Abstract:
The curved rearview mirror system for vehicles allows a driver to see the entire area of a driver&#39;s blind spot from looking into any one of three mirrors without giving the driver an overly distorted view. The mirror system includes a central rearview mirror with a central planar section and two side convexly curved sections having a constant radius of curvature. The mirror system also includes left and right side rearview mirrors. Each side rearview mirror includes a central planar section, a convexly curved side section, a convexly curved top section, and a convexly curved bottom section. The shape and placement of each mirror is governed by a series of equations that give the driver the best possible view of the blind spot.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to the shape and placement of side and center rearview mirrors on a vehicle that allow a driver to have a complete view of the blind spot.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Ordinarily, flat mirrors of rectangular or of substantially rectangular shape are employed as rearview mirrors in automobiles. These mirrors provide the driver with a view through the rear window of the automobile, but the driver ordinarily cannot see automobiles on either side of the driver&#39;s automobile that are in a position to pass the driver&#39;s automobile, i.e., the driver cannot see other automobiles in his or her “blind spot.” 
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,857,810, issued Jun. 22, 1953 to J. Troendle, discloses a center rearview mirror with a planar central section and two curved sections on the side. The &#39;810 patent, however, does not disclose the best shape and positioning of the mirror to yield the optimal view of the blind spot.  
         [0006]     U.S. patent Publication No. 2003/0169521, published Sep. 11, 2003, discloses a central rearview mirror having curved sides that transition from substantially flat surface having a very large radius of curvature in the middle to a progressively smaller radius of curvature towards the sides of the mirror. U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,144, issued Apr. 28, 1981 to McCord, discloses a similar central rearview mirror having a progressively smaller radius of curvature towards the sides of the mirror. Neither the &#39;521 publication nor the &#39;144 patent, however, discloses the positioning of the mirror that yields the optimal view of the blind spot.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,786, issued on May 22, 1984 to R. McCord, discloses a central rearview mirror that is entirely curved. Other central rearview mirrors that are entirely curved are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,901,587, issued on Aug. 26, 1975 to E. Haile; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,556, issued Jun. 14, 1994 to T. Joe. The images produced by rearview mirrors which are entirely curved, however, tend to be distorted.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,331,382, issued on May 25, 1982 to H. Graff, discloses a side rearview mirror having a planar section and an adjacent curved section having a constant radius of curvature. Other Patents disclosing similar side rearview mirrors having a planar section and an adjacent curved section include U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,979, issued on Mar. 31, 1981 to W. Mahin and French Patent No. 2,588,808, published Apr. 24, 1987. These patents, however, does not disclose the best shapes and positioning of these mirrors that yield the optimal view of the blind spot.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,389,952, issued on Dec. 2, 1964 to J. Tobin, Jr., discloses a side rearview mirror having a planar section with an adjacent spherical side section. Similar side rearview mirrors having a planar section and an adjacent spherical section are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,962, issued Apr. 9, 1991 to K. Edelman; U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,367, issued May 14, 1996 to Kim et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,542, issued Aug. 11, 1998 to Kondo et al.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,279,751, issued Apr. 14, 1942 to E. Hensley, discloses a side rearview mirror having four planar sections at different angles. U.S. Pat. No. 2,514,989, issued Jul. 11, 1950 to N. Buren, discloses a similar side rearview mirror having two planar sections of different colors. Similar rearview mirrors with multiple planar sections at different angles are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,501,227, issued Mar. 17, 1970 to W. Landen; U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,851, issued Dec. 21, 1971 to H. Robertson; U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,601, issued Aug. 3, 1976 to W. Johnson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,046, issued Aug. 22, 1989 to Traynor et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,133, issued Nov. 26, 1996 to Black et al.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,386, issued Jan. 18, 1994 to D. Johnson, discloses a windshield deflection shield with lenses or rearview mirrors.  
         [0012]     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a curved rearview mirror system for vehicles solving the aforementioned problems is desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The curved rearview mirror system for vehicles of the present invention allows a driver to see the entire area of a driver&#39;s blind spot from looking at any one of three mirrors without giving the driver an overly distorted view. The mirror system includes a central rearview mirror having a central planar section and two lateral, convexly curved sections with a constant radius of curvature. The mirror system also includes left and right side-mounted rearview mirrors. Each side rearview mirror includes a central planar section, a convexly curved side section, a convexly curved top section, and a convexly curved bottom section. The shape and placement of each mirror is governed by a series of equations that give the driver the best possible view of the blind spot by selection left and right reference points on the ground spaced laterally from the vehicle. The curved rearview mirror system is adapted for both left hand drive and right hand drive vehicles.  
         [0014]     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a curved rearview mirror system that gives a driver an optimal view of the blind spot.  
