MIRROR POSITION INDICATOR FOR EXTERNAL SIDE REAR-VIEW
MIRROR
Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an outer rear view mirror assembly, particularly, the present invention relates to a control lever sub-assembly of mechanical external side rear-view mirror assembly operable by plurality of control cables, more particularly, the present invention relates to a control lever sub-assembly with a mirror position indicator mechanism.
Background of invention
In automobiles and other vehicles, an outer or external side rear-view mirror has been incorporated to view the rearward of the vehicle by the driver. The mirror can be adjusted by the driver or co-driver as per requirement of the driver for viewing the better rearward vision. The adjustment of mirror can be performed manually through a lever from interior of the vehicle in case of cable controlled outer rear view mirror. Figure 1 illustrates an existing/conventional control lever which is mounted over a mounting plate for setting/adjusting position of the rear-view mirror as required by the driver. In case, when the setting/adjustment of the mirror is disturbed from the required positing, the driver is required to reset it for viewing required field of vision. In another case, whether co-driver or any other driver has to drive the same vehicle, he has to change the said mirror position as per his requirement. Therefore, there is always a problem of resetting/adjustment of mirror position associated with the prior art control lever of outer rear view mirror.
In yet another case, setting or adjustment of the rear-view mirror is always co-drivers side rear view mirror is quiet a tedious task for the driver. Either the driver has to bend towards the lever located at co-driver's side for the required setting or the driver has to request to co-driver to set the required position of mirror of co-driver's side. Hence, there is always an implicit need to develop an assembly which can resolve the said problems of
resetting the mirror position through control lever of outer rear view mirror faced by end users.
Objects of present invention:
The main object of the present invention is to provide a control lever sub-assembly for external side rear-view mirror assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism of mirror position indicator which assists the driver to adjust the mirror position quickly and easily. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a control lever sub-assembly with a mirror position indicator mechanism for mirror adjustment of the external rear-view mirror assembly.
Summary of invention:
The present invention provides a control lever sub-assembly for actuating/adjusting mirror of rear-view mirror assembly provided externally and on the sides of the motor vehicle. An embodiment of the present invention provides a construction of control lever sub-assembly which has a provision of an indicator mechanism indicating and storing the desired mirror position.
Brief Description of the figures:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the existing control lever sub-assembly adjusting
mirror of external side rear view mirror assembly.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of external rear view mirror assembly with control
lever sub-assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 3(a) and 3(b) illustrate exploded view of control lever sub-assembly according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows top view of control lever sub-assembly according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
Figures 5 (a) and 5(b) show a sectional view taken along A-A plane of the top view
control lever sub-assembly shown in figure 4 according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 6 illustrates assembled view of control lever sub-assembly according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates detailed view of control lever sub-assembly shown in figure 6 of the
present invention.
Figure 8 shows the position of the control lever sub-assembly of the present invention
when mirror rotated to one of extreme ends.
Figure 9 (a) and 9(b) illustrate a sectional view, taken at B-B plane, of control lever sub
assembly shown in figure 8.
Detailed description of the present invention:
Accordingly, the present invention provides a control lever sub-assembly for actuating external side rear-view mirror assembly of a motor vehicle, said control lever subassembly comprising:
a control lever comprising a handle portion and an end portion connected with the rear-view mirror assembly through plurality of cables;
an elongated lever housing comprising a first end and a second end; said first end of the housing is provided with an opening for receiving the said end portion of the control lever inside the housing;
a supporting means accommodated/provided inside the housing for supporting said end portion of the control lever so as to form a universal connection with the said end portion; a circular flange provided around said end portion of the control lever, and disposed outside the housing when the said end portion is received in the said housing; edge of the said flange extends so as to connect with the said handle portion thereby forming a casing disposed between the handle portion and the end portion; said casing comprises at least one window and a pointer mounted on to the said circular flange;
a lens secured to the housing and extends through the said window inside the casing so that the said pointer pin is visible for all angles of rotation or swivel of control lever.
In an embodiment of the present invention the said second end of the housing is secured with a mounting frame of the side rear-view mirror assembly.
