Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to mirrors of the type used by people to facilitate performance of personal care functions such as shaving, applying cosmetics, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel travel mirror device which is collapsible into a compact, lightweight, readily transportable assembly, and which includes a pair of mirrors of different relative magnification and an integral annular illuminator which is effective in illuminating objects in front of both mirrors. 
   B. Description of Background Art 
   People who travel frequently to distant locations often must deal with the absence of conveniences which are taken for granted in their home environments. For example, women who perform grooming tasks such as applying cosmetics and the like typically perform such tasks at a customary location which is adequately lighted and which is provided with a fixed wall-mounted mirror, or a mirror which rests on a table, vanity or the like. However, lodgings at travel destinations usually do not have the optimal arrangements of lighting and seating located near a suitable mirror, such as one has available at his or her personal residence. Also, many people find it useful to have available mirrors with different magnification factors greater than the unitary or 1× imaging factor of conventional flat mirrors. For example, mirrors having 5× or 9× magnification factors are useful in facilitating the performance of detailed grooming procedures. But most travel lodgings have at best 1× flat mirrors which do not provide magnified images. 
   In view of the foregoing considerations, it would be desirable to have a mirror device which has multiple magnification factors, and an integral light source for illuminating an object such as a person&#39;s face within the object field of the mirror. Moreover, it would be desirable to have a dual magnification mirror with an integral illumination source, which could be folded into a lightweight, compact configuration in which reflecting surfaces of two mirrors were protectively 
   enclosed for transport in a purse, briefcase or the like, yet be readily unfoldable at a use site such as a hotel room to deploy for use a mirror of selected magnification, adequate size, and adjustable orientation. The present inventor is unaware of any existing mirror device which possesses the foregoing characteristics and the unavailability of the desired combination of features was a factor motivating the present invention. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a portable illuminated, dual magnification mirror device which is sufficiently small and light in weight to be conveniently and safely transportable in a traveler&#39;s luggage, carry-on bag, purse or briefcase. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide an illuminated travel mirror which includes a mirror assembly that includes a first or primary mirror having a first magnification and a peripheral annular illumination source which is effective in illuminating an object field in front of the primary mirror. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide an illuminated travel mirror which includes a peripherally illuminated primary mirror having a first image magnification factor, and a secondary mirror having a second image magnification factor which is mounted to an edge of a frame holding the primary mirror by a hinge coupler that enables the secondary mirror to be pivoted from a compact transit and storage configuration overlying and covering the primary mirror to a use configuration deployed radially outwardly from the primary mirror. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide an illuminated travel mirror which includes a primary mirror mounted in a primary frame provided with a peripheral annular illuminator, a secondary mirror mounted in a secondary frame which has a peripheral light-transmissive annular ring-shaped bezel, and a hinge coupler provided with a pivotable joint which connects peripheral edges of the primary and secondary frames and which enables the secondary mirror to be pivoted to a position overlying the main mirror frame, enabling light from the illuminator of the primary mirror frame to be transmitted through the light transmissive bezel of the secondary mirror and thereby illuminate an object field in front of the secondary mirror. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide an illuminated travel mirror which includes a base, an elongated handle which has a lower end pivotably mounted to the base by a handle joint, a dual mirror assembly telescopically mounted to an upper end of the handle assembly and which includes a first, primary mirror frame which holds a circular primary mirror that is effective in producing reflected images having a first magnification factor and an annular ring-shaped peripheral illumination source that at least partially circumscribes the primary mirror, a secondary, upper mirror frame which is pivotably connected by a hinge coupler to an upper part of the primary mirror frame at a location opposite to the end joined to the handle and which includes a second, secondary mirror having a different magnification factor than that of the primary mirror and which is circumscribed by a light transmissive peripheral frame portion or bezel, the hinge coupler connecting the secondary frame to the primary frame being so constructed as to enable the secondary mirror frame to be pivoted about a transverse axle of the hinge coupler away from a compact storage and transit configuration overlying the primary mirror frame to a use configuration disposed radially outwardly from the primary mirror frame, whereby the annular illumination source is enabled to illuminate an object field in front of the primary mirror, and whereby the secondary mirror frame is rotatable about a radially disposed swivel axis of the hinge coupler to position the reflective surface of the secondary mirror facing away from the primary mirror, and the secondary mirror frame pivoted towards an orientation overlying the primary mirror and illumination source, whereby light from the illumination source is enabled to be transmitted through the annular light-transmissive bezel ring of the secondary mirror, and thereby illuminate an object field in front of the reflective surface of the secondary mirror. 
   Various other objects and advantages of the present invention, and its most novel features, will become apparent to those skilled in the art by perusing the accompanying specification, drawings and claims. 
   It is to be understood that although the invention disclosed herein is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages described, the characteristics of the invention described herein are merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, I do not intend that the scope of my exclusive rights and privileges in the invention be limited to details of the embodiments described. I do intend that equivalents, adaptations and modifications of the invention reasonably inferable from the description contained herein be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly stated, the present invention comprehends a portable travel mirror device which includes a pair of mirrors having different magnification factors, e.g., 1× and 5×, and an annular illumination source which is effective in selectably illuminating object fields of both mirrors. 
