Reflector device and system for viewing the rear seat of a vehicle

• US 6,120,155 A
• Filed: 05/13/1998
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marianne Brennan
• Original Assignee: Marianne Brennan
• Inventors: Norton, Ian F., Brennan, Marianne
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US09/076,799
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 359/857, 359/858, 359/859, 359/862, 359/871, 359/872, 359/873, 340/326, 340/555, 40/417, 40/467, 40/705, 40/796
• US Class Current: 359/857
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/008 allowing the driver to see passengers, e.g. for busses combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08

Abstract

The invention provides a reflector device and a reflector system for mounting to a vehicle having front and rear seats to allow a person in the front seat to view an infant in a rearwardly facing safety seat attached to the rear seat. The reflector system includes a pair of reflector devices of which one may be in accordance with the invention. The reflector device in accordance with the invention is mountable upright on a back of the rear seat and includes a mounting assembly and a reflector with a forwardly-facing reflecting surface pivotally connected to the mounting assembly so as to be pivotable in three-dimensions. The reflector device is preferably mounted to one side of the infant and has an upward extent below the rear window of the vehicle so as not to obstruct a driver'"'"'s view through the rear window and to not present a hazard to the infant.

Claims

1. A reflector device for upright mounting in a vehicle having front and rear seats to allow a driver in the front seat to view an infant in a rearwardly facing safety seat attached to a back of the rear seat, the device being adapted to provide an unobstructed view for the driver through a rear window of the vehicle, and comprising:

a U-shaped mounting bracket releasably attachable to said back, the bracket having a bridge defining an upward extent of the mounting bracket, and having a forward first end;

a second bracket portion extending angularly and downwardly with respect to the bridge from said first end and having a forward side and a second end remote from the bridge, the second bracket portion being one of a pair of substantially parallel extensions extending angularly and downwardly from the bridge, the extensions being securable at varying distances from each other so that the mounting bracket is adapted for releasable clamping engagement with an upper portion of the back; and

a reflector pivotally coupled to the forward side of the second bracket portion and being pivotable in three dimensions, the reflector having a reflecting surface facing away from the second bracket portion and being proportioned to have a similar upward extent to that of the mounting bracket;

whereby, in use, the device is releasably mounted on the rear seat off to one side of the infant with the bridge disposed on an upper edge of the back and said second bracket portion extending downwardly in contact with the seat, such that the device is in front of the seat and provides an unobstructed view for the driver of the rear window of the vehicle, and the reflector is adjustable to allow the person to view the infant by looking at the reflector directly or indirectly via a rear view mirror of the vehicle.

2. A reflector device according to claim 1 in which the reflector is pivotally coupled to said second end of the second bracket portion.

3. A reflector device according to claim 2 wherein the reflector has an upper end and a lower end, said lower end of the reflector being pivotally coupled to the second bracket portion.

4. A reflector device for upright mounting in a vehicle having front and rear seats to allow a driver in the front seat to view an infant in a rearwardly facing safety seat attached to a back of the rear seat, the device being adapted to provide an unobstructed view for the driver through a rear window of the vehicle, and comprising:

a mounting bracket releasably attachable to said back, the bracket having a bridge defining an upward extent of the mounting bracket, and having a forward first end;

a second bracket portion extending angularly and downwardly with respect to the bridge from said first end and having a forward side and a second end remote from the bridge, and the mounting bracket having a pivot pivotally mounted to said forward side of said second bracket portion, the pivot being pivotable about a first axis of the pivot;

a reflector pivotally mounted to said pivot so as to be pivotable about a second axis of the pivot, said second axis extending transversely to said first axis so that the reflector is pivotable in three dimensions, the reflector having a reflecting surface facing away from the second bracket portion and being proportioned to have a similar upward extent to that of the mounting bracket;

whereby, in use, the device is releasably mounted on the rear seat off to one side of the infant with the bridge disposed on an upper edge of the back and said second bracket portion extending downwardly in contact with the seat, such that the device is in front of the seat and provides an unobstructed view for the driver of the rear window of the vehicle, and the reflector is adjustable to allow the person to view the infant by looking at the reflector directly or indirectly via a rear view mirror of the vehicle.