Rearview periscope for vehicles

Claim 2

A periscope system for vehicles comprising: first, second and third mirrors all located on a central sightline such that said third mirror reflects light rays from the exterior of said vehicle to said second mirror which in turn reflects said rays to said first mirror which in turn reflects said rays to the eye of the driver of the vehicle; transparent cover means interposed between the exterior and interior of said vehicle to allow the entry of light rays from said exterior; support means for said three mirrors and said cover Means supporting said third mirror exterior of said vehicle; said third mirror being adjacent to and spaced from said cover means and defining an air-flow passageway therewith; said passageway providing a flow of air therethrough when said vehicle is in motion, said flow of air preventing the build-up of foreign particles on said cover means; cover means including a layer of thin, electrically conductive coating for conducting electricity therethrough to heat said cover means and to cooperate with said flow of air to prevent a build-up of fog and ice on said cover means.

Claim 3

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 1 wherein said thin, electrically conductive coating has a visible transmission of light rays of greater than about 70 percent.

Claim 4

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 1 wherein said thin, electrically conductive coating has a power density of at least about one-half watt per square inch.

Claim 5

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 3 wherein said thin, electrically conductive coating has a power density of about from one-half to 1 watt per square inch.

Claim 6

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 3 wherein said thin, electrically conductive coating has a durability of at least 100 standard eraser rubs.

Claim 7

A periscope system for vehicles comprising: first, second and third mirrors mounted on said vehicle and all located on a central sightline, such that said third mirror reflects light rays from the exterior of said vehicle to said second mirror which in turn reflects said rays to said first mirror which in turn reflects said rays to the eye of the driver of the vehicle; transparent cover means interposed between the exterior and interior of said vehicle to allow the entry of light rays from said exterior; and support means for said three mirrors and said cover means including breakaway means for said second mirror; said breakaway means including a plurality of studs mounted on said second mirror, said studs detachably engaging a corresponding plurality of rearwardly opening spring clips mounted on said support means for said second mirror; a portion of said second mirror projecting below the interior of the roof of said vehicle; said second mirror being pivotally retained by said engaging studs and spring clips and pivotal about at least two of said studs and spring clips whereby upon impact the second mirror will pivot out of the way without completely separating from said support means in the event a passenger is accidentally thrown against said second mirror.

Claim 8

A periscope system for vehicles comprising: first, second and third mirrors mounted on said vehicle and all located on a central sightline, such that said third mirror reflects light rays from the exterior of said vehicle to said second mirror which in turn reflects said rays to said first mirror which in turn reflects said rays to the eye of the driver of the vehicle; transparent cover means interposed between the exterior and interior of said vehicle to allow the entry of light rays from said exterior; and support means for said three mirrors and said cover means including breakaway means for said second mirror; said breakaway means including a plurality of studs mounted on said second mirror, said studs detachably engaging a corresponding plurality of rearwardly opening spring clips mounted on said support means for said second mirror; a portion of said second mirror projecting below the interior of the roof of said vehicle; said second mirror being pivotally retained by said engaging studs and spring clips and pivotal about at least two of said studs and spring clips whereby upon impact the second mirror will pivot out of the way without completely separating from said support means in the event a passenger is accidentally thrown against said second mirror.

Claim 9

A periscope system for vehicles comprising: first, second and third mirrors all located on a central sightline such that said third mirror reflects light rays from the exterior of said vehicle to said second mirror which in turn reflects said rays to said first mirror which in turn reflects said rays to the eye of a driver of the vehicle; transparent cover means interposed between the exterior and interior of said vehicle to allow the entry of light rays from said exterior; support means for said three mirrors and said cover means; and means to limit the field of vision of said driver using said periscope system and to prevent the reflection by said first mirror of undesirable light rays entering through said cover means without being first reflected by said second and third mirrors; said means comprising a shield means mounted internally of said periscope system on said vehicle adjacent to said transparent cover means and at an angle to the planes of said cover means and said first, second and third mirrors for preventing the field of vision of said driver, as seen on said first mirror, from including substantial portions of the support means for said second and third mirrors and said cover means, as well as preventing the reflection of said undesirable light rays.

Claim 10

A periscope system for vehicles comprising: first, second and third mirrors all located on a central sightline such that said third mirror reflects light rays from the exterior of said vehicle to said second mirror which in turn reflects said rays to said first mirror which in turn reflects said rays to the eye of a driver of the vehicle; transparent cover means interposed between the exterior and interior of said vehicle to allow the entry of light rays from said exterior; support means for said three mirrors and said cover means; and means to limit the field of vision of said driver using said periscope system and to prevent the reflection by said first mirror of undesirable light rays entering through said cover means without being first reflected by said second and third mirrors; said means comprising a shield means mounted internally of said periscope system on said vehicle adjacent to said transparent cover means and at an angle to the planes of said cover means and said first, second and third mirrors for preventing the field of vision of said driver, as seen on said first mirror, from including substantial portions of the support means for said second and third mirrors and said cover means, as well as preventing the reflection of said undesirable light rays.

