Non-distorted blind spot mirror using a triangular prism for all types of vehicles

• US 5,594,594 A
• Filed: 08/05/1994
• Issued: 01/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ly W. Ung
• Original Assignee: Ly W. Ung
• Inventors: Ung, Ly W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dzierzynski, Paul M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US08/286,682
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 359/855, 359/833, 359/837, 359/866, 359/831, 359/864, 359/865, 359/867, 359/871, 359/872, 359/838, 359/839
• US Class Current: 359/855
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/082 using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/10 Front-view mirror arrangements; specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; Periscope arrangements , i.e. optical devices using combinations of mirrors, lenses, prisms or the like specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; for viewing traffic-lights B60R1/005; Other mirror arrangements giving a view from above or under the vehicle

Abstract

A triangular prism mirror mounted adjacent a driver of a vehicle to enable the driver to view the blind spot area without any distortion of vision. The triangular prism mirror unit has three plane surfaces, the rear surface being blocked. By blocking the rear surface of the prism, the image entering one of the front surfaces will appear on the other front surface. Therefore the triangular prism mirror, when properly mounted, provides a clear vision for the driver of a vehicle giving access to the blind spot area.

Claims

1. A first non-distorting blind spot prism mirror unit for use in a driven vehicle, said vehicle being provided with a first side view mirror, said first blind spot mirror unit being characterized by:

a first triangular prism having first, second and third plane sides, the first side being blocked causing an image entering the second side to be internally reflected so that it can be viewed from the third side; and

first mounting means for mounting the first triangular prism either above, below or forward of the first side view mirror in such a manner that the first triangular prism has the second side facing a blind spot area and the third side facing the driver so that the driver of the vehicle is provided with a clear non-distorted view of the blind spot area not normally visible through the first side view mirror.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by the provision of a second non-distorting blind spot prism mirror unit having a second triangular prism and second mounting means, the second triangular prism also having three plane sides including a first side which is blocked, the second triangular prism having an angle differing from the first triangular prism, and wherein second mounting means mounts the second triangular prism either above, below or forward of the first side view mirror.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein the first mounting means mounts the first triangular prism above the first side view mirror, and wherein second mounting means mounts the second triangular prism below the first side view mirror.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the driven vehicle is provided with a second side view mirror, the first and second side view mirrors being left and right side view mirrors, respectively, the invention further being characterized by the provision of a second non-distorting blind spot prism mirror unit having:

a second triangular prism having first, second and third sides, the first side being blocked causing an image entering the second side to be internally reflected; and

second mounting means for mounting the second triangular prism either above, below, or forward of the second side view mirror in such a manner that the driver of the vehicle is provided with a clear non-distorted view of another blind-spot area not normally visible through the first and second side view mirrors.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein the driven vehicle is a truck, wherein the first and second triangular prisms are mounted above the first and second side view mirrors, respectively, wherein third and fourth triangular prisms are provided, each of said third and fourth triangular prisms having first, second and third sides, the first side being blocked causing an image entering the second side to be internally reflected, each of the third and fourth triangular prisms having an angle differing from the first and second triangular prisms, respectively, and the third and fourth triangular prisms third and fourth mounting means for mounting on the left and right side view mirrors, respectively.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein a fifth triangular prism is provided, the fifth triangular prism being similar to the third triangular prism, and wherein fifth mounting means are provided, the fifth mounting means mounting the fifth triangular prism in front of the side view mirror on the drivers side.