Optical: systems and elements – Mirror – With support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-06
2001-07-24
Shafer, Ricky D. (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Mirror
With support
C359S881000, C362S135000, C362S140000, C362S142000, C362S144000, C248S476000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264339
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention is generally related to adjustable mirrors and is specifically directed to an adjustable mirror assembly for mounting in vehicles.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Adjustable mirror assemblies are relatively well-known. Examples of such assemblies are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,566,030; 5,453,915; 5,182,675; 5,105,177; 4,745,528; 3,977,645; 3,392,950 and 2,414,223. Each of these assemblies has a base, an adjustable support attached to the base and a mirror mounted in the adjustable support. In most cases the mirror is mounted for pivotal and/or rotational movement within the adjustable support. The base either is permanently mounted or includes a clamp by which the mirror assembly may be temporarily secured to a structure.
Many automobiles today have mirrors mounted in the sun screen visor positioned above the windshield in front of both the passenger and driver sides of a vehicle. In many cases, these mirrors include sidelights and may be used as vanity or make-up mirrors. While it is not intended that these mirrors be used, particularly by the driver, while the car is in motion, it is not uncommon to see women applying make-up or men shaving and looking into the mirror while driving the vehicle. An even more serious safety hazard is the use of the centrally mounted interior rear-view mirror for this purpose. When the rear-view mirror is used in this manner, it is usually adjusted to accommodate its use as a make-up mirror and its functionality as a rear-view mirror is minimized or altogether eliminated.
In addition, use of either of these types of mirrors as a vanity mirror is less than desirable even when used in a safe and proper manner. Neither mirror is positioned properly for use as a vanity mirror, requiring that the passenger adjust his/her position in the seat in order to use the mirror.
At present, there is a need for a make-up mirror that is convenient, safe to use and adequately adjustable to permit use without discomfort to the passenger or driver of a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention is directed to a make-up or vanity mirror which is adapted to be mounted in a vehicle in such a manner that it may be optimally positioned for use by the driver/passenger without impairing the driver's vision when the vehicle is in motion. The novel mirror assembly of the invention may be added as an aftermarket accessory to existing vehicles or may be installed as original equipment.
The aftermarket embodiment is a mirror mounted on a flexible extension arm which is secured to a clamp base. The clamp may be quickly secured to the posts of the head rest on a typical seat. In the preferred embodiment, the mirror includes a peripheral lighting system to provide localized illumination. The power source for the lighting system may be self-contained with a battery pack mounted in the clamp base and a wire carried in the interior of the flexible extension arm. It is also possible to house the battery pack directly in the mirror housing. An alternative power source may be provided by extending the wire from the assembly and providing a jack adapted for connecting the wire to a vehicle accessory power socket such as, by way of example, a cigarette lighter socket.
The flexible extension arm is mounted such that it and the mirror may be pivoted from a stowed position adjacent the side of the seat to a use position in front of the face of the driver or passenger. The use position of the mirror may be adjusted to individual preference. The assembly is constructed such that once the individual preference is determined, the mirror will maintain proper alignment with the rest of the assembly once the mirror and arm are returned to the stowed position. This permits the driver/passenger to quickly stow and retrieve the mirror without adjusting if for optimum position each time it is retrieved.
In the preferred embodiment, the on/of switch for the illumination system is located on the mirror case and may be quickly accessed as the mirror is moved between the stowed and use positions. It is also possible to provide an automatic on/off switch wherein the illumination system is activated when the mirror is moved from its stowed position and deactivated when the mirror is returned to the stowed position.
The mirror assembly of the invention may also be secured to the vehicle in other ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In one alternative embodiment, the base may comprise a bayonet type socket assembly with the socket being mounted at a convenient place on the vehicle such as, by way of example, on the side of the seat or on the console between the seats. The socket may be energized by the automobile power source for providing power to the mirror illumination system.
The mirror assembly may also be permanently mounted in the vehicle as original equipment, either with a self-contained power supply or with a tie-in to the vehicle power supply.
The make-up mirror assembly of the subject invention provides a safe, convenient vanity mirror for use by a driver/passenger of a vehicle without disrupting the use of other mirror functions in the vehicle and without impairing the vision of the driver when the car is in motion.
It is, therefore, an object and feature of the subject invention to provide a make-up mirror for a vehicle which is convenient to use without impairing the vision of the driver when the vehicle is in motion.
It is another object and feature of the invention of the subject invention to provide an aftermarket accessory which may be quickly mounted in the vehicle without the use of special tools.
It is a further object and feature of the subject invention to provide a make-up mirror that is properly positioned relative to the user while seated in a vehicle.
Other objects and features of the invention will be readily apparent from the accompanying drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1799545 (1931-04-01), Chase
patent: 2001743 (1935-05-01), Morrison
patent: 2048939 (1936-07-01), Leathorn
patent: 2149598 (1939-03-01), Girl et al.
patent: 3795422 (1974-03-01), Robinson et al.
patent: 4267430 (1981-05-01), Downey
patent: 4486075 (1984-12-01), Cohen
patent: 4557520 (1985-12-01), Simjian
patent: 4681366 (1987-07-01), Lobanoff
patent: 4865380 (1989-09-01), Heitzman-Powell et al.
patent: 5453915 (1995-09-01), Bradley, III
Bracewell & Patterson LLP
Shafer Ricky D.
LandOfFree
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