   A dual magnification portable travel mirror with annular illuminator according to the present invention includes a base that has a generally flat lower surface for resting on a horizontal support surface, or optionally hanging on a wall. The travel mirror includes a mirror assembly support handle which is mounted to the base by a handle pivot joint that has a horizontally disposed pivot axis which enables the handle to be pivoted upwardly, from a compact storage/travel position in which the handle lies in a longitudinally fore and aft disposed groove in the upper surface of the base, parallel to the lower surface of the base, to an upstanding use position. The handle pivot joint includes a laterally disposed friction pad between the outer surface of a laterally disposed cylindrical axle located at a lower end of the handle, and the inner surface of a laterally disposed cylindrical cavity located within a front portion of the base. The handle pivot joint also includes a friction control thumb screw which exerts an adjustable axially directed compressive force on one or more cylindrical friction disk that bears against an end face of the handle axle. Combined radial and axial frictional forces exerted by the friction pad and disks, respectively, maintain the handle fixed at an adjustable elevation angle above the base. 
   The travel mirror according to the present invention includes a dual mirror assembly which is telescopically mounted to an upper part of the mirror assembly support handle. The dual mirror assembly includes a circular dish-shaped primary mirror frame which has a generally flat front surface and a convex rear surface that has a circular perimeter and which is joined to the front surface of the frame by a convex, arcuately radiused annular edge wall. An elongated hollow rectangular handle boss tube protrudes outwardly from the rear surface of the primary frame, the boss being disposed symmetrically along a diameter of the rear frame surface between the flat circular portion of the rear frame surface, and the radiused edge wall. and extending nearly the full diameter of the mirror. The handle boss has a closed, rearwardly angled upper transverse end wall and a lower transverse end wall penetrated by a rectangular cross section channel which extends internally within the boss to the upper transverse end wall. 
   The handle boss channel telescopically receives the upper end of the rectangular cross-section handle. Inside the channel is located a longitudinally elongated detent plate provided with a series of longitudinally spaced apart, laterally disposed detent grooves in a rear surface of the plate, which is located at the front or inner wall of the channel. Also, the front or upper longitudinally elongated rectangular wall of the handle has at upper end thereof a laterally disposed detent rib which is urged resiliently forward towards the grooved surface of the detent plate. The detent rib has an arcuately curved, generally semi-cylindrically shaped transverse cross section, i.e., is radiused, and is of the proper size and shape to snap resiliently into an adjacent detent groove when aligned therewith, and require a relatively large longitudinal force to be exerted on the handle to disengage the rib from the groove. Thus constructed, the primary mirror assembly is telescopically extendable and retractable with respect to the handle, to an adjustable position which is maintained by cooperative action of the detent rib and a detent groove. 
   The primary mirror frame has in a front part thereof a shallow circular dish-shaped cavity in which is mounted a circular mirror of smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the frame. An annular ring-shaped peripheral channel around the mirror cavity holds a ring-shaped illumination source, preferably a thin, tubular cold-cathode fluorescent lamp. The lamp is energized by a high-voltage electrical current generated by a dc-to-ac inverter located in a hollow interior space within the base of the travel mirror and powered by batteries also located in the base. The front surface of the annular lamp channel is covered by an annular ring-shaped window which preferably has a diffusive light transmission. When the lamp is energized, a circular ring-shaped pattern of light emitted from the lamp and which is transmitted through the window is effective in illuminating an object field in front of the primary mirror. In a preferred embodiment, the primary mirror has a concave spherical shape which provides a magnified image of objects in front of the mirror, such as a person&#39;s face. The magnification factor of the primary mirror, which is inversely related to its radius of curvature, may be any desired value, but typically is in the range of 5× to 9×. 
   According to the present invention, the mirror assembly includes a circular secondary mirror which has a different magnification factor than that of the primary mirror, e.g., 1× vs. 5×–9×. The secondary mirror is mounted in a circular frame which is pivotably mounted by a dual-joint hinge coupler at an outer, lower peripheral edge thereof to an outer, upper peripheral edge of the primary mirror frame. Preferably, the secondary mirror frame has an outer diameter approximating that of the primary mirror frame, and is pivotable downwardly to overlie the primary mirror, with the reflective side of the secondary mirror facing that of the primary mirror thereby protecting both primary and secondary mirrors when the travel mirror is telescopically and pivotably configured to a compact configuration for storage or travel. The secondary mirror frame has a circular plate-like shape which includes a generally flat, annular ring-shaped outer peripheral or bezel portion made of a light transmissive material. Also, the secondary mirror preferably has a diameter approximately equal to, or less than, that of the primary mirror. 
