Automotive vehicle mirror with gauging viewing mirror portion

• US 5,050,977 A
• Filed: 04/12/1990
• Issued: 09/24/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George E. Platzer Jr
• Original Assignee: George E. Platzer Jr
• Inventors: Platzer, George E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/507,914
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 350/627, 350/637, 350/632, 74/502.1
• US Class Current: 359/866
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/082 using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20432 for moving a mirror

Abstract

A mirror structure, for use as a rear view mirror, is shown as having a main viewing mirror portion and an auxiliary viewing mirror portion; when the mirror structure is adjusted so that a selected reference portion, of the vehicle which carries the mirror structure, is seen in the auxiliary viewing mirror portion, the main viewing mirror portion is simultaneously positioned to provide an enhanced view of existing traffic. In another form, the mirror is first positioned so that the selected reference portion of the vehicle is viewed therein, and then the mirror is rotated a preselected amount as to present a view further angularly displaced from the vehicle as to thereby provide an enhanced view of existing traffic.

Claims

1. In combination an automotive vehicle and a remote control mirror assembly carried by said vehicle externally thereof and generally along a side of said vehicle, comprising mirror means selectably positionable by an operator of said vehicle, support means for supporting said mirror means, positioning means operatively connected to said mirror means and effective to rotationally position said mirror means with respect to said support means and said vehicle, control means situated remotely from said mirror means and operatively connected to said positioning means, said control means being adapted for actuation by said operator, wherein said mirror means comprises a main viewing mirror portion having a main reflective surface of flat planar configuration for viewing therein by said operator of existing conditions of traffic, said main viewing mirror portion comprising an outer periphery with first and second peripheral portions, wherein said first peripheral portion is situated relatively closer to said side of said vehicle and wherein said second peripheral portion is situated relatively farther from said side of said vehicle, and a gauging viewing mirror portion having a gauging reflective surface of flat planar configuration for viewing therein by said operator a selected referencing portion of said vehicle carrying said mirror assembly, wherein said gauging viewing mirror portion in its entirety is relatively small compared to said main viewing mirror portion in its entirety, wherein said gauging viewing mirror portion is situated as to be at least close to said first peripheral portion and remotely spaced from said second peripheral portion, and wherein the plane of said main reflective surface and the plane of said gauging reflective surface are inclined with respect to each other so that when said operator of said vehicle actuates said control means to cause said mirror means to be positioned so that said selected referencing portion of said vehicle is viewed in said gauging reflective surface of said gauging viewing mirror portion said main reflective surface of said main viewing mirror portion is simultaneously properly positioned providing a view to said operator which is angularly outward from the view provided to said operator by said gauging viewing mirror portion for viewing said existing conditions of traffic in said main viewing mirror portion.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said positioning means comprises electric motor means, and wherein said control means comprises electric switch means electrically connected to said electric motor means.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said positioning means comprises cable means, wherein said control means comprises manually actuatable mechanical lever means operatively connected to said cable means.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said main viewing mirror portion comprises a main mirror body, wherein said gauging viewing mirror portion comprises a gauging mirror body, and wherein said gauging mirror body is carried by said main mirror body.

5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said main mirror body and said gauging mirror body are physically separate bodies, and wherein said gauging mirror body is operatively secured to said main mirror body.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said gauging mirror body is operatively secured to said main mirror body by adhesive means.

7. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said main viewing mirror portion comprises a main mirror body, and wherein said gauging viewing mirror portion is formed into said main mirror body.

8. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said gauging viewing mirror portion is situated within the bounds of said outer periphery.

9. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the plane of said main reflective surface and the plane of said gauging reflective surface are inclined with respect to each other as to form angles being a maximum of 10.5°

.

10. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the plane of said main reflective surface and the plane of said gauging reflective surface are inclined with respect to each other as to form angles of intersection therebetween with the smaller of said angles being a minimum of 4.5°

.