Abstract:
A multi-view mirror assembly for a vehicle dimensioned to allow a driver to view people, vehicles and other objects positioned lateral and downwardly vertical to a rear end of the vehicle is disclosed. The multi-view mirror assembly is mountable on either an exterior or an interior surface of the vehicle. Furthermore, the multi-view mirror is maneuverable so as to compensate for varying vehicle sizes and dimensions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority to a corresponding provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/546,921, filed Feb. 23, 2004 in the name of the applicant of this application. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to mirrors for vehicles designed to aid a driver in identifying objects and, more specifically, to a multi-view mirror assembly dimensioned to allow a driver to view people, vehicles, and other objects positioned lateral and downwardly vertical to a rear end of the vehicle. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Driving a car or other vehicle safely requires the driver to constantly be able to see other vehicles, objects and pedestrians. This is often difficult since a car has many blind-spots, and the driver generally is facing forward with limited ability to turn around and view surrounding areas. One situation where a driver&#39;s limited field of vision presents an especially acute problem is when pulling out of a parking spot. When a driver needs to back out of a parking space in which he or she is parked face-forward between two other vehicles, especially when those vehicles are large in size, the driver has no ability to see laterally to either side of the rear end of his or her vehicle to determine if there are pedestrians or other vehicles about to cross into his or her path. Often, most drivers in this situation simply back out slowly in an attempt to alert pedestrians and other cars of the vehicle&#39;s presence. This method is fraught with danger. It is often the case that pedestrians walking through a parking lot simply do not see a car as it backs out. The same is the case for another vehicle or a bike which might be passing quickly behind the driver&#39;s vehicle as he or she backs out. In all of these cases, it is the parked vehicle&#39;s driver who is responsible for insuring that his or her car does not strike a pedestrian or vehicle. In order to be sure that a pedestrian or vehicle is not approaching, the driver must be able to see laterally from the rear end of the driver&#39;s vehicle. 
   In addition to the pedestrians or other vehicles that may cross into a driver&#39;s path while the driver is backing out, another dangerous situation exists when a small child, animal, or object is present directly behind the vehicle. Studies show that in the United States, at least 58 children (more than one child per week) were backed over and killed in the year 2002. Often, these children are backed over by a relative in their own driveway, and often by a larger vehicle such as a van, minivan, or sport utility vehicle. Because of the smallness of the child, animal, or object, the driver will not be able to detect it by looking in the rear-view mirror nor by turning around and looking through the window of the vehicle. In order to be certain that a small child, animal, or object is not directly behind the vehicle, the driver must be able to see downwardly vertical from the rear end of the driver&#39;s vehicle. 
   There are some devices available today which aid in warning others when a vehicle is backing up. Some cars use audible backing signals, rear-facing video cameras, and electronic collision warning systems. Few cars are equipped with the video cameras or the electronic collision warning systems because they are fairly expensive. And the audible backing signals would prove to be ineffective over other loud competing noises and to a pedestrian that is deaf or hard-of-hearing. 
   Thus, a need existed for a multi-view mirror assembly for a vehicle, especially a sport utility vehicle, van or minivan, dimensioned to allow a driver to view people, vehicles and other objects positioned lateral and downwardly vertical to a rear end of the vehicle. Preferably, the multi-view mirror assembly should be mountable on either an exterior or an interior surface of the vehicle. Still further, preferably, the multi-view mirror should be maneuverable so as to compensate for varying vehicle sizes and dimensions. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-view mirror assembly for a vehicle dimensioned to allow a driver to view people, vehicles and other objects positioned lateral and downwardly vertical to a rear end of the vehicle. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multi-view mirror assembly that is mountable on either an exterior or an interior surface of the vehicle. 