         [0015]     It is another object of the invention to provide improved central and side rearview mirrors that are each placed so that the driver can get a complete view of the blind spot.  
         [0016]     It is a further object of the invention to provide mirrors that do not overly distort a reflected image of the blind spot.  
         [0017]     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
         [0018]     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1A  is an environmental top view of the curved rearview mirror system for left hand drive vehicles according to the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1B  is a detailed environmental top view of the curved rearview mirror system of  FIG. 1A .  
         [0021]      FIG. 1C  is an environmental top view of the curved rearview mirror system of  FIG. 1A  adapted for right hand drive vehicles.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1D  is a detailed environmental top view of the curved rearview mirror system of  FIG. 1C .  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is an environmental side view of the curved rearview mirror system of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3A  is an environmental front perspective view of the central curved rearview mirror of the system of the present invention, showing the mirror attached to a windshield.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a top view of the central curved rearview mirror of the system of the present invention, showing the mirror attached to a windshield.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4A  is a front perspective view of a curved rearview mirror of the system of the present invention for mounting to the left side of a vehicle.  
         [0027]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the left side mirror of  FIG. 4A .  
         [0028]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of the left side mirror of  FIG. 4A .  
         [0029]      FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view of a curved rearview mirror of the system of the present invention for mounting to the right side of a vehicle.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5B  is a top view of the right side mirror of  FIG. 5A .  
         [0031]      FIG. 5C  is a side view of the right side mirror of  FIG. 5A . 
     
    
       [0032]     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]     The present invention relates to a system of curved rearview mirrors and their placement within an automotive vehicle. There are three curved rearview mirrors. The central rearview mirror has a planar middle section and two side convexly curved side sections. The left side rearview mirror has a planar mid section, a left side convexly curved section, a top convexly curved section, and a bottom convexly curved section. The right side rearview mirror has a planar mid section, a right side convexly curved section, a top convexly curved section, and a bottom convexly curved section.  
         [0034]      FIG. 1A  depicts a left hand drive automobile  60  with the curved rearview mirrors  10 ,  20 , and  30  of the curved mirror system.  FIG. 1B  depicts a close up of the driver  40  in relation to the rearview mirrors  10 ,  20 , and  30 .  FIG. 1C  depicts a right hand drive automobile  60 R with the curved rearview mirrors  10 ,  20 , and  30  of the curved mirror system.  FIG. 1D  depicts a close up of the driver  40  in right hand drive automobile  60 R with the curved rearview mirrors  10 ,  20 , and  30  of the curved mirror system.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIGS. 1A, 1B ,  1 C,  1 D,  3 A and  3 C, the central rearview mirror  10  is attached to a pivot  18  positioned at a point along a central line  42  of the automobile  60 . The central line  42  is positioned near the center of the automobile  60 , but can be positioned slightly to the right or to the left of the exact center of the automobile  60 . The pivoted position of the central rearview mirror  10  is spaced a distance c away from the line demarking the plane of the driver&#39;s eyes  40   R  and  40   L  when the driver is facing forward and a distance h away from a line  40   h  demarking the plane equidistant from the driver&#39;s left and right eyes. The central rearview mirror  10  is positioned at an angle B M  from a line  44   C  normal to the central line  42  of the automobile  60  and passing through the pivot point of the central mirror  10 . Line  44   C  and lines and vertical planes parallel thereto are referred to herein as lateral lines and planes or “the lateral”.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B  and  4 A- 4 C, the left curved rearview mirror  20  is positioned to the left side of the automobile  60 . The edge  84  of the planar section  22  that is not attached to a curved section is spaced a distance of f L  away from the side  48   L  of the automobile  60 , a distance d L  in front of the eyes of the driver  40   L . The side  48   L  of the automobile  60  is spaced a distance e from the center point of the driver&#39;s eyes  40   h . The planar section is angled at an angle of B L  away from a plane  44   L  normal to the central line  42  of the automobile  60  and passing through the pivot point of the left side rearview mirror  20 . A distance b L  represents the distance from the straight edge  84  the planar section  22  of the left rearview mirror  20  to the back  46  of the automobile  60 .  
         [0037]     A reference point  50   L  is to the left of the automobile  60 . This reference point  50   L  will be set by a designer and represent a position that the driver  40  desires to see via the left and center rearview mirrors  20  and  10 . The reference point  50   L  is a distance g L  away from the side  48   L  of the automobile  60 . An angle G L  or G ML  represents the angle that a driver  40  must look away from the 90° left  40   L  to see the reference point  50   L .  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B  and  5 A- 5 C, the right curved rearview mirror  30  is positioned to the right side  48   R  of the automobile  60 . The straight edge  94  of the planar section of the right rearview mirror  30  is spaced a distance of f R  away from the side  48   R  of the automobile  60 , a distance d R  in front of the eyes of the driver  40   R . The planar section  32  is angled at an angle of B R  away from a plane  44   R  normal to central line  42  and passing through the pivot point of the right rearview mirror  30 .  
         [0039]     The side  48   R  of the automobile  60  is spaced a distance a from the opposite side  48   L . A distance b R  represents the distance from the left edge  94  of the planar section  32  of the right rearview mirror  30  to the back  46  of the automobile  60 .  
         [0040]     A reference point  50   R  is to the right of the automobile  60 . This reference point  50   R  will be set by a designer and represent a position that the driver  40  desires to see via the right and center rearview mirrors  30  and  10 . The reference point  50   R  is a distance g a  away from the side  48   R  of the automobile  60 . An angle G R  or G MR  represents the angle that a driver  40  must look away from the 90° to the right  40   R  to see the reference point  50   R .  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the automobile  60  with the curved rearview mirrors  10  and  20 . The pivot position of the left rearview mirror  20  is a distance l L  above the ground G. The pivot position of the right rearview mirror  30  is a distance l R  above the ground G. The driver&#39;s eyes  40   h  are a distance p above the ground G. The left side of the roof of the automobile  60  is a distance j L  above the ground G. The right side of the roof of the automobile  60  is a distance j R  above the ground G. A line  100  represents the level of the roof. The central rearview mirror  10  is a distance b C  from the back of the car.  
         [0042]     Either side of the automobile  60  has a second reference point  52  representing the furthest points forward along the ground that a driver  40  is able to see via the side rearview mirrors  20  and  30 , respectively. The driver  40  must look at an angle G LD  or G RD  away from the vertical to see these reference points  52 . A line  54  represents a vertical plane through the second reference point  52  and intersects with the plane of the roof  100 . To see this intersection point, the driver  40  must look at an angle of G LU  or G RU  away from the vertical.  
         [0043]      FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of the central rearview mirror  10 .  FIG. 3B  shows a top view of the central rearview mirror  10 . It includes a planar middle section  12 , a convexly curved left section  14 , and a convexly curved right section  16 . The back of the mirror  10  is attached to a pivot  18  attached to the mount  19 . The position on the mirror surface directly in front of pivot point  18  is demarcated with a line  70  described herein as the pivot position  70 . The locations along the mirror where the mirror transitions from the planar section to the curved sections are demarcated with the lines  72  and  74 . The mirror  10  has a length M MLP  from the left edge  72  of the planar section to the pivot position  70 . The mirror  10  has a length M MRP  from the right edge  74  of the planar section to the pivot position  70 . The left curved section  14  has a constant radius of curvature r ML . The right curved section  16  has a constant radius of curvature r MR . The mirror  10  has a length M ML  from the far edge of the left curved section  14  to the pivot position  70 . The mirror  10  has a length M MR  from the far edge of the right curved section  16  to the pivot position  70 . The left side of the central mirror  10  has an angle D ML  between the plane of the planar section  12  and a plane including the far edge of the left curved section  14  and the pivot position  70 . The right side of the central mirror  10  has an angle D MR  between the plane of the planar section  12  and a plane including the far edge of the right curved section  16  and the pivot position  70 .  
         [0044]     The relative sizes, shapes, angles, and distances of the left side of the central rearview mirror as described above are governed by the following equations. It is noted that I ML  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but only  5  represents a calculated value. K ML  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but represents the ratio of M MLP  to M ML .  
               I   ML     =     90   -     B   M     -       1   2     ⁡     [       arctan   ⁢           ⁢       c   +       M   ML     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   M     +     D   ML       )             h   -       M   ML     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   M     +     D   ML       )               +     arctan   ⁢               ⁢     c   +       M   ML     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   M     +     D   ML       )         -       (       g   L     +   e     )     ⁢   tan   ⁢           ⁢     G   ML               g   L     +   e   +   h   -       M   ML     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   M     +     D   ML       )                 ]                 (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   1     )                 I   ML     =       B   M     +       1   2     [       arctan   ⁢               ⁢     c   -       M   ML     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   M     -     D   ML       )               h   +       M   ML     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   M     -     D   ML       )               -     arctan   ⁢           ⁢             c   -         M   ML     ·   sin     ⁢     (       B   M     -     D   ML       )       -                 (       g   R     +   a   -   e   -   h     )     ⁢   tan   ⁢           ⁢     G   ML                 g   R     +   a   -   e   -   h   -       M   ML     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   M     +     D   ML       )                 ]               (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   2     )                 K   ML     =         M   MLP       M   ML       =       sin   ⁡     (         I   ML     2     -     D   ML       )         sin   ⁡     (       I   ML     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   3     )                 r   ML     =         M   ML     ⁢           (     K   ML     )     2     +   1   -       2   ·     K   ML     ·   cos     ⁢           ⁢     D   ML               2   ·     sin   ⁡     (       I   ML     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   4     )             
 
         [0045]     Optimally a designer of automobiles will set the K ML  value, which represents the ratio of the distance of the left edge of the planar section  12  to the pivot position  70  to the distance from the far left edge of the left curved section  14  to the pivot position  70 . After the K ML  value is set, the other values are set or calculated according to a designer&#39;s desires. The K ML  value is set between 1/10 and 9/10 depending on design choice. In the figures, the K ML  value is set at ⅔.  
