Fastening apparatus for a motor vehicle rearview mirror

Abstract

A fastening apparatus for a rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, especially an outside mirror, with a base plate mounted on the vehicle body and one mirror support structure holding a mirror housing, which support structure is connectable with the base plate by at least one fastening element. Between the base plate and the mirror support structure a holding apparatus is inserted, which affixes the mirror support structure against the base plate without the interaction of at least one fastening element.

Claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fastening apparatus for a rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, especially an outside mirror, with a vehicle placed base plate ( 4 ) mounted on said vehicle body and one mirror support structure ( 6 ) holding a mirror housing, which support structure ( 6 ) is connectable with the base plate ( 4 ) by means of at least one fastening element, therein characterized, in that between the base plate ( 4 ) and the mirror support structure ( 6 ) a holding apparatus ( 32 ) is inserted, which affixes the mirror support structure ( 6 ) against the base plate ( 4 ) without the interaction of at least one fastening element.  
     
     
         2 . A fastening apparatus in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized, in that the holding apparatus ( 32 ) affixes the mirror support structure against the base plate ( 4 ) by shape fit.  
     
     
         3 . A fastening apparatus in accord with  claim 2 , therein characterized, in that the holding apparatus ( 32 ) possesses an assembly ( 34 ) which can be placed on base plate ( 4 ) and protrudes therefrom and upon which assembly ( 34 ) the mirror support structure ( 6 ) can be suspended.  
     
     
         4 . A fastening apparatus in accord with  claim 2 , therein characterized, in that the holding apparatus ( 32 ) possesses an assembly ( 34 ) which can be placed on the mirror support structure ( 6 ) and protrudes therefrom and which assembly ( 34 ) is suspendable from the base plate ( 4 ).  
     
     
         5 . A fastening apparatus in accord with  claim 3 , therein characterized, in that the assembly ( 34 ) exhibits a hollow cylindrical body ( 36 ) and a flange ( 38 ) radially projecting therefrom, and that the mirror support structure ( 6 ) has an accepting opening ( 28 ) into which the cylindrical body ( 36 ) of the assembly ( 34 ) is receivable and which said support structure ( 6 ) possesses a recess ( 44 ) for the affixation of the flange ( 38 ).  
     
     
         6 . A fastening apparatus in accord with  claim 4  therein characterized, in that the assembly ( 34 ) possesses a hollow cylindrical body ( 36 ) and an end located flange ( 38 ) radially extending therefrom, and the base plate ( 4 ) exhibits an accepting opening ( 28 ) into which the cylindrical body ( 36 ) of the assembly ( 34 ) is receivable and which possesses a cutout  30  for the affixation of the flange ( 38 ).  
     
     
         7 . A fastening apparatus in accord with the claims  5  or  6 , therein characterized, in that the flange ( 38 ) in its circumferential zone, is limited to a circumferential extent of less than 180° and that the recess ( 44 ) in its respective extent is likewise limited to a circumferential extent of less than 180°.  
     
     
         8 . A fastening apparatus in accord with one of the  claims 1  to  7 , therein characterized, in that the base plate ( 4 ) exhibits a tapped boring ( 24 ), by means of which the hollow cylindrical body ( 36 ) is so disposed, that its longitudinal center axis coincides with that of the said tapped boring ( 24 ) and that the mirror support structure ( 6 ) possesses a through-opening ( 22 ), the longitudinal center axis of which, when the said the mirror support structure ( 6 ) is suspended from the assembly ( 34 ), aligns with that of the holding apparatus body ( 36 ) and the said tapped boring ( 24 ).  
     
     
         9 . A fastening apparatus in accord with  claim 8 , therein characterized, in that through the boring ( 22 ) and through the hollow cylindrical body ( 36 ) a fastening threaded bolt is insertable and is threadedly engaged in tapped boring  24  of the base plate ( 4 ).  
     
     
         10 . A fastening apparatus in accord with one of the  claims 1  to  8 , therein characterized, in that the hollow cylindrical body ( 36 ) can be screwed into the base plate ( 4 ) or in the mirror support structure ( 6 ), wherein then, the mirror support structure ( 6 ) or the base plate ( 4 ) possesses a receiving opening and wherein on the hollow cylindrical body ( 36 ) an outer threading is made.