Mirror for vehicle and method of use

• US 6,880,944 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Munchkin Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Munchkin Incorporated
• Inventors: Dunn, Steven B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cherry, Euncha P.
• Application Number:
  US10/370,788
• Publication Number:
  US 20040165294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 359/841, 359/871, 359/872, 359/881, 248/467, 248/479, 248/480, 248/481, 248/484, 248/486
• US Class Current: 359/872
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/008 allowing the driver to see passengers, e.g. for busses combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence

Abstract

A method of observing a small child in a vehicle is performed by mounting a novel mirror assembly to a portion of the vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a telescoping shaft that may be adjusted in length so as to permit the mirror assembly to be adjusted to an optimal position with which to view a small child. In addition, gripping structure is preferably provided in order to facilitate gripping of the mirror by a user during the adjustment process.

Claims

1. A mirror for use in a vehicle, comprising:

a telescoping shaft having a first end and a second end;

mounting means connected to said first end of said telescoping shaft for mounting to a portion of a vehicle;

a first adjustable joint for permitting positional adjustment between said mounting means and said first end of said telescoping shaft;

a mirror connected to said second end of said telescoping shaft; and

a second adjustable joint for permitting positional adjustment between said second end of said telescoping shaft and said mirror, said second adjustable joint comprising a first socket that is connected to said second end of said telescoping shaft, a second socket that is connected to said mirror, and a frictional articulation member having a first portion that is frictionally received in said first socket and a second portion that is frictionally received in said second socket.

2. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said telescoping shaft is thinner at said second end than at said first end.

3. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said telescoping shaft is constructed and arranged so that one end thereof is lighter than another end, and wherein said second end that is connected to said mirror is the lighter end.

4. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises a suction cup.

5. A mirror for use with a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said suction cup comprises a relatively flat internal surface, whereby stability is enhanced when said suction cup is mounted to a surface of a vehicle.

6. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said telescoping shaft is constructed and arranged so as to resist rotation.

7. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a housing for said mirror, and wherein said housing comprises at least one non gloss surface.

8. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a housing for said mirror, and wherein said housing comprises at least one gripping surface that is constructed and arranged to facilitate gripping of said housing by a user.

9. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein said gripping surface is fabricated from a material having a relatively high coefficient of friction.

10. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein said gripping surface is fabricated from a resilient elastomeric material.

11. A mirror for use in a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein said gripping surface is textured so as to enhance grippability.