A vehicle attachment and a vehicle

Abstract

An apparatus 20 for removable attachment to a wing mirror 10 of a vehicle. The apparatus comprises: a body 22 with at least one functional component 26, an elongate support 24 connected to the body at

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for removable attachment to a wing mirror of a vehicle and a vehicle. Aspects of the invention relate to an apparatus, and to a vehicle. BACKGROUND It is known to provide towing mirrors for removable connection to the outside of a wing mirror of a vehicle such that towed structures, like a caravan, can be more easily seen around by a driver of the vehicle. The connection between the towing mirror and wing mirror is generally made by a clamp which removably connects the towing mirror to the wing mirror, for example, by clamping to a lip of the mirror of the wing mirror. It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus and to a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for removable attachment to a wing mirror of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a body comprising at least one functional component; an elongate support connected to the body at a first end thereof; and a connector disposed at a second end of the support distal from the body; and wherein the connector comprises an engagement feature or receiving feature and is configured to be releasably connectable to a corresponding connector having a corresponding receiving feature or corresponding engagement feature on the wing mirror to releasably connect the wing mirror and apparatus together. The ability to connect the apparatus to a wing mirror by releasably connecting the connecting parts together enables an apparatus to be fitted to a wing mirror of a vehicle. The apparatus having the functional component enables additional functionality which may not be provided in the native vehicle. For example, this can be useful when towing a trailer or caravan or the like. By providing an apparatus that is configured to couple with a wing mirror of a vehicle a more secure connection may be achieved than prior art systems which utilise a clamp type arrangement to clamp an apparatus to a vehicle wing mirror. According to an additional aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for removable attachment to a wing mirror of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a body comprising at least one functional component; and a connector connected to the body; and wherein the connector comprises an engagement feature or receiving feature and is configured to be releasably connectable to a corresponding connector having a corresponding receiving feature or corresponding engagement feature on the wing mirror to releasably connect the wing mirror and apparatus together. Optionally the apparatus further comprises an elongate support connected to the body at a first end thereof and wherein the connector is connected to the elongate support at a second end thereof. According to any previously described aspect of the invention describing an apparatus additional optional features may be provided as will now be described. Optionally, the support is connected to the body at a first end of the support, and the connector is disposed at a second end of the support. By disposing the connector at one end of the support and the body at the second, a clearance between the wing mirror and apparatus may be achieved in practice. Optionally, the connector is sized to be removably received within an aperture of the wing mirror. Removably receiving the connector in the aperture may provide an easy means for the user to connect the two components together as the connector may be located within the aperture. Optionally, at least a portion of the support is sized to be removably received within the aperture of the wing mirror. By removably receiving the connector and a portion of the support within the aperture there may be a reduction in any bending moment experienced by the apparatus in use as the portion of the support received within the wing mirror aperture may provide increased mechanical resistance to movement during use. Optionally, the connector is one of: a male bayonet part, a female bayonet part, a permanent magnet, a threaded portion, a snap-fit connector, a male quick release connector part and a female quick release connector part. By providing an connector in such a configuration easy connection and disconnection of the wing mirror and apparatus can be achieved. Optionally, wherein one or both of the connector and support comprises a locking arrangement configured to prevent removal of the apparatus from the wing mirror when the locking arrangement is in a locked position and enable removal of the apparatus from the wing mirror when the locking arrangement is in an unlocked position. The locking arrangement may be used to prevent accidental or unauthorized removal of the apparatus when disposed on the wing mirror. The locking arrangement may be configured to be complementary to a wing locking arrangement located in the wing mirror. The locking arrangement and wing locking arrangement being mated in the locked position to prevent removal of the apparatus from the wing mirror, and the locking arrangement and wing locking arrangement being unmated in an unlocked position enabling removal of the apparatus from the wing mirror. Optionally, the functional component is one or more of: a reflective surface, an indicator feature, a data collection device, a turning signal. The functional component of the apparatus provides additional functionality to the driver which is in addition to the native function of the vehicle when the apparatus is connected to the vehicle. For example, the reflective surface can be used to extend the field of view of the driver to see rearwardly around obstructions such as a caravan or trailer. The indicator feature may provide additional information to the driver when the driver is operating the vehicle. By providing a data collection device information