GB2474435A

GB2474435A - A mirror assembly having various indexed positions suitable for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2474435A
Application number: GB0917899A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Roper
Original assignee: ASHTREE GLASS Ltd
Current assignee: ASHTREE GLASS Ltd
Priority date: 2009-10-13
Filing date: 2009-10-13
Publication date: 2011-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-13
Also published as: GB2474435B; GB0917899D0

Abstract

A mirror assembly comprises a body portion for attaching to a vehicle and a support arm portion 6 for receiving a mirror, wherein the arm portion and body portion are relatively rotatable and inter-engaged through an arrangement of complementary jaws / teeth 60, 62, and wherein the body portion is made substantially of plastic and the complementary jaws teeth portion is made of metal. The cooperating jaws / teeth 60, 66 preferably take the form of rings, with one attached to the mirror arm 6, and the other to the body portion (possibly attached to a bus / lorry.) The interengaging rings are urged together by a spring 48. Ideally, the mirror attachment body is made of a polyamide / nylon, while the cooperating toothed rings / ridged jaws are made of cast zinc alloy. The toothed rings enable the mirror to assume several indexed portions, and thus can move / give upon impacting an object.

Description

A Mirror Arm Assembly The invention relates to a mirror arm assembly. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a mirror arm assembly for attaching to a large vehicle. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a mirror arm assembly.

Large vehicles including, for example, heavy goods vehicles, utility vehicles, commercial vehicles comprising vans, coaches and buses, defence vehicles, agricultural vehicles, off-road plant vehicles, and electrically operated vehicles, for example, street sweepers, commonly have wing mirrors mounted on arms known as mirror arms. The arms comprise an elongate portion which extends from a housing mounted to the side of a vehicle. The portion extends to a distance sufficient to enable the driver of the vehicle to see approaching traffic.

Known mirror arms are manufactured wholly from metal, commonly a die cast metal alloy. Historically, it has been considered that such die cast metal mirror arms are advantageous, being heavy wearing and long lasting, particularly on large vehicles.

However, the cost of manufacturing such metal mirror arms is inherently expensive, primarily due to the material and manufacturing process involved with moulding metal parts.

Disadvantageously, metal arms are prone to corrosion. This is because the metal is in direct contact with environmental metal corroding substances, for example, grit containing salt. Over time, the metal corrodes to an extent that the assembly may seize or become weak and must be replaced.

Mirror arms are made to maintain a substantially rigid position on the vehicle, resisting movement so as to remain in the desired position for the driver of the vehicle.

However, disadvantageously, if a pedestrian inadvertently walks into the mirror arm, the arm acts as a rigid barrier, not moving from the viewing position. Consequently, the pedestrian often suffers injury from the impact. Similarly, if the arm knocks against another vehicle, the arm is likely to cause substantial damage to the vehicle, or, alternatively, the arm will be forcibly bent out of position because of the resistance to movement. In this instance, the arm must be replaced.

It is an object of the invention to provide a mirror arm assembly which aims to overcome the aforementioned problems. It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of manufacturing a mirror arm assembly.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a mirror arm assembly comprising a body portion for attaching to a vehicle, an arm portion for receiving a mirror, and an engaging portion, wherein the engaging portion comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw being adapted to interengage with the second jaw, wherein at least the body portion is substantially formed from one or more plastics materials, and at least the engaging portion is substantially formed from one or more metallic materials.

Preferably, the plastics material comprises a polymeric material. Preferably, the plastics material comprises a polyamide. Most preferably, the plastics material is substantially 30% glass filled Nylon 6-6.

Advantageously, 30% glass filled Nylon grade offers increased strength, stiffness, creep resistance and dimensional stability whilst retaining an excellent wear resistance.

Preferably, the metallic material comprises a metal alloy. Most preferably, the metallic material is a zinc alloy, preferably a die cast zinc alloy.

Preferably, the arm portion is substantially formed from metals material, preferably tubular steel. Preferably, the arm portion comprises a coating, preferably a phosphated coating.

Advantageously, the use of a combination of plastics materials and metallic materials provides a mirror arm assembly that is less expensive to manufacture than known metals only mirror arms. Furthermore, converse to know mirror arm assemblies manufactured wholly from metallic materials, the assembly of the present invention is unlikely to wear due to corrosion. In so doing, the product has an increased lifespan to known assemblies. The parts of the assembly of the present invention are less likely to become damaged through corrosion; there is a reduced likelihood that the mechanism of the incremental turning of the assembly will be prevented. This has the desirable effect that the assembly will continue to function over an extensive lifespan without the risk of the mechanism failing.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a mirror arm assembly comprising a body portion for attaching to a vehicle, an arm portion for receiving a mirror, and an engaging portion, wherein the engaging portion comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw being adapted to interengage with the second jaw, being operable to cause incremental movement of the body portion and/or the arm portion.

