Abstract:
A mirror gauge is provided for holding hinged mirrors in one of a plurality of selectable, predetermined angles. The mirror gauge facilitates use of the mirrors in the visualization of repeating patterns useful in quilting, fabric design, and related uses. The mirror gauge provides for channels which hold the mirrors in predetermined angles of 90 degrees, 60 degrees, and 45 degrees, etc.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention is directed towards a mirror angle gauge designed to hold a hinged mirror at a predetermined angle.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to hinged or adjacent mirrors which are held at an angled, spaced-apart distance so as to form a repeating reflection of a single design motif. The use of angled mirrors to form repeating geometric designs and patterns is known within the kaleidoscope art. U.S. Pat. No. 169,882 to Adams sets forth a kaleidoscope having angled mirrors joined along a hinge which forms a repeating reflected pattern within the mirrors.  
           [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 718,326 to Diem provides for a kaleidoscope having hinged mirrors supported along a top mirror surface by an arcuate bar defining a series of notches. The notches interact with the edges of an attached lip placed along a mirror edge. The bar with notches is used to position the mirror to obtain the indicated number of repeating patterns for an item placed in front of the hinged mirrors.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,357,768 to Cox discloses an apparatus for viewing rug color patterns based upon a small sample of material. Hinged mirrors are adjusted so as to vary the angle to allow for samples placed between the pair of mirrors to be reflected in a repeating pattern. The angle between the mirrors is adjusted to correspond to written indicia indicating whether oval, square, star, or round patterns are desired. Visible indicia lines are used to line up the mirrors at proper angles.  
           [0005]    While it is known in the art to use angled mirrors to visualize repeating patterns, the prior art does not provide for a separate template which will physically position and retain a mirror in one of several selected angles so as to facilitate the construction of a repeating fabric design in a pattern such as a quilt. Accordingly, there remains room for variation and improvement within the art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is one aspect of at least one of the present embodiments of the invention to provide for a mirror angle gauge having a plurality of defined channels for holding a hinged mirror at a pre-selected viewing angle.  
           [0007]    It is yet another aspect of at least one of the present embodiments of the invention to provide a transparent plastic angle gauge which defines a series of receiving areas which provide pre-selected angles for holding a mirror at the desired angle.  
           [0008]    It is yet another aspect of at least one of the present embodiments of the invention to provide an angle gauge for a mirror which facilitates the use of an angled mirror to preview a fabric pattern or motif and to permit visualization of repeating designs and patterns.  
           [0009]    It is yet another aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide an angle gauge for a mirror which allows the mirror to be repositioned along a surface without disengaging the mirror from the angle gauge.  
           [0010]    It is yet another aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide an angle gauge for hinged mirrors which may be easily installed upon and removed from the mirrors and requires no modification or changes to the hinged mirrors in order to be used.  
           [0011]    It is yet another aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide an apparatus and process for using hinged mirrors which may be positioned at a predetermined angle for viewing a repeating pattern based upon a design positioned within the included angle observation area of the hinged mirrors.  
           [0012]    These and other aspects of one or more of the present embodiments may be seen in reference to a gauge for holding a hinged mirror at a desired angle having a template having a surface defining a plurality of channels, a first channel and a second channel intersecting to form an angle, each of the channels adapted for engaging a respectve edge of a hinged mirror, thereby positioning the hinged mirrors at an angle defined by the channels.  
           [0013]    In one embodiment of the invention, the first and the second channels form a 90° angle. Additionally, the template surface may define other channels to provide viewing angles, by way of example, of 45° and 60° for the hinged mirrors. The various viewing angles may be provided by multiple channels defined within a single gauge.  
           [0014]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is perspective view of a hinged mirror positioned in channels defined within a surface of a mirror gauge.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hinged mirror showing the mirror gauge detached from the upper edge surface of the hinged mirror.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 illustrates the hinged mirror in a closed or folded position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mirror angle gauge corresponding to the present invention illustrating an engaging surface defining a plurality of channels.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mirror angle gauge. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]    Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions.  
         [0022]    In describing the various figures herein, the same reference numbers may be used throughout to describe the same material, apparatus or process pathway. To avoid redundancy, detailed descriptions of much of the apparatus once described in relation to a figure is not repeated in the descriptions of subsequent figures, although such apparatus or process may be labeled with the same reference numbers.  
         [0023]    As seen in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first mirror  10  and a second mirror  20  are provided and which are joined by a hinge  50  seen here in the form of an adhesive, flexible film. As seen in FIG. 2, a removable protective film  22  may be present which protects the mirrors  10  and  20  during handling. The hinged mirrors as seen in FIG. 1 are positioned at a 90° angle relative to the included angle formed by the reflective surfaces of mirrors  10  and  20 . As best seen in reference to FIG. 1, positioned in front of the hinged mirrors is a fabric pattern  30  as illustrated by the multiple solid pattern lines. Fabric pattern  30  has dimensions which, in this example, correspond to the width of each base of mirrors  10  and  20  and which define the operative viewing area for the mirrors. As indicated by the dashed lines in the reflective surfaces of mirrors  10  and  20 , three reflected images of pattern  30  are formed therein. The reflection, combined with the original pattern  30 , permits one to preview a fabric/pattern motif of four repeating units prior to cutting and assembling additional fabric.  
         [0024]    By decreasing the size of the included angle, i.e., to one less than 90°, the number of reflections are increased, changing the reflected image into one having a greater number of repeating patterns. As a result, using an initial pattern template, one can view a design or pattern block to visualize how the repeating blocks will appear when joined on the finished fabric such as a quilt.  
