Abstract:
A seclectably adjustable mirror is mounted on each of the extreme sides of said vehicle, preferably on the fenders. The mirrors having sight lines parallel to said front transverse axis, the sight lines extending beyond the side exterior of said vehicle and means for selectively adjusting the mirrors so as to provide sight perspectives between said aligned mirrors at the sides of the front end of said vehicle and said driver whereby said driver is provided with an enhanced exterior view while driving, capable of viewing the area ahead of and beyond the sides of said vehicle. Preferable this system is augmented by a central array of a V-shaped assembly which enlarges the sight fully.

Description:
[0001]     The present invention relates to an system for enhancing the view of a driver negotiating corner intersections and roadside obstacles.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     Driving in congested areas can present many hazards. Among them is a need to see the traffic flow at an intersection and around obstacles positioned beside or abeam the roadway which obscure the visibility of moving traffic. Obstacles that can preclude visibility a beam the vehicle include other larger automobiles or trucks, snow piles or snow banks abutting the road, commercial refuse containers, curbside trees and buildings. This most commonly occurs when a vehicle reaches a perpendicular intersection, intent on making a turn or continuing straight through the intersection. Thus, the driver is frequently required to slowly move the front portion of the vehicle into the stream of the perpendicular or transverse traffic flow to obtain a better view of the oncoming traffic, clearly placing the vehicle in harm&#39;s way.  
         [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,418 to Edwards describes an arrangement of mirrors positioned respectively on the sides of the vehicle to provide a view generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and around obstacles directly in front of the vehicle when the vehicle is parallel parked. The mirror system includes a first pair of mirrors positioned forward of the driver and on the outer side of the vehicle. The mirrors are oriented to reflect the view from the front of the driver rearward. Edwards is limited by providing only a view around objects where the forward view of the driver is blocked.  
         [0004]     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,156 B1 to Marshall, a device is mounted on the trunk lid or tailgate, so that a person standing at the rear of the vehicle and facing towards the front of the vehicle may see to their rear. The viewing device thus functions as a potential warning device for someone against persons or vehicles approaching from behind. Marshall, is thus limited in its scope to viewing when the trunk or tailgate is opened and the vehicle is not in operation.  
         [0005]     Notwithstanding the various attempts made by the prior art, a continuing need exists for a system to enable the device to have a wider view of roadway traffic forward of the driver and possible obstacles in the roadway while driving.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     According to the present invention, a system is provided enhancing the view of the driver comprising a plurality of sight sensors, such as mirrors mounted on the vehicle along a transverse axis at the front end. The sensors detect the roadway conditions, exterior of the side of the vehicle and are set as so to be capable of reflecting the sight along a path directly to the driver. To further enhance the system a V-shaped sensor assembly mounted in alignment with the central axis of the vehicle may also be provided to enable the driver to view conditions abeam of the vehicles but somewhat to his rear. In addition, the system is augmented by an arrangement of rear view sensors, so as to give the driver simultaneous ability to see behind the vehicle.  
         [0007]     Preferably, the sensors are mirrors although other sensors such as video cameras, solid state receivers and the like may be used. The sensors are adjustable to transmit the reflective or sight vectors directly to the sight area of the driver, so that he can see a wider than normal area of visibility.  
         [0008]     The invention, together with attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention when used in conjunction with the attached figures. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     In the drawings:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a conventional vehicle;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , showing the system of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  or  2  showing one augmentation of the invention system; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is another view similar to  FIG. 1  or  2  showing a second augmentation of the invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     In  FIG. 1 , a conventional vehicle such as an automobile  10  is illustrated. Briefly, the automobile  10  has a chassis  12  (only partially shown) defining a longitudinal axis X and front and rear transverse axes Y and Y 1 . The chassis  12 , covered by a body  14 , mounts the motor, transmission and other operating elements while it is, itself, supported above the ground by at least two pair of wheels  16  and  18  and  20  and  22 . The front wheels  16  and  18 , aligned along the front transverse axis Y, are turnable, in a radius of about 30-60°, so that the automobile can be steered around corners and other obstacles. The rear wheels are aligned with the rear transverse axis Y 1 . The body  14  is provided with a front windshield  24  on the rear of which may be mounted the conventional interior rear view mirror  25 . The vehicles body sides are formed of front and rear door panels  26  provided with a glass window surround. Located within the body  14  are the seat for the driver  30  (in American style cars, on the left side) and the passenger seats (on the right side and behind the driver).  
         [0015]     Although a standard passenger automobile is depicted, it will be obvious that the present invention can be employed on trucks, buses and nearly all land vehicles.  
         [0016]     From the foregoing, it will be clear that the normal view of the driver  30  lies within an arc A, defined by the driver&#39;s peripheral vision (this is sometimes called the normal perspective). The driver&#39;s arc of vision A is less that 90° which presents a decided disadvantage and hazard as the vehicle moves past, as seen in  FIG. 2 , a heavily trafficked intersection  32  both parked vehicles along the curb or large roadside obstacles  34  such as a projecting building, overgrown trees, snow bank or another vehicle which obstructs the lateral view of the driver  30 . In this condition, the driver&#39;s normal perspective may be so obscured that he has great difficulty or is even unable to move around the corner or see moving vehicles  36  in the intersecting street. To insure himself a sufficient degree of safety, the driver  30  normally must slow to a stop and inch forward for a better view; actually placing the vehicle in harms way as he does so. Furthermore, the driver  30  tends to bend his body and tilt his head in an attempt to see around the corner of the obstacle  34 . Such maneuvers are in vain and may even be hazardous.  
         [0017]     The present invention is provided with an system to enhance his normal perspective, so that the driver will be able to more easily view the road  32  and lateral obstacles  34  in front on the vehicle  10 .  FIG. 3 , schematically shows an enhancement of the arrangement of  FIG. 2  the vehicle or automobile of  FIG. 1  is here also provided with a V shaped mirror array  42  mounted on the exterior surface of the hood  44 . The V-shaped mirror array  42  is mounted along the central longitudinal axis X, so that the apex of the V-shape points to the rear of the vehicle  10 . Each mirror of the assembly  42  is adjustable preferably remotely by the driver  30 , via electrical motors and/or mechanical linkage.  
         [0018]     As seen in  FIG. 2 , mounted at the front of the vehicle parallel to the Y axis are a pair of mirrors  38  and  40 . Preferably these mirrors  38  and  40  are mounted on the left and right front fenders as far forward as possible. The mirrors  38  and  40  are planar also either may be curved or parabolic to enhance its sight lines and both mirrors are rotatable about perpendicular axis, via operation of the driver, by motor or mechanical linkage, so that they are selectively swingable. The mirrors  38  and  40  have a limited arc of view (perspective arc β) but being located at the foremost point of the fender has a substantially greater lateral view, in front of the vehicle than the driver&#39;s normal perspective. Since the mirrors  38  and  40  are on the vehicle, the driver&#39;s view of the mirrors  38  and  40  is relatively short, so that the need not bend his head to easily concentrate on either mirror  38  or mirror  40 . Thus, the combination of the normal and the second perspective β produce a view for the driver which bends around the front of the vehicle so that the driver can “see: the intersecting street  32 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 3 , schematically shows an enhancement of the arrangement of  FIG. 2  the vehicle or automobile of  FIG. 1  is here also provided with a V shaped mirror array  42  mounted on the exterior surface of the hood  44 . The V-shaped mirror array  42  is mounted along the central longitudinal axis X, so that the apex of the V-shape points to the rear of the vehicle  10 . Each mirror of the assembly  42  is adjustable preferably remotely by the driver  30 , via electrical motors and/or mechanical linkage. The mirrors of array  42  are preferably convex and have limited arcs of view (perspective C). Thus the driver can effortly see-each mirror of the array  42 . Perspective C each-view over the hood, rearwardly to the rear and abeam of each side of the vehicle. Perspective C views and sights along the adjacent lanes of traffic see the vehicle coming up fast on either side of the driver.  
