Clamping and support apparatus for a vehicle side mirror assembly and mirror assembly including same

Abstract

A clamping and support apparatus, for mounting on a tubular shaft, is usable as part of a vehicle side mirror assembly. The clamping and support apparatus includes a clamping member having an open configuration and a closed configuration and including a base having a raised boss thereon with an integral furrow formed therein to receive a side of a tubular shaft. The integral furrow is arcuate in cross-section, and the base further has a first flange extending outwardly thereon adjacent the raised boss. The clamping member also includes a cap including a half sleeve having an interior and an exterior, the half sleeve being integrally formed with the base and cooperating therewith to define a hollow space therebetween, the half sleeve further being attached to the raised boss at a side of the integral furrow. The clamping member has a V-shaped groove formed therein at the attachment of the half sleeve to the base, the V-shaped groove facing toward and communicating with the hollow space in the clamping member. The half sleeve and the base together define a living hinge adjacent the V-shaped groove, whereby the half sleeve may be pivotally moved towards the base to form a substantially cylindrical bore in the hollow space therebetween. The cap further includes a second flange extending outwardly from the half sleeve opposite the V-shaped groove, and the second flange is alignable with the first flange when the clamping member is in the closed configuration thereof. The cap has a first contoured surface formed thereon at the exterior of the half sleeve. A support member is also provided for aligned abutting placement against the clamping member, the support member having a second contoured surface which is alignable and nestable with the first contoured surface of the clamping member to restrict movement of the support member with respect to the clamping member. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a remotely adjustable mirror assembly includes the clamping and support apparatus as described, as well as an adjusting member mounted to the support member for adjusting spatial orientation of a mirror, the adjusting member being electrically connectable to a power source for adjustment thereof. A mirror is attached to the adjusting member and is adjustable thereby, and a cover is further provided for protecting the clamping member, the support member, and the adjusting member from inclement weather.

Having, thus, described the invention, what is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A clamping and support apparatus for mounting on a tubular shaft, comprising: 
 a) a clamping member having an open configuration and a closed configuration and comprising: 
 a base having a raised boss thereon with an integral furrow formed therein to receive a side of a tubular shaft, the integral furrow being arcuate in cross-section, the base further having a first flange extending outwardly thereon adjacent the raised boss;  
 a cap comprising a half sleeve having an interior and an exterior, the half sleeve being integrally formed with the base and cooperating therewith to define a hollow space therebetween, the half sleeve being attached to the raised boss at a side to the integral furrow, the clamping member having a V-shaped groove formed therein at the attachment of the half sleeve to the base the V-shaped groove communicating with the hollow space in the clamping member, the half sleeve and the base together defining a living hinge adjacent the V-shaped groove, whereby the half sleeve may be pivotally moved towards the base to form a substantially cylindrical bore in the hollow space therebetween, the cap further comprising a second flange extending outwardly from the half sleeve opposite the V-shaped groove, the second flange being alignable with the first flange when the clamping member is in the closed configuration thereof,  
 the cap having a first contoured surface formed thereon at the exterior of the half sleeve;  
   b) a support member for aligned abutting placement against the clamping member, the support member having a second contoured surface which is alignable and nestable with the first contoured surface of the clamping member to restrict movement of the support member with respect to the clamping member.    
     
     
         2 . A side mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising: 
 the clamping and support apparatus of  claim 1 ,    an adjusting assembly attached to the support member which allows for pivotal movement around both horizontal and vertical axes;    a mirror attached to the adjusting assembly, and    a cover for protecting the clamping member, the support member, and the adjusting member from inclement weather.    
     
     
         3 . The side mirror assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising an intermediate spacer plate which fits between the adjusting member and the mirror.  
     
     
         4 . The side mirror assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a support post for mounting the assembly to a vehicle fender.  
     
     
         5 . The side mirror assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a support post for mounting the assembly to a vehicle fender.  
     
     
         6 . A remotely adjustable side mirror assembly, comprising: 
 a) a clamping member for mounting on a support post, the clamping member having a first contoured surface;    b) a support member for rigidly holding an adjusting member, the support member having a second contoured surface which compliments the first contoured surface of the clamping member and is alignable therewith to restrict movement of the support member with respect to the clamping member;    c) an adjusting member mounted to the support member for adjusting spatial orientation of a mirror, the adjusting member being electrically connectable to a power source to provide for adjustment thereof;    d) a mirror attached to the adjusting member and being adjustable thereby; and    e) a cover for protecting the clamping member, the support member, and the adjusting member from inclement weather.    
     
     
         7 . The mirror assembly of  claim 6 , wherein one of the first or the second contoured surfaces has a groove formed therein for receiving a rib, and the other of the first or the second contoured surfaces has an outwardly extending rib thereon for placement in the groove of the one surface, to facilitate alignment of the support member and the clamping member, and to restrict movement of the support member with respect to the clamping member.  
     
     
         8 . The side mirror assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising an intermediate spacer plate which fits between the adjusting member and the mirror.  
     
     
         9 . The side mirror assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a support post for mounting the assembly to a vehicle fender.  
     
     
         10 . The side mirror assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a support post for mounting the assembly to a vehicle fender.