Device for adjusting automobile side view mirror

• US 5,237,458 A
• Filed: 12/14/1992
• Issued: 08/17/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael L. Polanyi, Thomas G. Polanyi
• Original Assignee: Michael L. Polanyi, Thomas G. Polanyi
• Inventors: Polanyi, Thomas G., Polanyi, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arnold, Bruce Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAFER, RICKY D
• Application Number:
  US07/989,770
• Time in Patent Office: 246 Days
• Field of Search: 359/839, 359/843, 359/844, 359/850, 359/855, 359/865, 359/866, 359/871, 359/872, 362/83.1, 362/142
• US Class Current: 359/839
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence

Abstract

A side view mirror assembly for an automobile comprises a side view mirror having a reflective surface and a transparent portion, a target fixed with respect to the automobile, located behind the side view mirror, and an auxiliary mirror having a reflective surface which is considerably smaller than the reflective surface of the side view mirror attached to the rear of the side view mirror, and so inclined with respect to the side view mirror that it enables a driver of an automobile to see the target in the auxiliary mirror through the transparent portion of the side view mirror, and when the target is seen by the driver in the auxiliary mirror the line of sight of the driver looking in the side view mirror is directed toward a required blind spot area near the automobile.

Claims

1. A side view mirror assembly for an automobile, comprising a side view mirror having a reflective surface and a transparent portion;

a target located behind said side view mirror and fixed with respect to the automobile; and

an auxiliary mirror attached to the rear of the side view mirror having a reflective surface which is considerably smaller than the reflective surface of said side view mirror and so inclined with respect to said side view mirror that it enables a driver of an automobile to see said target in said auxiliary mirror through said transparent portion of said side view mirror, and when said target is seen by the driver in said auxiliary mirror the line of sight of said driver looking in said side view mirror is directed toward a required blind spot area near the automobile.

2. A side view mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said side view mirror has a mirror element provided with said reflective surface and said transparent portion, and a mounting element fixedly connected to a car and pivotally supporting said mirror element, said target being mounted on said mounting element.

3. A side view mirror assembly as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising illuminating means arranged so as to illuminate said target.

4. A side view mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said target is formed as illuminating means.

5. A side view mirror assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said side view mirror has a mirror element provided with said reflective surface and said transparent portion and also having a rear surface, and a mounting element which is immovably fixed to a car and pivotally supports said mirror element, said target being mounted on said mounting element while said auxiliary mirror being mounted on said mirror element.

6. A side view mirror assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said mirror element and said mounting element have surfaces facing toward one another, said target being mounted on said surface of said mounting element while said auxiliary mirror being mounted on said surface of said mirror element.

7. A side view mirror assembly for an automobile comprising a partially transmissive side view mirror;

a target located behind said side view mirror and fixed with respect to the automobile; and

an auxiliary mirror attached to to the rear of the side view mirror having a reflective surface which is considerably smaller that the reflective surface of said side view mirror and so inclined with respect to said side view mirror that it enables a driver of an automobile to see said target in said auxiliary mirror through said partially transmissive side view mirror, and when said target is seen by the driver in said auxiliary mirror the line of sight of said driver looking in said side view mirror is directed toward a required blind spot area near the automobile.