Preferably, the body portion comprises a longitudinal axis. Preferably, the engaging portion is operable to interegage to move the body portion and/or arm portion.

Preferably, the engaging portion is operable to move the arm portion with respect to the body portion, preferably about the longitudinal axis thereof. Preferably, said arm portion is moveable in a clockwise and/or an anticlockwise direction about said axis.

Preferably, the arm portion is operable to move upwardly away from the body portion, preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the first jaw is substantially circular in plan view. Preferably, the first jaw comprises a first row of teeth. Preferably, said first row comprises a plurality of first teeth. Preferably, the first teeth are located circumferentially about the first jaw.

Preferably, substantially between 10 and 30 first teeth are provided on the first jaw, preferably substantially between 15 and 25 first teeth are provided, most preferably 18 first teeth are provided on the jaw. In a most preferred arrangement, 18 first teeth are provided on the first jaw, most preferably located circumferentially about the first jaw.

Preferably, the first teeth extend from the first jaw to a first point which is substantially between 1mm and 10mm, most preferably substantially between 2mm and 5mm, most preferably substantially 3mm. Preferably, the first teeth are spaced apart from each other, preferably being spaced apart by substantially between 4mm and 10mm from the first point, preferably substantially by 7mm. Preferably, the first teeth extend downwardly from the first jaw.

Preferably, the second jaw is substantially circular in plan view. Preferably, the second jaw comprises a second row of teeth. Preferably, said second row comprises a plurality of second teeth. Preferably, the second teeth are located circumferentially about the second jaw. Preferably, substantially between 10 and 30 second teeth are provided on the second jaw, preferably substantially between 15 and 25 second teeth are provided, most preferably 18 second teeth are provided on said jaw, preferably located circumferentially about the second jaw. In a most preferred arrangement, 18 second teeth are provided circumferentially about the second jaw. Preferably, the second teeth extend from the second jaw to a second point which is substantially between 1mm and 10mm, most preferably substantially between 2mm and 5mm, most preferably substantially 3mm. Preferably, the second teeth are spaced apart from each other, preferably being spaced apart by substantially between 4mm and 10mm from the second point, preferably substantially by 7mm. Preferably, the second teeth extend upwardly from the second jaw.

Preferably, the first teeth and/or the second teeth are spaced apart such that when said teeth interengage, the assembly is operable to move in predetermined incremental turns. Preferably, each said incremental turn causes substantially between 1° and 360° movement of the body portion and/or the arm portion.

Preferably, each said turn is substantially between 10° and 450, most preferably, each said turn causes substantially 20° movement of the body portion and/or the arm portion.

In a preferred arrangement, said assembly comprises 18 first teeth and 18 second teeth, said teeth being arranged in respective said jaws so as to interengage with each other, being operable to move the arm portion away from the body portion, and to cause the arm portion and/or the body portion to incrementally turn with respect to each other by substantially 20°, preferably about the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the body portion comprises a lid portion and a container portion.

Preferably, the engaging portion is located in the lid portion and/or the container portion. Preferably, the first jaw is located in the lid portion. Preferably, the second jaw is located in the container portion. Preferably, the first and/or the second jaw comprises at least one attaching portion for attaching said jaw to the body portion.

Preferably, six attaching portions are provided on each said jaw. Preferably, each said attaching portion is dimensioned to be received in a corresponding attaching hole on the body portion.

Advantageously, the arrangement provides an assembly wherein a first jaw is located in the lid portion and the second jaw is located in the container portion, said jaws being adapted to interengage to cause the lid portion or container portion to move with respect to one another. Most preferably, the lid portion and/or container portion move in incremental turns of substantially 20° about the longitudinal axis. Such fine adjustment of the assembly is advantageous. Specifically, the incremental fine adjustment allows the vehicle driver to position the mirror arm is a most desired location. Further, such adjustment allows the assembly to more readily move when hit by an obstacle. Therefore, in the event that a pedestrian hits the assembly, the assembly more readily absorbs the impact and turns away from the impact. As such, the pedestrian is less likely to receive a serious injury from the accident.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises a spindle member. Preferably, the spindle member is formed from one or more plastics materials. Preferably, a part of the spindle member is integrally moulded to the lid portion. Preferably, the spindle member comprises an opening. Preferably, the opening is dimensioned to receive the arm portion. Preferably, at least one fixing hole for receiving a pin is located in the spindle member. Preferably, two fixing holes are located in the spindle member, preferably located substantially 90° to the longitudinal axis of the body portion.

