GB2621348A

GB2621348A - A visual prescription mirror device

Info

Publication number: GB2621348A
Application number: GB2211591.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brand Zsuzsi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-08-09
Filing date: 2022-08-09
Publication date: 2024-02-14
Also published as: GB202211591D0

Abstract

A mirror device has a mirrored surface 13 and a transparent lens 3. The lens is located on a carrier (6, figure 2), which is arranged to hold the lens at a distance from the mirrored surface. The carrier has an adjustment means , such as screw threads 14, 15, adapted to vary the distance between the mirrored surface and the lens. A hinged lid (1, figure 2) may be provided and a locking means may be provided for the adjustment means. The device may be a hand-held compact mirror suitable for applying make-up or for inserting contact lenses especially for those suffering from myopia. The mirror device may be provided with a base (25, figure 8) to allow the device to be placed on a surface such as a table.

Description

A Prescription MIRROR DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a visual prescription mirror device, in particular a device for users with vision impairment; more particularly but not exclusively a mirror device for users requiring a mirror when not wearing corrective lenses

Background

Many people in many different societies across the world are increasingly subject to sight impairments, for example myopia.

It can be difficult for such people to attend effectively to certain rituals that others with 15 correct eyesight take for granted.

For example for such people effective aoplication of make-up, in particular eye makeup, or even ironically donning of contact lenses, or viewing oneself clearly without wearing glasses, can be problematic when unable to see clearly without corrective 20 eyewear like spectacles or contact lenses.

In particular use of a mirror is compromised without the user wearing corrective eyewear.

Prior Art

FR 3 023 459 (NESBITT et al) discloses a casing for cosmetic product comprising: a base, a cover movable with respect to the base, between a closed position of the casing and an open position of the casing, a mirror plane positioned at a bottom of the cover, and a lens capable cooperate with at least a portion of the planar mirror to form a magnifying reflection area, characterized in that the lens is movable relative to the cover between a retracted position in which the lens is housed within a cavity formed in the cover and a use position in which the lens is in contact with at least a portion of the planar mirror.

US 2009 0 251 662 (RYMNIA'K) discloses a device for providing prescription correction to any one of a plurality of mirror surfaces, comprising: a magnifying lens having a first, convex refracting surface and a second flat or concave refracting surface; a substantially cira.lar protective rim peripherally connected to said 5 refracting surfaces; a mounting appendage extending from said circular protective rim and having a hole of substantially constant cross-section machined through said mounting appendage; and a suction cup attached to said.mountng appendage via said hole such that when attached to said one of a plurality of mirror surfaces, said first convex refracting surface confronts said one of a plurality of mirror surfaces. 10 EP 0 472 632 (GUSTAFSSON et al) discloses a reflection aid intended to increase the ability of users to see, withou: the inconvenience of spectacles, for example when applying a make-up, which comprises an optical lens capable of attachmet to a mirror of the kind in question ID? means of a fastening device. Saic lens is attached to the mirror attachment device in such a way that the lens, when in the position ready for use, can be set to the desired distance from the mirror 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 a mirror device comprising a mirrored surface and a transparent lens, wherein the lens is located on carrier, which carrier is arranged to hold the lens at a distance from the mirrored surface, wherein the carrier comprises an adjustment means adapted to vary the distance between the mirrored surface and the lens.

In this way the device may erable a user with poor eyesight to adjust he focal 30 distance of the lens from the mirror surface and thereby ensure that the user can view the reflection shown on the mirror.

In some embodiments the dev ce comprises a threaded adjustment means. This may allow for incremental control as required to obtain the correct focal distance.

In some embodiments the device comprises a circular mirrored surface, so as to simply allow for convex mirroring and equal focal lengths across all parts of the mirrored surface, additionally or aftematively being well-suited to a compact or portable mirror.

In some embodiments the device comprises a circular lens, being easier to produce.

Additionally or alternatively a circular form may be well suited to an adjustment means operated by rotation.

In some embodiments the device comprises a lid, as is known in the art of compact mirrors, so as to prevent damage.

In some such embodiments of the device comprises a hinged lid, so as to 15 advantageously ensure less likelihood of loss.

In some embodiments the device comprises a base, whereby some embodiments of the device may be envisaged to be floor, wall, or tabletop mounted.

The base may be freestanding, permanently secured or integrated into a surface such as a tabletop or wall.

The base may be envisaged to provide an articulation means, for example articulation such as one or more hinges. In this way the device may be rendered more adaptable to a location. The articulation means may be envisaged to further provide an adjustment means in some embodiments for example wherein the articulation means alters distance between the lens and the mirrored surface.

