EXHIBIT 1108
`
`U.S. PATENT NO. 4,930,742, ISSUED TO SCHOFIELD ON JUNE 5, 1990
`
`("SCHOFIELD")
`
`TRW Automotive U.S. LLC: EXHIBIT 1108
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW
`OF U.S. PATENT NUMBER 8,599,001
`
`

`
`United States Patent [19]
`Schofield et al.
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,930,742
`Jun. 5, 1990
`
`[56]
`
`[75]
`
`[54] REARVffiW MIRROR AND ACCESSORY
`MOUNT FOR VEHICLES
`Inventors: Kenneth Schofield; William W.
`Gallmeyer; Theodore C. Zwiep, all of
`Holland, Mich.
`[73] Assignee: Donnelly Corporation, Holland,
`Mich.
`[21] Appl. No.: 173,307
`[22] Filed:
`Mar. 25, 1988
`Int. CI.S ................................................ A47F 7/14
`[51]
`[52] u.s. Cl •.............................. 248/475.1; 248/225.1;
`248/558; 350/631; 403/408.1
`[58] Field of Search .................. 248/467, 475.1, 225.1,
`248/222.1, 224.4, 558; 350/631; 403/388, 408.1
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`D. 231,769 6/1974 Searer eta!. .
`354,976 12/1986 Field .
`1,110,568 9/1914 Ogden .
`1,164,613 12/1915 Jewell .
`1,206,871 12/1916 Locke .
`1,353,253 9/1920 Livingston et al ..
`1,377,355 5/1921 Knapp .
`1,388,292 8/1921 Noisom .
`1,615,936 2/1927 Donovan .
`1,657,334 1/1928 Adams .
`1,667,545 4/1928 Goddard .
`1,761,393 6/1930 Hoegger .
`1,912,902 6/1933 Kramer .
`2,048,939 7/1936 Leathom .
`2,161,771 6/1939 Alexander .
`2,303,108 11/1942 Blackburn .
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`~51492 1/1956 Canada .
`523597 4/1956 Canada .
`468473 7/1914 France .
`617921 2/1927 _France.
`686239 7/1930 France .
`811385 4/1937 France .
`1311945 11/1962 France .
`2233826 -1/1975 France .
`478282 2/1953 Italy .
`
`58-185339 10/1983 Japan .
`933078 8/1963 United Kingdom .
`1008411 10/1965 United Kingdom .
`1020794 2/1966 United Kingdom .
`1053545 1/1967 United Kingdom .
`1053546 1/1967 United Kingdom .
`1387591 3/1975 United Kingdom .
`2046687A 11/1980 United Kingdom .
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Exhibit A-Photographs of General Motors wire cover
`Part N0:-16507661-it is believed this part has been on
`sale for more than one year in the United States.
`(List continued on next page.)
`Primary Examiner---,. David L. Talbott
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Price, Heneveld, Cooper,
`DeWitt & Litton
`[57]
`ABSTRACf
`A mounting adaptor is disclosed for removably secur(cid:173)
`ing an interior rearview mirror assembly to a mounting
`support on the inner surface of a vehicle window such
`as a windshield. The adaptor preferably has a recessed
`channel on one side for receiving a window mounting
`button and a projection on the opposite surface simulat(cid:173)
`ing a window mounting button for removably mounting
`a rearview mirror assembly. The projection may be
`shaped to receive the same or a different mirror assem(cid:173)
`bly channel mount as compared to the support on the
`window to allow conversion from one assembly to
`another without changing the window support. The
`adaptor may also include a support for a vehicular ac(cid:173)
`cessory such as a microphone, compass, headlight dim(cid:173)
`mer, light, moisture sensor, radar detector or the like.
`Such accessory is thus supported for convenient use by
`the driver or other vehicle occupant and in a highly
`advantageous operating position without interference
`with the rearview mirror, its replacement, interchange(cid:173)
`ability or adjustability. A wire cover may also be in(cid:173)
`cluded on the adaptor.
`An assembly combining a microphone and a support for
`mounting a rearview mirror adjacent a driver within a
`vehicle ·is also disclosed.
`20 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`1108-001
`
`

`
`4,930,742
`
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,405,912 8/1946 Tinnerman .
