GB2606336A - A mirror assembly for mounting on another mirror assembly and retaining a mobile device, and a mirror kit including both mirror assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

A first mirror assembly (10, fig 1) comprises a first mirror 14, mounting means (16, fig 1) for detachably mounting the first mirror on a front of a planar mirror 30, and a device retaining means 18 attached to the mounting means, for supporting an electronic mobile device having a display, so the display can be viewed or a video of a user can be recorded. A plurality of light emitting elements are located such that they emit light directly towards a user without the light being blocked by the mobile device. The first mirror may be a magnifying mirror such as a convex mirror for use as a make-up mirror. The mounting means may comprise suction cups or magnets.

Description

A MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR MOUNTING ON ANOTHER MIRROR ASSEMBLY AND RETAINING A MOBILE DEVICE, AND A MIRROR KIT INCLUDING BOTH MIRROR ASSEMBLIES

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a first mirror assembly for mounting on a second mirror assembly and for retaining an electronic mobile device, the first mirror assembly typically including a magnifying mirror and the second mirror assembly typically including a planar mirror. The invention also relates to a mirror kit comprising the first and second mirror assemblies.

Backqround of the Invention A magnifying mirror may be used in personal grooming to see details of the face, for example to facilitate removal of unwanted hairs, and to aid in application of makeup. The magnifying mirror may be attached to a larger, planar mirror using suction cups. Such a magnifying mirror may be provided in a kit with a planar mirror that includes a stand.

Videos explaining makeup techniques are available online. Such videos are commonly watched while applying makeup, so that the makeup is applied in accordance with the explained techniques. A person watching such a video also needs to look at a mirror while applying the make up.

In light of this, it is an object of the present invention to improve on prior art make up kits.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a first mirror assembly for mounting on a planar mirror of a second mirror assembly, the first mirror assembly comprising: a mirror; mounting means for releasably mounting the first mirror assembly on a front of the planar mirror; a device retaining means attached to the mounting means, for supporting an electronic mobile device having a display, so the display can be viewed.

Such a magnifying mirror is arranged to retain a mobile device of the user in front of the first mirror, so that a video can be easily watched by the user while the user can also look in the first mirror.

The mounting means and the second mirror assembly may include materials enabling the first mirror assembly to be magnetically mounted on the front of the planar mirror. For example, the first mirror assembly may include at least one permanent magnet and the second mirror assembly may include a ferromagnetic layer.

The magnetic mounting is preferably sufficiently strong the first mirror assembly does not slip when the device retaining means supports an electric mobile device of at least 250g.

The first mirror assembly may further comprise a non-slip layer for location against the front of the planar mirror, behind the mirror of the first mirror assembly.

The device retaining means may comprise at least one support for supporting the mobile device.

The at least one support may include a recess into which a longer of side edges of the mobile device can be located.

The first mirror assembly may further comprise light emitting elements located around a periphery of the mirror, for emitting light around the mobile device towards the user, without the light being blocked by the mobile device.

A mirror kit may comprise the first mirror assembly defined above, and the second mirror assembly comprising the planar mirror.

The first mirror assembly may include a stand to support the planar mirror in a vertical or sloped orientation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first mirror assembly comprising: a mirror; mounting means for releasably mounting the first mirror assembly on a front of a planar mirror; a device retaining means attached to the mounting means, for supporting an electronic mobile device having a display, so that video of a user can be recorded; a plurality of light emitting elements located each in a respective location such that, when the mobile device is supported by the device retaining means, the light emitting elements emit light from the light emitting elements directly towards the user, without the light being blocked by the mobile device.

The device retaining means may comprise at least one support for supporting the mobile device in a recording orientation (that is, viewing orientation). The at least one support may include a recess into which a longer of side edges of the mobile device can be located.

Some or all of the light emitting elements may be included in a frame portion of the first mirror assembly, the frame portion permitting the light emitting elements to emit light. The frame portion may include a contiguous light-transmissible portion through which light from more than one of the light emitting elements can pass.