Preferably, when the arm portion is located in the opening, pins are inserted into the fixing holes, being operable to fix the arm portion in a predetermined position in the spindle member. Preferably, the pins are located in the fixing holes substantially at 90° to the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises a block member for mounting the assembly to a vehicle. Preferably, the block member is formed from one or more plastics materials. Preferably, the block member comprises at least one mounting means receiving member, preferably three mounting means receiving members are provided. Preferably, the distance between a first said receiving member and a second receiving member is substantially 45mm. Preferably, the distance between the first receiving member and a third receiving member is substantially 60mm.

Preferably, said mounting means receiving members are mounted into the block member, preferably being moulded therein. Preferably, the mounting means receiving members are dimensioned to receive a nut carrier for attaching a mounting members.

Preferably, the assembly is adapted to be mounted in a plurality of different orientations on a vehicle. The assembly is not restricted to being mounted in a horizontal or vertical orientation on a vehicle.

Advantageously, provision of mounting means receiving members spaced apart as above, allows for the assembly to be fitted to a range of vehicles. Specifically, large vehicles generally have mirror arm attaching points which are dimensioned to receive a mirror arm assembly comprising mounting means receiving members which are at a fixed distance apart; the distance being either 60mm or 45mm. The arrangement of the present invention provides flexibility to the operator to be able to attach the assembly to a broad spectrum of vehicles. The operator can choose to locate the mounting members in the appropriate receiving members depending on the vehicle.

Preferably, the assembly further comprising a resiliently deformable member.

Preferably, said member comprises a spring. Preferably, said spring is a left hand coil spring, preferably comprising eight coils, preferably having substantially flattened ends thereof.

Preferably, the assembly comprises a plug member for attaching to the body portion.

Preferably, the plug member is adapted to receive a portion of the spindle member, preferably an end thereof.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a mirror arm assembly comprising the steps of; a. Forming an arm portion for receiving a mirror; b. Forming a body portion for attaching to a vehicle; c. Locating the arm portion in the body portion; d. Forming an engaging member comprising a first jaw and a second jaw; e. Securing the first and the second jaw to the body portion.

Preferably, step b comprises forming a lid portion and a container portion. Preferably, the first jaw is secured in the lid portion. Preferably, the second jaw is secured in the container portion.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises a step f. of forming a spindle member.

Preferably, the spindle member is integrally moulded to body portion, most preferably the lid portion. Preferably, the arm portion is received by the spindle member.

Preferably, the step f includes fixing the arm portion in the spindle member by at least one pin.

Preferably, the method further comprises a step g. of inserting a resiliently deformable member in the assembly. Preferably, said deformable member comprises a spring.

Preferably, the deformable member is adapted to fit around the spindle member.

Preferably, the method further comprises a step h. of fixing a plug to the body portion, preferably the container portion. Preferably, the method further comprises a step h. of securing the assembly together using fixing means.

Preferably, the method further comprises a step i. of forming a block member for receiving mounting means for attaching the assembly to a vehicle. Preferably, step i includes inserting the block member into the assembly, preferably the body portion.

Preferably, the method further comprises a step j. of attaching the assembly to a vehicle.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a kit of parts for a mirror arm assembly, the kit comprising a body portion for attaching to a vehicle, an arm portion for receiving a mirror, and an engaging portion, wherein the engaging portion comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw being adapted to interengage with the second jaw.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a mirror arm assembly according to the invention; Figures 2a and 2b show a schematic perspective rear side view and a schematic perspective front side view respectively of a part of a mirror arm assembly according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of a part of a mirror arm assembly according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a schematic plan view of a part of a mirror arm assembly according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a schematic cross sectional side view of a part of a mirror arm assembly according to the invention, taken along line A-A of Figure 6; Figure 6 shows a schematic front view of a part of a mirror arm assembly according to the invention; Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d show a schematic perspective view, a schematic plan view, a schematic rear view, and a schematic side view respectively of a part of a mirror arm assembly according to the invention; Figure 8 shows a schematic exploded view of a mirror arm assembly according to the invention; and Figure 9 shows a schematic sectional view of a part of a mirror arm assembly according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a mirror arm assembly 2 according to the invention. The mirror arm assembly 2 comprises a body 4 and an arm 6. A mirror 3 is shown mounted to the arm 6 in Figure 1. Engaging members 7 are located on the body 4 as will be described in greater detail below in relation to Figures 7.

