Automobile safety mirrors to eliminate blind spot

• US 6,350,037 B1
• Filed: 04/13/2000
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas D Adams
• Original Assignee: Thomas D Adams
• Inventors: Adams, Thomas D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Juba, Jr., John
• Application Number:
  US09/548,483
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 359/843, 359/877, 359/838, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 359/843
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/025 comprising special mechanical means for correcting the field of view in relation to particular driving conditions, e.g. change of lane; scanning mirrors

Abstract

A special configuration of devices includes mirrors which operate to give a driver an easy and complete view around an automobile. More precisely, standard rear view mirrors are arranged in a manner to switch between providing a normal rear view and a quick look into the region sometimes and herein known as the blind spot. Switches which are specially located on a steering wheel provide access to a control system whereby a driver may operate the device without removing hands from their proper position on the steering wheel. Activation of the switch yields a mirror movement allowing a driver to check a blind spot before changing lanes.

Claims

1. An apparatus arranged as automobile safety mirrors to eliminate ‘

blind spot’

said apparatus comprising;

at least one switch;

at least one mirror;

at least one mirror actuator;

an electronic controller; and

conveyance means,

said at least one switch being positioned and affixed to an inside periphery of a steering wheel and coupled to said conveyance means whereby operation or activation of either of said at least one switch causes a signal to be conveyed by the conveyance means,

said electronic controller is connected to and coupled to said conveyance means such that a signal may be received at said electronic controller, said electronic controller further being coupled to said at least one mirror actuator such that a mirror actuator is driven by signals provided thereby said electronic controller, and

said mirror actuator being coupled to said at least one mirror in a manner whereby the mirror may be moved and rotated,

said at least one switch, at least one mirror, and at least one actuator is exactly two switches, two mirrors and two actuators, where a first switch drives a first mirror via a first actuator and a second switch independently drives a second mirror via a second actuator,

said electronic controllers are used to operate the mirror such that it is advanced continuously over the range between two preset positions at the discretion of the driver whereby a mirror may be scanned from the first position to the second position and may be paused at any position therebetween.

2. An apparatus of claim 1, the first switch is located and affixed to an inside perimeter on the steering wheel at a position corresponding to 10 o'"'"'clock and the second switch is located and affixed to an inside perimeter on the steering wheel at a position corresponding to 2 o'"'"'clock;

the switch positioned at 10 o'"'"'clock drives a driver side mirror, and the switch positioner at 2 o'"'"'clock drives a passenger side mirror.

3. An apparatus of claim 1, said switches produce a signal which drive mirrors continuously between the normal position and the blind spot position.

4. An apparatus of claim 1, said switches may be easily engaged by a driver'"'"'s thumbs while the driver'"'"'s hands remain on the steering wheel in positions 2 to 3 o'"'"'clock and 9-10 o'"'"'clock without need for removing hands from the steering wheel.

5. An apparatus of claim 4, said switches being arranged to cooperate with steering wheel covers which wrap around a steering wheel to form a seam at the inside periphery of the steering wheel whereby switches located at the inside periphery of the steering wheel do not interfere with the application of a steering wheel cover.

6. An apparatus of claim 1, said electronic controllers having an electronic memory to remember two positions which may be changed from driver to driver or even from use to use, the electronic controllers being arranged to allow a driver to set the normal view mirror position, and then set a blind spot mirror position.