Abstract:
Translucent film product for vehicle mirrors and method to shield drivers from discomfort glare, particularly discomfort glare from blue light emanating from headlights. The film product embodiments include single or multiple film layers; yellow or yellow and grey tinting; tabbed or un-tabbed; and glue or static cling means to adhere the film product to vehicle mirrors.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This application relates to a light filtering translucent film for a vehicle mirror. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An increased prevalence in the use of high intensity discharge (HID) lights as headlights has been accompanied by an increased number of driver complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about headlight glare. DOT HS 809 669  Drivers&#39; Perceptions of Headlight Glare from Oncoming and Following Vehicles  (January 2004). Both the higher intensity of light and the greater proportion of light in the blue spectrum from HID headlights contribute to a greater degree of discomfort glare relative to that produced by standard halogen headlights. 
     The use of Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) headlights is also becoming more prevalent. And as with HID headlights, LED headlights produce a greater proportion of light in the blue spectrum than standard halogen headlights, which causes greater discomfort glare. Additionally researchers have determined that human exposure to LED light, without the protection of a blue light absorbing filter, increases the risk of retinal degenerative diseases, mainly Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Thus some researchers recommend eye protection to limit exposure to blue light. Chamorro E, Carralero S F, Bonnin-Arias C, Pérez-Carrasco M J, de Luna J M, et al. (2013)  Photoprotective Effects of Blue Light Absorbing Filter against LED Light Exposure on Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells In Vitro , J Carcinog Mutagen S6: 008. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,397,947 by W. H. Cobert, discloses the prismatic mirror, which continues to be the primary apparatus for reducing glare reflected by a rear view mirrors into a drivers&#39; eyes. The prismatic mirror comprises a wedged shaped glass front surface with a silver reflective backing. As the glass front surface and the silver reflective backing are not parallel, light is reflect off the front and back surfaces at different angles. The back surface reflects brightly as a silvered mirror. The front surface reflects weakly, in the same way that an un-silvered glass window against a dark background produces a weak reflection. In nighttime mode the mirror is tilted such that the light weakly reflected off the front of the glass is angled towards eye level. Conversely, in daytime mode the mirror is tilted so the light brightly reflected off the silver backing is angled towards eye level. The simplicity and low cost of this glare deflecting apparatus has contributed to its longstanding use. However, it does entail the disadvantage of requiring the driver&#39;s attention to switched it between day and night modes and it does not filter blue light. 
     Electrochromic automatic dimming mirrors eliminate the manual switching between modes typically required with prismatic rearview mirrors. However Electrochromic mirrors consume electric power; require wiring; and are more expensive and more vulnerable to malfunction. For example, when the electrochromic material is a liquid there is a potential for leaks. 
     Yellow tinted night driving glasses, such as those disclosed in Chinese patent CN 202815350, present an inexpensive apparatus for shielding a driver from glare and blue light. However, they also impose the danger that the driver&#39;s vision will be impaired in certain respects. For example, the glasses may prevent him from seeing yellow LED warning lights and traffic signals. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for a nonelectric, reliable, inexpensive, and safe device to shield vehicle drivers and occupants from the glare and blue light emanating from HID and LED headlights of other vehicles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a film product and a method for reducing glare and blue light reflected from a vehicle&#39;s mirror(s) and into the eyes of the vehicle&#39;s driver and occupants. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a glare reducing and blue light filtering film product which is easily adhered to a vehicle&#39;s mirror(s), and a method for doing so. 
     I have found that a driver can be shielded from discomfort glare from the headlights of following vehicles by adhering a film product comprised of yellow tinted translucent film to a prismatic type rear view mirror, presently equipped in most automobiles. One of the advantages of the film product is that the glare shielding benefit is realized without necessitating diversion of the driver&#39;s attention to switch between day and night modes. Rather, the prismatic type rear view mirror may remain tilted in the daytime position and still shield the driver from reflected headlight glare at night, while also providing satisfactory reflectivity during daylight hours. Another benefit is that the yellow tinting serves to filter blue light and to protect the driver&#39;s eyes from potential retinal damage from exposure to reflected blue light, which would otherwise be added to the driver&#39;s cumulative exposure to blue light. This conforms with researcher recommendations to limit eye exposure to blue light. 
     The film product may also be used with other types of rear view mirrors, besides prismatic type rear view mirror, as well as with side view mirrors. In its various embodiments, the film product is used with rear and side view mirrors to realize the benefit of reducing glare and filtering blue light from the headlights of following vehicles. 
     In one embodiment the film product comprises a single layer of yellow tinted translucent film. In another embodiment of the film product, a single layer of tinted translucent film comprises a combination of yellow and grey tinting in order to filter blue light and diminish luminosity from the headlight light reflected via the mirror surface. In another embodiment the film product comprises multiple layers of tinted translucent film, a yellow tinted layer and a grey tinted layer, in order to further reduce glare. 