   It is a still further object of the present invention to provide multi-view mirror assembly that is adjustable so as to compensate for varying vehicle sizes and dimensions. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a multi-view mirror assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The multi-view mirror assembly comprises, in combination, a vehicle having a rear end, the rear end having a rear windshield coupled proximate a top edge of the rear end in a line of sight with a rear-view mirror of the vehicle, and at least one mirror unit coupled to at least one of the rear end and the rear windshield of the vehicle in line of sight with the rear-view mirror of the vehicle and dimensioned to allow a driver to view objects positioned substantially lateral and substantially downwardly vertical to the rear end of the vehicle by looking at the rear-view mirror and seeing a reflection of the objects through the at least one mirror unit. 
   The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mirror unit of the present invention. A mounting assembly is also shown coupled to the mirror unit. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective cross-sectional view of an interior portion of a vehicle showing one embodiment of a multi-view mirror assembly of the present invention coupled to a rear end of an interior surface of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 3  is an elevated perspective view of the multi-view mirror assembly of  FIG. 2 . As shown, the multi-view mirror assembly is able to reflect objects, such as a small child, seated substantially downwardly vertical from the rear end of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the area capable of being reflected by the multi-view mirror assembly. As shown, the multi-view mirror assembly is able to reflect areas substantially lateral to the rear end of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 5A  is a side, cross-sectional view of the mirror unit of  FIG. 1  shown adjusted downwardly. 
       FIG. 5B  is a side view of the mirror unit of  FIG. 1  shown unadjusted. 
       FIG. 5C  is a side view of the mirror unit of  FIG. 1 , shown adjusted upwardly. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the mirror unit of  FIG. 1  having an angled extension. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the mirror unit of  FIG. 1  having a straight extension. 
       FIG. 8  is a side, cross-sectional view of the mirror unit and mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the mirror unit and mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a mounting assembly having a bracket, an angled extension, and a dome. The mounting assembly is shown as being press-fit. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a mounting assembly having a bracket, a straight extension, an angled extension, and a dome. The mounting assembly is shown as being coupled with screws. 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded view of a mounting assembly having a bracket, a straight extension, and a dome. The mounting assembly is shown as being press-fit. 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded view of a mounting assembly having a bracket and a dome. The mounting assembly is shown as being press-fit. 
       FIG. 14A  is a top view of another embodiment of the multi-view mirror assembly of the present invention shown coupled to an exterior surface of a rear windshield of a vehicle. 
       FIG. 14B  is a side view of the multi-view mirror assembly of  FIG. 14A . As shown, the multi-view mirror assembly is able to reflect objects, such as a small child, located substantially downwardly vertical from the rear end of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 14C  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the mirror unit of the present invention. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the multi-view mirror assembly of the present invention shown coupled to both an interior surface of the rear end of the vehicle and an exterior surface of the rear windshield of the vehicle. As shown, the multi-view mirror assembly is able to reflect objects, such as a small child, located substantially downwardly vertical from the rear end of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 15A  is a cross-sectional view of a rear end of a vehicle showing the multi-view mirror assembly of  FIG. 15  coupled to both an interior surface of the rear end of the vehicle and an exterior surface of the rear windshield of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 16  is a top view of the multi-view mirror assembly of  FIG. 15 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–16 , a multi-view mirror assembly for a vehicle, hereinafter multi-view mirror assembly  10  (see  FIGS. 2–4 ,  14 A,  14 B,  15 ,  15 A and  16 ), is disclosed. The multi-view mirror assembly  10  comprises, in combination, a vehicle  12  (see  FIGS. 2–4 ,  14 A,  14 B,  15 ,  15 A and  16 ) and at least one mirror unit  38  coupled to the vehicle  12  by a mounting assembly  46 . Preferably the mirror unit  38  comprises an aspheric glass mirror  44 , although it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from other reflective surfaces. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, only one mirror unit  38  is used (see  FIGS. 14A and 14B ). In another embodiment, two mirror units  38  are used (see  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 ). And in yet another embodiment, three mirror units  38  are used (see  FIGS. 15 ,  15 A, and  16 ). Although these three combinations of the mirror units  38  are shown in the drawings, it should be clearly understood that alternative combinations of the mirror units  38  may be used so long as they allow a driver  36  (see  FIGS. 14A ,  14 B and  16 ) to see objects substantially lateral and substantially downwardly vertical from a rear end  14  of the vehicle  12 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  14 A,  14 B,  15   15 A, and  16 , the rear end  14  of vehicle  12  has a rear windshield  20  coupled proximate a top edge of the rear end  14  in a line of sight with a rear-view mirror  28  (see  FIGS. 14A ,  14 B, and  16 ) of the vehicle  12 . The mirror unit  38  is capable of being coupled to either the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12  or to the rear windshield  20  of the vehicle  12 , so long as the mirror unit  38  is coupled in line of sight with the rear-view mirror  28  of the vehicle  12 . Furthermore, the mirror unit  38  is dimensioned to allow the driver  36  to view objects, such as people  34  (see  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  14 B, and  15 ) or objects positioned substantially lateral (see  FIG. 4 ) and substantially downwardly vertical (see  FIGS. 3 ,  14 B, and  15 ) to the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12  by looking at the rear-view mirror  28  and seeing a reflection of the object or person  34  through the mirror unit  38 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 14A ,  14 B,  14 C,  15 ,  15 A, and  16 , one embodiment of the mirror unit  38   a  (referred to generically as mirror unit  38 ) is shown. The mirror unit  38   a  may be coupled to the rear windshield  20  (see  FIGS. 14A ,  14 B, and  15 ) or to the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12  (see  FIGS. 15A and 16 ). Preferably, the mirror unit  38   a  is coupled to an exterior top center portion  17  of the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12  or to an exterior top center portion  22  of the rear windshield  20  of the vehicle  12 . In this embodiment, the mirror unit  38   a  is preferably coupled to an exterior portion  30  (see  FIGS. 3 ,  14 A,  14 B,  15 , and  16 ) of the vehicle  12 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 14A ,  14 B,  14 C, and  16 , one embodiment of the mounting assembly  46   a  (referred to generically as mounting assembly  46 ) is shown. As shown in  FIG. 14   c , the mounting assembly  46   a  comprises two bases  66 , one base  66  being attached to a first end  40  of the mirror unit  38   a  and another base  66  being attached to a second end  42  of the mirror unit  38   a . Each base  66  has a first end  68  dimensioned to be coupled to either the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12  or the rear windshield  20  of the vehicle  12 . In addition, each base  66  has a second end  70  dimensioned to be coupled to the mirror unit  38   a . Together, the bases  66  preferably permit pivotal adjustment of the mirror unit  38   a  relative to the bases  66 . Although it is preferred that two bases  66  be used to couple the mirror unit  38   a  to the vehicle  12 , it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the use of only one base  66  or more than two bases  66 , so long as the base(s)  66  couple the mirror unit  38   a  to the vehicle  12 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1–9  and  FIGS. 15–16 , a second embodiment of the mirror unit  38   b  (referred to generically as mirror unit  38 ) is shown. The mirror unit  38   b  may be coupled to the rear windshield  20  or to the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12 . Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  14 A,  15  and  16 , preferably one mirror unit  38   b  would be coupled to either a driver side portion  16  of the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12  or to a driver side portion  24  of the rear windshield  20  of the vehicle  12 . And a second mirror unit  38   b  would be coupled to either a passenger side portion  18  of the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12  or to a passenger side portion  26  of the rear windshield  20  of the vehicle  12 . In this embodiment, the mirror unit  38   b  is preferably coupled to an interior portion  32  (see  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  15 A) of the vehicle  12  either to the rear windshield  20  or to the rear end  14  or both. Further preferably, the mirror unit  38   b  may be either substantially square-shaped (see  FIGS. 1–3 ) or they may be substantially rectangular-shaped (see  FIGS. 5A–9 ). 