Brief Description of Fiaures

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first mirror assembly, excluding a magnifying mirror Figure 2 is a front view of the first mirror assembly; Figure 3 is a back view of the first mirror assembly; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second mirror assembly with a stand extended; Figure 5 is an view (not to scale) of layers through the second mirror assembly in a section including a planar mirror; Figure 6 is a back view of the second mirror assembly with the stand extended; Figure 7 is a front view of the second mirror assembly with the first mirror assembly mounted on it; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the second mirror assembly with the first mirror assembly mounted on it; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a mirror assembly like the first mirror assembly, save elongate; Figure 10 is a side view of the mirror assembly shown in Figure 9; and Figure 11 is a front view of the mirror assembly mounted on the second mirror assembly.

Detailed Description

In an embodiment, a mirror kit comprises a first mirror assembly 10 and a second mirror assembly 12.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the first mirror assembly 10 comprises a frame, a magnifying mirror 14, two permanent magnets 16, device retaining supports 18 and a non-slip back layer 20. The frame comprises an annular portion 22a and a planar portion 22b across an end of the annular portion 22a.

The magnifying mirror 14 has an outer side and an inner side. The outer side has a concave reflective surface, such that an image of a user in front of the reflective surface appears magnified to the user. The inner side has a convex surface.

The magnifying mirror 14 has a circular circumference sized to fit within the frame portion 22a.

Although not illustrated in the Figures, the annular portion 22a includes an annular groove extending around an inner surface thereof and the magnifying mirror 14 is sized so that a circumferential edge thereof clips into the groove, thereby to attach the magnifying mirror 14 to the frame portion 22a. Embodiments are not limited to any particular way that the magnifying mirror 14 is fixed to the frame 20a, 20b. For example, in variant embodiments an alternative mechanical arrangement may be included for clipping the magnifying mirror to the frame 20a, 20b. In other variant embodiments, the groove is absent and the circumferential edge of the magnifying mirror 14 is adhered to the frame portion 22a and/or a central portion 21a of the convex side is adhered to the back portion 22b.

The first mirror assembly 10 is shaped to retain a conventional electronic mobile device. The mobile device is typically a mobile phone, but may be a small tablet or other type of device. Such devices for use with the mirror kit are rectangular and have a rectangular display. For example, when on its side edge the device may be 110 to150mm wide, 50 to 80mm high and 7 to 10mm in thickness). The device is operable to stream or play downloaded videos to the user, for example instructional or explanatory videos in the field of makeup. The display may be a touchscreen display. The device has a viewing orientation with longer sides of the device and the display being horizontal, so that video can be viewed. The first mirror assembly 10 has a use orientation, in which the device is retained by the first mirror assembly 10 in the viewing orientation with the display facing in a same direction as the magnifying mirror 14.

Terms such as "upper", "lower', "vertically", "left" and "right" should be construed in relation to the use orientation.

The device retaining supports 18 are provided to support and retain the device with a back of the device lent against the magnifying mirror 14. The device retaining supports 18 project from a lower portion of the annular portion 22a, away from the back portion 22b. The device retaining supports 18 are shaped to provide recesses 26. Wien the first mirror assembly 10 is in the use orientation, the recesses 26 are horizontally aligned and a side edge of the mobile device can sit horizontally in them.

It is not essential for the mobile device to be retained using the two device retaining supports 18. One or more further device retaining support may be provided in variant embodiments.

Alternative device retainers may alternatively be provided. For example a device retainer may be provided as a shelf (that is, a single wider device retaining support) including a recess to receive a side edge of the mobile device or a stop to prevent the mobile device from slipping off the shelf. Alternatively, the shelf or two or more device retaining supports may be angled so a mobile device leans against the magnifying mirror 14 (which is facilitated by a sloping mirror of the second mirror assembly, described below). In other variants, the device retainer may take the form of a strap or clip. Alternative device retainers may hold a mobile device such as to securely hold the device so that leaning the device against the magnifying mirror 14 is not required. Embodiments of the invention are not limited to any particular way in which a device retainer of the first mirror assembly 10 retains the mobile device, provided the mobile device is carried entirely by the first mirror assembly 10 and can be held or supported in a viewing orientation.