`2,414,223 1/1947 De Virgilis .
`2,417,269 3/1947 Robertson .
`2,428,649 10/1947 Brown .
`2,461,315 2/1949 De Virgilis .
`2,509,422 5/1950 Clapp .
`2,570,569 10/1951 Leathom .
`2,600,751 6/1952 Gazda .
`2,685,859 8/1954 Donnell .
`2,737,852 3/1956 Porter eta!. .
`2,884,478 4/1959 Becker et al ..
`3,006,048 10/1961 Windish .
`3,035,160 5/1962 Cleminshaw .
`3,104,830 9/1963 ·Rock .
`3,131,251 4/1964 Ryan .
`3,188,038 6/1965 Grout ............................... 248/222.1
`3,377,117 4/1968 Biscow .
`3,425,657 2/1969 Doyle .
`3,428,286 2/1969 Del Pesco .
`3,459,470 8/1969 Hahn .
`3,515,365 6/1970 Jones eta!. .
`3,534,938 10/1970 Jordan et al ..
`3,576,359 4/1971 Cesh .
`3,624,347 11/1971 Todd et a!. .
`3,711,632 1/1973 Ghirardi .
`3,778,537 12/1973 Miller .
`3,928,894 12/1975 Bury et a!. .
`4,033,245 7/1977 DeRees .
`4,039,818 8/1977 Hickman .
`4,094,591 6/1978 Lafont .
`4,096,349 6/1978 Donato .
`4,174,864 11/1979 Viertel eta!. .
`4,175,833 11/1979 Talbot .
`
`4,219,693 8/1980 French .
`4,245,874 1/1981 Bishop .
`4,254,931 3/1981 Aikens eta!. .
`4,384,167 5/1983 Nestor .
`4,443,831 4/1984 Godfrey et al ..
`4,498,738 2/1985 Kumai .
`4,588,267 5/1986 Pastore .
`4,591,956 5/1986 Majchrzak .
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Exhibit B-Photographs of Gentex wire clip-it is be(cid:173)
`lieved that this clip has been on sale in the United States
`for more than one year.
`Exhibit C-Photographs of a prototype wire cover
`structure developed by Donnelly Corporation, Hol(cid:173)
`land, Michigan and disclosed to General Motors/Chev(cid:173)
`rolet Truck on Mar. 13, 1986.
`Exhibit D-Drawings from co-pending patent applica(cid:173)
`tion Serial No. 07/021,636, filed Mar. 4, 1987 assigned
`to the common assignee, Donnelly Corporation, and
`illustrating various forms of a wire cover device
`adapted to extend from a rearview mirror mount to a
`vehicle interior headliner.
`Exhibit !-photographs and sample of a mirror mounting
`attachment sold by General Motors Corporation and
`believed to be first released by General Motors Service
`Parts Division on Jul. 9, 1987.
`Exhibit 11-photographs and sample of a mirror mount(cid:173)
`ing attachment manufactured and sold by Wink Corpo(cid:173)
`ration at least one year prior to the filing date of the
`present application, namely, Mar. 25, 1988.
`
`1108-002
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. s, 1990
`
`Sheet 1 of5
`
`4,930,742
`
`Ftg.l.
`
`/0
`
`~_&. 2.
`
`14
`7J ,z;.~.
`
`64
`
`,
`I
`85 86
`.
`
`~.6,
`
`~.6.
`
`1108-003
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. s, 1990
`
`Sheet 2 of5
`
`4,930,742
`
`96
`
`/20
`
`F~.l.3.
`
`56
`
`. F.!f. 7.
`
`20
`
`2~ /
`I
`
`~-- r
`
`3o
`
`38
`
`~£9.8.
`
`59 ~_&.11.
`
`1108-004
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.5,1990
`
`Sheet 3 of5
`
`4,930,742
`
`!06
`
`98
`
`~ 94
`96
`/00
`&.18,
`
`/16
`
`124
`
`,cq. 17.
`
`1108-005
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.5,1990
`
`Sheet 4 of5
`
`4,930,742
`
`/80
`
`~82
`/86
`.
`!='~./~
`
`.200
`
`~.20
`
`/84
`
`~.21.
