U.S. patent number RE30,673 [Application Number 06/124,722] was granted by the patent office on 1981-07-14 for side view mirror employing prism for blind spot correction.
Invention is credited to William Feinbloom.
United States Patent |
RE30,673 |
Feinbloom |
July 14, 1981 |
Side view mirror employing prism for blind spot correction
Abstract
There is disclosed a composite mirror assembly adapted to be
mounted adjacent the driver of a vehicle to enable the driver to
view objects, as other vehicles, within an area normally hidden
from view by conventional vehicle mirrors. An additional mirror is
positioned at an angle with respect to the conventional side
mirror. The angle selected is between six to ten degrees with
respect to the surface of the side mirror. In this manner, the
additional mirror as positioned enables the driver of the vehicle
to view objects within said area, which objects would normally be
hidden from view by conventional and existing apparatus.
Inventors: |
Feinbloom; William (New Paltz,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
26822882 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/124,722 |
Filed: |
February 26, 1980 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
938052 |
Aug 30, 1978 |
04182552 |
Jan 8, 1980 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
359/837;
359/866 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
1/082 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
1/08 (20060101); G02B 005/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;350/303,304,290,287 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2425502 |
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Dec 1975 |
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DE |
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2441088 |
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Mar 1976 |
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DE |
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2756573 |
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Jul 1978 |
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DE |
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Primary Examiner: Henry; Jon W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Plevy; Arthur L.
Claims
I claim:
1. In combination with a side view mirror of a vehicle, said side
view mirror having a relatively planar reflecting surface and
positioned on the side of said vehicle near the position of the
vehicle driver for providing visual access to the rear of said
vehicle, said side view mirror operative in conjunction with a
conventional rear view mirror located within said vehicle to enable
said driver to view traffic conditions at the rear of said vehicle,
said mirrors undesirably providing a blind spot area in said visual
field of view at the driver's side of said vehicle, the improvement
therewith of apparatus, comprising:
correction means coupled to said side view mirror at an angle with
respect thereto of between .[.six to ten.]. .Iadd.twelve to twenty
.Iaddend.degrees to provide a visual field of view for said driver
determinative of said blind spot area to thereby enable said driver
to have visual access to said blind spot area, wherein said
correction means comprises a glass prism positioned over a portion
of said planar surface with the base of said prism facing out from
the driver's side of the vehicle, the base angle of the prism being
between .[.six to ten.]. .Iadd.twelve to twenty .Iaddend.degrees,
whereby refraction of light by the glass prism is employed to
provide correction of said blind spot area.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to side view mirrors for vehicles
and, more particularly, to an additional mirror tilted at an angle
with respect to a conventional side view mirror to allow a driver
to properly view traffic conditions at the rear of his vehicle.
The prior art has provided composite mirror assemblies for
affecting the field of view of a motor vehicle for various
purposes.
Hence, the prior art depicts various systems and arrangements of
composite mirror assemblies. U.S. Pat. No. 3,337,285 entitled
VEHICLE REAR VIEW MIRROR WITH CONVEX PORTION issued on Aug. 22,
1967 to V. Travis employs a convex mirror for rear viewing. Other
patents as U.S. Pat. No. 3,443,295 entitled MEMORY MIRROR show the
use of two or more mirrors which can be rotated to enable different
drivers of the same vehicle to avoid adjusting the mirror each time
the vehicle is used.
Different configurations are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,659,929,
3,592,532, 3,797,920 and other patents as well.
It would suffice to say that while various configurations of mirror
assemblies are depicted in the prior art, as noted above, the
problems and apparatus employed in this invention have not been
ascertained, nor do such prior art devices lend themselves to the
solution of the problems and the apparatus described herein.