   The hinge coupler which joins the secondary mirror to the primary mirror has two bearing axes, including a first, transverse pivot axis disposed along the center line of a transversely disposed axle which is parallel to a tangent to an upper peripheral edge of the primary mirror frame, and which pivotably supports the bushing of a hinge member fastened to a lower peripheral edge of the secondary mirror frame. The hinge coupler includes a second, swivel axis which lies along a center line of a swivel pin that protrudes radially outwardly from the lower edge of the secondary mirror frame and which is rotatable in a radially disposed journal bore centered between opposite sides of the pivot bushing. Thus constructed, the hinge coupler enables the secondary mirror frame to be pivoted away from a protective orientation overlying the primary mirror, to an upwardly angled orientation in which the surface of the secondary mirror faces generally forward, so that a person may view his or her face in either the primary mirror or the secondary mirror. Moreover, the primary mirror frame can be swiveled 180 degrees about the radially disposed swivel pin to thus position the reflecting surface of the s tation overlying the primary mirror, to an upwardly angled orientation in which the surface of the secondary econdary mirror in a rearward direction, away from that of the primary mirror. With the secondary mirror thus swiveled, the secondary mirror frame is pivotable downwardly to a position overlying and generally parallel to the upper surface of the secondary mirror, thus positioning the reflecting surface of the secondary mirror in the same forward-facing direction as that of the primary mirror. In this disposition, light emitted by the annular illumination source and transmitted through the annular ring-shaped window of the primary mirror frame is transmitted through the annular light transmissive bezel ring of the secondary mirror frame, thus illuminating an object field located in front of the secondary mirror. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  is a left side perspective view of a dual magnification travel mirror device with annular illuminator according to the present invention, showing the device in a fully telescopically and pivotably collapsed configuration suitable for travel. 
       FIG. 1B  is a left perspective view of the travel mirror device of  FIG. 1A , showing a secondary mirror frame thereof pivoted upwardly from a dual mirror assembly of the device. 
       FIG. 1C  is a front perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1B . 
       FIG. 1D  is a left perspective view of the travel mirror device of  FIG. 1B , showing a secondary mirror frame thereof swiveled partially rearwardly. 
       FIG. 1E  is a front perspective view showing the secondary mirror frame swiveled 180 degrees from its disposition in  FIG. 1A , and pivoted downwardly into a partial overlying use position relative to a primary mirror and base part of the device. 
       FIG. 2  is a lower plan view of the travel mirror of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a left-handed modification of the travel mirror of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the travel mirror of  FIG. 3A , showing a dual mirror assembly and handle portion of the device pivoted upwardly from a base part of the device. 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 1E , but showing the handle of the device pivoted fully upwards from the base, and the dual mirror assembly telescopically extended to its maximum height. 
       FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the arrangement of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6A  is an exploded longitudinal sectional view of dual mirror assembly of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6B  is an upper plan view of a hinge coupler for the dual mirror assembly of  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 6C  is a side elevation view of the hinge coupler of  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 6D  is an upper plan view of the hinge coupler of  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 6E  is an exploded sectional view of a base component of the mirror device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6F  is an exploded sectional view of a handle component of the mirror device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a fragmentary upper plan view of a primary mirror frame of the dual mirror assembly of  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 7B  is a longitudinal sectional view of the primary mirror frame of  FIG. 7A . 
       FIG. 7C  is a fragmentary lower plan view of the primary mirror frame of  FIG. 7A . 
       FIG. 7D  is a sectional view of the frame of  FIG. 7C , taken in the direction of line  7 D— 7 D. 
       FIG. 7E  is a fragmentary upper plan view of a secondary mirror frame of the dual mirror assembly of  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 7F  is a longitudinal sectional view of the secondary mirror frame of  FIG. 7E . 
       FIG. 8A  is a front perspective view of the left-hand mirror device of  FIG. 3A , showing the handle pivoted rearwardly to an oblique angle, and showing an upper, secondary mirror of the dual mirror assembly pivoted upwardly away from a lower, primary mirror thereof. 
       FIG. 8B  is a fragmentary front elevation view of an annular diffuser plate for the primary mirror frame of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8C  is a longitudinal sectional view of the diffuser plate of  FIG. 8B . 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the device arrangement of  FIG. 8A . 
       FIG. 10A  is a perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 8A , but showing the right-hand mirror device of  FIG. 1 , with the upper, secondary mirror rotated 180 degrees about a longitudinal, radially disposed swivel axis lying in a vertical medial plane of the handle. 
       FIG. 10B  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 10A , but showing the secondary mirror being pivoted downwardly about a transverse pivot axis perpendicular to the rotation axis, to thereby orient the frame side of the upper mirror next to the front surface of the lower mirror, thereby orienting the front, reflective surface of the upper mirror to a forward-facing use position. 
       FIG. 10C  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 10B  but showing the secondary mirror nearly parallel to the primary mirror, and showing light emitted by an annular illuminator of the primary mirror transmitted through a light transmissive bezel ring of the secondary mirror frame to thereby illuminate an object field in front of the secondary mirror. 
       FIG. 11  is a left side perspective view of the left-hand mirror device of  FIG. 3 , showing the dual mirror assembly thereof telescopically retracted on the handle towards the base of the device, and showing the upper mirror of the dual mirror assembly pivoted upwardly and rotated to orient the reflective surface of the upper mirror to a forward use position. 
       FIG. 12A  is an exploded lower perspective view of the mirror device of  FIGS. 1A and 2 , showing an upper half shell portion of the base removed from a lower half shell portion and inverted. 
