US4904072A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
No-fog magnifying shower mirror with automatically aligning spray hose
Assignee: ShowerTek Inc
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Filing: 1989-02-17
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Granted: 1990-02-27
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Expires: 2009-02-17
Abstract
Abstract To prevent condensation on the mirror, it is heated with water from a supply tube connected from a showerhead pipe to a dispenser which disperses the heated water in either liquid or spray form, preferably from holes in a hose which is mounted in a rear temperature-control space and which surrounds the back of the mirror. The hose has an oval cross-section with holes on one of its flatter sides so that they will all face inward, toward the center of the mirror. Also the tube acts as a gasket to prevent the water from leaking through the mirror's front. The mirror is held by a flex-arm which includes breakaway flex-joints (hinge or ball), allowing rotational and translational movements. A supply tube is carried inside the flex-arm, has a friction fit in the ends of the arm, and is connected to the dispenser hose by a T-fitting. A relief slot in the mirror end of the flex-arm allows water which enters the space in the flex-arm around the supply tube to leave such space. The mirror is mounted in a frame with a back plate which is slightly larger than the frame so that the back plate spreads the back of the frame, causing its front part to be compressed, thereby to squeeze the mirror into a concave, magnifying shape.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R. Christianson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/18; G02B7/181; G02B7/1815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
372 words
A mirror assembly for use in a shower, comprising: a mirror having front and back surfaces and a circular shape, said front surface being a reflecting surface, said mirror having a circular peripheral edge, said front surface of said mirror being substantially flat when said mirror is in a free, unsupported state so that said mirror is normally non-magnifying; a frame comprising a cylindrical hoop surrounding said mirror and in contact with said peripheral edge thereof, said cylindrical hoop having and surrounding an imaginary axis therethrough, said hoop having a front end surrounding one end of said axis and a rear end surrounding the opposite end of said axis; said mirror being positioned closer to said front end of said hoop than said rear end of said hoop so that said back surface is positioned farther away from said rear end of said hoop than said front surface of said mirror is positioned from said front end of said hoop and so that a rear part of said hoop adjacent and including said rear end thereof extends out from and is substantially perpendicular to said back surface of said mirror; a circular back plate having inner and outer surfaces; said cylindrical hoop being sized so that when said mirror is positioned in said hoop without said circular back plate, said hoop will not compress or distort said mirror such that said front surface of said mirror will remain substantially flat; said circular back plate being positioned within said cylindrical hoop adjacent said rear end of said hoop so as to form, in cooperation with said hoop and said mirror, an enclosed temperature control space behind said rear surface of said mirror; said circular back plate having a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the portion of said hoop adjacent said back plate, such that said back plate is positioned within said rear part of said hoop by force fit, and such that said back plate will expand said rear part of said hoop and concomitantly compress said front part of said hoop and hence said mirror so as to distort said mirror and thereby cause said front surface of said mirror to assume a concave shape and become a magnifying mirror.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
372 words
A mirror assembly for use in a shower, comprising: a mirror having front and back surfaces and a circular shape, said front surface being a reflecting surface, said mirror having a circular peripheral edge, said front surface of said mirror being substantially flat when said mirror is in a free, unsupported state so that said mirror is normally non-magnifying; a frame comprising a cylindrical hoop surrounding said mirror and in contact with said peripheral edge thereof, said cylindrical hoop having and surrounding an imaginary axis therethrough, said hoop having a front end surrounding one end of said axis and a rear end surrounding the opposite end of said axis; said mirror being positioned closer to said front end of said hoop than said rear end of said hoop so that said back surface is positioned farther away from said rear end of said hoop than said front surface of said mirror is positioned from said front end of said hoop and so that a rear part of said hoop adjacent and including said rear end thereof extends out from and is substantially perpendicular to said back surface of said mirror; a circular back plate having inner and outer surfaces; said cylindrical hoop being sized so that when said mirror is positioned in said hoop without said circular back plate, said hoop will not compress or distort said mirror such that said front surface of said mirror will remain substantially flat; said circular back plate being positioned within said cylindrical hoop adjacent said rear end of said hoop so as to form, in cooperation with said hoop and said mirror, an enclosed temperature control space behind said rear surface of said mirror; said circular back plate having a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the portion of said hoop adjacent said back plate, such that said back plate is positioned within said rear part of said hoop by force fit, and such that said back plate will expand said rear part of said hoop and concomitantly compress said front part of said hoop and hence said mirror so as to distort said mirror and thereby cause said front surface of said mirror to assume a concave shape and become a magnifying mirror.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mirror of claim 1, further including a resilient tube positioned adjacent said rear surface of said mirror and said inner surface of said back plate, said tube extending around and adjacent the periphery of said mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The mirror of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical hoop also includes a rear shoulder flange extending inward from said rear end of said hoop so as to prevent said back plate from coming out of the rear end of said hoop, said rear shoulder flange being sized to allow said back plate to pass thereover by expanding the diameter of said rear end of said flange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
The mirror of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical hoop also includes a front flange extending inward from said front end of said hoop so as to prevent said mirror from coming out of the front end of said hoop and a rear shoulder flange extending inward from said rear end of said hoop so as to prevent said back plate from coming out of the rear end of said hoop, said rear shoulder flange being sized to allow said back plate to pass thereover by expanding the diameter of said flange.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The mirror of claim 1, further including a flexible arm having proximal and distal ends, said distal end attached to said frame, said arm being hollow so that it can supply water to said enclosed temperature control space behind said rear surface of said mirror, said proximal end including means for attaching said frame to a source of supply water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
The mirror of claim 5, further including a resilient tube positioned adjacent said rear surface of said mirror and and said inner surface of said back plate, said tube extending around and adjacent the periphery of said mirror, said tube having a plurality of holes therein so as to be able to direct water adjacent said rear surface of said mirror, and means connecting said tube to said arm so that water supplied by said arm will be routed to said tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mirror of claim 6, further including a supply tube positioned within said arm, said means connecting said tube to said arm comprising a T-fitting arranged to connect said supply tube to said resilient tube.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
163 words
A device for preventing a mirror from fogging, comprising: a mirror having a front reflecting face and a back surface; and an elongated flexible dispenser hose, said hose being curved, having an oval cross section with two major opposing surfaces when in its free state, and extending around said mirror and positioned adjacent a peripheral area of said mirror, one of said major surfaces generally facing the center of said rear surface of said mirror, said hose having a plurality of openings in said one major surface, said openings being spaced and formed in a row on said one major surface of said hose, whereby when said hose is bent and positioned around said mirror and adjacent said peripheral area thereof with the holes therein generally facing inward toward the center of said mirror, due to said oval shape said bending will occur in a manner such that said openings will all automatically face said center of said rear surface of said mirror.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
163 words
A device for preventing a mirror from fogging, comprising: a mirror having a front reflecting face and a back surface; and an elongated flexible dispenser hose, said hose being curved, having an oval cross section with two major opposing surfaces when in its free state, and extending around said mirror and positioned adjacent a peripheral area of said mirror, one of said major surfaces generally facing the center of said rear surface of said mirror, said hose having a plurality of openings in said one major surface, said openings being spaced and formed in a row on said one major surface of said hose, whereby when said hose is bent and positioned around said mirror and adjacent said peripheral area thereof with the holes therein generally facing inward toward the center of said mirror, due to said oval shape said bending will occur in a manner such that said openings will all automatically face said center of said rear surface of said mirror.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said mirror is circular in shape, and further including a circular frame surrounding said mirror and extending back from said back surface of said mirror, and also including a circular back plate positioned in said frame and behind and parallel to said back surface of said mirror, said hose being positioned between said back plate and said back surface of said mirror and adjacent said frame, whereby said hose will form a gasket between said mirror and said frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
266 words
A mirror for use in a shower, comprising: a mirror having a front reflecting face and a back surface; a frame for holding said mirror; said frame including a temperature control space adjacent said back surface of said mirror; an arm having a distal end attached to said frame for supporting said frame and said mirror away from the shower wall, said arm being hollow and flexible so that said frame and said mirror can be adjusted to different positions after installation and during use; mounting means at a proximal end of said arm for holding said arm so as to suspend said frame and said mirror at said distal end of said arm above the shower floor; a supply hose and means for connecting said hose from a heated water supply to said temperature control space, said hose being positioned within the lumen of said arm; dispenser means communicating with said hose and located in said temperature control space, said dispenser means being arranged to dispense water into said temperature control space and against said back surface of said mirror so as to cause the temperature of said front reflecting face of said mirror to be raised in order to eliminate water vapor condensation thereon; said hose extending into said frame and into said mounting means at said proximal end of said arm, said hose engaging said mounting means and said frame by friction fit, such that if said arm separates or breaks, said hose will tend to hold the separate components together and will form a gasket with said mounting means and said frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
266 words
A mirror for use in a shower, comprising: a mirror having a front reflecting face and a back surface; a frame for holding said mirror; said frame including a temperature control space adjacent said back surface of said mirror; an arm having a distal end attached to said frame for supporting said frame and said mirror away from the shower wall, said arm being hollow and flexible so that said frame and said mirror can be adjusted to different positions after installation and during use; mounting means at a proximal end of said arm for holding said arm so as to suspend said frame and said mirror at said distal end of said arm above the shower floor; a supply hose and means for connecting said hose from a heated water supply to said temperature control space, said hose being positioned within the lumen of said arm; dispenser means communicating with said hose and located in said temperature control space, said dispenser means being arranged to dispense water into said temperature control space and against said back surface of said mirror so as to cause the temperature of said front reflecting face of said mirror to be raised in order to eliminate water vapor condensation thereon; said hose extending into said frame and into said mounting means at said proximal end of said arm, said hose engaging said mounting means and said frame by friction fit, such that if said arm separates or breaks, said hose will tend to hold the separate components together and will form a gasket with said mounting means and said frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said frame includes a relief slot at its place of engagement with said hose such that if water enters the space surrounding said hose and in said arm, it can escape therefrom through said relief slot into said temperature control space.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said arm includes at least one separable joint for allowing said arm to separate in case of trauma thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 12 wherein said arm has two separable joints.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said arm includes a rotary joint so that it can be pivoted so that the front reflecting face of said mirror can be turned toward the wall during non-use.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said mounting means is arranged to allow said arm means to be attached to a showerhead pipe.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The device of claim 15 wherein said mounting means is arranged to be mounted between said showerhead pipe and a showerhead so as to convey shower water from said showerhead pipe to said showerhead, a proximal end of said hose being open and extending into the path of said shower water within said mounting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
231 words
A mirror, comprising: a circular mirror panel, said mirror panel having front and rear surfaces which are flat and parallel when said mirror panel is in a free state with no significant external force applied thereto; an annular frame surrounding said mirror panel and extending back from said rear surface of said mirror panel; a circular back plate, said back plate having a diameter larger than the internal diameter of the portion of said frame behind said mirror panel; said frame being sized so that when it surrounds said mirror panel and said back plate is not positioned in said frame, said frame will not apply any significant force to said mirror panel so that said front and rear surfaces of said mirror panel will remain flat and parallel; said back plate being positioned in said frame behind and parallel to said mirror panel such that said back plate expands the diameter of the portion of said frame behind said mirror panel and concomitantly compresses the diameter of the portion of said frame surrounding said mirror panel so as to cause the front surface of said mirror panel to assume a concave shape and thereby become a magnifying mirror; and a resilient tube positioned adjacent said rear surface of said mirror and and said inner surface of said back plate, said tube extending around and adjacent the periphery of said mirror.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
231 words
A mirror, comprising: a circular mirror panel, said mirror panel having front and rear surfaces which are flat and parallel when said mirror panel is in a free state with no significant external force applied thereto; an annular frame surrounding said mirror panel and extending back from said rear surface of said mirror panel; a circular back plate, said back plate having a diameter larger than the internal diameter of the portion of said frame behind said mirror panel; said frame being sized so that when it surrounds said mirror panel and said back plate is not positioned in said frame, said frame will not apply any significant force to said mirror panel so that said front and rear surfaces of said mirror panel will remain flat and parallel; said back plate being positioned in said frame behind and parallel to said mirror panel such that said back plate expands the diameter of the portion of said frame behind said mirror panel and concomitantly compresses the diameter of the portion of said frame surrounding said mirror panel so as to cause the front surface of said mirror panel to assume a concave shape and thereby become a magnifying mirror; and a resilient tube positioned adjacent said rear surface of said mirror and and said inner surface of said back plate, said tube extending around and adjacent the periphery of said mirror.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
286 words
A mirror, comprising: a circular mirror panel, said mirror panel having front and rear surfaces which are flat and parallel when said mirror panel is in a free state with no significant external force applied thereto; an annular frame surrounding said mirror panel and extending back from said rear surface of said mirror panel; a circular back plate, said back plate having a diameter larger than the internal diameter of the portion of said frame behind said mirror panel; said frame being sized so that when it surrounds said mirror panel and said back plate is not positioned in said frame, said frame will not apply any significant force to said mirror panel so that said front and rear surfaces of said mirror panel will remain flat and parallel; said back plate being positioned in said frame behind and parallel to said mirror panel such that said back plate, in cooperation with said frame, forms an enclosed temperature control space behind said rear surface of said mirror, and such that said back plate expands the diameter of the portion of said frame behind said mirror panel and concomitantly compresses the diameter of the portion of said frame surrounding said mirror panel so as to cause the front surface of said mirror panel to assume a concave shape and thereby become a magnifying mirror; and a flexible arm having proximal and distal ends, said distal end of said flexible arm being attached to said frame, said arm being hollow so that it can supply water to said enclosed temperature control space behind said rear surface of said mirror, said proximal end of said flexible arm including means for attaching said frame to a source of supply water.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
286 words
A mirror, comprising: a circular mirror panel, said mirror panel having front and rear surfaces which are flat and parallel when said mirror panel is in a free state with no significant external force applied thereto; an annular frame surrounding said mirror panel and extending back from said rear surface of said mirror panel; a circular back plate, said back plate having a diameter larger than the internal diameter of the portion of said frame behind said mirror panel; said frame being sized so that when it surrounds said mirror panel and said back plate is not positioned in said frame, said frame will not apply any significant force to said mirror panel so that said front and rear surfaces of said mirror panel will remain flat and parallel; said back plate being positioned in said frame behind and parallel to said mirror panel such that said back plate, in cooperation with said frame, forms an enclosed temperature control space behind said rear surface of said mirror, and such that said back plate expands the diameter of the portion of said frame behind said mirror panel and concomitantly compresses the diameter of the portion of said frame surrounding said mirror panel so as to cause the front surface of said mirror panel to assume a concave shape and thereby become a magnifying mirror; and a flexible arm having proximal and distal ends, said distal end of said flexible arm being attached to said frame, said arm being hollow so that it can supply water to said enclosed temperature control space behind said rear surface of said mirror, said proximal end of said flexible arm including means for attaching said frame to a source of supply water.
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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) | 1993-02-26 | 1993-08-28 | 1994-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-26 | 1997-08-28 | 1998-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-26 | 2001-08-28 | 2002-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |