WO1994020867A1

WO1994020867A1 - True image mirror

Info

Publication number: WO1994020867A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/002650
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lucas G. Leone, Jr.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-03-12
Filing date: 1994-03-11
Publication date: 1994-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 1995-09-12
Also published as: AU6445594A

Abstract

A mirror assembly (10) for displaying true images of objects located in front of the mirror. The mirror has two substantially plane reflecting surfaces (12, 14) arranged to intersect each other at an angle of approximately ninety degrees, the reflecting surfaces are supported by a first pair of side walls (26, 28). A second pair of side walls (22, 24) are disposed at approximately right angles to the first pair of side walls and define between them a view opening (32) for viewing true images and for simultaneously blocking the view of extraneous images.

Description

TRUE IMAGE MIRROR

Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains true-image mirrors and, more partic- ularly, to a cosmetic mirror that provides a true non-reversed image of a person viewing himself or herself in the mirror. The present invention is particularly useful as a makeup or cosmetic mirror, but is by no means limited to only such uses.

Background of the Invention Plane mirrors are known and are used daily by virtually everyone.

One of the most common uses of plane mirrors is to enable people to see their image when shaving, combing the hair, applying makeup, dressing, and the like. A single reflection in a flat mirror produces a virtual image which is reverted, or reversed, in appearance. Each ray of light reflected from the mirror appears to come from a point image located a distance behind the mirror equal to the distance of the object point in front of the mirror. When a person is viewing his or her face in a mirror, the face can be considered as a set of points, each of which is imaged by the plane mirror. Since the viewer is viewing the facial image from the object side of the mirror, the face will appear to be reversed left for right in the virtual image formed by the mirror. Thus, viewers viewing themselves in a mirror do not see themselves as others see them. Rather, the plane mirror provides a virtual or imaginary image in which the left-right symmetry of the viewer's image is reversed.

Normally, this image reversal is hardly noticed by a viewer , who simply, through long usage, comes to accept what he or she sees in a mirror as the viewer's true appearance. Sometimes, however, it is desired to see a true image of oneself, as one would be seen by others. This is especially true when dressing, applying makeup, or having the hair cut or styled. For example, a viewer may wish to see a true image of how a scarf or brooch located on one side of her dress (left or right) may appear to another. More particularly, it may be desirable for the viewer to observe the actual position of the scarf or brooch on her person so that she may more clearly appreciate the appearance she presents to others. As another example, one may wish to see precisely how a particular haircut or style will appear to others, and one may desire to see how one appears with the hair parted to one side or the other.

It is also sometimes desired that a viewer be able to adjust the field of view of the mirror. For example, the viewer may wish to restrict the view of a dressing mirror so that unnecessary background may be eliminated from the viewer 's vision, thereby allowing the viewer to more clearly focus on the face or hair when applying makeup or when combing or styling the hair.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mirror that provides a true image of the viewer .

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mirror with an adjustable field of view.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a mirror for displaying true images of objects in front of said mirror. The mirror comprises two substantially plane reflecting surfaces arranged to intersect each other at an angle of approxi¬ mately ninety degrees.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

Figure 1 is an isometric illustration of one embodiment of a mirror according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the mirror of Figure 1, taken along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the mirror of Figure 1, taken along the lines 3-3 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is an illustration of the reflection of an object by an ordinary mirror.

Figure 5 illustrates the optical principles by which the mirror of the present invention is believed to function.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in Figure 1 a mirror 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The mirror 10 comprises two substantially ^"plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14, which are arranged with respect to each other at an angle θ of approximately 90°. Plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14 each have one edge at which they intersect, as along line L. Preferably, plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14 are front surface mirrors, i.e., light is reflected from the front surface of the mirror instead of from the rear surface, as with conventional mirrors. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a conventional mirror consists of a thickness of glass behind which is a reflective silvered layer at which reflection takes place. Consequently, with a conventional mirror or rear surface mirror, some refraction takes place when light rays pass through the glass to the reflecting surface and back again. While normally not a problem in conventional mirrors, such refraction is undesirable in the mirror according to the present invention. Nevertheless, the present invention contemplates as including within its scope any plane reflecting surface, including rear surface mirrors. The mirror according to the present invention will still function as intended if rear surface mirrors are used, but a sharper image will be obtained by using front surface mirrors. While not necessary for the mirror of the present invention to function as intended, plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14 are advantageously mounted within a housing 16. Housing 16 comprises top wall 18, bottom wall 20, and side walls 22, 24, 26 and 28, respectively.