In the embodiment or the variants, the one or more device retaining supports may be attached to the annular portion 20a with a respective hinge enabling the device retaining support to be foldable against the annular portion 20a. The annular portion 20a may include one or more recessed portions to accommodate the or a respective device retaining support, preferably such that a front surface of the annular portion 20a is flat.

The magnets 16 are affixed within the annular portion 20a to the back portion 20b by adhesive or other means. The magnets 16 are for magnetically attaching the first mirror assembly 10 to the second mirror assembly 12, as described in detail below. The inner surface of the magnifying mirror 16 being convex and the back portion 22b being planar results in space between an outer portion 21b of the convex surface and the back portion 22b. The magnets 16 are located in this space. The magnets are arranged with one of the magnets on a left side of the central portion 21a of the inner side and the other of the magnets on a right side of the central portion 21a of the inner side. Thus, the first mirror assembly 10 does not swing in use away from the use orientation.

Embodiments are not limited to any particular number of magnets in the first mirror assembly or how they are arranged, provided the first mirror assembly 10 can be magnetically attached to the second mirror assembly 12 and maintained in the use orientation, that is, with swinging of the first mirror assembly 10 avoided. For example, in a variant embodiment only a single magnet may be provided, located above or below the central portion 21a of the inner side of the magnifying mirror 14. In another variant embodiment, more than two magnets may be affixed to the back portion 12b, distributed around the central portion 21a. In another variant embodiment, a singly magnet may be located centrally with respect to the annular portion 22a. In this case, the annular portion 22a is adapted to retain the magnifying mirror 14 and the magnet.

The non-slip back layer 20 is adhered to a back side of the back portion 22b and is for location by the user flush against a planar mirror of the second mirror assembly 12. The non-slip back layer may have a textured surface for better gripping. The non-slip back layer 20 is formed of rubber, although other non-slip and non-scratch materials may alternatively be used. The nonslip back layer 20 is not essential to all embodiments of the invention. The layer 20 may also be provided in the form of a spray layer or coasting onto a back of the second mirror assembly, which may be known as a "soft touch" spray or coasting. Where the magnetic attraction is sufficiently strong that slip of the first mirror assembly 10 on the planar mirror 30 does not arise, even when a mobile device is retained, the non-slip back layer 20 is superfluous.

Embodiments are not limited to the frame having any particular shape; in variant embodiments the frame portion 22a need not be cylindrical as described above. In such cases the magnifying mirror 14 and an arrangement for attaching the magnifying mirror 14 may be adapted accordingly. For example, in variant embodiments the frame 12 may be rectangular or shaped as other types of polygonal, and the magnifying mirror 14 may be shaped correspondingly. Also, it is not essential to the invention for the first mirror assembly 10 to include a magnifying mirror 14; a planar mirror may alternatively be provided, for example.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the second mirror assembly 12 includes a planar mirror 30, a button 34, a casing 36, a stand 38 and a ferromagnetic layer 39. The planar mirror 30 has a reflective surface on one side thereof. The frame 36 is in part translucent and includes integrated LEDs (not shown). The button 34 is operable to control illumination of the LEDs.

The second mirror assembly 12 also includes an on/off switch 42 for the LEDs.

The stand 38 is attached to a back of the planar mirror 30. The stand 38 is hinged. In a first configuration the stand 38 is located in a U-shaped recessed region 40 in the casing 36, such that when the stand 38 is located in the recessed region 40 the back of the casing 36 is substantially planar. In a second configuration, shown in both Figures 4 and 6, the stand 38 is outwardly extended and arranged to support the rest of the second mirror assembly 12 on a horizontal surface.

In variant embodiments, the stand 38 may be absent. The second mirror assembly 12 may be wall mounted by adhesive or mechanical means. In other embodiments the second mirror assembly 12 may have rubber feet at the base thereof and the stand 38 may also have such feet, so as to stop the mirror and arm slipping.

The ferromagnetic layer 39 is located between the planar mirror 30 and the back of the casing 36, and enables attraction by the magnets 14. Embodiments are not limited to any particular manner in which the ferromagnetic layer 39 is implemented, provided the magnet can magnetically attach the first mirror assembly 10 to the second mirror assembly 12. The ferromagnetic layer 39 may be of same height and width as the planar mirror 30. Alternatively, the ferromagnetic layer 39 may have lesser height and/or width. The ferromagnetic layer 39 need not be contiguous; it may be provided with holes or as a mesh, or as a plurality of strips.

