GB2495727A

GB2495727A - Mirror movable between mounting locations

Info

Publication number: GB2495727A
Application number: GB201117934A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Schofield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-10-18
Filing date: 2011-10-18
Publication date: 2013-04-24
Also published as: GB201218716D0; GB201117934D0; GB2495838A; GB2495838B

Abstract

A mirror assembly comprises a mirror 12, a rear support member 14 disposed behind the rear surface of the mirror, adjustable positioning means 24 attached to the rear support member 14, a first connector means 32,40 mounted to the positioning means 24 and second connector means 42 for attaching to a structural support such as a wall, the first connector means being releasably engageable with the second connector means. In use, the mirror assembly allows a mirror and attached first connector to be mounted on any one of a number of second connectors disposed at different locations, such as the wall or ceiling or a free-standing tripod 30. An electrical connection may be provided which may include built-in light, such as LEDs and a camera, which may be hidden or visible.

Description

TITLE: MIRROR ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a mirror assembly and particularly but not exclusively to mirror assembly for fitting to a ceiling or wafl.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Typically, a household mirror is mounted to a wall or is free standing. A decorative frame may surround the mirror and may be used to permanently secure the mirror in a dcsircd position. Alternatively, thc mirror may be directly attached in position using, for example, screw fixings, which may be obscured with covers.

There is a need to provide a mirror, which can easily be attached to a ceiling, as well as to a wall, for use, for example, in a bedroom. Existing mirrors are difficult to ceiling mount and a mirror cannot easily be moved between a position on a wall and a ceiling position.

It is an object of the invention to provide a minor assembly which substantially mitigates or reduces these problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a minor assembly comprising a minor, a rear support member disposed behind the rear surface of the mirror, adjustable positioning means attached to the rear support member, a first connector means mounted to the adjustable positioning means and second connector means for attaching to a structural support, the first connector means being releasably engageable with the second connector means.

An advantage of the mirror assembly is that the second connector can be mounted to a wall, ceiling or other structural support and the first connector can be reasably connccted thereto, enabling convcnicnt positioning of the mirror. A number of second connectors may be provided for mounting in different positions, enabling straightforward repositioning of the mirror.

Furthermore, the positioning means enables the face of the mirror to be angled relative to the connectors.

The rear support member may be a back board.

The mirror may be attached to the rear support member by a frame. A circular rim may be provided around the mirror and attached to the back board, if desired.

The minor may double sided and the frame may be releasable for enabling selection of a forward facing side of the minor. The reflective surface of the mirror may be tinted a particular colour on one or both sides of the minor.

The adjustable positioning means may include a plurality of elongate members, which may be adjustable in length. Ideally, there are three elongate members.

The elongate members may be telescopic and may be locked in a desired position by means of rotating collars.

The elongate members are adapted to lie substantially flat against the rear support member in a first position and extended from the rear support member in a second position.

In an alternative arrangement, the adjustable positioning means may be provided by one or more chains, which can be varied in length, preferably at the point of connection to the rear support member and/or the first connector means.

The first connector means may include a central support spigot attached to the positioning means substantially at one end thereof and an engagement member disposed at the other end of the central support spigot.

The engagement member may be substantially planar and may substantially a cyclic polygon. The engagement member may include three arm areas extending from a central area, the arm areas being equi-angularly spaced. Other shapes of engagement member may be utilised, for example, star shapes or other geometrical or non-geometrical shapes, The second connector means may include a mounting member, the mounting member having an aperture in at least a lower fice thereof through which the engagement member can pass.

A seating corresponding to the shape of the engagement member may be provided in a lower wall of the mounting member, the engagement member being engaged in the seating by passing the engagement member through the aperture in the lower face of the mounting member and rotating the engagement member.

A viewing aperture may be provided through the mounting member for determining when the engagement member is located in the seating.

A cover may be provided for attachment to the mounting member. The cover obscures the means lbr fastening the mounting member to the structural support. The fastening means may be screws and the screw heads may be obscured by the cover.

