Patent
1983-01-18
1985-07-30
Arnold, Bruce Y.
350632, G02B 508
Patent
active
045318131
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an overhead viewing mirror apparatus for bedridden and paralyzed persons, comprising a vertically adjustable mount to which mirrors are attached.
In a conventional apparatus of this type, a pair of mirrors which are angled relative to each other, are attached to a mount or bracket. These mirrors permit a bedridden person to look around without being required to sit up. A drawback is that the conventional apparatus permits only a view within a greatly limited dihedral angle, i.e. a view of the room within a limited angular range. In particular, the space behind the head end of the sick-bed cannot be overlooked. Although the mount is pivotable about a vertical axis, this pivotability can be made use of only to a small part since the mirror system leaves the viewer's field of view when it is swung over a wider range. Owing to the above limitations, the conventional apparatus particularly does not permit the sick person to control a motor-driven movable sick-bed with the aid of this apparatus.
It is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type as outlined at the beginning, in which the described drawbacks of the prior art are avoided and which enables the user to fully overlook the surroundings of the sick-bed. In particular, it should also be possible to overlook the space behind the head end of the bed, to thereby render possible the control of a motor-driven sick-bed with the aid of the apparatus.
According to the invention, this object is solved in that a center mirror is provided which has a mirror surface on either side thereof and which is adapted to be pivoted from a vertical starting position over an angle of up to 30.degree. to either side about an axis or shaft; position angularly inclined relative to the latter; and
Preferably, the lateral mirrors are adapted to be pivoted or rotated relative to the center mirror. This feature widens the user's field of view.
A particularly comfortable use of the apparatus is obtained by the feature that pivoting movement of the center mirror and of the lateral mirrors and/or rotation of the entire mirror assembly are effected by driving devices which may be actuated by means of a control device.
Advantageously, the center mirror is formed as a parabolic mirror. This permits the apparatus to be used also for reading purposes. Preferably, the parabolic mirror is disposed on an extensible bellows, so that it can easily be brought into a position suitable for reading.
The mount of the apparatus according to the invention may be movable so that it may suitably be moved to the head end of a sick-bed. Alternatively, the mount may be designed so as to be attachable to the head end of a sick-bed. In this instance, the sick-bed is preferably movable by means of a driving device, and the apparatus according to the invention enables the sick person to fully view the surroundings when the bed is moved. In order to avoid the risk of accident, the center mirror and the side or lateral mirrors are preferably formed of non-shattering glass, for example, plexiglass.
Below, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail by referring to the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an apparatus according to the invention, including a movable mount;
FIG. 2 is a view of another embodiment of the apparatus which is secured to a sick-bed;
FIG. 3 is a view of a further embodiment of the invention which is mounted to a sick-bed;
FIG. 4 is a schematical view illustrating the dihedral angle that can be overlooked with the aid of the apparatus;
FIG. 5 is a front view of the apparatus according to FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the apparatus according to FIG. 1;
FIGS. 7a and 7b are part views of another embodiment of the center mirror; and
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an embodiment including a vertically adjustable and rotatable mirror assembly.
The present apparatus comprises an angled bracket or mount 1 in which a holding arm 24 secured to a stand 23 is telescopingly extensible from a movable base 1
REFERENCES:
patent: 1395812 (1921-11-01), Gerber
patent: 1444599 (1923-02-01), Frazin
patent: 2590657 (1952-03-01), Shepard
Arnold Bruce Y.
Wopex V.O.F.
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