Granted Patent B2

US 8,864,094 · App. 13/970,903 · Granted Oct 21, 2014

Abstract

Claims (27)

1. A mirror mount that mounts a mirror to a fender of a vehicle, the mirror mount comprising:

a base member having a first end configured to receive a first fastener that fastens the first end of the base member to the fender, a second end configured to receive a second fastener that fastens the second end of the base member to the fender, a side portion extending between the first end and the second end and having a contour that follows an exterior profile of the fender, and a pivot support, wherein with the base member positioned on the fender the first fastener extends through the first end of the base member, through the fender, and into the side portion of the base member; and,

a pivot coupled to the pivot support and configured to receive a mirror arm, the pivot permitting the mirror arm to pivot with respect to the base member.

2. The mirror mount of claim 1 wherein the base member includes a neck that has a contour matching a contour of the pivot.

3. The mirror mount of claim 1 wherein the base member includes reinforcing ribs that reinforce the first end.

4. The mirror mount of claim 3 wherein the base member includes a top portion between the first end and the side portion, and wherein the reinforcing ribs extend between the top portion and the first end.

5. The mirror mount of claim 1 wherein the base member includes a column, wherein the column extends along the side portion and is located between the side portion and the fender when the base member is affixed to the fender, and wherein the first fastener extends into the column when the base member is positioned on the fender.

6. The mirror mount of claim 5 wherein the base member includes reinforcing ribs to reinforce the first end, wherein the base member includes a top portion between the first end and the side portion, and wherein the reinforcing ribs extend between the top portion and the first end.

7. The mirror mount of claim 1 wherein each of the first fastener and the second fastener comprises one of the following: a screw or a bolt.

8. The mirror mount of claim 1 where the base member comprises a one-piece molecularly continuous base member.

9. The mirror mount of claim 1 wherein each of the first end and the side portion is generally vertical when the base member is positioned on the fender.

10. The mirror mount of claim 1 further comprising a mirror movably coupled to the mirror arm.

11. A mirror mount that mounts a mirror to a fender of a vehicle, the mirror mount comprising:

a one-piece molecularly continuous base member having a first end and a second end, a side portion extending between the first end and the second end and having a contour that follows an exterior profile of the fender, a reinforcement reinforcing the first end, and a pivot support, wherein the first end directs a fastener received in the first end through the fender and toward the side portion of the base member so as to fasten the base member to the fender;

a mirror arm having one end to fasten to a mirror and a second end; and,

a pivot coupled to the pivot support and to the second end of the mirror arm to permit the mirror arm to pivot with respect to the base member.

12. The mirror mount of claim 11 wherein the base member includes a neck that has a contour matching a contour of the pivot.

13. The mirror mount of claim 11 wherein the reinforcement comprises reinforcing ribs that reinforce the first end, wherein the base member includes a top portion between the first end and the side portion, and wherein the reinforcing ribs extend between the top portion and the first end.

14. The mirror mount of claim 11 wherein the base member includes a column, wherein the column extends along the side portion and is located between the side portion and the fender when the base member is affixed to the fender, and wherein the first fastener extends through the first end, through the fender, and extends into the column when the base member is affixed to the fender.

15. The mirror mount of claim 14 wherein the reinforcement comprises reinforcing ribs that reinforce the first end, wherein the base member includes a top portion between the first end and the side portion, and wherein the reinforcing ribs extend between the top portion and the first end.

16. The mirror mount of claim 11 wherein the second end receives a second fastener that fastens the second end of the base member to the fender.

17. A mirror mount that mounts a mirror to a fender of a vehicle comprising:

a base member having a first end disposed generally vertical when the base member is affixed to a fender, the first end receiving and directing a fastener passing through the first end, through the fender, and into the base member so as to fasten the base member to the fender, a second end, a side portion extending between the first end and the second end and having a contour that follows an exterior profile of the fender, and a reinforcement reinforcing the first end; and,

a mirror arm arranged to fasten a mirror to the base member.

18. The mirror mount of claim 17 wherein the reinforcement comprises reinforcing ribs that reinforce the first end, wherein the base member includes a top portion between the first end and the side portion, and wherein the reinforcing ribs extend between the top portion and the first end.

19. The mirror mount of claim 17 wherein the base member includes a column, wherein the column extends along the side portion and is located between the side portion and the fender when the base member is affixed to the fender, and wherein the first fastener extends through the first end, through the fender, and into the column when the base member is affixed to the fender.

20. The mirror mount of claim 19 wherein the reinforcement comprises reinforcing ribs that reinforce the first end, wherein the base member includes a top portion between the first end and the side portion, and wherein the reinforcing ribs extend between the top portion and the first end.

Assignments (9)