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US3623796A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Mirror with adjustable focal length

Assignee: SCHWEIGER AND SCHWEIGER AG
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Filing: 1969-08-01
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Granted: 1971-11-30
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Expires: 1989-08-01
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Abstract

Abstract A mirror comprising a substantially concave housing with a light-reflecting resilient membrane airtightly secured to the edge of the housing across its base. Mounted on the housing is a compressible suction pump operative to create a partial vacuum in the interior of the housing such that the light-reflecting membrane is drawn inwardly into the housing to thus assume a substantially concave shape and to thereby adjust the focal length of the mirror.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jose Schweiger

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 12:43
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0816; G02B26/0825

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 154 words
A compact mirror with adjustable focal length comprising, in combination, a substantially plateshaped rigid housing having an open concave side; a light-reflecting elastomeric resilient membrane covering said open side of said housing and being secured to the latter along the edge thereof so as to airtightly close said open side of said housing; manually operable air evacuating means mounted on said housing on the side thereof opposite said open side for creating a partial vacuum in the interior of said housing so as to cause said light reflecting membrane to be drawn inwardly and to thus change the focal length thereof, said air evacuating means comprising a compressible and expandable suction pump of elastomeric material having a hollow interior and an outlet providing communication between said hollow interior and the atmosphere; passage means interconnecting said interior of said suction pump with the interior of said housing; and valve means normally closing said passage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 154 words
A compact mirror with adjustable focal length comprising, in combination, a substantially plateshaped rigid housing having an open concave side; a light-reflecting elastomeric resilient membrane covering said open side of said housing and being secured to the latter along the edge thereof so as to airtightly close said open side of said housing; manually operable air evacuating means mounted on said housing on the side thereof opposite said open side for creating a partial vacuum in the interior of said housing so as to cause said light reflecting membrane to be drawn inwardly and to thus change the focal length thereof, said air evacuating means comprising a compressible and expandable suction pump of elastomeric material having a hollow interior and an outlet providing communication between said hollow interior and the atmosphere; passage means interconnecting said interior of said suction pump with the interior of said housing; and valve means normally closing said passage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
A mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said valve means is movable between a normally closed and an open venting position in response to compression and expansion of said pump.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 43 words
A mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said pump is substantially concave and having its edge fixedly secured to said housing, and wherein said valve means is a pivotable lip member overlying said passage means within the interior of said concave pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
A mirror as defined in claim 3, wherein said housing is provided with air admitting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
A mirror as defined in claim 4, wherein said air admitting means includes an inlet and a valve member normally closing said inlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 25 words
A mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said light-reflecting membrane is secured along the edge of said housing by means of a connecting member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 57 words
A mirror as defined in claim 6, wherein said connecting member is annular and has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and wherein said edge of said housing is substantially circular and has a corresponding substantially U-shaped cross section airtight interlocking with said U-shaped connecting member, said light-reflecting membrane being sandwiched between said interlocking edge and connecting member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 24 words
A mirror as defined in claim 7, wherein an adhesive is provided intermediate said respective interlocking U-shaped members for bonding said light-reflecting membrane thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
A mirror as defined in claim 8, wherein said light-reflecting membrane is vulcanized to at least one of said mentioned U-shaped members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
A mirror as defined in claim 1, and comprising reinforcement means for supporting said substantially concave housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 23 words
A mirror as defined in claim 10, wherein said reinforcement means are secured to said substantially concave housing along the outer circumference thereof.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2952189A Cited
GB982680A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1974-11-29 1975-05-31 1975-11-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1978-11-29 1979-05-31 1979-11-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1982-11-29 1983-05-31 1983-11-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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