Vehicle side-view mirror water removal arrangement

• US 7,140,740 B1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph Richard Cooper
• Original Assignee: Joseph Richard Cooper
• Inventors: Cooper, Joseph Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Mark A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stephens, Scott
• Application Number:
  US11/240,953
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 359/509
• US Class Current: 359/509
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/15 Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B

Abstract

A vehicle side-view mirror water removal arrangement is easily retrofitted to vehicles having an existing source of compressed air and a side-view mirror with a reflective surface. The arrangement includes a valve having an input port connected to the existing source of compressed air and an output port, the valve being movable between open and closed positions to control the flow of compressed air from the existing source of compressed air to the output port of the valve. A conduit'"'"'s proximal end is connected to the output port of the valve with its distal end located at the side-view mirror for conducting the compressed air from the output port of the valve to the side-view mirror. A fastener fastens the distal end of the conduit to the side-view mirror so that the compressed air flows down the reflective surface of the side-view mirror, a nozzle at the distal end being provided to spread the compressed air substantially over an entire width of the side-view mirror to clear any water adhering to the reflective surface of the mirror.

Claims

1. A vehicle side-view mirror water removal arrangement for a vehicle having an existing source of compressed air and a side-view mirror with a reflective surface, the arrangement comprising:

a valve having an input port connected to the existing source of compressed air and an output port, the valve being movable between open and closed positions to control a flow of compressed air from the existing source of compressed air to the output port of the valve;

a conduit having a proximal end connected to the output port of the valve and a distal end located at the side-view mirror for conducting the compressed air from the output port of the valve to the side-view mirror;

a fastener for fastening the distal end of the conduit to the reflective surface of the side-view mirror so that the compressed air flows down the reflective surface of the side-view mirror;

a nozzle on the distal end of the conduit and precisely positioned on the reflective surface of the mirror for spreading the compressed air issued from the distal end of the conduit substantially over an entire width of the side-view mirror; and

a switching mechanism for opening and closing the valve to provide a blast of compressed air at the reflective surface of the side-view mirror to clear water adhering to the reflective surface.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle has a side-view mirror on each side of the vehicle and the valve has a pair of output ports each respectively connected to a conduit for conducting the compressed air to one of the side-view mirrors on each side of the vehicle.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism is located within easy reach of a driver location of the vehicle.

4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the switching mechanism is manually operated by a driver of the vehicle.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle has windshield wipers that turn on and off and wherein the switching mechanism is automatically operated to periodically provide blasts of air to the side-view mirror while the wipers are turned on.

6. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises flexible tubing.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the nozzle is a malleable ring crimped onto the distal end of the flexible tubing.

8. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the fastener fastens the distal end of the conduit at a top end of the mirror.

9. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the fastener is glue.

10. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the conduit is positioned at a top portion of the side-view mirror for issuing a generally downwardly directed sheet of compressed air from the top portion of the side-view mirror over substantially the entire reflective surface of the side-view mirror to blow off any water adhering to the reflective surface.