       FIG. 12B  is an enlarged lower view of the upper half shell portion of the base shown in  FIG. 12A . 
       FIG. 12C  is a fragmentary lower plan view of the upper half-shell portion of the base of  FIG. 12B , showing circuitry thereof removed. 
       FIG. 12D  is a transverse sectional view of the upper base half-shell of  FIG. 12C . 
       FIG. 12E  is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper base half-shell of  FIG. 12C . 
       FIG. 12F  is an upper plan view of the upper base half-shell of  FIG. 12C . 
       FIG. 12G  is a transverse sectional view of the upper base half-shell of  FIG. 12F . 
       FIG. 12H  is an upper plan view of the lower base half-shell of  FIG. 12A , on a somewhat larger scale. 
       FIG. 12J  is a side elevation viewe of the lower base half-shell of  FIG. 12H . 
       FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of the mirror frame and handle assembly and the lower shell portion of the base shown in  FIG. 12A , and showing handle-pivot friction control elements transferred from upper half shell grooves to lower half shell grooves, the mirror frame fully extended, and the secondary mirror swiveled into a use position overlying the primary mirror. 
       FIG. 14  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 13 , showing the handle portion of the device pivoted away from the base. 
       FIG. 15A  is a front elevation view of a front body shell portion of the handle of the mirror of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 15B  is a transverse vertical sectional view of the handle shell of  FIG. 15A , taken in the direction of line  15 B— 15 B. 
       FIG. 15C  is a transverse vertical sectional view of the handle shell of  FIG. 15A , taken in the direction of line  15 C— 15 C. 
       FIG. 15D  is a transverse vertical sectional view of the handle shell of  FIG. 15A , taken in the direction of line  15 D— 15 D. 
       FIG. 16  is a longitudinal sectional view of the handle shell of  FIG. 15A . 
       FIG. 17  is a rear elevation view of a rear cover portion of the handle of the mirror of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 17A  is a transverse vertical sectional view of the rear handle cover of  FIG. 17 , taken in the direction of line  17 A— 17 A. 
       FIG. 17B  is a transverse vertical sectional view of the rear handle cover of  FIG. 17 , taken in the direction of line  17 B— 17 B. 
       FIG. 17C  is a side elevation view of the rear handle cover of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 17D  is a longitudinal sectional view of the rear handle cover of  FIG. 17 , taken in the direction of line  17 D— 17 D. 
       FIG. 18  is a rear elevation view of a handle retainer detent plate which mounts in the primary mirror frame of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 19  is a transverse sectional view of the detent plate of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 20  is a longitudinal sectional view of the retainer detent plate of  FIG. 18 . 
       FIG. 21  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the detent plate of  FIG. 20 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1A–21  illustrate various aspects of a dual magnification folding travel mirror with annular illuminator according to the present invention. 
   Referring first to  FIGS. 1A–8A , it may be seen that a dual magnification travel mirror with annular illuminator  20  according to the present invention includes a base  21 , an elongated, generally rectangularly-shaped handle  22  pivotably mounted at a lower end thereof to a front edge of the base by a handle pivot joint  23 , and a dual mirror assembly  24  telescopically mounted to an upper end of the handle. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6A–9 , dual mirror assembly  24  includes a first, lower, or primary circular dish-shaped mirror frame  25  in which is mounted a first, lower or primary circular disk-shaped mirror  26 . As is also shown in those figures, dual mirror assembly  24  includes a second, upper or secondary circular plate-shaped mirror frame  27  in which is mounted a second, upper or secondary circular disk-shaped secondary mirror  28 . As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 9 , secondary mirror frame  27  is pivotably and swivelably coupled to primary mirror frame  25  by a dual joint hinge coupler  29 . As shown in  FIGS. 7A–9 , hinge coupler  29  is joined to primary mirror frame  25  by a pair of circumferentially spaced apart, parallel lugs  30 L,  30 R which protrude chordally outwards from an upper peripheral portion  31  of primary mirror frame  25 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6B–6D , hinge coupler  29  includes a laterally symmetrically shaped body  32  which has a generally cylindrically-shaped lower bushing member  33  that fits between inner facing surfaces  34 L,  34 R of lugs  30 L,  30 R. Bushing  33  has disposed laterally through its length a bore  35  which is coaxially aligned with and rotatable with respect to a transversely disposed pivot axle  36  which is disposed through the bore and which is fixed at opposite longitudinal ends thereof in bores  37 L,  37 R through lugs  30 L,  30 R. 
