Alignment device for automotive side view mirror

• US 20070058276A1
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Iraj Behbehani
• Original Assignee: Iraj Behbehani
• Inventors: Behbehani, Iraj
• Granted Patent: US 7,600,877 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/883
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/08 involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots , e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors B60R1/025, B60R1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/10 with curved faces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/182 for mirrors

Abstract

An alignment system for side view mirrors is disclosed featuring a mirror with regions of diverse curvature, with an upright alignment line in a region of greater curvature. The side view mirror is set up so that the side of a user'"'"'s vehicle lies entirely on the side of the alignment line closest to the vehicle. This generates a cone of vision to the rear of the vehicle which overlaps with the cone of vision from a rear view mirror such that blind spots are greatly reduced or eliminated.

Claims

1. A vehicular mirror alignment system for a driver having at least one driver side view mirror outside of the vehicle oriented to view images in a region alongside and behind the vehicle comprising:

a curved side view mirror with variable curvature including an end region of greater curvature toward the driver; and

an upright alignment line on the curved side view mirror in said end region of greater curvature, the alignment line oriented so that said side of the vehicle lies entirely on one side of the alignment line when viewed by the driver.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein curved side view mirrors with upright alignment lines are disposed on the driver side and the passenger side of the vehicle.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said curved side view mirror on the driver side has the end region of greater curvature having an elliptical shape.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said curved side view mirror on the passenger side has an end region of greater curvature having an elliptical shape in one direction and a curved shape in a transverse direction.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said circular shape region blends smoothly with the elliptical shape.

6. A mirror alignment system comprising:

a first curved cylindrical side view mirror on the driver side of a vehicle operable over roads, the mirror having an inward edge closest to the vehicle with greater curvature and an outward edge distal to the vehicle with lesser curvature, oriented to define a cone of vision alongside the vehicle; and

an upright alignment line on the mirror within one-half inch of the inward edge of the mirror, in the region of greater curvature, the scribe line assisting in alignment of the mirror relative to the road.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a second curved cylindrical side view mirror with an upright alignment line is disposed on the passenger side of said vehicle.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first curved side view mirror on the driver side has the end region of greater curvature having an elliptical shape.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said second curved side view mirror on the passenger side has an elliptical shape with an end region of greater curvature in one plane and a circular curvature in another plane.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said circular curvature shape region blends smoothly with the elliptical shape.

11. A vehicle rear view mirror and alignment system comprising:

a plan rear view mirror inside the vehicle having a rearwardly extending first cone of vision;

a driver side view mirror mounted outside of the vehicle having a second core of vision from a surface of variably decreasing curvature with greatest curvature closest to the vehicle and with an alignment line on the mirror surface indicating overlap between the first and second cones of vision; and

a passenger side view mirror mounted outside of the vehicle having a third cone of vision from a surface of variably decreasing curvature with greatest curvature closest to the vehicle and with an alignment line on the mirror surface indicating overlap between the first and third cones of vision.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said alignment lines are upright straight lines.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said side view mirrors have an elliptical shape in one plane and a circular shape in another plane.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein curved side view mirrors with upright alignment lines are disposed on the driver side and the passenger side of the vehicle.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said circular shaped region blends smoothly with the elliptically shaped region.