s°4-b5d
`
`Bevery
`
`im
`
`FP
`
`4531952
`
`United States Patent 19).
`[it]
`4,331,382
`
`Graff
`[45]
`May 25, 1982
`
`[21]
`
`Appl. No.: 130,077
`
`=) VEROatOuiaitMenaraTis
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1921076 11/1970 Fed. Rep, of Germany.
`
`
`Bie|ierWt Be SN gn wach eae
`
`2725952 12/1978 Fed. Rep. ofGermany.....
`[73] Assignee:
`Pathfinder Auto Lamp Company,
`Primary Examiner—F, L. Evans
`Niles, TIL
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Lockwood, Dewey, Alex &
`C
`Sa
`ABSTRACT
`(7)
`Provided is an improved rear view or rear vision mirror
`for passenger automobiles, vans and like vehicles, exclu-
`sive of buses or trucks larger than pick-up trucks, which
`mirror affords a wide-angle view well beyond thestatu-
`tory requirement that outside mirrors give a view ofthe
`side of the vehicle through a 10° angle beyond suchside
`of the vehicle to the extent that the image covers the
`so-called “blind spot” beyond the 10" view path. The
`improved mirror avoids the use of spherical reflective
`surfaces and consists essentially of a single substantially
`planar reflective surface and a single contoured reflec-
`tive surface that is a generally convex cylindrically
`contoured surface having a radius of curvature within a
`critical range of values.
`
`[22]
`
`[51]
`[52]
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar, 13, 1980
`
`Tri, C9 necccorseesstersrrsrnsseineeniserieneneer GO2ZB 5/10
`US,Cl, .......
`350/303; 350/293
`
`Field of Searels ........ccccesencseeee 350/293, 303
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,279,751
`4/1942 Hensley ...sccssese
`3,389,952 6/1968 Tobin, Jr.
`3,501,227 3/1970 Landen
`3,628,851 12/1971 Robertson
`3,764,201 10/1973 Haile
`4,012,125
`3/1977 Hart
`4,029,399 6/1977 Haile
`
`
`4,223,983 9/1980
`
`4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 421
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 421
`
`

`

`350-303
`ccc46
`
`AW 257
`XP
`
`EX
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`Page | of 2
`
`4 y258.97S
`
`
`
`
`PATENT NO.
`: 4,258,979
`DATED
`> March 31, 1981
`
`
`: William E. Mahin
`INVENTOR(S)
`It is certified that error appears in the above—identified patent and that said Letters Patent
`are hereby corrected as shown below:
`
`
`
`In Column 14,
`
`in TABLE I-Continued,
`
`the fifth column
`
`In Column 15, TABLE III, third column heading, delete
`"Ratio" and insert --Degrees--; and in the fourth column heading,
`delete "Mag*" and insert therefor --Mag Ratio--.
`
`In Column 18, line 19, delete “no" and insert therefor
`
`
`--not--; and in line 57, delete "24" and insert therefor --34--.
`
`In Column 19, TABLE VI, fifth column heading, delete
`
`
`heading, please change "“Degrees*" to --Degrees**--; also in
`TABLE I-Continued, the last line of the first column, please
`change "00" to --»--, Also in Column 14,
`in TABLE II, the third
`column heading, change "Degrees" to --Degrees*-— and in the
`fifth column heading, change "Degrees*" to --Degrees**--,.
`
`
`
`In Column 13, TABLE I, the fifth column heading, please
`
`change "Degrees*" to —-Degrees**-——.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`"Degrees" and insert --Degrees*--.
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 422
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 422
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 25, 1982
`
`4,331,382
`
`yd
`
`[EEE
`
`
`
`Ga
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 423
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 423
`
`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PATENT NO.
`DATED
`
`: 4,258,979
`
`March 31, 1981
`
`INVENTOR(S)
`
`: William E. Mahin
`
`page 2 of z
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above—identified patent and that said Letters Patent
`are hereby corrected as shown below:
`
`line 63 (Column 22), delete "distance" and
`Claim 18,
`insert therefor --distances--.
`
`
`
`(SEAL
`
`Altest:
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`Seventeenth Da y of November 1981
`
`Altesting Officer
`
`Commissioner of Parents and Trademarks
`
`GERALD J. MOSSINGHOFF
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 424
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 424
`
`

