Abstract:
A lateral-view mirror assembly comprising a housing having a first lateral-view mirror and a second lateral-view mirror coupled to a rear window of a vehicle and dimensioned to provide a driver of a vehicle with the ability to view objects positioned lateral to a rear portion of the vehicle by looking at a reflection of the objects reflected from the first and second lateral-view mirrors to the rear-view mirror to the driver. The lateral-view mirror assembly is helpful when backing out of a parking space and also when changing lanes.

Description:
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 lateral-view mirror assembly coupled to the rear window of a vehicle and dimensioned to allow a driver to view objects positioned lateral to a rear portion 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 portion 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 a rear portion of the driver&#39;s vehicle. 
   Positioning a lateral-view mirror on a top surface of a rear portion of a vehicle is one way to assist a driver to be able to see objects positioned lateral to a rear end of a vehicle. However, some drivers may not prefer, for aesthetic reasons, to place a lateral view mirror on a top surface of a rear portion of a vehicle. 
   Thus, a need existed for a lateral-view mirror assembly coupled to a rear window of a vehicle, and in a line of sight with a car&#39;s rear-view mirror, and dimensioned to allow a driver to view people, vehicles, and other objects positioned lateral to a rear portion of the vehicle. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a lateral-view mirror assembly for a vehicle capable of providing a driver with the ability to view objects positioned lateral to a rear portion of the vehicle by looking at a reflection of the objects reflected from lateral-view mirrors coupled to a rear window of a vehicle and positioned in a line of sight with the rear-view mirror. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a lateral-view mirror assembly for a vehicle that is adjustable and programmable with preset mirror positions for specific drivers&#39; preferences. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a lateral-view mirror assembly for a vehicle that is adjustable and programmable with preset mirror positions for varying types of parking spaces. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a lateral-view mirror assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The lateral-view mirror assembly comprises, in combination: a housing coupled to a rear window of the vehicle; a first lateral-view mirror coupled to the housing, the first lateral-view mirror being positioned in a line of sight with a rear-view mirror of the vehicle, the first lateral-view mirror being dimensioned to allow a driver to view objects positioned lateral to a passenger&#39;s side of a rear portion of the vehicle by looking at a reflection of the objects reflected from the first lateral-view mirror to the rear-view mirror to the driver; and a second lateral-view mirror coupled to the housing, the second lateral-view mirror being positioned in a line of sight with the rear-view mirror of the vehicle, the second lateral-view mirror being dimensioned to allow the driver to view objects positioned lateral to a driver&#39;s side of the rear portion of the vehicle by looking at a reflection of the objects reflected from the second lateral-view mirror to the rear-view mirror to the driver. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a lateral-view mirror assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The lateral-view mirror assembly comprises, in combination: a housing coupled to a substantially center portion of an interior surface of a rear window of the vehicle; a first lateral-view mirror coupled to the housing, the first lateral-view mirror being positioned in a line of sight with a rear-view mirror of the vehicle, the first lateral-view mirror being dimensioned to allow a driver to view objects positioned lateral to a passenger&#39;s side of a rear portion of the vehicle by looking at a reflection of the objects reflected from the first lateral-view mirror to the rear-view mirror to the driver; and a second lateral-view mirror coupled to the housing, the second lateral-view mirror being positioned in a line of sight with the rear-view mirror of the vehicle, the second lateral-view mirror being dimensioned to allow the driver to view objects positioned lateral to the driver&#39;s side of the rear portion of the vehicle by looking at a reflection of the objects reflected from the second lateral-view mirror to the rear-view mirror to the driver. 
   In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for viewing objects positioned lateral to a rear portion of a vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a housing having: a first lateral-view mirror coupled to the housing, the first lateral-view mirror being positioned in a line of sight with a rear-view mirror of the vehicle, the first lateral-view mirror being dimensioned to allow a driver to view objects positioned lateral to a passenger&#39;s side of the rear portion of the vehicle by looking at a reflection of the objects reflected from the first lateral-view mirror to the rear-view mirror to the driver; and a second lateral-view mirror coupled to the housing, the second lateral-view mirror being positioned in a line of sight with the rear-view mirror of the vehicle, the second lateral-view mirror being dimensioned to allow the driver to view objects positioned lateral to a driver&#39;s side of the rear portion of the vehicle by looking at a reflection of the objects reflected from the second lateral-view mirror to the rear-view mirror to the driver; coupling the housing to a substantially center portion of an interior surface of a rear window of the vehicle; and the driver looking into the rear-view mirror so as to view objects positioned lateral to the rear portion of the vehicle. 
   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 an embodiment of the lateral-view mirror assembly of the present invention, showing the line of sight between the rear view mirror and the lateral-view mirror assembly. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the lateral-view mirror assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the lateral-view mirror assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the lateral-view mirror assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the lateral-view mirror assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the lateral-view mirror assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of a vehicle using the lateral-view mirror assembly of  FIG. 1  to view pedestrians and another vehicle while backing out of a straight parking space. 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of a vehicle using the lateral-view mirror assembly of  FIG. 1 , showing a driver using the line of sight between the rear view mirror and the lateral-view mirror assembly. 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of the lateral-view mirror assembly of  FIG. 2 , shown coupled to a center portion of an interior surface of the rear window of a vehicle. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the lateral-view mirror assembly of  FIG. 1  being used while changing lanes. 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of the lateral-view mirror assembly of  FIG. 1  being used while changing lanes. 
   

   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. 
     FIGS. 1-11  show a lateral-view mirror assembly, hereinafter lateral-view mirror assembly  10 . The lateral-view mirror assembly  10  comprises a housing  12 , a first lateral-view mirror  14 , and a second lateral-view mirror  16 . The housing  12  is preferably coupled to a center portion  46  of an inner surface of a rear window  44  of a vehicle  48 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , a lateral-view mirror assembly  10  is shown in a vehicle  48 . The housing  12  is shown coupled to a center portion  46  of the inner surface of the rear window  44  of the vehicle  48 . The first lateral-view mirror  14  is coupled to the housing  12  and is positioned in line of sight with the rear-view mirror  40 . The first lateral-view mirror  14  is dimensioned to allow a driver  42  (see  FIG. 8 ) to view objects  54  (see  FIG. 7 ) positioned lateral to a passenger&#39;s side  50  of a rear portion  51  of the vehicle  48  by reflecting the objects  54  from the first lateral-view mirror  14  to the rear-view mirror  40  to the driver  42 . 
   The second lateral-view mirror  16  is also coupled to the housing  12  and is positioned in light of sight with the rear-view mirror  40 . The second lateral-view mirror  16  is dimensioned to allow the driver  42  to view objects  56  (see  FIG. 7 ) positioned lateral to a driver&#39;s side  52  of the rear portion  51  of the vehicle  48  by reflecting the objects  56  from the second lateral-view mirror  16  to the rear-view mirror  40  to the driver  42 . 
     FIGS. 2-6  show the first lateral-view mirror  14  and the second lateral-view mirror  16  coupled to the housing  12 . In  FIG. 6 , the housing  12  has a base  18  and a top  20 . The first lateral-view mirror  14  and the second lateral-view mirror  16  are each coupled to a mirror holder  30 . Each mirror holder  30  preferably has a dome-shaped surface  25  that engages a bracket  22  and is coupled to the bracket  22  by a hex screw  32 , a dome washer  24 , a spring  26 , a flat washer  28 , and a hex nut  34 . Preferably, the bracket  22  defines flat edges  23  that are slidably coupled to corresponding grooves  19  defined by a top portion of the base  18 . Preferably a mounting plate  36  is coupled to a bottom portion of the base  18  and an adhesive  38  is coupled to a bottom portion of the mounting plate  36 . The adhesive  38  is used to mount the lateral-view mirror assembly  10  to the rear window  44  of the vehicle  48 . It should be clearly understood, however, that substantial benefit may be derived from the first lateral-view mirror  14  and the second lateral-view mirror  16  being coupled to the housing  12  in an alternative manner so long as they are adjustable and allow the driver  42  to view objects positioned lateral to the rear portion  51  of the vehicle  48 . It should also be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the lateral-view mirror assembly  10  being coupled to the rear window  44  by means other than adhesive or by the lateral-view mirror assembly  10  being integral to the rear window  44 . 
     FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  show the lateral-view mirror assembly  10  in use with a vehicle  48 . The first lateral-view mirror  14  allows the driver  42  to view objects  54  positioned lateral to the passenger&#39;s side  50  of a rear portion  51  of the vehicle  48  by reflecting the objects  54  from the first lateral-view mirror  14  to the rear-view mirror  40  to the driver  42 . The second lateral-view mirror  16  allows the driver  42  to view objects  56  positioned lateral to the driver&#39;s side  52  of the rear portion  51  of the vehicle  48  by reflecting the objects  56  from the second lateral-view mirror  16  to the rear-view mirror  40  to the driver  42 . 
   Preferably, the lateral-view mirror assembly  10  will be adjustable and will have a remote controlled system comprising a remote control proximate the driver&#39;s side  52  of the vehicle  48  and at least one actuation device coupled to the housing  12  for adjusting the first lateral-view mirror  14  and the second lateral-view mirror  16  relative to the rear portion  40  of the vehicle  48  when the remote control transmits an actuation signal to the at least one actuation device. Further preferably, the remote controlled system will be programmable with at least one preset position for the first lateral-view mirror  14  and/or the second lateral-view mirror  16 . The remote controlled system may be programmed according to a specific driver&#39;s preferences and/or may be programmed according to the type of parking space that a driver  42  is pulling out of, i.e. straight (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), angled, or parallel parking. It should be clearly understood, however, that substantial benefit may be derived from the lateral-view mirrors  14 ,  16  being manually adjustable. 
     FIG. 9  shows the lateral-view mirror assembly  10  coupled to a center portion  46  of an interior surface of the rear window  44  of the vehicle  48 . The lateral-view mirror assembly  10  is shown coupled just above the brake light  53 , however, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the brake light  53  being integral to the lateral-view mirror assembly  10 . 
     FIGS. 10 and 11  show the lateral-view mirror assembly  10  coupled to a center portion  46  of the interior surface of the rear window  44  of the vehicle  48 . The lateral view mirror assembly  10  is shown being used by a driver  42  to view cars lateral to the rear portion  51  of the vehicle  48 . This is especially helpful when the driver  42  is changing lanes. 
   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.