A viewing aperture may also be provided through the cover member for determining when the engagement member is located in the seating. The viewing apertures in the cover and mounting member may be aligned.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be canied into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a mirror assembly; Figure 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the adjustable positioning means and first and second connectors of the mirror assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the mirror asscmbly from the rear; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the engagement member of the first connector means passing through the aperlure in the second connector means; and

S

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the engagement member of the first connector means engaged in the seat of the second connector means.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 3, a mirror assembly is indicated generally at 10.

The mirror assembly 10 includes a mirror 12 supported on a rear support membcr or back-board 14. A frame 16 connects the mirror 12 to the backboard 14 and the frame is provided in two parts, namely a first part 18 which extends around the periphery of the mirror and a second part 20 which sits on top of the first part 18 and holds the minor 12 in place, substantially sandwiched between the rear of the second part 20 and the forward face of the backboard 14. In the embodiment shown, the mirror 12 is circular, although it will be appreciated that the minor can be provided in other shapes, as desired and the backboard and frame can also be provided in correspondingly different shapes. The mirror 12 has reflectivc surfaces on both sides thereof, and one or both of these sides may be tinted in a particular colour-way, to match with, for example the dccor in a particular room.

A logo or brand name, indicated at 22 can optionally be cut into the backboard 14 along with other indicia, which may be viewed when the mirror assembly 10 is displayed in-store for sale, or is taken away from a position, for example mounted on a wall or ceiling.

A positioning means, indicated generally at 24 is mounted to the rear of the backboard 14 and in use can be used to change the angle or position of the mirror 12 relative to the mounting point of the mirror assembly. The adjustable positioning means 24 includes three brackets 26, which are substantially U-shaped and are attached to the rear of the backboard close to the periphery and equally angularly spaced apart. The brackcts 26 have a supporting pin 28 extending between side members of the brackets 26, which arc each connected to an elongate member 30. In other words, there are three elongate members attached to the rear of the backboard 14 at one end, and their other ends are attached to a first connector 32, best seen in Figure 2. The elongate members 30 are telescopic, and are provided in three rigid parts of similar length, which can be locked together in substantially any desired position by virtue of two locking collars, provided at the ends of the central part. The elongate members 30 are connected to the first connector 32 by similar U-shaped brackets 34 and pins 36, which form pivots. It will be appreciated, that if one of the elongate members is shortened, then this will have the effect of angling the mirror backwards towards that elongate member and hence the mirror will be presented at a different angle relative to the first connector 32. The first connector 32 includes a central spigot 38 depending from a substantially planar engagement member 40 which takes the shape of a cyclic polygon. The engagement member includes three arm areas extending from a central area, the arm areas being equally angularly spaced apart. The U-shaped brackets 34 are attached to the sides of the central spigot 38 and similarly are equally angularly spaced around the outside of the spigot.

Referring also to Figures 4 and 5, the second connector means includes a mounting member 42 and a cover member 44. Apertures 46, three of which are shown, are provided through the mounting member 42 for enabling the mounting member to be attached to a structural member, for example a wall or ceiling, by virtue of screw fixings or other fastening means. A central aperture 48 is provided through at least a lower face of the mounting member 42 and corresponds to the shape of the engagement member 40. In use, the engagement member 40 is able to pass through the aperture 48 with clearance. A seating 50 is formed internally of the mounting member 42 and is again in the shape of the engagement member 40. The seating 50 is angularly displaced from the central aperture 48, in such a manner to allow the engagement member 40 to be passed through the central aperture 48, rotated, and then engaged in the seating 50. In one embodiment, not shown, latching means may be provided to secure the engagement member 40 within the seating 50, although in the embodiment shown the engagement member is retained in the seating by virtue of gravity alone.

