EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRRORS FOR VEHICLES

An exterior mirror for a vehicle comprises a base member (10) attached to the vehicle body, first pivotal engagement means (22) mounted on an arm secured to the base member (10) so as to project laterally in the opposite direction to the mounting face (12), a housing (26) for a reflective member (28) having second pivotal engagement means (38, 44). Resilient means (56) extend between a point (48) on the base member (10) which is nearer to the mounting face (12) than the pivot axis (22) and a chain comprising a first link (46) and a second link (50). The first link (46) is pivotally attached to the base member (10) at one end (48) and pivotally attached to the second link (50) at the other end (52), the resilient means (56) being pivotally attached to an intermediate point (60) on the second link (50). A cam surface (64, 66) on the second link (50) is urged by the resilient means (54, 56) into engagement with a projection (62) on the base member (10) located between the pivot axis (22) and the point of connection (48) of the first link (46) to the base member (10). The projection (62) engages against an abutment (64) at one end of the cam surface when the links (46, 50) are in a position such that the line of action of the spring pulls the housing (26) towards its position of normal use, and engages in a recess (66) at the other end thereof when the orientati on of the links (46, 50) is such that the line of action of the spring pulls the housing (26) towards the mounting face (12), e.g. as a result of impact on the housing (26).