In an alternative embodiment, the second mirror assembly 12 may include, instead of the ferromagnetic layer 39, permanent magnets arranged for attraction with the permanent magnets 16. In another alternative embodiment, the second mirror assembly 12 may include, instead of the ferromagnetic layer 39, permanent magnets and the first mirror assembly 10 may include ferromagnetic material such that the first mirror assembly can be magnetically mounted on the second mirror assembly.

Although not shown in the Figures, the first mirror assembly 10 may clip to the back of the second mirror assembly 12 for ease of portability and general convenience..

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, in use, the first mirror assembly 10 is mounted by the user on the planar mirror 30 of the second mirror assembly 12. The non-slip back layer 20 is located against the planar mirror 30. The planar mirror 30 may be vertically oriented or, where the stand 38 is used, near vertically or sloped. The first mirror assembly 10 is located on the planar mirror 30 in the use orientation. The mobile device is located on the first mirror assembly 10 in the viewing orientation, before or after the first mirror assembly 10 is mounted on the planar mirror 30. The magnets 16 and the ferromagnetic layer 39 provide sufficient magnetic attraction, and the non-slip layer 20 inhibits slip of the first mirror assembly 10 down the planar mirror 30 with sufficient effect, that a mobile device of at least 200g, preferably at least 250g, can be supported by the first mirror assembly 10 when located on the planar mirror 30 without slip. A mobile device of such mass may be supported whether the planar mirror 30 is in a vertical or sloped orientation. The first mirror assembly 10 may be picked up from the planar mirror 30 and placed in a different position on the planar mirror. When the mobile device is retained by the first mirror assembly 10 and the first mirror assembly 10 is mounted on the second mirror assembly 12, the user may easily watch a video on the mobile device while also looking in the planar mirror 30.

The first mirror assembly 10 is formed of several pieces that are assembled. The magnifying mirror 14 and the planar mirror 30 may each be formed of plastics material with a metal (e.g. aluminium) coating or of glass. The non-slip layer 20 may be provided with an adhesive on one side thereof and a release layer, facilitating fixing to the rest of the first mirror assembly 10. The device retaining supports 18 and the frame 22a, 22b are formed of a single piece of plastics material. In variant embodiments alternative materials may be used, for example wood. In other variant embodiments the device retaining supports 18 may be formed separately from the frame, and mechanically attached or adhered to the frame. In variant embodiments the frame may also be formed of more than one piece; for example the frame portion 22a and the back portion 22b may be formed separately and attached together, mechanically or by an adhesive.

The casing of the second mirror assembly 12 may be provided in two or more parts, fitted around the planar mirror 30 and ferromagnetic layer 39, and the two or more parts attached together with bolts and nuts, or alternative fixing means. The second mirror assembly 12 includes electronics within the casing relating to the LEDs. The ferromagnetic material may be steel, for example.

Embodiments of the invention are not limited to mirror kits in which first and second mirror assemblies 10, 12 attach together by magnetism. In variant embodiment, the magnets 16 and the ferromagnetic layer 39 may be absent. In this case, alternative means may be provided for mounting the first mirror assembly 10 onto the second mirror assembly 12. For example, the first mirror assembly 10 may be provided with suction cups on a back thereof to attach to the planar mirror 30 by suction.

In variant embodiments, the first mirror assembly 10 may include LEDs integrated into the annular portion 20a thereof, and circuitry including a battery and a switch operable by a user for operation of the LEDs. The circuitry may be located within the annular portion 20a, or between the mirror 14 and the back portion 20b. In variants, instead of being mounting in the frame portion 120a, the LEDs may, additionally or alternatively, be mounted on the frame portion 10a. In a further embodiment the battery may be rechargeable.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, a mirror assembly 110 in accordance with another embodiment is the same as the first mirror assembly 10 or variants thereof, except elongate. The same reference numerals, are used to denote corresponding parts, except where the part is modified to be elongate. In this case the reference number is incremented by 100 relative to the reference numeral used in previous figures. The mirror assembly 110 is elongate so that at least some of the LEDs in the frame portion 122a at the left and right sides of a mobile device, when the mirror assembly 110 is in a use orientation, emit light directly to the user, rather than the light from those LEDs being blocked by the mobile device. The frame portion 122a includes a light-transmissible portion, for example formed of clear plastics material, through which light from multiple of the LEDs may pass. The frame portion 122a extends substantially continuously around the frame portion 122a, although in variants the light-transmissible portion may comprise a plurality of discreet portions, for example holes.