   Body member  32  of hinge coupler  32  includes a generally rectangularly-shaped, laterally elongated boss  38  which protrudes radially outwardly from lower bushing portion  33 . Boss  38  has an upper surface  39  which lies in a plane above transverse pivot axle  36  and has protruding perpendicularly downwards into upper surface  39  a swivel pin bore  40  which is disposed perpendicularly to and radially outwardly from the transverse pivot axle, midway between opposite transverse sides  41 L,  41 R of bushing member  33  located at opposite longitudinal ends thereof. Swivel bore  40  rotatably holds a swivel pin  42  which protrudes radially outwardly from a lower edge  43  of upper, secondary mirror frame  27 . With this arrangement, secondary mirror frame  27  is pivotable above transversely disposed pivot axle  36 , and swivelable in orthogonally disposed, radial swivel pin bore  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6A ,  7 A,  7 D,  8 B, and  8 C, primary mirror frame  25  includes in an outer peripheral portion which borders primary mirror  26  a rearwardly or inwardly concave annular ring-shaped lamp channel  44  in which is mounted a circular ring-shaped, tubular lamp  45 , which is preferably a cold-cathode, fluorescent lamp. As shown in  FIGS. 6A ,  8 A, and  8 B, lamp channel  44  has a generally flat, annular, ring-shaped cover window  46  which has light transmissive and preferably partially light-diffusive. In a preferred embodiment, primary mirror  26  has a concave, spherically-shaped reflective surface  47  which has a radius of curvature selected to yield a desired magnification factor, e.g., between about 5× and about 9×. Although the dimensions of lamp channel  44  are not critical, the radial width of the channel in an example embodiment of travel mirror  20  was about ¾ inch. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6A ,  7 A and  7 B, primary mirror  26  is mounted within a rearwardly concave, generally spherically contoured cavity  48  formed in the front surface of primary mirror frame  25 , concentrically located with respect to lamp channel  44 , by any suitable means, such as thin strips of tape  49  coated on both sides with a pressure sensitive adhesive and located between an outer annular portion  50  of rear surface  51  of the mirror, and an annular shoulder ledge  52  which protrudes radially inwardly of the outer circumferential wall of the cavity. As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 7B , shoulder ledge  52  is recessed inwardly or rearwardly of outer circumferential edge  53  of primary mirror frame  25 , sufficiently far to locate the front surface  54  of primary mirror  26  inwardly or rearwardly of annular lamp channel cover window  46 , thereby preventing contact between the front surface of the primary mirror with the front surface  55  of secondary mirror  28 , when secondary mirror frame  27  is pivoted to overlie the primary mirror, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6A , it may be seen that secondary mirror  28  has a circular shape, and may have a spherical concave surface which has a different radius of curvature than that of primary mirror  26 , but preferably has less curvature and thereby a smaller magnification factor. In a preferred embodiment, mirror  28  has an infinitely large radius of curvature, i.e., is flat, and thus has a “1×” or unity magnification factor. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6A ,  7 E,  7 F, and  11 , secondary mirror frame  27  has a shape approximating that of a thin circular plate which has a flat front surface  56  and a convex, arcuately curved rear surface  57  which has a slight curvature. Front surface  56  of secondary mirror frame  27  has formed therein a concentric, circular shallow recess  58  which has a circular bottom wall  59  and a cylindrically shaped peripheral wall  60 . Recess  58  has an outer circumference  61  sufficiently smaller than that of the outer circumferential edge  62  of secondary mirror frame  27  to form therebetween an annular ring-shaped bezel  63  which has a radial width approximately equal to or slightly less than that of annular ring-shaped cover window  46  of primary mirror frame  25 , e.g., about ⅝ inch. According to the invention, at least bezel portion  63  of secondary mirror frame  27  is made of a light transmissive material. In a preferred embodiment, frame  27  is fabricated as a unitary molded part from a transparent material such as a polycarbonate or acrylic polymer plastic. 
   Secondary mirror  28  is retained within recess  58  of frame  27  by any suitable means, such as pressure sensitive adhesive  64  between rear surface  65  of the secondary mirror and upper surface  66  of bottom wall  59  of the recess. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6A ,  7 E, and  7 F, it may be seen that secondary mirror frame  27  has a sector-shaped notch formed in outer circumferential edge  62  thereof, thereby forming a straight edge wall  67  lying along a chord of the outer circumferential edge, the edge wall being bisected by a radius of the frame. Chordal edge wall  67  of secondary frame  27  has a flat outer peripheral surface  68  which is perpendicular to flat front surface  56  of the frame, and has protruding radially inwardly therefrom a tapered bore  69  in which is fixed swivel pin  42 . As explained above, the outwardly protruding, lower portion  42  of swivel pin  42  is rotatably held within swivel bore  40  of hinge coupler  29 . 
     FIGS. 1A–21   4 , 5  and  9 – 14  illustrate details of base  21 , handle  22 , and handle pivot joint  23  of travel mirror  20  according to the present invention. As shown in those figures, base  21  preferably includes an upper upwardly concave base half shell  70 , and a lower  27  downwardly concave base half shell  71 , each of which has in plan view a longitudinally elongated oblong shape with arcuately curved transverse end walls. Thus, upper half shell  70  has an upper wall  72  which has protruding downwardly therefrom a flange wall  73  which includes straight left and right parallel longitudinally disposed side wall segments  74 ,  75  and front and rear convex arcuately curved transverse end wall segments  76 ,  77 , respectively, which are each symmetrically shaped about a longitudinal vertical center plane of the base, and symmetrically shaped with respect to one another through a transversely disposed central mirror plane of the base. Similarly, lower base half shell  71  has a lower base wall  82  which has protruding upwardly therefrom a flange wall  83  which includes straight left and right parallel longitudinally disposed side wall segments  84 ,  85  and front and rear convex arcuately curved transverse end wall segments  86 ,  87 , respectively, which are each symmetrically shaped about a longitudinal vertical center plane of the base, and symmetrically shaped with respect to one another through a transversely disposed central plane of the base. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6E , upper half shell  70  has formed in upper surface  72 U of upper wall  72  thereof a relatively wide, longitudinally elongated rectangularly-shaped handle groove  87  located centrally between left and right side walls  74 ,  75  of the upper half shell. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 9–14 , it may be seen that upper and lower half shells  70 ,  71  have inner concave spaces  90 ,  91 , respectively, which, when the half shells are fastened together, form an elongated hollow interior space  92 . Concave inner space  90  of upper half shell  70  contains a battery compartment  93  which is adapted to hold four AA dry cells connected in series with a pair of positive and negative output lead wires  94 ,  95  which are connected in parallel with a battery eliminator jack  96  mounted in a vertically opposed pair of upper and lower slots  97 ,  98  of upper and lower half shells  70 ,  71 , the jack protruding rearward through upper and lower U-shaped half apertures  99 ,  100  in rear transverse end walls  77 ,  87 , respectively, of the upper and lower half shells. Positive and negative output lead wires  94 ,  95  are also connected through a switch  101  to power input terminals of a d.c.-a.c. inverter  102 , which has a pair of high-voltage a.c. output lead wires  103 ,  104  which thread through the bore  105  of a diametrically split axle bushing  106  located at a transverse end of a handle pivot axle  107  located at the lower end of handle  22 , and thence to electrodes  108 ,  109  of lamp  45 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 12A , bottom half shell  71  of base  21  has a longitudinally disposed battery compartment access door  110  frictionally held within a longitudinally elongated, rectangularly shaped battery compartment access port  111  by a resilient plastic folded leaf-shaped self-spring latch  112  molded integrally with the access door, which is vertically aligned with battery compartment  93 . Preferably, base wall  82  of lower half shell  71  also has through its thickness dimension a pair of longitudinally spaced apart, front and rear laterally disposed mounting holes  113 F,  113 B which each have generally circularly shaped center portion  114  and a pair of diametrically opposed radially outwardly protruding, mirror symmetric slots  115  for slidably receiving the shank of mounting screw (not shown) screwed into a wall which has a head (not shown) insertable into the center portion of the mounting holes, thereby enabling travel mirror  20  to be removably mounted onto a wall by a pair of vertically disposed screws. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12A-14 , it may be seen that handle pivot axle  107  located at a lower end portion of handle  22  has a generally cylindrical shaped major body portion  116  which is disposed transversely between opposite left and right vertical sides  117 L,  117 R of the handle. Pivot axle  107  includes at one side of, e.g., the left side, a bushing  106  of smaller diameter than body  116  of the axle which protrudes axially, i.e., perpendicularly outwards from left transverse face end  119  of the axle body. Also, pivot axle  107  has protruding from an opposite, e.g., right transverse side thereof, a cylindrically shaped boss section  120  which has a diameter approximating that of main axle body  116 . Cylindrical boss section  120  of axle  107  has formed in outer cylindrical wall surface  121  thereof a rectangular cross-section, circumferential annular groove  122 , an inner transverse end wall  123  of which is located adjacent to right vertical side wall  117 R of the handle. Boss section  120  also has a cylindrically shaped axially outwardly located end portion  124  which extends from an outer transverse end wall  125  of groove  122 . Outer cylindrical end portion  124  of right-hand cylindrical boss section  120  of handle pivot axle  107  has a transversely disposed, outer circular end face  125 , which has protruding perpendicularly outwards therefrom a concentrically located stud  126  which has a generally rectangular transverse cross section. 
   Referring still to  FIGS. 12A-14 , it may be seen that upper and lower base half shells  70 ,  71  have formed in front portions of inner opposed concave faces  127 ,  128  thereof transversely disposed, generally semi-cylindrically shaped upper and lower grooves or channels  129 ,  130 , respectively, which, when the half shells are secured together, form a generally cylindrically-shaped cavity  131  for rotatably receiving cylindrically-shaped handle pivot axle  107 . Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 9–11 , lower base half shell  71  has protruding upwardly from lower base wall  82  thereof a laterally centrally located, generally semi-cylindrically-shaped pivot axle groove  132  which has a front upper wall  133  adjacent to front transverse end wall  86  of the base shell. Pivot axle groove  132  has a rear edge wall comprised of a thin, arcuately curved web  134  which protrudes upwardly from the upper surface  135  of lower base wall  82 , and a lower wall surface  135  comprised of a semi-cylindrically contoured groove formed in the upper surface of the lower base half shell. As shown in  FIG. 12H , lower curved wall surface  135  of semi-cylindrical pivot axle groove  132  preferably has protruding downwardly therefrom a laterally elongated, rectangularly-shaped shallow recess  136  in which is mounted a rectangularly-shaped friction pad  137  that is made of a material such as silicone rubber which has a relatively large surface coefficient of sliding friction. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 12H , pivot axle groove  132  has left and right U-shaped, transverse end journals  138 ,  139  located at left and right ends thereof, respectively, of the groove. The end journals  138 ,  139  are comprised of generally uniform-thickness, transversely disposed U-shaped webs  140 ,  141  which protrude perpendicularly upwards from upper surface  135  of lower base wall  82  of lower half shell  71 . Left and right end journals  138 ,  139  have formed in upper surfaces thereof left and right downwardly concave semi-cylindrically-shaped grooves  142 ,  143  which are of a suitable size and lateral spacing from one another to rotatably receive the left-hand bushing  106  and right-had groove  122  of right-hand cylindrical boss section  120 , respectively, of handle pivot axle body  116 . 
   As is also shown in  FIG. 12H , lower base half shell  71  also includes a generally semi-cylindrically shaped, axial friction control groove  144  which is adjacent to the outer, right-hand transverse face  145  of right-hand handle pivot axle body journal  139 . Friction control groove  144  is coaxially aligned with lower semi-cylindrical pivot axle groove  132 , and preferably of smaller diameter and length. Also, friction control groove  144  has located at a right transverse end thereof a short semi-cylindrically shaped nut holder groove  146  which has a polygonal transverse cross-section and which is adapted to irrotatably hold a hex nut  147 . Nut holder groove  146  has an outer, right-hand transverse end journal  148  which has the form of a U-shaped web  149  that has in an upper surface thereof a groove  150  adapted to rotatably receive the shank  151  of a friction adjustment screw  152  which has located at the outer end thereof, a fluted friction-adjustment knob  153 . Also, the inner, left-hand transverse end of nut holder groove  146  is bordered by a U-shaped left-hand end journal  154  comprised of U-shaped web  155  which protrudes upwardly from upper surface  135  of lower base wall  82  of lower half shell  71 . Left-hand nut groove journal  154  has formed in upper surface  156  of web  155  thereof a downwardly concave semi-cylindrically shaped groove  157  which is of a suitable size to provide clearance for and therefore allow free rotation of screw shank  151 . 
   Referring still to  FIG. 12H  it may be seen that outer, left-hand transverse face  158  of left-hand nut groove journal  154  has protruding axially outwards therefrom a pair of generally rectangularly-shaped, vertically disposed front and rear end spacer ribs  159 F,  159 B, which are spaced equal distances radially outwards from front and rear sides of journal groove  157 . Outer, left-hand face  158  of left-hand nut groove journal  158  also has protruding axially outwards from a lower base portion thereof a low, rectangular cross-section, slider rib  160  which protrudes upwardly from the center of lower semi-cylindrical wall surface  161  of friction control groove  144 . As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , slider rib  160  protrudes upwardly into a longitudinally disposed lower groove  162 L formed in the outer cylindrical surface  163  of a cylindrically-shaped slider bushing  165  which is longitudinally slidably located in axial friction control groove  144 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 12A–14 , slider bushing  165  has formed in outer cylindrical surface  163  thereof upper and lower longitudinally disposed, diametrically opposed, rectangular cross-section grooves  162 U,  162 L, respectively. Slider bushing  165  has a transversely disposed circular, flat outer or right-hand end face  166 , and a circular left-hand transverse face in which are formed axially inwardly protruding rectangular cross-section vertically disposed transverse grooves  167 U,  167 L which are continuous with upper and lower longitudinal grooves  162 U,  162 L, and a pair of radially disposed front and rear transverse grooves  168 F,  168 B which are perpendicular to the vertically disposed grooves. All of the above-identified end face grooves radiate from a coaxially centrally located blind bore  169  which protrudes inwardly from outer, left-hand transverse face  170  of slider bushing  165 . Bore  169  is provided for receiving stud  126  which protrudes outwardly from boss  120  of handle pivot axle  107 . The function of end face grooves  167 U,  167 L,  168 F,  168 B is to facilitate elastic deformation of bushing  165  in response to longitudinal forces exerted on the bushing. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 12A–14 , friction control groove  144  longitudinally slidably holds in axial alignment with slider bushing  165  a circular rubber washer  171 , which is preferably sandwiched between a pair of outer and inner circular plastic washers  172 O,  172 I, all of which have a diameter approximating that of the slider bushing and slightly less than that of the friction control groove. Each of the washers is provided with central coaxial through-bore. The inner transverse face  173 I of inner plastic washer  172 I adjacent to outer circular end face  126  of right-hand cylindrical boss section  120  of handle pivot axle  107  is pressed against the right-hand end face of the handle axle boss section with an axial force which is adjustable by turning friction control knob  153 . Turning friction control knob  153  in a direction which advances friction adjustment screw shank  151  towards the handle pivot axle increases the axial frictional force exerted on the pivot axle to resist pivotable motion of the handle relative to the base; turning the control knob in the opposite direction retracts the screw shank to thereby reduce frictional resistance to pivotable motion of the handle. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12A–14 , it may be seen that upper base half shell  70  has formed therein an upwardly concave generally semi-cylindrically shaped, transversely disposed upper half shell channel  129  that has several structural elements which have shapes complementary to those of elements of the lower half shell which were identified and described above. Those upper and lower structural elements are mirror symmetrical through a horizontally disposed joint plane between upper and lower base half shells  70 ,  71  and cooperate to form generally cylindrically shaped cavities. Thus, for example, upper base half shell  70  has left and right transverse end journals  188 ,  189 , which mate with lower base half shell journals  138 ,  139 , the semi-cylindrically shaped grooves  142 ,  143  of the lower journals mating with semi-cylindrically shaped grooves  192 ,  193  of the upper half shell journals to form closed, cylindrically shaped pivot axle body end journals  292 ,  293 , respectively. Similarly, upper base half shell  70  has formed therein an upper semi-cylindrically shaped friction control groove  194  which forms with lower semi-cylindrically shaped friction control groove  144  of lower base half shell  71  a cylindrically shaped friction control cavity  293 . Upper base half shell  70  also includes a semi-cylindrically shaped upper nut holder groove  196  which is bordered on right and left ends thereof by right and left upper nut groove journals  198 ,  204 , forming with corresponding lower right and left journals  148 ,  154 , respectively, a closed, cylindrically shaped nut holder cavity  296 . 
