Blind spot curved mirror

• US 20050134982A1
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bob Stonecypher
• Original Assignee: Bob Stonecypher
• Inventors: Stonecypher, Bob
• Application Number:
  US10/745,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20050134982A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/872
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/082 using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected mirrors

Abstract

Apparatus for reflecting to an observer images of objects in a rearward, adjacent blind sport area. The apparatus comprises a mirror so designed as to provide a true reflection of horizontal width size of the objects, a true reflection of horizontal position of the objects, and a wide angle vertical reflection of the objects. The apparatus provides additional safety by covering the blind sport area, and requiring minimal head turning. The apparatus has use in vehicles upon the roadways and waterways.

Claims

1. Mirror apparatus enabling an observer to view objects in a rearward adjacent blind spot area wherein the apparatus comprises:

Reflecting means for reflecting to the observer a view of objects in the blind spot area, comprising a reflective surface in a frontal plane, wherein said reflective surface has a reflective side and a mounting side, and wherein said reflecting means reflects the view so as to show

a true reflection of horizontal width size of the objects,

a true reflection of horizontal position of the objects,

and a wide angle vertical reflection of the objects;

Mounting means for mounting and supporting said reflecting means, wherein said mounting means has a first end onto which said reflecting means is affixed, and a second end;

Positioning means for positioning said mounting means and said affixed reflecting means, wherein said positioning means pivotably attaches to said second end of said mounting, allowing the observer to aim the reflecting means into the blind spot area;

Said attached positioning means, said mounting means, and said reflecting means further comprising an internal assembly;

Housing means for covering said internal assembly, wherein said housing means

is attached to said internal assembly,

provides protection from exposure to weather,

and provides acceptable aerodynamic air flow around said housing means;

Said housing means further comprising a mounting side at which said housing means is attachable to an external structure; and

;

Attachment means affixed to said housing means, wherein said attachment means joins said housing means to a vehicle such that the driver may see said mirror apparatus.

2. A mirror apparatus of claim 1 wherein said reflecting side comprises a curved surface configured as a single curve convex section, said reflective surface being singly curved in each profile plane cross section, and not curved in any horizontal plane cross section.

3. A mirror apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second end of said mounting means comprises a ball configured to cooperate with a socket.

4. A mirror apparatus of claim 3 wherein said positioning means comprises a socket for receiving and for cooperating with said ball, for PivotTable adjustment of said mounting means.

5. A mirror apparatus of claim 1 wherein said attachment means attaches said mirror apparatus to a vehicle at an effective angle in the horizontal plane, thereby being roughly and statically aimed into the blind spot area.

6. A mirror apparatus of claim 1 wherein said attachment means attaches said mirror apparatus to an existing external rearview mirror at an effective angle in the horizontal plane, thereby being roughly and statically aimed into the blind spot area for reflecting images therein to the observer.

7. A mirror apparatus of claim 6 further comprising an alignment indicium means on said mounting side of said housing means wherein said alignment indicium means indicates the placement of the mirror apparatus and the external rearview mirror apparatus thereby causing formation of said effective angle in relation to the observer.

8. A mirror apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mirror apparatus is integrated with at least one additional mirror forming an integrated apparatus, said integrated apparatus being mounted into and covered by a common housing means for protection from exposure to weather, and said common housing means further providing acceptable aerodynamic air flow around said common housing means.

9. A mirror apparatus of claim 1 wherein the external structure is a mirror apparatus.

10. A mirror apparatus of claim 1 wherein the external structure is a vehicle.

11. Mirror apparatus attached to an original equipment mirror outer shell enabling an observer to view objects in a rearward adjacent blind spot area wherein the apparatus comprises:

a curved mirror reflector, for revealing objects in the blind spot to the observer;

a mirror support with a universal ball affixed at one end, for supporting and focusing said curved mirror reflector;

a universal ball socket, for supporting said mirror support and affixed universal ball, and said affixed curved mirror reflector;

a tension adjuster, for securing said mirror support and said universal ball to said universal ball socket, and for providing sufficient tension on said affixed universal ball to hold said mirror support and said affixed universal ball in place as set by the observer;

a tension adjusting screw, for securing said mirror support and said affixed universal ball to said universal ball socket, and for providing adjustable tension on said affixed universal ball;

said curved mirror reflector, said mirror support and universal ball, said universal ball socket, said tension adjuster, and said tension adjusting screw further comprising an internal assembly;

an outer shell, for housing and supporting said internal assembly;

at least one assembly screw, for attaching said curved internal assembly to said outer shell;

at least one mount clamp, for securing said outer shell to the original equipment mirror outer shell;

at least one mount clamp screw applied to said mount clamp and to the original equipment outer shell, for rendering immobile said outer shell with respect to the original equipment outer shell.

12. Mirror apparatus enabling an observer to view objects in a rearward adjacent blind spot area and into an area not in the blind spot area, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a curved mirror reflector, for revealing objects in the blind spot to the observer;

a mirror support with a universal ball affixed at one end and said curved mirror reflector affixed on another end, for supporting and focusing said curved mirror reflector into a desired viewing area;

at least one additional mirror focused by the observer to provide a view into an area not viewed by said curved mirror reflector;

a universal ball socket, for supporting said mirror support and said affixed universal ball, and said affixed curved mirror reflector;

a tension adjuster, for securing said affixed universal ball of said mirror support to said universal ball socket, and for providing sufficient tension on said affixed universal ball to hold said mirror support and said affixed universal ball in place as set by the observer;

a tension adjusting screw, for securing said mirror support and said affixed universal ball to said universal ball socket, and for providing adjustable tension on said affixed universal ball;

said curved mirror reflector, said mirror support and universal ball, said universal ball socket, said tension adjuster, and said tension adjusting screw further comprising an internal assembly; and

an outer shell, for housing and supporting said internal assembly and said at least one additional mirror, said outer shell being attached to a vehicle in position to reflect the rear view to the observer; and

at least one assembly screw, for attaching said internal assembly to said outer shell.