CA2423895A1 - Mirror spot within mirror - Google Patents

Mirror spot within mirror Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2423895A1
CA2423895A1 CA 2423895 CA2423895A CA2423895A1 CA 2423895 A1 CA2423895 A1 CA 2423895A1 CA 2423895 CA2423895 CA 2423895 CA 2423895 A CA2423895 A CA 2423895A CA 2423895 A1 CA2423895 A1 CA 2423895A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
mirror
sheet
concave indentation
construct
unitary
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2423895
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ronald Freeman
Roger G. Minor
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 2423895 priority Critical patent/CA2423895A1/en
Publication of CA2423895A1 publication Critical patent/CA2423895A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/02Rear-view mirror arrangements
    • B60R1/08Rear-view mirror arrangements involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots, e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors
    • B60R1/081Rear-view mirror arrangements involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots, e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors
    • B60R1/082Rear-view mirror arrangements involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots, e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected mirrors

Abstract

A single construct mirror within a mirror is provided for use in enhancing the safe operation of motor vehicles by eliminating "blind spots."
Such construct includes a secondary mirror formed within a primary mirror by the removal of or formation of a concave indentation on the rear surface of a generally flat sheet of glass, plastic or other suitable material. Such sheet may then be mirrored by silvering the rear surface including the concave indentation.
The front reflective surfaces of both mirrors are generally flat and co-planar.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 95-1119.25 'TITLE: MIRROR SPOT WITHIN MIRROR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention generally relates to mirrors. In particular, the present invention relates to mirror constructions for use in transportation vehicles. More partzculariy, the present invention relates to a new single construct mirror with an embedded mirror within a mirror, wherein said embedded mirror operates to reflect a wider viewing area than the main portion of such mirror.
2. Description of the Prior Art [0002] Rearview mirrors are essential for the safe operation of motor vehicles. Ordinary flat rearview mirrors are lrnowtt to have a "blind spot"
located adjacent the vehicle and to the rear of the driver. Such ''blind spot"
often leads to accidents, particularly whets a driver is changing Ianes and is unaware of a nearby motorist or other trafftc.
[0003] Numerous solutions to eliminate such a "blind spot" have evolved, including the use of convex mirrors adhered to the surface of a flat rearview mirror to enhautce the viewing area of the mirror. Further still, other Attorney Docket No. 95-1119.25 attempts have been made to add additional mirrors at slightly offset angles to incorporate the "blind spot" in the reflected view of the rearview mirror.
Still other efforts have tried to incorporate curved mirrors in a manner sirxiilar to the offset angled mirrors to further enhance the width of the reflected view in the rearview mirror.
(0004] Most ofthese solutions, however, result in either a reduction of the useful viewing area of the flat rearview mirror, the addition of additional mdrrors which increases manufsciuring costs and complexity, or the inclusion of complex curved surfaces on mirrors which similarly drive up manufacturing costs.
[0005] It is, therefore, desirable to provide a flat rearview mirror incorporating the benefits of an enhanced viewing area without the need for additional eoztsinictions or complicated construction techniques. Therefore, the present invention provides a single eonstxuction mirror within a nnirror that provides an enhanced reflected viewing are a within one portion of the mirror while maintaining a sufficient reflected viewing area in the remainder of the mirror to allow for safe operation of a motor vehicle including the present invention.