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  FIGS. 5A–13 , a second embodiment of the mounting assembly  46   b  (referred to generically as mounting assembly  46 ) is shown. The mounting assembly  46   b  comprises a bracket  48  (see FIGS.  1  and  5 A– 13 ) and a dome  54  (see  FIGS. 5A–5C  and  8 – 13 ). The bracket  48  has a first surface  50  (see FIGS.  1  and  5 A– 13 ) dimensioned to be coupled to either the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12  or to the windshield  20  of the vehicle  12 . The dome  54  has a first end  56  (see  FIGS. 5A–5C  and  8 – 13 ) dimensioned to be coupled to a second surface  52  (see FIGS.  1  and  5 A– 13 ) of the bracket  48 . The dome  54  also has a second end  58  (see  FIGS. 5A–5C  and  8 – 13 ) dimensioned to be coupled to the mirror unit  38   b  so as to permit multi-axial adjustment of the mirror unit  38   b  relative to the mounting assembly  46   b . Preferably, the mirror unit  38   b  may be adjusted by up to approximately 17 degrees in any direction relative to the dome  54 . Although the preferred embodiment allows for up to approximately 17 degrees of adjustability, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from a greater or lesser degree of adjustability, so long as the adjustment compensates for the size and dimensions of the vehicle  12 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6–10 , depending upon the dimensions of the vehicle  12 , the mounting assembly  46   b  may further comprise at least one extension  60  dimensioned to be coupled between the bracket  48  and the dome  54 . Preferably, the extension  60  has a first end  62  dimensioned to be coupled to the second surface  52  of the bracket  48  and the extension  60  has a second end  64  dimensioned to be coupled to the first end  56  of the dome  54 . The extension  60  may be angled (see  FIG. 10 ) or the extension  60  may be straight (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ). If necessary, more than one extension  60  may be coupled in series. Although it is preferable that the angled extension  60  have an angle of approximately 45 degrees, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the angled extension having an alternate angle, so long as the angle allows the driver  36  to view objects positioned substantially lateral and substantially downwardly vertical from the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the mounting assembly  46   b  is shown to further comprise a screw  72 , a dome washer  74 , a spring  76 , a flat washer  78 , and a nut  80  coupled together so as to facilitate the adjustment of the mirror unit  38   b , although it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from a mounting assembly  46   b  comprising alternative components, so long as the mounting assembly  46   b  allows for multi-axial adjustment of the mirror unit  38   b.    
   Furthermore, the mounting assembly  46   b  may be either press-fit (see  FIGS. 10 ,  12 , and  13 ) or the mounting assembly  46   b  may be coupled with screws  72  (see  FIG. 11 ). But it should also be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from an alternative method of coupling, so long as the mounting assembly  46   b  provides the same amount of stability and adjustability for the mirror unit  38   b.    
   STATEMENT OF OPERATION 
   In order to use the multi-view mirror assembly  10 , a user preferably couples at least one mirror unit  38   b , and preferably two mirror units  38   b , to either an interior surface of the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12  or to an interior surface of the rear windshield  20  so that a driver  36  may view objects positioned substantially lateral and substantially downwardly vertical to the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12  by looking at the rear-view mirror  28  and seeing a reflection of the objects  34  through the at least one mirror unit  38 . In a preferred embodiment, a third mirror unit  38   a  is coupled to an exterior surface of a center portion of either the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12  or to an exterior surface of a center portion of the rear windshield  20  so that a driver  36  may view objects  34  positioned substantially downwardly vertical from the rear end  14  of the vehicle  12 . The mirror units  38  may be coupled by a user or installed at a manufacturing stage. 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although it is preferred that the mirror unit be adjustable by an actuator (not shown) disposed within either the mirror units  38  or their mounting assemblies  46 , it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from manual adjustment of the mirror units  38 .