EP2524627A1

EP2524627A1 - A mirror with variable surface.

Info

Publication number: EP2524627A1
Application number: EP12166951A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maria Carloni
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-16
Filing date: 2012-05-07
Publication date: 2012-11-21
Also published as: ITAN20110028U1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mirror with variable surface formed of a series of mutually hinged mirrored panels that can be suitably rotated to change the reflecting surface of the mirror of the invention in horizontal and vertical direction.

Description

The present patent application relates to a mirror with variable surface.
The invention, for which no direct precedents are known, has been devised in order to make the best use of space in apartments.
In fact, such a problem is getting more and more critical in a time - such the current one - when spaces dedicated to housing tend to cover small areas.
In view of the above, the specific purpose of the present invention is to realize a mirror with variable geometry capable of adjusting the extension of its reflecting surface to the user's specific requirements.
Such a mirror can be normally maintained in compact position to use it as an ordinary bathroom or toilet mirror, thus limiting its overall volume.
However, when necessary, such a mirror can be extended both horizontally and vertically, giving users the possibility to look at themselves in the mirror simultaneously from the front and from the back for their entire height.
In such a condition the volume of the mirror of the invention is considerably increased. However, its variable geometry allows users to bring it back to its compact condition as soon as they no longer need to use it in extended condition.
Such a possibility of increasing and reducing the reflecting surface as desired has been obtained by providing that the mirror of the invention is formed of a plurality of panels with mirrored glass on each side; it being also provided that such double-mirrored panels are mutually hinged on their adjacent edges.
In view of the above, each of said panels can rotate relative to the immediately adjacent panel, in such manner to go from a position wherein it is exactly joined with the adjacent panel to a position wherein it is brought on the side of or under the adjacent panel.
For explanatory reasons, the description of the invention continues with reference to attached drawings, which only have an illustrative, not limiting value, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an axonometric view of the mirror of the invention in compact condition;
Fig. 2 is an axonometric view of the mirror of the invention in extended condition;
Fig. 3 is an axonometric view of the mirror of the invention in horizontally widened and vertically extended condition;
Fig. 4 is basically the same as Fig. 5, except for it refers to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the main bearing element of the mirror of the invention (S) consists in a first mirrored panel (1) with rectangular shape adapted to be fixed to a vertical wall.
In particular, such first panel (1) has a bearing structure able to support a mirrored glass portion in frontal position; according to the embodiment of the invention shown in the enclosed figures, said bearing structure consists in a frame (C) that surrounds a mirrored glass portion.
A second mirrored panel (2) and a third mirrored panel (3) are respectively hinged on the two sides of said first mirrored panel (1), being free to rotate by an angle of 180°; it being provided that said two additional panels (2, 3) support mirrored glass on both sides.
More precisely, the second mirrored panel (2) is hinged on the first vertical edge (1a) of the first mirrored panel (1), whereas the third mirrored panel (3) is hinged on the second vertical edge (1b) of the same.
The two panels (2, 3) have exactly the same height as the first panel (1) and exactly half of its length.
A fourth mirrored panel (4) and a fifth mirrored panel (5) are respectively hinged on the lower horizontal edges (2a, 3a) of said second panel (2) and third panel (3), being free to rotate by an angle of 180°; it being provided that also said two additional panels (4, 5) support mirrored glass on both sides.
Moreover, it must be noted that the fourth mirrored panel (4) and the fifth mirrored panel (5) have exactly the same dimensions as said second panel (2) and third panel (3).
Said second (2), third (3), fourth (4) and fifth panel (5) are practically formed of a bearing structure adapted to support said opposite pairs of mirrored glass.
According to the embodiment shown in the enclosed figures, such a support structure consists in a frame (C) adapted to exactly house a opposite pair of mirrored glass.
After illustrating the structure of the mirror of the invention (S), this description continues with reference to its operation mode.
Reference is made to Fig. 1, wherein the mirror (S) is shown in compact condition.
In such a condition, the second mirrored panel (2) and the third mirrored panel (3) are in contact with the front side of said first mirrored panel (1); likewise, the fourth mirrored panel (4) is in contact with the back side of the second mirrored panel (2) and the fifth mirrored panel (5) is in contact with the back side of the third mirrored panel (3).
It can be otherwise said that in such a case the five mirrored panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) form a "compact package", entirely contained in the surface of the first mirrored panel (1), which acts as bearing element for the other four panels (2, 3, 4, 5), being fixed to the wall.
It is important to note that also in such a compact condition the mirror (S) can be in any case used as bathroom, toilet or bedroom mirror, reflecting the image of users in half length size.
In such a condition, in fact, users can look at themselves in the two mirrors mounted on the back side of the fourth panel (4) and the fifth panel (5).
Fig. 2 shows the mirror (S) of the invention during its first transformation phase, when its surface is widened in horizontal direction.
Such widening is obtained by imposing an outward rotation of the second mirrored panel (2) and third mirrored panel (3) relative to said vertical edges (1a, 1b) of the first mirrored panel (1) to which they are suitably hinged.
When said second mirrored panel (2) and third mirrored panel (3) are given a 180° outward rotation, the horizontal surface of the mirror (S) is widened to the maximum dimension, with higher decorative effects for the surrounding space.
Instead, when such an outward rotation is given by an angle comprised between 90° and 120°, the result is especially appreciated also in functional terms.
In such a case, in fact, users positioned in front of the mirror (S) can not only see their front image reflected in the mirror by said first mirrored panel (1), but also their "double" lateral image reflected by said second mirrored panel (2) and said third mirrored panel (3).
By means of a suitable 90° rotation of their body, users will be able to see their front image and back image simultaneously reflected in the mirror by said second mirrored panel (2) and said third mirrored panel (3).
Fig. 3 shows the mirror (S) of the invention during its second transformation phase, when the mirrored surface is extended also in vertical direction, from up down.
Such an extension is obtained by imposing a rotation from up down to said fourth mirrored panel (4) and fifth mirrored panel (5), respectively relative to the lower horizontal edge (2a) of the second mirrored panel (2) and the lower horizontal edge (3a) of the third mirrored panel (3).
Evidently, in such a condition the total vertically extended surface of the second mirrored panel (2) and the total surface of the fourth mirrored panel (4), just like the total surface of the third mirrored panel (3) and the fifth mirrored panel (5) can be used to reflect the user's entire image, basically from head to feet.
Finally, Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the mirror (S) of the invention, the peculiarity of which is that the first mirrored panel (1) is provided with boxed structure.
In fact, the frame (C) is limited by a first vertical side (10a) and a second vertical side (10b), as well as a lower horizontal shelf (11a) and an upper horizontal shelf (11b); it being provided that said sides (10a, 10b) and said shelves (11 a, 11b) create a compartment (V) protruding on the front of said first mirrored panel (1).
Moreover, said second mirrored panel (2) and third mirrored panel (3) are respectively hinged on the front edges (10a', 10b') of said first and second side (10a, 10b).
Therefore, when they are brought to the closing position, said second mirrored panel (2) and third mirrored panel (3) are not directly in contact with the first mirrored panel (1), being aligned in correspondence of the opening of said compartment (V).
It is worthless saying that the decision to give such a boxed structure to said first mirrored panel (1) is justified by the fact that users of the mirror (S) of the invention can use said compartment (V) to hold products and objects of miscellaneous kind.
Finally, it must be noted that in order to stabilize the panels of the mirror (S) of the invention in compact condition, a plurality of magnets (6) is provided in corresponding positions between the various panels adapted to be mutually interfaced.
Of course, while still falling within the same inventive principle, other means can be used instead of said magnets (6) to hold the mutually interfaced panels, such as snap-fit or pressure coupling means.
Likewise, it must be noted that, although the bearing structure used by the various panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) to support the mirrors consists in a frame (C), a different support solution can be provided for said mirrors.
Alternatively, the bearing structure of each panel can be simply composed of a board adapted to support mirrored glass on the front side alone - in case it must be provided in said first panel (1) - or on both sides.
In the latter situation said mirrored glass is preferably provided with a surface that corresponds exactly to the one of the bearing boards, in such manner that said boards are completed concealed to users positioned in front of the mirror (S) of the invention.

