GB2553825A

GB2553825A - A vehicle mirror

Info

Publication number: GB2553825A
Application number: GB1615750.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Silverman Murray
Original assignee: Ace Supply Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ace Supply Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-09-15
Filing date: 2016-09-15
Publication date: 2018-03-21
Also published as: GB201615750D0

Abstract

A vehicle mirror assembly 10 for releasable attachment to a headrest of a rear car seat 1, the vehicle mirror assembly comprising a mirror 25 mounted within a housing 20, and a fixing assembly 30 adjustably connected to a back face of the mirror housing, the fixing assembly being adapted to releasably attach to said headrest, characterised in that the fixing assembly comprises a clamp 31 adapted to grip a post 4 supporting said headrest, and a clamp positioning means adapted to adjust the position of the mirror housing relative to the clamp. The clamp may also feature a pincer that comprises a substantially u-shaped member wherein the u-shaped member comprises a hinged joint at a base thereof between first and second parts (33 &34 Figure 2). The mirror assembly may also comprise a ball and socket joint on the back face of the mirror housing.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A vehicle mirror

Abstract Title: Interior vehicle mirror for attachment to rear seat (57) A vehicle mirror assembly 10 for releasable attachment to a headrest of a rear car seat 1, the vehicle mirror assembly comprising a mirror 25 mounted within a housing 20, and a fixing assembly 30 adjustably connected to a back face of the mirror housing, the fixing assembly being adapted to releasably attach to said headrest, characterised in that the fixing assembly comprises a clamp 31 adapted to grip a post 4 supporting said headrest, and a clamp positioning means adapted to adjust the position of the mirror housing relative to the clamp. The clamp may also feature a pincerthat comprises a substantially u-shaped member wherein the u-shaped member comprises a hinged joint at a base thereof between first and second parts (33 &34 Figure 2). The mirror assembly may also comprise a ball and socket joint on the back face of the mirror housing.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

1/2

34a

FIGURE 2

2/2

12 17

38b

38a

FIGURE 3

FIGURE 4

A VEHICLE MIRROR

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle mirrors. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention concerns a mirror for a driver to view a rear-facing passenger, particularly a child, sat in a rear seat of the vehicle.

Description of the Related Art

The current law in the UK requires all children travelling in the front or rear seat of any car, van or goods vehicle to use the correct safety car seat until they are either 135 cm in height or 12 years old (which ever they reach first). After this they must use an adult seat belt. There are very few exceptions. For infants weighing 0 Kg to 9 Kg, there is an additional restriction that the safety seat must be rear-facing and the child must be retrained using a harness.

When an infant is seated in an appropriate rear-facing safety car seat in the rear seat of the vehicle, the driver is unable to observe the infant without abandoning a safe driving position. Accordingly, it is difficult to establish whether an infant is in serious distress.

Vehicle mirrors have been developed in order to provide a reflection of a rear-facing infant to a driver, which can be viewed via the usual rear view mirror. These vehicle mirror are typically fixed to a headrest or seat back facing the infant.

The fixing assemblies for these vehicle mirrors are often crude and inaccurate, either failing to allow sustainable position-adjustment of the mirror, or being difficult to attach to the headrest or seat back.

It is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the problems of the prior art as discussed herein or otherwise.

Therefore, it is now desired to provide an improved arrangement for a vehicle mirror assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle mirror assembly for releasable attachment to a headrest of a rear car seat, the vehicle mirror assembly comprising a mirror mounted within a housing, and a fixing assembly adjustably connected to a back face of the mirror housing, the fixing assembly being adapted to releasably attach to said headrest, characterised in that the fixing assembly comprises a clamp adapted to grip a post supporting said headrest, and a clamp positioning means adapted to adjust the position of the mirror housing relative to the clamp.

With this arrangement, the clamp allows for a firm attachment to a post of the headrest, whilst the clamp positioning means enables the clamp to be positioned to accommodate different post arrangements, e.g. different post distances. The assembly is quick and simple to attach to and release from a headrest and provides sustainable position adjustment of the mirror.

Preferably, the clamp comprises a pincer. Preferably, the pincer comprises a substantially ushaped member. Preferably, the u-shaped member comprises a hinged joint at a base thereof between first and second parts. Preferably, the first and second parts comprise at least one mutually cooperative retention means for a post.

Preferably, the first part comprises an elongated leg and the second part comprises a shorter arm. Preferably, the hinged joint is adapted to move a free end of the second part (arm) towards and away from a middle portion of the first part (leg).

Alternatively, the first part and second parts may comprise elongated arms of generally equal length and the hinged joint may adapted to move a free end of the second part towards and away from a free end of the first part.

Preferably, the mutually cooperative retention means comprise one or more opposing indentations adapted to receive a post. Preferably, the one or more indentations are provided in different sizes in order to adapt to different post diameters. Preferably, the one or more indentations are provided in different profiles in order to adapt to different post shapes.

