Backup mirror accessory

• US 7,073,927 B1
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Issued: 07/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jerry T. Gorniak
• Original Assignee: Jerry T. Gorniak
• Inventors: Gorniak, Jerry T.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAYNE, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US10/795,056
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/435, 340/463, 340/464, 340/479, 340/425.5, 340/557, 362/494, 362/464, 362/485, 362/540, 362/541, 362/545, 362/140, 362/144, 362/184, 362/225, 362/800, 362/259, 362/276, 348/148, 359/838, 359/841
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/488 for indicating intention to park
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/006 using a distance sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/007 providing information about the distance to an obstacle, e.g. varying sound
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An accessory attachable to a backup mirror provides safety features to reduce vehicular accidents and includes a high density light bar 22 extending in vertically; a halogen bulb 24 directed laterally of the vehicle to illuminate the region immediately adjacent the vehicle; a strobe bar 26; a series of red LED lights 28 extending about the periphery of accessory 20; a laser light 30 mounted by a spring 32 in vertically oblong slot 34; and a graphic depiction 36 of the narrowing distance between the rear bumper 13 of vehicle 11 and building 15.

Claims

1. An accessory for a backup mirror of a vehicle for enhancing safety when the vehicle is backing up, said accessory comprising:

a laser light projecting a laser beam directly rearwardly of the vehicle to provide a reference for the vehicle'"'"'s driver, said laser light being mounted on a spring which permits only vertical motion thereby bouncing when the vehicle is in rearward motion causing said laser light to produce a vertical line on a structure toward which the vehicle is backing.

2. The accessory for a back up mirror of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional element from the following enumerated elements:

a) a high intensity light illuminating a side region adjacent the vehicle;

b) a white light source which is pulsed by a strobe attachment to warn pedestrians adjacent the vehicle that a backup maneuver is in progress;

c) a beam of white light directed rearward at a slight angle to a side portion of the vehicle to cast a distinct shadow which aids a driver in determining precisely where a rear bumper of her/his vehicle is;

d) a series of red LED'"'"'s encircling a reflective mirror portion of said backup mirror which are illuminated during at least one of the following;

i) the vehicle is backing up

ii) a brake pedal is engaged; and

e) a graphic representation indicating a narrowing of a distance between the rear bumper and a stationary object such as a loading dock.

3. The accessory for a backup mirror of claim 2 further comprising a sensor for collecting laser light reflected from an object toward which the vehicle is backing, a device for computing a distance between the object and the rear bumper of the vehicle, a display to provide said graphic representation of the narrowing distance there between.

4. The accessory for a backup mirror of claim 2 wherein said beam of white light directed rearwardly is part of a stand alone, battery-operated unit attachable to a side portion of a trailer.

5. The accessory for a backup mirror of claim 4 wherein said stand alone, battery-operated unit is removably attachable to the side portion of the trailer using a magnetic base.

6. The accessory for a backup mirror of claim 2 said series of red LED'"'"'s are illuminated during brake engagement and when the vehicle is backing up.

7. The accessory for a backup mirror of claim 2 wherein said accessory includes at least two additional of the enumerated elements.

8. The accessory for a backup mirror of claim 7 wherein said accessory includes at least three additional of said enumerated elements.

9. The accessory for a backup mirror of claim 7 wherein said accessory includes all of said additional enumerated elements.

10. The accessory for a backup mirror of claim 2 further comprising a shield element mounted on said mirror to screen the driver'"'"'s view of said auxiliary lights which are mounted thereon to improve her/his night vision.