Patent Publication Number: US-9901193-B2

Title: Mirror assembly

Description:
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/039,893 filed on Aug. 20, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a mirror assembly. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a hands-free, adjustable mirror assembly, having at least two mirrors, wherein at least one of the mirrors is adjustable relative to the other mirror to permit various views. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is of course, generally known to use a mirror when performing bathing and grooming activities. Wall mounted mirrors are common features, if not a necessity, to every bathroom, and often found in other areas of the home. Daily grooming activities are generally performed using a wall mounted mirror, which provides the users with a front view. However, both men and women often need to see both the front and the back of their head and neck area while performing daily grooming activities, including shaving, brushing and/or styling hair, and other grooming activities. 
     Typically, in order for a person to see the back of his/her head or neck, it is often necessary to hold a second hand-held mirror in front of his/her face with one hand, while having his or her back to a larger mirror positioned behind them. However, this method leaves only one hand free. Many grooming activities, such as hair styling and brushing, neck shaving, hair drying, and rinsing out hair products, such as shampoo and conditioner, are often more efficiently accomplished with two hands. 
     To date, there are no hands-free devices or products on the market that can be mounted to a wall that allows the user to effectively see both the front and back of their head while engaged in the above listed grooming tasks. In addition, there are no hands-free devices or products on the market incorporating at least two mirrors to allow the user to effectively see both the front and back of their head, as needed. Furthermore, there are no hands-free devices or products that can be mounted to both a shower area wall, a wall in the general bathroom area, or in any other suitable area. Previous attempts to create such a device included attaching devices, such as mirrors, to the shower head, or chairs; however, none of these ideas have been widely successful either in use or in the market. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a mirror assembly that is easily adjustable and provides the user with multiple views. 
     Further, a need exists for a mirror assembly that permits the user to see the front and back of his/her head and/or neck simultaneously. 
     In addition, a need exists for a mirror assembly that provides hands-free use. Moreover, a need exists for a mirror assembly that is easily collapsible into a compact unit for convenient storage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a mirror assembly, and specifically, an adjustable vanity mirror assembly. The adjustable mirror assembly is useful during various grooming activities, such as shaving or hair styling, as it provides the user with a hands-free option for simultaneously viewing the front and the back of the user. 
     To this end, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a mirror assembly is disclosed. The mirror assembly comprises a housing having a frame, a first mirror secured within frame, at least one moveable arm connected at a first end to the housing, a second mirror connected to a second end of the movable arm, wherein the second mirror is adjustable between a closed positioned and at least one open position relative to the first mirror. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a vanity mirror assembly is disclosed. The vanity mirror assembly comprises a housing having a frame, a stationary base mirror centrally positioned within the frame, a supporting rail extending above the frame, at least one arm connected at a first end to the supporting rail, a moveable mirror connected to a second end of the arm, wherein the movable mirror is adjustable through the arm between a closed positioned adjacent the base mirror and at least one open position extending away from the base mirror. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a vanity mirror assembly is disclosed. The vanity mirror assembly comprises a housing having a frame, a stationary base mirror centrally positioned within the frame, a supporting rail extending above the frame, at least one articulating arm connected at a first end to the supporting rail, a movable mirror connected to a second end of the arm, wherein the movable mirror is adjustable through the articulating arm between a closed position adjacent the base mirror and at least one open position extending away from the base mirror, and wherein in the open position a reflective surface of the movable mirror faces a reflective surface of the base mirror. 
     It is, therefore, an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a vanity mirror assembly that is adjustable into a plurality of configurations providing the user with multiple viewing options during grooming activities, including shaving and hair styling. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the mirror assembly of the present disclosure in a closed position; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the mirror assembly of the present disclosure in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the mirror assembly of the present disclosure in a second open position; 
         FIG. 4  shows on plan view of the mirror assembly mounted of the present disclosure in use; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of the mirror assembly of the present disclosure; and, 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the supporting rail of the mirror assembly of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to a mirror assembly. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a vanity mirror assembly including at least two mirrors that are capable of being adjusted relative to each other and providing the users with a plurality of views. The present mirror assembly provides the user with a hands-free device for use during personal care and grooming activities, such as shaving and hair styling, but is not necessarily limited to these activities. 
