GB2248123A

GB2248123A - Reflective container with handle for looking under articles

Info

Publication number: GB2248123A
Application number: GB9116623A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Ribchester
Original assignee: VORNE GROVE Ltd
Current assignee: VORNE GROVE Ltd
Priority date: 1990-08-03
Filing date: 1991-08-01
Publication date: 1992-03-25
Also published as: GB9017091D0; GB9116623D0

Abstract

A mirror box 10 includes an upwardly facing surface 18 which is reflective. A lid 28 can be opened by moving the lid about an hinge 30 in order that five tubular handle sections 34 can be removed. The handle sections 34 can be assembled to form an elongate handle with the neck (42, Fig 3) of one of the sections being pushed into a socket 12 extending from the lid 28. The box is slid underneath an article and the inclination of the mirrored surface is varied by the user causing the handle to be tilted up or down to cause the arcuate surface of the lower wall 20 of the box to rock over a supporting surface. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements in or relating to reflective arrangements The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to reflective arrangements, a method of viewing the underside of an article and to a method of assembling a reflective arrangement.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a reflective arrangement includes a reflector and a handle arranged, in use, to extend from the reflector and a support arranged, in use, to rest on the ground, the orientation of the reflector relative to the ground being arranged to be altered.

The support may comprise a non-linear support. The support may comprise a curved surface and may comprise an arcuate surface.

The support may be located in the region of the reflector and, in use, may be located beneath the reflector.

The handle may be movably connected to the reflector and may be pivotally connected to the reflector. The handle may be arranged to pivot relative to the reflector about an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal extent of the handle from the reflector. The handle may be arranged to pivot relative to the reflector about an axis extending transverse to the vertical.

The reflector may comprise a generally planar reflector.

The reflector may comprise part of a container within which the handle may be stowed. The support may also comprise part of the container. The handle may be comprised of a plurality of sections which may be connected to extend in a generally elongate direction or may be arranged to extend side by side, when not in use.

The container may include a closure member, which closure member may be pivotally mounted. The handle may be arranged to be connected to and extend from the closure member.

The arrangement may include a light source, which light source may be arranged to direct light in the general direction of the reflector from the handle. The light source may be connected, for instance by being detachably connected to the handle. The light source may be arranged to be located in the container, when not in use.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of viewing the underside of an article comprises locating a reflector beneath the article by means of a handle extending from the reflector with a support resting on the ground and altering the orientation of the reflector relative to the ground.

The method may comprise sliding the reflector and, alternatively or additionally, rocking the reflector. The method may comprise pivoting the reflector about the support.

The method may comprise moving the reflector relative to the handle. The method may comprise moving the reflector and support relative to the handle. The method may comprise moving the reflector relative to the support by urging the end of the handle remote from the free end thereof either upwardly or downwardly or both upwardly and downwardly at separate times.

The method may comprise directing light at the reflector and may comprise directing light at the reflector from the general direction from which the reflector is viewed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a reflective arrangement includes a container having a reflector, the container housing a handle which is arranged to be removed from and connected to the container.

The handle may be comprised by a plurality of sections.

The handle may be arranged to extend from the container at an angle to the reflector, and may be arranged to extend in the direction of the reflective surface.

The handle may be arranged to be pivotal relative to the reflector. Alternatively, or additionally, the handle may be arranged to extend in a fixed direction relative to the container. The handle may be arranged to be connected to a lid of the container.

A light source may be arranged to be located in the container.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of assembling a reflective arrangement may comprise removing a handle from a container having a reflector and attaching the handle to the container.

The method may comprise assembling the handle from a plurality of sections.

The present invention includes any combination of the herein referred to features.

The present invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but one embodiment will not be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a mirror box 10; Figure 2 is a side view in cross-section taken along the line II-II of Figure 1 with a handle socket 12 shown in an open position, and Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a point of a handle 14 shown in an assembled condition.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mirror box includes an upper, planar wall 16, the upwardly facing surface 18 of which is reflective. An arcuate lower wall 20 is connected to the front edge 22 of the wall 16 and extends away from the front edge 22 beneath the wall 16 to define a cavity 24 between the walls 16 and 20. Side walls 26 extend between the walls 16 and 20 at either end to enclose the space between the walls. A lid 28 is connected to the rear of the lower wall 20 by a hinge 30.

In the position shown in Figure 1, the lid 28 is in the closed position in order that the box defines a complete enclosure with the lid being retained in that position by a catch 32, shown schematically.

The box 10 encloses five tubular handle sections 34, the longitudinal axes of which extend generally parallel to each other.

In use, the catch 32 is released and the lid 28 is moved from the closed position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2 by pivoting the lid about the hinge 30.

The handle sections 34 are then removed and the sections are assembled to form the handle 14 shown in Figure 3. To facilitate the assembly of the sections into the handle, the sections are connected by an elongate elastic cord 36 which passes around pins 38 in the sections 34 at either end of the handle. The cord 36 urges the sections towards each other, and the cooperating ends of each section include a reduced diameter neck 40 on one portion which extends into the open tubular end of the adjacent section.

The sections are held in the position shown partly under the bias of the cord 36 and partly by the friction fit of the necks 40 in the adjacent sections.

The section at one end of the handle includes a reduced diameter neck 42 which is pushed into the socket 12 extending centrally from the lid 28.