Generally, the prior art techniques as those which employ curved
mirror surfaces distort the field of view, while other devices are
extremely complicated and require frequent adjustment and
maintenance. Still other devices do not contemplate or solve the
problem depicted herein together with the apparatus necessary.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an
improved side view mirror apparatus for a vehicle, which apparatus
is simple and inexpensive to implement, while serving to enhance
the viewing capability of a driver of the vehicle, thus maintaining
a greater degree of safety.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In combination with a side view mirror of a vehicle, the side view
mirror having a relatively planar reflecting surface and positioned
on the side of said vehicle near the position of the vehicle driver
for providing visual access to the rear of said vehicle, said side
view mirror operative in conjunction with a conventional rear view
mirror located within said vehicle to enable said driver to view
traffic conditions at the rear of the vehicle, said mirrors
undesirably providing a blind spot area in said visual field of
view at the driver's side of said vehicle, the improvement
therewith of apparatus comprising correction means coupled to said
side view mirror at an angle with respect thereto of between six to
ten degrees to provide a visual field of view for said driver
determinative of said blind spot area to thereby enable said driver
to have visual access to said blind spot area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting a top view of two vehicles
and employed to describe the problem solved by apparatus according
to this invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a side mirror according to this
invention.
FIG. 3 is a top view of a first and second mirror assembly
according to this invention.
FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternate embodiment employing a
prism.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of an additional corrective mirror
assembly.
FIG. 6 is a front view of still another alternate embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The nature of the problem to be solved by the apparatus will be
described in detail in conjunction with reference to FIG. 1.
In every vehicle, such as a conventional automobile, there is a
"blind spot" or area present. A driver of a vehicle normally
employs a rear view mirror and a side view mirror (positioned on
the driver's side of the vehicle) to view traffic conditions at the
rear of his vehicle.
FIG. 1 depicts a vehicle 10 (car 1) which is located in a highway
lane 11. Adjacent the lane 11 is another lane 12 and another
vehicle 14. As is seen from the FIG., the vehicle 14 is behind the
vehicle 10. The driver of vehicle 10 is designated by the reference
numeral F and he has visual access to the rear view mirror 15 and a
conventional side view mirror 16. As is known, the lanes 11 and 12
may exist on a highway, street and so on and multiple lane traffic
roadways are quite common.
As above indicated, there is a blind spot created for the driver F
when both his rear view mirror 15 and side view mirror 16 are
properly and conventionally adjusted. This "blind spot" or area
always exists and prevents the driver from viewing a predetermined
area behind his vehicle by the use of the mirrors 15 and 16. Hence,
the driver F in checking the view from mirror 15 and then from
mirror 16 cannot see the vehicle 14, which is in lane 12 and in the
instance shown, to his left. The car 14, if traveling at a similar
speed as car 10 and located as shown, will be in a "blind area" and
will not be visible in either mirror. Hence, if driver F should
desire to change lanes and enter into lane 12 or the adjoining
lane, he might easily cause an accident and there would not be
enough time to avoid the vehicle 14. The situation briefly
described causes great problems in everyday traffic and does, in
fact, cause many accidents.
As indicated, the driver of car 10 is located at point F. It is, of
course, realized that there are variations in regard to the visual
capabilities of individuals, such as eye separation, height, and so
on, but the analysis of the problem or the problem itself exists
apart from all differences of such types.
Essentially, the rear view mirror 15 provides a viewing angle of
about thirty degrees (angle A of FIG. 1). This angle may, of
course, vary somewhat, but thirty degrees is typical and any
variations will not be greater than about plus or minus five
degrees. The rear view mirror gives a partial view of the lane 12
when it is correctly adjusted. The field of view is depicted by
lines 18 and 19 of FIG. 1. Hence, as one can ascertain, if car 14
is far enough behind car 10, the driver F will see the car 14 in
his rear view mirror.
The side view mirror 16 is normally tilted at an angle of about
eighteen degrees to a line drawn at right angles to the main axis
of the car 10 (along the length). The angle B is thus at about
eighteen degrees and also may vary about plus or minus one or two
degrees, again depending upon the position of the driver, the
distance between his eyes, his height and position in the seat.
