Blind spot sideview mirrors

• US 6,270,225 B1
• Filed: 07/06/1999
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roger J. Goolsby
• Original Assignee: Roger J. Goolsby
• Inventors: Goolsby, Roger J
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikder, Mohammad
• Application Number:
  US09/347,647
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 359/866, 359/868, 359/869, 359/870, 359/850
• US Class Current: 359/866
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/081 avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors

Abstract

A left hand and right hand sideview mirror system for vehicles to provide an adequate display of vehicles in the regular view area, the overtaking area, and the blind spot area in one single contiguous mirror. This is all done with three flat plane mirror sections with different degree planes connected with multiple narrow flat plane transition sections with degree changes of ½ to 1 degree each to avoid noticeable view gaps and distortion. This produces a large mirror display area and positioned so that the driver instantly understands the situation in the entire area behind his frontal view including the blind spot area along with overtaking vehicles and the regular viewing area. The driver can then make instant accurate judgmental decisions about making a lane change or moving into a lane thus avoiding the danger caused by overlooking the vehicles in the danger area which did not show up in prior sideview mirrors or showed up in a distorted misleading or confusing manner.

Claims

1. An exterior rearview mirror assembly of an automobile comprising:

a left sideview mirror and a right sideview mirror mounted on front portion of said automobile with a support member;

said left sideview mirror consisting of first, second, and third flat plane reflective portions for displaying regular rearview area, over taking area and blind spot area respectively, said first portion positioned nearest to driver of the automobile with 0 degree inclination, said second portion positioned between the first and the third portion with 2.2 degree inclination with respect to the first portion, and said third portion positioned furthermost to driver of the automobile with 10.5 degree inclination with respect to the first portion;

said right side view mirror consisting of first, second, and third flat plane reflective portions for displaying regular rearview area, over taking area and blind spot area respectively, said first portion positioned nearest to driver of the automobile with 0 degree inclination, said second portion positioned between the first and third portion with 2.4 degree inclination with respect to the first portion, and said third portion positioned furthermost to driver of the automobile with 14.5 degree inclination with respect to the first portion;

a first narrow reflective transition section positioned between said first and second flat portions of one of said left sideview mirror and said rightside view mirror, said first transition section graduating from said first flat portion to the second flat portion with a gradual change by ½

degree to 1 degree until said second flat portion;

a second narrow reflective transition section positioned between said second and third flat portions of one of said left sideview mirror and said right sideview mirror, said second transition section graduating from said second flat portion to said third flat portion with a gradual change by ½

degree to 1 degree until said third portion;

wherein said side view mirrors provide almost invisible vision gaps between said transition sections and flat portions.