CA 02128074 2004-08-04
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIO~1
Field of Invention
The present invention relates to mirror assembly
mounting brackets. More specifically, the present invention
relates to mirror assembly mounting brackets for vehicles with
angled front fenders or similar surfaces.
Brief Description of Prior Art
Mounting mirrors and mirror assemblies on van-type and
similar type vehicles is a well established art. Traditionally,
the front fenders of van type vehicles and similar type vehicles
are parallel to the ground with some variation in shape between
the tops and sides of the fenders. Therefore, the only concern
for the mounting of mirror assemblies is to have brackets which
can accommodate the various shapes between the tops and sides of
front fenders.
Typical of such mirror mounting devices is taught in
copending U.S. Patent No. 5,106,049. However, the mirror
assembly mounting devices do not address the issues of angled
front end vehicle designs, particularly the modern vehicle van
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designs where the front portions of the vehicles are angled
toward the ground from the front windshield t.o the front bumper.
No portion of the front fender is parallel or normal to
the ground. Thus, what is needed is a mirror assembly mounting
bracket which accommodates the angular front end designs as well
as the curved portions of the front fenders c~r front bodies
while positioning the mirror assembly normal to the ground.
This invention addresses the above problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The mirror assembly mounting bracket. of the present
invention which is attachable to the angled front end vehicle
designs, preferably comprises:
(a) a mounting member, the mounting member comprising:
(i) a first portion being a parallelogram having
an angular upper and lower edge;
(ii) a second portion integrally formed with and
substantially normal to the first portion, the
second portion intersecting they first portion in a
plane contiguous with the upper edge;
(b) a clamping member, the clamping member securely
attachable to the first portion of the mounting member, the
clamping member corresponding to the first member, the clamping
member preferably having a base portion and a. cover portion
cooperating to define a bore therebetween for' receiving a
support rod of the mirror assembly;
(c) means for attaching the cover portion of the
clamping member to the base portion:
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(d) means for attaching the clamping member to
the mounting member; and
(e) means for attaching the mounting bracket to
the vehicle.
The mirror assembly is usually comprised of
mirrors with some form of a support rod which supports
the mirrors and is inserted into a mounting bracket. In
this case the support rod is insertable into the bore
within the clamping member of the mounting bracket.
The mounting bracket is shaped to be mounted
upon the forward slanted front end of a vehicle while
positioning the tubular support and mirx:ors vertical to
the road surface. The first portion of the mounting
member preferably has a first mounting :strut attached
thereto. The second portion has a second mounting strut
attached thereto. The mounting struts are mounted
directly to the vehicle.
The clamping member has a living hinge which
permits the cover portion to open and close. The living
hinge is located at the intersection of the base portion
and the cover portion of the clamping member. The cover
portion opens to receive the support rock and closes to
clamp the support rod in position. The cover portion is
held in place over' the support rod by the means for
attaching the cover portion to the base portion.
The mounting member is generally L-shaped to
accommodate the curved portions of the front fender or
front end of the vehicle and is fastened to the vehicle
by the means for attaching the mounting bracket.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is
provided a mirror mounting bracket for mounting a mirror
assembly with a support rod to a vehicle, the mounting bracket
comprising:
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CA 02128074 2004-08-04
(a) a mounting member, the mounting member
comprising:
(i) a first portion being a parallelogram
having an angular upper edge and lower edge;
(ii) a second portion integrally formed
with and substantially normal to the first portion, the
second portion intersecting the first portion in a plane
contiguous to the upper edge;
(b) a clamping member attached to the mounting
member, the clamping member clamping the support rod
thereto; and
(c) means for attaching the mounting bracket
to the vehicle.
