FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970 (39 OF 1970)
AND
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [See Section 10; Rule 13]
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
AN OUTER REAR VIEW MIRROR (ORVM) ASSEMBLY FOR A
VEHICLE
APPLICANT
TATA MOTORS LIMITED
an Indian company having its registered office
at Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001,
Maharashtra, India.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following Complete Specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an outer rear view mirror (ORVM) assembly of a vehicle, and more particularly relates to the mounting reinforcement structures for supporting the outer rear view mirror (ORVM) assembly of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, an ORVM is connected to the vehicle to enable the driver or the passenger to view the rear side of the vehicle. The ORVM is directly fitted to the metal inner panel or the A column of the vehicle. Apart from the constructional perspective, the metal inner panel also serves certain functions like sheltering, hiding or covering the mechanism required for ORVM operation, metal and wiring. This A-column-side region of the driver's or passenger's door of a car is a particularly sensitive area, and therefore positioning of different parts of the ORVM assembly is very critical. Currently ORVM is fitted onto the inner panel or bolted to the inner panel, as a result, due to sensitive nature of the inner panel, the flexibility of angling the ORVM is compromised. Thereby, limiting the scope on the design parameters for ORVM placement, and so the ORVM can be attached only at a particular angle with respect to the door of the vehicle. Thus, no angular flexibility can be achieved due to sensitive nature of the inner panel of the door.
Further, the sensitive nature of the inner panel also results in reduction of mounting options. As a result in case the ORVM panel includes a knob for adjusting the ORVM, the same is mounted on the door trim instead of inner panel of the door, thereby causing load on the door trim. Also, with the continuous use of the vehicle, often rattling starts due to the mounting of the door trim. This is due to lack of any mounting provision on inner panel due to its sensitive nature.

US Patent application No. US20090134304A1 tries to solve the above problem by creating an exterior mirror foot on which the exterior mirror is fitted. In order to insert the exterior mirror foot into the insertion channel, which is created in the vehicle door to insert the exterior mirror foot. The outer skin of the vehicle door is also provided with a corresponding passage opening which is disposed in such a manner that it is aligned with the insertion channel, thereby fixing the exterior mirror to the vehicle door via clamping device. Even though, the US document provides a solution for mounting the ORVM with a reinforcing structure, but the reinforcing structure requires major changes on the vehicle door and also effects the outer door skin of the vehicle.
Therefore, the problem to solve is to provide a support to the sensitive inner panel of the door to enable mounting of ORVM assembly and other parts of the vehicle without damaging sensitive inner panel or A column, and the problem is solved in the present invention by the ORVM assembly that includes an inner panel with an inner surface and an outer surface such that the ORVM is attached with the outer surface and a reinforcement structure is attached with the inner surface in a way that the first through hole of the reinforcing structure receives one of the protrusions of the ORVM passing through the opening of the inner surface and bolted, thereby attaching the ORVM to the inner panel of the vehicle.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a reinforcing structure for ORVM assembly to provide styling options to the vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a reinforcing structure for ORVM assembly that incorporates many components for attachment to an inner panel of the vehicle door like door trim and knob.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention discloses an outer rear view mirror (ORVM) assembly for a vehicle comprising a front door having an inner panel with an outer surface and an inner surface and a plurality of openings formed on said inner panel; an ORVM having plurality of protrusions extending through said openings of said inner panel, said ORVM attached to said outer surface of said inner panel; and a reinforcing structure having a first through hole and attached to said inner surface of said inner panel, wherein said first through hole of said reinforcing structure receives one of said plurality of protrusions passing through said opening of inner panel of said front door.
In an embodiment of the present invention the reinforcing structure includes a second through hole analogous to the opening of said inner panel for connecting said reinforcing structure with said inner panel.
In an embodiment of the present invention the reinforcement structure includes a third through hole on a protruded surface to receive a door trim.
In an embodiment of the present invention the reinforcement structure is connected to an ORVM inner panel on a first side of said reinforcement structure opposite to said inner panel.
In an embodiment of the present invention the reinforcement structure connects with said ORVM inner panel through rib lock mechanism.
In an embodiment of the present invention the reinforced structure connects with said ORVM inner panel through a first tongue groove mechanism.

In an embodiment of the present invention the door trim connects with said ORVM inner panel through a second tongue groove mechanism.
In an embodiment of the present invention the ORVM inner panel includes a first opening to receive a knob to move said ORVM.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
FIG. 1a illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting perspective view of an ORVM assembly on the vehicle door
FIG. 1b illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting exploded view of an ORVM assembly on the vehicle door
FIG. 1c illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting inner view of the enforcing structure that receives an ORVM inner panel
FIG. 1d illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting outer view of the enforcing structure that receives inner panel of the vehicle door
FIG. 2a illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting exploded view of the ORVM assembly with ORVM and the inner panel of the door

FIG. 2b illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting side view of the ORVM assembly with ORVM screwed on the inner panel of the door
FIG. 3a illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting side view of the ORVM assembly with reinforcing structure mounted on inner panel of the door
FIG. 3b illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting side view of the ORVM assembly with reinforcing structure screwed on inner panel of the door with screw 3a and 3b
FIG. 3c illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting perspective view of screwing 3a between reinforcing structure and the inner panel of the door
FIG. 3d illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting perspective view of screwing 3b between reinforcing structure and the inner panel of the door
FIG. 4a illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting perspective view of the reinforcing structure with the door trim
FIG. 4b illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting perspective view of 4a i.e. the second through hole of reinforcing structure that receives the door trim
FIG. 4c illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting perspective view of 4a
FIG. 5a illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting perspective view of the ORVM inner panel with door trim and reinforcing structure

FIG. 5b illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting inner side view of the reinforcing structure to receive ORVM inner panel with rib lock mechanisms 5a.1-5a.3 and tongue groove mechanism 5b
FIG. 5c illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting inner view of the door trim to receive tongue of ORVM inner panel i.e. tongue opening mechanism 5c
FIG. 5d illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting side view rib lock mechanisms 5a.1 – 5a.3
FIG. 5e illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting side view of first tongue groove mechanisms 5b when the ORVM inner panel is not connected with reinforcing structure
FIG. 5f illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting side view of first tongue groove mechanisms 5b when the ORVM inner panel is connected with reinforcing structure
FIG. 5g illustrates an embodiment of the present invention depicting side view of second tongue groove mechanisms 5c
Referral Numeral:

Description Reference Numeral
Inner Panel 1
Inner surface 1a
Opening 1b
ORVM 2
Mirror 2c

Fixation/Screwing ORVM 2a and 2b
with inner panel
Protrusion 2d
Reinforcing structure 3
Fixation/Screwing reinforcing 3a
structure with ORVM though
inner panel
Fixation/Screwing reinforcing 3b
structure with inner panel
First side 3c
Second side 3d
First through hole 3e
Second through hole 3f
Third through hole 3g
Door trim 4
Fixation/Screwing door trim 4a
with reinforcing structure
ORVM inner panel 5
Rib lock mechanisms between 5a.1, 5a.2 and 5a.3
ORVM inner panel and
reinforcing structure
First Tongue groove 5b
mechanism between ORVM
inner panel and reinforcing
structure
Second Tongue groove 5c
mechanism between ORVM
inner panel and door trim
First opening 5d
Knob 6

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
An embodiment of the present invention discloses an outer rear view mirror (ORVM) assembly, which is usually mounted on the front doors of the vehicle. The ORVM (2) includes a mirror (2c) that enables the driver or passenger of the vehicle to see the rear view of the vehicle. The ORVM assembly comprises of inner panel (1) of the front door, a reinforcing structure (3), ORVM inner panel (5) and the knob (6) for controlling the ORVM (2).
As shown in Fig. 1a, the ORVM (1) is mounted on the exterior of the side door of the vehicle. The inner panel (1) of the side door is sandwiched between the ORVM (2) and the ORVM inner panel (5). The ORVM inner panel (5) is connected with a knob (6) or houses a knob (6) for controlling the mirror (2c) of the ORVM (2).

As shown in Fig. 1b, the ORVM assembly includes a reinforcing structure (3) sandwiched between the ORVM inner panel (5) and the inner panel (1) of the side door. The inner panel (1)) of the side door includes an outer surface and an inner surface (1a). The outer surface of the inner panel (1) is attached with the ORVM
(2) i.e. the ORVM (2) is mounted on the outer surface of the inner panel (1). As
seen from the exploded view of the ORVM assembly in Fig. 1b, the ORVM (2)
includes plurality of protrusions (2d) and the inner panel (1) includes plurality of
openings (1b). The protrusions (2d)) passes through the openings (1b) to attach
the ORVM (2) with the outer surface of the inner panel (1). The protrusions (2d)
are bolted once they passes through the openings (1b). The inner surface (1a) of
the inner panel (1) is attached with the first side (3c) of the reinforcing structure
(3) to support the load of the ORVM (2). The reinforcing structure (3) also
receives ORVM inner panel (5) and a part of the door trim (4) for providing a
clear, clean and artistic appearance to the vehicle, as the reinforcing structure (3)
remains within the ORVM inner panel (5). Further, the reinforcing structure (3)
also includes provision to receive door trim (4), which supports door trim (4) and
avoids issue of door trim fixation or rattling with the door. This also helps in
reducing outer noise and vibrations. The ORVM inner panel (5) includes a first
opening (5d) to receive a knob (6). The knob (6) controls the movement of the
mirror (2c) of the ORVM (2) as desired by the driver or the passenger of the
vehicle.
As shown in Fig. 1c and 1d, the reinforcing structure (3) includes a plurality of provision to receive different parts of the ORVM assembly. The first side (3c) of the reinforcing structure (3) shows different provisions to receive ORVM inner panel (5) and the door trim (4), as shown in Fig. 1c. Fig. 1d on the other hand discloses a second side (3d), which is attached or which receives the inner panel (1) of the door to support ORVM (2). The first through hole (3e) and the second through hole (3f) are formed on the reinforcement structure (3) to receive and attach with the inner panel (1). The reinforcement structure (3) also includes a

