do not readily accommodate such modifications. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In one aspect, the invention relates to a mirror assembly for use on a motor vehicle, comprising: a reflective element assembly for providing an operator of the motor vehicle with a rearward view; a base adapted for attachment to the motor vehicle; an arm assembly comprising at least one elongated member attached to the base; a movable bracket in slidable registry with the arm assembly and adapted to support the reflective element assembly; and a friction wedge assembly mounted in a chamber in the movable bracket and comprising at least one wedge in registry with the at least one elongated member, the friction wedge assembly adapted to develop friction between the at least one wedge and the at least one elongated member to influence movement of the movable bracket relative to the at least one elongated member. [0010] In another aspect, the invention relates to a mirror assembly for use on a motor vehicle, comprising: a reflective element assembly for providing an operator of the motor vehicle with a rearward view; a base adapted for attachment to the motor vehicle; an arm assembly comprising at least one elongated member attached to the base; a movable bracket in slidable registry with the arm assembly and adapted to support the reflective element assembly; at least one modular bearing assembly in registry with the at least one elongated member and the movable bracket adapted to influence movement of the movable bracket relative to the at least one arm assembly; wherein the at least one modular bearing assembly is removable from the movable bracket to enable selective replacement of the modular bearing assembly in the movable bracket. [0011] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a mirror assembly for use on a motor vehicle, comprising: a reflective element assembly for providing an operator of the motor vehicle with a rearward view; a base adapted for attachment to the motor vehicle; an arm assembly comprising at least one elongated member attached to the base; a movable bracket in slidable registry with the arm assembly and adapted to support the reflective element assembly; at least one bearing assembly in registry with the at least one elongated member and integral with the movable bracket to influence movement of the movable bracket relative to the at least one arm assembly. [0012] Various embodiments of the invention are also contemplated. A resilient member can be provided that is adapted to urge the at least one friction wedge against the at least one elongated member. The resilient member can comprise a helical spring. [0013] The chamber can comprise at least one inclined wall proximate the at least one elongated member. The at least one wedge can comprise at least one inclined face adapted for registry with the at least one inclined wall for urging the wedge laterally against the at least one elongated member. [0014] The at least one modular bearing assembly can comprise an annular wall adapted to encircle at least a portion of the at least one elongated member. At least one spring can circumcinct the annular wall to urge the annular wall in contact with the at least one elongated member. At least one ball raceway can be located in the annular wall for receipt of a plurality of balls adapted to contact the at least one elongated member. The at least one bearing assembly can comprise an annular wall adapted to encircle at least a portion of the at least one elongated member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] In the drawings: [0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle rearview mirror system according to the invention. [0017] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the rearview mirror system of FIG. 1 with exterior housing elements removed for clarity and illustrating a first embodiment of an integral bearing assembly for mounting a mirror support bracket to a dual-arm assembly. [0018] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the rearview mirror system of FIG. 2 illustrating a friction bearing assembly for use with a manually extendable reflective element assembly. [0019] FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded view of the friction bearing assembly and mirror support bracket of FIG. 3. [0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded view of the friction bearing assembly of FIG. 4. Continue reading... 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