External vehicle mirror and method for manufacture
US6896378B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 5, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 3, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S248/90
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
This invention relates to a mirror head (10) for an external vehicle mirror that comprises a load carrying structure (11) that is located within the mirror head, a connector (16) on the load carrying structure (11) that connects the mirror head (10) with respect to the vehicle, a shell (12, 13, 14) forming the external surface of the mirror head (10) within which at least a portion of the load carrying structure (11) locates, said connector (16) being positioned to enable connection with respect to the vehicle, and foam within the internal cavity of the shell (12, 13, 14), that acts to bond the load carrying structure (11) with respect to the shell components (12, 13, 14). This assembly provides a lighter mirror head (10) by comparison to conventional construction techniques while at the same time remaining rigid. It provides a means whereby loads can be transferred to the foam which are in turn transferred to the external shell components (12, 13, 14) of the mirror head (10).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.