Mirrored glove

This invention relates to the technical field of portable hand-carried rear-view safety mirrors and more especially to a rear-view mirror adapted for use upon the back portion of a glove. The device combines the safety features of a rear-view mirror with the manipulative and traditional features of a worn glove.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates to the technical field of portable hand-carried 
rear-view safety mirrors and more especially to a rear-view mirror adapted 
for use upon the back portion of a glove. Rear-view safety mirrors are 
important apparatus used to warn the operator or riders of a vehicle of 
rearward dangers. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In the operation of vehicles in which the operator or rider sits upon an 
exposed seat, usually astride the vehicle, the use of rear-view mirrors is 
an important safety precaution. Due to the typically small size of such 
vehicles they are particularly susceptible to being struck or sideswiped 
from other vehicles approaching and overtaking them from the rear. Another 
danger arises when the rider is startled by a passing vehicle of whose 
presence the rider was not previously aware. Mirrors have been attached to 
these vehicles in an effort to warn riders of such rearward dangers. These 
mirrors, however, are frequently ineffective due to the excessive 
vibrations transmitted to them through their mirror mounts. In addition, a 
clear rearward view is often obstructed because the mirror is angled in an 
ineffective direction. The need for a means to see to the rear without 
turning around is particularly pronounced for bicyclists and snowmobile 
riders. 
In the Applicant's search for prior art, only four patents were found that 
used the concept of attaching a safety reflective apparatus to a glove 
which could be worn by the rider. Lieb (U.S. Pat. No. 1,966,822) and Green 
(U.S. Pat. No. 1,513,237) use reflectors on gloves which can be seen by 
following or passing drivers. Frank (U.S. Pat. No. 468,149) and Rice (U.S. 
Pat. No. 1,612,055) use gloves with mirrors which are normally concealed 
by an opaque protective covering. The protective coverings may be removed 
to enable the wearer to look at himself or herself. Although the prior art 
does reveal various rear-view mirrors which may be mounted on hats, the 
concept of using a rear-view mirror on a glove was not found. 
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION 
It is the general objective of the present invention to provide an 
apparatus whereby the user may view rearward dangers when desired, without 
turning his body or head around. 
It is another general objective to provide a rear-view mirror mounting 
which is less susceptible to the vibrations of the vehicle. 
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a rear-view mirror 
which is easily manipulated and capable of being instantly redirected at 
the desire of the user. 
Another objective is to provide a rear-view mirror which will not obstruct 
the user's view. 
Another objective is to provide a rear-view mirror which may be easily 
carried and stored. 
Another objective is to provide a glove which serves its ordinary purpose 
without any inconvenience to the wearer. 
Another objective is to provide an apparatus which is simple in its 
construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, efficient in its 
use, readily constructed and inexpensive to manufacture. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention overcomes the previously mentioned disadvantages of 
the prior art while achieving the described general and specific 
objectives. 
The concept combines the safety features of a rear-view mirror with the 
manipulative and traditional features of a worn glove. In the invention, a 
mirror is attached to the outermost shell of a glove. The invention 
contemplates the use of an adjustable, removable or permanently attached 
flat or convex mirror structure of a relatively small diameter or small 
rectangular shape. The mirror is attached to the relatively flat part of 
the back portion of the glove's outermost shell which covers the back of 
the hand. The mirror can be attached to the glove by any of the 
conventional methods, such as with a fabric hook and loop structure 
similar to the structures sold under the Velcro trademark, adhesive tape 
or glue, heat-melt glue, by sewing the mirror onto or contained within the 
glove, or by using any combination of these methods. The mirror may be 
mounted upon the glove's outermost shell itself, or, as in the preferred 
embodiment, the mirror may be mounted between the glove's inner lining and 
outermost shell. The mirror may also be attached to the glove's outermost 
shell in a manner that permits the mirror to be positioned at an inclined 
angle with respect to the back portion of the hand. The most essential 
feature of the invention is that the mirror be able to reflect the desired 
view to the wearer. 
