MIRROR SYSTEM

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a mirror system which allows a person's frontal and rear images to be viewed simultaneously. Background Art

[2] As is generally known in the art, a rear-image reflection mirror system is used to reflect a person's rear image on a mirror so that the person can view the rear image through the mirror. This kind of rear-image reflection mirror system is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Publication No. 1992-2777.

[3] Referring to FlGs. 1 and 2, the conventional rear-image reflection mirror system disclosed in Korean Utility Model Publication No. 1992-2777 comprises a first mirror 1, a second mirror 2, a third mirror 3, a fourth mirror 4, and a support 5 for integrally supporting these mirrors 1, 2, 3 and 4. The mirrors 1, 2, 3 and 4 are sequentially erected at predetermined intervals in such a way as to delimit a space. Among the mirrors 1, 2, 3 and 4, two adjoining mirrors are perpendicular to each other, and a mirror and the mirror not immediately adjacent but the next, are opposite to each other.

[4] Accordingly, the conventional rear-image reflection mirror system has a configuration in which a ray incident on the first mirror 1 at a horizontal incidence angle of 45° is finally incident on the fourth mirror 4 via the second and third mirrors 2 and 3. In size, the second mirror 2 is smaller than the first mirror 1, the third mirror 3 is smaller than the second mirror 2, and the fourth mirror 4 is smaller than the third mirror 3.

[5] The support 5 which is composed of a framework made by pipe-shaped elements has support parts 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d at predetermined positions. An opening 6 through which a person 'H' can pass is defined at a side of the support 5. The mirrors 1, 2, 3 and 4 are respectively fastened to the support parts 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, with the reflection surfaces of the mirrors 1, 2, 3 and 4 facing inwards. Therefore, the first mirror 1 and the third mirror 3 are positioned opposite to each other, and the second mirror 2 and the fourth mirror 4 are positioned opposite to each other. The mirrors 1, 2, 3 and 4 are related by an optical path 'P' which has incidence and reflection angles of 45°. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] However, in the conventional rear-image reflection mirror system shown in FlGs. 1 and 2, since all mirrors 1, 2, 3 and 4 are obliquely arranged at an angle of 45° with respect to the person 'H', the person 'H' can view the rear image not from the mirror in

the front but through the fourth mirror 4 obliquely positioned at 45°. In order to view the frontal image, the person 'H' must turn his or her body leftwards by 45° and view the frontal image through the third mirror 3. Therefore, a problem is caused in that the person 'H' cannot simultaneously view the frontal and rear images through one mirror without turning the body.

[7] Further, in the conventional rear-image reflection mirror system, because the mirrors 1, 2, 3 and 4 are respectively fastened to the support parts 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d of the support 5 while they are arranged at predetermined intervals and angles from one another, they occupy a substantially large space, as a result of which it is difficult to move, or fold or disassemble and reassemble the mirror system.

[8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mirror system which allows a person's frontal and rear images to be viewed simultaneously through one mirror positioned in front of the person so that the person can easily view the frontal and rear images, and which can be folded when not in use to minimize an occupation space and can be easily disassembled and reassembled to be moved. Technical Solution

[9] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mirror system comprising a first mirror; a second mirror positioned opposite to the first mirror at a predetermined distance such that an angle (θl) between two straight lines drawn from planes of the first and second mirrors is 42°~49°; a third mirror connected to the second mirror such that an angle (Θ2) between the second and third mirrors is 82°~96°; and fastening means for fastening the first, second and third mirrors.

[10] According to another aspect of the present invention, the fastening means comprises a first bracket which is detachably coupled to an edge of the first mirror, a second bracket having one end which is detachably coupled to an edge of the second mirror and the other end which is detachably coupled to an edge of the third mirror, and a main angle-fixing section having connection elements for connecting the first and second brackets to each other.

[11] According to still another aspect of the present invention, the fastening means further comprises at least one hinge element installed on adjoining edges of the second and third mirrors.

[12] According to yet still another aspect of the present invention, the fastening means further comprises an auxiliary angle-fixing section having one end which is detachably coupled to another edge of the second mirror and the other end which is detachably

coupled to another edge of the third mirror.

Advantageous Effects

[13] The mirror system according to the present invention provides advantages in that a person can simultaneously view the frontal and rear images from one mirror without moving his or her body.