can be collected using the apparatus which may provide additional information to the drive to aid them in driving the mirror. By providing a turning signal on the accessory the turning signal may be in use disposed further from the vehicle than a turning signal on the same vehicle without the accessory, as a result the turn signal on the accessory may be visible around obstructions whereas other turn signals on the native vehicle may not be visible in other orientations or view points. As such, providing a turning signal on the accessory can provide additional visibility to other road users when the driver of the vehicle is indicating that they plan to turn. Optionally, the connector is configured to enable an electrical connection between the wing mirror and the apparatus. By providing an electrical connection power and / or data can be transmitted between the apparatus and the wing mirror. Optionally, wherein the electrical connection is configured for one way data transmission or two-way data transmission. By enabling one-way data transmission can be sent to the apparatus from the vehicle or wing mirror, for example a signal to turn on an LED or indicator light disposed on the apparatus. Alternatively, the one-way data transmission can send information from various sensor or other devices located on the apparatus to the wing mirror and / or vehicle for processing, for example from a sensor being located on the apparatus. By enabling two-way data transmission, the advantages of one-way data transmission are both achieved as information can be sent to-and-from and from-and-to the wing mirror and apparatus. Optionally, wherein functional component is a reflective surface and the body further comprises an actuator configured to control the orientation of the reflective surface in relation to an axis defined by the body, the actuator being electrically connected to the electrical connection. The actuator may enable easy movement of the orientation of the reflective surface in relation to the body without the need for the user to manually manipulate the reflective surface which can cause oils or dirt to be transferred from a person’s hand onto the reflective surface in practice. Optionally, the reflective surface comprises an additional functional component that is at least one indicator feature, the additional functional component being electrically connected to the electrical connection, and wherein the at least one indicator feature is any one of: a display, an indicator light, an LED light. The indication feature may enable information to be presented to the driver of the vehicle when the driver is operating the vehicle, for example, the LED light may display information regarding the proximity of a second vehicle and / or indicate whether a second vehicle is located in the blind spot of the vehicle the driver is driving having the apparatus. Optionally, wherein the body comprises at least one heating element, the heating element being configured to heat the reflective surface. By providing a heating element condensation or water may be removed from the surface of the reflective surface without the need for the driver to manually remove the water using a cloth or similar means. Optionally, wherein functional component is a data collection device, and the data collection device is any one of: a camera, an advanced driver assistance system camera, a sensor, a proximity sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor. By providing a data collection device information can be collected using the apparatus which may provide additional information to the drive to aid them in driving the mirror. For example, the camera may provide an additional view of the vehicle and / or surroundings of the vehicle which may aid the driver to avoid street furniture when turning the vehicle during a towing event. Optionally, wherein the support has a cross-section along a portion of a length of the support, the cross-section being any one of: a circle, an oval or an aerofoil. Providing a cross-section of the support comprising a circle, oval or aerofoil may reduce the aerodynamic drag experienced by the support in use and therefore reduce any audible feedback to the driver as the vehicle is moving. Optionally, wherein the body comprises an actuator operatively connected to the support, the actuator configured to enable lateral moveable ofthe body on the support between a first position and a second position. By enabling lateral movement of the body on the support the distance between the wing mirror and the apparatus can be changed by the user so that they can change the distance between the two mirrors for seeing around particularly wide trailers, for example. The actuator may be a mechanical actuator or button. The actuator may be configured to releasably engage one of a plurality of notches or detents on the support. Optionally, the actuator may be an electromechanical actuator configured to move the body between the first and second position on the support. The actuator may comprise a pinion and the support may comprise a rack such that the actuator is a linear rack-and-pinion type actuator. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the apparatus of any embodiment of any aspect describing an apparatus. By providing the vehicle with the apparatus the vehicle has the advantages ofthe apparatus. Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in anyway and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments ofthe invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention, the vehicle having a wing mirror with an accessory removably attached to the wing mirror, in the schematic representation the vehicle is towing a second vehicle; Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the callout A shown on the schematic representation of the vehicle of Figure 1, the callout A shows an enlarged view ofthe wing mirror and removably attached accessory; Figure 3 show a schematic representation of a wing mirror and accessory in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention, the Figure shows the wing mirror isolated from a vehicle for reasons of clarity and certain internal components being represented by dotted, dashed and / or dot-dashed lines; and Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a connector of a wing mirror connected to a corresponding connector of an accessory used to connect the accessory to the wing mirror in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, for reasons of clarity other components of the wing mirror and accessory are not shown; Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of the wing mirror and accessory of Figure 3 where the wing mirror and connector are disconnected; Figure 6a shows a cross-sectional view of a support of the accessory taken along line B-E3 shown in Figure 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 6b shows a cross-sectional view of a support of the accessory taken along line B-B shown in Figure 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 6c shows a cross-sectional view of a support of the accessory taken along line B-B shown in Figure 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 7a shows a schematic representation of a wing mirror and accessory in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the accessory having an actuator that is configured to move a body of the accessory laterally between a first position and a second position, the first position being shown; Figure 7b shows the second position of Figure 7a; and Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a wing mirror 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the wing mirror having a retained cover for closing an aperture on the external surface of the body of the wing mirror. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A vehicle 1, an apparatus 20, a wing mirror 10 and system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 to 8. As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 20 (also referred to throughout as an ‘accessory’ 20) is removably connected to a wing mirror 10 of the vehicle 1. The use of the removable accessory 20 provides additional functionality for the vehicle 1 with the accessory 20 attached, such as an improved rearward field of view. An improved field of view may be advantageous when towing a load 4 such as a trailer or caravan or horsebox or the like which has a width equal to or greater than that of the vehicle 1. Figure 1 shows the load 4 as a trailer. As will be apparent the accessory 20 may be used when towing a load 4 which has a width less than or equal than that of the vehicle 1. Other functionality will become apparent from careful review of the present disclosure. With reference to Figure 1 there is illustrated the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 has two wing mirrors 10 and each of the wing mirrors 10 has an accessory 20 removably connected thereto. This depiction is not intended to be limiting and a single accessory 20 connected to only one of the wing mirrors 10 is also envisioned. The system 100 is directed to a single wing mirror 10 releasably connected to an apparatus 20, the connection of these two components will be discussed in more detail below. The vehicle 1 is a wheeled passenger vehicle. The passenger vehicle depicted is of the 4x4 or Sports Utility Vehicle (‘SUV’) type, however the vehicle 1 may be a car (e.g. saloon, estate, hatchback), a van, a light goods vehicle, or other such vehicle. The vehicle 1 may be a fully electric vehicle having only an electric machine as a power source for propulsion and no internal combustion engine or may be a hybrid vehicle having both an electric machine and an internal combustion engine arranged to propel the vehicle 1. The electric machine is powered by a battery which may be a traction battery or battery module. The vehicle 1 may be a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or a mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV). It shall be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the vehicle 1 may be a hydrogen electric vehicle (HEV) and hence the electric machine may be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell arrangement comprising one or more hydrogen fuel cells. It shall be appreciated that the following description directed to a battery powered electric vehicle may also apply to a hydrogen electric vehicle or an internal combustion engine (ICE vehicle). An enlarged view of the vehicle 1 is shown in Figure 2 which shows portion A of vehicle 1 in more detail. As shown in Figure 2, each of the apparatuses 20 has a body 22 an elongate support 24 and at least one functional component 26. The body 22 is connected to the elongated support 24 at a first end of the elongated support 24. At a second end of the elongated support 24 is a first connector 40. The first connector 40 and at least a portion of the elongated support 24 are sized to be removably received within an aperture 12 of the wing mirror 10 as will be described in more detail below. As will be apparent, the first connector 40 is not shown in Figures 1 and 2, as the first connector 40 is received within the wing mirror 10, but this arrangement will be described in more detail below with reference to the connection to the wing mirror 10 and Figures 3 to 8. The functional component 26 in the depicted example is a reflective surface represented by dashed line 30. As will be apparent, the vehicle 1 in Figures 1 and 2 is being observed in the schematic from a viewpoint substantially in front of the vehicle 1 and as such the reflective surface 26 is obscured by a portion of the body 22. The reflective surface 26 is a mirror which enables the driver to have a greater field of view than would be otherwise afforded by the wing mirrors 10 of the vehicle 1. This is because the accessory 20 extends further outwards in a lateral direction from the body of the vehicle 1 than the wing mirrors 10 to which the accessory 20 is connected. In the schematic Figure 1 the vehicle 1 