     Now referring to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like parts,  FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a mirror assembly  10 , including a vanity mirror assembly. The mirror assembly  10  generally includes housing  12 , and at least two mirrors—a first, stationary base mirror  14  and a second, adjustable or moveable mirror  16 . The ability to position the first mirror  14  in relation to the second mirror  16  allows the user to easily see both the front (face) and the back of the head and neck while performing personal grooming tasks. In the present embodiment, two mirrors are shown and described. However, it should be understood that any number of mirrors may be used in the present assembly. The mirror assembly  10  can be mounted to a variety of wall surfaces, including tile, drywall, laminate and plaster using known attachment methods, including suctions cups, adhesive mounts, and screws. 
     The present mirror assembly  10  can be used in the general bathroom area, shower area, or any other convenient area of the household. Although the present mirror assembly is highly useful from daily grooming activities, such as shaving and hair styling, it may also be used for any other application that requires adjustable mirrors, including dressing and adjusting or securing jewelry. Cordless LED lights may be added to the first mirror  14  to enhance viewing in the often darker lighting conditions of the bathroom and/or shower area. Additionally, the mirrors are fog resistant, and the entire mirror assembly  10  is water-resistant. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the present assembly  10  includes a housing  12  having a frame  18  for receiving and securing a first or base mirror  14 . The housing  12  may be constructed from any suitable materials, including corrosion resistant metals, such as stainless steel, steel, and aluminum, or plastic. In addition to the first or base mirror  14 , the housing  12  may incorporate LED lights (not shown), slots and hooks (not shown) to accommodate accessories, such as razors and grooming or styling tools. The housing  12  further includes a mounting bracket  12   a , for mounting the assembly to a wall  100  using known methods. For example, the housing may be snap fit onto the mounting bracket  12   a  after the bracket is mounting to the wall or other supporting surface. In this manner, the first mirror  14  is generally stationary relative to the second mirror  16 , yet the housing  12  is removable from the mounting bracket  12   a  for ease in replacing light bulbs that may be included in the mirror. 
     The housing  12  further includes a supporting or top rail  20 . The supporting rail  20  is integrally formed with and extends above the frame  18  housing the first mirror  14 . The supporting or top rail  20  may be constructed from any suitable materials including extruded plastic, stainless steel, steel, or aluminum. 
     Connecting the first mirror  14  and the second mirror  16  is an arm  22 , and specifically an articulating or adjustable arm. In one embodiment, the arm  22  is divided into at least two segments  22   a  and  22   b , which are joined together using a connector  24 , such as hinge or a pin ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ), which permits the arm segments  22   a ,  22   b  to move or articulate into a plurality of positions. Although the arm  22  is shown divided into two segments, it should be understood that the arm may be divided into any number of segments. Movement of the arm segments may be together or independent from one another. The arm  22  may be constructed from molded or extruded plastic, stainless steel, steel or aluminum. 
     The arm  22  is further connected at a first connection end  26  to the supporting or top rail  20 , and at a second connection end  28  to the second mirror  16 . In one embodiment, the first connection end  26  includes a sleeve  30  surrounding the top rail  20 , which permits the arm  22  to slide laterally along a the length of the top rail into a plurality of positions. For example,  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the arm  22  slidably moveable through the sleeve  30 , which is slidably positioned at different positions along the length of the top rail  20  and housing  12 . The top rail  20  may also include a channel (not shown) for receiving the first end of the arm. In this manner, the first end  26  of the arm  22  would be secured within the channel yet have the ability to laterally slide within the channel to either side of the rail and housing. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a second or moveable mirror  16  is attached to the arm  22 , at the second segment  22   b . The second mirror  16  can connected to the second connection end  28  of the second segment  22   b  of the arm  22  through any known connector, such as a pin. This connection allows the moveable second mirror  16  to horizontally rotate 360 degrees from a starting position about the connection end  28  of the second segment  22   b  of the arm  22 . The ease in mobility of the second mirror  16  provides the user with the ability to easily adjust the mirror into a desired position. 
