Importance

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Abstract

A mirror assembly for external use on large trucks, tractors, buses, etc. A first reflective surface is pivotably supported with respect to a large, shell-like housing in such a way that the surface is movable at will about two perpendicular axes. A powered hydraulic means is used for selectively rotating the reflective surface to a desired position and normally holding it in a static mode. The hydraulic means includes reservoirs in communication with two hydraulic cylinders, and a plurality of check valves arranged in sets and interposed between the reservoirs and the chambers in the cylinders. The hydraulic fluid is chosen from the group that comprises engine oil, power steering fluid, transmission oil and ethylene glycol. A person may manually grab the reflective surface and apply a torque to it which is sufficient to overcome the biasing resistance of the check valves, so the reflective surface may be manually moved to a desired position (to foster adequate visibility by a driver) even if the hydraulic means has become inoperative. Therefore, a tractor or truck need not be rendered inoperative for road travel just because the power for an external mirror is lost. A second reflective surface is affixed to a plate that supports the first reflective surface, so that the first and second reflective surfaces may be rotated as a unit, or one may be rotated without affecting the other.

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First Claim