is shown towing the load 4 via a tow connection 2. The tow connection 2 may be substantially rigid and in the form of a towbar, or substantially flexible and in the form of a tow rope or chain. As will be apparent from careful review of the present disclosure the disclosure is not intended to be only utilised in a towing type arrangement (as shown in Figure 1) but may be utilised in alternative scenarios where additional functionality is required or without a load 4 being connected to the vehicle 1. The load 4 in the depicted example is a trailer, however this is purely for the purpose of illustrating the disclosure. The load 4 may be a trailer, a boat trailer configured to carry one or more boats, a caravan, a trailer tent, a folding camper, a horsebox, a second vehicle, or any other apparatus that is configured to be towed by a vehicle. Alternatively, the load 4 may not be of the type previously described but may be any load which could be connected to the vehicle 1, either directly or indirectly, to be moved by the vehicle 1. One such example may be during road clearance operations whereby a tow connection 2 such as a chain or tow-rope is connected to a load 4 (such as a tree or bolder or other obstruction) the vehicle 1 provides the traction to move the load 4 from a first position to a second position. The accessory 20 and the reflective surface (the functional component 26) enable the driver to see more of, or around of, the load 4 behind the vehicle 1 when the accessory 20 is correctly installed to the wing mirror 10. The connection between the accessory 20 and the wing mirror 10 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 to 8. The schematic view in Figure 3 is such that the reflective surface 30 of the accessory 20 is shown but also reflective surface 16 of the wing mirror 10. In other words, the schematic view of Figure 3 is substantially aligned with the view of a driver sat in a driver seat of vehicle 1 where vehicle 1 is a right-hand-drive vehicle ora passenger sat in the front passenger seat of a vehicle 1 where vehicle 1 is a left-hand-drive vehicle. Whilst a ‘right-hand-side’ wing mirror 10 and accessory 20 are show the principles and descriptions of the disclosure are equally applicable to a ‘left-hand-side’ wing mirror 10 and accessory 20. The wing mirror 10 has a body 14 onto which the reflective surface 16 is disposed. The reflective surface 16 may be pivotable or moveable to change the orientation of the reflective surface 16 relative to the body 14. For example, the reflective surface 16 may be moveable or driven by an actuator which is controllable from within the vehicle 1 by a control unit, that may comprise one or more buttons as is known in the art. The aperture 12 is located on the body 14. The body 14 defines a passageway or socket which is connected to the aperture 12 such that the passageway or socket is accessible from an external surface 15 of the body. Disposed within the body 14 is a second connector 50. The second connector 50 is configured to be releasably connectable to the first connector 40. The second connector 50 is located within the passageway or socket of the body 14 and is accessible via the aperture 12. Figures 3 and 4 show the first and second connectors 40, 50 releasably connected together, Figure 5 shows the first and second connectors 40, 50 disconnected from each other. The double ended arrow, insertion path P, indicates the insertion / removal path of the first connector 40 into / out of the aperture 12. The aperture 12 defines an axis Z, shown in Figure 3. The second connector 50 is disposed on the axis Z such that insertion of the support 24 through the aperture 12 enables more convenient mating with the second connector 50. The passageway or socket may have an internal support surface 13, the internal support surface 13 is complementary to the shape of a portion of the support 24 and aids to correctly align and / or retain the support 24 in use. The connection between the first and second connectors 40, 50 will be described with the aid of Figure 4 which shows one implementation of the present disclosure; however, this description is not intended to be limiting, and other implementations are foreseen as will be described below. Figure 4 is therefore to aid teaching of the present disclosure. Figure 4 shows the first and second connectors 40, 50 releasably connected together. The first connector 40 corresponds to the second connector 50, for example it may have a complementary form. The first connector 40 has an engagement feature 42. The second connector 50 has a corresponding receiving feature 52. In use the engagement feature 42 and corresponding receiving feature 52 are engaged or otherwise connected or coupled together to prevent removal of the support 24 from the wing mirror 10. In alternative configurations, the receiving feature 52 may instead be on the first connector 40 and a corresponding engagement feature 42 on the second connector 50. The first connector 40 may therefore be any one of the following: a male bayonet part, a female bayonet part, a permanent magnet, a threaded portion, a snap-fit connector, a male quick release connector part and a female quick release connector part. The second connector 50 may therefore be any complementary feature in respect of the first connector 40, i.e. any one of: a male bayonet part, a female bayonet part, a permanent magnet, a threaded portion, a snap-fit connector, a male quick release connector part and a female quick release connector part. For example, where the first connector 40 is a male bayonet part (the engagement feature 42) the second connector 50 may be a female bayonet part (the corresponding receiving feature 52) or vice versa. To reduce the likelihood of accidental or unwanted removal of the accessory 20 from the wing mirror 10, the wing mirror 10 may comprise a locking arrangement 70. The locking arrangement 70 having a locked position that prevents removal of the support 24 and / or accessory 20 from the wing