Patent ID: 6547405
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: B60R,Y10S

Abstract:
A vehicle side mirror that instructs drivers how to angularly adjust said mirror between predetermined angular positions for reflecting rearward views of an area close to the side of a vehicle as is conventional or alternatively, a blind spot area laterally spaced from the side of a vehicle, comprising:a mirror frame having an attachment portion for fixed attachment to a side of a vehicle; said mirror frame including an outer side member having a substantially vertically arranged portion that is viewable by a vehicle driver within the vehicle; visible spaced apart markings formed on said outer side member portion, with the markings being spaced apart horizontally relative to each other; a mirror member moveably mounted within the frame and being angularly adjustable about a vertical axis; an instructive message formed upon the mirror member that is viewable by a vehicle driver within the vehicle; said mirror member having an outer edge located closely adjacent to, and in vertical alignment with, said outer side member portion; said mirror outer edge being moveable in generally forward and rearward horizontal directions, relative to the vehicle upon which the frame is attached, into visible alignment with one of said markings; said markings being so located that visual alignment of the mirror edge with a forward marking reflects, to the vehicle driver, the blind spot area laterally spaced from the side of the vehicle, and visual alignment of the mirror edge with a rear marking reflects an area close to the side of the vehicle as is conventional; and said instructive message providing guidance to said driver for quickly adjusting said mirror outer edge relative to said markings to adjust said mirror member between views of said conventional and said blind spot rearview areas.