The mobile device may be configured to record video of the user. The user may locate the mobile device to be retained by the first mirror assembly 10 or the mirror assembly 110 while such video is recorded. The mirror assembly 110 may be mounted on the second mirror assembly 12, as indicated in Figure 11, while this is done. Having light from behind the mobile device at least partially around the mobile device towards the user may improve image quality in a recorded video.

In variant embodiments of the first mirror assembly 10 or the mirror assembly 110, the LEDs may be otherwise arranged so that light is emitted directly towards the user partially or wholly around a mobile device mounted on the respective assembly 10, 110. For example the frame may be rectangular and of dimensions larger than the mobile device (e.g. over 150mm wide and over 80mm high).

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature or step described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or steps or combinations of features and/or steps are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or steps or combinations of features and/or steps solve any problems disclosed herein.

Claims (16)

1. CLAIMS1. A first mirror assembly for mounting on a planar mirror of a second mirror assembly, the first mirror assembly comprising: a first mirror; mounting means for detachably mounting the first mirror assembly on a front of the planar mirror; a device retaining means attached to the mounting means, for supporting an electronic mobile device having a display, so the display can be viewed.
2. 2. The first mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting means and the second mirror assembly comprise materials enabling the first mirror assembly to be magnetically mounted on the front of the planar mirror.
3. 3. The first mirror assembly of claim 2, wherein the materials are such that the first mirror assembly does not slip when the device retaining means supports an electric mobile device of at least 250g.
4. 4. The first mirror assembly of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the materials comprise: at least one permanent magnet, the mounting means comprising the at least one permanent magnet; and ferromagnetic material, the second mirror assembly comprising the ferromagnetic material.
5. 5. The first mirror assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one permanent magnet is located between the mirror and a back portion of the first mirror assembly.
6. 6. The first mirror assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a non-slip layer for location against the front of the planar mirror, between the mirror of the first mirror 30 assembly.
7. 7. The first mirror assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device retaining means comprises at least one support for supporting the mobile device.
8. 8. The first mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one support includes a recess into which a longer of side edges of the mobile device can be located.
9. 9. The first mirror assembly of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a light emitting elements located around a periphery of the mirror, arranged for emitting light around the mobile device directly towards the user.
10. 10. A mirror kit comprising: the first mirror assembly of any one of the preceding claims; the second mirror assembly comprising the planar mirror.
11. 11. The mirror kit of claim 10, wherein the first mirror assembly includes a stand to support the planar mirror in a vertical or sloped orientation.
12. 12. A first mirror assembly comprising: a mirror; mounting means for releasably mounting the first mirror assembly on a front of a planar mirror a device retaining means attached to the mounting means, for supporting an electronic mobile device having a display, so that video of a user can be recorded; a plurality of light emitting elements located each in a respective location such that, when the mobile device is supported by the device retaining means, the light emitting elements emit light from the light emitting elements directly towards the user, without the light being blocked by the mobile device.
13. 13. The first mirror assembly of claim 12, wherein the device retaining means comprises at least one support for supporting the mobile device in a recording orientation.
14. 14. The first mirror assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one support includes a recess into which a longer of side edges of the mobile device can be located.
15. 15. The first assembly of claim 14, wherein some or all of the light emitting elements are included in a frame portion of the first mirror assembly, the frame portion permitting the light emitting elements to emit light.
16. 16. The first assembly of claim 14, further comprising a frame portion on which the mirror is mounted, the frame portion including a contiguous light-transmissible portion through which light from more than one of the light emitting elements can pass.