Figures 2a and 2b show the body 4. The body 4 is generally cylindrical in shape having a longitudinal axis 5. An aperture 10 extends parallel to said axis 5, along the length of the body 4. The aperture 10 is dimensioned to receive the arm 6. The arm 6 is coated with a phosphated coating.

A mounting block 8 is located in the body 4. The mounting block 8 is generally rectangular in section and comprises a number of ports 9 which are hexagonal in shape for receiving nut carriers 11. Three ports 9 are shown in the figures, each having a nut carrier 11 located therein. It can be seen in Figure 5, a first port 9 is located substantially 45mm apart from a second port 9 (shown as "A" in Figure 5), and 60mm apart from a third port 9 (shown as "B" in Figure 5). The ports 9 are moulded into the mounting block 8 and the nut carriers 11 pushed into position, without the need of expensive die casting. The nut carriers 11 are dimensioned to receive mounting means 12. The mounting means 11 are shown in the figures as bolts or screws but it will be appreciated by the skilled reader that any suitable mounting means 12 for mounting the mirror arm assembly 2 on to a vehicle may be provided. It will further be appreciated that the mounting means 12 are not an integral part of the assembly and may be supplied as part of a kit of parts of the assembly.

The body 4 comprises a lid portion 16, a base portion 18 and a wall 20 therebetween.

The base portion 18 and wall 20 together comprise a container portion of the invention. The lid portion 16 is separately moulded from the base portion 18 and the wall 20. In use, the lid portion 16 and/or the arm 6 is operable to rotate with respect to the wall 20 and base portion 18.

A spindle member 22 extends downwardly from an inner surface 23 of the lid portion 16 towards the base portion 18. The spindle member 22 is shown in greater detail in Figure 9. The spindle member 22 extends substantially parallel to the axis 5. The spindle member 22 is generally cylindrical in shape having an opening 26 extending therethrough. The opening 26 is of substantially an equal diameter to the aperture 10, being approximately 16mm in diameter, and lies coaxial with said aperture 10 so as to receive the arm portion 6. A number of fixing holes 27 are located on the spindle member 22. The fixing holes 27 pass through said member 22, perpendicular to the axis 5. The fixing holes 27 are dimensioned to receive spring pins, for example, SELOCTM pins which are forced through said holes 27 when the arm 6 is located in the opening 26. The pins are coated with a phosphated coating to prevent corrosion.

The spring pins clamp the arm 6 in position in the spindle member 22. Two fixing holes 27 are shown in Figure 8, being mounted at approximately 90 degrees to the axis 5 and substantially 20mm centre distance apart. Each fixing hole 27 is approximately 6mm in diameter. An end 28 of the spindle member 22 is dimensioned to be received in a plug 30. The diameter of said end 28 is approximately 24mm. The diameter of the end 28 is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the plug 30. A nut 29 is provided in the end 28.

A jaw retaining means 31 is located on the spindle member 22. The jaw retaining means 31 comprises a disc having a plurality of bores 72 therethrough. The bores 72 are dimensioned to receive protruding members 70 of jaws of the assembly 2.

The spindle member 22 is moulded to the lid portion 16. The spindle member 22 may be separately moulded to the lid portion 16 and fixed in position during manufacture.

Figures 3 and 4 show the plug 30 in greater detail. Figure 3 shows a plan view of an inner surface 32 of the plug 30. The plug 30 is generally circular in cross section and comprises a channel 34. The channel 34 is surrounded by an upstanding wall 36 of the plug 30. A number of injection moulding points 38 are located on the wall 36.

Bridges 40 extend across the channel 34. Six bridges 40 are shown in Figure 3, each being approximately 1cm apart to form individual grooves 42. A hole 44 is provided in the plug 30. The hole 44 is dimensioned to receive fixing means, for example, a screw 46.

Figure 4 shows the outer face of the plug 30. In particular, it can be seen that the screw 46 is located in the hole 44 of the plug 30. The screw 46 passes through the hole 44 and threads into a threading portion 49 located in the spindle member 22.

The screw 46 secures the plug 30 to the spindle member 22 in use, which in turn secures the lid portion 16 to the assembly 2.