         [0046]     The relative sizes, shapes, angles, and distances of the right side of the central rearview mirror  10  are governed by the following equations. It is noted that I MR  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but only represents a calculated value. K MR  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but represents the ratio of M MRP  to M MR .  
               I   MR     =       B   M     +       1   2     [       arctan   ⁢               ⁢     c   -       M   MR     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   M     -     D   MR       )               h   +       M   MR     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   M     -     D   MR       )               -     arctan   ⁢           ⁢       c   -       M   MR     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   M     -     D   MR       )         -       (       g   R     +   a   -   e   -   h     )     ⁢   tan   ⁢           ⁢     G   MR             g   R     +   a   -   e   -   h   -       M   MR     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   M     -     D   MR       )                 ]               (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   5     )                 I   MR     =     90   -     B   M     -       1   2     ⁡     [       arctan   ⁢           ⁢       c   +       M   MR     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   M     +     D   MR       )             h   -       M   MR     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   M     +     D   MR       )               +     arctan   ⁢               ⁢     c   +       M   MR     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   M     +     D   MR       )         -       (       g   R     +   e     )     ⁢   tan   ⁢           ⁢     G   MR               g   R     +   e   +   h   -       M   MR     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   M     +     D   MR       )                 ]                 (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   6     )                 K   MR     =         M   MRP       M   MR       =       sin   ⁡     (         I   MR     2     -     D   MR       )         sin   ⁡     (       I   MR     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   7     )                 r   MR     =         M   MR     ⁢         K   MR   2     +   1   -       2   ·     K   MR     ·   cos     ⁢           ⁢     D   MR               2   ·     sin   ⁡     (       I   MR     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   8     )             
 
         [0047]     Optimally a designer of automobiles will set the K MR  value, which represents the ratio of the distance of the right edge  74  of the planar section  12  to the pivot position  70  to the distance from the far right edge of the right curved section  16  to pivot position  70 . After the K MR  value is set, the other values are set or calculated according to a designer&#39;s desires. The K MR  value is set between 1/10 and 9/10 depending on design choice. In the figures, the K MR  value is set at ⅔.  
         [0048]      FIG. 4A  depicts a perspective view of the left rearview mirror  20 . The left rearview mirror includes a planar section  22 , a side curved section  24  on the left side of the planar section  22 , a top curved section  26 , and a bottom curved section  27 . The back of the mirror  20  is attached to a pivot  28  attached to the mount  29 . The part of the mirror directly in front of pivot point  28  is demarcated with the lines  80   a  and  80   b.  The places along the mirror where the mirror transitions from the planar section to the curved sections are demarcated with the lines  82 ,  86 , and  88 . Line  84  demarks the right edge of the planar section  22 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 4B  depicts a top view of the left rearview mirror  20 . The mirror  20  has a length M LP  from the left edge  82  to the right edge  84  of the planar section  22 . The left convexly curved section  24  has a constant radius of curvature r L . The mirror  20  has a length M L  from the far edge of the left curved section  24  to the right edge  84  of the planar section  22 . The left mirror  20  has an angle D L  between the plane of the planar section  22  and a plane including the far edge of the left curved section  24  and the right edge  84  of the planar section  22 .  
         [0050]     The relative sizes, shapes, angles, and distances of the left curved section of the left rearview mirror  20  are governed by the following equations. It is noted that I L  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but only represents a calculated value. K L  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but represents the ratio of M LP  to M L .  
