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A folding side mirror for an automobile having a hinge structure with dissimilar metals while avoiding problems associated with galvanic corrosion. The hinge structure includes a spring and an inner base. The spring and inner base are formed from dissimilar metals, such as steel and magnesium, respe

A folding side mirror for an automobile having a hinge structure with dissimilar metals while avoiding problems associated with galvanic corrosion. The hinge structure includes a spring and an inner base. The spring and inner base are formed from dissimilar metals, such as steel and magnesium, respectively. The spring is isolated from the inner base by a washer member, which is preferably formed from plastic.

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1. A folding automobile side mirror assembly, comprising:an outer base that is adapted to be secured to a surface of a vehicle; an inner base, said inner base comprising an upstanding cylindrical wall having an annular wall member extending inwardly therefrom; a bracket, said bracket including inner

1. A folding automobile side mirror assembly, comprising:an outer base that is adapted to be secured to a surface of a vehicle; an inner base, said inner base comprising an upstanding cylindrical wall having an annular wall member extending inwardly therefrom; a bracket, said bracket including inner and outer cylindrical walls that are connected at upper ends thereof by an upper wall member, said upstanding cylindrical wall being received between said inner and outer cylindrical walls a washer member, said washer member being disposed around said inner cylindrical wall and including a radially extending flange, said radially extending flange being in engagement with said annular wall member of said inner base upstanding cylindrical wall; a spring disposed around said inner cylindrical wall and in engagement with said radially extending flange of said washer member; wherein said inner base is formed from a first metal and said spring is formed from a second metal, said first and second metals being relatively dissimilar and subject to galvanic corrosion, and wherein said washer member is disposed between said inner base and said spring and serves to isolate said inner base from said spring. 2. The mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said inner base is formed from magnesium and said spring is formed from steel.3. The mirror assembly according to claim 2, wherein said washer member is made of plastic.4. The mirror assembly according to claim 3, wherein said washer member flange is held between said spring and said inner base.5. The mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said washer member is made of plastic.6. The mirror assembly according to claim 5, wherein said washer member flange is held between said spring and said inner base.7. The mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said washer member flange is held between said spring and said inner base.8. The mirror assembly according to claim 2, wherein said washer member flange is held between said spring and said inner base.9. A folding automobile side mirror assembly, comprising:an outer base that is adapted to be secured to a surface of a vehicle; an inner base, said inner base comprising an upstanding cylindrical wall having an annular wall member extending inwardly therefrom; a bracket, said bracket including inner and outer cylindrical walls that are connected at upper ends thereof by an upper wall member, said upstanding cylindrical wall being received between said inner and outer cylindrical walls upper and lower washer members, each of said washer members being disposed around said inner cylindrical wall and including a radially extending flange, said radially extending flange of said upper washer member being in engagement with said annular wall member of said inner base upstanding cylindrical wall, said lower washer member being disposed at a location spaced from said upper washer member; a lock nut secured to said inner cylindrical wall and being in engagement with said lower washer member; and, a spring disposed around said inner cylindrical wall and in engagement with said radially extending flanges of said upper and lower washer members; wherein said inner base is formed from a first metal and said spring is formed from a second metal, said first and second metals being relatively dissimilar and subject to galvanic corrosion, and wherein said upper washer member is disposed between said inner base and said spring and serves to isolate said inner base from said spring. 10. The mirror assembly according to claim 9, wherein said inner base is formed from magnesium and said spring is formed from steel.11. The mirror assembly according to claim 10, wherein each of said upper and lower washer members is made of plastic.12. The mirror assembly according to claim 11, wherein said upper washer member flange is held between said spring and said inner base.13. The mirror assembly according to claim 9, wherein each of said upper and lower washer members is made of plastic.14. The mirror assembly according to claim 13, wherein said upper washer member flange is held between said spring and said inner base.15. The mirror assembly according to claim 9, wherein said upper washer member flange is held between said spring and said inner base.16. The mirror assembly according to claim 10, wherein said upper washer member flange is held between said spring and said inner base.17. A manual folding automobile side mirror hinge assembly, comprising:an inner base, said inner base comprising an upstanding cylindrical wall having an annular wall member extending inwardly therefrom; a bracket, said bracket including inner and outer cylindrical walls that are connected at upper ends thereof by an upper wall member, said upstanding cylindrical wall being received between said inner and outer cylindrical walls a spring disposed between said bracket inner cylindrical wall and said upstanding cylindrical wall, said spring being held on said bracket inner cylindrical wall by a lock nut, the improvement comprising: said inner base being formed from a first metal; said spring being formed from a second metal, said first and second metals being dissimilar and subject to galvanic corrosion; and, wherein a washer member is disposed around said inner cylindrical wall, said washer member including a radially extending flange that is interposed between said spring and said inner base so as to prevent contact between said spring and said inner base and thereby limit galvanic corrosion therebetween. 18. The mirror assembly according to claim 17, wherein said inner base is formed from magnesium and said spring is formed from steel.