Divided-reflection method of wide-angle observation and wide-angle view automobile mirror
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A side-view mirror assembly for use on a side of an automobile, the mirror assembly comprising;
- a box (14) having an open end;
a transparent wedge-shaped plate, the plate having a front flat surface and a rear flat surface;
a silvered coating on each of the front flat surface and the rear flat surface of the transparent wedge-shaped plate; and
,a plane transparent sheet of glass;
the transparent wedge-shaped plate being secured in place by the open end of the box, and the plane transparent sheet of glass being secured to the front flat surface of the transparent wedge-shaped plate;
whereby a ray of light directed toward the wedge-shaped plate is both reflected and refracted off of the mirror assembly;
the silvered coating on the front surface of the wedge-shaped member has a reflection coefficient of approximately 0.38.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of widening the directional range of view of a mirror device without enlarging the surface area of the device by suitably combining a number of partially-reflecting surfaces includes provision to avoid discontinuities and overlaps in the field of view. It also makes it possible for the viewer to visually identify an image with the particular reflector that generates the image seen in the image field and hence relate it to a zone of the field of visibility wherein the object is located. A device incorporating the method can be useful as a side-view mirror of an automobile.
97 Citations
7 Claims
-
1. A side-view mirror assembly for use on a side of an automobile, the mirror assembly comprising;
-
a box (14) having an open end; a transparent wedge-shaped plate, the plate having a front flat surface and a rear flat surface; a silvered coating on each of the front flat surface and the rear flat surface of the transparent wedge-shaped plate; and
,a plane transparent sheet of glass; the transparent wedge-shaped plate being secured in place by the open end of the box, and the plane transparent sheet of glass being secured to the front flat surface of the transparent wedge-shaped plate; whereby a ray of light directed toward the wedge-shaped plate is both reflected and refracted off of the mirror assembly; the silvered coating on the front surface of the wedge-shaped member has a reflection coefficient of approximately 0.38.
-
-
2. A side-view mirror assembly for use on a side of an automobile, the mirror assembly comprising;
-
a box (14) having an open end; a transparent wedge-shaped plate, the plate having a front flat surface and a rear flat surface; a silvered coating on each of the front flat surface and the rear flat surface of the transparent wedge-shaped plate; and
,a plane transparent sheet of glass; the transparent wedge-shaped plate being secured in place by the open end of the box, and the plane transparent sheet of glass being secured to the front flat surface of the transparent wedge-shaped plate; whereby a ray of light directed toward the wedge-shaped plate is both reflected and refracted off of the mirror assembly; a second coating of a transparent reflector material on the rear surface of the wedge-shaped plate in addition to the silvered coating; and
,the transparent reflector material being a coating of MgF2 with a refractive index of approximately 1.38. - View Dependent Claims (3)
-
-
4. A mirror comprising:
-
a transparent wedge-shaped plate; the wedge-shaped plate having a flat front surface and a flat rear surface; the front surface having a silvered coating thereon; the rear surface having a silvered coating thereon such that light is totally reflected therefrom; a glass sheet secured to the front surface of the wedge-shaped plate. the wedge-shaped plate having an wedge angle between the two flats surfaces of approximately 4.5 degrees; and
,the silvered coating on the front surface of the wedge-shaped plate having a reflection coefficient of approximately 0.38. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
-
Specification