Extra mirror for augmenting visibility

Abstract: A device which aims to amplify the left or right lateral visual sectors of an automobile, situated in a hidden compartment inside the hood of an automobile and can be activated electrically from inside the automobile by simply pressing a button that will bring the device into its open and functioning position, in which it protrudes above the level of the automobile's hood, to a lowered and non-functioning position inside the compartment (13) ; another button controls the rotation of the reflecting plate (5), which constitutes the visualizing surface of the device, around the Z axle into a position in which the driver's visual field is widened up to 90° to the left or the right of the automobile. The maneuver of closing the mirror inside the compartment (13) can be carried out at any time, even if the mirror is in an intermediate position to the left or right end of run position. The device is preferably situated on the front end of the vehicle inside the hood, but can also be placed at the rear.

Description: Technical field The technical sector to which this invention could be of interest is the automobile industry. Background art The necessity for an automobile driver to have good visibility is well known, especially in proximity to road junctions and when carrying out particular maneuvers where there is a high risk of accidents. Unfortunately, the normal mirrors placed laterally and close to the driver only allow a narrow range of lateral-posterior vision (about 15°). UK patent Application GB 2315720A Josef Petr Prokopius " Side-viewing mirror unit for motor vehicles " discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1. It describes a side-viewing mirror for a vehicle comprising one or more, plane or convex, mirror surfaces arranged in the vertical plane with the reflective surfaces facing sideways at angles of about 45° to allow the driver sideways viewing of approaching traffic when entering a road from a place with restricted sideways view. The mirror may be angularly adjusted, manually or remotely, and may retract into a recess. An aerodynamically shaped cover may be provided. The object and important characteristics of the invention The aim of this invention is that of bettering the driver's range of vision by notably widening the lateral sector view up to 90° (or even more) both to the left and to the right. The device should preferably be placed on the forward part of the car, below the hood, but it can also be situated on the rear. Description of the drawings and mode for carryng out the invention The device is made up of a cover (1) which is level with the surface of the car body (when it is lowered), and which can be raised or lowered around its axle (2) by an electric motor (3) and a drive shaft (4). The reflecting plate (5) is connected to the aforesaid cover (1) through means of support (6) and means of articulation (7), hinged plates, sliding stabilizing runners (8), sliding runners for inspections (9), and by a reflecting plate holder (1) which permits the mirror to be substituted. The reflecting plate (5) can be rotated around the Z axle by the motor (11) and the activator (12) in order to find the optimum functioning angle. The device can be activated from inside the car by pressing a button that consents the device to be moved from an open and functioning position, in which it protrudes above the profile of the car body, to a lowered, non-functioning position when it is stored inside the compartment (13) in the hood itself. Another button inside the car controls the rotation around the Z axle of the reflecting plate (5), which, due to the bonds used, is not subject to vibration. The closing maneuver of replacing the device inside the automobile hood can be carried out whether the mirror is in an intermediate position or in the end of run position to the left or to the right.

Claims: A device which aims to amplify the left or right lateral visual sectors of an automobile, wherein the device is situated in a hidden compartment (13) inside the hood of an automobile and can be activated electrically from inside the automobile by simply pressing a button that will bring the device into its open and functioning position, in which it protrudes above the level of the automobile's hood, and to a lowered and non-functioning position inside the compartment (13), wherein the part of the device which can be stored inside the structure of the automobile is hidden by a cover (1); another button controls the rotation of the reflecting plate (5), which constitutes the visualizing surface of the device, around the Z axle (z) into a position in which the driver's visual field is widened up to 90° to the left or the right of the automobile, characterized in that the cover (1), when it is lowered, is level with the automobile's hood and can be raised or lowered around its axle (2) by an electric motor (3) and a drive shaft (4); wherein the reflecting plate (5), hinged plates, stabilizing sliding runners (8) and inspection runners (9), and a reflecting plate holder (10), which allows the plate (5) to be substituted, are connected to the aforesaid cover (1 ) by means of support (6) and articulation (7); wherein the reflecting plate (5) can be rotated around the Z axle (z) by an electric motor (11 ) and an activator (12). A device as described in claims 1), characterized by the fact that the maneuver of closing the mirror inside the compartment (13) can be carried out at any time, even if the mirror is in an intermediate position to the left or right end of run position.

Inventors: VAIANO GIUSEPPE, VAIANO, GIUSEPPE
Applicants: VAIANO GIUSEPPE, VAIANO, GIUSEPPE
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B60R1
IPC codes: B60R1