Patent Publication Number: US-2011051266-A1

Title: Covected-shaped edge rear view mirror and method of use

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/237,053 filed on Aug. 26, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD &amp; BACKGROUND 
     The present invention generally relates to an improved rear view mirror and method of use. More specifically, the invention is a convected-shaped edge rear view mirror and method of use. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an external mirror for vehicles designed to provide a clear view to the rear side, into a blind spot and also at ground level. 
     It is an object of the invention to improve a driver&#39;s ability to see into the adjacent lane and prevent unnecessary sideswiping accidents from occurring. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a mirror that is especially useful when changing lanes and merging into busy traffic on highways and other roadways. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a convected-shaped edge rear view mirror and method of use that is useful when parking next to curbs by providing a downward view at the side of an attached vehicle. 
     What is really needed is a convected-shaped edge rear view mirror and method of use that provides an external mirror for a vehicle designed to provide a clear view to the rear side of the vehicle, into a blind spot and also at ground level that improves a driver&#39;s ability to see into an adjacent lane and prevent unnecessary sideswiping accidents from occurring and that is especially useful when changing lanes and merging into busy traffic on highways and other roadways. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which like references denote similar elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates an overhead perspective view of a plurality of convected-shaped edge rear view mirrors, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a side perspective view of a convected-shaped edge rear view mirror, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates an overhead perspective view of a generally rectangular convected-shaped edge rear view mirror, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates steps of a method of using a convected-shaped edge rear view mirror, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments. 
     Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation. 
     The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates an overhead perspective view of a plurality of convected-shaped edge rear view mirrors  10 . Each individual convected-shaped edge rear view mirror represents an embodiment of the convected-shaped edge rear view mirror  10 . All of the individual convected-shaped edge rear view mirrors are provided with curved outer and lower edges  15 , as are discussed in greater detail in  FIG. 1B  and  FIG. 1C . The plurality of convected-shaped edge rear view mirrors  10  include a general oval shape  20 , a triangle with a right angle and curved hypotenuse shape  30 , an oval shape with a rounded off side  40 , an upright vertical rectangular shape with rounded corners  50 , a horizontal rectangular shape with rounded corners  60 , an inverted triangle with a right angle and curved hypotenuse shape  70  and an oval with a rounded off corner shape  80 . The plurality of convected-shaped edge rear view mirrors  10  are not limited to these shapes and can be other shapes that are well known to those in the art. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a side perspective view of a convected-shaped edge rear view mirror  10 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically,  FIG. 1B  illustrates a side perspective view of the horizontal rectangular shape with the rounded corners  60  embodiment of the convected-shaped edge rear view mirror  10 . As mentioned previously in the  FIG. 1A  description, the curved outer and lower edges  15  provide a clear view to the rear side of a vehicle, into a blind spot and also at ground level that improves a driver&#39;s ability to see into an adjacent lane and prevent unnecessary sideswiping accidents from occurring and that is especially useful when changing lanes and merging into busy traffic on highways and other roadways. The curved and outer and lower edges  15  are provided on all embodiments of the convected-shaped edge rear view mirror  10 . The curved outer and lower edges  15  are convected between a range of a 1 to 10 ratio and a 1 to 3 ratio. 
     The convect-shaped edge rear view mirror  10  could be neatly integrated into the design of new production vehicles and installed and retrofitted in place of traditional left and right external mirrors. It would be used primarily in conjunction with automobiles and light-duty trucks, but also made available for other types of vehicles like buses, RV&#39;s, semi-trucks, and even motorcycles. While ideal for production vehicles, the convect-shaped edge rear view mirror  10  could also be installed as a complete mirror replacement on aftermarket vehicles. 
     The convect-shaped edge rear view mirror  10  would measure approximately 4 to 6 inches tall and 4 to 10 inches long. The size, color, and styling of the mirror housing could vary significantly according to the particular vehicle application. Each convect-shaped edge rear view mirror housing that would be fitted with a flat-glass reflective panel section  90  that was curved forward along the outermost vertical edge  100  and also along the bottom horizontal edge  110  of the curved outer and lower edges  15 . The primary flat glass section  90  would provide the standard rear side view, while the curved outer and lower edges  15  provided an expanded field of vision. The one-piece mirror design of the convect-shaped edge rear view mirror  10  would be adjustable with standard motorized controls (not shown) as well. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates steps of a method of using a convected-shaped edge rear view mirror  200 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The steps of the method include installing a convected-shape edge rear view mirror on a vehicle  210 , adjusting the convected-shape edge rear view mirror to a desired setting  220 , using the convected-shape edge rear view mirror for improved rear vision  230  and terminating use of the convected-shape edge rear view mirror  240 . Installing the convected-shape edge rear view mirror on a vehicle  210  can be done by any method that is well known to those in the art. Adjusting the convected-shape edge rear view mirror to a desired setting  220  involves a user adjusting the convected-shape edge rear view mirror so that a clear view to the rear side of a vehicle, into a blind spot and also at ground level that improves a driver&#39;s ability to see into an adjacent lane and prevent unnecessary sideswiping accidents from occurring and that is especially useful when changing lanes and merging into busy traffic on highways and other roadways is provided by the convected-shape edge rear view mirror. The desired setting will also be driver specific as each driver or user can adjust the convected-shape edge rear view mirror to their own height and eye-level. 
     Using a convected-shape edge rear view mirror for improved rear vision  230  requires that a user actually use the convected-shape edge rear view mirror when looking rearwardly. Terminating use of the convected-shape edge rear view mirror  240  involves the user simply not using the convected-shape edge rear view mirror because they don&#39;t need to view rearwardly or are not driving a vehicle that uses the convected-shape edge rear view mirror. 
     While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.