`

`1
`
`WIDE-ANGLE MIRROR FOR AUTOMOBILES
`AND THE LIKE
`
`5
`
`30
`
`35
`
`BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`This invention relates generally to mirrors for vehi-
`cles, more
`i
`y to rear vision mirrors providing
`a wide-angle view from either outer side of the vehicle
`and through the blind spot that is not imaged by con-
`ventional rear view mirrors, the mirror itself consisting
`essentially of a single generally planar reflective surface
`and a single contoured reflective surface while avoiding
`the use of any generally spherically shaped reflective
`surfaces.
`Rear vision mirrors that include generally conve:
`reflective areas for providing a reflective view intended
`to be more extensive than that which can be provided
`by a flat reflective area are shown for example in U.S,
`Letters Pat. No. 3,764,201, which discloses a rear vision
`mirror expressly designed and adapted for large trucks
`and buses. This patent includes the use of spherical
`reflective surfaces. The presence of spherical surfaces
`necessitates, by statute, that a rear view mirrorspherical
`reflective surface have a radius ofat least 20 inches in
`order to preclude imnge distortion and vehicle operator
`confusion brought about by a spherical reflective sur-
`face having a radius less than 20 inches. Mirrors in
`compliance with this statutory requirement are exceed-
`ingly large and unsuitable for use in smaller vehicles
`such as passenger automobiles, vans and pick-up trucks
`having limited side window height and practical limits
`of how far an outside-mounted mirror can reasonably
`project beyond the width of these smaller vehicles.
`Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,764,201 specifies con-
`vex generally cylindrical reflecting zones or areas that
`curve rearwardly and that have a radius of 3 inches.
`With the present invention,it has been discovered that
`a generally convex cylindrical reflecting surface having
`a radius as small as on the order of5 inches is not satis-
`factory because such a small radius creates an unsafe
`amount of image distortion that all too often leads to
`driver confusion, especially for non-professional drivers
`who typically operate passenger automobiles and the
`like. A radius as smal! os sbout 5 inches or less causes 6
`deceiving and very abrupt change in the image seen in
`the reflective surface, particularly at the junction of the
`curved reflective surface and an adjacentflat reflective
`surface.
`By the presentinvention, the disadvantages attendent
`to using spherically contoured reflective surfaces are
`avoided,as is the need to use exceptionally large reflec-
`tive surfaces or the practice of utilizing reflective sur-
`faces having curvature radii smaller than that now
`found to enhance the safe use of combined curved and
`planar reflective surfaces, particularly by non-profes-
`sional drivers. The present invention avoids distortions
`brought about by spherical surfaces and by curved re-
`flective surfaces having small radii, while at the same
`time avoiding the need to provide rear vision mirrors
`having a size that is prohibitive for smaller vehicles such
`as passenger automobiles and the like.
`The present invention provides a wide-angle rear
`vision mirrorthat has a single contoured surface which
`is not spherically contoured and which is integral with
`and outwardly extending from a single substantially
`planar reflective surface, wherein the single contoured
`surface is a convex cylindrically contoured surface
`
`4,331,382
`2
`having a radius of curvature of approximately & inches,
`plus or minus about 12) percent.
`Tt is accordingly a general object of the present inven-
`tion to provide an improved rear vision mirror.
`Another object of this invention is an improved rear
`vision mirror especially structured for mounting outside
`ofeither the left side window or the right side window
`of a vehicle.
`Another object of the present invention is an im-
`proved rear view or rear vision mirror having a struc-
`ture that avoids significant image distortion brought
`about by spherical reflective surfaces and/or contoured
`surfaces having radii outside ofa critical range of radii
`values.
`Another object of the present invention ig an im~-
`proved rear vision mirror for use on relatively smal!
`vehicles such as passenger automobiles in order to pro-
`vide an image at the blind spot area without substan-
`tially distorting such image.
`Another object of the present invention is an im-
`proved rear vision mirror having a single generally
`planar reflective surface and a single generally cylindri-
`cally contoured reflective surface, which surfaces have
`area measurements related to cach other in a predeter-
`mined manner.
`These and other objects of this invention will become
`apparentfrom the following detailed description, taken
`in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
`wherein:
`FIG.1 is a perspective view of a portion of passen-
`ger automobile having a mirror embodying the present
`invention mounted on both the left-handed side and the
`right hand-side thereof;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mirror of this
`invention, shown oriented for mounting on the tight-
`hhand side of a vehicle and illustrating the critical dimen-
`sional relationships of this invention;
`FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mirrored sur-
`face of FIG.2, shown as adapted for mounting over the
`planar mirrored surface of a conventional vehicle rear
`view mirrorso as to converi sameinto a wide-angle rear
`view mirror;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing illustrating the re-
`flected line of sight of a traditional rear view mirror;
`and
`FIG.§ is a schematic drawing illustrating the wide-
`angle reflecting line of sight achieved by the present
`invention.
`The preferred rear vision mirror in accordance with
`this invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, being generally
`designated ss 11, shown mounted in known manner on
`the door 12 of # vehicle 13, Rear vision mirror Lt is
`depicted in this view as including a composite reflective
`surface 14 mounted within a streamlined frame 15.
`‘When seated within vehicle 13, a driver 16 has a field of
`vision extending through an angle “A”running from an
`innerliner of sight “B" reflected from a generally pla-
`nar reflective surface 17 and through an outerline of
`sight "C"" reflected from # contoured reflective surface
`18 whereby the field of vision “A” includes a field of
`sight generally overlapping into the peripheral vision of
`the driver 16.
`Further details of the composite reflective surface are
`shown in FIG. 2 illustrating composite reflective sur-
`face14' in which generally planar reflective surface 17
`is shown oriented to the left of contoured reflective
`surface 18' as should be the case when mounted to the
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`65
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 425
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 425
`
`