Claim 11

A periscope system for vehicles comprising: first, second and third mirrors all located on a central sighTline such that said third mirror reflects light rays from the exterior of said vehicle to said second mirror which in turn reflects said rays to said first mirror which in turn reflects said rays to the eye of the driver of the vehicle; transparent cover means interposed between the exterior and interior of said vehicle to allow the entry of light rays from exterior; support means for said three mirrors and said cover means; and means to filter the light rays reflected through said periscope system; and means for pivotally mounting said filter means for convenient rotation by a driver into and out of the line of travel of the light rays being reflected from said second mirror to said first mirror.

Claim 12

A periscope system for vehicles comprising: first, second and third mirrors all located on a central sighTline such that said third mirror reflects light rays from the exterior of said vehicle to said second mirror which in turn reflects said rays to said first mirror which in turn reflects said rays to the eye of the driver of the vehicle; transparent cover means interposed between the exterior and interior of said vehicle to allow the entry of light rays from exterior; support means for said three mirrors and said cover means; and means to filter the light rays reflected through said periscope system; and means for pivotally mounting said filter means for convenient rotation by a driver into and out of the line of travel of the light rays being reflected from said second mirror to said first mirror.

Claim 13

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 8 wherein said filter means is a sheet of transparent material tinted to a color suitable for reducing the intensity of said light rays.

Claim 14

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 9 wherein said filter means is rotatably mounted on said support means such that said filter means may be rotated into and out of the line of travel of all possible light rays being reflected between said first and second mirrors.

Claim 15

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 8 wherein said transparent material is a tinted plastic material.

Claim 16

A periscope system for vehicles comprising: first, second and third mirrors all located on a central sightline such that said third mirror reflects light rays from the exterior of said vehicle to said second mirror which in turn reflects said rays to said first mirror which in turn reflects said rays to the eye of the driver of the vehicle; transparent cover means interposed between the exterior and interior of said vehicle to allow the entry of light rays from said exterior; support means for said three mirrors and said cover means, said third mirror comprising a laminated construction wherein a reflective layer is disposed between a thin substrate and a thicker backing layer; said laminated construction substantially eliminating optical distortion due to foreign matter on the surface thereof and increasing the breakage resistance of said third mirror.

Claim 17

A periscope system for vehicles comprising: first, second and third mirrors all located on a central sightline such that said third mirror reflects light rays from the exterior of said vehicle to said second mirror which in turn reflects said rays to said first mirror which in turn reflects said rays to the eye of the driver of the vehicle; transparent cover means interposed between the exterior and interior of said vehicle to allow the entry of light rays from said exterior; support means for said three mirrors and said cover means, said third mirror comprising a laminated construction wherein a reflective layer is disposed between a thin substrate and a thicker backing layer; said laminated construction substantially eliminating optical distortion due to foreign matter on the surface thereof and increasing the breakage resistance of said third mirror.

Claim 18

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 12 wherein said substrate is about 1.0 to 1.2 millimeters in thickness.

Claim 19

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 13 wherein said substrate is chemically tempered.

Claim 20

A periscope system for vehicles comprising: first, second and third mirrors all located on a central sightline, such that said third mirror reflects light rays from the exterior of said vehicle to said second mirror which in turn reflects said rays to said first mirror which in turn reflects said rays to the eye of the driver of the vehicle; said third mirror comprising a laminated construction wherein a reflective layer is disposed between a thin substrate and a thicker backing layer; transparent cover means interposed between the exterior and interior of said vehicle to allow the entry of light rays from said exterior; support means for said three mirrors and said cover means including breakaway means for movement of said second mirror from its normal position with respect to said support means; means to limit the field of vision of said driver using said periscope system and to prevent the reflection by sz first mirror of light rays entering through said cover means without being first reflected by said second and third mirrors; and means to filter the light rays selected through said periscope system.

Claim 21

A periscope system for vehicles comprising: first, second and third mirrors all located on a central sightline, such that said third mirror reflects light rays from the exterior of said vehicle to said second mirror which in turn reflects said rays to said first mirror which in turn reflects said rays to the eye of the driver of the vehicle; said third mirror comprising a laminated construction wherein a reflective layer is disposed between a thin substrate and a thicker backing layer; transparent cover means interposed between the exterior and interior of said vehicle to allow the entry of light rays from said exterior; support means for said three mirrors and said cover means including breakaway means for movement of said second mirror from its normal position with respect to said support means; means to limit the field of vision of said driver using said periscope system and to prevent the reflection by sz first mirror of light rays entering through said cover means without being first reflected by said second and third mirrors; and means to filter the light rays selected through said periscope system.

Claim 22

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 15 wherein said breakaway means comprises a plurality of studs mounted on said second mirror, said studs detachably engaging a corresponding plurality of spring clips mounted on said support means for said second mirror such taht said second mirror will separate from said support means when said second mirror receives an impact.