Figures 5 and 6 show a spring 48 in the mirror arm assembly 2. The spring 48 is located around the spindle member 22 such that an upper part 50 of the spring abuts against a first surface 52 of the body 4. A lower part 54 of the spring 48 abuts against a second surface 56 of the body 4 as shown in Figure 5. The spring 48 comprises an outer diameter of approximately 30mm and has a free length of approximately 110mm. In a loaded configuration, the spring 48 has a loaded length of approximately 65mm. In the loaded configuration, the compression load is approximately 134 Newtons. The spring 48 shown in the arrangement of Figure 5 is a left hand coiled spring, which is approximately 3mm thick or wide in diameter, being a B55216M4 galvanised spring steel wire. The spring 48 is ground down at both the upper part 50 and lower part 54 to provide substantially flat ends of the spring. In this configuration, said parts 50,54 do not intrude into the moulding of the body 4.

Figures 7 show the engaging members 7 in detail. The engaging members 7 comprise an upper jaw 60 and a lower jaw 62 as shown in Figure 8. Each said jaw 6062 is of the substantially an identical structure. Each jaw 60,62 is generally circular in plan view having an outer diameter of approximately 40mm and having a central cut out 64 of approximately 24.5mm diameter. The cut-out 64 is dimensioned to receive the spindle member 22. A first row of teeth 66 is located on the upper jaw 60 and a second row of teeth 68 is located on the lower jaw 62. The teeth 66 and 68 are configured to mesh or inter-engage with each other as shown most clearly in Figure 6.

The first row of teeth 66 extend downwardly from the lid portion 16 to engage with the second row of teeth 68 which extend upwardly from the wall 20. The teeth 66,68 extend by substantially 3mm as shown in Figure 7d (reference "a"). The distance between each tooth in the row is substantially 7mm (reference b"). Each said jaw comprises eighteen teeth in a circumferential arrangement.

Each jaw 60,62 comprises the protruding members 70 for attaching the jaw to the jaw retaining means 31 of the assembly 2. Six protruding members 70 are shown located around the circumference of each jaw 60,62. The protruding members 70 extend from each jaw by approximately 3mm to be received in the bores 72 provided in the jaw retaining means 31.

In a first configuration, in which the mirror arm assembly 2 is positioned in a location for the vehicle driver to see upcoming vehicles, the teeth 66, 68 inter-engage or mesh together as shown in Figures 2. In this configuration, the spring 48 is in a loaded or compressed position. In the event that the assembly 2 is knocked, for example, if a pedestrian strikes said assembly 2, the forces of the strike, particularly hitting the arm 6, causes the upper jaw 60 to move upwardly away from the lower jaw 62. The spring 48 allows for controlled movement of the jaws. The teeth 66 ratchet over the teeth 68, to move onwards one tooth in the circumferential row. The distance between the teeth causes an incremental movement of the arm 6 about the axis 5 of approximately degrees. Such a fine degree of incremental movement provides controlled movement of the assembly 2 on impact and aids in cushioning the impact for the pedestrian. Furthermore, provision of the fine incremental turning arrangement allows the vehicle driver to adjust the position of the mirror arm to substantially their exact desired location for driving.

The assembly 2 is manufactured from plastic materials and metal material.

Specifically, the body 4 is manufactured from a high strength polymer, preferably a 30% glass filled nylon 6-6 material, being injection moulded. As such, advantageously, the body 4 is unlikely to become corroded in use. The jaws 60,62 are manufactured from die cast zinc ensuring longevity of said jaw parts.

Advantageously, the combination of materials used, ensures that the manufacturing process is cost effective whilst providing a durable and wear resistant product.

Further, the lifespan of the product is greater than known mirror arm assemblies manufactured wholly from metals material which are prone to corrosion.

The manufacturing process for the assembly comprises the steps of; a. Forming an arm portion for receiving a mirror; b. Forming a body portion for attaching to a vehicle; c. Locating the arm portion in the body portion; d. Forming an engaging member comprising a first jaw and a second jaw; e. Securing the first and the second jaw to the body portion.

Specifically, the arm portion 6 is formed from tubular metal which is bent into the desired shape. The container part and the lid portion 16 of the body 4 are separately injection moulded from plastics material. The spindle member 22 is separately injection moulded. The mounting block 8 is injection moulded to provide the ports 9.

The nut carriers 11 are the pushed into the ports 9. The block 8 is then inserted upwardly into the shoulder of the body 4. The arm is located through the lid portion 16 and into the spindle member 22. The arm is secured in position by spring pins which are inserted through the fixing holes 27. The jaws 60,62 are fixed into position in the lid portion 16 and the jaw retaining means 31 respectively. The spring 48 is located around the spindle member 22 and the component parts fastened together by the plug and the screw means 46 which is threaded into the threading portion 49 in the spindle member 22 and tightened.

The assembly 2 is mounted to a vehicle via the mounting block 8. The assembly 2 may be mounted in a variety of orientations, for example, on a defence vehicle, a plurality of said assemblies may be proved wherein one assembly is mounted in a horizontal orientation and a further assembly is mounted in a vertical orientation. One or each assembly may be mounted with the lid portion facing upwardly or alternatively, the lid portion may be inverted from this upwardly configuration.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a mirror arm assembly that is manufactured from a combination of materials which allows manufacturing cost to be minimised whilst providing a more robust product than known assemblies manufactured from metals alone. Due to the parts being separately moulded, the jaws could be replaced as a component part rather than the whole assembly being replaced. In known assemblies, the engaging members are die cast as part of the assembly and cannot therefore be readily replaced.

The mirror arm assembly of the present invention is less likely to wear due to corrosion because of the plastics material used for the body 4. Furthermore, due to the use of plastics, the overall product weight is substantially reduced when compared with know assemblies. As a result of the reduced weight, transportation costs are minimised.

Furthermore, provision of an assembly comprising jaws and intermeshing teeth allows for incremental movement of the teeth in short incremental distances, rather than, for example, an assembly which provides movement over large distances, for example over 45 degree distances which does not allow the user fine adjustment of the assembly, or does not cushion an impact for a pedestrian.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A mirror arm assembly comprising a body portion for attaching to a vehicle, an arm portion for receiving a mirror, and an engaging portion, wherein the engaging portion comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw being adapted to interengage with the second jaw, wherein at least the body portion is substantially formed from one or more plastics materials, and at least the engaging portion is substantially formed from one or more metallic materials.
2. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastics material comprises a polyamide.
3. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the plastics material is substantially 30% glass filled Nylon 6-6.

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4. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the metallic material comprises a metal alloy.
5. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the metal alloy is a die cast zinc alloy.
6. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm portion comprises a phosphated coating.
7. A mirror arm assembly comprising a body portion for attaching to a vehicle, an arm portion for receiving a mirror, and an engaging portion, wherein the engaging portion comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw being adapted to interengage with the second jaw, being operable to cause incremental movement of the body portion and/or the arm portion.
8. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engaging portion is operable to interengage to move the body portion and/or arm portion.
9. A mirror arm assembly as described in claim 8, wherein the arm portion is operable to move upwardly away from the body portion, in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body portion.
10. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first jaw is substantially circular in plan view and comprises a first row of teeth.
11. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first row comprises a plurality of first teeth, the first teeth being located circumferentially about the first jaw.
12. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein 18 first teeth are provided on the first jaw, located circumferentially about the first jaw, the first teeth extending from the first jaw to a first point which is substantially between 2mm and 5mm, and the first teeth extend downwardly from the first jaw.
13. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second jaw is substantially circular in plan view, comprising a second row of teeth.
14. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said second row comprises a plurality of second teeth, the second teeth being located circumferentially about the second jaw.
15. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first teeth and/or the second teeth are spaced apart such that when said teeth interengage, the assembly is operable to move in predetermined incremental turns.
16. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein said turn causes substantially 2O movement of the body portion and/or the arm portion.
17. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein said assembly comprises 18 first teeth and 18 second teeth, said teeth being arranged in respective said jaws so as to interengage with each other, being operable to move the arm portion away from the body portion, and to cause the arm portion and/or the body portion to incrementally turn with respect to each other by substantially 2O, about the longitudinal axis.
18. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body portion comprises a lid portion and a container portion, the first jaw being located in the lid portion, and the second jaw being located in the container portion.
19. A mirror arm assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the lid portion and/or container portion are operable to move in incremental turns of substantially 2O about the longitudinal axis.
20. A method of manufacturing a mirror arm assembly as described in any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of; a. Forming an arm portion for receiving a mirror; b. Forming a body portion for attaching to a vehicle; c. Locating the arm portion in the body portion; d. Forming an engaging member comprising a first jaw and a second jaw; e. Securing the first and the second jaw to the body portion.
21. A kit of parts for a mirror arm assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the kit comprising a body portion for attaching to a vehicle, an arm portion for receiving a mirror, and an engaging portion, wherein the engaging portion comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw being adapted to interengage with the second jaw.
22. A mirror arm assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.