         [0025]    To facilitate the use of hinged mirrors for design previews, it has been found useful in accordance with this invention to provide a mirror gauge  40 . As seen in reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and  4 , mirror gauge  40  may be in the form of a rectangular template. In the illustrated embodiment, and as best seen in reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, gauge  40  defines a flat planar surface  42  and an opposing surface  44 . Surface  44  defines a plurality of receiving areas seen here in the form of channels  46  which are individually referenced in FIG. 4 as channels  46 A through  46 F. As seen in FIG. 4, channels  46 A through  46 F overlap along a common intersection point or vertex  47  within a corner of gauge  40 . As seen in FIG. 4, the vertex  47  of the intersecting channels  46 A through  46 F may be co-extensive with an opening  48  seen here in the form of an arcuate-shaped excision. Opening  48  is co-extensive with and in communication with each of the respective channels  46 A through  46 E along the vertex  47 . As explained below, the arcuate-shaped opening  48  facilitates the placement and adjustment of mirrors engaged along the respective channels  46 .  
         [0026]    As best seen in reference to FIG. 4, certain channels such as  46 B and  46 C may be co-extensive over a common portion  49 . The width of each channel  46  may be varied as needed to accommodate the edge thickness of an associated mirror. As such, the relative size of common portion  49  may also vary.  
         [0027]    As best seen in reference to FIG. 4, channels  46 A and  46 F collectively define therebetween a 90° included angle. Channels  46 C and  46 D define a 45° included angle, while channels  46 B and  46 E define a 60° angle. In each instance, the 45° and 60° angles referenced above are positioned within the gauge  40  such that each respective angle bisects the 90° included angle. In other words, the included 90°, 60°, and 45° angles defined above are each bisected by a common reference line L-L which extends diagonally along gauge  40  as seen in FIG. 4. In this manner, the viewing position and orientation of a user does not change as the mirror viewing angle is varied, thereby facilitating use of the mirror gauge. While the descriptions herein are in reference to commonly used angles of 90, 60, and 45° degrees, it is understood that any desired viewing angle may be provided by any two channels  46  which are bisected by common reference line L-L.  
         [0028]    As best seen in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinged mirrors  10  and  20  are engaged along respective upper edges of the mirrors by the respective channels  46 . The mirror edges, once placed within the respective channels, support the gauge  40 . Similarly, gauge  40  maintains the mirror in the desired viewing angle, allowing the user to position and modify viewed pattern pieces  30 .  
         [0029]    The mirror gauge also facilitates the repositioning of the mirrors. To reposition the mirrors, the user applies a slight compressive force downwardly upon the mirror gauge while lifting the hinged mirrors. The hinged mirrors and mirror gauge can then be repositioned along another location for the viewing of a different pattern within the operative viewing area found between mirrors  10  and  20 . The opening  48  allows the distance between the hinged edges of the mirrors to be adjusted to fine tune an appropriate mirror viewing position.  
         [0030]    One having ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the size of pattern pieces being viewed may be smaller than the full size pattern piece  30  seen in FIG. 1. The use of the mirror gauge allows one to preview patterns based upon geometrically repeating units. When viewed at a 90° angle, the single pattern is visualized as one-fourth of a four-unit pattern. Upon decreasing the angle to 60° or 45°, the number of repeating units increases. By adopting standard angles of 90°, 60°. and 45°, the gauge and mirrors facilitate the use of pattern pieces using widely available templates and pattern piece options.  
         [0031]    While the illustrated embodiment is seen in reference to a rectangular piece of clear transparent plastic, the mirror gauge may be provided from a wide variety of materials. For instance, the necessary channels may be formed in structures having shapes other than a rectangle. Similarly, any solid material capable of having the necessary channels formed therein may be used including plastics, wood, metal, ceramic, or nylon, as well as other moldable substrates or solid materials which may be cut so as to achieve the necessary channels.  
         [0032]    The surface  44  as described in reference to the illustrated embodiment seen in FIG. 4, has receiving areas in the form of channels  46 . As seen in reference to channels  46 E and  46 F, the respective edge walls which define the channels may extend from the vertex  47  to an opposite edge of the template.  
         [0033]    In an alternative embodiment of the mirror gauge  40 , seen in reference to FIG. 5, a substantially flat surface  44  of gauge  40  supports a series of elevated edge members seen here in the form of variously shaped polyhedral segments  41 . Gaps, seen in reference to specific gaps  46 A′ through  46 F′, are defined between adjacent segments  41 , the respective gaps corresponding to a region through which an edge of a mirror may be received. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, gaps  46 A′ and  46 F′ are adapted for receiving and positioning a hinged mirror at a 90° angle. Gaps  46 B′ and  46 E′ are adapted for receiving and positioning a hinged mirror in a 60° angle, while gaps  46 C′ and  46 D′ are similarly adapted for receiving a hinged mirror at a 45° angle.  
         [0034]    As is readily appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, suitable edge members may take on a variety of forms and shapes while providing an appropriate positioning structure for engaging a corresponding mirror. At a minimum, a mirror should be positionable against at least one edge member wall which provides the necessary orientation for establishing and maintaining the desired mirror angle.  
         [0035]    For instance, instead of polyhedral segments  41 , a suitable engaging edge wall could be provided by an elevated circular post extending from surface  44 ′. Preferably, at least two edge wall members are positioned on opposite sides of the engaged mirror. However, the edge members need not be immediately adjacent or in close proximity to one another, but may be positioned some distance from one another so long as one edge member is positioned along an opposite side of the mirror from the other so as to define therebetween an intermediate gap.  
         [0036]    Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged, both in whole or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained therein.