               I   L     =       B   L     +       1   2     ⁡     [       arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   L     -       M   L     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   L     -     D   L       )             e   +     f   L     +       M   L     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   L     -     D   L       )               -     arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   L     -       M   L     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   L     -     D   L       )         -       (       g   L     +   e     )     ⁢   tan   ⁢           ⁢     G   L             g   L     -     f   L     -       M   L     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   L     -     D   L       )                 ]                 (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   9     )                 I   L     =       B   L     +       1   2     ⁡     [       arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   L     -       M   L     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   L     -     D   L       )             a   -   e   +     f   L     +       M   L     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   L     -     D   L       )               -     arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   L     -       M   L     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   L     -     D   L       )         -       (       g   L     +   a   -   e     )     ⁢   tan   ⁢           ⁢     G   L             g   L     -     f   L     -       M   L     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   L     -     D   L       )                 ]                 (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   10     )                 K   L     =         M   LP       M   L       =       sin   ⁡     (         I   L     2     -     D   L       )         sin   ⁡     (       I   L     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   11     )                 r   L     =         M   L     ⁢         K   L   2     +   1   -       2   ·     K   L     ·   cos     ⁢           ⁢     D   L               2   ·     sin   ⁡     (       I   L     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   12     )             
 
         [0051]     Optimally a designer of automobiles will set the K L  value, which represents the ratio of the distance M LP  from the left edge  82  to the right edge  84  of the planar section  22  to the distance M L  from the far left edge of the left curved section  24  to the right edge  84  of the planar section  22 . After the K L  value is set, the other values are set or calculated according to a designer&#39;s desires. The K L  value is set between 1/10 and 9/10 depending on design choice. In the figures, the K L  value is set at ⅔.  
         [0052]      FIG. 4C  depicts a side view of the left rearview mirror  20 . The part of the mirror directly in front of pivot point  28  is demarcated with a line  80   b.  The places along the mirror where the mirror transitions from the planar section to the top and bottom curved sections are demarcated with the lines  88  and  86  respectively. The mirror  20  has a length M LDP  from the bottom edge  86  of the planar section  22  to the pivot position  80   b.  The mirror  20  has a length M LUP  from the top edge  88  of the planar section  22  to the pivot position  80   b.  The bottom curved section  27  has a constant radius of curvature r LD . The top curved section  26  has a constant radius of curvature r LU . The mirror  20  has a length M LD  from the far edge of the bottom curved section  27  to the pivot position  80   b . The mirror  20  has a length M LU  from the far edge of the top curved section  26  to the pivot position  80   b.  The bottom side of the left mirror  20  has an angle D LD  between the plane of the planar section  22  and a plane including the far edge of the bottom curved section  27  and the pivot position  80   b.  The top side of the left mirror  20  has an angle D LU  between the plane of the planar section  22  and a plane including the far edge of the top curved section  26  and the pivot position  80   b.  The angle B LUD  is the angle of downward tilt of the planar section  22  relative to a vertical plane normal to the centerline of the vehicle.  
         [0053]     The relative sizes, shapes, angles, and distances of the bottom side of the left rearview mirror  20  are governed by the following equations. It is noted that I LD  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but only represents a calculated value. K LD  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but represents the ratio of M LDP  to M LP .  
               I   LD     =       B   LUD     +       1   2     ⁡     [       arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   L     -       M   LD     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   LUD     -     D   LD       )             p   -     l   L     +       M   LD     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   LUD     -     D   LD       )               -     arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   L     -       M   LD     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   LUD     -     D   LD       )         -       p   ·   tan     ⁢           ⁢     G   LD             l   L     -       M   LD     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   LUD     -     D   LD       )                 ]                 (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   13     )                 K   LD     =         M   LDP       M   LD       =       sin   ⁡     (         I   LD     2     -     D   LD       )         sin   ⁡     (       I   LD     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   14     )                 r   LD     =         M   LD     ⁢         K   LD   2     +   1   -       2   ·     K   LD     ·   cos     ⁢           ⁢     D   LD               2   ·     sin   ⁡     (       I   LD     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   15     )             
 
         [0054]     Optimally a designer of automobiles will set the K LD  value, which represents the ratio of the distance M LDP  of the bottom edge  86  of the planar section  22  to the pivot position  80   b  to the distance M LD  from the far bottom edge of the bottom curved section  27  to pivot position  80   b.  After the K LD  value is set, the other values are set or calculated according to a designer&#39;s desires. The K LD  value is set between 1/10 and 9/10 depending on design choice. In the figures, the K LD  value is set at ⅔.  
         [0055]     The top side of the left rearview mirror  20  is governed by the following equations. It is noted that I LU  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but only represents a calculated value. K LU  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but represents the ratio of M LUP  to M LU .  