Claims

A mirror with variable surface characterized by the fact that it comprises:
- a first panel (1) with rectangular shape provided with mirrored glass on the front side

- a second panel (2) provided with two identical mirrored glass portions, one on the front and one on the back, having the same height and half length with respect to said first mirrored panel (1); it being provided that said second mirrored panel (2) is hinged on one side of said mirrored panel (1), being free to rotate by 180°

- a third panel (3) provided with two identical mirrored glass portions, one on the front and one on the back, having the same height and half length with respect to said first mirrored panel (1); it being provided that said third mirrored panel (3) is hinged, being free to rotate by 180°, on the side of said mirrored panel (1) opposite to the one where said second mirrored panel (2) is hinged

- a fourth panel (4) provided with two identical mirrored glass portions, one on the front and one on the back, having the same dimensions as said second mirrored panel (1); it being provided that said fourth mirrored panel (4) is hinged, being free to rotate by 180°, on the back of the lower horizontal edge (2a) of said second mirrored panel (2)

- a fifth panel (5) provided with two identical mirrored glass portions, one on the front and one on the back, having the same dimensions as said third mirrored panel (3); it being provided that said fifth mirrored panel (5) is hinged, being free to rotate by 180°, on the back of the lower horizontal edge (3a) of said third mirrored panel (3).
A mirror as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said first mirrored panel (1) is frontally provided with a compartment (V) limited by a lower shelf (11a) and an upper shelf (11b), as well as a first side (10a) and a second side (10b)
A mirror as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said second mirrored panel (2) and third mirrored panel (3) are respectively hinged on the first vertical edge (1a) and the second vertical edge (1b) of said first mirrored panel (1).
A mirror as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said second mirrored panel (2) and third mirrored panel (3) are respectively hinged on the front edge (10a) of said first side (10a) and the front edge (10b) of said second side (10b)
A mirror as claimed in one o more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said mirrored panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) is provided with a bearing structure to support said mirrored glass portions.
A mirror as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said bearing structure consists in a frame (C) adapted to limit said mirrored glass portions.
A mirror as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said bearing structure consists in a board adapted to support a mirrored glass on one or both sides.
A mirror as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with means adapted to guarantee the mutual stop of said panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) when they are positioned in mutual contact.
A mirror as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said means for mutual stop of panels (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) consist in cooperating magnets (6).