Quick-release non-distorting rear view mirror enhancer

• US 5,946,149 A
• Filed: 10/04/1996
• Issued: 08/31/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Holden Properties, LLC
• Original Assignee: Excel Innovations Incorporated
• Inventors: Hoffman, Ned
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US08/725,730
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 359/854, 359/855, 359/872, 359/873, 359/874, 359/876, 359/878
• US Class Current: 359/854
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/081 avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors

Abstract

A non-distorting auxiliary rear view vision enhancing assembly which attaches onto an existing automotive interior main rear view mirror. The assembly comprises an auxiliary mirror shell having a front and back side with a non-distorting mirror placed on the front side, and a connecting arm connected to the back side of the auxiliary mirror shell for attaching the mirror shell to the main rear view mirror. In turn, the connecting arm has a ball joint pivot at substantially one end of the connecting arm and attached to the mirror shell. This provides for angular rotation of the mirror shell in the left and right, as well as the up and down tilt position. A spring loaded clamp is placed at substantially the end of the connecting arm opposite the ball joint pivot, for attachment of the connecting arm and the mirror shell to the main rear view mirror. Furthermore, the connecting arm has circumferential rotation means, so that the mirror shell can be rotated circumferentially around the clamp in substantially the same plane as the clamp.

Claims

1. A non-distorting auxiliary rear view mirror vision enhancing assembly which attaches onto an existing automotive interior main rear view mirror, wherein said existing main rear view mirror having a mirror shell with a front and backside;

a mirror placed on the front side and a connecting arm extending from the backside, said vision enhancing assembly comprising;

a) an auxiliary mirror shell having a front and back side with a non-distorting mirror placed on the front side; and

b) said connecting arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the back side of the auxiliary mirror shell for attaching the auxiliary mirror shell to the main rear view mirror, and the second end is connected directly to the backside of said existing main rear view mirror, the connecting arm further comprising;

i) a ball joint pivot at substantially said first end of the connecting arm and attached to the back side of the auxiliary mirror shell, for angular rotation of the auxiliary mirror shell;

ii) a spring loaded clamp substantially at said second end of the connecting arm opposite the ball joint pivot for attachment of the connecting arm to the main rear view mirror for easy removal and attachment of the auxiliary rear view vision enhancing assembly to the main rear view mirror; and

iii) circumferential rotation means, wherein the auxiliary mirror shell can be rotated circumferentially by said rotation means around the clamp in substantially the same plane as the clamp.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the circumferential rotation means comprises a recessed cavity within the connecting arm inside which a cylindrical rod rests, wherein rotation is achieved by turning the connecting arm around the cylindrical rod.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the recessed cavity is substantially at one end of the connecting arm.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the non-distorting mirror is a flat mirror.

5. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the non-distorting mirror is tinted.

6. A non-distorting auxiliary rear view mirror vision enhancing assembly which attaches onto an existing automotive interior main rear view mirror, wherein said existing main rear view mirror having a mirror shell with a front and backside;

a mirror placed on the front side and a connecting arm extending from the backside, said vision enhancing assembly comprising;

a) an auxiliary mirror shell having a front and back side with a non-distorting mirror placed on the front side; and

b) said connecting arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the back side of the auxiliary mirror shell for attaching the auxiliary mirror shell to the main rear view mirror, and the second end is connected directly to the backside of said existing main rear view mirror, the connecting arm further comprising;

I) a ball joint pivot at substantially said first end of the connecting arm and attached to the auxiliary mirror shell, for angular rotation of the auxiliary mirror shell;

ii) a spring loaded clamp substantially at said second end of the connecting arm opposite the ball joint pivot for attachment of the connecting arm to the main rear view mirror for easy removal and attachment of the auxiliary rear view vision enhancing assembly to the main rear view mirror; and

iii) a recessed cavity within the connecting arm, the recessed cavity holding a cylindrical rod, wherein circumferential rotation of the auxiliary mirror shell in the same plane as the spring loaded clamp is achieved by turning the connecting arm and the recessed cavity around the cylindrical rod.