               I   LU     =     90   -     B   LUD     -       1   2     ⁡     [       arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   L     +       M   LU     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   LUD     +     D   LU       )             p   -     l   L     -       M   LU     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   LUD     +     D   LU       )               +     arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   L     +       M   LU     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   LUD     +     D   LU       )         -       (       j   L     -   p     )     ⁢   tan   ⁢           ⁢     G   LU             j   L     -     l   L     -       M   LU     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   LUD     +     D   LU       )                 ]                 (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   16     )                 K   LU     =         M   LUP       M   LU       =       sin   ⁡     (         I   LU     2     -     D   LU       )         sin   ⁡     (       I   LU     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   17     )                 r   LU     =         M   LU     ⁢         K   LU   2     +   1   -       2   ·     K   LU     ·   cos     ⁢           ⁢     D   LU               2   ·     sin   ⁡     (       I   LU     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   18     )             
 
         [0056]     Optimally a designer of automobiles will set the K LU  value, which represents the ratio of the distance M LUP  of the top edge  88  of the planar section  22  to the pivot position  80   b  to the distance M LU  from the far top edge of the top curved section  26  to the pivot position  80   b.  After the K LU  value is set, the other values are set or calculated according to a designer&#39;s desires. The K LU  value is set between 1/10 and 9/10 depending on design choice. In the figures, the K LU  value is set at ⅔.  
         [0057]      FIG. 5A  depicts a perspective view of the right rearview mirror  30 . The right rearview mirror includes a planar section  32 , a side curved section  34  on the right side of the planar section  32 , a top curved section  36 , and a bottom curved section  37 . The back of the mirror  30  is attached to a pivot  38  attached to the mount  39 . The part of the mirror directly in front of pivot point  38  is demarcated with a line  90 . The places along the mirror  30  where the mirror transitions from the planar section to the curved sections are demarcated with the lines  92 ,  96 , and  98 . Line  94  demarks the left edge of the planar section  32 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 5B  depicts a top view of the right rearview mirror  30 . The mirror  30  has a length M RP  from the right edge  92  of the planar section  32  to the left edge  94  of the planar section  32 . The right curved section  34  has a constant radius of curvature r R . The mirror  30  has a length M R  from the far edge of the right curved section  34  to the left edge  94  of the planar section  32 . The mirror  30  has an angle D R  between the plane of the planar section  32  and a plane including the far edge of the right curved section  34  and the left edge  94  of the planar section  32 .  
         [0059]     The relative sizes, shapes, angles, and distances of the left curved section of the left rearview mirror  30  as described above are governed by the following equations. It is noted that I R  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but only represents a calculated value. K R  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but represents the ratio of M RP  to M R .  
               I   R     =       B   R     +       1   2     ⁡     [       arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   R     -       M   R     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   R     -     D   R       )             a   -   e   +     f   R     +       M   R     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   R     -     D   R       )               -     arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   R     -       M   R     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   R     -     D   R       )         -       (       g   R     +   a   -   e     )     ⁢   tan   ⁢           ⁢     G   R             g   R     -     f   R     -       M   R     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   R     -     D   R       )                 ]                 (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   19     )                 I   R     =       B   R     +       1   2     ⁡     [       arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   R     -       M   R     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   R     -     D   R       )             e   +     f   R     +       M   R     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   R     -     D   R       )               -     arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   R     -       M   R     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   R     -     D   R       )         -       (       g   R     +   e     )     ⁢   tan   ⁢           ⁢     G   R             g   R     -     f   R     -       M   R     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   R     -     D   R       )                 ]                 (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   20     )                 K   R     =         M   RP       M   R       =       sin   ⁡     (         I   R     2     -     D   R       )         sin   ⁡     (       I   R     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   21     )                 r   R     =         M   R     ⁢         K   R   2     +   1   -       2   ·     K   R     ·   cos     ⁢           ⁢     D   R               2   ·     sin   ⁡     (       I   R     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   22     )             
 
         [0060]     Optimally a designer of automobiles will set the K R  value, which represents the ratio of the distance M RP  from the right edge  92  to the left edge  94  of the planar section  32  to the distance M R  from the far right edge of the right curved section  34  to the left edge  94  of the planar section  32 . After the K R  value is set, the other values are set or calculated according to a designer&#39;s desires. The K R  value is set between 1/10 and 9/10 depending on design choice. In the figures, the K R  value is set at ⅔.  
         [0061]      FIG. 5C  depicts a side view of the right rearview mirror  30 . The part of the mirror directly in front of pivot point  38  is demarcated with a line  90   b.  The places along the mirror where the mirror transitions from the planar section  32  to the top and bottom curved sections  36  and  37  are demarcated with the lines  98  and  96  respectively. The mirror  30  has a length M RDP  from the bottom edge  96  of the planar section  32  to the pivot position  90   b.  The mirror  30  has a length M RUP  from the top edge  98  of the planar section  32  to the pivot position  90   b.  The bottom curved section  37  has a constant radius of curvature r RD . The top curved section  36  has a constant radius of curvature r RU . The mirror  30  has a length M RD  from the far edge of the bottom curved section  37  to the pivot position  90   b.  The mirror  30  has a length M RU  from the far edge of the top curved section  36  to the pivot position  90   b.  The bottom side of the right mirror  30  has an angle D RD  between the plane of the planar section  32  and a plane including the far edge of the bottom curved section  37  and the pivot position  90   b.  The top side of the right mirror  30  has an angle D RU  between the plane of the planar section  32  and a plane including the far edge of the top curved section  36  and the pivot position  90   b.    