`
`1108-006
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 5, 1990
`
`Sheet 5 of5
`
`4,930,742
`
`/85
`
`182
`
`/56
`
`/64
`
`U...--;;;:/~~~~=:::~ .?d¢
`
`I 74 _,_,....,.
`
`210 .?12
`~~~~~~~--~~~VI
`
`.?19
`
`1108-007
`
`

`
`1
`
`4,930,742
`
`REARVIEW MIRROR AND ACCESSORY MOUNT
`FORVEIDCLES
`
`2
`and cable running from that sensor pass behind the
`channel mount and are at least partially shielded as they
`extend toward the vehicle headliner by a rectilinear,
`channel-shaped wire cover secured between the chan-
`5 nel mount and windshield support button by fitting a tab
`on the wire cover over the inner end of the channel
`mount set screw. However, this structure included a
`ball member integral with the channel mount to which
`a swivel joint and rearview mirror assembly was perma(cid:173)
`nently attached. Thus, to replace the rearview mirror
`assembly or accommodate a different shaped wind-
`shield mounting button, it is necessary to provide a
`complete new assembly including the channel mount on
`the rearview mirror assembly. Also, the prior known
`wire cover was inadequately supported at the channel
`mount and was difficult to retain in place, especially
`over relatively stiff wires.
`Accordingly, the prior mirror support structures
`failed to provide for convenient substitution of different
`mirror assemblies, failed to accommodate the support of
`different types of vehicle accessories, failed to suggest
`any support for microphones, and failed to properly
`integrate wire covers for electrical cables and wiring
`from the accessories in a secure manner.
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates. to mounting structures for
`inside rearview mirror assemblies in vehicles and, more
`particularly, to a mounting adaptor adapted to mate
`with a support secured to the inside surface of a window
`such as a windshield to allow support of various types 10
`of mirror assemblies as well as various vehicle accesso(cid:173)
`ries adjacent to the mirror assembly. The invention also
`relates to supports for a microphone adjacent and in the
`vicinity of a rearview mirror for use by the driver and
`other passengers in the vehicle.
`For many years, rearview mirror assemblies have
`been supported within vehicles by securing them to
`mounting supports, known as "buttons", adhered to the
`upper inside surface of the front windshield of the vehi(cid:173)
`cle. The rearview mirror assembly typically includes a 20
`swivel joint ending with a mounting member known as
`a channel mount having a recessed channel slot for
`slidably receiving the windshield button or support
`therein through a bottom opening. While the shape and
`size of windshield mounting buttons have long been 25
`standardized throughout the vehicle industry, at least in
`the United States, various proposals for modified shapes
`and sizes of windshield buttons have recently been pro(cid:173)
`posed. This creates a problem for rearview mirror man(cid:173)
`ufacturers who would be required to stock both new 30
`and old assemblies having channel mounts adapted to fit
`the new and old style windshield mounting buttons.
`Likewise, in the aftermarket for vehicle accessories,
`both new and old style rearview mirror assemblies
`would have to be offered having channel mounts 35
`adapted to both new and old windshield buttons.
`Automobiles and trucks in recent years have also
`included an increasing amount of instrumentation and
`accessories. It is desired to mount various of these ac(cid:173)
`cessories and instruments in places conveniently acces- 40
`sible to the driver or other vehicle passengers, or in
`locations where operation and function of such accesso(cid:173)
`ries is most advantageous. For instance, the upper front
`windshield area is one of a very few locations in a con(cid:173)
`ventional vehicle which allows satisfactory operation of 45
`a magnetic compass. Also, with the increasing use of
`mobile/cellular telephones in vehicles, the inclusion of
`microphones for use by various persons within the vehi(cid:173)
`cle has been desired.
`Further, many rearview mirror assemblies are now 50
`adapted to perform functions other than merely holding
`a reflective mirror element in correct position. Items
`such as map, courtesy or reading lamps, information
`displays, clocks, compasses and the like have been built
`into the mirror assemblies. With such mirrors, there is a 55
`need to route electrical cables between the vehicle inte(cid:173)
`rior roof headliner and the mirror assembly to provide
`appropriate electrical power and to allow ease and con(cid:173)
`venience in the removal and replacement of the mirror
`unit.
