Combined forward and rearward viewing mirror system

• US 6,247,821 B1
• Filed: 04/07/2000
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Garvin Brewster
• Original Assignee: Garvin Brewster
• Inventors: Brewster, Garvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafer, Ricky D.
• Application Number:
  US09/544,430
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 359/841, 359/850, 359/854, 359/855, 359/856, 359/857, 359/858, 359/861, 359/862, 359/863, 359/865, 359/872
• US Class Current: 359/841
• 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 combined forward and rearward viewing mirror system for seeing around vehicles. The combined forward and rearward viewing mirror system includes a system for permitting a driver using the mirror system to see objects forward and reward of the automobile. The system is mountable to a motor vehicle. The system comprises a housing having a front side, a back side, a proximal end and distal end. The front side has an opening therein to permit viewing into an interior of the housing. A window is in the front side for seeing forward through the housing. An arm having a first end and a second end secures the housing to a motor vehicle. The first end of the arm is adapted for mounting to the automobile door. The second end of the arm is coupled to the housing. A first mirror for viewing objects rearward of the motor vehicle is mounted in the interior of the housing and is angled toward the proximal end of the housing. A second mirror for viewing objects forward of the automobile is mounted in the interior of the housing and is oriented generally toward the front side of the housing. A third mirror for viewing objects forward of the automobile is mounted in the interior of the housing and is oriented toward the front side of the housing.

Claims

1. A combined forward and rearward viewing mirror viewing system for permitting a driver using the mirror system to see objects forward and rearward of a motor vehicle, the system being mountable to a motor vehicle, said system comprising:

a housing having a front side and a back side, said back side having an opening therein to permit viewing into an interior of said housing, said housing having a distal end, a middle portion and a proximal end;

a window in said front side of said housing;

an arm for securing said housing to motor vehicle, said arm having a first end and a second end, said first end of said arm being adapted for mounting to a door of the motor vehicle, said second end of said arm being coupled to said housing;

a first mirror for viewing objects forward of the motor vehicle in a first field of view, said first mirror being mounted in said interior of said housing, said mirror being angled toward the proximal end of the housing;

a second mirror for viewing objects forward of the mirror vehicle, said second mirror being mounted in said interior of said housing;

a thrid mirror for viewing objects forward of the motor vehicle, said thrid mirror being mounted in said interior of said housing;

wherein said first mirror is located adjacent to said proximal end of said housing, said third mirror is located adjacent to said distal end of said housing, and said second mirror is located between said first mirror and said second mirror;

wherein said second mirror is pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft in said housing, said pivot shaft having an adjustment knob mounted thereon for permitting adjustment of an angle of said second mirror with respect to said window for adjusting a seconded field of view reflected by said second mirror; and

wherein said third mirror is pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft in said housing, said pivot shaft having an adjustment knob mounted thereon for permitting adjustment of an angle of said third mirror with respect to said window for adjusting a third field of view reflected by said second mirror, wherein said third mirror is adjustable independently of said second mirror.

2. The combined forward and rearward viewing mirror viewing system as in claim 1, wherein said front side of said housing is generally concave, said front and back sides of said housing meeting at a peripheral edge of the housing.

3. The combined forward and rearward viewing mirror viewing system as in claim 1, further comprising a covering for said window, said covering being mounted on said front side, said covering extending across said window, said covering being transparent.

4. The combined forward and rearward viewing mirror viewing system as in claim 1, wherein said second end of said arm is rotatably coupled to said housing, said second end of said arm being abutted against said proximal end of said housing.

