Improvements in Adjustable Toilet Mirrors to better Adapt them for Use by Invalids in Bed, and for other Purposes.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in Adjustable Toilet Mirrors to better Adapt
them for Use by Invalids in Bed, and for other Purposes.
I, ELIZA JESSIE HOUSTOUN of Clerkington, in the County of Haddington, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The object of my invention is to adapt to toilet mirrors for the use of invalids
and others suitable carrying or supporting apparatus by means of which the
mirror can be brought or adjusted to any convenient or desired position and used
instead of band mirrors.
In carrying out my invention I employ an extensible bracket for supporting the
mirror and I so arrange the bracket and the mirror that either may be swivelled
or adjusted on its axis or both may be so adjusted to permit of a practically
universal movement of the mirror.
The apparatus constituting my invention is illustrated on the accompanying
drawings of which figures 1 and 2 are elevations, and figures 3 and 4, plans
representing different modifications. As represented in figure 1, the extensible
bracket which supports the mirror A consists of a series of bars B jointed together
in the form of lazy tongs and hinged or pivotted at one end upon a plate C
which may be adjustable vertically on a rod or bar C' or the plate may be
secured to a bed-post mirror frame, or other fixture. At the end of the lazy tongs
opposite the plate C a holder consisting of a bar D provided with clamping
devices for securing the mirror, is carried by a rod 6 fitted in eyes b₁ on the tongs,
a pinching screw 6 being employed for fixing the parts in any desired position.
By extending the lazy tongs the mirror A may be brought to a point con-
siderably distant from the fixture to which the apparatus is attached, and it can
be swivelled or turned in a vertical plane to any required adjustment to suit the
position of the person desiring to use it. For use in hospitals, or hotels or by
hair dressers, the apparatus may be fixed to a wall, or a bed-post or rail from
which by extending the tongs the mirror may be brought to and supported in a
position above or in front of an invalid who may wish to use it in shaving, hair
dressing and the like. Or, by attaching the apparatus to a toilet stand the
adjustably supported mirror may be used by ladies to reflect into a stationary
dressing mirror such parts of the back toilet as cannot be seen by the use of a
Bingle mirror.

page_text: The same object is attained by employing a series of telescopic tubes B¹ B³ as
shown in figures 2 and 3 to serve as means for supporting a mirror, the outer tube
being provided with an eye by which it is jointed to a plate C; by a pin
passing either vertically through it as seen in figure 2 or horizontal as seen in
plan at figure 3. The plate C is provided with a jaw C¹ by which it is attached
adjustably to a rail E which' may be horizontal as in figure 2 or vertical as in
figure 3. By extending or drawing out the telescopio tubes the mirror A is
brought to the required position and it is adjusted to any desired point in a
horizontal plane by swinging or turning the tubes through an arc on the pin or
axis whilst by turning the telescopic tube B³ partially round the mirror is
adjusted to any desired angle in a vertical plane, and there fixed by means of the
pinching pin y or its equivalent.
Figure 4 illustrates a further modified arrangement in which the carrying
bracket for the mirror is formed of a series of hinged rods B³ capable of being
opened out to a greater or less extent, and folded close to the fixture when out
of use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my Baid
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
(1.) The combination of a toilet mirror with a support extensible and adjustable
in a horizontal or vertical plane or both, the mirror itself being adjustable or not
to any desired angle relatively with the support, substantially as herein described
with reference to the drawings annexed.