`In the "past, it has been known to support certain
`vehicle accessories such as a headlight dimming sensor
`on the channel mount for the inside rearview mirror
`assembly when secured to a windshield mounting but(cid:173)
`ton. In several vehicles in the past few years, a spring 65
`clip has been attached to the bottom of a conventional
`rearview mirror channel mount for the attachment of a
`headlight dimming sensor. The electrical connection
`
`60
`
`· SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Accordingly,
`the present
`invention provides a
`mounting adaptor for use with interior rearview mirror
`assemblies which allows substitution or change of the
`rearview mirror assembly to accommodate different
`types of windshield mounted supports easily and conve(cid:173)
`niently. The adaptor can also provide a support for
`different vehicle accessories adjacent the rearview mir(cid:173)
`ror without interfering with the mounting of the rear(cid:173)
`view mirror assembly, or its replacement, interchange(cid:173)
`ability or adjustability. Support of the accessories on the
`adaptor places the accessories or information therefrom
`in an appropriate position for vehicle operator sighting
`and use, allows the addition of desirable options without
`the need to modify existing ·vehicle components, and
`positions the accessories for their most advantageous
`functional operation. In addition, the adaptor may pro(cid:173)
`vide an appropriate wire cover for shielding and con(cid:173)
`cealing electrical wires leading from either the mirror
`assembly or the accessory mounted on the adaptor to
`the vehicle headliner area.
`Also, the invention contemplates an appropriate
`mounting for a microphone within the vehicle interior
`adjacent the rearview mirror assembly in a convenient
`location for use by the driver and other vehicle passen(cid:173)
`gers.
`In one aspect, the invention is a mounting adaptor for
`securing an interior rearview mirror assembly to a
`mounting support when the support is affixed on the
`inner surface of a vehicle window such as the wind(cid:173)
`shield. The adaptor includes an adaptor body, mounting
`means on one surface of the adaptor body for securing
`the mounting support when fixed on the window, and
`securing means on a second surface of the adaptor body
`for removably mounting a rearview mirror assembly to
`the adaptor body. Accordingly, the adaptor body
`spaces the rearview mirror assembly outwardly of the
`window and the mounting support.
`In preferred forms of this invention, where the rear(cid:173)
`view mirror includes a channel-like mounting member,
`the mounting means is a recessed channel on the wind(cid:173)
`shield facing surface of the adaptor while the secu.ring
`
`1108-008
`
`

`
`4,930,742
`
`20
`
`3
`means is a projection on the interior facing surface of
`the adaptor for receiving a channel-like mounting mem(cid:173)
`ber thereover. The recessed channel may have a differ(cid:173)
`ent sectional shape from the projection to allow attach(cid:173)
`ment of a rearview mirror assembly having one channel 5
`mount shape to a windshield support member of differ(cid:173)
`ent shape.
`The adaptor body may also include an aperture ex(cid:173)
`tending therethrough and communicating with the re(cid:173)
`cessed channel for receiving a fastener for engaging the 10
`mounting support to secure the adaptor in place. In one
`form, the fastener may extend from the channel-like
`mounting member of the rearview mirror assembly
`such that the rearview mirror assembly and the adaptor
`are simultaneously locked in place. Alternately, the 15
`adaptor may include a separate fastener for securement
`to the windshield mounted support while the channel(cid:173)
`like mounting member from the rearview mirror assem(cid:173)
`bly is separately fastened to the adaptor with its own
`fastener.
`In another aspect of the invention, a mounting adap(cid:173)
`tor is provided for securing an accessory adjacent an·
`interior rearview mirror in a vehicle. Such adaptor
`includes an adaptor body, first mounting means on a
`first surface of said adaptor body for securing a mount- 25
`ing support when the support member is secure!! to the
`inner surface of a vehicle window such as a windshield,
`and securing means on a second surface of the adaptor
`body for removably mounting a rearview mirror assem(cid:173)
`bly on the adaptor. The adaptor body also includes 30
`support ··means for supporting a vehicle accessory such
`that the accesso~ may be mounted adjacent the interior
`rearview mirror for convenient use by the vehicle
`driver or other occupant without interfering with the
`support of the rearview mirror or its replacement, inter- 35
`changeability or adjustability. Various types of accesso(cid:173)
`ries may be accommodated such as microphones, com(cid:173)
`pass sensors, moisture· sensors, radar detectors, informa(cid:173)
`tion displays, garage door openers, keyless entry sys(cid:173)
`tems, vehicle identification apparatus, headlight dim- 40
`mers or navigation system receivers and others.