`

`~oO
`
`ND5
`
`35
`
`45
`
`4,331,382
`3
`right side of the vehicle 13, while in the embodiment
`shown in FIG.1 the generally planar reflective surface
`17 is illustrated as being oriented to the left of contoured
`reflective surface 18. Composite reflective surface 14 or
`14 has a width “w" and also a height “h" which is
`substantially less than the width “w". It has been dis-
`covered that certain optimum dimensions provide an
`especially advantageous and safe field of vision, that
`having a field of vision angle “A” large enough to in-
`clude the blind spot area and extend into the driver's
`peripheral vision while minimizing image distortion
`upon reflectance from contoured reflecting surface 18
`or 18’ and the unseamed location 19 or 19' where the
`generally planar reflective surface 17 or 17'; integrally
`joins the contoured reflective surface 18 or 18’.
`Such optimum dimensions call for the width of the
`generally planar reflective surface 17 to be about 60
`percent of the width of composite reflective surface 14,
`Le. “3/5 w,” while the width of the contoured reflective
`surface 18 is approximately 40 percentof the composite
`reflective surface width,i.e. “2/5 w". Additionally, in
`order to maintain the usefulness of mirror 11 for rela-
`tively small vehicles 13 such as passenger automobiles,
`but while still providing adequate, substantially distor-
`tion-free rear vision reflection, the height "h” of the
`composite reflective surface 14 is approximately the
`same as the width of the generally planar reflective
`surface 17,i.e. on the order of about “3/5 w", although
`height “h” could be as great as “9 w", if needed to fit
`within a conventional frame such as the streamlined
`automobile frame 15,
`With more particular reference to the contoured
`reflective surface 18, such is a generally convex cylin-
`drically contoured surface having a contour angle “D"
`of a radius “r", In order to minimize distortion of im-
`ages While maximizing image size within the confines of
`an automobile-sized composite reflective surface 14,
`radius “r must be about 8 inches in length, plus or
`minus about 12} percent of “‘r",
`FIG.3 is a cross-section through the wide-angle rear
`vision mirror of FIG,2 further illustrating the compos-
`ite reflective surface 14’ mounted within a backing
`frame 21 crimped around the composite reflective sur-
`face 14’, with an adhesive spacer 22 secured to the back-
`ing frame 21 directly behind at least a portion of the
`generally planar reflective surface 17’. The adhesive
`spacer 22 and backing frame 21 are provided to enable
`composite reflective surface 14 to be readily mounted
`Over the flat reflective surface of a conventional rear
`view mirror when it is not desired to replace the con-
`ventional mirror with the entire mirror assembly 11
`shown in FIG, 1.
`With reference to FIG, 4, this illustrates the line of
`sightfield of vision “E* afforded by a conventionalflat
`surfaced outside rear view mirror 23 mounted upon a
`moving vehicle 24, such angle being about 10°in size to
`provide a field of view that excludes a “blind spot” in
`which another vehicle 25 can be positioned, unknown
`to the driver of vehicle 24, FIG. 5 illustrates a rear
`vision mirror 11 in accordance with this invention, such
`having a reflected line of sight including substantially
`the samefield of vision "E” provided by mirror 23, onto