   Referring still to  FIGS. 12A–14 , it may be seen that upper base half shell  70  has protruding downwardly from the upper inner surface thereof spacer ribs  209 F,  209 B and a slider rib  210  which are mirror images of ribs  159 F,  159 B, and  160 , respectively, of lower base half shell  71 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 12A–14 , upper base half shell  70  has protruding rearwardly from front edge wall  221  thereof an elongated, rectangularly-shaped notch  222  which is laterally symmetrically located with respect to the left and right side walls  223 L,  223 R of the upper half shell. With upper and lower base half shells  70 ,  71  fastened together, notch  222  is vertically aligned with semi-cylindrically shaped pivot axle groove  132 , and enables handle pivot axle  107  to rotate from an angular orientation in which handle  22  is received in handle groove  87  in the upper surface of the upper half shell, in a compact storage/transit configuration, to an upright use configuration in which the handle is angled upwardly from base  21 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 14 . 
     FIGS. 15A through 21  illustrate structural elements of mirror device  20  which enable telescopic adjustment of dual mirror assembly  24  of mirror device  20  to a desired height relative to base  21 . As shown in those figures, handle  22  of mirror  20  has a vertically elongated, generally rectangular plan-view front portion  224  which has a shape approximating that of rectangular cross-section channel member or shell which includes a front vertically elongated rectangular front base plate member  225 , and rearwardly protruding left and right flange walls  226 L,  226 R. Front handle portion  224  has a rearwardly curved, transversely disposed lower end portion  227  which is coextensive with front, upper half  228  of handle pivot axle  107 . Also, handle  22  has a rear rectangular plate-shaped panel  229  which is secured within a longitudinally disposed channel  230  in the rear side of front handle shell  224 , and has located at a lower end thereof a transversely disposed, generally semi-cylindrically shaped extension  231  which mates with semi-cylindrically shaped lower end  227  of front handle shell  224  to form cylindrically-shaped handle pivot axle  107 . Handle  22  fits telescopically slidably within an elongated rectangular bore  232  within an elongated generally rectangularly-shaped handle boss tube  233  which protrudes rearwardly from rear surface  234  of primary mirror frame  25 , the handle boss extending vertically along a diameter of the mirror frame, centered on a diameter thereof. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6A ,  7 A– 7 D and  15 – 19 , bore  232  of handle boss tube  231  has mounted in a front or bottom longitudinally disposed base wall thereof a generally rectangularly-shaped, longitudinally elongated detent plate  235 . Detent plate  235  has located in rear surface  236  thereof a plurality of a longitudinally spaced apart, laterally disposed detent grooves  237 . As is also shown in  FIGS. 15A and 16 , front base plate member  225  of front handle shell  224  has an upper transversely disposed edge wall  238  which has protruding perpendicularly inwardly therefrom a pair of parallel, longitudinally disposed left and right slots  239 L,  239 R which are spaced equal distances to the left and right, respectively, of a longitudinally center plane of the handle shell. Slots  239 L,  239 R form therebetween a rectangularly-shaped tab  240 , which is flexibly and resiliently joined at a rear transverse edge  241  thereof to a longitudinally inwardly located portion of the front base wall plate  225  by an elastically deformable self hinge  242 , resulting from front wall plate  225  being made of an elastically deformable polymer such as polypropylene. Tab  240  has protruding downwardly or forwardly from a front edge wall  243  thereof a laterally disposed, radiused detent rib  244 . Detent rib  244  is of the proper size and shape to snap resiliently into a particular one of detent grooves  237  that it becomes aligned with as primary mirror frame  25  is moved longitudinally with respect to handle  22 . With rib  244  resiliently engaged within a detent groove  237 , a relatively large longitudinal force must be exerted on handle  22  relative to primary mirror frame  25  to disengage the rib from the groove. Thus constructed, primary mirror frame  25  is telescopically extendible and retractable with respect to handle  22 , to an adjustable length or height relative to base  22 , the adjusted height being maintained by cooperative action of the detent rib and a detent groove.

Technology Category: 1