`A specific form of the invention for supporting a
`microphone such as that for a cellular phone is contem(cid:173)
`plated including a housing having a receptacle for the
`microphone and adapted to open toward the interior of 45
`the vehicle when the adaptor is mounted on the mount(cid:173)
`ing support member on a window. The housing also
`includes an interior space for enclosing wiring and/or
`circuitry for the microphone. The adaptor incorporat(cid:173)
`ing such housing may also include a wire cover extend- 50
`ing toward the vehicle headliner to shield and conceal
`electrical wiring from the microphone.
`In a further aspect of the invention, a combined rear(cid:173)
`view mirror and microphone mounting assembly is
`provided for use in vehicles including a support for 55
`mounting a rearview mirror assembly adjacent a driver
`within a vehicle and means on the support for mounting
`a microphone adjacent the position of the rearview
`mirror assembly. Such asse111.bly allows use of the mir(cid:173)
`ror assembly by the vehicle driver and use of the micro- 60
`phone by persons within the vehicle passenger compart(cid:173)
`ment, including the driver.
`Accordingly, the present invention provides a conve(cid:173)
`nient, easy to use adaptor for supporting rearview mir(cid:173)
`ror assemblies, supporting various types of vehicle ac- 65
`cessories near the rearview mirror assembly, and pro(cid:173)
`vides structure for shielding and concealing electrical
`wiring from either the rearview mirror assembly or the
`
`4
`supported accessory. In addition, the invention pro(cid:173)
`vides support for a microphone within a vehicle for use
`with cellular telephones and the like.
`These and other objects, advantages, purposes and
`features of the invention will become more apparent
`from a study of the following description taken in con(cid:173)
`junction with the drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of
`the rearview mirror mounting adaptor of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the adaptor of FIG. 1
`shown secured to a windshield support member and
`having a conventional rearview mirror assembly chan(cid:173)
`nel mount secured to it;
`FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the mounting adaptor of
`FIGS. 1 and 2;
`FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the mounting adaptor of
`FIGS. 1-3;
`FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the mounting adaptor
`taken along plane V-V of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6 is a fragmentary rear elevation of a conven(cid:173)
`tional windshield support member or mounting button;
`FIG. 7 is a rear elevation of a conventional, double
`wedge-shaped windshield mounted support member or
`button;
`FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the windshield support
`member of FIG. 7;
`FIG. 9 is a rear elevation of an alternate type of con(cid:173)
`ventional windshield mounted support member;
`FIG. 10 is a section of the support member taken
`along plane X-X of FIG. 9;
`FIG. 11 is a sectional, side elevation of a channel
`mount member as used on conventional interior rear(cid:173)
`view mirror assemblies;
`FIG. 12 is a rear elevation of the conventional chan(cid:173)
`nel mount member of FIG. 11;
`FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the rearview mirror mounting adaptor includ(cid:173)
`ing a receptacle support for attachment of a vehicle
`accessory;
`FIG. 14 is a rear elevation of the mounting adaptor of
`FIG. 13;
`FIG. 15 is a side elevation of the mounting adaptor of
`FIGS. 13 and 14 with a headlight dimming sensor
`shown in section secured in the support receptacle and
`the adaptor mounted on the inside surface of a wind(cid:173)
`shield;
`FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the mounting adaptor of
`FIGS. 13-15;
`FIG. 17 is a front elevation of the mounting adaptor
`of FIGS. 13-16 shown partially in section;
`FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the mounting adaptor
`of FIGS. 13-17 taken along plane XVIII-XVIII of
`FIG. 17;
`FIG. 19 is an exploded, perspective view of a third
`embodiment. of the mounting adaptor of the present
`invention including a housing for supporting a micro(cid:173)
`phone and a wire cover;
`FIG. 20 is a broken, front elevation of the mounting
`adaptor of FIG. 19;
`FIG. 21 is a broken, side elevation of the mounting
`adaptor of FIGS. 19 and 20;
`FIG. 22 is a broken, rear elevation of the mounting
`adaptor of FIGS. 19-21;
`
`1108-009
`
`

`
`5
`FIG. 23 is a fragmentary, sectional, side elevation of
`the mounting adaptor taken along plane XXIII-XXIII
`of FIG. 20;
`FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the mounting adaptor
`taken along plane XXIV-XXIV of FIG. 22;
`FIG. 25 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified
`wire cover extension for use with a mounting adaptor
`such as that shown in FIGS. 19-24;
`FIG. 26 is a sectional rear elevation of the wire cover
`extension taken along plane XXVI-XXVI of FIG. 25;
`and
`FIG. 27 is a sectional end view of the wire cover
`extension taken along plane XXVII-XXVII of FIG.