`whichis added a wide-angle field of vision “F" that is
`provided by contoured reflective surface 18 (FIGS. 1
`and 3), such field of vision “F” including within its
`
`4
`angular extent the second vehicle 25, thereby eliminat-
`ing the “blind spot".
`As an example of the preferred interrelationship
`among the dimensions of the mirror 11, the composite
`reflective surface would have a width “w" of about 5}
`inches and a height “h” ofabout 34 inches, whereby the
`width of the generally planar reflective surface 17 is
`about 3.3 inches, and the width of the contoured reflec-
`tive surface 18 is about 2.2 inches.
`It will be apparentto those skilled in this art that the
`present invention can be embodied in various forms;
`accordingly, this invention is to be construed and lim-
`ited only by the scope of the appended claims,
`T claim:
`1. A wide-angle rear vision mirror that has a single
`contoured surface which is not spherically contoured
`and that is expressly designed and adapted for use on
`the rightside orleft side of passenger automobiles, vans
`and the like vehicles, comprising a composite reflective
`surface including:
`a single substantially planar reflective surface having
`a width and a height, said planar surface width
`being generally equal ta said planar surface height;
`a single contoured reflective surface having a con-
`toured surface height and a contoured surface
`width, said single contoured reflective surface
`being continuous with said planar surface, said
`single contoured surface being an integral exten--
`sion ofsaid planar surface in a direction away from
`the vehicle, said contoured reflective surface being
`a single generally convex cylindrically contoured
`surface, said cylindrical contour being that of a
`right cylinder having a radius of curvature of &
`inches plus or minus about 124 percent;
`said composite reflective surface has a composite
`width that is substantially identical to the planar
`surface width plus the contoured surface width;
`said composite reflective surface is straight-lined
`throughout its vertical extent;
`said planar surface width is about 3/5 of said compos-
`ite reflective surface width, and said contoured
`surface width is about 2/5 of said total reflective
`surface width;
`ssid composite reflective surface has a composite
`height identical to said planar surface height and
`also to said contoured surface height;
`unseamed
`said composite
`reflective
`surface
`is
`throughout its composite width; and
`said composite reflective surface has a composite
`height and a composite width such that the wide
`angle rear vision mirror overlies substantially the
`entire surface area of an external automobile rear
`view mirror.
`2. The wide-angle rear vision mirror of claim 1,
`wherein said composite surface height is between about
`3/5 and abour § of said composite reflective surface
`width.
`3. The wide-angle rear vision mirror of claim 1,
`wherein said composite reflective surface has a back
`face, and an adhesive-backed spacer is secured to said
`back face.
`4. The wide-angle rear vision mirror of claim 3,
`wherein said spaceris secured to a location on said back
`face that is behind at least a portion of the substantially
`planar. reflective surface.
`.
`.
`*
`.
`*
`
`35
`
`60
`
`65
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 426
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 426
`
`

`

`359-864
`03-13-2
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,199,993 B1
`(12) United States Patent
`Mou
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Mar.13, 2001
`
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(54) STRUCTURE OF AUTOMOBILE EXTERIOR
`REARVIEW MIRROR
`Inventor: Lin Chung Mou, 4th FL, No. 524,
`(76)
`Chiang Rd., Taipei (TW)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the tenn of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1192 days,
`(21) Appl. No.: 08/510,921
`(22) Filed:
`Aug. 3, 1995
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 08/248,915,filed on May
`25, 1994, now abandoned.
`ca>vu G028 5/10; B6OR 1/08
`ed
`359/864; 359/950; 359/838
`
`58)
`Field of
`-
`i
`5 . 2
`(58)
`Search 50/850,B64, 3 cape » B44,
`,
`59/850,
`+ 866,
`868, 871
`
`4,325,609 * A4/I9B2 AMPOTd ...-:sesrecnennessenssesecnns~ 359/864
`5,005,962 * ANODE Beran .osssccseseonsasersnenesneate 359/864
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`ceesenseeeeaneseeeeetsenestaneris 359/864
`LOLTOB2 ©
`D/NQGG (GBR)
`wee 359/868
`2048189 * 12/1980 (GB) ......-.
`THOBZST
`GILDBL
`(INTL)
`-nsessn-serenrsrensnsnannnannnacnnnre 359/864
`1
`:
`omer by Eeamioes
`Primary Examiner—Ricky D. Shafer
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Donald C. Casey, Esq.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A new structure of automobile exterior rearview mirror
`which integrates an arc-surface wide-angle mirror and a
`plane mirror together to form a one-piece design. This
`design overcomes the drawbacks of the existing exterior
`THView mirror,
`in which _s driver use a suek-on Ape
`wide-angle mirror. In addition, the present invention also
`provides a blank surface area with parabolized image coat-
`ing. The blank surface area is formed between the wide-
`angle mirror and the plane mirror and its function is to
`prevent the refraction and reflection interferences caused by
`the wide-angle mirror and the plane mirror. The exterior
`rearview mirror of the present invention is economical, will
`not fall off and has no blind spot. It is a full view safety
`Tannej —ae up the car, making tums and changing
`ES OTF
`way
`
`69)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`ag
`iSopnel
`&* Gliese ater
`3104274 +
`9/1963 King enneeneneemneTI 3597864
`BiQGTBOG B/LIGG AeA onccecenessceceessseees 359/864
`
`8/1967 Young ...........
`sesesscceemme SIEGS
`3,338,655 *
`6/1963 Tobin, Jr... 359/864
`3,389,952 *
`
`3 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 427
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 427
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 6,199,993 B1
`
`
`
`FIG-.1 PRIOR ART
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 428
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 428
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.13, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 6,199,993 B1
`
`%
`
`—
`
`$
`
`a
`——
`Y
`\
`ae2 Se
`Le
`a
`=
`
`a
`
`FIG.2(A)
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 429
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 429
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 6,199,993 B1
`
`
`
`FIG-3
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 430
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 430
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 6,199,993 BI
`
`
`
`FIG -4(A)
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 431
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 431
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.13, 2001
`
`US 6,199,993 B1 FIG.4(B)
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 432
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 432
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.13, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 6,199,993 B1
`
`FIG.5(A)
`
`FIG.5(B)
`
` FIG.5(C)
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 433
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 433
`
`

`

`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 6,199,993 B1
`
`Mar.13, 2001
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 434
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 434
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`US 6,199,993 B1
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 435
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 435
`
`

`

`1
`STRUCTURE OF AUTOMOBILE EXTERIOR
`REARVIEW MIRROR
`
`US 6,199,993 Bl
`
`2
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The drawings disclose an illustrative embodiment of the
`present invention which serves (o exemplify the various
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
`advantages and objects hereof, and are as follows:
`08/248,915 filed May 25, 1994 now abandoned.
`FIG.1 is a diagrammatic view showing the conventional
`exterior rearview mirror with the stick-on type wide-angle
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`mirror used in automobiles.
`(a) Field of the Invention
`FIG.2Ais a plane view showing a new structure of the
`automobile exterior rearview mirror according to the present
`The present invention relates to a new structure of an
`invention.
`automobile exterior rearview mirror, more specifically, to
`the exterior rearview mirror having an arc-surface wide-
`FIG. 2B is a side view of the plane view in FIG. 2A.
`angle mirror and a plane mirror integrated together to
`FIG. 3 showsthe assembly ofthe exterior rearview mirror
`provide a fullview miror that reduces blind spots and
`framed inside a frame.
`interferences.
`FIG, 4A is an illustrative view showing the assembly in
`(b) Description of the Prior Ant
`FIG.3installed in automobile on the road.
`With reference to FIG, 1, when driving on a curved
`FIG. 4B is a diagrammatic view showing the relationship
`roadway or in an alley, « driver often encounters conditions
`of the driver's view and the image from the exterior rearview
`wherein he cannot fully visualize the rearview from the
`mirror.
`exterior rearview mirror (1). In such cases the driver has to
`FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are respectively the plane views
`use the arc-surface mirror provided on the side of the
`showing the different locations of the wide-angle mirror in
`roadway or someone has to direct the driver to go through.
`the exterior rearview mirror according to the present inven-
`It is apparentthat the design of the existing exterior rearview
`tion.
`mirror for automobiles has blind spots, Because of this a
`FIG,6 is an illustrative view showing the relationship of
`stick-on type arc-surface wide-angle mirror (2)is available
`the driver's view and the image from the exterior rearview
`for the driver to adbere it to the plane exterior rearview
`mirror. (The driver's seat is located on the Jeft hand side of
`mirror (1) in the automobile, as shown in FIG. 1. The
`the car).
`attachment of the arc-surface mirror (2) to the exterior
`searview mirror in the automobile makes use of a double-
`FIG.7 is an illustrative view showing the relationship of
`the driver's view and the image from the exterior rearview
`sided tape (21). This type of attachmentis not secure and
`moisture and vibration can cause the arc-surface mirror (Z)
`mirror, (The driver's seat is located on the right hand side of
`the car)
`to fall off. In addition, it is not easy to position the wide-
`angle mirror (Z). A helper is needed for the car owner to
`properly position the stick-on arc-surface mirror (2). Any
`displacement of the stick-on arc-surface mirror will only
`give a partial rearview to the driver.
`Even though the are-surface wide-angle mirror (2) can be
`attached in the right position,
`the image from the plane
`réarview mirror can be interfered by the attached arc-surface
`mirror (2), This can cause some trouble in driving, such as
`the rearview interferences in backing up the car, changing
`janes or making wurns. All these factors create some safety
`concer for the driver.
`Therefore. it is an object of the present invention to
`provide a new structure for the automobile exterior rearview
`mirror to overcome the disadvantages of the stick-on type
`arc-surface mirror so that a full rearview of the road con-
`dition can be seen from the driver's seat.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`tai)
`
`30
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`The new structure of the automobile exterior rearview
`mirror is a device that combines the functions of a plane
`mirror and a Wide-angle mirror. The new structure mainly
`consists of a plane mimor zone (11), an arc-surface wide-
`angle zone (12), as are shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In
`between the plane mirror zone (11) and the arc-surfuce
`wide-angle zone (12)is a circular blank surface (131) with
`an image coating (13) by parabolizing or grinding,
`Referring to FIG, 3 for an embodiment of the new
`structure of the automobile exterior rearview mirror (1) as it
`is framed by a frame (2). The unique design ofthe exterior
`rearview mirror has the following features:
`‘The wide-angle zone (12) and the plane mirror zone (11)
`are fabricated into an integral device, therefore, there is no
`necd to concern about
`the falling off and the accurate
`positioning of the stick-on, In addition, since the device is
`fabricated professionally, a series of versatile, good quality
`and well designed products can be providedto allow a driver
`to replace the mirror. Moreover, the device is available at a
`reasonable price.
`The color of the parabolized image coating and the size of
`the exterior rearview mirror (1) can be adjusted accordingly
`based on the diswicts (country or area), the weather and the
`requirement of the consumers. This makes it more practical
`to be used by the car driver anywhere in the world.
`The circular blank surface (131) with the parabolized
`image coating (13) is provided to preventthe refraction and
`reflection interferences caused by the arc-surface wide-angle
`zone (12) and the plane zone (11), With the circular blank
`surface (131) the interferences from the two mirrors can be
`prevented so that the driver can have a complete control of
`
`The main object according to the present invention is to
`provide a new structure of an automobile exterior rearview
`mirror in which the arc-surface wide-angle mirror and the
`plane rearview mirror are integrally fabricated together so
`that a driver does not have to use the stick-on type and he
`does not have to worry about the accurate positioningof the
`stick-on.
`Another object according to the present invention is to
`provide a new structure of an automobile exterior rearview
`mirror in which a circular surface of blank zone is parabo-
`lized with a coating during the stage of grinding, so that the
`interferences caused by the arc-surface wide-angle mirror
`and the plane mirror can be eliminated.
`A further object according to the present invention is to
`provide a series of different models of the said automobile
`exterior rearview mirror for different applications.
`
`6
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 436
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1029
`Page 436
`
`