[14] Also, in the present invention, first and second brackets and/or an auxiliary angle- fixing section can be easily detached from first, second and third mirrors to disassemble the respective mirrors, and further, with the second bracket and/or the auxiliary angle-fixing section disassembled from the mirrors, by folding the hinge portions of the second and third mirrors, the volume of the mirror system can be significantly reduced, whereby it is possible to decrease the space occupied by the mirror system while the mirror system is not in use and disassemble and reassemble the mirror system when it is necessary to move the mirror system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] FlG. 1 is a conventional rear-image reflection mirror system for allowing a person's rear image to be viewed;

[ 16] FTG. 2 is a plan view of HG. 1 ;

[17] FlG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a mirror system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[ 18] FTG. 4 is a plan view of HG. 3 ;

[19] FlG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an auxiliary angle-fixing section of the mirror system shown in FlG. 3; and

[20] FlG. 6 is a view for explaining a state in which a person's frontal and rear images are simultaneously viewed on a first mirror. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[21] Hereafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[22] Referring to FlGs. 3 and 4, a mirror system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a first mirror 12, a second mirror 14 positioned opposite to the first mirror 12 at a predetermined distance such that the angle θl between the two straight lines (represented by dotted lines) drawn from the planes of the first and second mirrors 12 and 14 is 42°~49° (in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, 45°), and a third mirror 16 positioned opposite to the first mirror 12 and connected to the second mirror 14 such that the angle Θ2 between the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 is 82°~96° (in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, 87°). The edges of the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 which are adjacent to each other are connected with each other by hinge element 18 such as hinges and hinge pins,

whereby the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 can be folded with and unfolded from each other.

[23] It is preferred that the horizontal width ratio of the first, second and third mirrors

12, 14 and 16 be 0.7:1:0.7.

[24] While it has been described that the hinge elements 18 are provided to allow the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 to be folded with and unfolded from each other, it can be envisaged that pivots coupled with connection rods are provided to the upper and lower ends of the adjacent edges of the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 such that the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 can be folded with and unfolded from each other due to the pivots.

[25] In the present invention, the angle 02 between the second and third mirrors 14 and

16 is maintained as 82°~96°, and the mirror system according to the present invention further includes a main angle-fixing section 30 for adjusting an angle at which a person's rear image is reflected onto the first mirror 12. It is preferred that the main angle-fixing section 30 be installed on the upper ends of the mirrors 12, 14 and 16 so as not to hinder the person's motion and to stably hold the mirrors 12, 14 and 16 from movement.

[26] The main angle-fixing section 30 comprises a first bracket 31 which is coupled to the upper end of the first mirror 12, a second bracket 32 which is fixedly fitted to the upper ends of the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 to maintain the angle 02 between the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 as 82°~96°, and a connection part for connecting the first and second brackets 31 and 32 to each other. The connection part comprises a first connection element 33 which extends from the first bracket 31 toward the second bracket 32, a second connection element 34 which extends from the second bracket 32 toward the first bracket 31 and is telescopically fitted into the first connection element 33, and a fastening element 35 for fastening the first and second connection elements 33 and 34 to each other.

[27] The first bracket 31 may be formed as a rod which has a cup-shaped cross-section and is fitted to the upper end of the first mirror 12 and locked by locking elements such as screws, or a rod which has a circular cross-section and is coupled to the upper end of the first mirror 12. Altenatively, the first bracket 31 may be formed as a rod which has a circular cross-section on its portion coupled with the first connection element 33 to serve as a hinge pin and a quadrangular cross-section on the other portion thereof and is coupled to the upper end of the first mirror 12 by locking elements such as screws.

[28] The second bracket 32 may be formed as a rod which has a 180°-rotated V-shaped configuration and a cup-shaped cross-section and is fitted and coupled to or is securely locked by locking elements (not shown) to the adjoining portions of the upper ends of the second and third mirrors 14 and 16. The second bracket 32 functions to maintain

the angle 02 between the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 as 82°~96°.

[29] The first connection element 33 has one end which is coupled to the first bracket 31 by a pivot or a hinge and the other end which is connected to the second connection element 34. The first connection element 33 has a hollow cylindrical or polygonal cross-section such that the second connection element 34 can be telescopically fitted into the first connection element 33. Using the fastening element 35, it is possible to adjust and fix the length between the first connection element 33 and the second connection element 34.

[30] The second connection element 34 has one end which is coupled to the middle portion of the second bracket 32 and the other end which is fitted into the first connection element 33.

[31] It may be necessary to extend the longitudinal lengths of the respective mirrors 12,

14 and 16 so that the entire frontal image of the person can be appropriately viewed. In this case, the angle between the lower ends of the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 is likely to be increased such that it is different from the angle between the upper ends of the second and third mirrors 14 and 16. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of this situation, an auxiliary angle-fixing section 40 may be additionally provided to maintain the angle between the lower ends of the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 as same as that between the upper ends of the second and third mirrors 14 and 16.

