US3915562A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rear view systems for automotive vehicles
Assignee: JOHN R ERMLICH Inc
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Filing: 1974-11-15
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-11-15
Abstract
Abstract An over-the-roof type of rear view system, centered on the driver and comprising three plane mirrors which include: a viewing mirror, adjustable about a horizontal axis to accommodate drivers of differing eye heights, and settable about the same axis into detented positions that provide selective vision directly through the rear window as well as through the system; an environmental window, angled to avoid collecting dirt snow and rain; a particularly oriented field mirror, for receiving light rays passing through the environmental window; a relay mirror, located between and particularly oriented relative to the viewing and field mirrors and rigidly connected to the field mirror to vibrate with it as a pair; and means for protecting the mirrors from the weather and for limiting the passage of unwanted light rays into and through the system.
Inventors
- 👤 John R Ermlich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:50
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B17/00; G02B17/02; B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
328 words
In a periscopic rear viewing system for use in automotive vehicles that have enclosed passenger areas provided with forward and rearward sight openings glazed by windshields and rear windows respectively, which system includes a viewing mirror adapted to be located within and below an opening in the roof of such a passenger area and forwardly and upwardly of the eye positions of drivers of varying heights in said area, means for so locating said viewing mirror in said area and mounting the same for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis to permit adjustment of its angle of elevation, a field mirror positioned above said roof to receive light rays from a selected field of rearward vision, and a relay mirror positioned and angularly related with said field mirror to transmit said light rays to said viewing mirror through said opening in said roof; the improvement in which said viewing mirror locating and mounting means include means mounting said viewing mirror for rapid switching thereof between and for setting the same in a first angularly adjusted normal mode position in said pivotal movement wherein light rays travelling over said roof from a selected field to the rear of said vehicle will be directed toward said eye positions by way of said viewing mirror and a second angularly adjusted backlight mode position in said pivotal movement wherein light rays travelling through said rear window from objects closer to the rear of said vehicle than said selected field will be directed toward said eye positions by way of said viewing mirror, and in which said viewing mirror locating and mounting means also include means mounting said viewing mirror for a different and relatively slower movement about said axis while said viewing mirror is set in one of said angularly adjusted mode positions to further angularly adjust the same relative to said mode position whereby to accommodate the eye positions of drivers of varying heights to both said mode positions simultaneously.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
328 words
In a periscopic rear viewing system for use in automotive vehicles that have enclosed passenger areas provided with forward and rearward sight openings glazed by windshields and rear windows respectively, which system includes a viewing mirror adapted to be located within and below an opening in the roof of such a passenger area and forwardly and upwardly of the eye positions of drivers of varying heights in said area, means for so locating said viewing mirror in said area and mounting the same for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis to permit adjustment of its angle of elevation, a field mirror positioned above said roof to receive light rays from a selected field of rearward vision, and a relay mirror positioned and angularly related with said field mirror to transmit said light rays to said viewing mirror through said opening in said roof; the improvement in which said viewing mirror locating and mounting means include means mounting said viewing mirror for rapid switching thereof between and for setting the same in a first angularly adjusted normal mode position in said pivotal movement wherein light rays travelling over said roof from a selected field to the rear of said vehicle will be directed toward said eye positions by way of said viewing mirror and a second angularly adjusted backlight mode position in said pivotal movement wherein light rays travelling through said rear window from objects closer to the rear of said vehicle than said selected field will be directed toward said eye positions by way of said viewing mirror, and in which said viewing mirror locating and mounting means also include means mounting said viewing mirror for a different and relatively slower movement about said axis while said viewing mirror is set in one of said angularly adjusted mode positions to further angularly adjust the same relative to said mode position whereby to accommodate the eye positions of drivers of varying heights to both said mode positions simultaneously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
Rear viewing apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said mounting for switching aNd setting means comprise means mounting said viewing mirror for free movement about said axis between and into said first and second angularly adjusted mode positions, and detents for locating and holding said mirror in said angularly adjusted mode positions; and said mounting for different and slower movement means comprise means mounting said viewing mirror for controlled movement thereof about said axis to adjust the same to drivers of varying heights while said viewing mirror is located and held in one of said angularly adjusted mode positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Rear viewing apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said generally horizontally arranged axis is located adjacent the lower edge of said viewing mirror to preserve substantially the same lower field of view for all drivers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
Rear viewing apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said relay mirror is also positioned aft and upwardly of said viewing mirror and extends through and a substantial distance upwardly beyond said roof, and said field mirror is also positioned above and in general vertical alignment with but offset rearwardly from said viewing mirror, to minimize the fore and aft dimension that is required in said roof opening to permit said light rays received from said selected field of rearward vision to be directed through said opening to said eye positions by way of said relay and viewing mirrors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
Rear viewing apparatus as defined in claim 4, in which the plane of the field mirror of said mirror assembly is at an angle less than 45* from the horizontal to receive light rays from said selected field and direct them downwardly and forwardly, and the plane of said relay mirror is at an angle of between 50*and and greater than the angle of said field mirror from the horizontal to receive said downward and forwardly directed light rays from said field mirror and to direct the same forwardly and downwardly toward said viewing mirror, and the fore and aft dimensions of said roof opening is less than 6 inches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
Rear viewing apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said relay mirror and said field mirror are directly connected together as a unitary structure by commonly shared rigid structural elements to vibrate as a pair and be rendered substantially optically immune to separable rotational vibrational effects around lateral and longitudinal axis.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |