Mirror for vehicle and method of use

• US 20040165294A1
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Munchkin Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Munchkin Incorporated
• Inventors: Dunn, Steven B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,880,944 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/872
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/008 allowing the driver to see passengers, e.g. for busses combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence

Abstract

A method of observing a small child in a vehicle is performed by mounting a novel mirror assembly to a portion of the vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a telescoping shaft that may be adjusted in length so as to permit the mirror assembly to be adjusted to an optimal position with which to view a small child. In addition, gripping structure is preferably provided in order to facilitate gripping of the mirror by a user during the adjustment process.

Claims

1. A mirror for use in a vehicle, comprising:

a telescoping shaft having a first end and a second end;

mounting means connected to said first end of said telescoping shaft for mounting to a portion of a vehicle; and

a mirror connected to said second end of said telescoping shaft.

2. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said telescoping shaft is thinner at said second end than at said first end.

3. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said telescoping shaft is constructed and arranged so that one end thereof is lighter than another end, and wherein said second end that is connected to said mirror is the lighter end.

4. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises a suction cup.

5. A mirror for use with a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said suction cup comprises a relatively flat internal surface, whereby stability is enhanced when said suction cup is mounted to a surface of a vehicle.

6. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a first adjustable joint for permitting positional adjustment between said mounting means and said first end of said telescoping shaft.

7. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said first adjustable joint comprises a socket that is defined in said mounting means and a ball member attached to said first end of said telescoping shaft, said ball member being frictionally retained within said socket.

8. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a second adjustable joint for permitting positional adjustment between said second end of said telescoping shaft and said mirror.

9. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein said second adjustable joint comprises a first socket that is connected to said second end of said telescoping shaft, a second socket that is connected to said mirror, and a frictional articulation member having a first portion that is frictionally received in said first socket and a second portion that is frictionally received in said second socket.

10. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said first portion comprises a first ball member and said second portion comprises a second ball member.

11. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein said second ball member is larger than said first ball member.

12. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said connection between said first portion and said first socket has less friction than said connection between said second portion and said second socket.

13. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said telescoping shaft is constructed and arranged so as to resist rotation.

14. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a housing for said mirror, and wherein said housing comprises at least one non gloss surface.

15. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a housing for said mirror, and wherein said housing comprises at least one gripping surface that is constructed and arranged to facilitate gripping of said housing by a user.

16. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 15, wherein said gripping surface is fabricated from a material having a relatively high coefficient of friction.

17. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 15, wherein said gripping surface is fabricated from a resilient elastomeric material.

18. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 15, wherein said gripping surface is textured so as to enhance grippability.

19. A method of observing a small child in a vehicle, comprising steps of:

(a) mounting a mirror assembly to a portion of a vehicle;

(b) orienting the mirror assembly to an optimal position with which to view a small child, and wherein said step of orienting the mirror assembly includes a step of making a longitudinal positional adjustment by extending or retracting a telescoping shaft of said mirror assembly; and

(c) viewing the small child as desired.

20. A method of observing a small child in a vehicle according to claim 19, wherein step (a) comprises mounting the mirror assembly to a windshield of the vehicle by using a suction cup.

21. A method of observing a small child in a vehicle, comprising steps of:

(a) mounting a mirror assembly to a portion of a vehicle that is in reach of both a driver of the vehicle and a front seat passenger;

(b) orienting the mirror assembly to an optimal position with which to view a small child; and

(c) viewing the small child as desired.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein step (c) includes viewing an entire rear seat of the vehicle.