FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of exterior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles and, more particularly, to extendable and retractable exterior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide an automotive exterior rearview mirror assembly that may be extended and retracted, such as for trailer towing applications, where the mirror assembly may be extended to provide enhanced rearward viewing to the driver of the trailer pulling vehicle. Examples of extendable and retractable mirror assemblies are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,483,385; 6,116,743; 6,213,609; 6,239,928; 6,276,808; 6,325,518; 6,394,616 and/or 6,497,491, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an exterior rearview mirror assembly (configured for mounting at a side of an equipped vehicle) that includes an extending/retracting mechanism and actuator that is operable to move the mirror head between a retracted position and an extended position. The actuator comprises a motor that is disposed at a support structure configured for mounting the mirror head at the side of the vehicle. The actuator and motor and output gear are disposed at or integrated in an outboard end of the support structure or arm that extends from the side of the vehicle, while a mirror head bracket of the mirror head engages an output gear or drive gear of the actuator. The motor, when actuated, rotates the output gear, which is engaged with a toothed track of the mirror head bracket of the mirror head, to impart translational lateral movement of the mirror head relative to the support structure and relative to the side of the vehicle at which the mirror assembly is mounted.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

