DUAL REARVIEW MIRROR

A dual rearview mirror comprising a main mirror and a secondary mirror arranged within a mirror head. The main mirror can be fixedly attached to the mirror head in the lower inboard position. The secondary mirror can be adjustably attached to the mirror head in the upper outboard position so as to provide a user with a rearward view in a standing position. The mirror head can be adjustably attached to a mirror stalk assembly so as to provide a user with a rearward view in a seated position. The mirror stalk assembly can be designed to be stable and eliminate mirror vibrations.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification relates to a rearview mirror, more specifically it relates to a dual rearview mirror for viewing behind a cyclist while standing and/or sitting.

BACKGROUND

An adventure or dual-sport motorcycle is a type of street-legal motorcycle that is designed for both on and off-road use. Dual-sport motorcycles are equipped with street-legal equipment such as lights, speedometer, mirrors, horn, license plate mounting, and muffler and can be registered and licensed. Traditional motorcycle mirrors provide only one rearward view, which is normally adjusted by the rider for riding seated. However, a dual-sport rider may spend as much as 50% of their time in a standing riding position, especially when riding off road.

As with regular motorcycles, dual-sport riders typically travel in groups for safety purposes. It is important for group members to stay in relatively close proximity to each other, even when riding single file. This requires the front cyclist to keep an eye on those behind to make sure they don't get too far ahead. In order to see other riders behind them, they have to either sit and look at their mirrors, adjust one mirror for a standing rearward view, or perform a head-check, which can distract them from obstacles on the trail ahead and lead to dangerous situations. Current mirrors on the rider's bike are for when the rider is seated or adjusted to when the rider is standing which restricts the rider's rear view. Currently there is nothing that exist that can be used while the rider is standing or sitting looking through the same mirror system,

It would be advantageous to provide a way to view the road and road conditions with a quick glance into a mirror whether the rider is seated or standing.

SUMMARY

Aspects disclosed herein comprise a dual rearview mirror system for a vehicle. A dual rearview mirror system for a vehicle can comprise a mirror head coupled to a stalk that can have a base end and a mirror end. A main mirror and a secondary mirror can be coupled to the mirror head wherein the main mirror and the secondary mirror can be independently adjustable wherein the mirror end is adjustably coupled to the mirror head, the base portion is adjustably coupled to a base, and wherein the base is coupled to the vehicle. The mirror head can be adjustably coupled to the stalk. The main mirror is fixed within the mirror head and the secondary mirror can be adjustably coupled to the mirror head.

A dual rearview mirror system can further comprise a base wherein the mirror end is adjustably coupled to the mirror head, the base end is adjustably coupled to the base, and the base may be coupled to the vehicle. The secondary mirror can be in the upper outboard area of the mirror head. The main mirror can be in the lower inboard area of the mirror head. The secondary mirror is in the lower half of the mirror head. The main mirror can be in the upper half of the mirror head. The mirror head can be coupled to the base such that when the base is coupled to the vehicle the secondary mirror allows a user an effective rear view when the user is in a standing position, and wherein the main mirror allows a user an effective rear view when the user is in a seated position. The secondary mirror can be adjustable from at least 10 degrees off the vertical axis of the main mirror. The secondary mirror is adjustable from 10 to 30 degrees off the vertical axis of the main mirror. The mirror head is adjustably coupled to the vehicle with a ball joint. The secondary mirror can be adjustably connected to the mirror head through a ball joint.

A method of assembling a dual rearview mirror, the method comprising the acts of providing a mirror head. The mirror head can be fixedly coupled to a main mirror. The mirror head can be adjustably coupled to a secondary mirror. The mirror stalk can be adjustably attached to the mirror head. The main mirror is coupled mirror head in a lower inboard arrangement and the secondary mirror is coupled to the mirror head in an upper outboard arrangement. The secondary mirror is adjustably attached with a ball socket. The mirror head can be adjustably attached with a ball socket.

A method of assembly a dual rearview mirror comprising providing a mirror head. Fixedly coupling a main mirror to the mirror head in the upper half arrangement. Adjustably coupling a secondary mirror to the mirror head in the lower half arrangement. Adjustably attaching the mirror head to a mirror stalk assembly. The main mirror is coupled mirror head in an upper half arrangement and the secondary mirror is coupled to the mirror head in a lower half arrangement. The secondary mirror is adjustably attached with a ball socket. The mirror head can be adjustably coupled to a ball socket.

Additional features and advantages of the present specification will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1-2a front view of a dual rearview mirror system is shown generally at10. The dual rearview mirror system10can comprise a mirror head16wherein the mirror head can comprise a main mirror14and a secondary mirror12. The mirror head16can be any general shape, but in the preferred embodiment the mirror head can take on the same outer perimeter shape as the outer edges of the main mirror14and the secondary mirror12. In certain embodiments mirror head16can extend beyond main mirror14and the secondary mirror12wherein the mirror head can protect the main mirror and secondary mirror. The mirror head16can have a shape and depth wherein the shape can be any suitable shape, but in the preferred embodiment the shape is aerodynamic wherein the mirror head can be angled out towards a radius substantially near the center of the mirror head on the opposite of the mirrors or it can have a substantially flat portion on its upper backside and a substantially angle on its lower backside. As shown inFIG.5the mirror head16can have a depth to allow the secondary mirror to move in and out of the mirror head at a set angle. The mirror head16can be manufactured from any suitable material, but in the preferred embodiment the material can be, such as, for example, plastics, stainless steel, aluminum, or the like. In other embodiments the whole angle of the mirror head16can be moved by the user, or it can be stationary on the mirror end18.

