Lockable support for securing rearview mirrors on motor vehicles

Abstract

A lockable support is disposed for fastening a rearview mirror onto a vehicle. The support includes a reception fixture for attachment to the vehicle, and a support arm including a mirror end and a vehicle end. The mirror end is connectable to the rearview mirror, and the vehicle end is connectable to the reception fixture. A connecting mechanism connects the support arm to the reception fixture to thereby secure the rearview mirror to the vehicle. A locking device is disposed on the reception fixture for securing the support arm to the clamp reception fixture.

Claimed is:  
     
         1 . A lockable support for fastening a rearview mirror onto a vehicle, the support comprising: 
 a reception fixture for attachment to the vehicle;    a support arm including a mirror end and a vehicle end, wherein the mirror end is connectable to the rearview mirror and the vehicle end is connectable to the reception fixture;    a connecting mechanism for connecting the support arm to the reception fixture to thereby secure the rearview mirror to the vehicle; and    a locking device disposed on the reception fixture for securing the support arm to the clamp reception fixture.    
     
     
         2 . A lockable support as in  claim 1 , wherein the locking device includes a locking cylinder.  
     
     
         3 . A lockable support as in  claim 2 , wherein the locking device includes a hook for selectively contacting a portion of the support arm.  
     
     
         4 . A lockable support as in  claim 2 , wherein the locking cylinder is a key-activated locking cylinder.  
     
     
         5 . A clamping support as in  claim 1 , further comprising a snap-in detent secured to the reception fixture, wherein the snap-in detent selectively penetrates the support arm and releasably interlocks the reception fixture to the support arm.  
     
     
         6 . A clamping support as in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting mechanism is a wedge positionable via clamp screws to frictionally connect the support arm and the reception fixture.  
     
     
         7 . A clamping support as in  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle end of the support arm comprises the pivot arm of an adjustment and folding apparatus for holding the support arm of the rearview mirror.  
     
     
         8 . A lockable support as in  claim 1 , further including the mirror attached to the support arm.  
     
     
         9 . A lockable support as in  claim 1 , further including a removable cover secured to the reception fixture, removal of the removable cover exposing the locking device.  
     
     
         10 . A lockable support for fastening a rearview mirror onto a vehicle, the support comprising: 
 a reception fixture for attachment to the vehicle;    a support arm including a mirror end and a vehicle end, wherein the mirror end is connectable to the rearview mirror and the vehicle end is connectable to the reception fixture;    a connecting mechanism for connecting the support arm to the reception fixture to thereby secure the rearview mirror to the vehicle;    a locking device disposed on the reception fixture for securing the support arm to the clamp reception fixture;    a snap-in detent secured to the reception fixture, wherein the snap-in detent selectively penetrates the support arm and releasably interlocks the reception fixture to the support arm; and    a removable cover secured to the reception fixture, removal of the removable cover exposing the locking device and the snap-in detent.    
     
     
         11 . A lockable support as in  claim 10 , wherein the locking device includes a locking cylinder.  
     
     
         12 . A lockable support as in  claim 11 , wherein the locking device includes a hook for selectively contacting a portion of the support arm.  
     
     
         13 . A lockable support as in  claim 11 , wherein the locking cylinder is a key-activated locking cylinder.  
     
     
         14 . A lockable support for fastening a rearview mirror onto a vehicle, the support comprising: 
 a reception fixture for attachment to the vehicle;    a support arm including a mirror end and a vehicle end, wherein the mirror end is connectable to the rearview mirror and the vehicle end is connectable to the reception fixture;    a connecting mechanism for connecting the support arm to the reception fixture to thereby secure the rearview mirror to the vehicle, the connecting mechanism being a wedge positionable via clamp screws to frictionally connect the support arm and the reception fixture; and    a locking device disposed on the reception fixture for securing the support arm to the clamp reception fixture.    
     
     
         15 . A lockable support as in  claim 14 , wherein the locking device includes a locking cylinder.  
     
     
         16 . A lockable support as in  claim 15 , wherein the locking device includes a hook for selectively contacting a portion of the support arm.  
     
     
         17 . A lockable support as in  claim 15 , wherein the locking cylinder is a key-activated locking cylinder.  
     
     
         18 . A clamping support as in  claim 14 , further comprising a snap-in detent secured to the reception fixture, wherein the snap-in detent selectively penetrates the support arm and releasably interlocks the reception fixture to the support arm.  
     
     
         19 . A lockable support as in  claim 14 , further including a removable cover secured to the reception fixture, removal of the removable cover exposing the locking device.