By moving or rotating his wrist or hand to bring into focus the desired 
rear view, the wearer may quickly and easily direct the rear-view mirror 
to any desired angle or direction without having to turn his body or head 
around. Due to the shock absorbent features of the human hand, wrist and 
arm, the device is less susceptible to the vibrations of the vehicle. The 
device is easily manipulated and is capable of being instantly redirected 
at the desire of the wearer. Unlike mirrors which are attached to the 
vehicle or to a hat or helmet, the present device does not further 
obstruct the wearer's forward or side views. Because of the compact size 
of this device, it is easily carried and stored. The glove also serves its 
ordinary purpose without any inconvenience to the wearer. This device is 
simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, 
efficient to use, readily constructed and inexpensive to manufacture.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, wherein like numerals indicate like parts, a mirror 
2 is secured to the back portion 3 of the outermost shell 9 of a glove 1. 
The glove 1 is composed of any suitable flexible material used for such 
purposes, such as soft leather or fabric. Any convenient mirror material 
could be used with this invention, however, the safety of the device would 
be increased if shock and impact absorbent glass or plastic is used. 
This invention may be used with any form or design of glove 1. The type of 
glove 1 used is dependent upon the sport or activities being undertaken. 
For example, a light glove is usually used for bicycling and a heavier 
glove is usually used for riding a snowmobile. This invention may also be 
used with gloves wherein the finger or thumb portions are removed as are 
often found in bicycling gloves. The mirror 2 may be either flat or convex 
and may be of any desirable shape. In the preferred embodiment shown in 
FIGS. 1-3, the mirror 2 has a convex circular shape and a two inch 
diameter. The convex circular shape allows the user to view a larger area 
than would be otherwise available with a planar surfaced mirror and 
partially compensates for any slight movement of the wearer's hand during 
the course of viewing the reflection in the mirror 2. The circular shape 
alleviates the possibility that a corner of the mirror 2 could break-off 
and harm the wearer, or that the wearer could impact the corner of the 
mirror 2 against himself or another object. The mirror 2' may also have a 
generally rectangular shape as shown in FIGS. 4-6. The rectangular shape 
is quite convenient to use if the mirror 2' will be tilted at an angle on 
the back portion 3 of the glove 1. 
The mirror 2 is positioned at any convenient location on the relatively 
flat part of the glove outermost shell back portion 3, which covers the 
back of the hand, with the reflecting surface 4 uncovered and readily 
viewable to the wearer. The exact position of the mirror 2 would depend 
upon the size and shape of the mirror 2 and glove 1 used. In the preferred 
embodiment, the mirror 2 is placed in the center of the back portion 3 of 
the glove's 1 outermost shell 9. 
There are many methods of manufacturing which could be used to mount the 
mirror 2 upon the glove 1. The mirror 2 may first be mounted within a 
supporting frame 5 which has an upper lip 6, a groove 7 and a base support 
8 in which the mirror 2 is placed. The mirror 2, or supporting frame 5 if 
used, could be secured to the glove 1 by means of double-sided adhesive 
tape, adhesive, heat-melt glue, or by being integrally sewn onto or within 
the glove 1. 
In the preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the mirror 2 is secured 
to the glove 1 by first removing a first portion of the glove's 1 
outermost shell 9 at the mirror's 2 desired location, thereby forming an 
opening. The glove 1 may be initially constructed with the opening already 
at the desired location. The dimensions of the mirror 2 should be suitably 
larger than the corresponding dimensions of the opening. The mirror 2 is 
inserted between the remaining back portion 3 of the glove's 1 outermost 
shell 9 and the inner lining 10 of the glove 1 such that the reflective 
surface 4 of the mirror 2 faces outwardly through the opening caused by 
the previous step. The mirror 2 may then be glued to the interior surfaces 
11 of the glove's 1 outermost shell 9. Alternatively, the outermost shell 
9 and inner lining 10 of the glove 1 may be sewn together with thread 12 
thereby securing the mirror 2 between the outermost shell 9 and inner 
lining 10 at the desired location. A supporting thread 13 may be sewn into 
the peripheral area surrounding the opening on the glove's 1 outermost 
shell 9. The supporting thread may then be cinched tight to further secure 
the enclosed but visible mirror's 2 reflecting surface 4 and to prevent 
tearing of the glove 1 about such opening. 
An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 
4-6, wherein a generally rectangular mirror 2' is secured to the outermost 
shell 9' in a manner permitting the mirror 2' to be positioned at an angle 
to the back portion 3' of the glove 1'. This may be achieved by securing 
the mirror to the first leg of a hinge 15. The second leg of the hinge 15 
is secured to the outermost shell 9' of the back portion 3' of the glove 
1'. The hinge 15 pivotally secures the mirror 2' to the glove 1' so that 
the reflective surface 4' of the mirror 2' is appropriately positioned. 
The positioning and angling of the mirror 2' is determined by the direction 
of the desired reflected view. Usually the mirror 2' would have an angle 
wherein the mirror's edge closest to the knuckle position on the glove 1' 
would be inclined from the pivotal portion of the hinge 15. A spring 20 
having a first leg 21 and a second leg 22 may be used to urge the mirror 
2' to pivot at the hinge 15 from a closed position to an open position. 
The first leg 21 is urged against the back portion 3' of the outermost 
shell 9'. The second leg 22 is urged against the back of the mirror 2'. If 
the mirror 2' is first mounted within a supporting frame 5' which has an 
upper lip 6', a groove 7' and a base support 8', in which the mirror 2 is 
placed, the second leg 22 may be urged against the base support 8'. The 
spring 20 may be held in place by being secured to the outermost shell 9' 
of the glove 1', to the mirror 2', or to the mirror's supporting frame 5'. 
A brace 30 having a first end 31 and a second end 32 may be used to limit 
the angle of inclination of the mirror 2' while in the open position. The 
first end 31 is secured to the outermost shell 9' of the glove 1'. The 
second end 32 is secured to the back of the mirror 2' or to the back of 
the mirror's supporting frame 5'. The brace 30 also gives support to the 
mirror 2' during use. The first end 31, first leg 21, and second leg of 
the hinge 15 may also be sewn to the outermost shell 9' and inner lining 
10' of the glove 1'. 
In this alternative embodiment, a means to secure the mirror 2' in the 
closed position may also be provided. In the closed position, the close 
proximity of the mirror to the back of the glove imparts a torque to the 
spring 20. There are various methods by which the mirror 2' may be secured 
in the closed position. The Applicant prefers to use a fabric hook and 
loop fastener 42 similar to the product sold under the Velcro trademark as 
the means to secure the mirror 2' in the closed position. The fabric hook 
and loop fastener 42 has a first part 44 and a second part 45. The first 
part 44 is secured to the back portion 3' of the outermost shell 9' of the 
glove 1'. The second part 45 is secured to the back of the mirror 2' or to 
the back of the mirror's base support 8'. In the closed position, the 
first part 44 contacts and fastens itself to the second part 45 of the 
hook and loop fastener 42. The second part 45 may also extend past the 
edges of the mirror 2' and base support 8' to provide a pull tab 40 to 
easily open and close the device. The mirror 2' may also be used in a 
permanently inclined position. 
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
The industrial applicability of this invention can be readily ascertained 
by reference to the following example of its use. 
This invention may be used by riders or operators of vehicles in which a 
view to the rear is necessary and a hand-held rear-view mirror device is 
desired. This invention is particularly adapted for riders of vehicles in 
which the operator or rider sits upon an exposed seat, usually astride the 
vehicle such as with a bicycle or a snowmobile. The user of this invention 
would wear the glove in the conventional manner. While so worn, the device 
rides safely and comfortably on the hand of the wearer. When a view to the 
rear is desired, the wearer may move or rotate the wearer's wrist or hand 
to bring into focus the desired reflection of the view to the rear. The 
mirror does not experience the vibrations commonly associated with a 
stationary mirror, and the present invention does not further obstruct the 
wearer's view. The device is compact and easily carried and stored. In 
addition, the glove serves its ordinary purpose without any inconvenience 
to the wearer. The device is readily constructed, inexpensive to 
manufacture, strong, durable, compact, and efficient to use. 
In the alternative embodiment the user pulls on the pull tab to unlock the 
means of securing the mirror in a closed position. The torsion in the 
spring urges the spring to open and maintain the mirror in an open 
position. The brace limits the opening of the mirror and determines the 
open position of the mirror. The brace also gives support to the mirror 
while the mirror is in the open position. The user then moves or rotates 
the wrist or hand to bring into focus a reflection of the desired view. 
The device may be closed by pressing the mirror toward the back of the 
glove until the means to secure the mirror in the closed position is 
engaged.