Shatter resistant mirror

• US 5,283,696 A
• Filed: 11/07/1991
• Issued: 02/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Prince (Wellman Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Prince (Wellman Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vander Kuyl, Paul T., Lanser, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arnold, Bruce Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLLINS, DARRYL J
• Application Number:
  US07/788,935
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 359/870, 359/883, 359/884
• US Class Current: 359/870
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/08 Mirrors vehicle mirrors involving special optical features B60R1/08

Abstract

A shatter resistant mirror includes a frangible mirror material for reflecting an image which has a coating of an elastic adhesive material which bonds a rigid backing material to the frangible mirror body. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adhesive was one of a water-based synthetic polymeric material or a hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive. The rigid support member preferably is a fiberboard material. In some embodiments of the invention, the composite mirror structure includes multiple layers of composite fiberboard material to provide spacing for mounting the mirror in a particular application.

Claims

1. A mirror assembly for use in a vehicle interior comprising:

a frangible glass mirror having a reflective rear surface;

a stiff planar backing member having a shape to substantially cover the rear surface of said mirror; and

an elastomeric adhesive bonding said backing member to said rear surface of said mirror, said adhesive being selected to be sufficiently elastic, glass retentive, and thick to provide limited and controlled flexing of said mirror when subjected to flexing forces, and when subjected to forces sufficient to break said mirror the resulting shards of glass will be securely held by said adhesive without exceeding a 0.010 inch step between adjacent mirror shards.

2. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said backing member is made of fiberboard.

3. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said adhesive is a water-based vinyl acetate.

4. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said adhesive is a hot melt glue.

5. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said backing comprises a pair of composite fiberboard members bonded together.

6. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said pair of composite fiberboard members are bonded together with a polyvinyl acetate adhesive.

7. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein the composite fiberboard member remote from said mirror is smaller than the member adjacent said mirror to define a step adjacent at least one edge of said mirror.

8. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said backing member is made of a fiberboard material having a thickness of from about 0.040 inches to about 0.100 inches.

9. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said fiberboard material has a density of at least about 320# for 1000 sq. ft. of material having a thickness of 0.100 inches.

10. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said adhesive has a thickness of from about 0.004 inches to about 0.010 inches.

11. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said adhesive has a thickness of from about 0.004 inches to about 0.010 inches.

12. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said backing member is made of a fiberboard material having a thickness of from about 0.040 inches to about 0.100 inches.

13. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein said fiberboard material has a density of at least about 320# for 1000 sq. ft. of material having a thickness of 0.100 inches.

14. A vehicle visor comprising:

a visor body;

a composite vanity mirror including a glass mirror and stiff backing member bonded to said mirror by an elastomeric adhesive;

said adhesive being selected to be sufficiently elastic glass retentive and thick to provide limited and controlled flexing of said mirror, said adhesive having sufficient glass retaining force when subjected to forces sufficient to break said mirror, the resulting shards of glass will be securely held by said adhesive without exceeding a 0.010 inch step between adjacent mirror shards; and

means for mounting said visor body to a vehicle.

15. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said adhesive has a thickness of from about 0.004 inches to about 0.010 inches.

16. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said backing member is made of a fiberboard material having a thickness of from about 0.040 inches to about 0.100 inches.

17. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 16 wherein 320# said fiberboard material has a density of at least about for 1000 sq. ft. of material having a thickness of 0.100 inches.

18. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said adhesive is a water-based vinyl acetate.

19. The mirror assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said adhesive is a hot melt glue.

20. A vehicle accessory including a composite shatter resistant mirror comprising:

an accessory body for mounting within a vehicle, said body including means for mounting a mirror thereto;

a frangible mirror including an outwardly facing front surface and a rear surface;

a planar stiffening member shaped to cover a substantial portion of the rear surface of said mirror, said stiffening member having a thickness of from about 0.040 inches to about 0.100 inches; and

an elastomeric adhesive bonding said stiffening member to said rear surface of said mirror, said adhesive having a thickness of about from 0.004 inches to about 0.010 inches; and

said adhesive being selected to be sufficiently elastic and glass retentive to provide limited and controlled flexing of said mirror when subjected to flexing forces and, when subjected to forces sufficient to break said mirror, the resultant shards of glass will be securely held by said adhesive without exceeding a 0.010 inch step between adjacent mirror shards.

21. The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said stiffener member is made of a fiberboard material.

22. The apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said stiffener member includes a laminate of multiple layers of fiberboard material.

23. The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said adhesive is a water-based vinyl acetate.

24. The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said adhesive is a hot melt glue.

25. The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said accessory is a visor.