[32] Referring to FlG. 5, in order to maintain the angle 02 between the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 as 82°~96°, the auxiliary angle-fixing section 40 may comprise an arc-shaped rod member 43, a plurality of fastening elements 42 for fastening one end of the rod member 43 to the lower end of the second mirror 14 and the other end of the rod member 43 to the lower end of the third mirror 16, and a flange part 44 which is formed at the other end of the rod member 43 fastened to the third mirror 16.

[33] In the mirror system according to the present invention, the respective mirrors 12,

14 and 16 may be fitted into a L-shaped frame or be fastened to a surface of a plate- shaped frame. In order to ensure convenience upon moving the mirror system, leg parts 22 having wheels 21 or leg parts 20 having no wheels may be provided to the lower end of the respective mirrors 12, 14 and 16. Furthermore, when the first mirror 12 is inclined forward or rearward, the person's image may be distorted. In this respect, a conventional verticality-measuring section 50 for measuring the verticality of the first mirror 12 may be installed on an edge of the first mirror 12.

[34] Hereafter, working effects of the mirror system according to the present invention constructed as mentioned above will be described.

[35] In the mirror system according to the present invention, by unfastening the fastening element 35 of the main angle-fixing section 30, sliding the second connection element 34 into the first connection element 33, and moving the leg parts 22 having

wheels 21, the distance between the first mirror 12 and the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 can be adjusted.

[36] As shown in FlG. 6, when the person 'H' is positioned between the first and second mirrors 12 and 14 and views the first mirror 12, the frontal image of the person appears on a point A, and the rear image of the person appears on a point B after being sequentially reflected on the second and third mirrors 14 and 16. At this time, the distance 'L5' measured between the first mirror 12 and the point B corresponds to L2+(2*L3)+L4.

[37] For example, when the angle Θ2 between the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 is set to 87°, since the rear image of the person 'H' is incident on the third mirror 16 at an angle of 48° and reflected from the third mirror 16 at an angle of 48°, the angle between the incidence angle and the reflection angle becomes 84° which makes the image converge toward the first mirror 12 (when the angle between the incidence angle and the reflection angle is greater than 90°, the image diverges, and when the angle is less than 90°, the image converges). Therefore, as can be readily seen from FlG. 6, the rear image can be viewed at a side of the frontal image on the first mirror 12. As a consequence, the person 'H' can simultaneously view the frontal and rear images through the first mirror 12 without the need of tuning his or her body or head.

[38] When the mirror system according to the present invention is not used or is necessary to be moved, by unfastening the fastening element 35 of the main angle- fixing section 30 to disassemble the first mirror 12 from the second and third mirrors 14 and 16, removing the second bracket 32 from the upper ends of the second and third mirrors 14 and 16, removing the auxiliary angle-fixing section 40 from the lower ends of the second and third mirrors 14 and 16, and folding the second and third mirrors 14 and 16, the area occupied by the mirror system can be significantly reduced and the mirror system can easily moved to a desired place. In the case of reassembling the disassembled mirror system, the above-described procedure is implemented in a reverse order.

[39] Hereinbelow, in order to help the understanding of the present invention, the principle in which the angles of the first through third mirrors 12, 14 and 16 are set to allow the person to view his or her frontal and rear images through the first mirror 12 will be described.

[40] In order for the person 'H' to view the frontal image, one mirror, that is, the first mirror 12 must be provided at the front. Since the rear part and the eyes of the person define an angle of 180°, in order for the person 'H' to view the rear image, the rear image must be rotated by 180°.

[41] Generally, in a mirror, the difference between an incidence angle and a reflection angle is no greater than 180° in maximum. Therefore, in order to reflect the rear image

of the person 'H' by 180°, at least two mirrors 14 and 16 should be provided. At this time, when compared to the case of repeatedly reflecting the rear image by 90°, by adequately arranging the two mirrors 14 and 16 opposite to the first mirror 12, reflecting the rear image by 90° two times and adjusting the final reflection angle to allow the reflected image to be incident on the first mirror 12, the rear image of the person 'H' can be reflected onto the first mirror 12 which is positioned at the front. [42] At this time, when the angle θl between the first and second mirrors 12 and 14 is

42°~49° and the angle Θ2 between the second and third mirrors 14 and 16 is 82°~96°, the rear image can be viewed on the first mirror 12. For reference, it is most preferred that the angle between the first and second mirrors 12 and 14 be 45°.