5. A combined forward and rearward viewing mirror viewing system for permitting a driver using the mirror system to see objects forward and rearward of an automobile, said system comprising:

a housing, said housing having a front side and a back side, said front side having an opening therein to permit viewing into an interior of said housing, said housing having a distal end, a middle portion and a proximal end, said front side of said housing being generally concave, said front and back sides of said housing meeting at a peripheral edge of the housing;

a window in said front side for seeing forward through said housing, said window extending from said middle portion of said housing to a location adjacent to said distal end of said housing;

a covering for said window, said covering being mounted on said front side, said covering extending across said window, said covering being transparent, said covering being fromed from plastic;

an arm for securing said housing to an automobile door, said arm having a first end and a second end, said first end of said arm being adapted for mounting to said automobile door, said second end of said arm being coupled to said peripheral edge of said housing, said second end of said arm being abutted against said proximal end of said housing;

a first mirror for viewing objects rearward automobile, said first mirror being fixedly mounted in said interior of said housing, said first mirror being generally located adjacent to said proximal end of said housing, said first mirror being angled toward the proximal end of the housing;

a second mirror for viewing objects forward of said automobile, said second mirror being rotatably mounted in said interior of said housing, said second mirror being generally located in said middle portion of said housing, said second mirror being oriented generally toward said front side of said housing;

a thrid mirror for viewing objects forward of said automobile, said thrid mirror being rotatably mounted in said interior of said housing, said thrid being generally located adjacent to said distal end of said housing, said third mirror being oriented toward said front side of said housing;

wherein said first mirror is adapted for displaying to the driver objects rearward of the automobile, wherein said second mirror is adapted for displaying to the driver objects forward and to the side of the automobile, wherein said third mirror is adapted for displaying to the driver objects forward and to the far side of the automobile;

a pair of pivot shafts for mounting said second and third mirrors, one of said pivot shofts pivotally mounting each of said second and third mirrors, each of said pivot shaft having a first end extending through said front side and positioned generally adjacent to said opening in a top portion of said front side; and

a pair of knobs for adjusting said second and third mirrors, each of said knobs being mounted to one of said first ends of said pivot shafts.

6. A combined forward and rearward viewing mirror viewing system for permitting a driver using the mirror system to see objects forward and rearward of an automobile, said system being mountable to the automobile, said system comprising:

a housing, said housing having a front side and a back side, said front side having an opening therein to permit viewing into an interior of said housing, said housing having a distal end, a middle portion and a proximal end, said front side of said housing being generally concave, said front and back sides of said housing meeting at a peripheral edge of the housing;

a window in said front side for seeing forward through said housing;

a covering for said window, said covering being mounted on said front side, said covering extending across said window, said covering being transparent;

an arm for securing said housing to an automobile, said arm having a first end and a second end, said first end of said arm being adapted for mounting to an automobile door, said second end of said arm being coupled to said housing;

a first mirror for viewing objects rearward of the automobile, said first mirror being mounted in said interior of said housing, said mirror being angled toward the proximal end of the housing;

a second mirror for viewing objects forward of said automobile, said second mirror being mounted in said interior of said housing, said second mirror being oriented generally toward said front side of said housing; and

a thrid mirror for viewing objects forward of said automobile, said thrid mirror being mounted in said interior of said housing, said thrid mirror being oriented toward said front side of said housing;

wherein said second and third mirrors are rotatably mounted in said housing, a pair of pivot shafts mounting said second and third mirrors, one of said pivot shafts pivotally mounting each of said second and third mirrors, each of said pivot shafts having a first end extending through said front side and positioned generally adjacent to said opening in a top portion of said front side; and

including a pair of knobs for adjusting said second and third mirrors, each of said knobs being mounted to one of said first ends of said pivot shafts.

7. The combined forward and rearward viewing mirror viewing system as in claim 6, wherein said second end of said arm is rotatably coupled to said housing, said second end of said arm being abutted against said proximal end of said housing.

8. The combined forward and rearward viewing mirror viewing system as in claim 7, wherein said first mirror is generally located adjacent to said proximal end of said housing, said second mirror being rotatably mounted in said interior of said housing, said second mirror being generally located in said middle portion of said housing, and said third mirror being rotatably mounted in said interior of said housing, said third mirror being generally located adjacent to said distal end of said housing.