`25.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`Referring now to the drawings in greater detail,
`FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a first embodiment 10 of the inte(cid:173)
`rior rearview mirror mounting adaptor for vehicles. 20
`Adaptor 10.includes a body 12 having an open· ended,
`recessed channel 14 on its windshield facing, back or
`rear surface 16 (FIGS. 3 and 5) and a front projection 18
`extending toward the interior of the vehicle for receiv(cid:173)
`ing the channel-like mounting member or "channel 25
`mount" 50 (as it is known in the U.S. vehicle industry)
`from a rearview mirror assembly as shown in FIGS. 2,
`11 and U. Projection 18 thus forms a securing structure
`for removably attaching or mounting a rearview mirror
`assembly to the adaptor. Likewise, recessed channel14 30
`forms a mount for removably securing the entire adap(cid:173)
`tor to a window or windshield mounted support.
`As shown in FIG. 2, adaptor 10 is preferably adapted
`to be slidably fitted over a conventional windshield
`support member or windshield "button" such as that 35
`shown at 20 in FIGS. 2, 5, 7 and 8 or that shown at 34
`in FIGS. 9 and 10. Windshield support member 20 in(cid:173)
`cludes an elongated support body 22 having a planar
`rear surface 24 (which faces the front of the vehicle
`when installed) adapted to be adhere4 by a suitable 40
`adhesive such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB) to the inside
`surface of a windshield as shown in FIG. 2. Front sur(cid:173)
`fac;e 26 of body 22 is also generally planar and faces
`inwardly of the vehicle interior when mounted on the
`windshield. On either lateral sicle edge of the body 22 45
`are tapered side edges or flanges 28, 30 which taper
`inwardly toward the narrower rear surface 24. Also,
`side edges 28, 30 are nonp~el with and extend
`toward one another at the top end ofthe body 22 as seen
`in FIG. 6. This provides the support member with its 50
`overall double wedge shape for receiving a channel
`mount such as that at 50 in FIGS. 11 and 12. The top
`end of body 22 is rounded and may also be tapered
`inwardly toward rear surface 24 as at 32.
`Alternately, another conventional windshield sup- 55
`port member 34 may be used as shown in FIGS. 8 and
`9. Support 34 has a body 36 including planar rear and
`front surfaces 38, 40 and rectilinear side edges or flanges
`42, 44 which extend perpendicularly outwardly from
`the sides of body 36. Flanges 42, 44 are generally paral- 60
`lel with one another and provide an L-shaped shoulder
`area on either lateral side for retaining a channel mount
`such as that shown at 50 in FIGS. 11 and 12. Thus,
`support 34 has a different sectional shape than support
`20 for matching a different sectional shape in a modified 65
`channel mount. The top end 46 of support member 34 is
`rounded and may be tapered inwardly toward rear
`surface 38 as in support member 20.