     As shown, the second mirror  16  includes a surrounding frame  32 , which may also include an optional handle  34 . The surrounding frame  32  secures and protects the mirror, and can be constructed from plastic, stainless steel, steel, or aluminum. It should be understood, however, that the second mirror may also be frameless. The mirror  16  may be one piece including two mirrored sides, or two pieces, each with one mirrored side, and have any suitable shape including, but not limited to round, rectangular or square. The mirror is generally fog resistant. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , and in one embodiment, the present mirror assembly  10  is useful for viewing the front and back of the user&#39;s head and neck simultaneously. The present mirror assembly  10  works as a self-contained device, consisting primarily of the first, generally larger wall mounted mirror  14 , and the adjustable, generally smaller, second mirror  16 . It should be understood, however, that the mirrors can vary in size relative to one another or be the same size. 
     As described, the first mirror  14  and the second mirror  16  are connected to one another by the two-segment articulating arm  22 . When in use, the second mirror  16  can be pivoted outward from the first mirror  14  on the two-segment articulating arm  22 , easily positioning the second mirror  16  in front of and away from the first mirror  12 . In this manner, the user can see the back of his or her head and/or neck in the first mirror  14 , when the user is standing in front of, and with his/her back to, the first mirror. 
     In an embodiment, the second mirror  16  is a double sided mirror, which also has the ability to pivot horizontally from its connection end  28  with the two-segment arm  22 . The second two-sided mirror  16  can pivot 360 degrees from an initial position. Additionally, by sliding the arm  22  along the top rail either right or left in the direction of “A”, the user can place the second mirror  16  just to the left or right of the user or head of the user, where it optimally needs to be to see the back of the head and/or neck. At the point where the two-segment arm  22  attaches to the first mirror  14 , either through the sleeve  30  or channel (not shown), the second mirror  16  can both pivot and slide laterally on the rail  20 , or channel, which allows for greater adjustability of the mirror assembly from right to left. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the top or supporting rail  20 . In this embodiment, the top rail  20  includes a notch  20   a  extending laterally along the length of the rail. The sleeve  30 , connecting the arm  22  to the top rail  20 , includes an opening  30   a  configured to receive the notch  20   a  of the top rail. As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the notch  20   a  of the top rail  20  engages the opening  30   a  of the sleeve  30 , the top rail is prevented from rotating about a horizontal axis. This configuration provides a stable support for the arm  22 . 
     The adjustability and options provided by the present mirror assembly  10  provide the advantage of permitting the user to move the mirrors  14 ,  16  into any suitable configuration to better suit his/her grooming tasks and needs. The combination of the articulating arm  22  to slide laterally on the first mirror  14 , combined with the adjustability of the second mirror  16  provides a highly ergonomic, adjustable, compact, yet expandable mirror assembly  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , once the first base mirror  14  is mounted to a wall  100  through its housing  12 , the user pulls out (extends) the second mobile mirror  16 , and stands facing away from the first base mirror  14 . Using the articulating arm  22 , the user adjusts the location of the mobile mirror  16  so that the user can see the back of his/her head/neck area reflected from the base mirror. The user can then easily slide the extended arm  22  holding the mobile mirror  16  left or right on the rail  20  located on the base mirror to position the mirror to the right or left side of their head, depending on the user&#39;s needs. The mobile mirror  16  can be flipped and adjusted 360 degrees, which allows for a broad range of adjustability. When the user is done using the mirror assembly  10 , the mobile mirror  16  can be pushed back into position on or next to the first base mirror  14  so that the entire mirror assembly rest neatly flat on the wall  100  ( FIG. 1 ). The mirror assembly  10  can also be used with the user facing the wall or base mirror  14  and looking at the reflection in the mobile mirror  16 . This gives the user flexibility in usage and placement of the mirror assembly  10 . 
     The mirror assembly  10  can also be used in its non-extended form, i.e, folded flat on the wall as shown in  FIG. 1 , as a shaving mirror or like any other wall mirror. This gives the mirror assembly a broad range of functionality, contained in a single assembly. 
     It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, references throughout the specification to “the invention” are nonlimiting, and it should be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant to describe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.