     Still another variation of all the aforementioned embodiments is the inclusion of a tab to facilitate removing a backing and adhering the film product to a mirror. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the film product used with a rear view mirror where the product comprises multiple layers of translucent film, a backing and a tab. 
         FIG. 2  shows an enlarged view of the film product shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of the film product used with a side view mirror where the product comprises a single layer of translucent film and a backing. 
         FIG. 4  shows an enlarged view of the film product shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Example 1 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  illustrate one embodiment of the film product  1  used with an automobile rear view mirror  2 . The rear view mirror  2  has a mirror surface  3  and a mirror support structure  4 . The perimeter of the film product  1  has substantially the same dimensions as the perimeter of the mirror surface  3 . The film product  1  has a first layer of translucent film  7 , a second layer of translucent film  8 , a removable backing  6  and a tab  5 . 
     Tab  5  is integral to the translucent film layers,  7  and  8 , and to the backing  6 . Tab  5  facilitates removing the backing  6  and adhering the film product  1  to the mirror surface  3 . 
     The first layer of translucent film  7  is tinted yellow (translucent 99% UV rejection) to filter blue light and to shield vehicle drivers and occupants from the glare and blue light emanating from HID and LED headlights of other vehicles. The second layer of translucent film  8  is tinted charcoal (33%-35% visible light transmitted) to further diminish luminosity from headlight light reflected via the mirror surface and thereby further reduce glare. Alternately, the first layer of translucent film  7  may be tinted grey and the second layer of translucent film  8  may be tinted yellow. The translucent film layers,  7  and  8 , are adhered together with transparent glue. A means is provided to adhere the first layer of translucent film  7  to the mirror surface  3 . Such means include transparent glue on the first layer of translucent film  7  or static cling. 
     The film product  1  is applied to the mirror surface  3  by the following steps:
         a. cleaning the mirror surface  3  of grime and dust;   b. Spraying water on the mirror surface  3  if the static cling means is being used to adhere the first layer of translucent film  7  to the mirror surface  3 ;   c. partially peeling the backing  6  off the first layer of translucent film  7  by pulling the tab  5  integral to the backing  6 , thereby partially uncovering a portion of an adhering surface of the first layer of translucent film  7 ;   d. aligning the film product  1  with the mirror surface  3 ;   e. placing the uncovered portion of the adhering surface the first layer of translucent film  7  in contact with the mirror surface  3 ;   f. pressing the uncovered portion of the adhering surface to remove any entrained air and/or water and to maximize contact between the adhering surface of the first layer of translucent film  7  and the mirror surface  3 ; and   g. further peeling the backing  6  off the adhering surface of the first layer of translucent film  7  and further pressing the uncovered portion of the adhering surface until the backing  6  is completely removed and the film product  1  is completely adhered to the mirror surface  3 .       

     Example 2 
       FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  illustrate another embodiment of the film product  9  used with an automobile side view mirror  10 . The side view mirror  10  has a mirror surface  11  and a mirror support structure  12 . The perimeter of the film product  9  has substantially the same dimensions as the perimeter of the mirror surface  11 . The film product  9  has a single layer of translucent film  14  and a removable backing  13 . 
     The single layer of translucent film  14  is tinted yellow to filter blue light and to thereby shield vehicle drivers and occupants from the glare and blue light emanating from HID and LED headlights of other vehicles. I have found that a 99% UV rejection/absorption yellow tinting grade for visible light adequately shields a driver from reflected headlight glare at night, while also providing satisfactory reflectivity during daylight hours. 
     A means is provided to adhere single layer of translucent film  14  to the mirror surface  11 . Such means include transparent glue on the first layer of translucent film  7  or static cling. 
     The film product  9  is applied to the mirror surface  11  by the following steps:
         a. cleaning the mirror surface  11  of grime and dust;   b. Spraying water on the mirror surface  11  if the static cling means is being used to adhere the film product  9  to the mirror surface  11 ;   c. partially peeling the backing  13  off the single layer of translucent film  14  thereby partially uncovering a portion of an adhering surface of the translucent film  14 ;   d. aligning the film product  9  with the mirror surface  11 ;   e. placing the uncovered portion of the translucent film  14  in contact with the mirror surface  11 ;   f. pressing the uncovered portion of the adhering surface to remove any entrained air and/or water and to maximize contact between the adhering surface of translucent film  14  and the mirror surface  11 ; and   g. further peeling the backing  13  off the adhering surface of the translucent film  14  and further pressing the uncovered portion of the adhering surface until the backing  6  is completely removed and the translucent film  14  is completely adhered to the mirror surface  11 .