Attorney Docket No. 95-1119.25 SY7M1VIARY pF THF: IN'V'ENTIpN
[OOUb] The present invention recognizes and addresses various of the foregoing limitations and drawbacks, and others, concerning mirrors and more particularly, rearview mirrors for motor vehicle aperations, Therefore, the present invention is directed to a single construction rearview mirror within a mirror that provides an enhanced reflected viewing area within ane portion of the mirror while maintaining a sufficient reflected viewing area in the remainder of the mirror to allow for safe operation of a motor vehicle including the present invention.
[0007] It is, therefor, a principle object of the subject invenrion to provide a mirror within a mirror. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a single construction mirror incorparating a secondary mirror for enhanced reflected viewing area. In such context, it is still a more particular object of the present invention to provide a single construct minor within a mirror whose reflective surface is flat.
[0008] Still further, it is a principle object of this invention to provide a rearview mirror having an improved ability to eliminate any "b)ind spot". It is a further object of the present invention to provide such "blind spot"
elimination in a single construct of simple design and manufacture. Tn such context, it is an Attorney Docket No. 95-1119.25 object of the present invention to provide such a rearview mirror that is cost-efficient to manufacture.
X0009] Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in, or will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from, the detailed description as follows. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated and discussed featuxes and materials hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtue of present reference thereto. Such variations may include, but are not limited to, substitutions of the equivalent means, features, and materials for those shown or discussed, and the functional or positional reversal of various parts, features, or the like.
(U010] Still fiu~ther, it is to be understood that different ernbodirnents, as well as different pxesenfly preferred embodiments, of this invention, may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features, elements, ox their equivalents (including combinations of features or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the f gores or stated in the detailed description).

Attorney Docket Z~fo. 95-1119.25 (0011) These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following descriptions and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this speci$cation,, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with the descriptions, serve to explain the principles ofthe invention.
[0012] In one exemplary embodiment, there may be provided a single construction mirror encompassing a secondary mirror capable of enhancing the reflected viewing area to include any blind spots not revealed in the primary mirror. Such secondary mirror rnay be included at any location on the surface of the primary mirror as desired by the manufacturer or as required for use with a particular vehicle. Both the primary mirror and the secondary mirror (the mirror within a mirror) have a flat front reflective surface.
BRIEp' DESCRI1'TIO1~T OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A full cad enabling disclosure ofthe present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which,;
s Attorney Docket No. 95-1119.25 [0014) FIG.1 is a plain view of a mirror within a mirror as provided in the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a plain view of the mirror within a mirror of FIG.1, whereitl the secondary mirror is located in a different location within the primary mirror; and [0016] FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the mirror within a mirror as depicted iii FIGS. I and 2 showinS the concave rear surface of the secondary mirror of the present inventiozz, [0017] Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~ PREFERRED EMBODI1HENTS
[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are fully represented in the accompanying drawings. Such examples are provided by way of an explanation of the invention, not limitation thereof, 1n fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the Attorney Dockct No. 95-1119.25 present invention, without departing from the spirit aztd scope thereof. Fvr instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Still further, variations in selection of materials and/or characteristics may be practiced, to satisfy particular desired user criteria. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the present features and their eduivalents.
[0019] As disclosed above, the present invention is particularly concerned with a single construct mirror within a mirror IO for use with motor vehicles, such construct 10 providing both normal and enhanced rearward views thus eliminating any blind spots. As seen in FIGS.1 and 2, such a construct 10 may provide a primary mirror lz that incorporates therein a secondary mirror capable of reflecfang a wider viewing area. Such Secondary mittor 14 (as depicted) may be located in any position within the primary mirror 12 as desired by the manufacturer or as required for use with a particular motor vehicle.
Further, while such secondary mirror 14 may be any shape desired, a circular shape is preferred to reduce any distortion introduced to the reflected image.
[0020] As best scen in FIG. 3, the front reflective surface I6 of the primary mirror lZ is generally flat. Similarly, the front surface 18 of the Attorney pocket No. 95-I 119.25 secondary mirror 14 is also generally flat and co-planar with the front reflective surface 16 of the primary mirror 12. Such. a characteristic of the present invention is inherently achieved by the construction process.
[0021] A generally planax piece of glass, plastic or other suitable material may be used as the basis for the pxesent invention. In one preferred embodiment, a glass sheet 20 of appropriate size is used and an arca on the back surface 22 of such glass sheet is ground out to form a generally concave circular indentation 24 into the glass sheet 20. The glass sheet 20 is then mirrored typically by applying a coating such as silver or another reflective material to the back face of the glass sheet including within the concave circular indentation 24.
Such indezltation 24 forms a convex tefl.ective surface when viewed from the front of the mirrored glass sheet, but in fact provides a flat front reflective surface 18.
[0022] As mentioned above, an alternative prefeacd embodiment would include the use of a plastic material that may be produced with such an indentation 24 as above described through an injection molding process. Such a methodology would reduce both manufacturing complexity by eliminating the grinding step required to introduce the indentation in the glass sheet, as well as, reducing cost.

