Patent Publication Number: US-2011058269-A1

Title: Inspecting Device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to an inspecting device for use in limited space. 
     2. Related Prior Art 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a conventional inspecting device for use in limited space. The conventional inspecting device includes a mirror  40 , a back plate  41  and an adhesive layer  42  for attaching the mirror  40  to the back plate  41 . The back plate  41  is connected to a shank operable to maneuver the mirror  40 . Thus, the conventional inspecting device can be used to inspect the interior of a vehicle, machine or mouth. The conventional inspecting device however suffers some disadvantages. Firstly, the mirror  40  can easily be detached from the back plate  41  because of inadequate provision of the adhesive layer  42  or deterioration of the adhesive layer  42  caused by heat. Secondly, the mirror  40  can easily be damaged when it is used to inspect the interior of a vehicle or machine since the periphery of the mirror  40  is not protected. 
     The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a reliable inspecting device. 
     It is another objective of the present invention to provide a robust inspecting device. 
     To achieve the foregoing objectives, the inspecting device includes a mirror and a frame. The frame includes a back plate and a rim extending from the back plate and converging. Thus, the periphery of the mirror is firmly held with the rim of the frame. Moreover, a buffering space is defined between the periphery of the mirror and the rim of the frame. 
     Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of two embodiments versus the prior art referring to the drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an inspecting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial, cross-sectional view of the inspecting device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an inspecting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a handle connected to the inspecting device shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a conventional inspecting device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an inspecting device  10  includes a mirror  20 , a frame  30  and a shank  34  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The frame  30  includes a back plate  31  and a rim  32  formed on and around the back plate  31 . The back plate  31  is shaped corresponding to the mirror  20 . The area of the back plate  31  is larger than that of the mirror  20 . The rim  32  extends from the back plate  31  and converges. Thus, the periphery of the mirror  20  is firmly held with the rim  32  of the frame  30 . There is a buffering space  33  defined between the periphery of the mirror  20  and the rim  32  of the frame  30 . The buffering space  33  is intended to protect the mirror  20  when the frame  30  is hit during operation. 
     The shank  34  is an angled element. An end of the shank  34  is connected to the back plate  31  of the frame  30  by welding or a rivet for example. Another end of the shank  34  is formed with a thread  35 . The thread  35  of the shank  34  can be engaged with a thread formed on an internal side of a handle. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an inspecting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except that the shank  34  is formed with a ball  36 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a connecting unit  37  is used to connect the ball  36  of the inspecting device  10  to a ball  36  formed at an end of a handle  38 . The connecting unit  37  includes a first strip, a second strip and a fastener for connecting the first strip to the second strip. Each of the first and second strips includes a first recess defined therein and a second recess defined therein. The ball  36  of the inspecting device  10  includes a portion disposed in the first recess of the first strip and another portion disposed in the first recess of the second strip. The ball  36  of the handle  38  includes a portion disposed in the second recess of the first strip and another portion disposed in the second recess of the second strip. Thus, the inspecting device  10  is pivotally connected to the handle  38 . The connecting unit  37  can be replaced with a socket formed at an end of the handle  38 . 
     The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the illustrated embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the illustrated embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the illustrated embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.