Preferably, the u-shaped member comprises a locking means adapted to lock the first and second parts around a post. Preferably, the locking means comprises a bolt through the free end of the second part and the middle portion of the first part.

Alternatively, the locking means may comprise a bolt through the free ends of the second part and the first part.

Preferably, the first part is connected to a clamp positioning means at one end thereof. Preferably, the clamp positioning means comprises an elongate member and a pair of hinge mounts. Preferably, the first part of the clamp comprises a hinge knuckle.

Preferably, the hinged connection comprises a movement resistance means, which may be in the form of a tightening component against the hinge knuckle of the first part. Preferably, the movement resistance means comprises a grub screw through one of said hinge mounts for contact with the hinge knuckle of the first part of the clamp.

Preferably, the fixing assembly is adjustably connected with the mirror housing so as to be rotatable substantially 360° in a plane substantially parallel with a back face of the mirror housing. Preferably, the fixing assembly is also adjustably connected with the mirror housing so as to be tilted up to approximately 100° substantially perpendicular with the back face of the mirror housing in all directions.

Preferably, the clamp positioning means is adjustably connected to the mirror housing at an opposite end to the first part of the clamp. Preferably, the adjustable connection comprises a rotatable joint. Preferably, the rotatable joint comprises a ball and socket joint. Preferably, the clamp positioning means comprises a ball for location in a socket on the back face of the mirror housing.

Preferably, the mirror comprises a convexly curved profile. Preferably, the mirror is mounted relative to a convexly curved front face of the mirror housing. Preferably, the mirror is retained in said first front side of the housing by a peripheral flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how exemplary embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective front view of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle mirror assembly attached to a headrest of a rear car seat;

Figure 2 is a perspective top view of the fixing assembly of the vehicle mirror assembly of Figure 1 in a partially open configuration and unattached to a headrest of a rear car seat;

Figure 3 is a perspective side view of the fixing assembly of the vehicle mirror assembly of Figure 1 in a closed configuration and unattached to a headrest of a rear car seat; and

Figure 4 is a perspective close up view of the fixing assembly of the vehicle mirror assembly of Figure 1 attached to a headrest of a rear car seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As shown in Figure 1, a vehicle mirror assembly 10 for releasable attachment to a headrest 3 of a rear car seat 1, comprises a mirror 25 mounted within a mirror housing 20, and a fixing assembly 30 adjustably connected to a back face 22 of the mirror housing 20. The fixing assembly 30 is adapted to releasably attach to said headrest 3. The fixing assembly 30 comprises a clamp 31 adapted to grip a post 4 supporting said headrest 3. A clamp positioning means 37 is also provided and is adapted to adjust the position of the mirror housing 20 relative to the clamp 31.

Figure 1 shows the mirror 25 comprising a generally rectangular shape with a slight convexly curved profile, which is intended to provide a wider viewing range of, for example, an infant in a rear-facing safety car seat. Accordingly, a front face 23 of the mirror housing 20 comprises a generally rectangular shape providing a mirror-retaining peripheral flange 24 having a complimentary convexly curved profile to that of the mirror 25.

The back face 22 of the mirror housing 20 (shown in Figures 2 and 3), is also generally rectangular and comprises a substantially flat profile.

Turning to Figures 2 and 3, the back face 22 of the mirror housing 20 comprises a socket 46 as part of a rotatable joint 45 with the clamp positioning means 37. The socket 46 is located approximately centrally on the back face 22 of the mirror housing 20 and is a cone-shaped protrusion with a ball-receiving aperture therein.

A ball 41 of the clamp positioning means 37 is mounted on the end of a rod 42 and is configured to provide a stiff rotating motion within the socket 46. Accordingly, once deliberately rotated by a user to a certain position within the socket 46, the ball 41 will stay in that position until further user-intervention.

The rod 42 is integrally connected substantially perpendicularly to a rod end 38a of an elongate arm 38. At an opposite clamp end 38b of the arm 38, there is provided a pair of integrally formed hinge mounts 39 that are provided in a substantially upwardly-turned disposition, e.g. turned in the opposite direction to the rod 42 so as to be generally parallel therewith and generally perpendicular to the arm 38. The hinge mounts 39 are spaced apart in order to receive a hinge knuckle 35 of the clamp 31. The clamp positioning means 37 further comprises a movement resistance means 40 in the form of a tightening screw acting through one of the hinge mounts 39 to tighten against the hinge knuckle 34 of the clamp 31 and resist pivotal movement thereof.

The clamp 31 comprises a substantially u-shaped member comprising a first part 33 in the form of an elongate arm and a second part 34 in the form of a returning shorter arm connected by a hinged joint 32, e.g. a pair of spaced-apart, integrally-formed hinge mounts and a hinge knuckle both provided in a substantially inwardly-curved disposition so as to provide the hinged joint 32 at the curve of the u-shape.

Each part 33, 34 provides a pair of differently sized indentations 33a/33b, 34a/34b. Correspondingly-sized indentations 33a/34a, 33b/34b are disposed approximately opposite each other on the respective arm 33, 34 in order to snugly receive and grip a post 4 of a headrest

3.