mirror 10 and an unlocked position that enables the removal of the support 24 and / or accessory 20 from the wing mirror 10. The locking arrangement 70 is shown in Figure 4 and comprises a detent member 72. The detent member 72 is configured to operatively engage a recess 74 on the support 24. When the detent member 72 is engaged with the recess 74 the support 24 is locked to the wing mirror 10, this locked position is the position shown in Figure 4. The unlocked position is where the detent member 72 is disengaged from the recess 74 (not shown) enabling the accessory 20 to be moved out of the wing mirror 10 as shown in Figure 5. The detent member 72 may be electrically or mechanically actuated. The detent member 72 may have a control unit accessible from the inside of the vehicle 1 or on a surface of the wing mirror 10. The detent member 72 may be key operated such that operation is possible only by insertion of a key configured to the specific vehicle 1 (in a fashion similar to the movement of a catch in a door lock). Alternatively, the detent member 72 may only be controllable from an icon or menu on a touchscreen of the vehicle such that selecting an operation or sub-routine on the touchscreen causes the vehicle 1 to instruct the detent member 72 to move from a locked to unlocked position or vice-versa. In an alternative configuration the detent member 72 may instead be disposed on the support 24 or first connector 40 and the recess 74 may be located on the second connector 50. The second connector 50 may additionally have a dampener 80 that is configured to engage a portion of the accessory 20 in use for example, the support 24 as shown in Figure 4. The dampener 80 may alternatively be disposed in or on the body 14. For example, the dampener 40 could be disposed partially around, substantially around or completely around the aperture 12 or disposed within the body 14 such that when the support 24 is partially located within the body 14 the dampener 80 engages a surface of the support 24. Optionally, the dampener 80 may be located on the internal support surface 13. Optionally, multiple dampeners 80 may be provided at multiple locations in the body 14. The dampener 80 may be any material which provides a shock absorption or dampening effect to reduce unwanted vibration being transmitted between the wing mirror 10 and the accessory 20. The dampener may be made of a polymer such as a polymer foam. The dampener may form at least a part of the internal support surface 13. The accessory 20 may be powered to provide additional functionality. In such a case the first and second connectors 40, 50 may be optionally configured to enable an electrical connection 60 between the wing mirror 10 (and therefore the vehicle 1) and the accessory 20. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 4. The electrical connection 60 comprises a first part 62 on the first connector 40 and a second part 64 on the second connector 50. The first part 62 and second part 64 are configured to releasably contact or engage or otherwise enable transmission of power and / or one-way data and / or two-way data therebetween. The first and second parts 62, 64 may be complementary to each other, or the first and second parts 62, 64 may be substantially planar surfaces which abut each other in use. Alternative arrangements of two-part electrical contacts known within the art may be utilised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The support 24 has an electrical cable 66 or electrical wire 66 running through it from the body 22 to the first connector 40. The wire 66 is configured for power transmission and / or one-way data transmission and / or two-way data transmission. The wire 66 terminates at the first connector 40 at the first part 62. The electrical cable 66 is connected or connectable to an electrical power source, such as a battery, in the vehicle 1. Connected to the second part 64 is an additional wire 66. This wire 66 runs through the wing mirror 10 and may be connected to systems and / or subsystems of the vehicle 1. Where such an electrical connection 60 is implemented additional or optional functional components 26 may be provided instead of or in addition to a reflective surface 30, be an indicator feature 32, a data collection device 34 and / or a turn signal 36. The functional components 26 may be provided power via the wire 66. The indicator feature 32 may be an LED or light or display or an indicator light which, indicates information to the driver. For example, the indicator feature 32 may be connected to a blind spot detector such that the indicator feature 32 is active and on (i.e. lit up) when an obstruction or road vehicle is located in the blind spot of the vehicle 1. The data collection device 34 may be one or more of: a camera, an advanced driver assistance system camera, a sensor, a proximity sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor. By providing these features additional information may be collected during use when the user uses the accessory 20. The turn signal 36 may be a light, the same or similar to the turn signal native to the vehicle 1, the turn signal 36 may be synchronized to flash or be illuminated in synchronisation with the turn signal(s) native to the vehicle 1. Where the accessory 20 has a reflective surface 30 it may additionally have an actuator 90 configured to control the orientation of the reflective surface 30 relative to the body 22 and a first axis X and / or second axis Y defined by the body. The actuator 90 may be the same or substantially the same as an actuator used to move the reflective surface of a wing mirror from the art. The actuator 90 may be controlled by the driver of the vehicle 1 from within the vehicle 1 itself. The orientation of the reflective 30 surface being controlled by a control unit and / or icon or menu on a touchscreen of the vehicle 1 or other suitable control means. The actuator 90 is supplied power via the wire 66. The accessory 20 may additionally comprise a heating element 