Optical: systems and elements – Mirror – Back to back
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-25
2001-10-23
Shafer, Ricky D. (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Mirror
Back to back
C359S850000, C359S855000, C359S865000, C359S869000, C359S872000, C359S881000, C248S474000, C248S479000, C248S486000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305809
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mirrors of the type used for personal hygiene purposes such as applying cosmetics to the face, shaving and similar tasks. More particularly, the invention relates to a mirror having multiple discrete reflecting surfaces, each having a different magnification.
B. Description of Background Art
There are a variety of occasions on which a person may wish to have available a mirror with selectable magnifications. For example, a person who is somewhat near-sighted may wish to use a magnifying mirror to install or remove contact lenses, since ordinary flat bathroom mirrors or portable mirrors having a one-to-one, or unity magnification may be inadequate for the task. However, since the field of view of a magnifying mirror is less than that of a unity magnification mirror of the same size, the latter is preferred for certain uses. Thus, a magnifying mirror may be desirable for certain application while at other times a person may wish to have a full face view provided by a mirror having a smaller magnification. Also, a magnifying mirror having different magnifications is useful for people whose vision changes as they age. Applying cosmetics, shaving and performing other such tasks may also be facilitated by the use of a mirror having different, selectable magnifications.
One approach to satisfying the need for a personal hygiene or cosmetic mirror having different magnifications consists of a two-sided mirror, which has on one side thereof a flat mirror plate which affords a unity magnification, and on the other side thereof a concave mirror plate having a magnification greater than one, the two mirror plates being arranged in a back-to-back configuration. A variety of such two-sided mirrors exist, which are intended for use while combing one's hair, applying facial makeup, or attending to other tasks related to personal hygiene or appearance. Existing mirrors of the aforementioned type have on one side thereof a flat mirror surface which provides a unity magnification, and on the other side a concave mirror surface having a magnification greater than 1, e.g., 2×, 3×, 4×, or 5×.
Another type of mirror known to the present inventor which has two discrete magnifications consists of a relatively large oval mirror having a first magnification, unity, for example, and a circular mirror of smaller diameter affixed to or inset into the front surface of the larger oval mirror, the smaller mirror having a concave reflective surface which provides a magnification greater than one.
In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/708,290 filed Sep. 07 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,996, issued May 4, 1999, the present inventor disclosed a sing sided mirror having a magnification which may be varied from unity to a substantially larger value, 5×, for example, by axially deforming a flexible mirror plate or diaphragm having a front reflective mirror surface, the deformation decreasing the focal length of the mirror. The disclosure of that application is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification of the present application. The present invention was conceived of to provide a mirror of simplified design and construction for personal use which has more than two discrete, selectable magnifications.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a mirror having multiple selectable magnifications.
Another object of the invention is to provide a mirror including a first, larger primary mirror having a first reflective surface which provides a first magnification, in which primary mirror is pivotably mounted a two-sided, secondary mirror having on opposite sides thereof reflective mirror surfaces having second and third magnifications, respectively, different from one another and from that of the first reflective surface of the primary mirror.
Another object of the invention is to provide a mirror including a first, larger primary mirror having a first, front surface which provides a first magnification, in which primary mirror is pivotably mounted a two-sided, secondary mirror having on opposite sides thereof reflective mirror surfaces having second and third magnifications different from that of the first surface of the primary mirror, the primary mirror also having a second, rear surface which provides a fourth magnification different from the first three magnifications.
Another object of the invention is to provide a mirror including a first, larger primary mirror having an oval shape and pivotably mounted in frame on a pivot axis aligned with a minor axis of the primary mirror, the primary mirror having on a first surface thereof a reflective surface having a first magnification and having through its thickness dimension an aperture offset from the minor axis of the primary mirror, in which aperture is pivotably mounted a secondary mirror having on one surface thereof a reflective surface having a second magnification and on the opposite side a reflective surface having a third magnification, the primary mirror having a second, opposite surface having a fourth magnification.
Another object of the invention is to provide a mirror including a front primary mirror plate having a reflective surface which provides a first magnification, the front primary mirror plate being held within a primary mirror frame in a longitudinally spaced apart relationship to a rear backing plate, and a secondary mirror having a different magnification slidably held within the primary mirror frame from a concealed position between the front and rear primary mirror plate to a radially outwardly extended use position.
Another object of the invention is to provide a mirror including front and rear primary mirror plates held in a longitudinally spaced apart arrangement within a bezel ring which rotatably holds a smaller secondary mirror which protrudes radially outwardly from the bezel ring, and which may be rotated to display either a front or rear magnifying mirror surface.
Another object of the invention is to provide a mirror including a front primary mirror plate held in a bezel to which is attached a dual-sided magnifying mirror which may be pivoted from a position in front of the front primary mirror plate to a position radially outwardly offset therefrom.
Another object of the invention is to provide a mirror including a front primary mirror plate held in a bezel to which is attached a magnifying lens which may be pivoted from a use position in front of the front primary mirror plate to a position radially outwardly offset therefrom.
Another object of the invention is to provide a mirror including a bezel ring having formed in a peripheral wall thereof a slot which spans the upper half of the bezel ring for interchangeably receiving removable mirror plates of user selected magnifications.
Various other objects and advantages of the present invention, and its most novel features, will become apparent to those skilled in the art by perusing the accompanying specification, drawings and claims.
It is to be understood that although the invention disclosed herein is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages described, the characteristics of the invention described herein are merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, I do not intend that the scope of my exclusive rights and privileges in the invention be limited to details of the embodiments described. I do intend that equivalents, adaptations and modifications of the invention reasonably inferable from the description contained herein be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention comprehends a mirror intended primarily for use by a person to view his or her face, the mirror having a plurality of reflective surfaces, each having a different magnification.
A mirror with multiple selectable magnifications according to the present invention includes a first, larger primary mirror which may
Chapin William L.
Shafer Ricky D.
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