GB2191982A

GB2191982A - Vehicle mirror

Info

Publication number: GB2191982A
Application number: GB08714977A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur John Stapley; David James Chapman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-06-27
Filing date: 1987-06-26
Publication date: 1987-12-31
Also published as: WO1988000142A1; GB8714977D0

Abstract

One or more jets of air are directed across the face of the mirror to clear water. The jets may be directed from holes 7 in a tube 1 connected to a compressed air reservoir. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mirrors This invention relates to mirrors, and particularlyto arrangements for mirrors on vehicles. Mirrors on vehicles tend to become obscured by rain and spray and the present invention provides means for making less likely the obscuring of mirrors on vehicles by rain orsprayfrom passing vehicles.

In an embodiment of the invention to be described air is blown from holes at the outer edge of the mirror acrosstheface of the mirror.

Embodiments ofthe invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows, in elevation, a mirror with an air blast tube fitted at one side, Figure2 is a schematic drawing illustrating the operation of an arrangement similar to that shown in Figure 1 from a switch in the driver's cab, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a mirrorwith an air blast jet extending from a block on the mirror and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a mirrorwith a bendable air blasttube.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an air blast tube 1 arranged along one side of a mirror 2. The tube 1 ,which incorporates a number of holes 7, is attached to the mirror 2 in such a way that air, which is applied under pressure to the tube 1, is emitted via the holes 7 over a sufficient area of the face ofthe mirror 2 that droplets of rain or spray, thatwould otherwise obscure the mirror, are discouraged from forming on the face of the mirror and the mirror is maintained reasonablyclearforviewing.

The mirror 2 is held in a frame in a well known manner and supported on a fixing bracket 5. Within the bracket 5, there is a tube or pipe 6 which passes behind the mirror 2 and is coupled to the tube 1,as indicated by the dotted lines, in order to convey air under pressure to the tube 1.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a mirror 2 attached to the cab 11 of a vehicle by a bracket 5 and having an air blasttube 1 arranged along one of its sides and an air supplytube 6, indicated by a dotted line, passing from the tube 1 within the mirror support bar or bracket to a valve 12 controlled by a solenoid 3. The valve 12 controls the supply of air from a reservoir of air under pressure, (notshown) which is available on the vehicle, via a supply line 8.

The solenoid 3 is operated via an electrical supply line 10 by a switch 4 in the driver's cab 11.

In operation, a vehicle driver closes the switch 4 in his cab and operates the solenoid 3 to open the valve 12, thereby causing air under pressure from there- servoirto be supplied via line 8 to the valve 12 and thence via the air supplytube 6 to the air blast tu be 1, from which it issues through the holes 7 to sweep across the face of the mirror2 in a continous blast. In this way, any droplets of rain or spray, which might otherwise obscure the drivers view through the mirror, are discouraged from forming and a clearer view is obtained th roug ht the mirror.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a mirror 2 having a housing 13 which is mounted on a support barorbracket5 by means of an arm 15. An airsupply tube 6 in the bracket 5 extends through arm 15 into block 16 mounted atthetop of the housing 13. Ajet nozzle 17 extends from the block and directs air, which has been broughtto the block 16 by the tube 6, overtheface of the mirror2 in order to enable a clearer view through the mirror to be obtained.The jet nozzle 17 may be shaped to provide an appropriate coverage of the mirror 2, for example it may be fan-shaped. The jet nozzle 17may be adjusted to direct the airto a particular location on the mirror, either by moving or bending the nozzle, so thatthe blast of air is caused to spread out overthe face ofthe mirror 2, as required. There may be more than one block 16 arranged on any of the sides of the housing 13, as required, and the blocks 16 may form an integral part of the mirror housing 13.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a modification incorporating an extension tube 1 8 of the air supply tube 6, the extension 18 being fixed to the housing 13 behind the mirror 2 and being bent over the top of the housing 13, so that it directs a blast of airtothe mirror 2 at an angle such that the air is caused to spread out over the mirror 2, as required, to keep the mirror 2 clear. The position and angle of thetube 18 may easily be adjusted.

It will be understood that although the invention has been described, by way of example, with referenceto particular embodiments, variations and modifications may be made within the scope ofthe invention. For example, the holes 7 shown in the tube 1 may be incorporated in the inner rim of the housing 13, the rim being sealed to the mirror 2, and the air supply tube 6may terminate within and be sealed to the housing 13 behind the mirror, means being provided to enable air from the tube 6to pass around the edges of the mirror 2 and be emitted through the holes 7 in the inner rim of the housing 13 so that it is forced over the face of the mirror 2, as described above in order to clearthe mirror 2. Alternatively, the air blast tube 1 may extend around more than one side of the mirror2.

It will also be appreciated that, particularly in the case of the embodiments described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the block 16and nozzle 17, the air supplytube 6 and the extension tube 18 may be attachments to an existing mirror. The tubes 6 and 18 may be run along the outside ofthe mirrorsupport arm orfixing bracket 5 and the housing 13 and be attached thereto by clips 19, indicated in Figure 2.

It will also be understood that, although an electrically operated valve has been described for controlling the flow of pressurised air, it would be possible to use a manually operated valve.

It will also be understood that the air blast tube 1 may form an integral part ofthe mirror housing 13 and may be arranged in other positions, for example around the complete periphery of the mirror so that the holes 7 enable air to be blown from all directions acrosstheface ofthe mirror.

1. An arrangement for a vehicle mirror including

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Mirrors This invention relates to mirrors, and particularlyto arrangements for mirrors on vehicles. Mirrors on vehicles tend to become obscured by rain and spray and the present invention provides means for making less likely the obscuring of mirrors on vehicles by rain orsprayfrom passing vehicles. In an embodiment of the invention to be described air is blown from holes at the outer edge of the mirror acrosstheface of the mirror. Embodiments ofthe invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows, in elevation, a mirror with an air blast tube fitted at one side, Figure2 is a schematic drawing illustrating the operation of an arrangement similar to that shown in Figure 1 from a switch in the driver's cab, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a mirrorwith an air blast jet extending from a block on the mirror and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a mirrorwith a bendable air blasttube. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an air blast tube 1 arranged along one side of a mirror 2. The tube 1 ,which incorporates a number of holes 7, is attached to the mirror 2 in such a way that air, which is applied under pressure to the tube 1, is emitted via the holes 7 over a sufficient area of the face ofthe mirror 2 that droplets of rain or spray, thatwould otherwise obscure the mirror, are discouraged from forming on the face of the mirror and the mirror is maintained reasonablyclearforviewing. The mirror 2 is held in a frame in a well known manner and supported on a fixing bracket 5. Within the bracket 5, there is a tube or pipe 6 which passes behind the mirror 2 and is coupled to the tube 1,as indicated by the dotted lines, in order to convey air under pressure to the tube 1. Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a mirror 2 attached to the cab 11 of a vehicle by a bracket 5 and having an air blasttube 1 arranged along one of its sides and an air supplytube 6, indicated by a dotted line, passing from the tube 1 within the mirror support bar or bracket to a valve 12 controlled by a solenoid 3. The valve 12 controls the supply of air from a reservoir of air under pressure, (notshown) which is available on the vehicle, via a supply line 8. The solenoid 3 is operated via an electrical supply line 10 by a switch 4 in the driver's cab 11. In operation, a vehicle driver closes the switch 4 in his cab and operates the solenoid 3 to open the valve 12, thereby causing air under pressure from there- servoirto be supplied via line 8 to the valve 12 and thence via the air supplytube 6 to the air blast tu be 1, from which it issues through the holes 7 to sweep across the face of the mirror2 in a continous blast. In this way, any droplets of rain or spray, which might otherwise obscure the drivers view through the mirror, are discouraged from forming and a clearer view is obtained th roug ht the mirror. Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a mirror 2 having a housing 13 which is mounted on a support barorbracket5 by means of an arm 15. An airsupply tube 6 in the bracket 5 extends through arm 15 into block 16 mounted atthetop of the housing 13. Ajet nozzle 17 extends from the block and directs air, which has been broughtto the block 16 by the tube 6, overtheface of the mirror2 in order to enable a clearer view through the mirror to be obtained.The jet nozzle 17 may be shaped to provide an appropriate coverage of the mirror 2, for example it may be fan-shaped. The jet nozzle 17may be adjusted to direct the airto a particular location on the mirror, either by moving or bending the nozzle, so thatthe blast of air is caused to spread out overthe face ofthe mirror 2, as required. There may be more than one block 16 arranged on any of the sides of the housing 13, as required, and the blocks 16 may form an integral part of the mirror housing 13. Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a modification incorporating an extension tube 1 8 of the air supply tube 6, the extension 18 being fixed to the housing 13 behind the mirror 2 and being bent over the top of the housing 13, so that it directs a blast of airtothe mirror 2 at an angle such that the air is caused to spread out over the mirror 2, as required, to keep the mirror 2 clear. The position and angle of thetube 18 may easily be adjusted. It will be understood that although the invention has been described, by way of example, with referenceto particular embodiments, variations and modifications may be made within the scope ofthe invention. For example, the holes 7 shown in the tube 1 may be incorporated in the inner rim of the housing 13, the rim being sealed to the mirror 2, and the air supply tube 6may terminate within and be sealed to the housing 13 behind the mirror, means being provided to enable air from the tube 6to pass around the edges of the mirror 2 and be emitted through the holes 7 in the inner rim of the housing 13 so that it is forced over the face of the mirror 2, as described above in order to clearthe mirror 2. Alternatively, the air blast tube 1 may extend around more than one side of the mirror2. It will also be appreciated that, particularly in the case of the embodiments described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the block 16and nozzle 17, the air supplytube 6 and the extension tube 18 may be attachments to an existing mirror. The tubes 6 and 18 may be run along the outside ofthe mirrorsupport arm orfixing bracket 5 and the housing 13 and be attached thereto by clips 19, indicated in Figure 2. It will also be understood that, although an electrically operated valve has been described for controlling the flow of pressurised air, it would be possible to use a manually operated valve. It will also be understood that the air blast tube 1 may form an integral part ofthe mirror housing 13 and may be arranged in other positions, for example around the complete periphery of the mirror so that the holes 7 enable air to be blown from all directions acrosstheface ofthe mirror. CLAIMS

1. An arrangement for a vehicle mirror including means for coupling supply of air to the mirror and means for directing air across the surface ofthe mirror.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 including a valve arranged to control the supply of airtothe mirror.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2 including an electrically operated valve arranged in the air coupling means.

4. An arrangement as claimed in any one ofthe preceeding claims including a tube arranged along the edge of the mirror, the tube being connected to the means for coupling the supply of air, and holes being arranged along the length of the tube for dir- ecting air across the surface ofthe mirror.

5. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 including a tube or nozzle connected to the means for coupling the supply of air and arran ged to direct a jet of airfrom an edge of the mirror on to the face of the mirror.

6. An arrangement as claimed in any one ofthe claims 1 to 3 having a housing for the mirror, an inner rim ofthe housing adjacent to the surface of the mirror having holes therein arranged to direct air supplied to the housing across the face of the mirror.

7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 4wherein the tube is arranged around the periphery of the mirror.

8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 substantially as described herein with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 4 ofthe accompanying drawings.