         [0062]     The relative sizes, shapes, angles, and distances of the bottom side of the right rearview mirror  30  are governed by the following equations. It is noted that I RD  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but only represents a calculated value. K RD  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but represents the ratio of M RDP  to M RD .  
               I   RD     =       B   RUD     +       1   2     ⁡     [       arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   R     -       M   RD     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   RUD     -     D   RD       )             p   -     l   R     +       M   RD     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   RUD     -     D   RD       )               -     arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   R     -       M   RD     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   RUD     -     D   RD       )         -       p   ·   tan     ⁢           ⁢     G   RD             l   R     -       M   RD     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   RUD     -     D   RD       )                 ]                 (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   23     )                 K   RD     =         M   RDP       M   RD       =       sin   ⁡     (         I   RD     2     -     D   RD       )         sin   ⁡     (       I   RD     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   24     )                 r   RD     =         M   RD     ⁢         K   RD   2     +   1   -       2   ·     K   RD     ·   cos     ⁢           ⁢     D   RD               2   ·     sin   ⁡     (       I   RD     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   25     )             
 
         [0063]     Optimally a designer of automobiles will set the K RD  value, which represents the ratio of the distance M RDP  of the bottom edge  96  of the planar section  32  to the pivot position  90   b  to the distance M RD  from the far bottom edge of the bottom curved section  37  to pivot position  90   b.  After the K RD  value is set, the other values are set or calculated according to a designer&#39;s desires. The K RD  value is set between 1/10 and 9/10 depending on design choice. In the figures, the K RD  value is set at ⅔.  
         [0064]     The top side of the right rearview mirror  30  is governed by the following equations. It is noted that I RU  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but only represents a calculated value. K RU  does not denote any distance or shape of the mirror, but represents the ratio of M RUP  to M RU .  
               I   RU     =     90   -     B   RUD     -       1   2     ⁡     [       arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   R     +       M   RU     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   RUD     +     D   RU       )             p   -     l   R     -       M   RU     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   RUD     +     D   RU       )               +     arctan   ⁢           ⁢         d   R     +       M   RU     ·     sin   ⁡     (       B   RUD     +     D   RU       )         -       (       j   R     -   p     )     ⁢   tan   ⁢           ⁢     G   RU             j   R     -     l   R     -       M   RU     ·     cos   ⁡     (       B   RUD     +     D   RU       )                 ]                 (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   26     )                 K   RU     =         M   RUP       M   RU       =       sin   ⁡     (         I   RU     2     -     D   RU       )         sin   ⁡     (       I   RU     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   27     )                 r   RU     =         M   RU     ⁢         K   RU   2     +   1   -       2   ·     K   RU     ·   cos     ⁢           ⁢     D   RU               2   ·     sin   ⁡     (       I   RU     2     )                   (     Equation   ⁢           ⁢   28     )             
 
         [0065]     Optimally a designer of automobiles will set the K RU  value, which represents the ratio of the distance M RUP  of the top edge  98  of the planar section  32  to the pivot position  90   b  to the distance M RU  from the far top edge of the top curved section  36  to the pivot position  90   b.  After the K RU  value is set, the other values are set or calculated according to a designer&#39;s desires. The K RU  value is set between 1/10 and 9/10 depending on design choice. In the figures, the K RU  value is set at ⅔.  
         [0066]     Table of symbols:  
         [0067]     c=the forward distance between the driver&#39;s eyes and the pivot point of the central mirror.  
         [0068]     h=the lateral distance between the driver&#39;s ayes and the pivot point of the central mirror.  
         [0069]     B M =the angle of the flat face of the central mirror relative to lateral.  
         [0070]     a=the lateral distance between the left side and the right side of the vehicle.  
         [0071]     f L =the lateral distance between the left side of the vehicle and the inner edge of the left mirror.  
         [0072]     d L =the forward distance from the driver&#39;s eyes to the inner edge of the left mirror.  
         [0073]     e=the lateral distance between the driver&#39;s eyes and the left side of the vehicle.  
         [0074]     B L =the angle between the face of the left mirror and lateral.  
         [0075]     b L =the forward distance between the rear of the vehicle and the inner edge of the left mirror.  
