Blind side eliminating mirror assembly

• US 5,479,297 A
• Filed: 11/25/1994
• Issued: 12/26/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Duquoin National Bank
• Original Assignee: Duquoin National Bank
• Inventors: Summers, Leland H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafer, Ricky D.
• Application Number:
  US08/348,915
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 359/841, 359/850, 359/854, 359/855, 359/864, 359/865, 359/872, 359/877
• US Class Current: 359/841
• 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 1/0612 by electrically actuated means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/081 avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mirror assembly which may be mounted to a vehicle to facilitate the safe forward and rearward maneuverability of the vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a frame having an open end and having at least one movable surface. A fixed mirror and a movable mirror are mounted within the frame such that an edge of the movable mirror impinges upon the movable surface of the frame. The movable mirror can be automatically controlled via a prime mover to move relative to the fixed mirror, the frame, and the movable surface. The movable surface is biased against an edge of the movable mirror, and is displaced by the movement of the movable mirror so as to afford a clear line of sight through the movable mirror.

Claims

1. A mirror assembly comprising:

a frame having an open end and defining an interior volume, said frame including at least one movable surface;

a first fixed mirror fixedly mounted within said frame adjacent to said open end of said frame;

a second movable mirror movably mounted within said frame adjacent to said open end of said frame and interposed between said first fixed mirror and said at least one movable surface of said frame, said second movable mirror capable of movement relative to said first fixed mirror, said frame, and said at least one movable surface;

at least one prime mover operationally connected to and capable of moving said second movable mirror; and

a cam surface on said at least One movable surface of said frame, said cam surface located within said interior volume defined by said frame, wherein said second movable mirror has a first edge, said first edge being contactable with said cam surface, whereby said at least one movable surface of said frame is moved when said first edge of said second movable mirror is urged against said cam surface to thereby provide an unobstructed view through said second movable mirror.

2. The mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one movable surface of said frame is movable between a closed position and an extended position, and further comprising flexible biasing means for urging said at least one movable surface toward said closed position.

3. The mirror assembly according to claim 2, wherein said biasing means is a hinge selected from the group consisting of spring-loaded hinges and living hinges, said hinge operationally connecting said frame and said at least one movable surface.

4. The mirror assembly according to claim 3, wherein said second movable mirror includes a second edge pivotally connected to an edge of said first fixed mirror.

5. The mirror assembly according to claim 4, further comprising heating means for heating said first fixed mirror and said second movable mirror.

6. The mirror assembly according to claim 5, further comprising remote control means for controlling the operation of said at least one prime mover.

7. A motor vehicle rear view mirror assembly comprising:

a frame having an open end and defining an interior volume, said frame including at least one movable surface;

mounting means for mounting said frame to a motor vehicle;

a first fixed mirror fixedly mounted within said frame adjacent to said open end of said frame;

a second movable mirror movably mounted within said frame adjacent to said open end of said frame and interposed between said first fixed mirror and said at least one movable surface of said frame, said second movable mirror capable of movement relative to said first fixed mirror, said frame, and said at least one movable surface;

a first prime mover operationally connected to and capable of moving said second movable mirror, whereby

said at least one movable surface of said frame moves to provide an unobstructed view through said second movable mirror;

a mounting bracket movably attached to said frame; and

a second prime mover operationally attached to said frame and said mounting bracket, said second prime mover being capable of moving said frame relative to said mounting bracket.

8. The motor vehicle rear view mirror assembly according to claim 7, further comprising remote control means for independently controlling the operation of said first prime mover and said second prime mover.

9. The motor vehicle rear view mirror assembly according to claim 7, further comprising a cam surface on said at least one movable surface of said frame, said cam surface located within said interior volume defined by said frame, wherein said second movable mirror has a first edge, said first edge being contactable with said cam surface, whereby said at least one movable surface of said frame is moved when said first edge of said second movable mirror is urged against said cam surface.

10. The mirror assembly according to claim 9, wherein said at least one movable surface of said frame is movable between a closed position and an extended position, and further comprising flexible biasing means for urging said at least one movable surface toward said closed position.

11. The mirror assembly according to claim 10, wherein said biasing means is a hinge selected from the group consisting of spring-loaded hinges and living hinges, said hinge operationally connecting said frame and said at least one movable surface.

12. The mirror assembly according to claim 11, wherein said second movable mirror includes a second edge pivotally connected to an edge of said first fixed mirror.

13. The mirror assembly according to claim 12, further comprising heating means for heating said first fixed mirror and said second movable mirror.

14. A motor vehicle rear view mirror assembly comprising:

an open-ended frame defining an interior volume and including a top wall and a bottom wall each having a collinear aperture therethrough, a back wall, a fixed inside wall, and a movable outside wall;

a mounting shaft extending through said apertures of said top wall and said bottom wall;

a first fixed mirror fixedly mounted within said frame adjacent to said open end of said frame;

a second movable mirror movably mounted within said frame adjacent to said open end of said frame and interposed between said first fixed mirror and said movable outside wall of said frame, said second movable mirror capable of movement relative to said first fixed mirror, said frame, and said movable outside wall;

a first prime mover operationally connected to and capable of moving said second movable mirror; and

a second prime mover operationally connected to said open-ended frame and said mounting shaft and capable of moving said open-ended frame relative to said mounting shaft.

15. The motor vehicle rear view mirror assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a cam located within said interior volume defined by said open-ended frame and permanently fixed to said movable outside wall, wherein said second movable mirror has a first edge, said first edge being contactable with said cam, whereby said movable wall of said frame is moved when said first edge of said second movable mirror is urged against said cam surface.

16. The motor vehicle rear view mirror assembly according to claim 15, Wherein said movable wall of said open-ended frame is movable between a closed position and an extended position, and further comprising flexible biasing means for urging said at least one movable surface toward said closed position.

17. The motor vehicle rear view mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein said second movable mirror includes a second edge pivotally connected to an edge of said first fixed mirror.

18. The motor vehicle rear view mirror assembly according to claim 17, further comprising heating means for heating said first fixed mirror and said second movable mirror.