Side walls 26 and 28 serve to support plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14, respectively. Plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14 may be adhered to side walls 26 and 28 by a suitable adhesive layer 30, or by any other suitable means. Preferably, plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14 are coextensive with the inside surfaces of side walls 26 and 28, although plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14 may also cover only a portion of the inside surfaces of walls 26 and 28.

As best seen in Figure 2, walls 22, 24, 26 and 28 are all joined to each other at approximately right angles. Thus, angle a, the included angle between walls 22 and 26, is approximately 90°, as is angle β, the included angle between walls 14 and 28.

The housing 16 has a front opening generally indicated by reference numeral 32, which forms an obtuse angle γ with side walls 22 and 24. Opening 32 permits a viewer to see into the interior of housing 16 and view the true images reflected by plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14. Top and bottom walls 18 and 20 preferably have one side cut away at an angle to lie flush with the opening 32, although it is not necessary that they be so configured.

It will also be appreciated that although plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14 are substantially planar and intersect each other at an angle of approximately 90°, the housing may be of any desired shape or configuration without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, housing 16 could have curved or other non- planar contours to provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Housing 16 serves not only to support plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14, but also to limit extraneous reflections and images, particularly in those cases where mirror 10 is intended for use as a make-up mirror. Thus, top and bottom walls 18 and 20, and side walls 22, 24, 26 and 28 all serve to minimize "stray" light which falls on plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14. This enables the view to concentrate on the image displayed in mirror 10 without distraction. The field of view of mirror 10 may thus be adjusted to desired viewing angles by controlling the size of housing 16 and the size of opening 32. To further eliminate stray images, the interior of housing 16 may, although it need not, be covered with a light absorbing covering 34, as seen in Figure 3. Light absorbing covering 34 can be a dull finish such as a black matte paint, or a light absorbing fabric material such as black velvet. Black velvet also serves to give mirror 10 a more elegant appearance, which is advantageous when mirror 10 is intended to be used as a make-up mirror. Mirror 10 may be supported on a flat surface such as a table or dresser by a base 36, best seen in Figure 3. While base 36 may have any shape, it is preferably circular (as best seen in Figure 2, where the dashed circle represents base 36), and is arranged to swivel with respect to housing 16. Such an arrangement permits mirror 10 to be located at any desired position for comfortable viewing. In addition, base 36 may be structured to permit tilting of housing 16 with respect to the horizontal, so that mirror 10 can be placed at the most comfortable angle for viewing.

Housing 16 may also be provided with suitable means, such as a bracket 38 having a bore 40 therein, by which mirror 10 may be suspended from a support structure, such as a wall or a ceiling.

Of course, while a typical orientation of mirror 10 would be to have top and bottom walls substantially horizontal, mirror 10 may be placed in other configurations, whereby top and bottom walls 18 and 20 are generally vertical. For example, the mirror may be mounted above a bed, or in any other desired position.

Plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14 may, as already described, be front surface mirrors. Such mirrors are typically made of glass. In that case, one edge of each of plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14 is optically ground, so that the line L along which plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14 intersect does not distract the viewer from the image being observed in mirror 10. Although mirror 10 will function even if the edges along with plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14 intersect are not optically ground, the image will have some distortion due to imperfections in the reflecting surface along the line of intersection. Optical grinding serves to minimize those imperfections and provide the appearance of a smooth transition between surfaces 12 and 14. Fine grinding and polishing makes the joint lines virtually invisible.

Although plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14 may be of glass, they need not be. They can be other reflective materials, such as a highly polished metal, or even a highly reflective metallized polymeric substrate, such as metallized Mylar^®. Such materials are well known and are suitable for mirror 10 of the present invention. Thus, for example, two substrates of non-reflective material, such as plywood, can be arranged at a right angle, and then covered with a single sheet of highly reflective metallized Mylar^® to form a mirror according to the present invention.