A viewing aperture 52 is provided through the mounting member 42, in a position aligned with an area of the seating 50, and a similar viewing aperture 54 is provided through the cover member 44. In use, when the engagement member 40 is engaged in the seating 50, this can be determined at a glance, because it is possible to sec the engagement member through the aligned viewing apertures 52, 54. Referring in particular to Figure 3, three resilient clip members 56 are attached to the rear surface of the backboard 14, and lock the elongate members 30 to the rear surface of the backboard 14 when the elongate members 30 are in their shortened or stowed positions. When in this position, if the engagement member 40 is located in the mounting member 42, then the mirror 12 will be in a position substantially parallel with the rear surface of the mounting member 42 and as close to the mounting member 42 as is possible. If for example the mounting member 42 is attached to a wall, ceiling or other substantially planar member, then the surface of the mirror 12 will be parallel with the surface of the wall, ceiling or planar member in this position.

In use, several mounting means 42 can be attached to structural supports using screw fixings or other suitable fastening means. Covers 44 are then attached, for example, as push fits. The mounting means 42 can be mounted to walls, ceilings, doors, furniture or any other suitable supporting structure. The minor can be released from the frame, for example, by release of bayonet connectors, screws, clips or any other connector that has been utilised. The reflective side of the minor 12 can then be selected for viewing and the minor re-assembled within the frame 18, 20 and backboard 14. The adjustable elongate members 30 can then be set to desired lengths, for example, extcnded or stowed as shown in Figure 3. The engagement member 40, is then pushed through the central aperture 48 and the mirror rotated, for example, through 60 degrees, to engage the engagement member with the seating 50.

The mirror 12 can be angled to any desired angular position, by adjustment of the length of the elongate members 30. It is envisaged that the minor assembly will have particular application in viewing sexual activity, because the minor can be easily attached to a ceiling and later, repositioned on a wall.

In other embodiments, the adjustable positioning means can be provided by chains, or by actuable extendable members, which can be controlled by, for example, aerial remote control. An clcctrical connection may bc provided to the minor asscmbly, which may also include built in lights, such as LEDs, and may also include a camera, either hidden or visible.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A mirror assembly comprising a mirror, a rear support member disposed behind the rear surface of the mirror, adjustable positioning means attached to the rear support member, a first connector means mounted to the adjustable positioning means and second connector means for attaching to a structural support, the first connector means being releasably engageable with the second connector means.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the rear support member is a back board.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the minor is attached to the rear support member by a frame.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the mirror is double sided and the frame is releasable for enabling selection of a forward facing side of the mirror.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A minor assembly as claimed in any one of claims I to 4, in which the adjustable positioning means includes a plurality of elongate members, which arc adjustable in length.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 5, in which there are three elongate members.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A minor assembly as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, in which the elongate members are telescopic.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A minor assembly as claimed in any one of claims S to 7, in which the elongate members are adapted to lie substantially flat against the rear support member in a first position and extended from the rear support member in a second position.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A mirror assembly as claimed in any one of claims I to 8, in which the first connector means includes a central support spigot attached to the positioning means substantially at one end thereof and an engagement member disposed at the other end of the central support spigot.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 9, in which the engagement member is substantially planar and is substantially a cyclic polygon.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 10, in which the engagement member includes three arm areas extending from a central area, the arm areas being equi-angularly spaced.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A mirror assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the second connector means includes a mounting member, the mounting member 1 5 having an aperture in at least a lower face thereof through which the engagement member can pass.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 12, in which a seating corresponding to the shape of the engagement member is provided in a lower wall of the mounting member, the engagement member being engaged in the seating by passing the engagement member through the aperture in the lower face of the mounting member and rotating the engagement member.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 13, in which a viewing aperture is provided through the mounting member for determining when the engagement member is located in the seating.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A minor assembly as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, in which a cover is provided for attachment to the mounting member.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 15, in which a viewing aperture is provided through the cover member for determining when the engagement member is located in the seating.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A mirmr assembly substantially as described heNin with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>