According to another aspect of the invention, there
is provided a dual mirror mounting bracket for a pair
of mounting mirror assemblies, each having support rods to a
vehicle, the dual mirror mounting assembly comprising:
(a) a mounting member, the mounting member having
a vertical first portion and an unitarily formed second portion
substantially normal to the first portion, the first portion
being polygonal, the first portion having a first mounting strut
integrally connected thereto for mounting on a first surface of
the vehicle, the second portion having a second mounting strut
connected thereto for mounting on a second surface of the vehicle;
(b) a clamping member, the clamping member
being securely attachable to the first portion of the
mounting member, the clamping member having a base
portion, a first clamping portion and a parallel second
clamping portion, the base portion having a first cavity
and a second parallel cavity formed therein for receiving
the support rods, the first clamping portion having a
third cavity formed therein corresponding to and opposite
the first cavity, the second clamping portion having a
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fourth cavity formed therein corresponding to and
opposite the second cavity, the first c:Lamping portion
and the base portion cooperate to define a first bore
therebetween for receiving and holding a first support
rod, the second clamping portion and the base portion
cooperate to define a second bore therebetween for
receiving and holding a second support rod;
(c) means for removably attaching the mounting
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The present invention will be better understood with
reference to the following detailed discussion and to the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of
the mounting bracket and a mirror assembly shown mounted on the
vehicle;
Figure 2 is a front view of the first embodiment
mounting bracket:
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment
of the mounting bracket;
Figure 4 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of
the mounting bracket;
Figure 5 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of
the mounting bracket;
Figure 6 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of
the mounting bracket;
Figure 7 is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of
the mounting bracket hereof;
Figure 8 is a front view of a second embodiment;
Figure 9 is a bottom view of the second embodiment; and
Figure 10 is a side view of the alternative embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Now with reference to the drawings a.nd, in particular,
Figures 1-7, there is depicted a first embodiment of a mounting
bracket in accordance with the present invention, generally
denoted as 10, for mounting a mirror assembly 12 to a vehicle 14
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which has a front end that is angled or slanged toward the
ground. The mounting bracket 10 comprises a mounting member 16,
a clamping member 18, means 20 for attaching the clamping member
18 to the mounting member 16 and means 22 for attaching the
mounting bracket 10 to the vehicle 14.
As shown in Figure 1, the mounting bracket 10 attaches
to the front fender or front end of the vehicle 14. The front
end of the vehicle 14 is generally slanted or angled toward the
ground. For the purposes of this description, the mirror
assembly 12 comprises a mirror 12a and a support rod 12b.
The mounting bracket 10 of this invention positions the
mirror assembly 12 vertical to the ground while accommodating
the slanted or angled front end of the vehicle 14.
In the preferred embodiment, the mounting member 16 is
substantially L-shaped, as shown. The mounting member 16
comprises a first portion 24. The first portion 24 is a
polygon, preferably a parallelogram; with a first side 26 and an
opposing parallel second side 28. The first portion 24 also has
an upper edge 30 and an opposing parallel lower edge 32. The
top end 30 and bottom end 32 preferably extend at an acute angle
from the first side 26 to the second side 28.
The mounting member 16 further comprises a second
portion 34. The second portion 34 is substantially normal to
the first portion 24. The second portion 24 intersects the
first portion 24 in a plane contiguous with the upper edge 30.
The second portion 34 has a front end 36 and an opposing
parallel rear end 38 with the front end 36 being integrally
formed with the upper edge 30 of the first portion 24. The
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second portion 34, also, has a third side 40 and an opposing
parallel fourth side 42. The third side 40 and the fourth side
42 are substantially normal to the front end 36 and the rear end
38.
The first portion 24 has a first mounting strut 44
attached thereto proximate the bottom end 32. The first
mounting strut 44 corresponds in shape with t:he first portion
24. The first mounting strut 44 has a first mounting surface
46. The first mounting surface 46 is preferably an arcuate
concave surface which seats on a first curved surface of the
vehicle 14. The first mounting strut 44 may be integrally
formed with the first portion 24 or may be ataached by welding
or the like.
The second portion 34 has a second mounting strut 50
attached thereto proximate the rear end 38. The second mounting
strut 50 corresponds in shape to the first mounting strut 44 and
the first portion 24. The second mounting strut 50 has a second
mounting surface 52 and a second back surfaces 54. The second
mounting surface 52 is preferably an arcuate concave surface
which seats on a second curved surface of the: vehicle 14 with
the second back surface 54 being parallel with the second
mounting surface 52. The second back surfaces 52 of the second
mounting strut 50 is integrally formed with or may be attached
to the rear end 38 of the second portion 34 try welding or the
1 ike .
The clamping member 18 disposed on the first portion 24
of the mounting member 16 is a polygon corresponding in shape to
the first portion 24. The clamping member 18. preferably
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comprises a base portion 56 and a clamping portion 58.
Alternatively, the clamping member 18 may use the first portion
24 as a base for clamping.
The base portion 56 is attachable to the first portion
24 of the mounting member 16 by means for attaching the clamping
member 18, such as fasteners, or by welding. The base portion
56 has a first side 56a and an opposing parallel second side 56b
and a first end 56c and an opposing parallel second end 56d.
The first end 56c and second end 56d extend at an angle between
the first side 56a and the second side 56b. The base portion
56, also, has a mounting surface 60 and a clamping surface 62.
The clamping surface 62 of the base portion 56 has a first
cavity 68 formed therein between the first side 56a and the
second side 56b for seating the support rod 1.2b. The first
cavity 68 extends from the first end 56c to t:he second end 56d.
The first cavity 68 is, in the preferred embodiment, concave.
The clamping portion 58 is integrally formed with and
attached to the base portion 56. The clamping portion 58 is
generally a polygon corresponding to the bases portion 56. The
cover portion 58 has a cover portion 64 and am integral
fastening portion 66 parallel to the cover portion 64. The
clamping portion 58 has a bottom surface 72 and a top surface
74. The bottom surface 72 of the cover portion 64 has a second
cavity 76 formed therein and an integral flat. portion 78
parallel thereto corresponding to the fastening portion 66. The
second cavity 76 is preferably concave and corresponds to and is
aligned with the first cavity 68 of the base portion 56. The
top surface 74 of the clamping portion 58 is parallel to and
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corresponds to the bottom surface 72. The first cavity 68 of
the base portion 56 and the second cavity of the clamping
portion 58 cooperate to form a bore 80 therebetween to receive
and hold a support rod 12b.
The clamping member 18 of the mounting bracket 10 has a
living hinge 82 located at the intersection of the cover portion
64 and the clamping surface 62 of the base portion 56. The
living hinge 82 is defined by a V-slot 84 formed at the
intersection. The living hinge 82 permits the clamping member
18 to open to receive the support rod 12b anct close to hold the
support rod 12b in position.
The mounting bracket 10 has a plurality of apertures
86, 86a formed therein to provide for attaching the cover
portion 58 to the base portion 56 and attaching the mounting
bracket 10 to the vehicle 14.
The means 88 for fastening the cover portion 58 to the
base portion 56 is preferably a first fastener 90, such as a
threaded screw or the like. The first fastener 90 is insertable
through the aperture 86a in the cover portion 58 and through the
aperture 86 in the base portion 56 and mounting member 16. The
first fastener 90 may also be insertable through the vehicle
14. The fasteners 90 are placed and tightened to secure the
cover portion 58 in a closed or clamping position over the
support rod 12b.
The means 22 for attaching the mounting bracket to the
vehicle is preferably a second fastener 92 such as a threaded
screw and a threaded nut (not shown). The second fasteners 92
are insertable through the apertures 86 in the mounting member
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16 into the vehicle 14. The second fastener:> 92 are placed and
tightened to secure the mounting bracket 10 in place on the
vehicle.
As shown in Figures 8 and 9, a second embodiment of the
invention is a dual mirror assembly mounting bracket 100
comprising a mounting member 102 and a dual mirror clamping
member 104. The dual mirror mounting bracket: 100 provides for
two mirror assemblies to be mounted to the vehicle (not shown)
at the same time.
The mounting member 102 of dual mirror mounting bracket
100 is generally L-shaped, comprising a first: portion 106 and a
second portion 108 substantially normal to tree first portion
106. The first portion 106 of the mounting x>racket 100 is a
polygon, but may be a parallelogram, as described in the first
embodiment and as shown in Figures 2, 3, 5 arid 6. The first
portion 106 has an angular upper edge 106a arud a lower edge 106b
parallel with the upper edge 1069. The second portion 108 is
integrally formed with the first portion 106. The second
portion 108 intersecting the first portion 106 in a plane
contiguous with the upper edge 106a.
The first portion 106 has a first strut 110 attached
thereto. The first strut 110 is generally shaped to correspond
to the shape of the first portion 106. The first strut 110 has
a first mounting surface 114 for mounting to a first surface of
the vehicle.
The second portion 108 has a second mounting strut 116
attached thereto. The second mounting strut 116 is generally
shaped to correspond to the shape of the first portion 106. The
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second mounting strut 116 has a second mounting surface 118 for
mounting to a second surface (not shown) of the vehicle and an
opposing surface 120 parallel to the second mounting surface
118.
The dual mirror clamping member 104 is disposed upon
the first portion 106 of the mounting member 102. The clamping
member 104 is generally shaped to correspond to the shape of the
first portion 106. As shown in Figures 8-10,. the dual mirror
clamping member 104 preferably comprises a base portion 122, a
first clamping portion 124, and an parallel :second clamping
portion 126. Alternatively, the clamping member 104 may use the
first portion 106 as a base for clamping. Tree clamping member
104 receives and holds two support rods for mirror assemblies
(not shown).
The base portion 122 of the dual mirror clamping member
104 has a mounting surface 128 and a clamping surface 130. The
clamping surface 130 has a first fastening surface 132 and a
parallel second fastening surface 134. The clamping surface 130
has a first seat 136 integrally connected to the first fastening
portion 132 with a first cavity 136a formed therein, and a
parallel second seat 138 integrally connected to the second
fastening portion 134 with a second cavity 13~8a formed therein.
The cavities 136a, 138a receive the support rods of the mirror
assemblies. The first and second cavities 136a, 138a are
preferably concave.
The first clamping portion 124 has a. first connecting
portion 140 and an integrally connected first. cover portion
142. The first connecting portion 140 urges against the first
fastening portion of the base portion 122 when the clamping
portion 140 is closed. The first cover portion 142 has a third
cavity 144 formed therein aligned with and corresponding to the
first cavity 136a of the base portion 122. The third cavity 144
is preferably concave. The first cover portion 142 and the
first seat 136 cooperate to define a first bore 146 for holding
a support rod 12b when the first clamping portion 124 is closed.
The second clamping portion 126 has a second connecting
portion 148 and an integrally connected second cover portion
150. The second connecting portion 148 urge: against the second
fastening portion 134 of the base portion 122 when the clamping
portion 126 is closed. The second cover portion 150 has a
fourth cavity 152 formed therein aligned with and corresponding
to the second cavity 138a of the base portion 122. The fourth
cavity 152 is preferably concave. The second cover portion 150
and the second seat 138 cooperate to define a~ second bore 154
when the second clamping portion 126 is closed.
The dual mirror clamping member 104 has a first living
hinge 156 disposed at the intersection of the: first clamping
portion 124 and the clamping surface 130 of the base portion
122. A second living hinge 158 is disposed a.t the intersection
of the second clamping portion 126 and the clamping surface 130
of the base portion 122. The first living hinge 156 and the
second living hinge 158 are similar to the living hinge 82
previously described in detail in the first embodiment. The
living hinges 156, 158 permit the clamping portions 124, 126 to
be opened and closed.
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This embodiment of the mounting bracket 100, in the
alternative, may have a mounting member 102 that has a
rectangular first portion 106, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.
This embodiment of the mounting bracket 100 may be used with
standard vehicle front ends.
A means 160 for attaching the clamping member 104 to
the mounting member 102; means for attaching the first clamping
portion 124 and the second clamping portion 7.26 to the base
portion 122; and means for attaching the dual. mirror mounting
bracket 100 to the vehicle 14 are similar to and described in
detail by the first embodiment of the mounting bracket.
In use, in the two embodiments, the second mounting
strut 50 of the mounting bracket 10 is attached to the vehicle
14 via means 22 for attaching the mounting bracket 10. The
support rod 12b of the mirror assembly 12 is seated in the
cavity 63 of the base portion 56. The cover portion 58 is
attached to the base portion 56 and the vehicle 14 via means 88
for attaching the cover portion clamping the support rod 12b in
a desired position. The mirror 120 is then adjusted to a
desired position.
The mounting bracket 10 of the first embodiment of the
invention permits the mounting of a mirror assembly in a
vertical position relative to the road on vehicles with front
ends that slant from the windshield to the front bumper. The
second embodiment of the invention provides for a mounting
bracket 100 which mounts two mirror assemblies vertical relative
to the road. This increases the area to be viewed via the
mirrors.
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