It should thus be understood that the present invention is not limited to particular materials for plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14. While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, the way in which the mirror 10 functions to display a true image is illustrated with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

Looking first at Figure 4, Figure 4 illustrates an ordinary plane mirror 100 with an object O, such as a left hand, located at a distance o in front of mirror 100. Light rays reflected by the left hand strike mirror 100, and are reflected, producing an image /, which appears at a distance i behind mirror 100. As is well know, the left-right symmetry of the image is interchanged compared to the left-right symmetry of the object. Thus, the image of a left hand in mirror 100 looks like a right hand to the viewer. Looking now at Figure 5, an object O such as a left hand undergoes two reversals by plane reflecting surfaces 12 and 14. Exemplary light rays 42 and 44 from left hand object O strike plane reflecting surface 12 at points PI and P2, respectively, from which they are reflected. Under the principles of geometric optics, rays 42 and 44 are reflected at angles equal to the angles at which they strike plane reflecting surface 12. Reflected rays 42' and 44' thus are directed to plane reflecting surface 14, where they strike plane reflecting surface 14 at points P3 and P4, respectively. Rays 42' and 44' are reflected from plane reflecting surface 14 as rays 42" and 44". It is these rays 42" and 44" that are perceived by the eye as image /, which is perceived as a left hand because of the double reversal of the image due to reflection by both plane reflecting surface 12 and plane reflecting surface 14. Although the invention has been described in the context of a make¬ up mirror, it is understood that the invention is not limited to any particular application but, rather, comprehends all uses to which the mirror according to the present invention can be put. For example, the mirror may be suitable for use as an inspection mirror to inspect or observe objects which are not easily accessible to the viewer. Inspection mirrors, in which an ordinary mirror is mounted at the end of a rod or handle, are well known. A typical example is a dental mirror. The present invention may find utility in an improved dental mirror, for example, in which the image of teeth inspected by the dentist is a true, rather than reverse, image.

The mirror according to the present invention can also function as a safety mirror to enable a viewer to see around corners.

The mirror according to the present invention may also be suitable as a rear view mirror for certain types of vehicles, where a true image ,to the rear of the vehicle is desired.

Many more uses and applications of the present invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in this and other arts, and all such uses and applications are within the scope of the invention.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A mirror assembly for displaying true images of objects located in front of said mirror, CHARACTERIZED BY a first pair of substantially planar side walls each having a front surface, said front surfaces defining two planes disposed at an angle of approximately ninety degrees with respect to each other, two substantially planar front surface reflectors on said front surfaces of said side walls, said reflectors being arranged to meet at an angle of approximately ninety degrees, a second pair of side walls, each arranged to meet with a respective one of said first pair of side walls at said front surface thereof at an angle of approximately ninety degrees thereto, said second pair of side walls defining a view opening between them for viewing true images of objects reflected by said reflectors and for simultaneously preventing viewing of extraneous images reflected by said reflectors.

2. A mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the two substantially planar front surface reflectors each have at least one optically ground straight edge, the reflectors being joined together along their respective optically ground straight edges at said angle of approximately ninety degrees.

3. A mirror assembly according to claim 2, wherein the two substantially planar reflectors surfaces comprise portions of a single contiguous surface.

4. A mirror assembly according to claim 3, wherein the side walls on the interior of the housing have a light absorbing cover.

5. A mirror assembly for displaying true images of objects located in front of said mirror, comprising a first pair of substantially plane reflecting surfaces arranged to intersect at an angle of approximately ninety degrees, a housing generally enclosing the reflecting surfaces and having a pair of side walls, each arranged to meet with a respective one of the pair of substantially plane reflecting surfaces at an angle of approximately ninety degrees thereto, the pair of side walls defining a view opening between them for viewing true images of objects reflected by said reflectors and for simultaneously preventing viewing of extraneous images reflected by said reflectors.

6. A mirror assembly according to claim 5, wherein the side walls on the interior of the housing have a light absorbing covering.

7. A mirror assembly according to claim 6, wherein the plane reflecting surfaces are front surface mirrors.

8. A mirror assembly according to claim 7, wherein the two substantially plane reflecting surfaces each having at least one optically ground straight edge, the mirrors being joined together along their respective optically ground straight edges at said angle of approximately ninety degrees.

9. A mirror assembly according to claim 8, wherein the two plane reflecting surfaces comprise portions of a single contiguous surface.

10. A mirror assembly according to claim 22, further comprising support means for supporting the mirror assembly at a desired viewing angle.

11. A mirror assembly according to claim 10, wherein the support means comprises a swivel base.