Claim 23

A periScope system for vehicles as described in claim 15 wherein said field of vision limiting and first mirror reflection preventing means is a shield mounted on said vehicle adjacent to said transparent cover means and at an angle to the planes of said cover means and said first, second and third mirrors, such that the field of vision of said driver, as seen on said first mirror, includes substantially none of the support means for said second and third mirrors and said cover means.

Claim 24

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 15 wherein said filter means is a sheet of transparent material tinted to a color suitable for reducing the intensity of said light rays.

Claim 25

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 18 wherein said filter means is rotatably mounted on said support means such that said filter means may be rotated into and out of the line of travel of all possible light rays being reflected between any two of said mirrors.

Claim 26

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 19 wherein said filter means may be rotated into and out of the line of travel of the light rays being reflected from said second mirror to said first mirror.

Claim 27

A periscope system for vehicles as described in claim 15 wherein said substrate is about 1.0 to 1.2 millimeters in thickness.

Claim 28

A periscope system for vehicles comprising: first, second and third mirrors all located on a central sightline such that said third mirror reflects light rays from the exterior of said vehicle to said second mirror which in turn reflects said rays to said first mirror which in turn reflects said rays to the eye of the driver of said vehicle; said third mirror comprising a laminated construction wherein a reflective layer is disposed between a thin substrate and a thicker backing layer; a transparent cover interposed between the exterior and interior of said vehicle to allow the entry of light rays from said exterior, said cover including a layer of a thin, electrically conductive coating deposited thereon, such that electricity may be conducted therethrough to heat said glass thereby preventing a build-up of fog and ice on said cover, said coating having a visible transmission of light rays of greater than about 70 percent, a power density of greater than about one-half watt per square inch and a durability of greater than about 100 standard eraser rubs before deterioration; support means for said three mirrors and said cover including adjustment means for the adjustment of said first mirror with respect to said second mirror and breakaway means for movement of said second mirror from its normal position with respect to said support means, said breakaway means comprising a plurality of spring clips mounted on said second mirror, said clips detachably engaging a corresponding plurality of studs mounted on said support means for said second mirror such that said second mirror will separate from said support means when said second mirror receives an impact; means to limit the field of vision of said driver using said periscope system and to prevent the reflection by said first mirror of light rays entering through said cover without being first reflected by said second and third mirrors, said field of vision limiting and first mirror reflection preventing means comprising a shield mounted on the roof of said vehicle adjacent to said transparent cover and first, second and third mirrors such that the field of vision of said driver, as seen on said first mirror, includes substantially none of the support means for said second and third mirrors and said cover; and means to filter the light rays reflected through said periscope system comprising a sheet of transparent tinted plastic material rotatably mounted on said support means such that said plastic material sheet may be rotated into and out of the line of travel of all possible light rays being reflected from said second mirror to said first mirror whereby said light rays are Reduced in intensity by said plastic material.

Claim 29

A periscope system for vehicles comprising: first, second and third mirrors all located on a central sightline such that said third mirror reflects light rays from the exterior of said vehicle to said second mirror which in turn reflects said rays to said first mirror which in turn reflects said rays to the eye of the driver of said vehicle; said third mirror comprising a laminated construction wherein a reflective layer is disposed between a thin substrate and a thicker backing layer; a transparent cover interposed between the exterior and interior of said vehicle to allow the entry of light rays from said exterior, said cover including a layer of a thin, electrically conductive coating deposited thereon, such that electricity may be conducted therethrough to heat said glass thereby preventing a build-up of fog and ice on said cover, said coating having a visible transmission of light rays of greater than about 70 percent, a power density of greater than about one-half watt per square inch and a durability of greater than about 100 standard eraser rubs before deterioration; support means for said three mirrors and said cover including adjustment means for the adjustment of said first mirror with respect to said second mirror and breakaway means for movement of said second mirror from its normal position with respect to said support means, said breakaway means comprising a plurality of spring clips mounted on said second mirror, said clips detachably engaging a corresponding plurality of studs mounted on said support means for said second mirror such that said second mirror will separate from said support means when said second mirror receives an impact; means to limit the field of vision of said driver using said periscope system and to prevent the reflection by said first mirror of light rays entering through said cover without being first reflected by said second and third mirrors, said field of vision limiting and first mirror reflection preventing means comprising a shield mounted on the roof of said vehicle adjacent to said transparent cover and first, second and third mirrors such that the field of vision of said driver, as seen on said first mirror, includes substantially none of the support means for said second and third mirrors and said cover; and means to filter the light rays reflected through said periscope system comprising a sheet of transparent tinted plastic material rotatably mounted on said support means such that said plastic material sheet may be rotated into and out of the line of travel of all possible light rays being reflected from said second mirror to said first mirror whereby said light rays are Reduced in intensity by said plastic material.