The side view mirror is always tilted by a driver to help him see
towards the rear and along the side of his car to cover the view of
lane 12 as much as he is able. The positioning of the side mirror
at this angle as above described, from a physical point of view is
both desirable and recommended by various agencies such as the AAA
and by auto manufacturers and so on. In positioning the side view
mirror 16, the driver F must maintain some rearward part of his
vehicle in view in order to have some base or reference point to
judge how far other cars are from him to the rear. The driver F is
unable to do this with any accuracy by using mirror 15 because no
part of his own vehicle is seen in viewing by the mirror 15.
Therefore, with respect to the side view mirror 16 as properly set
for the driver F, his field of view is determined by angle B and he
cannot see anything to the left of line 20.
It is noted that line 19 of the field of view of rear view mirror
16 intersects line 20 at a point designated as P. Hence, everything
to the left of line 20 and within the area between car 10 and point
P in lane 12 is not viewed by the driver F and hence, this defines
the blind spot or blind area.
It is also understood that some of the field seen by the side view
mirror 16 is also lost to the driver F because a portion of his car
10 is reflected in mirror 16, but this is relatively small compared
to the actual blind spot area.
As seen in FIG. 1, the area defining the blind spot or blind spot
area (BSA) is shown cross-hatched and is quite substantial. Hence,
as car 14 moves into this area, it cannot be seen by driver F in
either the rear view mirror 15 or the side view mirror 16. If car
14 begins to travel at the same or relatively at the same speed as
car 10, the driver F will not see car 14 and hence, if he decides
to change lanes, an accident can occur, upon his entering lane
12.
The invention presented herein is to overcome the blind spot area
and inform the driver F as to whether it is safe to move into the
lane 12 by allowing him to view the lane condition before moving
into the lane.
FIG. 1 depicts lines 22 and 24 shown emanating from the side view
mirror 16. The field of view area contained between lines 22 and 24
enables the driver F to view the car 14 which according to prior
art mirror arrangements, would be hidden from view.
As will be explained, an additional mirror is positioned on or with
respect to the conventional side view mirror 16. The additional
mirror is mounted or positioned at an angle of between six to ten
degrees (optimumly at about eight degrees) with respect to the
planar surface of mirror 16. Hence, the additional mirror has a
field of view for the driver F containing the area encompassed
between lines 22 and 24 and therefore affords the driver a full
view of the blind spot area.
It is, of course, understood that the dimensions shown in the FIG.
are not to scale, but detailed scale drawings have been made based
on the length of the car equal to approximately fifteen feet, with
a width of about five feet. The rear view mirror 15 is located at
the center of the car with a field of view of about thirty degrees.
The angle of tilt of the side view mirror 16 is taken at about
eighteen degrees, with the width of the lanes 11 and 12 at about
eleven feet. For such dimensions, the point P is located at about
thirty feet from the position of the rear view mirror 15. When
measurements were made with two conventional automobiles, the data
above described correlates quite well.
Hence, by attaching or positioning an additional mirror tilted with
respect to the surface of the side view mirror 16 at an angle
between six to ten degrees (eight or nine degrees optimumly), one
eliminates the blind spot problem and enables the driver F to
safely change lanes by viewing the field accommodated by the
additional mirror.
Beyond point P or more than thirty feet from the rear view mirror,
the original side view mirror 16 picks up the view. The additional
mirror to be described covers the entire adjacent lane 12 at the
thirty foot point evidenced by the area bounded between lines 22
and 24.
Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a typical side view mirror
assembly 30. As is conventional, a side view mirror is contained
within a suitable frame or housing 31. The housing 31 is
conventionally coupled to an arm or bracket 32 which in turn is
coupled to the driver's side of the car. The housing 31 is
adjustable in all directions and hence, can be tilted up or down or
sideways, as is known, to allow a driver to position the housing
and hence, the mirror 34 contained in the housing as desired and in
the manner above described.
As indicated, the housing 31 contains a mirror surface 34 to enable
the driver to view traffic conditions at the rear of his vehicle.
The mirror 34 is conventionally a planar mirror having a relatively
flat surface and numerous examples of suitable structures for both
the mirror 34 and the housing 31 exist and are known to the prior
art.