         [0020]     It will be seen from  FIG. 3  that the foregoing view obtained from perspective C is impossible using the conventional rear view mirror  26  since the perspective arc D of the mirror only sees out of the rear view windshield. Similarly, the conventional mirror  44  placed on the outside of the panels of the vehicle have an even more limited or perspective line E, which can not see abeam vehicles.  
         [0021]     As is apparent, the optical system comprising the V-shaped mirror assembly  38  and the fender mirrors  40  and  42 , respectively, form reflective vectors, which have complex sight lines “seeing” over each of the fenders to the side and front of the vehicle. These complex sight lines, augmented by the convex mirror  42  which is capable of a wide visibility that the normal arc of the driver&#39;s sight is so broadened that he is capable of seeing into the intersection  32  and around the obstacles  34 . Thus, as seen from the foregoing description and the drawings, the driver&#39;s sight area is substantially increased and his/her peripheral lines of sights so widened that he/she is capable of seeing around the obstacle that would normally hinder and delay his driving forward.  
         [0022]     Frequently, it is necessary to “see” around corners and/or obstacles to the rear of the vehicle, as when backing out of a drive way, a parking space or moving from one street to another. In this instance, there is also provided an assembly to assist the driver, by increasing his rear visibility without the need for twisting or turning. In the uppermost and rearmost corners on each side of the vehicle is mounted a mirror  46  and  48  angled to view the opposite side of the vehicle. Each of the mirrors  46  and  48  have a limited cross view (perspective F) which lies within the perspective E created by the panels mirror  44  as well as lying in the perspective D of the normal rearview mirror  26 . Mirrors  46 .and  48  are like the other mirrors, adjustable thereby enabling the rearward and side extent to be adjustable to fit the driver.  
         [0023]     Accordingly, as seen in  FIG. 4 , a rear view mirror  50  and  52  is placed on the exterior of the body  14  along each side, respectively. These mirrors  50  and  52  are mounted just forwardly of the driver, on each of the equivalent door panels just below the window surround  28 . The mirrors  50  and  52  may be similar to the conventional rear view mirror which has a very limited range of adjustability. The mirrors  50  and  52  are normally adjusted as the driver enters the vehicle to have a reflective sight vector parallel to the central axis X along side the vehicle. Mounted at the rearmost edge of the side panels of the vehicle  10 , are a left rear view mirror  54  and a right rear view mirror  56 . Mirrors  54  and  56  are in front to rear alignment with mirrors  50  and  52  but are beyond the rear of the vehicle, so as to be able to “see” laterally exterior. The mirrors  54  and  56  are also aligned parallel to the transverse axis Y, so that they have a complex intersection of sigh lines. Preferably, the left rear view mirror  54  is planar while the right rear view mirror  56  is concave. Thus, by adjusting the mirrors  64  and  66 , a wider than normal view of both sides of the vehicle is obtained.  
         [0024]     A wide variety of mirrors can be used in each of the mirror assembly as shown and many different mirrors are commercially available. Such mirrors as planar, concave or convex mirror, mirrors, enlarging or reducing mirrors can be effectively used as those skilled in this art know.  
         [0025]     It will also be apparent that the system can be adapted for use on foreign made vehicles when the driver is on the right side of the body and the vehicle is driven on the right side of the road. This adaption would necessitate exchange of the right and left mirror assemblies and mirrors. If special mirrors are used, they should be designed to accommodate sight lines from the opposite sides described above. Sensors, such as video cameras, laser assemblies, RF detectors and the like may replace the mirrors without any difficulties or under experimentation, so long as they produce the desired sight lines.  
         [0026]     The mirrors may be mounted to be fully visible or partially or fully concealed within the body and when needed remotely placed into position. It is preferable, however, that where the vehicle is operated and in movement, the mirrors be fully extended and in use. In this way, the driver has immediate use of enhancing systems.