Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02423895 2003-03-28
Attorney Docket No. 95-1119.25
'TITLE: MIRROR SPOT WITHIN MIRROR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention generally relates to mirrors. In particular,
the present invention relates to mirror constructions for use in
transportation
vehicles. More partzculariy, the present invention relates to a new single
construct mirror with an embedded mirror within a mirror, wherein said
embedded mirror operates to reflect a wider viewing area than the main portion
of such mirror.
2. Description of the Prior Art
[0002] Rearview mirrors are essential for the safe operation of motor
vehicles. Ordinary flat rearview mirrors are lrnowtt to have a "blind spot"
located adjacent the vehicle and to the rear of the driver. Such ''blind spot"
often
leads to accidents, particularly whets a driver is changing Ianes and is
unaware of
a nearby motorist or other trafftc.
[0003] Numerous solutions to eliminate such a "blind spot" have
evolved, including the use of convex mirrors adhered to the surface of a flat
rearview mirror to enhautce the viewing area of the mirror. Further still,
other
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attempts have been made to add additional mirrors at slightly offset angles to
incorporate the "blind spot" in the reflected view of the rearview mirror.
Still
other efforts have tried to incorporate curved mirrors in a manner sirxiilar
to the
offset angled mirrors to further enhance the width of the reflected view in
the
rearview mirror.
(0004] Most ofthese solutions, however, result in either a reduction of
the useful viewing area of the flat rearview mirror, the addition of
additional
mdrrors which increases manufsciuring costs and complexity, or the inclusion
of
complex curved surfaces on mirrors which similarly drive up manufacturing
costs.
[0005] It is, therefore, desirable to provide a flat rearview mirror
incorporating the benefits of an enhanced viewing area without the need for
additional eoztsinictions or complicated construction techniques. Therefore,
the
present invention provides a single eonstxuction mirror within a nnirror that
provides an enhanced reflected viewing are a within one portion of the mirror
while maintaining a sufficient reflected viewing area in the remainder of the
mirror to allow for safe operation of a motor vehicle including the present
invention.
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Attorney Docket No. 95-1119.25
SY7M1VIARY pF THF: IN'V'ENTIpN
[OOUb] The present invention recognizes and addresses various of the
foregoing limitations and drawbacks, and others, concerning mirrors and more
particularly, rearview mirrors for motor vehicle aperations, Therefore, the
present invention is directed to a single construction rearview mirror within
a
mirror that provides an enhanced reflected viewing area within ane portion of
the mirror while maintaining a sufficient reflected viewing area in the
remainder
of the mirror to allow for safe operation of a motor vehicle including the
present
invention.
[0007] It is, therefor, a principle object of the subject invenrion to
provide a mirror within a mirror. More particularly, it is an object of the
present
invention to provide a single construction mirror incorparating a secondary
mirror for enhanced reflected viewing area. In such context, it is still a
more
particular object of the present invention to provide a single construct minor
within a mirror whose reflective surface is flat.
[0008] Still further, it is a principle object of this invention to provide a
rearview mirror having an improved ability to eliminate any "b)ind spot". It
is a
further object of the present invention to provide such "blind spot"
elimination
in a single construct of simple design and manufacture. Tn such context, it is
an
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Attorney Docket No. 95-1119.25
object of the present invention to provide such a rearview mirror that is cost-
efficient to manufacture.
X0009] Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth
in, or will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from, the
detailed
description as follows. Also, it should be further appreciated that
modifications
and variations to the specifically illustrated and discussed featuxes and
materials
hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of this invention
without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtue of present
reference thereto. Such variations may include, but are not limited to,
substitutions of the equivalent means, features, and materials for those shown
or
discussed, and the functional or positional reversal of various parts,
features, or
the like.
(U010] Still fiu~ther, it is to be understood that different ernbodirnents, as
well as different pxesenfly preferred embodiments, of this invention, may
include
various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features,
elements,
ox their equivalents (including combinations of features or configurations
thereof
not expressly shown in the f gores or stated in the detailed description).
