Mirrored element

• US 20080170309A1
• Filed: 01/13/2007
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jacek Helenowski
• Original Assignee: Jacek Helenowski
• Inventors: Helenowski, Jacek
• Granted Patent: US 8,021,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/839
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/02 Mirrors used as equipment hand, pocket, or shaving mirrors A45D42/00; optical viewing means for vehicles B60R1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/08 Mirrors vehicle mirrors involving special optical features B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/12 using a transparent mirror or other light reflecting surface transparent to transmitted light whereby a sign, symbol, picture or other is visible only when illuminated

Abstract

A mirrored element (101) includes a first section (201) that is translucent when a backlight (301) is on and mirrored when the backlight is off (301). A second section (203) provides a mirrored surface when the backlight (301) is on and when the backlight (301) is off. The mirrored element (101) may optionally be provided with an enclosure (103). A baking process may be utilized to provide the second section (203) of the mirrored element (101).

Claims

1. A mirrored element comprising:

a first section that is translucent when a backlight is on and mirrored when the backlight is off; and

a second section that provides a mirrored surface when the backlight is on and when the backlight is off.

2. The mirrored element of claim 1, wherein, when the backlight is off, the first section and the second section provide a virtually uniform mirrored surface.

3. The mirrored element of claim 1, wherein the second section is disposed near a center of the first section.

4. The mirrored element of claim 1, wherein the second section is comprised of a material that is baked onto the mirrored element.

5. The mirrored element of claim 1, wherein the second section is comprised of an opaque segment.

6. The mirrored element of claim 1, wherein the second section is comprised of a movable opaque material.

7. The mirrored element of claim 1, wherein the second section is variable in size.

8. The mirrored element of claim 1, where the second section comprises at least two separate areas.

9. The mirrored element of claim 1, where the second section comprises at least one element of signage.

10. The mirrored element of claim 1, further comprising:

an enclosure;

a light disposed inside the enclosure, wherein the mirrored element covers at least a part of the enclosure.

11. The mirrored element of claim 1, wherein an inside surface of the enclosure is comprised of a reflective surface.

12. A method comprising the steps of:

applying an opaque material to a first side of a one-way mirror;

heating the opaque material and the one-way mirror.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of applying a clear coat to the opaque material after the heating step.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the clear coat comprises an epoxy paint that reflects light.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the opaque material comprises a light gray paint capable of adhering to the first side of the one-way mirror.

17. The method of claim 12, where the heating step is performed until at least one of the opaque material is cured and air bubbles are removed from the opaque material.

18. The method of claim 12, where the heating step is performed until a flat bonding surface is formed between the opaque material and the first side of the one-way mirror.

19. The method of claim 12, where the heating step is performed between 90 and 320 degrees C.

20. A mirrored element produced in accordance with the method of claim 12.

16. The method of clam 15, wherein the light gray paint comprises 1% to 40% black pigment.