third through hole (3g) on a protruded surface to receive a door trim (4), as shown in Fig. 1c.
As shown in Fig. 2a and 2b, the plurality of protrusions (2d) from the ORVM (2) passes through the openings (1b) of the inner panel (1) shown as fixing/screwing ( 2a & 2b) and bolted or screwed on the inner surface (1a) of the inner panel (1) to ensure attachment of the inner panel (1) with the ORVM (2).
As shown in Fig. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d, the reinforcing structure (3) receives the inner surface (1a) of the inner panel (1) and gets attached to the inner panel (1). One of the protrusions (2d) from the ORVM (2) passes through the opening (1b) of the inner panel (1) and also through the reinforcing structure (3), as seen in Fig 3b as screwing (3a), i.e. the first through hole (3e) of the reinforcing structure (3) receives the protrusion (2d) after passing through the opening (1b) of the inner panel (1) and thereafter the ORVM (2), inner panel (1) and the reinforcement structure (3) gets screwed (3a) or bolted together. The second through hole (3f) and the opening (1b) of the inner panel (1) are screwed together without the protrusion (2d) of the ORVM (2), as seen in Fig 3(b) and Fig. 3(d) as screwing/fixation (3b). Thus, only one protrusion (2d) passes through inner panel (1) and reinforcing structure (3) and then it is screwed (3a), as shown in Fig. 3c.
As shown in Fig. 4a, 4b and 4c, a door trim (4) is connected with the reinforcing structure (3). The third through hole (3g) of the reinforcing structure (3) is analogous to the opening on the door trim (4) as shown in Fig. 4b and 4c. The third through hole (3g) of the reinforcing structure (3) and the opening of the door trim (4) receives a nut or a screw to attach them together as seen in Fig 4c as joining or screwing/fixation (4a).
As shown in Fig. 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f and 5g, the first side (3c) of the reinforcing structure (3) includes provisions to receive and connect or attach with the ORVM inner panel (5). The reinforcing structure (3) and the ORVM inner panel (5) are

connected or attached by two mechanisms i.e. rib lock mechanism (5a.1, 5a.2, 5a.3) and first tongue lock mechanism (5b), as shown in Fig. 5b. The rib lock mechanism (5a.1, 5a.2, 5a.3) is shown in Fig. 5d, the first side (3c) of the reinforcing structure (3) includes for example three narrow cavity with flexible closures to which three libs like protruding structure are received and locked forming a lib lock mechanism (5a.1, 5a.2, 5a.3) as shown in Fig. 5d. Whereas, in first tongue lock mechanism (5b), as shown in Fig. 5b, a tongue shaped structure or a longitudinal protruding structure of the reinforcing structure (3) is received by a groove on the ORVM inner panel (5), as shown in Fig. 5e and 5f, wherein two positions are shown i.e. unlocked and locked respectively. In Fig. 5e, the tongue is not inserted into the groove and in Fig. 5f the tongue is inserted into the groove forming a first tongue groove mechanism (5b) as shown as 5b. Similarly, the ORVM inner panel (5) is also connected with door trim (4) as shown in Fig. 5c. The door trim (4) includes an opening or a groove to receive a tongue or a protruding structure of the ORVM inner panel (5), forming second tongue groove mechanism (5c) as shown in Fig. 5g, to enable proper mounting of door trim (4) with ORVM inner panel (5).

We Claim:
1. An outer rear view mirror (ORVM) assembly for a vehicle comprising:
a front door having an inner panel (1) with an outer surface and an inner
surface (1a) and a plurality of openings (1b) formed on said inner panel
(1);
an ORVM (2) having plurality of protrusions (2d) extending through said
openings (1b) of said inner panel (1), said ORVM (2) attached to said
outer surface of said inner panel (1); and
a reinforcing structure (3) having a first through hole (3e) and attached to
said inner surface (1a) of said inner panel (1),
wherein said first through hole (3e) of said reinforcing structure (3)
receives one of said plurality of protrusions (2d) passing through said
opening (1b) of inner panel (1) of said front door.
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reinforcing structure (3) includes a second through hole (3f) analogous to said opening (1b) of said inner panel (1) for connecting said reinforcing structure (3) with said inner panel (1).
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reinforcement structure (3) includes a third through hole (3g) on a protruded surface to receive a door trim (4).
4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said reinforcement structure (3) is connected to an ORVM inner panel (5) on a first side (3c) of said reinforcement structure (3) opposite to said inner panel (1).

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said reinforcement structure (3) connects with said ORVM inner panel (5) through a rib lock mechanism (5a.1, 5a.2, 5a.3).
6. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said reinforced structure (3) connects with said ORVM inner panel (5) through a first tongue groove mechanism (5b).
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said door trim (4) connects with said ORVM inner panel (5) through a second tongue groove mechanism (5c).
8. The assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein said ORVM inner panel (5)
includes a first opening (5d) to receive a knob (6) to move said ORVM
(2).