Shown positioned on the surface of the planar mirror 34 is an
additional mirror 36. Mirror 36 is mounted on a wedge which
provides an angle of eight degrees with respect to the planar
surface of mirror 34. Hence, as one can ascertain from FIG. 2, the
additional mirror 36 is tilted by a wedge configuration with the
thicker portion of the wedge located closer to the driver's
position. The size of the additional mirror may be between
one-third to one-half of the height of the side view mirror,
although other sizes can be used.
Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a top view to clearly depict
the nature of the mirror 36.
Essentially, the mirror 34 is a planar or flat mirror and the
additional mirror 36 is positioned on the mirror and tilted at an
angle between six to ten degrees with respect to the surface of
mirror 34.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a wedge of material 37 has a
surface at an angle X of between six to ten degrees (eight degrees
optimum). The mirror may be glued, epoxied, pasted or clamped
directly unto the mirror 34. One can use a double backed adhesive
38 or a suitable binder for bonding the wedge 37 to mirror 34. The
wedge member may be fabricated from any material which is
relatively durable and light, such as aluminum, plastic, wood,
composite materials and so on. A mirror 36 is mounted on the
sloping surface of the wedge member and this provides the required
field of view as described above.
It is, of course, understood that one could fabricate the mirror 36
and the wedge from an integral piece of material such as glass,
plastic and so on. Techniques for providing mirrored surfaces on
all sorts of materials are well known in the art and hence, any
such techniques can be employed.
It is also envisioned that the reflecting surface of mirror 36 is
tinted or colored to enable the driver to immediately understand
and recognize the field of view of mirror 36 with respect to mirror
34. In this manner, the mirror 36 can be tinted almost any color to
thereby enable one to distinguish between the views from mirrors 34
and 36.
FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of a configuration which will
also operate according to the above described principles. Shown
positioned on the surface of a conventional side mirror 34 is a
prism 40. The prism 40 is formed from a wedge of plastic or glass
and is of the type used in optics and readily available. The prism
is formed .[.at the same angle of eight degrees or between six to
ten degrees,.]. .Iadd.to provide effectively the same angle as
provided by the mirror or between twelve to twenty degrees. It is
of course known that a mirror at an angle of eight degrees will
provide an image at an angle of sixteen degrees. A prism will
provide the angle of sixteen degrees if the base angle is sixteen
degrees, .Iaddend.but the angle is directed opposite to that of the
mirror member 36. The prism 40 is in a "base out" position and
serves to deflect the light from the rear of the automobile
directly upon the mirrored surface of mirror 34. In this manner,
the original mirror 34 is employed and the prism 40 alters the
light to provide the field of view of the blind spot by bending the
light rays.
Any color effects provided by the use of the prism 40 can be color
corrected in the fabrication of the prism. Color correction of such
prisms is known in the optical art. The prism can further be
colored or tinted and hence, the area of mirror 34 which is covered
by the prism presents the proper field of view for blind spot
compensation.
FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of an additional mirror configuration
which can be positioned directly upon the surface of a conventional
side view mirror. As indicated, the angle X is about eight degrees
and the mirror surface 36 can be formed either directly upon the
wedge material 37 or pasted thereon as is known.
FIG. 6 offers still another embodiment, wherein a mirror 42 is
positioned at the desired angle with respect to the side view
mirror 43. It is understood that the tilt of mirror 42 always has
to be at the same eight degrees with respect to the surface of
mirror 43 and hence, as mirror 43 is adjusted, mirror 42 is also
adjusted.
It is also understood that one can fabricate a composite mirror
whereby a portion of the mirror is tilted at eight degrees with
respect to the rest of the mirror. Hence, one can form a single
mirror having a first tilted portion and a second planar portion
and accomplish the same compensation.
It is noted that the above techniques enable the use of this
invention with existing side view mirrors and hence, the benefits
are available for all present vehicles. It is understood that new
vehicles or those yet to be manufactured can accommodate integral
structures as indicated above.
Many modifications and alternatives are available and will be
understood by those skilled in the art and are deemed to be
encompassed within the scope and breadth of the claims presented
herein.
* * * * *