The clamp 31 further comprises a locking means 36. The locking means 36 comprises a user handle (or head) on a threaded shaft that is adapted to pass through a free end 34c of the second part 34 and a middle portion of the first part in order to pull the two parts 33, 34 together and trap the post 4 therebetween.

In use, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, the locking means 36 of the clamp 31 is first removed. The clamp 31 is then passed between two posts 4 of the headrest 3 from the front of the headrest 3 and is located around one post 4 by passing the clamp around a back of the post 4. The locking means 36 is reapplied to fix the clamp 31 around the post 4 securely. The hinged connection 35/99 between the clamp 31 and the clamp positioning means 37 can be used to locate the elongate arm 38 so as to extend generally across the space between the two posts 4. The movement resistance means 40 is then tightened to resist further movement. Fine manipulation of the tilt of the mirror 25 can be achieved via the ball 41 and socket 54 rotatable joint.

With the invention, the clamp 31 allows for a firm attachment to a post 4 of the headrest 3, whilst the clamp positioning means 37 enables the clamp 31 to be positioned to accommodate different post arrangements, e.g. different post distances and the mirror 25 to be located in a suitable position. The assembly 10 is quick and simple to attach to and release from a headrest 3 and provides sustainable position adjustment of the mirror 25.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle mirror assembly for releasable attachment to a headrest of a rear car seat, the vehicle mirror assembly comprising a mirror mounted within a housing, and a fixing assembly adjustably connected to a back face of the mirror housing, the fixing assembly being adapted to releasably attach to said headrest, characterised in that the fixing assembly comprises a clamp adapted to grip a post supporting said headrest, and a clamp positioning means adapted to adjust the position of the mirror housing relative to the clamp.

2. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises a pincer.

3. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 2, wherein the pincer comprises a substantially u-shaped member.

4. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 3, wherein the u-shaped member comprises a hinged joint at a base thereof between first and second parts.

5. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first and second parts comprise at least one mutually cooperative retention means for a post of a headrest.

6. The vehicle mirror assembly according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the first part comprises an elongated leg and the second part comprises a shorter arm.

7. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 6, wherein the hinged joint is adapted to move a free end of the second part (arm) towards and away from a middle portion of the first part (leg).

8. The vehicle mirror assembly according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the first part and second parts comprise elongated arms of generally equal length

9. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 8, wherein the hinged joint may adapted to move a free end of the second part towards and away from a free end of the first part.

10. The vehicle mirror assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the mutually cooperative retention means comprise one or more opposing indentations adapted to receive a post.

11. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 10, wherein the one or more indentations are provided in different sizes in order to adapt to different post diameters.

12. The vehicle mirror assembly according to any one of claims 10 or 11 to 9, wherein the one or more indentations are provided in different profiles in order to adapt to different post shapes.

13. The vehicle mirror assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein the u-shaped member comprises a locking means adapted to lock the first and second parts around a post.

14. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 13, wherein the locking means comprises a bolt through the free end of the second part and the middle portion of the first part.

15. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 13, wherein, the locking means comprises a bolt through the free ends of the second part and the first part.

16. The vehicle mirror assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 15, wherein the first part is connected to the clamp positioning means at one end thereof via a hinged connection.

17. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein the clamp positioning means comprises an elongate member and a pair of hinge mounts.

18. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 17, wherein the first part of the clamp comprises a hinge knuckle.

19. The vehicle mirror assembly according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the hinged connection comprises a movement resistance means.

20. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 19, wherein the movement resistance means comprises a tightening component against the hinge knuckle of the first part.

21. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 20, wherein the movement resistance means comprises a grub screw through one of said hinge mounts for contact with the hinge knuckle of the first part of the clamp.

22. The vehicle mirror assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the fixing assembly is adjustably connected with the mirror housing so as to be rotatable substantially 360° in a plane substantially parallel with a back face of the mirror housing.

23. The vehicle mirror assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the fixing assembly is also adjustably connected with the mirror housing so as to be tilted up to approximately 100° substantially perpendicular with the back face of the mirror housing in all directions.

24. The vehicle mirror assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 23, wherein the clamp positioning means is adjustably connected to the mirror housing at an opposite end to the first part of the clamp.

25. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 24, wherein the adjustable connection comprises a rotatable joint.

26. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 25, wherein the rotatable joint comprises a ball and socket joint.

27. The vehicle mirror assembly according to any one of claims 25 to 26, wherein the clamp positioning means comprises a ball for location in a socket on the back face of the mirror housing.

28. The vehicle mirror assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the mirror comprises a convexly curved profile.

29. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 28, wherein the mirror is mounted relative to a convexly curved front face of the mirror housing.

30. The vehicle mirror assembly according to claim 29, wherein the mirror is retained in said first front side of the housing by a peripheral flange.

31. A vehicle mirror assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: Claims searched:

GB1615750.5

1-31