         [0076]     g L =the lateral distance from the left side of the vehicle and the first left reference point.  
         [0077]     (G L , G ML )=the angle between lateral and the first reference point.  
         [0078]     f R =the lateral distance between the right side mirror inner edge and the right side of the vehicle.  
         [0079]     d R =the forward distance from the driver&#39;s eyes to the inner edge of the right side mirror.  
         [0080]     B R =the angle between the face of the right side mirror and lateral.  
         [0081]     b R =the forward distance from the rear of the vehicle to the inner edge of the right side mirror.  
         [0082]     g R =the lateral distance between the right side of the vehicle and the first right reference point.  
         [0083]     (G R , G MR )=the angle between lateral and the first right reference point.  
         [0084]     l L =the vertical distance between ground and the pivot point of the left side mirror.  
         [0085]     l R =the vertical distance between the ground and the pivot point of the right side mirror.  
         [0086]     p=the vertical distance of the driver&#39;s eyes above the ground.  
         [0087]     j L =the vertical distance between the ground and the left side of the vehicle roof.  
         [0088]     j R =the vertical distance between the ground and the right side of the vehicle roof.  
         [0089]     b c =the forward distance between the rear of the vehicle and the central rearview mirror.  
         [0090]     G LD =the forward angle from vertical of the second left reference point.  
         [0091]     G RD =the forward angle from vertical of the second right reference point.  
         [0092]     (G LU , G RU )=the angle of the driver&#39;s line of sight relative to vertical when directed to any of a locus of points representing the intersection of a vertical plane extending between the second left and the second right reference points and a horizontal plane at vehicle roof level.  
         [0093]     M MLP =the length from the left planar edge to the pivot position of the central mirror.  
         [0094]     M MRP =the length from the right planar edge to the pivot position of the central mirror.  
         [0095]     r ML =the radius of the left curved section of the central mirror.  
         [0096]     r MR =the radius of the right curved section of the central mirror.  
         [0097]     M ML =the length from the far edge of the left curved section to the pivot position of the central mirror.  
         [0098]     M MR =the length from the far edge of the right curved section to the pivot position of the central mirror.  
         [0099]     D ML =the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the left curved section and the pivot point of the central mirror.  
         [0100]     D MR =the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the right curved section and the pivot point of the central mirror.  
         [0101]     M LP =the length from the left edge of the flat portion to the inner right edge of the left mirror.  
         [0102]     r L =the constant radius of the left curved section of the left mirror.  
         [0103]     M L =the length from the far left edge of the curved section to the right inner edge of the left mirror.  
         [0104]     D L =the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the left curved section and the inner right edge of the left mirror.  
         [0105]     M LDP =the length from the bottom edge of the planar section to the pivot section of the left mirror.  
         [0106]     M LUP =the length from the top edge of the planar section to the pivot position of the left mirror.  
         [0107]     r LD =the constant radius of bottom curved section of the left mirror.  
         [0108]     r LU =the constant radius of the top curved section of the left mirror.  
         [0109]     M LD =the length from the far edge of the bottom curved section to the pivot position of the left mirror.  
         [0110]     M LU =the length from the far edge of the top curved section to the pivot position of the left mirror.  
         [0111]     D LD =the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the bottom curved section and the pivot position of the left mirror.  
         [0112]     D LU =the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the top curved section and the pivot position of the left mirror.  
         [0113]     B LUD =the angle of upward tilt of the planar section relative to a vertical plane normal to the centerline of the vehicle.  
         [0114]     M RP =the length from the right edge of the planar section to the inner left edge of the planar section of the right mirror.  
         [0115]     r R =the constant radius of the right curved section of the right mirror.  
         [0116]     M R =the length from the far edge of the right curved section to the inner left edge of the right mirror.  
         [0117]     D R =the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the right curved section and the inner left edge of the planar section of the right mirror.  
         [0118]     M RDP =the length from the bottom edge of the planar section to the pivot position of the right mirror.  
         [0119]     M RUP =the length from the top edge of the planar section to the pivot position of the right mirror.  
         [0120]     r RD =the constant radius of the bottom curved section of the right mirror.  
         [0121]     r RU =the constant radius of the top curved section of the right mirror.  
         [0122]     M RD =the length from the far edge of the bottom curved section to the pivot position of the right mirror.  
         [0123]     M RU =the length from the far edge of the top curved section to the pivot position of the right mirror.  
         [0124]     D RD =the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the bottom curved section and the pivot position of the right mirror.  
         [0125]     D RU =the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the top of the curved section and the pivot position of the right mirror.  
         [0126]     B RUD =the angle of upward tilt of the planar section relative to a vertical plane normal to the centerline of the vehicle;  
         [0127]     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.