GB2151568A - Wing mirror - Google Patents

Abstract

A rear view mirror for mounting externally of a road vehicle to eliminate the problem of "blind spot" comprises two planar elements arranged side by side, the element intended to be located further from the vehicle being angularly displaced relative to the other element forwardly with respect to the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wing mirror This invention relates to externally mounted rear view mirrors for motor vehicles.

In my experience as a driver of road vehicles I am aware that conventional wing and door-mounted mirrors suffer from a drawback in that they have what is commonly referred to as a "blind spot". What I mean is that whilst with my mirror in one position relative to my vehicle, I may be able to see reflections of all approaching vehicles in my own lane, and most approaching vehicles in the neighbouring (overtaking) lane, I do not observe the car which has almost overhauled me in the neighbouring lane until I see it directly "out of the corner of my eye". This fact leads to many potential and no doubt some actual accidents.

To reduce this hazard according to my invention I provide a wing or door-mounted rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising two or more reflective elements in different, substantially upright, planes. The elements may be arranged side by side and may be contiguous at a substantially vertical edge.

The element which is intended in use to be furthest from the vehicle preferably has its reflecting surface in a plane angularly displaced about said edge forwardly with respect to the vehicle.

The respective reflective elements may comprise separate plane mirrors mounted in a common frame or may comprise a single sheet of reflective material bent intermediate to what in use are its lateral edges.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a wing mirror in elevation; and Figure 2 shows the mirror in section along lines ll-ll of Fig. 1.

As shown, the mirror comprises reflective elements 2, 4 of conventionally coated glass mounted in a frame 6 on a backin board 8 which is in turn mounted on a bracket arm 10 for attachment to the body of the vehicle with the elements 2, 4 facing generally backwardly of the vehicle.

The reflective elements 2, 4 meet at line 12, but element 4 which is intended in use to be furthest from the vehicle is set at a small angle a forwardly of the vehicle relative to the element 2. The angle space is such that if the width w of the mirror is 7 inches then the displacement d is about 1 /8th inch.

Whilst the dividing line 1 2 between the two reflecting elements is shown rather towards the outer edge of the mirror, the position is not critical and could if required be centrally between the lateral edges or even rather towards the inward side of the mirror. Again, whilst for most purposes a mirror consisting of two slightly angled reflecting surfaces will suffice and provide an antidote to the "blind spot" phenomenon, it is within the scope of the invention if necessary to provide three or more reflecting elements each being at an angle to its neighbour or to at least one if its neighbours.

As shown in Fig. 1, the arangement of the two reflective elements is such that an overtaking vehicle of which the reflection in element 2 is almost outside the field of vision and therefore substantially in the "blind spot" zone, is fully reflected in the element 4.

Experience will show just what angle a is required between the two reflective elements in relation to the two reflective elements in relation to the total width of the mirror to provide that an object which has moved out of view of a driver observing the rearward scene through element 2 will come into view again in element 4.

1. A rear view mirror for mounting externally of a motor vehicle and comprising two or more reflective element arranged in different planes intended in use to be substantially upright.

2. A mirror as claimed in Claim 1 comprising two elements when the elements are contiguous at a substantially vertical edge.

3. A mirror as claimed in Claim 2 wherein one element, intended in use to be further from the vehicle, lies in a plane angularly displaced relative to the other element about said edge forwardly with respect to the vehicle.

4. A rear view mirror for a vehicle substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Wing mirror This invention relates to externally mounted rear view mirrors for motor vehicles. In my experience as a driver of road vehicles I am aware that conventional wing and door-mounted mirrors suffer from a drawback in that they have what is commonly referred to as a "blind spot". What I mean is that whilst with my mirror in one position relative to my vehicle, I may be able to see reflections of all approaching vehicles in my own lane, and most approaching vehicles in the neighbouring (overtaking) lane, I do not observe the car which has almost overhauled me in the neighbouring lane until I see it directly "out of the corner of my eye". This fact leads to many potential and no doubt some actual accidents. To reduce this hazard according to my invention I provide a wing or door-mounted rear view mirror for a motor vehicle comprising two or more reflective elements in different, substantially upright, planes. The elements may be arranged side by side and may be contiguous at a substantially vertical edge. The element which is intended in use to be furthest from the vehicle preferably has its reflecting surface in a plane angularly displaced about said edge forwardly with respect to the vehicle. The respective reflective elements may comprise separate plane mirrors mounted in a common frame or may comprise a single sheet of reflective material bent intermediate to what in use are its lateral edges. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a wing mirror in elevation; and Figure 2 shows the mirror in section along lines ll-ll of Fig. 1. As shown, the mirror comprises reflective elements 2, 4 of conventionally coated glass mounted in a frame 6 on a backin board 8 which is in turn mounted on a bracket arm 10 for attachment to the body of the vehicle with the elements 2, 4 facing generally backwardly of the vehicle. The reflective elements 2, 4 meet at line 12, but element 4 which is intended in use to be furthest from the vehicle is set at a small angle a forwardly of the vehicle relative to the element 2. The angle space is such that if the width w of the mirror is 7 inches then the displacement d is about 1 /8th inch. Whilst the dividing line 1 2 between the two reflecting elements is shown rather towards the outer edge of the mirror, the position is not critical and could if required be centrally between the lateral edges or even rather towards the inward side of the mirror. Again, whilst for most purposes a mirror consisting of two slightly angled reflecting surfaces will suffice and provide an antidote to the "blind spot" phenomenon, it is within the scope of the invention if necessary to provide three or more reflecting elements each being at an angle to its neighbour or to at least one if its neighbours. As shown in Fig. 1, the arangement of the two reflective elements is such that an overtaking vehicle of which the reflection in element 2 is almost outside the field of vision and therefore substantially in the "blind spot" zone, is fully reflected in the element 4. Experience will show just what angle a is required between the two reflective elements in relation to the two reflective elements in relation to the total width of the mirror to provide that an object which has moved out of view of a driver observing the rearward scene through element 2 will come into view again in element 4. CLAIMS

1. A rear view mirror for mounting externally of a motor vehicle and comprising two or more reflective element arranged in different planes intended in use to be substantially upright.

2. A mirror as claimed in Claim 1 comprising two elements when the elements are contiguous at a substantially vertical edge.

3. A mirror as claimed in Claim 2 wherein one element, intended in use to be further from the vehicle, lies in a plane angularly displaced relative to the other element about said edge forwardly with respect to the vehicle.

4. A rear view mirror for a vehicle substantially as described with reference to the drawings.