`
`4,930,742
`
`6
`With reference to FIGS. 2, 11 and 12, a conventional
`channel-like mounting member or "channel mount" 50
`is shown. Such mounting members have been used for
`many years in the U.S. vehicle industry to support rear-
`S view mirror assemblies on windshield mounted support
`members as illustrated. Channel mount 50 typically
`includes a body 52 cast from zinc or molded from a
`strong resinous plastic and has a recessed channel on its
`rear surface defined by longitudinal flanges 54, 56
`10 which extend out and over the rear surface 53 of body
`52 and a closed, rounded top end 58. Projecting out(cid:173)
`wardly from body 52 and formed integrally therewith is
`a neck 60 and ball member 62 which are adapted to
`mate with a corresponding socket member to form a
`15 swivel joint for supporting a rearview mirror assembly
`in the conventionally known manner. Depending on the
`precise shape of flanges 54, 56, channel mount 50 is
`adapted to slide over mounting support member 20 or
`34 with support member 20 or 34 received through the
`oottom opening between flanges 54 and . 56. Support
`member 20 or 34 slides into the channel until top end 32
`or 46 abuts end 58 while flanges 54, 56 engage side
`edges 28, 30 or flanges 42, 44 for retention purposes.
`As shown in FIG. 2, mounting adaptor 10 is also
`slidably fitted over the top end of a conventional wind(cid:173)
`shield mounted support member such as that at 20 or 34
`in a manner similar to channel mount 50. Support mem(cid:173)
`ber 20 or 34 has previously been secured or adhered to
`the inside surface of windshield W. After adaptor 10 is
`fitted, a channel member 50 is then slidably mounted
`over projection 18 such that ball member 62 projects
`substantially horizontally into the vehicle interior and
`properly positions the rearview mirror assembly for use
`by the driver of the vehicle.
`As is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the channel recess 14
`at the rear of adaptor 10 is formed by flanges 64, 66
`which extend along the sides of body 12 on rear surface
`16 and have inwardly extending surfaces 68, 70. Sur(cid:173)
`faces 68, 70 extend at an angle to one another to form a
`double taper or double wedge in the channel recess. A
`rounded top wall 72 (FIG. 3) closes the top end of
`r.ecess 14 between flanges 64, 66. At the bottom end of
`adaptor 10 is an opening 73 between flanges 64, 66
`through which the support member 20 may be inserted
`and slid upwardly until top end 32 abuts top wall 72 as
`shown in FIG. 2. As will be seen in FIG. 5, inwardly
`extending surfaces 68, 70 are adapted to engage and
`mate with side edges 28, 30 on windshield support mem(cid:173)
`ber 20 to firmly support the adaptor on the windshield
`mounting button without play or vibration. Since the
`thickness of support 20 or 34 is greater than the depth of
`channel 14, adaptor 10 is spaced outwardly of wind(cid:173)
`shield W. This allows the adaptor to be easily installed
`and prevents noise from contact between the adaptor
`and windshield.
`As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, projection 18 on the
`front surface 74, of adaptor 10 is elongated in the direc(cid:173)
`tion of adaptor 10 and includes laterally extending re(cid:173)
`taining flanges 76, 78 which extend along the lateral
`sides of projection 18. Flanges 76, 78 extend parallel to
`surface 74 and form an L shape on each side of projec-
`tion 18 to provide a shoulder for retaining channel
`mount 50. The lower edges 77, 79 of flanges 76, 78 are
`rounded inwardly to avoid sharpness to reduce the
`chance of injury to occupants of the vehicle. The upper
`end 80 of projection 18 is likewise rounded and may be
`tapered inwardly as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 for engage(cid:173)
`ment with the top wall 58 in a channel mount such as
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`1108-010
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`

`
`,
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`4,930,742
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`7
`that at 50. Projection 18 is also slightly thicker than the
`depth of the channel included in channel mount 50. This
`spaces the channel mount slightly away from surface 74
`as shown in FIG. 2 to allow ease of insertion and to
`prevent contact between the mount and surface 74.
`As shown in FIGS. 1-4, an aperture 82 is provided
`through projection 18 and body 12 of adaptor 10 such
`that it opens into the recessed channel 14 behind the
`adaptor and opens toward the front or interior of the
`vehicle as well. Aperture 82 is preferably threaded, 10
`extends at an upward angle toward the top of body 12,
`and receives a set screw 84 which may be tightened
`against the front surface 26 or 40 of one of the wind(cid:173)
`shield mounted support members 20 or 34. The set
`screw draws surfaces 68, 70 against surfaces 28, 30 or 15
`flanges 42, 44 to tightly retain the adaptor 10 on the
`support member 20 or 34 without vibration, play or
`release. When a channel mount such as that at 50 is
`slidably received over projection 18, aperture 82 and set
`screw 84 are concealed from view. Front surface 85 of 20
`projection 18 rna also include a conical recess 86 for ·
`receiving the end of a set screw from a channel mount
`50 as shown in FIG. 2 and explained more fully below.