`

`US 6,199,993 BI
`
`3
`his driving based onthe visibility from the plane mirror zone
`(11) and the wide-angle mirror zone (12) (there will be no
`blind spot). Thus the chances of having accidents from
`backing up the car and making a turn can be avoided.
`Please refer to FIGS. 4A and 4B. As shown in FIG. 4B,
`let"s assume that car (3) is the car at the front with the
`exterior rearview mirror (1) installed, and cars (4) and (5)
`are approaching from the back of car (3), then the view of
`the driver and the exterior rearview mirror (1) are connected
`by lines (L1) and (L2), The visibility from the exterior
`rearview mirror (1), (i.e.
`the horizontal axis X and the
`vicinity of the wide-angle mirror (12)). Let's further assume
`that the angles @1 and 62 can be ignored, and the image zone
`formed by cars (4) and (5) with the wide-angle zone (12)is
`expressed by the dotted lines p1 and o2, then the circular
`blank surface (131) with the parabolized coating (13) can
`prevent the interference of images overlapping and blocking
`from the plane zone (11) and the wide-angle zone (12). The
`visual disturbance from natural light source, reflection from
`the roadway andthe light sources from the cars in the back
`can all be eliminated. Please refer to FIG. 4A.
`The above circular blank surface (131) is formed based on
`the refraction, reflection and the blocking area of the wide-
`angle zone (12) and the plane zone (11). (The area of the
`circular blank surface can be calculated based on the refrac-
`tion and reflection principles in optical physics, it is a
`complicated issue and therefore is not
`listed here). The
`exterior rearview mirror (1) formed with the circular blank
`surface area (131) will show a clear and correct positioning
`of the image, and the visibility will not be disturbed and
`blocked.
`In addition, a series of different models can be fabricated
`based on the above configuration of the automobile exterior
`rearview mirror, some of these models include the place-
`ment of the wide-angle zone (12) to be in a different
`location. Please refer to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C,it can be seen
`that there are three kinds of exterior rearview mirror (1) that
`are practical to be used. The difference between the three
`exterior rearview mirrors are on the locations of the wide-
`angle zone (12). As shown in FIG. 5A,
`the arc-surface
`wide-angle mirror zone (12) is located on the right hand
`lower corner in the plane mirror zone (11), the wide-angle
`mirror (12)is located in the lower center portion ofthe plane
`mirror (11) in FIG. 5B, and the wide-angle mirror (12)is
`located in the left hand lower corner of the plane mirror (11)
`in FIG. 5C. Based on the principle of symmetry, six different
`models of exterior rearview mirror (1) will be available for
`use in different countries and different models of cars. A
`driver can have his own choice ofselecting the right exterior
`rearview mirror based on his height, his driving style and
`habit, therefore maximizing the application and function of
`the arc-surface wide-angle mirror (12).
`As shown in FIG.6, the driver seat is located on the left
`hand side of the car. Since the driver is far away from the
`right-side mirror, he can choose the new device of the
`present invention with the wide-angle mirror located in the
`lower right hand corner, as shown in FIG, 5A. This selection
`allows the driver to have a full view on the right hand side
`of the car, so that he can change lane easily and have better
`visibility on the right side of his car. The full view from the
`exterior rearview mirror (1) prevents any blind spot which
`
`4
`can cause automobile accident. The related principle can be
`seen from FIGS. 4A and 4B. Similarly, the exterior rearview
`mirror (1) on the left hand side can also be selected so as to
`assure the safety when the car is about to take off. This is
`because a proper image can be displayed on the plane zone
`(11), and the lower image on the wide-angle zone provides
`the view below the body of the car and the condition at the
`front of the rear wheel.
`Similarly, if the driver seat is located on the right hand
`side of the car, then the exterior rearview mirror (1) on the
`tight hand side of the car shall be selected such that the
`arc-surface wide-angle zone (12)is located on the lowerleft
`hand comer of the plane mirror zone (11), Thus the driver
`can have a view below the body of the car, On the other
`hand, the left side exterior rearview mirror (1) shall be
`chosen to be the same type of exterior rearview mirror, so
`that the wide-angle zone (12) can provide a safe and wider
`visibility area for lane changing, backing up and making
`turns. Please refer to the related drawings for the above
`description’ as shown in FIG. 7, In addition,
`the above
`selection of the exterior rearview mirrorshall be changed,if
`necessary, to meet the practical needs. This includes the use
`of the wide-angle mirror zone (12) located in the lower
`center of the exterior rearview mirror so that
`the road
`25 condition behind the rear wheel can be seen.
`invention
`In summary,
`it
`is believed that the present
`would improve the drawbacks of the conventional product
`and it would also enhance the safety in driving. Therefore,
`a claim is made in compliance with the law.
`,
`Although the invention has been described in its preferred
`form with a certain degree of particularity it is understood
`that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been
`made only by way of example and numerous changes in the
`details of construction and the combination and arrangement
`of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit
`and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is
`intended that the patentshall cover, by suitable expression in
`the appended claims,