In another embodiment of the present invention the end portion of the control lever is in the form of a ball shaped element and the supporting means is in the form of a support plate having a recess for accommodating the said ball shaped element thereby forming a universal ball joint connecting the control lever universally with the housing.
In still another embodiment of the present invention the supporting means is in the form a rib and the end portion of the control lever has a recess with tapered walls or inverted V shape recess for receiving the said rib thereby forming a universal connection between the control lever and the housing.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention a rubber grommet is disposed between the housing and cutout provided on interior of the vehicle.
In a further embodiment of the present invention the lens is snap fitted with the said housing.
In a further more embodiment of the present invention the lens is provided with one or more marking indicative of one or more positions of the said rear view mirror.
The present invention is described with reference to the figures and specific embodiments; this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various alternate embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that such alternative embodiments form part of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a control lever sub-assembly with indicator mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 2, the control lever subassembly is mounted over a mounting plate of outer or external side rear-view mirror assembly. The reflective part or mirror is assembled to mirror housing through mirror setting mechanism. The movement or adjustment of mirror is controlled by plurality of control cables which are connected with a control lever of the control lever sub assembly.
Figures 3 (a) and 3(b) illustrate an exploded view of the control lever sub-assembly showing different components of the control lever sub-assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 3, the control lever subassembly comprises a handle portion and an end portion. The end portion is connected with the rear-view mirror assembly through plurality of control cables. The control lever sub-assembly is comprises an elongated housing which has two ends i.e. first end and second end. The first end of the housing is provided with an opening for receiving the end portion of the control lever. As can be observed from figure 3, the end portion of the control lever is received in the opening co-axially. Top view of control lever subassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in figure 4.
The second end of the housing is mounted on the mounting frame of the side rear view mirror assembly which is provided in side the motor vehicle. In an embodiment of the present invention the end portion of the control lever forms a universal ball joint with the housing so that the handle can rotate/swivel about the universal ball joint thus formed between the said end portion and the housing.
Referring to figures 3(a), 3(b), 5(a) and 5(b), the end portion and the supporting means can be constructed in any suitable form so to make universal connection so that the lever can swivel with respect to the housing in 360° in the plane of the supporting means. In an embodiment of the present invention the end portion can be constructed to have a dumbbell shape having a ball element as shown in figures 3(a) and 5(a). The ball element of the said end portion can be supported on a supporting means which is in the form of a plate provided with a recess for receiving the said ball shaped element thereby forming a universal ball joint between the control lever and the housing. Said supporting means can be an integrated portion with the housing. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the supporting means can be in the form of a rib accommodated in the housing and the end portion is provided with a recess having tapered wall or has an inverted 'V shape for receiving the said rib thereby the rib supports the end portion and connected the control lever universally with the housing as shown in figures 3(b) and 5(b). In other
words with this construction, the control lever can swivel 360° about the housing in the plane of the supporting means.
The control cables with outers arc connected with the end portion with the help of actuator and spring for retaining the lever under preloading condition. Other ends of the control cables remains connected with the rotating/movable part of the mirror rear-view mirror assembly over which mirror is mounted.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the end portion of the control lever is provided with circular flange which remains outside the housing when the said end portion is received in the housing. Edge of the said flange extends in substantially perpendicular direction and connects with the handle portion thereby forming a casing which is disposed between the said handle portion and the said end portion. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the casing is a separate element on which handle portion and the end portion are joined. As can be clearly understood from figures 3 to 5, the swiveling of control lever also moves/swivels the casing and the flange.
Referring to figures 3 to 5, the casing is provided with at least one window. Alternatively, the edge of the circular flange extends in such a manner so as to form a partial casing. A lens connected with the housing and extends through the said window inside the casing with a clearance disposed between the lens and the casing for all angles of rotation/ swivel of the handle portion. Therefore, any movement of casing causes relative movement of lens in and out of the casing. As can be clearly understood, the expression 'relatively' has significance as lens is secured with the housing and does not move; it's the casing which moves/swivels over/around the lens. As shown in figure 5. the lens can be snap locked with the housing
As shown in figure 5 (a), a pointer pin is mounted onto the circular flange and for better fitment good quality of adhesive can be applied there between.
