Rearview mounting device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-8960629-B2
Application number	US-201313800180-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 13, 2013
Priority date	Oct 4, 2012
Publication date	Feb 24, 2015
Grant date	Feb 24, 2015

Abstract

A rearview device mounting assembly includes a bracket having a windshield engagement surface. The bracket further includes a neck with a ball. The ball has at least one of either a knurled patch or a striation and the ball is configured to engage a socket in the rearview device. The socket of the rearview device includes fingerlike projections and a ball engaging surface. The ball engaging surface has raised features to frictionally engage the ball and minimize or eliminate droop of the rearview device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A rearview device mounting assembly comprising:
a mount;
a neck extending from the mount and defining a central longitudinal axis, the neck including a ball on a distal end thereof;
a plurality of grooves disposed on an outer circumference of the ball; and the plurality of grooves are discontinuous partial grooves on the top area and bottom area of the ball; and
a generally smooth socket configured to closely receive the ball.

2. The rearview mounting device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of grooves are parallel to the equator of the ball.

3. The rearview mounting device of claim 2 , wherein the depth of the plurality of grooves is from about 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm.

4. The rearview mounting device of claim 2 , wherein the cross-section of the plurality of grooves is triangular, square or circular.

5. The rearview mirror mounting device of claim 1 , wherein the socket further comprises fingerlike projections which engage the plurality of grooves.

Assignees

• Gentex Corp

Inventors

• Rizk Peter N
• Ypma Kenton J
• Filipiak Kenneth R

Classifications

• F16M2200/022

  by friction · CPC title

• B60R1/04 Primary

  mounted inside vehicle {(B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence)} · CPC title

• F16M2200/024

  by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections · CPC title

• F16M13/02

  for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle · CPC title

• F16M2200/021

  for rotational movement · CPC title