Attarncy Docket No. 95-1 I 19.25 (0023) Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms and devices, such description is for illustrative purposes only, The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made b~
those of ordinary skill iri the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of various other embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred version contained herein.

Claims (20)

1. A mirror within a mirror construct, comprising:
a sheet of material capable of being mirrored, said sheet having a first side and a second side;
a concave indentation in said second side, wherein the depth of said concave indentation is less than the thickness of said sheet of material; and wherein said sheet of material with said concave indentation is mirrored through the application of a reflective material on said second side.
2. The construct of Claim 1, wherein said sheet of material is glass.
3. The construct of Claim 2, wherein said concave indentation is formed by grinding said glass sheet to remove material on said second side.
4. The construct of Claim 3, wherein said reflective material is silver.
5. The construct of Claim 1, wherein said sheet of material is plastic.
6. The construct of Claim 5, wherein said sheet of material is injection molded to include said concave indentation on said second side.
7. The construct of Claim 6, wherein said reflective material is silver.
8. A rearview mirror, comprising:
a single construction mirror having a portion of such mirror capable of reflecting a wider field of view, and wherein said mirror is comprised of a single sheet of material having a flat first side and which is mirrored on a second side.
9. The rearview mirror of Claim 8, wherein said portion of said mirror capable of reflecting a wider held of view is a generally circular concave indentation on said second side of said sheet of material.
10. The rearview mirror of Claim 9, wherein said concave indentation appears convex from said first said of said construction, but wherein said first side of said construction is generally flat.
11. The rearview mirror of Claim 10, wherein said sheet of material is glass.
12. The rearview mirror of Claim 11, wherein said concave indentation is generated by grinding material out of the second side of said glass.
13. The rearview mirror of Claim 10, wherein said sheet of material is injection-molded plastic.
14. A unitary construction mirror, comprising:
a primary mirror made o~ a sheet of material, said sheet of material having a first and a second side; and a secondary mirror; and wherein said secondary mirror is capable of reflecting a wider $eld of view than said primary mirror and wherein said secondary mirror is formed in the same said sheet of material as said primary mirror.
15. The unitary mirror of Claim 14, wherein said sheet of material is glass.
16. The unitary mirror of Claim 15, wherein said secondary mirror is formed by grinding a generally circular concave indentation into said second side.
17. The unitary mirror of Claim 16, wherein said secondary mirror appears convex from said first side, but wherein said secondary mirror is generally flat on said first side.
18. The unitary mirror of Claim 17, wherein said sheet of material is mirrored by applying a coating of silver to said second side thereof.
19. The unitary mirror of Claim 14, wherein said sheet of material is injection-molded plastic and wherein said secondary mirror is formed therein by the inclusion of a concave indentation in said second side of said sheet of material.
20. The unitary mirror of Claim 19, wherein said sheet of material is mirrored by applying a coating of silver to said second side thereof.
CA 2423895 2003-03-28 2003-03-28 Mirror spot within mirror Abandoned CA2423895A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2423895 CA2423895A1 (en) 2003-03-28 2003-03-28 Mirror spot within mirror

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2423895 CA2423895A1 (en) 2003-03-28 2003-03-28 Mirror spot within mirror

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2423895A1 true CA2423895A1 (en) 2004-09-28

Family

ID=33034951

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2423895 Abandoned CA2423895A1 (en) 2003-03-28 2003-03-28 Mirror spot within mirror

Country Status (1)

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CA (1) CA2423895A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103213536A (en) * 2013-04-03 2013-07-24 上海博迩森汽车配件有限公司 Dead-zone-free wide-angle integrated automobile rearview mirror glass and manufacturing method thereof

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103213536A (en) * 2013-04-03 2013-07-24 上海博迩森汽车配件有限公司 Dead-zone-free wide-angle integrated automobile rearview mirror glass and manufacturing method thereof

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