GB2157633A

GB2157633A - Rear view mirrors

Info

Publication number: GB2157633A
Application number: GB08409408A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Sydney Charlton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-04-11
Filing date: 1984-04-11
Publication date: 1985-10-30
Also published as: GB8409408D0

Abstract

A rear view mirror has a mirror element (4) secured to a body (2) to define a casing. An aerial element (16), for example of plastics material with a high carbon content, is provided in the casing. The aerial element (16) has a socket (20) for receiving a coaxial cable to connect the aerial element (16) to radio transmitting and/or receiving apparatus. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Rear view mirrors This invention relates to rear view mirrors for motor vehicles.

According to the present invention there is provided a rear view mirror for a motor vehicle, the mirror being provided with an aerial element having connection means for connecting the aerial element to radio transmitting and/or receiving apparatus.

The mirror preferably comprises a hollow casing, one wall of which is constituted by a mirror element having a reflective surface. The aerial element may then be provided within the casing, or it may be incorporated in the wall of the casing. The aerial element may be made from plastics material having a high carbon content. Alternatively, the aerial element may comprise a printed circuit board on which is deposited a strip of copper or other conductive material. This strip may be convoluted to increase the total length of the strip. The connecting means may comprise a standard socket for a coaxial cable, electrically connected to one end of the strip.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a rear view mirror for a motor vehicle, the mirror having at least two reflective surfaces which are inclined to each other. Such a mirror provides a wider field of view than a mirror having a single planar surface. Preferably the two reflective surfaces are themselves planar, so avoiding any distortion resulting from the use of curved mirrors.

The two surfaces may be inclined to each other by, for example, 7O.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a rear view mirror, viewed in the direction towards its reflective surface; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line II- II of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows an alternative form for a component of the mirror of Figures 1 and 2.

The mirror shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a casing made up from a generally rectangular re cessed body 2 and a mirror element 4 which seats on an internal ledge 6 of the body 2, where it is retained by a bezel 8. The body 2 and the bezel 8 are moulded from plastics material, such as nylon, and are secured together by ultrasonic welding.

The mirror element 4 is, for example, moulded from polycarbonate which is silvered on the surface facing inwardly of the casing in order to make it reflective. Alternatively, the mirror element could be made of glass. Where the mirror element 4 is made from polycarbonate or some other plastics material, it may be ultrasonically welded to the bezel 8 andior the body 2.

As shown in Figure 2, the mirror element 4 com prises two portions 10 and 12 which are inclined to each other by an angle a which, in the illustrated embodiment, is 7 . The two portions 10 and 12 are planar and are integral with each other. At the junction between the two portions 10 and 12 the bezel 8 has a separating element 14 so that the portions 10 and 12 are framed separately from each other by the bezel 8.

Within the casing defined by the body 2 and the mirror element 4 there is an aerial element 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the element 16 is made from plastics material having a high carbon content, so that the element 16 is electrically conductive. The element 16 has a flat central portion 17 which is generally parallel to the mirror element 4, and has two upturned portions 19 at opposite ends of the central portion 17. The central portion 17 of the element 16 has apertures which engage projections 18 provided on the inside surface of the body 2 with a snap fit in order to retain the element 16 in position.

A socket 20 for receiving a coaxial cable is secured to one of the end portions 19 of the aerial element 16. The socket 20 projects from the body 2 in the region of a hinge portion 42 which is integral with the body 2.

In use, the mirror is fitted, as is conventional, to the front wing or door of a car or other vehicle to provide a rearwards view for the driver of the vehicle. The mirror is mounted on the vehicle by means of the hinge portion 22, which engages a cooperating portion fixed to the vehicle. When properly positioned on the driver's side of the vehicle, the reflective portion 10 gives a field of view extending close to, and perhaps including, the side of the car, while the portion 12 gives a view extending laterally outwardly further than that of the portion 10. The portion 12 thus gives a view of the so-called "blind spot" through which an overtaking vehicle will pass.

A coaxial cable is plugged into the socket 20 and fed to the inside of the car, its other end being plugged into the aerial socket of a radio receiver or transmitter within the car. The aerial element 16 thus serves as a replacement for the usual whip aerial, but is less obtrusive and less prone to vandalism.

It is now common for cars to be fitted with external rear view mirrors on both sides of the car, and both of these mirrors can incorporate the aerial element 16 as shown in the Figures, although, of course, the hinge portions 22 will be different, reflecting the fact that the two mirrors are to be fitted to different sides of the vehicle. The presence of two aerial elements 16 may improve radio reception.

Although the mirror shown in the Figures is constructed as an external rear view mirror, it is possible for mirrors in accordance with the present invention to be constructed as interior rear view mirrors. In either case, the mirrors can be provided with heating circuitry for demisting the mirror element 4, and they can also include manual or automatic dipping arrangements. In the case of exterior rear view mirrors, motor driven or manual adjusting means for the mirror element 4 can be provided. All or some of such additional features can be accommodated within the casing defined by the body 2 and the mirror element 4.

Figure 3 shows an alternative aerial element 24 to the element 16 of Figures 1 and 2. The element 24 comprises a printed circuit board on which is deposited a convoluted copper strip 26. The copper strip is electrically connected to a socket 28, corresponding to the socket 20 of Figure 2. The convolutions of the strip 26 enable a relatively long strip to be provided on a printed circuit board of small area. It will be appreciated that the strip 26 may be laid in other patterns to achieve the same effect.

Claims

1. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle, the mirror being provided with an aerial element having connection means for connecting the aerial element to radio transmitting and!or receiving apparatus.

2. A rear view mirror as claimed in Claim 1, which comprises a hollow casing of which one wall is constituted by a mirror element having a reflective surface.

3. A rear view mirror as claimed in Claim 2, in which the aerial element is disposed within the hollow casing.

4. A rear view mirror as claimed in Claim 2, in which the aerial element is incorporated in the wall of the casing.

5. A rear view mirror as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the aerial element is made from a plastics material having a high carbon content.

6. A rear view mirror as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the aerial element comprises a printed circuit board having deposited thereon a strip of copper or other conductive material.

7. A rear view mirror as claimed in Claim 6, in which the strip of copper or other conductive material is convoluted.

8. A rear view mirror as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the connection means comprises a standard socket for a coaxial cable which is electrically connected to the aerial element.

9. A rear view mirror as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which two reflective surfaces are provided which are inclined to each other.

10. A rear view mirror as claimed in Claim 9, in which the reflective surfaces are each planar.

11. A rear view mirror as claimed in Claim 9 or 10, in which the two reflective surfaces are inclined to each other by 7 .

12. A rear view mirror substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

13. A motor vehicle provided with a rear view mirror as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

14. A motor vehicle as claimed in Claim 13, in which two of the rear view mirrors are provided, one on each side of the vehicle.