GB2563900A

GB2563900A - Reflective apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2563900A
Application number: GB1710418.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bedeau Sharlaine
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-06-29
Filing date: 2017-06-29
Publication date: 2019-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-29
Also published as: GB2563900B; GB201710418D0

Abstract

A reflective apparatus comprises a first mirror device 10, a second mirror device 20 and a connector 3. The connector is arranged to space the first and second mirror devices apart about more than one axis or in more than one plane. At least one of the mirror devices 10, 20 is arranged with an orientation adjustment means such as a ball joint 14. The connector may be a gooseneck connector. The first mirror device may comprise a stand (4, fig.1). The stand may have attachments such a suction cup (44, fig. 4) or a clip (48, fig.4) for securing it to a surface. The stand may have a telescopic shaft and an orthogonal connection part (not labelled) for the connector. The second mirror device 20 may be mounted to the connector by a rotatable collar 23.

Description

REFLECTIVE APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to reflective apparatus, in particular apparatus for providing at least two reflective surfaces to face in different directions.

Background

Increasing leisure time in many societies is wedded to an increased desire to look good.

Many people spend a great deal of time styling their hair on a day-to-day basis in particular. However this can be problematic to achieve without help, more particularly with reference to the rear of one's head.

Two mirrors opposing each other can be difficult to arrange, and even once arranged it can be difficult to manipulate one’s head into a useful position, and much more difficult to focus on looking at a specific area of the head, or more particularly a series of specific areas and/or moving from one to another. Even if achieved the two mirror can be difficult to remain in a set position.

Prior Art CN 203 073 914 (LIU) discloses a mirror which comprises a base and a mirror body, wherein the mirror body is fixedly connected with the top end of the base, a coil pipe at the back surface of the mirror body is connected with a frame body, and a mirror surface is arranged inside the frame body. When the mirror body is used, people can check the hairstyle at the back of the head by using the mirror surface inside the frame body just by adjusting an angle between the coil pipe and the mirror body, and ladies can conveniently check the situation behind earrings. The mirror disclosed by the utility model has the advantages of simple structure and convenience for use; and greater convenience is brought for people to use the mirror. WO 201 016 780 (KARLEWSKI) discloses a mirror system, provided with two mirrors, has two curved telescopic arms mounted rotationally on a common articulated joint and provided with movable segments, and there are mirrors whose reflecting surfaces may be turned to face each other, mounted rotationally to the ends of these telescopic arms. CN2907350U HAN utility model is a make-up mirror that enables the users to see the back part of the head. The invention developed based on the existing ordinary plane mirror and flexible tube components consists of a main plane mirror, an auxiliary plane mirror and a universal flexible tube, with the main plane mirror and the auxiliary plane mirror separately at each side of the universal flexible tube. The position of this invention could be adjusted at will, so that the user can see the hair shape at the back of the head clearly.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided reflective apparatus, comprising a first mirror device, a second mirror device and a connector, wherein the connector is arranged to space the mirror devices apart about more than one axis and at least one of the devices is arranged with an orientation adjustment means to allow orientation of the spacing of the mirror devices about more than one axis.

In some embodiments the connector comprises an elongate member.

In some embodiments the connector comprises a gooseneck member.

In some embodiments the connector comprises at least one connection portion, which connection portion is arranged to connect a mirror device. In some such embodiments the connection portion is reversible, for example wherein the mirror device may be displaceable from the portion and consequently the connector. In this way the apparatus may be dismantled, for example for storage or transport.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises two orientation adjustment means, arranged to allow adjustment of the orientation in more than one manner.

For example in some embodiments the connection portion comprises articulation so as to allow a second orientation adjustment means. For example an articulated connection portion may enable the connector to vary orientation, angle, axis or plane of the device.

In this way the apparatus enables further flexibility of orientation of the devices locally, wherein the first orientation adjustment means of the apparatus is comprised in the connector, which connector enables global adjustment of the orientation of the devices. Furthermore the apparatus provides the ability to use the apparatus on various surfaces for easy use in a variety of spaces.

This plurality of orientation adjustments allows for the devices to be spaced apart firstly, for example to locate a device in front of the user and the second device behind the user; and the second orientation adjustment means may be arranged to vary the angle of the second device so as to direct the device more appropriately.

The devices may comprise plural mirrored faces. For example the device may comprise a front face and an opposing rear face, wherein the rear face comprises a differing mirror surface, such as a magnifying mirror face. Some embodiments may have more than two faces.

In some embodiments the faces are surrounded by a perimetric edge, which edge may extend along the same plane as the face(s), so as to enable easier manipulation of the device without fingerprints on the face(s).

The apparatus may comprise a power source, which may be integral, for example comprising a rechargeable or replaceable battery, or which may comprise a mains electrical connection.

