FR2572917A1 - Folding mirror with upright image for furniture equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device making it possible to provide furniture equipment with an articulated assembly consisting of two mirrors giving, when they are at right angles, an upright image. In use, the two mirrors 1 and 2 are placed at 90 DEG along a common straight side 3. After use, the two mirrors are folded back to 180 DEG , thus closing the piece of furniture. In use, the two mirrors are held by a locking device which makes it optionally possible to pivot the assembly of the two mirrors on their axis. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for shower room equipment and for bathroom cabinets.

Description

The present invention uses the optical characteristic of two perpendicular mirrors giving a non-inverted image.
The invention is essentially characterized in that it uses two articulated mirrors intended for furniture equipment.

The particularity of two flat mirrors giving a rectified image has been known for a long time in optics. It is notably cited in volume IV "Optical Images" by Monsieur
FLEURY.It has also already been the subject of patents including -
N 588 765 issued in France on February 6, 1925,
NO 953 115 issued in France on I6 May I949,
N 3 022 709 issued in the USA on February 27, 1962,
N 56 968 issued in Europe on January 8, I982.

 These different patents all use a non-foldable mono-block assembly.

On the other hand, the two patents indicated below use two mirrors that can be folded in on themselves, mentioning that the axis of articulation corresponds to the line of intersection of the front faces of the mirrors:
N 26 767 issued in Austria on December 27, 1906,
N 757 529 issued in France on October 6, I933.

 The present invention relates to another arrangement making it possible to integrate the folding mirror into a mobile equipment, bathroom cabinet or the like, by adapting to the models currently manufactured without significant modifications.

 Figure I shows the principle of this device adapted to a bathroom cabinet (I). In the position of use, the two mirrors (2) and (3) are arranged at right angles (4) along a common rectilinear side (5 After use, the two mirrors articulated on an axis of rotation which can be arranged behind the front faces of the mirrors, come to position (6) and (7), in order to be at I800 and thus close the bathroom cabinet.

The reference (8) represents a possible third mirror not used in the device.

The operating position is maintained by a blocking device allowing the two mirrors to rotate together around the axis of rotation. In order to orient the device
-tif at the request of the user.The blocking device is hidden behind the mirrors.

 the traditional bevelling of mirrors makes it possible to have an invisible line of separation between the two mirrors.

 The arrangement of the axis of rotation is calculated according to the distance between the mirrors in the non-use position and possibly the shape of the bevels.

 Figures 2,3 and 4 represent an embodiment of the invention.

 Figure 2 gives. top view, detail of the upper articulation in position of use. The holding pieces (9) and (IO) of the mirrors (2) and (3) each have a hinge element $ (II) and (I2) .The axis of rotation (I3) is fixed under the upper radius (I4) of the cabinet.

 Figure 3 gives, seen from below, the detail of the articulation -tion lower in the position of use and comprising the system--tem of blocking. The holding pieces (I5) and (I6) of the mirrors (2) and (3) each comprise a hinge element (I7) and (I8) carrying the magnetic water latch (I9) ensuring the locking of the device. The oblong holes of the latch allow precise adjustment of the right anal of the two mirrors. axis of rotation (20) is fixed under the lower ravon (21) of the furniture, so as not to hinder the use of the latter.

 FIG. 4 gives the detail of the section tA, on which we find the references of FIG. 3.

 As a variant, a blocking system may be used comprising a spring catch or using the weight of one of the mirrors for locking the stop catch.

 For the realization, it can other uses O traditional mirrors out of glass or metallic or plastic mirrors. The assembly parts can be metallic or plastic.

 The device according to the invention is particularly intended for furnishing equipment in bathrooms and bathroom cabinets.

Claims (8)

 mirrors in position (6) and (7).  fronts of the mirrors and allowing after use to fold the  on an axis of rotation which can be arranged behind the  (c;), in order to give a non-inverse image. The whole is articulated  arranged at right angles (4) along a common rectilinear side  bathroom cabinets (I) with two mirrors (2) and (3)  I) Device for bathroom equipment and  2) Device according to claim I characterized in that the  blocking system, hidden behind the mirrors, allows  hold the two mirrors at right angles with a latch  magnetic (I9) fixed on the two lower elements of tank  -nier (I7) and (I8) reattach them even on the hand pieces  - hold (I5) and (I6) mirrors (2) and (3).  latch allows precise adjustment of the right angle of both  The axis of rotation (20) is fixed under the lower spoke.  3) Device according to claims I and 2 characterized in that  that the upper articulation is ensured by two elements of  hinge (II) and (I2) fixed on the holding pieces (9) and  (IO) mirrors (2) and (3) .The axis of rotation (I3) is fixed under  the upper ravon of the piece of furniture (I4).  4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking device is ensured  by a spring-loaded catch or using the weight of a mirror.  5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims.  -Tooth Characterized in that the two mirrors, in position  can rotate together around the axes of rota  -tion.  6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims.  -tooth characterized in that the bevelling of the mirrors allows  to have an invisible line of separation between the mirrors. 7) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mirrors are made of glass. or metal. or plastic. 8) Device according to any one of the preceding -dentes claims characterized in that the assembly parts are rda- -lized metal or plastic.