Key system for a mirror assembly
View Patent ↗A locking system for adjustably mounting a mirror mounting support arm with a motor vehicle which includes a locking device for securing with a motor vehicle having a recess at one end for receiving an end of a support arm. The recess is formed with a stem having at least one key formed along its length. The support shaft end is formed with at least one slot which is sized and located to matingly fit with the key. The system also includes an anchor plate for securing with the vehicle which is also adapted to mount a support arm holder. The support arm holder includes a body portion having a shoulder adjacent one end and a recess. The recess is formed with a stem therein and a key along the stem. This recess is adapted to receive a second end of the support arm. In use, the first and second support arm ends are inserted into the recesses about the stems with the slots engaged by the keys. Adhesive is applied firmly securing the support shafts in fixed position with the locking device and the support arm holder.
1. A locking system mounting a mirror with a motor vehicle between undefined and defined adjusted positions comprising:
a support arm supporting said mirror between first and second ends;
a brace secured with said vehicle supporting a first end of said support arm between fixed defined rotatable adjustable positions;
a locking device comprising interconnected first and second extensions, located generally vertically of said brace, said first extension being secured with said vehicle and said second extension being secured with said second end of said support arm;
a first conical surface having a central opening carried by said first extension and a second conical surface having a central opening carried by said second extension;
said first and second conical surfaces being sized to fit in a snug manner one within the other over an extent of said conical surfaces;
a locking member extending through said openings to engage outer surfaces of said first and second extensions, said locking member being operative in a first position to urge said conical surfaces into generally fixed relative positions and in a second position to allow undefined three dimensional movement between said conical surfaces; wherein,
movement between said conical surfaces of said locking device brings about movement of said second end of said support arm resulting in slight adjustments between undefined positions of said mirror without movement of said first end from a defined fixed position.
2. A mirror mounting assembly on a vehicle comprising:
a support arm having first and second ends separated with an intermediate portion supporting a mirror;
a brace secured with said vehicle, said brace including an anchor piece and an arm holder supporting said first end of said support arm between selected defined positions;
a locking device mounted with said vehicle in vertically spaced position from said brace, said locking device having a first extension connected with said vehicle and a second extension connected with said first extension, said second end of said support arm being carried by said second extension;
said first extension having a conically shaped surface and said second extension having a complementary conically shaped surface, said conically shaped surface and said complementary conically shaped surface filling one in the other providing extended surface contact;
a locking member engaged between said conically and complementary conically shaped surfaces, said locking member in a first position being operative to urge said conically and complementary conically shaped surfaces against each other in fixed position and in a second position allowing separation between said conically and complementary conically shaped surfaces allowing three dimensional relative movement; wherein,
said three dimensional relative movement between said conically and complementary conically shaped surfaces repositions the second end of said support arm between undefined positions adjusting said mirror between undefined positions and relative movement between said arm holder and said anchor piece repositions the first end of said support arm between defined positions adjusting said mirror between defined positions.
3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said conically shaped and said complementary conically shaped surfaces have a hole there through and said locking member comprises a key which passes through said holes, said key being operative to urge said conically shaped surfaces into contact and a fixed stationary position and to allow separation between said surfaces allowing relative adjustable movement.
4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said anchor piece and said arm holder includes mating teeth which intermesh, retaining and positioning said arm holder between defined positions.