The mirror head16can further comprise a ball socket25attached to the inner surface of the mirror head wherein the ball socket can contain a ball24that can be attached to the secondary mirror14allowing the mirror to rotate within the ball and socket joint. In certain embodiments the secondary mirror can be attached to a mirror mount102wherein the mirror mount comprises the ball24and the mirror mount can comprise the ball joint which is attached to the ball as shown inFIG.8. The mirror mount102can move the secondary mirror14in the ball and joint to the user's desired position as shown inFIG.8. The secondary mirror14is housed in a secondary compartment having a floor13, at least one side wall, and a back wall wherein the secondary mirror is adjustably coupled to the floor of the secondary compartment.

In embodiments, the main mirror14can be attached to the mirror head16by any appropriate securing means, such as, for example, adhesive, adhesive strips, clamps, clips, rivets, and the like. The main mirror14can be in any arrangement that achieves a rearward view from a seated position such as the lower inboard area, or the upper half of the mirror head16, or in other embodiments the main mirror can be the mirror that the user achieves a rearward view from while standing. In another embodiment the main mirror14can be located left of the secondary mirror12on the same plane, or the main mirror can be located to the right of the secondary mirror on the same plane as shown inFIG.6andFIG.7. The main mirror14and the secondary mirror12can be made from such as, for example, glass, plate glass, acrylic, polymir, polycarbonate, silvered or the like with a metal backing for support or coating to prevent fog and distortion.

The dual rearview mirror system10can further comprise a stalk20wherein the stalk can comprise a mirror end18and a base end28wherein the mirror end is adjustably or in other embodiments permanently attached to the mirror head16and the lower portion is adjustably attached to or permanently attached to a base20. The base20can be attached to the vehicle by any appropriate attachment device, such as, for example, ball and socket joint, pins, hinges, slides, or the like. As shown inFIG.1the mirror head16can further comprise a second ball21protruding from the side of its body or a mirror end18that transition into a stalk19as shown inFIG.4. The second ball21can be attached to the mirror end18wherein the mirror end18can have a socket for the ball to attach to allowing the user to adjust the mirror head16. The mirror head16can be adjustably coupled to the stalk20. The stalk20can vary in length to suit the user's needs as shown inFIG.4. The mirror head16can be coupled to the stalk19such that when the base end28is coupled to the vehicle. The secondary mirror12allows a user an effective rear view when the user is in a standing position, and wherein the main mirror14allows a user an effective rear view when the user is in a seated position.

The base end28can be attached to the base20wherein the base end can have a ball or socket joint29coupled to the stalk and the base can have the opposing ball or socket that can be attached to the vehicle. In other embodiments the base end28can be permanently attached to the base20. The base20can be attached to a vehicle wherein the vehicle can be a cycle's handle bars or bar ends. The base20can be attached to a vehicle by any appropriate means, such as, for example, clamp, mirror mount, mirror hanger, screw, bolt, lock nut, adhesive, and/or the like. In some embodiments it is desired to have a stable means of attaching the mirror to the cycle so as to eliminate mirror vibration while riding, such as, for example, YAMAHA™ stalk assembly part no 1RC-26290-01-00, or the like.

The secondary mirror12can be independently adjustably attached to the mirror head16by any appropriate means, such as, for example, ball and socket, hinged joint, pivot joint, slides, or the like. The secondary mirror12can be adjust vertically by an angle26, as shownFIG.3, wherein the angle can be at least 5 degrees to 60 degrees and more preferably the angle can be between 10 degrees to 30 degrees and even still more preferably an angle of 20 degrees off the vertical axis relative to the main mirror14. The secondary mirror12can be in any arrangement that achieves a rearward view from a standing position such as the upper outboard area, or the lower half of the mirror head16. The secondary mirror12can be adjusted such that the secondary mirror is substantially flush with the main mirror14.

In certain embodiments the secondary mirror12can be adjusted by a motor wherein the motor can be attached to the mirror head16and the motor can have arms that extend to and attach to the secondary mirror wherein the motor can adjust the mirror up and down, and left and right a pivot joint. In other embodiments the main mirror14can be independently adjustable from the secondary mirror12wherein both the main mirror and the secondary mirror can adjust separately from each other wherein each mirror has a pivot joint and that can be adjusted by the user.

In certain embodiments the dual rearview mirror could be used in a jeep, ATV, and/or the like, wherein the rearview mirror would be attached to the approximate center and approximate top of the vehicle. The main mirror14could be adjusted to view generally behind the vehicle, and the secondary mirror12could be adjusted to view the rear tires, or vice versa. This dual view mirror is helpful to a driver as they navigate over and around obstacles.

In embodiments a method of assembling a dual rearview mirror, the method can comprise the acts of providing a mirror head16and fixedly coupling a main mirror14to the mirror head. A secondary mirror12can be adjustably coupling to the mirror head16, and adjustably attaching the mirror head to a mirror stalk19. The secondary mirror12can be coupled to the mirror head16in an upper outboard arrangement. The secondary mirror12can be adjustably attached to the mirror head16with a ball socket. The mirror head12is adjustably attached to the stalk19with a ball socket. The main mirror14is coupled mirror head in an upper half arrangement and the secondary mirror12is coupled to the mirror head16in a lower half arrangement. The stalk can be coupled to a vehicle and the main mirror and the secondary mirror can be adjusted to allow a user an effective rear view through the secondary mirror when the user is in a standing position, and to allow an effective rear view when the user is in a seated position through the main mirror. The secondary mirror12can smaller than the main mirror and in other embodiments the secondary mirror can be larger than the main mirror. The mirror head16substantially encloses all but the reflective surfaces of the main mirror14and the secondary mirror12.

It is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such, various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those precisely as shown and described.

Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the methods and devices described herein. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.