Optical: systems and elements – Mirror – Plural mirrors or reflecting surfaces
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-10
2001-03-06
Shafer, Ricky D. (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Mirror
Plural mirrors or reflecting surfaces
C359S865000, C359S872000, C359S850000, C359S855000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196689
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mirror system for tractor trailers and more particularly pertains to allowing a truck driver to visualize normal blind spots of their truck.
The use of mirror systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, mirror systems heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of improving a driver's ability to see blind spots are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,297 to Sumnmers discloses a mirror assembly comprised of a fixed mirror and a movable mirror contained in a frame and capable of being controlled to eliminate a vehicle's blind spots while traveling in the forward or backward direction. U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,310 to Mathieu discloses a vehicle side mirror capable of allowing a driver to view an area in his blind spot. U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,978 to Smith discloses a dual rear view mirror system.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a mirror system for tractor trailers for allowing a truck driver to visualize normal blind spots of their truck.
In this respect, the mirror system for tractor trailers according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of allowing a truck driver to visualize normal blind spots of their truck.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved mirror system for tractor trailers which can be used for allowing a truck driver to visualize normal blind spots of their truck. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of mirror systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved mirror system for tractor trailers. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved mirror system for tractor trailers which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a base secured within the cab of the truck intermediate the drivers side and the passengers side thereof. The base has a generally planar under side surface. A drivers side mirror is secured to the lower surface of the base. The drivers side mirror is directed out the drivers side of the cab whereby a driver can see over his shoulder. A first passenger side pair of mirrors are secured to the lower surface of the base. The first passenger side pair of mirrors includes a downwardly directed mirror aimed towards a right front fender of the truck. The first passenger side pair of mirrors includes a reflecting mirror positioned for allowing the driver to see images reflected by the downwardly directed mirror. A second passenger side pair of mirrors are secured to the lower surface of the base. The second passenger side pair of mirrors includes a rearwardly directed mirror directed rearwardly of the passenger side door of the cab. The second passenger side pair of mirrors includes a reflecting mirror positioned for allowing the driver to see images reflected by the rearwardly directed mirror.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mirror system for tractor trailers which has all the advantages of the prior art mirror systems and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mirror system for tractor trailers which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mirror system for tractor trailers which is of durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved mirror system for tractor trailers which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a mirror system for tractor trailers economically available to the buying public.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved mirror system for tractor trailers for allowing a truck driver to visualize normal blind spots of their truck.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mirror system for tractor trailers including a base secured within the cab of the truck intermediate the drivers side and the passengers side thereof. The base has a generally planar lower surface. A system of mirrors are secured to the upper surface of the base allowing a driver of the truck to see blind spots normally associated with trucks.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1426010 (1922-08-01), Rees
patent: 1533937 (1925-04-01), Mogor
patent: 1727727 (1929-09-01), Ostrander
patent: 1870468 (1932-08-01), Ross
patent: 2854882 (1958-10-01), Cooper
patent: 3394978 (1968-07-01), Muller
patent: 4345819 (1982-08-01), Villa-Real
patent: 5237459 (1993-08-01), Strauss
patent: 5479297 (1995-12-01), Summers
patent: 5745310 (1998-04-01), Mathieu
patent: 5760978 (1998-06-01), Smith
patent: 5790328 (1998-08-01), Strauss et al.
patent: 6012819 (2000-01-01), Pai
patent: 0498720 (1955-11-01), None
Brown Jaqueline
Brown Timothy
Goldstein & Canino
Shafer Ricky D.
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