Referring to figure 5 (a), a pointer pin of black or dark shade or any other clearly visible shade is inserted on the flange portion of the casing. The pointer pin is located in such a manner so that it is always below the lens and remains visible even at any extreme point of rotation/swivel of the control lever. As can be clearly observed, any change in mirror position due to the actuation through control lever can be translated and or identified into change in position of pointer pin visible through lens.
The housing of existing/conventional control lever sub-assembly was not of sufficient height to incorporate the lens and therefore, a novel construction of control lever subassembly is required for incorporating the lens and a position pointer. Moreover, resultant diameter of the control lever has been considerably increased due to incorporation of lens on the housing. Therefore, larger diameter cutout is required in the interior wall of the vehicle as compared to the cutout available for conventional/existing control lever subassembly in the interior wall of the vehicle. But problem with increase in cutout is that the housing diameter is less vis-a-vis the diameter of cutout and therefore a large hollow-space appears. As shown in figure 6, the above said problem has been eliminated in the present invention by providing a circular rubber grommet between the housing and interior wall of the vehicle. The gripping of said grommet is sufficient enough to sustain the vehicle vibration.
Referring to figure 7, a detailed view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention in which the mirror position can be stored. For example, a first driver can sec the mirror position pointer through the transparent lens at any point of rotation/swivel of mirror. There will be definitely a most desirable position of mirror for that particular vehicle. If the first driver wants to store his/her desired mirror position, the same can be stored with the help of pasting/affixing a circular sticker over the lens at the centre of pointer pin as shown in figure 7. Furthermore, if another driver or a second driver drives the same vehicle and changes the mirror position, he can also store his desired position by pasting/affixing another color circular sticker at the centre of mirror position pointer. In addition if the first has to drive the same vehicle, he can retrieve his desired mirror
position. Alternatively, the lens can be provided with one or markings indicative of position of mirror.
Referring to figures 8 and 9 (a) (b), the pointer pin is located so as to always present within the area of lens at any extreme point of rotation of mirror. As shown in figure 8 and 9, the pointer pin is visible through lens at an extreme angle of rotation/swivel of the control lever.
The present invention is also very useful for the co-driver's side rear view mirror where maneuver of lever knob is very difficult. The drivers can store their desired mirror position by pasting different colored stickers over the lens and retrieve their desired mirror position at any time without any extra efforts.

We Claim:
1. A control lever sub-assembly for actuating external side rear-view mirror assembly of a
motor vehicle, said control lever sub-assembly comprising:
a control lever comprising a handle portion and an end portion connected with the rear-view mirror assembly through plurality of cables;
an elongated lever housing comprising a first end and a second end; said first end of the housing is provided with an opening for receiving the said end portion of the control lever inside the housing;
a supporting means accommodated/provided inside the housing for supporting said end portion of the control lever so as to form a universal connection with the said end portion; a circular flange provided around said end portion of the control lever, and disposed outside the housing when the said end portion is received in the said housing; edge of the said flange extends so as to connect with the said handle portion thereby forming a casing disposed between the handle portion and the end portion; said casing comprises at least one window and a pointer mounted on to the said circular flange;
a lens secured to the housing and extends through the said window inside the casing so that the said pointer pin is visible for all angles of rotation or swivel of control lever.
2. A control lever sub-assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said second end of the housing is secured with a mounting frame of side rear view mirror assembly.
3. A control lever sub-assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end portion of the control lever is in the form of a ball shaped element and the supporting means is in the form of a support plate having a recess for accommodating the said ball shaped element thereby forming a universal ball joint connecting the control lever universally with the housing.
4. A control lever sub-assembly as claimed in claim 1,wherein the supporting means is in the form a rib and the end portion of the control lever has a recess with tapered walls or
inverted V shape recess for receiving the said rib thereby forming a universal connection between the control lever and the housing.
5. A control lever sub-assembly as claimed in claims 1-4, wherein a rubber grommet is disposed between the housing and cutout provided on interior of the vehicle.
6. A control lever sub-assembly as claimed in claims 1-5, wherein the lens is snap fitted with the said housing.
7. A control lever sub-assembly as claimed in claims 1-6, wherein the lens is provided with one or more marking indicative of one or more positions of the said rear view mirror.
8. A control lever sub-assembly for actuating side rear-view mirror substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings.