WO1998003377A1

WO1998003377A1 - Pneumatic mirror cleaning device and method

Info

Publication number: WO1998003377A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/011970
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mitchell Mcdonald
Original assignee: Mitchell Mcdonald
Priority date: 1996-07-24
Filing date: 1997-07-09
Publication date: 1998-01-29
Also published as: AU3655997A

Abstract

A cab (5) of a truck has an exterior mirror (2) equipped with a pneumatic mirror cleaning device (1) for the mirror's surface (24). The pneumatic mirror cleaning device (1) includes a source of pressurized gas comprising an on-board air supply system commonly employed in trucks. A nozzle element (22) is mounted nearby the mirror (2) for directing a stream of pressurized gas against the surface (24) of the mirror (2). A line (26a) connects the nozzle element (22) to the source of pressurized gas, and a control valve (30) in the line (26a) is manually moveable between an open position which places the source of pressurized gas in communication with the nozzle element (22) to provide the stream of pressurized gas against the surface (24) of the mirror (2) and closed position to discontinue the stream of pressurized gas.

Description

PNEUMATIC MIRROR CLEANING DEVICE & METHOD

RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a utility application based on United States provisional application Serial No. 60/022,569, entitled "Pneumatic Mirror Cleaning Device & Method," filed July 24, 1996. This provisional application is incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention:

This invention relates to a pneumatic cleaning device for an exterior mirror of a vehicle, especially a side view truck mirror.

Background Discussion:

Exterior mirrors for trucks frequently become covered with moisture, snow, dirt, or other material which makes it impossible or extremely difficult to see traffic approaching from the rear of the truck or obstacles behind the truck when it is going in reverse. It is the objective of this invention to provide a mirror cleaning device and method which is easy to install and operate that removes moisture and other debris from the mirror. One advantage of this invention is that it may be conveniently connected to the on-board pressurized air supply commonly employed in large automotive vehicles using air brakes. Using the on-board air supply, this invention provides a controlled and temporary blast or stream of compressed air that is directed at the surface of the side view mirrors. The pressurized stream of air almost instantaneously removes from the mirror's surface moisture, water, snow, or any other loose debris. The immediate application of this invention is on all heavy-duty trucks (class 8), some medium-duty trucks, buses, or any vehicle with an on-board pneumatic system comprising an air compressor, air tank(s), and supply system capable of supplying and maintaining air pressure ranging from about 100 to about 120 pounds per square inch (psi).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention has several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims which follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled, "DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS," one will understand how the features of this invention provide its benefits, which include low cost, ease of installation, utilization of onboard pneumatic system commonly employed in trucks, and most importantly, on demand cleaning of exterior mirror surfaces to improve the safety of operating a vehicle.

The first feature of the pneumatic mirror cleaning device of this invention is that it includes a source of pressurized gas, most advantageously from the already available on-board air supply system commonly employed in trucks. Specifically, the pressurized air is stored in an on-board tank. As air is depleted from the tank, it is replenished by an on board air compressor which is a component of the on-board air supply system. Only pressurized gas or air is used in this invention. Typically, the air pressure of the source ranges from 85 to 135 pounds per square inch.

The second feature is that the pneumatic mirror cleaning device includes a nozzle element mounted nearby the mirror for directing a stream of pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror. The nozzle element preferably is mounted centrally near the top of the mirror. A bracket connects the nozzle element to the mirror, and the position of the bracket relative to the mirror is adjustable. Preferably, the bracket has an elongated slot therein and a stud on the mirror passes through the slot with a nut screwed onto the stud, allowing the bracket to be moved to different positions. This bracket provides easy installation of the device of this invention by the user to the exterior mirror on the truck's cab. In an alternate embodiment, the nozzle element is an elongated member positioned along a side of the mirror, and includes a series of holes which direct the pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror.

The third feature is that a line connects the nozzle element to the source of pressurized gas. This device typically employs push-to- fit quick connect fitting that enable the pneumatic mirror cleaning device easily assembled and installed in a cab of a truck by the user.

The fourth feature is that a pneumatic control valve in the line is manually moveable between an open position which places the source of pressurized gas in communication with the nozzle element to provide the stream of pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror and a closed position to discontinue the stream of pressurized gas. The control valve is located inside the cab of the truck and the mirror is attached to the cab of the truck. There is an actuator for the valve that is located inside the cab next to the valve and nearby the driver of the truck, enabling the driver to manually manipulate the actuator to open and close the valve. The actuator may be on the dashboard panel and manipulate by the drivers hand, or on the floor and manipulate by the driver's foot.

This invention also includes a method for cleaning an exterior, vehicle mirror. This method includes:

(a) providing a source of pressurized gas on board a vehicle, a nd

(b) periodically directing a stream of the pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror to clean the surface under the control of an air control valve inside the vehicle that is manually manipulated to open and close the valve.

In this method the pressurized gas flows through a line connected between a nozzle element and the source of pressurized gas (the on-board pneumatic system employed in the truck). A control valve in the line is manually moveable between an open position which places the source of pressurized gas in communication with the nozzle element to provide the stream of pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror and a closed position to discontinue the stream of pressurized gas.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The preferred embodiment of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. This embodiment depicts the novel and non-obvious pneumatic mirror cleaning device and method of this invention as shown in the accompanying drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only. This drawing includes the following figures (FIGS.), with like numerals indicating like parts:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a truck (shown in dotted lines) employing the pneumatic mirror cleaning device of this invention. FIG. 2A is the interior panel in the cab of the truck showing the pneumatic control switch and air pressure meter for the pneumatic mirror cleaning device of this invention.

FIG. 2B is a schematic view showing the backside of the interior panel illustrating the air lines for the pneumatic mirror cleaning device of this invention.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a side-view mirror of the truck shown in FIG. 1 equipped with the pneumatic mirror cleaning device of this invention.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view of the side-view mirror shown in FIG. 3A taken along line 3B.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a nozzle mounted on a bracket which is attached to a mounting stud on a side-view mirror of the truck.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of this invention employing a manifold type nozzle mounted along the side of the mirror.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in Figs. 1 , 2A, 2B, and 3, a driver side exterior mirror 2 of a truck 3 is equipped with the pneumatic mirror cleaning device 1 of this invention. The passenger side exterior mirror (not shown) is also equipped with this invention. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device 1 includes a source of pressurized gas, the on-board air tanks 12 and 14, a nozzle 22 mounted along the perimeter of the mirror 2 by a bracket 20, a 1/4 inch O. D. (outside diameter) line 26a connecting the nozzle to the source of pressurized gas, and a pneumatic or air control valve 30. Another nozzle (not shown) is attached to the passenger side exterior mirror. As shown in Fig. 4, the bracket 20 is attached to a conventional mounting stud 21 commonly found on side-view mirrors of trucks. The bracket 20 has an elongated slot 20a therein and the stud passes through the slot with a nut 23 screwed onto the the stud 21 to hold the nozzle 22 in position. This enables the position of the nozzle 22 relative to the surface 24 of the mirror 2 to be adjusted to accommodate different types of mirrors. In the preferred embodiment, the nozzle 22 is centrally positioned near the top of the mirror 2. As shown in Fig. 1 , an on-board air compressor 10 is mounted inside the engine compartment 4. The air compressor 10 is connected to two conventional on-board air systems. One is the primary and the other is the secondary or back up. Part of these two systems include the air tanks tanks 12 and 14 which store the compressed air provided by the air compressor 10. The air compressor 10 is connected to these tanks 12 and 14 by a 1 -2 inch O.D. or larger air line 16. Another airline 18 returns from the storage tanks 12 and 14 to the engine compartment 4 thru a series of junctions, connections, and smaller lines (not shown) which supply pressurized air to various tools and components on the truck 3 such as air brakes, air horn, air window, air seat, air shift and air splitter components on the transmission, etc.

As depicted best in Fig. 3, the exterior side view mirror 2 is mounted to the side door of the cab 5 of the truck 3 in position for the truck driver to look into the mirror to see approaching traffic or obstacles when driving in reverse. The bracket 20 holds in position the air nozzle 22 so that it directs a high pressure air stream onto the surface 24 of the mirror 2. The airline 26a is attached to the air nozzle 22 by means of a conventional push-to-fit quick connect fitting 28 (1/8 inch thread into a 1/4 inch O. D. tube connection). As shown in Fig. 2B, this airline 26a and another 1/4 inch O. D. airline 26b for the passenger side exterior mirror extend from a quick connect tee 32. Both of these exterior mirrors air supply lines 26a and 26b originate inside the cab 5 where they are attached to a manually controlled air valve 30 located inside or just behind the dashboard panel 6 (Fig. 2A) out of sight.

The air stream impinging the mirror's surface 24 is started and stopped manually by pushing an actuator switch 42 is operably connected to the valve 30. This can be a toggle switch, rocker switch, or push button switch which is turned on when depressed and shuts off when released. The actuator switch 42 for the air valve 30 extends through the dashboard panel 6 so that it may be moved by the truck driver between open and closed positions. The on-board pneumatic system of the truck 3 is thus utilized advantageously to supply pressurized air to the surface 24 of the mirror 2. Since air under pressure is supplied by the on-board pneumatic system of the truck 3, the use of expensive additional electrical equipment such as blowers is avoided. The two mirror air supply lines 26a and 26b are attached to the air valve 30 using a quick connect tee 32 ( 1/4 inch pipe thread into two 1/4 inch O.D. tube connections). The valve 30 is supplied with air from a 3/8 inch O.D. airline 34 which is connected to the air valve using a quick connect 38 ( 1 /4 inch pipe thread O. D. tube connection). This 3/8 inch O.D. airline 34 receives its air supply when it is spliced into the cab accessory air supply line 36, (also 3/8 inch O. D.), by means of a quick connect tee 38 (all three 3/8 inch O. D. tube connections).

To operate the pneumatic mirror cleaning device 1 , the truck driver manually moves the switch 42 from the closed position to the open position. With the switch 42 in the open position, the pressurized air is placed in communication with the nozzle 22 (driver side mirror) and the nozzle not shown (passenger side) simultaneously. This provides a stream of pressurized air which impinges against the surface 24 of the mirror 2. To discontinue the cleaning of the mirror 2, the switch 42 is moved by the truck driver to the closed position.

An alternate embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 5, mirror cleaning device 50, includes a pair of elongated, manifold type nozzles 52 mounted along opposed sides of the mirror 2. The nozzles 52 arc formed in a U-shaped tubular member 53, and each nozzle 52 includes a series of holes 52a. A line 54 feeds pressurized air into the tubular member 53 which flows out the nozzles, so that air flows under pressure though each of the holes to provide a multiple of air streams. The holes 52a are pointed at the surface 24 of the mirror 2, so that the multiple air streams impinge against the surface 24 of the mirror, cleaning it. Although a pair of manifold type nozzles 52 are depicted, only one may be used. Such a manifold type nozzle 52 may be mounted next to the top of the mirror 2 instead of the sides. Or, for that matter, this manifold type nozzle 52 may be positioned along any edge of the mirror 2.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above which are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention to limit this invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention:

Claims

THE CLAIMS

1 . A pneumatic mirror cleaning device for an exterior, vehicle mirror having a surface, including a source of pressurized gas, a nozzle element mounted nearby the mirror for directing a stream of pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror, a line connecting the nozzle element to the source of pressurized gas, and an air control valve in the line which is manually moveable between an open position which places the source of pressurized gas in communication with the nozzle element to provide the stream of pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror and a closed position to discontinue the stream of pressurized gas.

2. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 1 where the source of pressurized gas is an on-board air supply system employed in trucks.

3. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 2 where the air pressure of the source ranges from 85 to 135 pounds per square inch.

4. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 1 where the nozzle element is mounted centrally near a top of the mirror.

5. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 1 where the nozzle element is attached to a bracket which is connected to the mirror.

6. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 5 where the position of the bracket relative to the mirror is adjustable.

7. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 5 where the bracket has an elongated slot therein and a stud on the mirror passes through the slot with a nut screwed onto the stud, allowing the bracket to be moved to different positions.

8. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 1 where the nozzle element is an elongated member positioned along a side of the mirror, and includes a series of holes which direct pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror.

9. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 1 where the control valve is located inside a cab of a truck and the mirror is attached to the cab of the truck.

1 0. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 1 where the nozzle element is a manifold type nozzle that is positioned along an edge of the mirror.

1 1. A cab of a truck having an exterior mirror and a pneumatic mirror cleaning device for the mirror's surface, said pneumatic mirror cleaning device including a source of pressurized gas comprising an on-board air supply system employed in trucks, a nozzle element mounted nearby the mirror for directing a stream of pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror, a line connecting the nozzle element to the source of pressurized gas, and an air control valve in the line which is manually moveable between an open position which places the source of pressurized gas in communication with the nozzle element to provide the stream of pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror and a closed position to discontinue the stream of pressurized gas.

1 2. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 1 1 where push- to-fit quick connect fitting are employed to interconnect the components of the device.

1 3. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 1 1 where the nozzle element is mounted centrally near a top of the mirror.

1 4. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 1 1 where the nozzle element is attached to a bracket which is connected to the mirror.

15. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 14 where the position of the bracket relative to the mirror is adjustable.

1 6. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 14 where the bracket has an elongated slot therein and a stud on the mirror passes through the slot with a nut screwed onto the stud, allowing the bracket to be moved to different positions.

1 7. The pneumatic mirror cleaning device of Claim 1 1 where the nozzle element is an elongated member positioned along a side of the mirror, and includes a series of holes which direct pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror.

18. A method for cleaning an exterior, vehicle mirror having a surface, including providing a source of pressurized gas on board a vehicle, and periodically directing a stream of said pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror to clean said surface under the control of an air control valve inside the vehicle that is manually manipulated to open and close the valve.

19. The method of Claim 18 where said pressurized gas flows through a line connected between a nozzle element and the source of pressurized gas, and said air control valve is in the line and is manually moveable between an open position which places the source of pressurized gas in communication with the nozzle element to provide the stream of pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror and a closed position to discontinue the stream of pressurized gas.

20. The method of Claim 18 where the nozzle element is mounted centrally near a top of the mirror and its position relative to the mirror's surface is adjustable.

2 1 . The method of Claim 18 where the nozzle element is an elongated member positioned along a side of the mirror, said elongated member including a series of holes which direct pressurized gas against the surface of the mirror.