Importance

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Abstract

A mirror assembly for use on an automotive vehicle comprises a support base for mounting the mirror assembly to the vehicle. A support arm extends longitudinally between a proximal end pivotally coupled to the support base and an opposite distal end. The mirror assembly further includes a housing coupled to the support arm and slidable between a retracted position adjacent to the proximal end and an extended position adjacent to the distal end and spaced from the proximal end. A glass mirror pane is operatively coupled to the housing for providing a reflective view from the mirror assembly. The mirror assembly also includes a drive mechanism coupled between the support arm and the housing for providing both power actuated and manual sliding movement of the housing along the support arm between the retracted position and the extended position. The drive mechanism includes a drive screw rotated by a motor for engaging and driving a drive nut coupled to the housing along the longitudinal length of the drive screw. A clutch mechanism allows the drive nut to freely rotate about the drive screw to manually adjust the position of the housing along the support arm. The mirror assembly further includes a pivot mechanism coupled between the support base and the support arm for providing both power actuated and manual pivoting movement of the support arm between an unfolded position extending laterally from the vehicle and a folded position pivoted adjacent and generally parallel to the vehicle.

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First Claim