92. The heating element 92 is configured to heat the reflective surface. The heating element 92 is supplied power via the wire 66. A series of cross-sectional views of the support 24 taken along line B-B of Figure 3 are shown in Figures 6a, 6b and 6c. The support 24 may have a substantially circular or circular cross-section as in Figure 6a. Alternatively, the support 124 may have a substantially oval or oval cross-section as in Figure 6b. Or, alternatively, the support 224 may have a substantially aerofoil or aerofoil cross-section as in Figure 6c. Alternatively, the cross-sectional shape may be D-shaped or rectangular or square or a rounded corner rectangle ora rounded corner square or triangular. The cross-section of the supports 24, 124, 224 may be constant along the length of the supports 24, 124, 224 or the cross-section of the supports may change along the length of the supports 24, 124, 224 and as such may not be constant. For example, in areas of the support that are likely to be exposed to travelling air a first shape may be utilised, such as an aerofoil, but in areas where there is a lower likelihood of exposure to travelling air or where aerodynamic considerations are less a second shape such as a circular or oval crosssection may be utilised. The cross-section may transition between the first and second shapes along the length of the supports 24, 124, 224. The accessory 20 may optionally have an actuator 82 that is configured to move the body 22 laterally along the support 24. Such an arrangement is shown in Figures 7a and 7b. Figure 7a shows the body 22 in a first lateral position which is a first distance D1 from the body 14 of the wing mirror 10. Figure 7b shows the body 22 in a second lateral position which is a second distance D2 from the body 14 of the wing mirror 10. In the depicted example of Figure 7a and 7b the actuator 82 is a mechanical actuator or button that is configured to engage one or more recesses 84 or notches 84 on the surface of the support 24. When the actuator 82 is engaged with the notch 84 then movement of the body 22 along the support 24 is prevented. When the actuator 82 is disengaged from the notch 84 then movement of the body 22 along the support 24 is permitted. Whilst the actuator 82 has been described as mechanical it is also considered that the actuator 82 may be an electromechanical actuator configured to move the body 22 along the support 24 between different lateral positions. In such an arrangement the actuator 82 may be a liner actuator configured to move the body 22 along the support 24. For example, the actuator 82 may be a rack and pinion type actuator. The rack may be disposed along the length or along a portion of the length of the support 24 in such an arrangement. Alternatively, the support 24 may be telescopic or have a telescopic portion. The support 24 in such a case may attain different lengths by telescopically extending or telescopically retracting. The telescopic support may lock in place at a first or second position by means of a telescopic locking device such as an actuator and recess or notch arrangement or by other means known within the art. Optionally, the wing mirror 10 may comprise a retained cover 18 as shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the wing mirror 10. For reasons of clarity components, such as the second connector 50, have been omitted from Figure 8, likewise the reflective surface 16 is shown in dashed lines to provide context. The retained cover 18 is retained in the body 14 of the wing mirror 10 and is configured to form a water-tight seal with the aperture 12. This is to reduce the likelihood of water ingress when the accessory is not disposed within the wing mirror 10. The retained cover 18 may have one or more sealing elements, such as a lip seal or face seal or O-ring that is configured to engage the wall of the body 14 surrounding the aperture 12 to reduce or prevent water ingress. The retained cover 18 may be spring-biased to move the retained cover 18 to a closed position where the aperture 12 is closed and access to the passageway or socket of the body 14 is prevented. The spring bias of the retained cover 18 in Figure 8 is achieved by means of a spring biased hinge 19. However, alternative biasing means known in the art, such as leaf springs or plate springs may also be utilised with the retained cover 18. The retained cover 18 may be lockable to reduce the likelihood of accidental or unwanted opening of the retained cover 18, the wing mirror 10 may therefore comprise a cover locking arrangement (not shown). The cover locking arrangement having a locked position that prevents opening of the retained cover 18 and an unlocked position that enables the retained cover 18 to be opened. The cover locking arrangement may be similar to any previously described locking arrangement, for example comprising a detent member and recess. The cover locking arrangement may be key actuated or controllable by a control system or icon or menu on a touchscreen of the vehicle such that selecting an operation or sub-routine on the touchscreen causes the vehicle 1 to instruct the detent member of the cover locking arrangement to move from a locked to unlocked position or vice-versa. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application. D1 First Distance D2 Second Distance P Insertion Path X Axis Y Axis 1 Vehicle 2 Tow Connection 4 Second Vehicle 10 Wing Mirror 12 Aperture 13 Internal Support Surface 14 Body 15 External Surface 16 Reflective Surface 18 Retained Cover 19 Spring Biased Hinge 20 Accessory, Apparatus 22 Body 24,124, 224 Support 26 Functional Component 30 Reflective Surface 32 Indicator Feature 34 Data Collection Device 36 Turn Signal 40 First Connector 42 Engagement Feature 50 Second Connector 52 Receiving Feature 60 Electrical Connection 62 First Part 64 Second Part 66 Electrical Cable or Electrical Wire 70 Locking Arrangement 72 Actuator 74 Detent 5 80 Dampener 82 Actuator 84 Detent 90 Actuator 92 Heating Element 10 100 System