In some embodiments the device comprises an adjustment means comprises a 30 locking means. Such locking means may be envisaged to provide a means of locking the adjustment at a preferred focal distance.

Such locking means may be provided by passive, for example provided by friction fitting parts, or may be actively operable -for example provided by a separate 35 mechanism such as a screw thread or resiliently deformable mechanism such as an automatic spring-loaded locking means, which needs to be actively displaced to free the locking means and alter focal distance of the lens and mirrored surface.

A preferred embodiment of the invention wilt now be described by way of example 5 only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figures 1 show cross sections of a device according to the present invention in two different focal length arrangements.

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figures 1, with lid open.

Figures 3 show isometric view of a first embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1 with lid closed.

Figures 4 show isometric view of a first embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, 20 with lid closed, in a second focal length arrangement.

Figure 5 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with lid open.

Figure 6 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 8 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

Figure 9 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in 35 Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 8. and

Figure 11 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 8.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 there is shown an embodiment of a mirror device 99 generally comprising a mirrored surface 13 and a transparent lens 3, wherein the lens is located on a carrier 6, which carrier is arranged to hold the lens at a distance from the mirrored surface, wherein the carrier comprises an adjustment means 14,15 adapted to vary the distance between the mirrored surface 13 and the lens 3.

In particular reference to the embodiment pictured in Figure 1 the embodiment 20 comprises a circular concave lens 3, suited to users with myopia, and a circular mirrored surface 13.

The lens 3 and mirrored surface 13 are separated by, and both secured on a cylindrical carrier 6, wherein the lens 3 is located on a top part 4 of the carrier and the 25 surface 13 is located on a lower part 5 of the carrier.

The two parts of the carrier each include, and are connected by, a screw thread -namely a screw thread 15 on the lower part 5 of the carrier and a screw thread 14 on the upper part 4 of the carrier In this way in order to change focal distance of the lens to the surface the two parts are screwed back and forth changing the distance between them, and consequently the focal distance of light passing through the lens 3.

The top part 4 of the carrier further includes a hinge 2, which hinge is used to attach a hinged lid 1.

The lid 1 and carrier 6 include a ferromagnetic clasp 44, to hold the lid 1 closed against the carrier 6 in normal usage.

This embodiment may be envisaged to be used as a compact mirror, being handheld for example in order to apply make-up, or insert contact lenses.

It may be envisaged that the device is substantially formed in a hard plastic or polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), although embodiments may 10 be envisaged with an aluminium carrier and lid and glass lens.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 8 there is shown an embodiment of a mirror device 299 generally comprising a mirrored surface 33 and a transparent lens 23, wherein the lens 23 is located on a carrier 24, which carrier is arrarged to hold the lens at a distance from the mirrored surface. The carrier may comprise an adjustment means (not shown) adapted to vary the distance between the mirrored surface 33 and the lens 23.

In particular reference to the embodiment pictured in Figure 8 the embodiment is 20 envisaged to be table-mounted in use, for example in a domestic sett ng, for use with contact lens care, make-up or similar.

The adjustment means in such embodiments may comprise a sliding arrangement between parts of the carrier which in the picti.red embodiment comprises a rectangular tray frame with an open face. Alternatively the adjustment means may be set at retail or manufacture, such that the user purchased a preferred focal distance in line with a vision prescription for example.

The lens is attached to the front of the frame, and it may be envisaged may be 30 capable of movement towards the back of the frame, for example through a bipartite frame and a friction fit between the parts.

In such embodiment the device further includes a base 25, which is arranged to be placed on a surface such as a tabletop_ The mirrored surface is located on the rectangular carrier 24, which carrier is secured on the base 25 by a columnar support 22. The support and the carrier are connected at a hinge 21.

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 protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A mirror device comprising a mirrored surface and a transparent lens wherein the lens is located on carrier, which carrier is arranged to hold the lens at a distance from the mirrored surface, wherein the carrier comprises an adjustment means adapted to vary the distance between the mirrored surface and the lens.
2. A mirror device according to claim 1 wherein the threaded adjustment means.
3. A mirror device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the carrier comprises a lip about the mirrored surface.
4. A minor device according to clam 1, 2 or 3 comprising a circular mirrored surface.
5. A mirror device according to any preceding claim comprises a circular lens.
6. A mirror device according to any preceding claim comprising a lid.
7. A mirror device according to any preceding claim comprising a hinged lid.
8. A mirror device according to any preceding claim comprising a base_
9. A mirror device according to any preceding claim comonsing an adjustment means comprises a locking means.