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Attorney Docket Z~fo. 95-1119.25
(0011) These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become better understood with reference to the following
descriptions and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are
incorporated in and constitute a part of this speci$cation,, illustrate an
embodiment of the invention and, together with the descriptions, serve to
explain the principles ofthe invention.
[0012] In one exemplary embodiment, there may be provided a single
construction mirror encompassing a secondary mirror capable of enhancing the
reflected viewing area to include any blind spots not revealed in the primary
mirror. Such secondary mirror rnay be included at any location on the surface
of
the primary mirror as desired by the manufacturer or as required for use with
a
particular vehicle. Both the primary mirror and the secondary mirror (the
mirror
within a mirror) have a flat front reflective surface.
BRIEp' DESCRI1'TIO1~T OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A full cad enabling disclosure ofthe present invention, including
the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set
forth in
the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which,;
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[0014) FIG.1 is a plain view of a mirror within a mirror as provided in
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a plain view of the mirror within a mirror of FIG.1,
whereitl the secondary mirror is located in a different location within the
primary
mirror; and
[0016] FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the mirror within a mirror as
depicted iii FIGS. I and 2 showinS the concave rear surface of the secondary
mirror of the present inventiozz,
[0017] Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present
specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or
analogous features or elements of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~ PREFERRED EMBODI1HENTS
[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are fully represented in the
accompanying drawings. Such examples are provided by way of an explanation
of the invention, not limitation thereof, 1n fact, it will be apparent to
those
skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in
the
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Attorney Dockct No. 95-1119.25
present invention, without departing from the spirit aztd scope thereof. Fvr
instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be
used
on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Still further,
variations in selection of materials and/or characteristics may be practiced,
to
satisfy particular desired user criteria. Thus, it is intended that the
present
invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of
the present features and their eduivalents.
[0019] As disclosed above, the present invention is particularly
concerned with a single construct mirror within a mirror IO for use with motor
vehicles, such construct 10 providing both normal and enhanced rearward views
thus eliminating any blind spots. As seen in FIGS.1 and 2, such a construct 10
may provide a primary mirror lz that incorporates therein a secondary mirror
14
capable of reflecfang a wider viewing area. Such Secondary mittor 14 (as
depicted) may be located in any position within the primary mirror 12 as
desired
by the manufacturer or as required for use with a particular motor vehicle.
Further, while such secondary mirror 14 may be any shape desired, a circular
shape is preferred to reduce any distortion introduced to the reflected image.
[0020] As best scen in FIG. 3, the front reflective surface I6 of the
primary mirror lZ is generally flat. Similarly, the front surface 18 of the
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Attorney pocket No. 95-I 119.25
secondary mirror 14 is also generally flat and co-planar with the front
reflective
surface 16 of the primary mirror 12. Such. a characteristic of the present
invention is inherently achieved by the construction process.
[0021] A generally planax piece of glass, plastic or other suitable
material may be used as the basis for the pxesent invention. In one preferred
embodiment, a glass sheet 20 of appropriate size is used and an arca on the
back
surface 22 of such glass sheet is ground out to form a generally concave
circular
indentation 24 into the glass sheet 20. The glass sheet 20 is then mirrored
typically by applying a coating such as silver or another reflective material
to the
back face of the glass sheet including within the concave circular indentation
24.
Such indezltation 24 forms a convex tefl.ective surface when viewed from the
front of the mirrored glass sheet, but in fact provides a flat front
reflective
surface 18.
[0022] As mentioned above, an alternative prefeacd embodiment would
include the use of a plastic material that may be produced with such an
indentation 24 as above described through an injection molding process. Such a
methodology would reduce both manufacturing complexity by eliminating the
grinding step required to introduce the indentation in the glass sheet, as
well as,
reducing cost.
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Attarncy Docket No. 95-1 I 19.25
(0023) Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
described using specific terms and devices, such description is for
illustrative
purposes only, The words used are words of description rather than of
limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made b~
those of ordinary skill iri the art without departing from the spirit or the
scope of
the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. In
addition, it
should be understood that aspects of various other embodiments may be
interchanged both in whole or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the
appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred
version
contained herein.
