Safe distance indicator

• US 20060158758A1
• Filed: 01/14/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert E. White Sr
• Original Assignee: Robert E. White Sr
• Inventors: White, Robert E. Sr.
• Application Number:
  US11/036,226
• Publication Number:
  US 20060158758A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/871
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10

Abstract

Pairs of visually discernable reference points applied to a rearview mirror such that the operator of a vehicle may estimate the distance to a following vehicle based on the width of the reflected image of the following vehicle with respect to one or more pairs of the visually distinguishable reference points.

Claims

1. A device that allows the operator of a vehicle to estimate the distance separating the driver'"'"'s vehicle from a following vehicle comprising:

A at least one mirror, said at least one flat mirror comprising a first, reflective face, a back surface, a two-dimensional, geometric shape, said shape being described by a bottom edge, a top edge, and opposite, side edges;

B a frame structure to support and protect said at least one mirror and to provide a means by which said at least one mirror can be attached to a vehicle with said first, reflective face facing reward as viewed by the operator of the vehicle; and

C at least one pair of visually distinguishable reference points positioned on said reflective face of said at least one mirror and spaced so as the distance of a following vehicle can be estimated by the width of its image in comparison with said at least one pair of visually distinguishable reference points.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one mirror is a plane mirror.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one mirror is convex in surface geometry.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one mirror is generally rectangular in shape.

5. The device in claim 1 wherein said at least one mirror is generally oval in shape.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein two flat one flat mirror is positioned on the exterior of a vehicle on the driver'"'"'s side, a second flat mirror is positioned within the driver'"'"'s compartment and in convenient view of the driver, and a third, convex mirror is positioned on the exterior of the vehicle on the side opposite the driver'"'"'s side.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein more than one pair of visually distinguishable reference points are positioned on the surface of said at least one mirror.

8. A clear, adhesive type of material capable of being applied to rearview mirrors of a vehicle, wherein visually distinguishable reference points are marked on said clear adhesive type of material.

9. A device to adapt a rear view mirror to allow the operator of a vehicle to estimate the distance separating a vehicle from following vehicles comprising:

A a frame element capable of being attached to the rearview mirror of a vehicle, wherein said frame element is adapted to receive and to position an insert element over the face of said rearview mirror;

B a transparent insert element adapted to being held by said frame element, said insert element having visually distinguishable reference points to allow the operator to estimate the distance to a following vehicle based on the relative size of the reflected image of said following vehicle.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said visually discernable reference points are positioned directly on the insert element.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein said visually discernable reference points are placed on a transparent material that is applied to said transparent element.