With the handle extending from the lid, and with the catch 32 released, the box can then be slid underneath an article by pushing the handle to inspect the underside of an article. The inclination of the mirrored surface can be varied by the user causing the handle to be tilted up or down to cause the arcuate surface of the lower wall to rock over a supporting surface with respective pivoting occurring between the box and the lid about the hinge, either whilst the box is stationary, or whilst the box is being slid. To facilitate this tilting of the handle, the user can grip the handle at two spaced locations and urge one of the hands upwardly or downwardly.In this way, from a single viewing angle, the underside of an article can be inspected with the mirrored surface enabling a user to view the underneath of an article both above the box and at locations nearer to and further from the box than the user, merely by altering the position of the arcuate surface of the lower wall on which the box rests.

In an alternative use, the lid can be fastened by the catch in the position shown in Figure 1, and the handle can be entered from the socket. If the socket extends at an angle relative to the plane of the mirrored surface, the arrangement can be used to view areas which are not visible to a user. Thus, for instance, gutters can be inspected from beneath without a user having to position themselves above the gutter.

In a further embodiment (not shown) a separate light source can be used to direct light from the region of the user onto the mirrored surface in order that the light can be reflected onto the portion being viewed. In this embodiment, the light source could be connected to the handle. Alternatively, or additionally, a light source may be included in the region of the box.

In order to disassemble the handle, the handle is removed from the socket and the sections pulled apart and folded side by side. The folded sections can then be relocated in the box. The lid can then be pivoted to the closed position and retained in that position by the catch. The box containing the handle can then be stored conveniently, for instance in a car boot.

Claims

1. A reflective arrangement including a reflector and a handle arranged, in use, to extend from the reflector, and a support arranged, in use, to rest on the ground, the orientation of the reflector relative to the ground being arranged to be altered.

2. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 in which the support comprises a non-linear support.

3. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 2 in which the support comprises a curved surface.

4. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 3 in which the support comprises an arcuate surface.

5. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the support is located in the region of the reflector.

6. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 5 in which the support is located beneath the reflector.

7. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the handle is movably connected to the reflector.

8. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 7 in which the handle is pivotally connected to the reflector.

9. An arrangement as claimed in any Claim 8 in which the handle is arranged to pivot relative to the reflector about an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal extent of the handle from the reflector.

10. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 8 or 9 in which the handle is arranged to pivot relative to the reflector about an axis extending transverse to the vertical.

11. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the reflector comprises a generally planar reflector.

12. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the reflector comprises part of a container within which the handle may be stowed.

13. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 12 in which the support comprises part of the container.

14. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the handle is comprised of a plurality of sections which, in one mode, may be connected to extend in a generally elongate direction or, in a second mode, may be arranged to extend side-by-side.

15. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 12 or 13 or Claim 14 when dependent on Claim 12 or 13 in which the container includes a closure member.

16. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 15 in which the closure member is pivotally mounted.

17. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 15 or 16 in which the handle is arranged to be connected to, and extend from the closure member.

18. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim including a light source.

19. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 18 in which the light source is arranged to direct light in the general direction of the reflector from the handle.

20. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 18 or 19 in which the light source is connected to the handle.

21. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 20 in which the light source is detachably connected to the handle.

22. An arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 21 in which the light source is arranged to be located in the container when not in use.

23. A reflective arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in Figures 1, 2 or 3 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A method of viewing the underside of an article comprise locating a reflector beneath the article by means of a handle extending from the reflector with a support resting on the ground and altering the orientation of the reflector relative to the ground.

25. A method as claimed in Claim 24 comprising sliding the support over the ground.

26. A method as claimed in Claim 24 or 25 comprising rocking the support on the ground.

27. A method as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 26 comprising pivoting the reflector about the support.

28. A method as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 26 comprising moving the reflector relative to the handle.

29. A method as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 28 comprising moving the reflector and the support relative to the handle.

30. A method as claimed in Claim 28 or 29 comprising moving the reflector relative to the support by urging the end of the handle remote from the free end thereof upwardly.

31. A method as claimed in any of Claims 28 to 30 comprising moving the reflector relative to the support by urging the end of the handle remote from the free end thereof downwardly.

32. A method as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 31 comprising directing light at the reflector.

33. A method as claimed in Claim 32 comprising directing light at the reflector from the general direction from which the reflector is viewed.

34. A method of viewing the underside of an article substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in Figures 1, 2 or 3 of the accompanying drawings.

35. A method of viewing the underside of an article as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 34 when using a reflective arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 23.

36. A reflective arrangement including a container having a reflector, the container housing a handle which is arranged to be removed from, and connected to the container.

37. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 36 in which the handle is comprised by a plurality of sections.

38. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 36 or 37 in which the handle is arranged to extend from the container at an angle to the reflector.

39. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 36 or 37 in which the handle is arranged to extend in the direction of the reflective surface of the reflector.

40. An arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 32 to 39 in which the handle is arranged to be pivotally movable relative to the reflective.

41. An arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 36 to 40 in which the handle is arranged to extend in a fixed direction relative to the container.

42. An arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 36 to 41 in which the handle is arranged to be connected to a lid of the container.

43. An arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 36 to 42 including a light source arranged to be located in the container.

44. A method of assembling a reflective arrangement comprising removing a handle from the container having a reflector and attaching the handle to the container.

45. A method as claimed in Claim 44 comprising assembling the handle from a plurality of sections.

46. A method of assembling as claimed in Claim 44 or 45 when used with a reflective arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 36 to 43.