`When received over projection 18, through the open(cid:173)
`ing between flanges 54, 56 in the channel mount, flanges 25
`76, 78 engage flanges 54, ,56 while end 80 engages top
`wall 58 in the channel mount. Although flanges 54, 56
`securely retain the channel mount on the projection
`while gravity holds end 80 against top wall 58, addi(cid:173)
`tional protection against vibration or sliding movement 30
`of the channel mount on projection 18 is provided by a
`set screw 59 received in aperture 61 in body 52 of the
`channel mount. When tightened, set screw 59 is re(cid:173)
`ceived in recess 86 to draw flanges 54, 56 tightly against
`the inside surfaces of flanges 76, 78 for more secure 35
`retention.
`Alternately, as will be explained below, aperture 82
`may be enlarged and left unthreaded such that an elon(cid:173)
`gated fastener on a channel mount may be received
`entirely through the adaptor 10 for direct engagement 40
`with the front surface 26 or 40 of support member 20 or
`34. Thus, such an elongated fastener in the channel
`mount would simultaneously secure both the channel
`mount 50 to adaptor 10 and adaptor 10 to support mem(cid:173)
`ber 20 or 34 without the need for a second fastener (see 45
`FIG. 15).
`As will also be understood, the precise sectional
`shape of channel recess 14 on the rear surface of adaptor
`10 may have the double tapered, wedge shape of sup(cid:173)
`port member 20 or the rectilinear L flange shape of 50
`support member 34. Likewise, projection 18 may have
`the same shape as channel recess 14 or a different shape
`as is shown in FIG. 5 such that adaptor 10 will allow
`support of a rearview mirror assembly having a channel
`mount with a different sectional shape than that of the 55
`support member already secured to the windshield sur(cid:173)
`face.
`Preferably, adaptor 10 is formed from sintered metal
`or is die cast from zinc or another casting metal. Alter(cid:173)
`nately, the adaptor may be molded from high strength 60
`resinous plastic material such as glass filled acetal. In
`any event, it is preferred that the material from which
`adaptor 10 is made be sufficiently rigid and strong to
`properly support the rearview mirror assembly on the
`windshield mounted support member.
`Referring now to FIGS. 13-18, a second embodiment
`90 of the mounting adaptor is illustrated. Adaptor 90
`includes an adaptor body·92 which is similar in its upper
`
`8
`portions to adaptor 10 but extends downwardly to form
`a mounting receptacle for a vehicle accessory such as
`the headlight dimmer sensor 130 shown in FIGS. 13, 15
`and 16. The rear surface 94 of adaptor 90 (FIGS. 14-16)
`5 includes a recessed channel 96 similar in all respects to
`recessed channel 14 in adaptor 10. Channel recess 96 is
`adapted to receive a double tapered or wedge-shaped
`windshield mounted support member such as that
`shown at 20 in FIGS. 7 and 8 in the same manner as
`does recessed channel 14 as described above. Channel
`96 includes inwardly tapered flanges 98, 100 which are
`nonparallel and extend toward one another at the top
`end of the adaptor which is closed by top wall 102. A
`bottom opening 103 is included between the lower ends
`of flanges 98, 100.
`On the front surface 104 of adaptor body 92 is an
`elongated projection 106 similar to but of different sec(cid:173)
`tional shape from projection 18 on adaptor 10. Projec-
`tion 106 has a sectional shape which is substantially
`identical to that of channel recess 96. Hence, adaptor 90
`may be fitted between a windshield mounted support
`member 20 and a channel mount 50 which would other(cid:173)
`wise be received on support member 20 such that adap(cid:173)
`tor 90 spaces the channel mount outwardly from the
`support member 20 but otherwise secur