Mounting bracket for a vehicle mirror

Abstract

A mounting bracket for securing a mirror assembly to a vehicle exterior includes a body having a non-planar outer surface and a mounting surface that is securable to the vehicle. A slit is defined in the body, opens away from the mounting surface, and defines a first plane. An aperture extends through the body and the slit substantially perpendicularly to the first plane. A counterbore is recessed with respect to the outer surface and surrounds the aperture. At least a portion of a cap is positioned in the counterbore and overlies the counterbore and the aperture.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A mounting bracket for securing a mirror assembly to a vehicle exterior, the bracket comprising; 
 a body having a non-planar outer surface and a mounting surface that is securable to the vehicle;    a slit defined in the body and opening away from the mounting surface, the slit defining a first plane;    an aperture extending through the body and the slit substantially perpendicularly to the first plane;    a counterbore, recessed with respect to the outer surface and substantially surrounding the aperture; and,    a cap having at least a portion positioned in the counterbore and overlying the counterbore and the aperture.    
     
     
         2 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener extending through the aperture, the fastener having a head portion positioned in the counterbore, and wherein the cap overlies the head portion.  
     
     
         3 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting surface is engageable with a stud extending from the vehicle exterior to secure the mounting bracket to the vehicle.  
     
     
         4 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the non-planar outer surface includes a bell-shaped contour.  
     
     
         5 . The mounting bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture defines a first axis, the mounting bracket further comprising grooves extending axially with respect to the first axis from the outer surface toward the slit, and wherein the cap includes tabs engageable with the grooves to secure the cap to the body.  
     
     
         6 . A mirror assembly for use on a vehicle, the assembly comprising: 
 a reflective body;    a first elongated support member including a first end couplable to the reflective body and a second end;    a second elongated support member having a first end coupled to the first support member and a second end;    a third elongated support member having a first end coupled to at least one of the first and second support members and a second end;    a first mounting member, securable to the vehicle and coupled to the second end of the first support member by a first fastener;    a second mounting member, securable to the vehicle and coupled to the second end of the second support member by a second fastener; and    a third mounting member, securable to the vehicle and coupled to the second end of the third support member by a third fastener, each mounting member including a cap to substantially overlie the fasteners and hide the fasteners from view.    
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the mounting members include counterbores and the fasteners include portions positioned within the counterbores, and wherein the caps to overlie the fasteners comprise removable caps positioned in the counterbores.  
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein each mounting member includes a non-planar outer surface providing a bell-shaped contour and a mounting surface engaging the vehicle.  
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each mounting member includes a slit extending through the outer surface and opening away from the mounting surface, the slits receiving the second ends of the support members.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the support members includes an expandable portion between the first and second ends.  
     
     
         11 . A mounting bracket for securing a mirror assembly to a road vehicle, the bracket comprising: 
 an upper portion having a non-planar outer surface and a lower surface;    a lower portion securable to the vehicle;    a slit defined in the upper portion and defining a central plane;    an aperture extending through the upper portion and the slit generally perpendicularly to the central plane, the aperture defining a first axis;    a counterbore surrounding the aperture and providing an inner annular wall that is generally parallel to the central plane, and a circumferential wall having a diameter and surrounding the first axis;    a groove formed in the circumferential wall and extending axially toward the annular wall;    an elongated cutout extending from the lower surface into the upper portion to intersect the groove, the cutout having a length greater than the circumferential wall diameter and cooperating with the groove to provide an internal lip in the upper portion; and    a cap received by the counterbore and including a tab having a projection, the tab received by the groove, and the projection engaging the internal lip to secure the cap to the body, the cap substantially overlying the aperture, the annular wall, and the circumferential wall.    
     
     
         12 . The mounting bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the lower portion includes a substantially cylindrical boss extending generally perpendicularly from the lower surface and defining a central axis, and a skirt portion extending axially and radially away from the lower surface and surrounding the cylindrical boss.  
     
     
         13 . The mounting bracket of  claim 12 , wherein the skirt portion has a substantially uniform thickness.  
     
     
         14 . The mounting bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the upper portion and the lower portion cooperate to provide a substantially bell-shaped outer contour.  
     
     
         15 . The mounting bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the cutout extends generally perpendicularly from the lower surface and is generally parallel to the central plane.