MIRROR WITH FOLDING BASE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to vanity mirrors and, more particularly, to free-standing vanity mirrors that have a base and are adapted to stand on a flat surface such as a table or a countertop.

Description of Related Art

Various types of free standing vanity mirrors exist. The base, which is generally perpendicular to the stem of the mirror, provides a stable and reliable support to facilitate free-standing. But the base also imposes a burden in terms of storage, and packaging and shipping, because the overall shape does not permit a relatively compact storage area or container.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a free standing mirror that more efficiently facilitates use of space in storage, packaging and shipping.

These and other objects are achieved by the present invention. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

According to the present invention, various embodiments of free standing vanity mirrors include a generally flat base adapted to rest on a flat surface, a stem portion extending up from and generally perpendicular to the flat base, a mirror attachment bracket, and a glass mirror plate. According to the present invention, the base is adapted to fold relative to the stem portion via a selectively lockable pivot joint. The present invention presents several embodiments of the locking pivot joint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 A is a front view of a mirror according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 B is a perspective view of a mirror according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 C is a top view of a mirror according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 D is a bottom view of a mirror according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 E is a rear view of a mirror according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 F is a side view of a mirror according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 G is a front view of a mirror according to a first embodiment of the present invention shown in a folded position.

Figure 1 H is a perspective view of a mirror according to a first embodiment of the present invention shown in a folded position.

Figure 1 1 is an exploded view of a mirror according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure U is a partial, perspective view of a mirror according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2A is a top, perspective view of a mirror according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2B is a bottom, perspective view of a mirror according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2C is a top, partial, perspective view of a mirror according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a first mode.

Figure 2D is a top, partial, perspective view of a mirror according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a second mode.

Figure 2E is a top, partial, perspective view of a mirror according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a third mode.

Figure 3A is a front view of a mirror according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3B is a side view of a mirror according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3C is a front, partial cross-sectional view of a mirror according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3D is a perspective, partial cross-sectional view of a mirror according to a third embodiment of the present invention in a first mode.

Figure 3E is a perspective, partial cross-sectional view of a mirror according to a third embodiment of the present invention in a second mode.

Figure 4A is a perspective view of a mirror according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4B is a perspective, partial cross-sectional view of a mirror according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention in a first mode.

Figure 4C is a perspective, partial cross-sectional view of a mirror according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention in a second mode.

Figure 5A is a front view of a mirror according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5B is a perspective view of a mirror according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5C is a front, partial cross-sectional view of a mirror according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention in a first mode.

Figure 5D is a front, partial cross-sectional view of a mirror according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention in a second mode.

Figure 6A is a partial, perspective view of a mirror according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention in a first mode.

Figure 6B is a partial, perspective view of a mirror according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention in a second mode.

Figure 7A is a partial, perspective view of a mirror according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention in a first mode.

Figure 7B is a partial, side, cross-sectional view of a mirror according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention in a first mode.

Figure 7C is a partial, perspective view of a mirror according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention in a second mode.

Figure 7D is a partial, perspective view of a mirror according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention in a third mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF

THE INVENTION

An improved mirror 1 according to a first embodiment comprises a generally flat base 2 having a contact plane 3 adapted to rest on a flat surface such that said contact plane 3 contacts said flat surface. A stem portion 4 extends upwardly from said base 2 and is generally perpendicular to said contact plane 3. A mounting bracket 5 is attached to said stem portion 4 and adapted to hold a mirror plate 6. The mirror plate 6 has a reflective surface 7. A locking mechanism 8 is attached to said base 2 and to said stem portion 4 and functions so that is selectively lockable and releasable to selectively lock said stem portion 4 in a first position in which said stem portion is generally perpendicular to said contact plane 3, and to selectively release said stem portion 4 from said first position so that said stem portion 4 may be moved to a different position relative to said contact plane 3.

According to the first embodiment, the locking mechanism 8 comprises a spring 9, a key 10, and a locking bracket 1 1. In operation, the key 10 is depressed to cause the spring 9 to be compressed. Prior to spring compression, the locking bracket 1 1 is held in locking position by the extended spring 9 under its spring force bias. When compressed, the spring 9 releases the bracket 1 1 to facilitate movement of the stem portion 4 relative to the base 2.

In a second embodiment of the invention, a locking mechanism 12 comprises a moveable collar bracket 13, a spring 14 and a spring holding flange 15. The collar bracket 13 is in a locked first position when it is positioned adjacent to the base 16 as it traps and holds closed a hinge joint 17 that connects the stem 18 to the base 16 at a generally perpendicular angle. When the bracket 13 is lifted up and away from the base 16, it enables the hinge joint 17 to freely pivot to enable the stem 18 to fold out of the perpendicular and, if desire, fully parallel to the base 16.

In a third embodiment of the invention, a stem 19 has a ball shaped end 20 which is attached to a spring 21 that is also attached to a base 22. The spring

21 is configured and arranged to be in constant tension. The end 20 acts as a ball joint to facilitate universal rotation between the stem 19 and the base 22. The tension is sufficient to fix the stem 19 relative to the base 22 in any angular position between the stem 19 and the base 22.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a stem 23 is pivotally attached to a base 24 via a hinge 25. A hook 26 is mounted to the inside of the stem 26 and adapted to flex in spring-like manner so that an extension 27 on the end of the hook 26 locks relative to the base 24 except when the stem 23 is rotated such that the extension 27 lines up with a slot 28 in the base 24. This permits the hook 26 to be unrestrained by the base 24 and, thus, permits the stem 23 to be pivoted via the hinge 25.

In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a stem 29 has a 45 degree angled end 30 adapted to mate with a corresponding 45 degree angled end 31 of a substem 32 that extends from the base 33. A spring 34 and lip 35 attach the stem 29 to the substem 32. The spring 34 is in tension and will hold the two angled ends 30, 31 in contact with each other in any position in which they are rotated relative to one another so that the stem 29 may be positioned variably with respect to the base 33 at various relative angles ranging from perpendicular to parallel.

In a sixth embodiment, a stem 36 is a attached by a hinge 37 to a first bracket portion 38. A second bracket portion 39 is fixed to the base 40. The first and second bracket portions 38, 39 are adapted to interfit and slide relative to each other. When the bracket portions 38, 39 are slid into a closed position, the stem 36 is prevented from pivoting on its hinge 37 because a flange 41 on the stem 36 is blocked by the second bracket portion 39. When the bracket portions 38, 39 are slid into an opened position, the flange 41 is no longer blocked and the stem 36 may pivot relative to the base 40.

In a seventh embodiment, a stem 42 is joined by a hinge 43 to a base 44. A rotatable collar 45 having internal threads is adapted to slide up the stem 42 to expose and release the hinge 43 permitting the stem 42 to pivot relative to the base 44. To lock the stem 42 perpendicularly to the base 44, the rotatable collar

45 is tightened down on threads 46 located on the base 44 which cooperate with the internal thread of the collar 45.

While the preferred embodiments have been disclosed, various modification can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.