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US RE39328 E1 Resumen A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising a case containing a mounting platform which has a concave part-spherical recess. A reflective member is secured to a mirror carrier which has a hollow projection with a part-spherical outer surface dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the recess a part-spherical inner surface and a diametrically oriented slot. A stem is secured to the mounting platform so as to project from the center of the recess and has a T-shaped crosshead dimensioned to pass through the slot when aligned therewith and to engage with the part-spherical inner surface of the hollow projection when aligned transversely to the slot. A lever on the mounting platform engages with a slot in the mirror carrier to prevent relative angular movement between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform about said stem. Dibujos(4)       Reclamaciones 1. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising a case containing a mounting platform, a reflective member mounted on a mirror carrier, a pivot joint for pivotally supporting the mirror carrier on the mounting platform for angular movement relative to the case, and retention means for retaining the reflective member in a desired orientation relative to the case, wherein the pivot joint comprises: a concave part-spherical recess on the mounting platform, a hollow projection on the mirror carrier having a part-spherical outer surface dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the recess, a part-spherical inner surface, and a diametrically oriented slot, a stem secured to the mounting platform so as to project from the center of the recess and having a T-shaped crosshead dimensioned to pass through the slot when aligned therewith and to engage with the part-spherical inner surface of the hollow projection when aligned transversely to the slot, thereby to prevent separation of the mirror carrier from the mounting platform, and anti-rotation means engageable between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform to prevent relative angular movement between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform about said stem. 2. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising a case containing a mounting platform, a reflective member mounted on a mirror carrier, a pivot joint for pivotally supporting the mirror carrier on the mounting platform for angular movement relative to the case, and retention means for retaining the reflective member in a desired orientation relative to the case, wherein the pivot joint comprises: a concave part-spherical recess on the mounting platform, a hollow projection on the mirror carrier having a part-spherical outer surface dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the recess, a part-spherical inner surface, and a diametrically oriented slot, a stem secured to the mounting platform so as to project from the centre of the recess and having a T-shaped crosshead dimensioned to pass through the slot when aligned therewith and to engage with the part-spherical inner surface of the hollow projection when aligned transversely to the slot, thereby to prevent separation of the mirror carrier from the mounting platform, and anti-rotation means engageable between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform to prevent relative angular movement between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform about said stem, said anti-rotation means includes a lever having a first coupling connecting it to the mounting platform and a second coupling connecting it to the mirror carrier, one of said first and second couplings allowing relative angular movement between said lever and one of said mounting platform and said mirror carrier only about a first pivot axis and the other of said couplings comprising a slider engaging in an elongated track which extends perpendicular to said first pivot axis, said slider also allowing angular movement between said lever and the other of said mounting platform and said mirror carrier relative to said track both about an axis parallel to said first pivot axis and about an axis parallel to said track. 3. A rear view mirror according to 4. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising a case containing a mounting platform, a reflective member mounted on a mirror carrier, a pivot joint for pivotally supporting the mirror carrier on the mounting platform for angular movement relative to the case, and retention means for retaining the reflective member in a desired orientation relative to the case, wherein the pivot joint comprises: a concave part-spherical recess on the mounting platform, a hollow projection on the mirror carrier having a part-spherical outer surface dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the recess, a part-spherical inner surface, and a diametrically oriented slot, a stem secured to the mounting platform so as to project from the centre of the recess and having a T-shaped crosshead dimensioned to pass through the slot when aligned therewith and to engage with the part-spherical inner surface of the hollow projection when aligned transversely to the slot, thereby to prevent separation of the mirror carrier from the mounting platform, and anti-rotation means engageable between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform to prevent relative angular movement between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform about said stem, said reflective member is secured to a backing plate having an annular flange, said mirror carrier includes a flange, said annular flange being snap fitted to said flange on the mirror carrier. 5. A rear view mirror according to 6. A rear view mirror according to 7. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle, comprising: a case containing a mounting platform, a backing plate having an annular flange, a reflective member mounted on the backing plate, a mirror carrier having a convex annular flange, a pivot joint for pivotally supporting the mirror carrier on the mounting platform for angular movement relative to the case, and retention means for retaining the reflective member in a desired orientation relative to the case, the annular flange on the backing plate being snap fitted on the annular flange on the mirror carrier. 8. A rear view mirror according to 9. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising a case containing a mounting platform, a reflective member mounted on a mirror carrier, a pivot joint for pivotally supporting the mirror carrier on the mounting platform for angular movement relative to the case, and a retainer mechanism retaining the reflective member in a desired orientation relative to the case, wherein the pivot joint comprises: a concave part-spherical recess on the mounting platform, a hollow projection on the mirror carrier having a part-spherical outer surface dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the recess, a part-spherical inner surface, and a diametrically oriented slot, a stem secured to the mounting platform so as to project from the center of the recess and having a T-shaped crosshead dimensioned to pass through the slot when aligned therewith and to engage with the part-spherical inner surface of the hollow projection when aligned transversely to the slot, thereby to prevent separation of the mirror carrier from the mounting platform, and an anti-rotation mechanism engageable between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform to prevent relative angular movement between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform about the stem. 10. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising a case containing a mounting platform, a reflective member mounted on a mirror carrier, a pivot joint for pivotally supporting the mirror carrier on the mounting platform for angular movement relative to the case, and a retainer mechanism retaining the reflective member in a desired orientation relative to the case, wherein the pivot joint comprises: a concave part-spherical recess on the mounting platform, a hollow projection on the mirror carrier having a part-spherical outer surface dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the recess, a part-spherical inner surface, and a diametrically oriented slot, a stem secured to the mounting platform so as to project from the center of the recess and having a T-shaped crosshead dimensioned to pass through the slot when aligned therewith and to engage with the part-spherical inner surface of the hollow projection when aligned transversely to the slot, thereby to prevent separation of the mirror carrier from the mounting platform, and an anti-rotation mechanism engageable between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform to prevent relative angular movement between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform about the stem, the anti-rotation mechanism includes a lever having a first coupling connecting it to the mounting platform and a second coupling connecting it to the mirror carrier, one of the first and second couplings allowing relative angular movement between the lever and one of the mounting platform and the mirror carrier only about a first pivot axis and the other of the couplings comprising a slider engaging in an elongated track which extends perpendicular to the first pivot axis, the slider also allowing angular movement between the lever and the other of the mounting platform and the mirror carrier relative to the track both about an axis parallel to the first pivot axis and about an axis parallel to the track. 11. A rear view mirror according to 12. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising a case containing a mounting platform, a reflective member mounted on a mirror carrier, a pivot joint for pivotally supporting the mirror carrier on the mounting platform for angular movement relative to the case, and a retainer mechanism retaining the reflective member in a desired orientation relative to the case, wherein the pivot joint comprises: a concave part-spherical recess on the mounting platform, a hollow projection on the mirror carrier having a part-spherical outer surface dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the recess, a part-spherical inner surface, and a diametrically oriented slot, a stem secured to the mounting platform so as to project from the center of the recess and having a T-shaped crosshead dimensioned to pass through the slot when aligned therewith and to engage with the part-spherical inner surface of the hollow projection when aligned transversely to the slot, thereby to prevent separation of the mirror carrier from the mounting platform, and an anti-rotation mechanism engageable between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform to prevent relative angular movement between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform about the stem, the reflective member is secured to a backing plate having an annular flange, the mirror carrier includes a flange, the annular flange being snap fitted to the flange on the mirror carrier. 13. A rear view mirror according to 14. A rear view mirror according to 15. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising: a case containing a mounting platform, a backing plate having an annular flange, a reflective member mounted on the backing plate, a mirror carrier having a convex annular flange, a pivot joint for pivotally supporting the mirror carrier on the mounting platform for angular movement relative to the case, and a retainer mechanism retaining the reflective member in a desired orientation relative to the case, the annular flange on the backing plate being snap fitted on the annular flange on the mirror carrier. 16. A rear view mirror according to 17. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising a case containing a mounting platform, a reflective member mounted on a mirror carrier, a pivot joint for pivotally supporting the mirror carrier on the mounting platform for angular movement relative to the case, and a retainer mechanism for retaining the reflective member in a desired orientation relative to the case, wherein the pivot joint comprises: a concave part-spherical recess on the mounting platform, a hollow projection on the mirror carrier having a part-spherical outer surface dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the recess, a part-spherical inner surface, and a diametrically oriented slot, a stem secured to the mounting platform so as to project from the center of the recess and having a T-shaped crosshead dimensioned to pass through the slot when aligned therewith and to engage with the part-spherical inner surface of the hollow projection when aligned transversely to the slot, thereby to prevent separation of the mirror carrier from the mounting platform, and an anti-rotation coupling mechanism engageable between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform to prevent relative angular movement between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform about the stem. 18. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising a case containing a mounting platform, a reflective member mounted on a mirror carrier, a pivot joint for pivotally supporting the mirror carrier on the mounting platform for angular movement relative to the case, and a retainer mechanism for retaining the reflective member in a desired orientation relative to the case, wherein the pivot joint comprises: a concave part-spherical recess on the mounting platform, a hollow projection on the mirror carrier having a part-spherical outer surface dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the recess, a part-spherical inner surface, and a diametrically oriented slot, a stem secured to the mounting platform so as to project from the center of the recess and having a T-shaped crosshead dimensioned to pass through the slot when aligned therewith and to engage with the part-spherical inner surface of the hollow projection when aligned transversely to the slot, thereby to prevent separation of the mirror carrier from the mounting platform, and an anti-rotation coupling mechanism engageable between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform to prevent relative angular movement between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform about the stem, the anti-rotation coupling mechanism includes a lever having a first coupling connecting it to the mounting platform and a second coupling connecting it to the mirror carrier, one of the first and second couplings allowing relative angular movement between the lever and one of the mounting platform and the mirror carrier only about a first pivot axis and the other of the couplings comprising a slider engaging in an elongated track which extends perpendicular to the first pivot axis, the slider also allowing angular movement between the lever and the other of the mounting platform and the mirror carrier relative to the track both about an axis parallel to the first pivot axis and about an axis parallel to the track. 19. A rear view mirror according to 20. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising a case containing a mounting platform, a reflective member mounted on a mirror carrier, a pivot joint for pivotally supporting the mirror carrier on the mounting platform for angular movement relative to the case, and a retainer mechanism for retaining the reflective member in a desired orientation relative to the case, wherein the pivot joint comprises: a concave part-spherical recess on the mounting platform, a hollow projection on the mirror carrier having a part-spherical outer surface dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the recess, a part-spherical inner surface, and a diametrically oriented slot, a stem secured to the mounting platform so as to project from the center of the recess and having a T-shaped crosshead dimensioned to pass through the slot when aligned therewith and to engage with the part-spherical inner surface of the hollow projection when aligned transversely to the slot, thereby to prevent separation of the mirror carrier from the mounting platform, and an anti-rotation coupling mechanism engageable between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform to prevent relative angular movement between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform about the stem, the reflective member is secured to a backing plate having an annular flange, the mirror carrier includes a flange, the annular flange being snap fitted to the flange on the mirror carrier. 21. A rear view mirror according to 22. A rear view mirror according to 23. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising: a case containing a mounting platform, a backing plate having an annular flange, a reflective member mounted on the backing plate, a mirror carrier having a convex annular flange, a pivot joint for pivotally supporting the mirror carrier on the mounting platform for angular movement relative to the case, and a retainer mechanism for retaining the reflective member in a desired orientation relative to the case, the annular flange on the backing plate being snap fitted on the annular flange on the mirror carrier. 24. A rear view mirror according to 25. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising: a case containing a mounting platform, a backing plate having at least one rib member and at least one flange member, a reflective member mounted on the backing plate, and a mirror carrier having a shoulder portion and a convex flange member, the at least one flange member on the backing plate being snap fitted on the convex flange on the mirror carrier and the at least one rib member on the backing plate engages the shoulder portion of the mirror carrier during snap fitting. 26. The rear view mirror of 27. The rear view mirror of 28. The rear view mirror of 29. The rear view mirror of 30. The rear view mirror of 31. The rear view mirror of 32. The rear view mirror of 33. The rear view mirror of 34. The rear view mirror of 35. The rearview mirror of 36. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising: a case containing a mounting platform, a backing plate having at least one rib member and at least one flange member, a reflective member mounted on the backing plate, and a mirror carrier having a shoulder portion and a convex flange member, the at least one flange member on the backing plate being snap fitted on the convex flange on the mirror carrier and the at least one rib member on the backing plate engages the shoulder portion of the mirror carrier during snap fitting, wherein the at least one rib member of the backing plate annularly engages the shoulder portion of the mirror carrier, wherein the at least one flange member of the backing plate annularly engages the convex flange member of the mirror carrier. 37. The rear view mirror of 38. The rear view mirror of 39. The rear view mirror of 40. The rear view mirror of 41. The rear view mirror of 42. The rear view mirror of 43. The rear view mirror of 44. The rear view mirror of 45. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising: a case containing a mounting platform, a backing plate having at least one rib member and at least one flange member, a reflective member mounted on the backing plate, and a mirror carrier having a shoulder portion and a convex flange member, the at least one flange member on the backing plate being snap fitted on the convex flange on the mirror carrier and the at least one rib member on the backing plate engages the shoulder portion of the mirror carrier during snap fitting, wherein the shoulder portion of the mirror carrier is positioned radially inboard of an outermost surface of the convex flange member of the mirror carrier, wherein the convex flange member of the mirror carrier is positioned radially outboard of an outermost surface of the shoulder portion of the mirror carrier. 46. The rear view mirror of 47. The rear view mirror of 48. The rear view mirror of 49. The rear view mirror of 50. The rear view mirror of 51. The rear view mirror of 52. The rear view mirror of 53. The rear view mirror of 54. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising: a case containing a mounting portion; a backing plate including an annular flange and an engagement rib portion; a reflective member attached to the backing plate; and a mirror carrier including a convex outer portion and having a radially extending engagement surface, the convex outer portion nesting into the annular flange in the mirror carrier, and the backing plate being held together by a snap fit at an outer periphery of the convex outer portion; the snap fit causing engagement between the engagement surface and the engagement rib portion during snap fitting of the backing plate onto the mirror carrier. 55. The rear view mirror of 56. The rear view mirror of 57. The rear view mirror of 58. The rear view mirror of 59. The rear view mirror of 60. The rear view mirror of 61. The rear view mirror of 62. The rear view mirror of 63. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising: a case containing a mounting platform, a backing plate having at least one rib member and at least one flange member, a reflective member mounted on the backing plate, and a mirror carrier having a shoulder portion and a convex flange member, the at least one flange member on the backing plate being snap fitted on the convex flange on the mirror carrier and the at least one rib member on the backing plate engages the shoulder portion of the mirror carrier during snap fitting, wherein the mirror carrier includes a socket for receiving a ball end of a jacking member used to adjust the angular orientation of the mirror carrier, wherein the mirror carrier includes a mirror drive mechanism comprising a pair of motors, a pair of sockets attached to the carrier, a pair of jacking members having a ball end portion for engaging the sockets, and a pair of motors operatively coupled to the jacking member for driving the mirror carrier to adjust the angle of the reflective member, wherein the jacking members are jacking screws, an element on the mirror carrier having a concave hemispherical surface which pivotally seats in a concentric mating surface formed in a portion of the mounting portion for providing pivoting of the mirror carrier, wherein the mounting portion includes at least one pillar extending therefrom and the mirror drive mechanism is mounted to the mounting portion by securing the drive mechanism to the pillar, wherein the mounting portion includes three pillars and the drive mechanism is mounted to the three pillars, wherein the sockets are attached to a side parallel to but opposite of the reflective member, wherein the drive mechanism is mounted to the pillars using screws. Descripción This invention relates to a rear view mirror for a motor vehicle of the type comprising a case containing a mounting platform, a reflective member mounted on a mirror carrier, a pivot joint for pivotally supporting the mirror carrier on the mounting platform for angular movement relative to the case, and retention means for retaining the reflective member in a desired orientation relative to the case. The invention is particularly but not exclusively applicable to a rear view mirror in which the retention means comprise drive means for adjusting the orientation of the reflective member. For example the drive means may be a unit housed within the mounting platform and having electric motors driving jacking screws, as described in EP-A-0272047. It is an object of the invention to provide a rear view mirror of the above type in which the mirror carrier and the pivot joint are constructed so as to facilitate manufacture. According to the invention, in one aspect, in a rearview mirror of the type described above, the pivot joint comprises: a concave part-spherical recess on the mounting platform, a hollow projection on the mirror carrier having a part-spherical outer surface dimensioned to be a sliding fit in the recess, a part-spherical inner surface, and a diametrically oriented slot, a stem secured to the mounting platform so as to project from the center of the recess and having a T-shaped crosshead dimensioned to pass through the slot when aligned therewith and to engage with the part-spherical inner surface of the hollow projection when aligned transversely to the slot, thereby to prevent separation of the mirror carrier from the mounting platform, and anti-rotation means engageable between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform to prevent relative angular movement between the mirror carrier and the mounting platform about said stem. According to the invention, in another aspect, in a rearview mirror of the type described above, the reflective member is secured to a backing plate having an annular flange adapted to be a snap fit on a corresponding flange on the periphery of the mirror carrier. Referring to A pair of jacking screws 22 (one of which is visible in As can be seen in Referring to Turning to If the mirror carrier 20 is turned through 900 90° relative to the housing 12, to the orientation illustrated in As can be seen in In order to retain the mirror carrier 20 in the orientation shown in During assembly, the mirror carrier 20 is first assembled on the housing 12 as described above. When the mirror carrier 20 has been turned to the orientation shown in Citas de patentes
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