Diver's mirror

• US 5,694,261 A
• Filed: 11/20/1995
• Issued: 12/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jerry L. Deal
• Original Assignee: Jerry L. Deal
• Inventors: Deal, Jerry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafer, Ricky D.
• Application Number:
  US08/561,036
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 359/515, 359/516, 359/518, 359/838, 359/840, 359/879, 359/880, 359/871, 359/872, 2/160, 2/DIG. 8, 405/186
• US Class Current: 359/879
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 42/06 Wrist mirrors; Mirrors with means for attaching to fingers
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/02 Divers' equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/002 Mounting on the human body

Abstract

A mirror which is attachable to an item of an underwater diver'"'"'s equipment. By placing the mirror in front of his face mask and controlling the line of sight reflected by the mirror, the diver can inspect equipment on his body or easily access equipment with the hand not wearing the mirror. In addition, the diver'"'"'s peripheral vision is improved so he or she can see objects, fish or a diving partner located behind them. The mirror is attached to the item of diver'"'"'s equipment by attaching a portion of the periphery of a pouch to the equipment item. Affixed to the pouch is a tether which is further attached to the mirror. The pouch is formed of water resistant material such as nylon or rubber.

Claims

1. A diver'"'"'s mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror having a reflective surface;

a pouch for housing said mirror when not in use;

a cover flap overlying at least a portion of said pouch;

a flexible tether having first and second ends, said first end being connected to said mirror and said second end being attached to said pouch;

first attachment means for attaching said pouch to an item of diver'"'"'s equipment; and

second attachment means for attaching said cover flap to said item of diver'"'"'s equipment.

2. The diver'"'"'s mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said reflective surface is selected from the group consisting of:

flat, convex, and concave.

3. A diver'"'"'s mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror having at least one reflective surface;

a flexible pouch for housing said mirror;

a cover flap overlying at least a portion of said pouch;

a flexible tether having first and second ends;

first tether attachment means for attaching said mirror to said first end of said tether;

second tether attachment means for attaching said second end of said tether to said pouch;

pouch attachment means for attaching at least a portion of the periphery of said pouch to an item of diver'"'"'s equipment; and

cover flap attachment means for attaching a portion of said cover flap to said item of diver'"'"'s equipment.

4. The diver'"'"'s assembly mirror of claim 3 wherein said reflective surface is selected from the group consisting of:

flat, convex, and concave.

5. The diver'"'"'s assembly mirror of claim 3 wherein said mirror is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of:

glass, plastic, and corrosion-resistant metal.

6. The diver'"'"'s assembly mirror of claim 3 wherein said tether is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of:

fabric, plastic, neoprene, rubber and leather.

7. The diver'"'"'s assembly mirror of claim 5 wherein said first tether attachment means further comprises a loop in operative combination with said mirror for attachment to said tether.

8. The diver'"'"'s assembly mirror of claim 7 wherein said loop is formed integrally with said mirror.

9. The diver'"'"'s assembly mirror of claim 7 wherein said loop is formed separate from said mirror and subsequently attached thereto.

10. The diver'"'"'s assembly mirror of claim 3 wherein said first tether attachment means further comprises a backing plate for attachment to said mirror, said backing plate including a loop for attachment to said tether.

11. The diver'"'"'s assembly mirror of claim 3 wherein said pouch is formed of material selected from the group consisting of:

fabric, plastic, neoprene, rubber, foam rubber, and leather.

12. The diver'"'"'s assembly mirror of claim 3 wherein said pouch attachment means is selected from the group consisting of:

adhesive, stitching, hook-and-loop tape; and

mechanical fastener.

13. A diver'"'"'s mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror having a reflective surface;

a tether having first and second ends;

a backing plate in operative combination with said mirror, said backing plate including a loop for attachment to said tether;

a pouch attachable by a portion of its periphery to an item of diver'"'"'s equipment, thereby forming a first flat, hollow sleeve having an first opening for inserting and removing said backing plate in operative combination with said mirror into said pouch, said pouch being of smaller extent than said backing plate in operative combination with said mirror, said pouch for housing therein said backing plate in operative combination with said mirror when not in use, and for retaining therein by means of elastic friction said backing plate in operative combination with said mirror;

a cover flap comprising a second flat, hollow sleeve attachable by a portion of its periphery to said item of diver'"'"'s equipment and defining a second opening, said cover flap overlying a portion of said pouch and at least a portion of said first opening for preventing the unwanted egress of said backing plate in operative combination with said mirror;

tether attachment means for attaching said second end of said tether to said pouch; and

said mirror assembly providing a method whereby a diver can easily remove said mirror from said pouch and hold said mirror in the palm of a hand and view his upper torso, head, or surroundings by adjusting the inclination of said mirror and viewing a reflected image on said mirror.