In some embodiments the mirror devices may comprise a light source, for example so as to direct light onto the face or from the device. This may enable a user to better view the face or themselves.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises a stand. The stand may be located at the first device, so as to anchor the first device and parts of the apparatus extending therefrom, wherein it may be envisaged that the second device and connector alter balancing point and weight distribution of the apparatus.

The stand may comprise a plurality of attachments, which attachments provide differing purposes in relation to differing structures.

For example the stand may comprise an anchoring attachment to secure the first device to an independent structure.

The stand may comprise a weighting attachment to weight the first device and limit effects of gravity on the apparatus or second device. In some embodiments the stand may comprise displaceable weighting and anchoring attachments. In other embodiments the attachments may be wholly displaceable and the stand may comprise an attachment fastening means. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a third isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of apparatus parts;

Figure 5 shows a reverse isometric view of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of a third embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 7 shows an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention; and

Figure 8 shows an exploded isometric view of apparatus parts as shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 9 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus show in Figure 1, without a base.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown reflective apparatus comprising a first mirror device 1 and a second mirror device 2 with a connector 3 between them, wherein the connector 3 is a gooseneck arranged to space the devices 1,2 apart in more than one plane, with the first device arranged with an orientation adjustment means 5 to allow orientation of the spacing of the mirror devices about more than one axis.

The first mirror device 1 is provided on a stand 4. This stand as shown in Figure 4 may comprise various embodiments of modular attachments 400, 47, 44, 48 for securement to a surface, or simply standing thereon.

The stand further comprises a shaft 40 upstanding from the attachment 400, 47, 44, 48.

The attachments 400, 47, 44, 48 are wholly displaceable or separable from the shaft 40, wherein the shaft 40 comprises an internal female screwthread, and the attachment comprises an external male screwthread 43.

In particular the orientation adjustment means comprises local articulation of the first mirror device with respect to the stand 4, the connector 3 and the second mirror device 2.

The adjustment means 5 is interposed between the mirror device 1 and the stand 4, and thereby enables adjustment of the first mirror without adjusting the stand’s relationship with the surface.

In use therefore the second mirror device 2 can be arranged for rear viewing, using the gooseneck connector 3, at an appropriate angle or orientation and the adjustment means operated to adjust the first mirror 1 to an appropriate position for frontal viewing.

The adjustment means 5 comprises a ball-joint 14, depending from the centre of the first mirror device perimeter 12, and a socket 17 in the top of the shaft. The adjustment means 5 comprises the aluminium inner 16 and outer tube 40, spring clip 15 and ball joint collar 17.

Furthermore the shaft is two separate parts, wherein an outer 40 is comprised in the stand, and an inner 16 provides the socket 17, and may be considered a part of the device 1.

The first mirror device 1 comprises a metallic perimeter 12. The perimeter 12 allows handling of the device 1 without compromising effectiveness, and comprises a lanyard attachment point 13 extending upright centrally uppermost.

In this way the attachments may be displaced and the apparatus hung from a hook. In some embodiments it may be envisaged that the first mirror device may be detached from the stand and hung, whilst the stand and second mirror device or independently or complimentarily utilised.

The second mirror device 2 comprises a metallic perimeter 22, for ease of handling.

The stand 4 comprises attachments lowermost, and an upright shaft 40, wherein the first mirror device 1 is installed at the top of the shaft and the connector extends from an intermediate point orthogonal to the shaft 40, adjacent the attachments.

The stand further comprises an adjustment mechanism for alteration of the first mirror’s height. This adjustment mechanism comprises a plurality of vertically spaced holes 41 in the vertical shaft 40 of the stand, and a sprung pin 15, such that the first mirror device 1 can be raised and lowered with respect to the attachment in use.

The attachments comprise two different diameters of suction cup 44, 47, each larger than the diameter of the shaft 40, a weighted base 400 with a substantially flat lower face, and a clip attachment 48, comprising two arms and an intermediate torsion spring.

In further embodiments the clip attachment 48 may be arranged with an articulated joint so as to enable clipping at a plurality of angles and orientations.

As shown in Figure 4 the mirror devices comprise rigid backing 18 and mirror surfaces to opposing sides 10,11 and 20,21.

The second mirror device is secured on the connector 3 by a collar 23, which may allow rotation.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A reflective apparatus, comprising a first mirror device, a second mirror device and a connector, wherein the connector is arranged to space the mirror devices apart about more than one axis and at least one of the devices is arranged with an orientation adjustment means to allow orientation of the spacing of the mirror devices about more than one axis

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the connector is a gooseneck connector.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the first mirror device comprises a stand.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the stand comprises displaceable attachments for securement on or to a surface.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein an attachment comprises a suction cup.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein an attachment comprises a clip attachment.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein an attachment comprises a weighted base.

8. Apparatus according to any of preceding claims 4 to 7 wherein the stand comprises a telescopic shaft.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the shaft comprises an orthogonal basal part for the connector.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the second mirror device is mounted on a rotatable collar from the connector.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first mirror device comprises a lanyard attachment point.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first mirror device is mounted on a ball socket joint.