Optical: systems and elements – Mirror – With support
Reexamination Certificate
1996-03-14
2001-04-03
Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Mirror
With support
C359S834000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210009
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to inspection mirrors, and more particularly to handheld mirrors used to inspect inaccessible locations. Handheld inspection mirrors commonly utilize a flat glass mirror ( 1 to 2 inches in diameter) attached to a telescoping tube. This allows convenient storage in a shirt pocket, and permits access to remote places for observation after extension of the tube. These tools are used by many technicians, such as HVAC servicemen. However, prior art inspection mirrors produced an inverted image, which often results in misread model or serial numbers. Use of two mirrors at right angles has been proposed but this causes multiple images which are too confusing to be practical.
In geometrical optics terminology, a plane prior art mirror presents an inverted virtual image. The right angle prisms disclosed in this application are used as inspection mirrors for image correctness. The right angle prism employed as a porro prism in this invention presents an erect or non-inverted virtual image. The reflected image from two surfaces within the prism corrects the inverted image normally produced by a plane prior art mirror.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide improved inspection mirrors.
Another object is to provide handheld inspection mirrors that do not cause a distorted or inverted image.
An additional object is to employ a right angle prism as a porro prism that reflects a non-inverted virtual image with little or no loss or distortion of image quality.
A further object is to protect the reflective surfaces of an inspection mirror from damage.
Another object is to provide small, light-weight, durable, relatively inexpensive, handheld inspection mirrors that are easily usable by inexperienced or handicapped people, that produce clear exact non-inverted images, that are easy to manufacture, and that do not possess defects found in similar prior art inspection mirrors.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be found in the specification and claims, and the scope of the invention will be set forth in the claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: H396 (1988-01-01), Spry
patent: 1540409 (1925-06-01), McCray
patent: 3489486 (1970-01-01), de la Cierva
patent: 3879105 (1975-04-01), Broche et al.
patent: 5233475 (1993-08-01), Ohshita
patent: 000 171 028 (1921-11-01), None
Kaplan Charles M.
Robinson M.
Spyrou Cassandra
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