GB2092082A - Combined Vehicle Rear View Mirror and Thermometer - Google Patents

Abstract

The exterior mirror has its reflecting surface disposed behind a flat plate-like thermometer of substantially the same size as the mirror so as to cover the area of the mirror, the thermometer being filled with a tinted temperature-responsive liquid through which mirror reflections can be viewed whilst permitting the liquid level to be compared to the temperature calibrations. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An Improved Exterior Side Driving Mirror for Road Vehicles This invention relates to an improved exterior side driving mirror for road vehicles.

Broadly, according to this invention, there is provided an exterior side driving mirror for road vehicles wherein the reflecting surface of the mirror is disposed behind and adjacent to a flat plate-like thermometer of substantially the same size as the mirror so as to cover the area of the mirror, the thermometer being filled with a temperature-responsive liquid that is slightly coloured or tinted so that reflections of the road and of any traffic behind the vehicle can be clearly viewed in the mirror through said liquid while permitting the level or the liquid to be easily observed against temperature calibrations.

By means of this invention it will be appreciated that a ready indication of the outside air temperature is available, particularly to the driver of the vehicle.

To enable the invention to be clearly understood and readily carried into effect a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying purely diagrammatic drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a front view of the mirror and Figure 2 is a part-sectional side view.

Referring to said drawings, the mirror itself is indicated at 1 and is housed in a casing 2 provided with any suitable means 3 by which it may be fitted externally to a side of a vehicle in a position in which it can be readily viewed by the driver.

A substantially flat thermometer 4 containing a temperature-responsive liquid such as slightly tinted alcohol is mounted in the casing 2 in front of the mirror so as to cover the whole of the surface area of the mirror 1, the latter communicating at 5 with a reservoir 6.

The thermometer 4 is calibrated as indicated between two desired reference points, the calibrations being Fahrenheit or Centigrade, or both.

The casing 1 is preferably formed with air vents 7.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that a driver of a vehicle fitted with an external side mirror constructed in accordance with this invention may readily ascertain the outside air temperature while sitting in the vehicle.

The fact that the thermometer is filled with slightly coloured liquid ensures that images reflected by the mirror can be clearly viewed and not obscured by said liquid.

An added advantage of the invention is that the part of the flat thermometer occupied by liquid also acts to eliminate glare caused by the sun or the headlights of following vehicles that would normally be reflected and tend to dazzle the driver.

Claims

1. A driving mirror wherein the conventional viewing surface has a flat plate like thermometer embodied into it and covering the entire viewing surface.

2. A driving mirror as claimed in claim 1 wherein a thermometer is mounted in front of the reflecting surface but filled with a temperature responsive liquid that is slightly coloured so that reflections off the road or traffic can be viewed through it.

3. A driving mirror as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the surface of the mirror has a graduated scale enclosed or affixed to indicate when related to the level of the thermometer the outside air temperature.

4. A driving mirror as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the thermometer or temperature indicating device has a Buoyant Bar or Rod inserted to ensure a correct reading by keeping the liquid at one level as Fig. 8 as the attached drawing.

5. A vehicle fitted with a driving mirror constructed as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION An Improved Exterior Side Driving Mirror for Road Vehicles This invention relates to an improved exterior side driving mirror for road vehicles. Broadly, according to this invention, there is provided an exterior side driving mirror for road vehicles wherein the reflecting surface of the mirror is disposed behind and adjacent to a flat plate-like thermometer of substantially the same size as the mirror so as to cover the area of the mirror, the thermometer being filled with a temperature-responsive liquid that is slightly coloured or tinted so that reflections of the road and of any traffic behind the vehicle can be clearly viewed in the mirror through said liquid while permitting the level or the liquid to be easily observed against temperature calibrations. By means of this invention it will be appreciated that a ready indication of the outside air temperature is available, particularly to the driver of the vehicle. To enable the invention to be clearly understood and readily carried into effect a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying purely diagrammatic drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a front view of the mirror and Figure 2 is a part-sectional side view. Referring to said drawings, the mirror itself is indicated at 1 and is housed in a casing 2 provided with any suitable means 3 by which it may be fitted externally to a side of a vehicle in a position in which it can be readily viewed by the driver. A substantially flat thermometer 4 containing a temperature-responsive liquid such as slightly tinted alcohol is mounted in the casing 2 in front of the mirror so as to cover the whole of the surface area of the mirror 1, the latter communicating at 5 with a reservoir 6. The thermometer 4 is calibrated as indicated between two desired reference points, the calibrations being Fahrenheit or Centigrade, or both. The casing 1 is preferably formed with air vents 7. From the foregoing it will be appreciated that a driver of a vehicle fitted with an external side mirror constructed in accordance with this invention may readily ascertain the outside air temperature while sitting in the vehicle. The fact that the thermometer is filled with slightly coloured liquid ensures that images reflected by the mirror can be clearly viewed and not obscured by said liquid. An added advantage of the invention is that the part of the flat thermometer occupied by liquid also acts to eliminate glare caused by the sun or the headlights of following vehicles that would normally be reflected and tend to dazzle the driver. Claims

1. A driving mirror wherein the conventional viewing surface has a flat plate like thermometer embodied into it and covering the entire viewing surface.

2. A driving mirror as claimed in claim 1 wherein a thermometer is mounted in front of the reflecting surface but filled with a temperature responsive liquid that is slightly coloured so that reflections off the road or traffic can be viewed through it.

3. A driving mirror as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the surface of the mirror has a graduated scale enclosed or affixed to indicate when related to the level of the thermometer the outside air temperature.

4. A driving mirror as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the thermometer or temperature indicating device has a Buoyant Bar or Rod inserted to ensure a correct reading by keeping the liquid at one level as Fig. 8 as the attached drawing.

5. A vehicle fitted with a driving mirror constructed as claimed in any of the preceding claims.