Claims

1. An apparatus for removable attachment to a wing mirror of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:a body comprising at least one functional component;an elongate support connected to the body at a first end thereof; anda connector disposed at a second end of the support distal from the body; andwherein the connector comprises an engagement feature or receiving feature and is configured to be releasably connectable to a corresponding connector having a corresponding receiving feature or corresponding engagement feature on the wing mirror to releasably connect the wing mirror and apparatus together.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support is connected to the body at a first end of the support, and the connector is disposed at a second end of the support.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector is sized to be removably received within an aperture of the wing mirror.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the support is sized to be removably received within the aperture of the wing mirror.

5. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector is one of: a male bayonet part, a female bayonet part, a permanent magnet, a threaded portion, a snap-fit connector, a male quick release connector part and a female quick release connector part.

6. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein one or both of the connector and support comprises a locking arrangement configured to prevent removal of the apparatus from the wing mirror when the locking arrangement is in a locked position and enable removal of the apparatus from the wing mirror when the locking arrangement is in an unlocked position.

7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the functional component is one or more of: a reflective surface, an indicator feature, a data collection device, a turning signal.

8. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector is configured to enable an electrical connection between the wing mirror and the apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 and 8, wherein functional component is a reflective surface and the body further comprises an actuator configured to control the orientation of the reflective surface in relation to an axis defined by the body, the actuator being electrically connected to the electrical connection.

10. The apparatus of claims 7 and 8 and optionally 9, wherein the reflective surface comprises an additional functional component that is at least one indicator feature, the additional functional component beingelectrically connected to the electrical connection, and wherein the at least one indicator feature is any one of: a display, an indicator light, an LED light.

11. The apparatus of claims 7 and 8 and optionally 9 or 10, wherein the body comprises at least one heating element, the heating element being configured to heat the reflective surface.

12. The apparatus of claims 7 and 8 and optionally any of claims 9 to 11, wherein functional component is a data collection device, and the data collection device is any one of: a camera, an advanced driver assistance system camera, a sensor, a proximity sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor.

13. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the support has a cross-section along a portion of a length of the support, the cross-section being any one of: a circle, an oval or an aerofoil.

14. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises an actuator operatively connected to the support, the actuator configured to enable lateral moveable of the body on the support between a first position and a second position.

15. A vehicle comprising the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 14.

Images