GB2221839A - Fog resistant mirror - Google Patents

Abstract

A fog resistant mirror (1) has a connection (7) to a source of a stream of heated water, as for use in a shower; the connection (7) is flexible and the user can position the mirror in the shower as desired, as for shaving and grooming. The mirror includes a baffle-like structure (4) forming a winding channel behind the reflective panel (2) of the mirror, through which channel a portion of the stream of heated shower water is directed to come into substantial contact with the rear surface of the panel (2). The temperature of the mirror is thus elevated in relation to the temperature of the (heated) ambient air so to prevent the formation of condensation fog on the reflective surface of the panel (2). <IMAGE>

Description

FOG RESISTANT MIRROR The invention relates generally to mirrors, and more specifically to a fog resistant mirror.

It is often desirable to have a mirror in areas where there is a flow of hot water, for example, a shower enclosure, for use as for shaving and grooming. The use of the mirror in these circumstances results in fogging of the mirror surface, since it is at a lower temperature than the ambient air, and condensation takes place.

A number of fog resistant mirrors are known, and one includes a spray device which leads water from the shower to spray onto the reverse side of the mirror. These devices can be relatively inefficient and ineffective, difficult to assemble, often do not have a proper drainage system for the water, and can be aesthetically unappealing.

The fog resistant mirror of the invention is adapted to overcome the above problems, as well as others, associated with known fog resistant mirrors.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a fog resistant mirror comprising a front mirror surface and a rear panel spaced apart from each other to form a generally watertight cavity therebetween. There is an approximately and operatively horizontal baffle between the front mirror surface and the rear panel, which defines a winding liquid path between an upper liquid inlet to the cavity and a drainage outlet therefrom, the path being arranged to bring warm liquid flowing along it in use in sufficient contact with the rear of the mirror surface to inhibit fogging of the mirror.

Further features of the invention provide for the baffles to be integral with the rear panel and for the panel and mirror surface to be located in a retaining rim, and held apart from each other and in sealing contact with the rim, by the baffles.

Still further features of the invention provide for the baffles to be separable items, located against one of the mirror or back panel, while the other is clipped into position in the rim. Preferably, these baffles are of a resilient material that will to some extent cause a force to be applied in keeping the back panel and mirror surface apart and in contact with the rim.

The mirror further includes a clamp for holding the mirror mounted thereon around an approximately horizontally projecting pipe outlet, such as the shower outlet in a shower enclosure. The clamp comprises two curved parts hinged along one set of axial edges and arranged to be clampable over a pipe axially by releasable clipping mechanisms at the free edges of the two halves.

The clamp is preferably provided with a set of grip formations on the inside curved formations, which grips are resilient and allow for the clamp to be secured over a variety of different diameters of pipes. Preferably the grips are provided with serrations or other gripping surface means, to enable the material to grip properly around a pipe surface.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: .FIGURE l is a front elevational view of the fog free mirror according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of a rear panel according to the first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the rear panel for use in the first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a rim for use in the first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 6 is a sectional side view of a second embodiment with an alternative arrangement of baffles and rear panel; and, FIGURE 7 is an isometric view of a clamp according to the invention.

The device of the invention, in the preferred embodiments thereof as described below and as shown in the accompanying drawings, comprises, for example, referring to Figures 1 and 2, a fog free mirror 1 which comprises a round mirror surface 2 forming a front panel to a mirror structure, with a similar round disc 3 forming the rear panel. The rear panel 3 is spaced apart from and parallel to the mirror 2, having ribs 4 running operatively horizontally thereacross. The ribs are indented from the rear of the rear panel to extend for the depth of the spacing between the rear panel and mirror, so that when the rear panel and mirror panel are held together, the mirror panel presses against the projecting surfaces of the ribs.

The mirror and back panels are held together by a peripheral rim 5 of channel cross-section. The spaced apart area between the mirror and rear panels forms a channel for water, and a water inlet 6 is provided at the operatively upper end which passes through a flexible hosing 7 to a connector 8 for securement in-line in a shower outlet pipe.

A water intake 9 extends from the flexible hose 7 into the T-piece connector 8, and is located in the mainstream of flow short of the wall opposite the entrance, at a position which ensures a restricted flow from the flow path in the T-piece down into the flexible hose. The bottom of the rear panel has a radial opening 10 therein, which provides a water outlet from the bottom of the cavity between the mirror and the rear panel.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the rear panel 3 is shown separately. The ribs 4 provided on the rear panel are formed in two sets of horizontally oriented ribs with each set extending from a different side and stopping short of the opposite side, and the ribs of each set being spaced apart and positioned to engage in the spaces between each other. The ribs 4 of one set thus start at one side edge of the rear panel 3 and stop short of the opposite side edge thereof, while the ribs 4 of the other set start from this opposite side and stop short of said one side. The effect is to create a winding path between the ribs from the inlet to the outlet 10. Preferably, the ribs are rounded in cross-sectional shape, and hollow on the rear side, being formed in a blow molding or other plastics molding process.

Referring to Figure 5, a cross-sectional view through a rim is shown, which is the rim 5 which holds the rear and mirror panels together. This rim is formed with a plurality of radially outwardly projecting, circumferentially spaced apart ribs 25 adapted to enable gripping of the rim. The front side portion 12 of the rim has an inwardly directed annular sealing ring 13 to allow the mirror surface to engage against it for sealing purposes. The opposite, rear, side 14 of the rim has a chamfered edge 15 tapering inwardly to allow the rear panel to be clipped therein.

In use, the mirror panel is located in the rim from the rear, to rest against the sealing ring 13. The rear panel is then located with its drainage outlet end 10 opposite the inlet opening (6) in the rim, and pressed into the rim to slide over the tapered throat 15, and clip into engagement under the rear rim side. The mirror may now be secured with the T-piece 8 in line in the shower, to draw off water from the shower supply and feed it through the winding path between the ribs, to drain out the outlet 10. The water allows the mirror to be fog resistant, for use as for shaving and grooming.

Referring to Figure 6, an alternative embodiment of ribs is shown. A front mirror panel 16 is shown spaced apart from a rear panel 17, which has channel indentations 18 in its inner surface running parallel and operatively horizontal, and spaced apart from each other. Located in the channels between the rear and mirror panel are rod-like elements 19 which are located to create a winding path between the mirror and rear panel. The rods are of a resilient plastics material and thus when the mirror panel and rear panel 16 and 17 respectively are pressed together and held by a rim, the rod elements serve to press them away from each other and hold them in a sealing engagement with the rim.

Referring to Figure 7, a clip attachment 20 is shown, comprising two axially split tube halves 21 and 23, which are hinged along a pair of axial edges 24, to be openable, and closable to form a tube shaped clamp. The inner surface of the halves are provided with a ribbed gripping section 35 with axial ribs extending therealong made of elastomeric gripping material. Only one half is shown with the gripping formations.

Suitable clipping formations 26,26' are provided on the free axial edges of the two halves for clipping the halves together over a pipe. One half, 23, has on its rear surface a connnector 27 for securement to a flexible rod or the like which holds the mirror.

In use, the clamp may be connected to the flexible hose of the above embodiment, or another like shower mirror with a flexible section, to enable the mirror to be simply clipped onto a shower pipe and maneuvered through the flexible hose to the desired position by a user.

It is considered that the invention provides a useful fog free mirror which can be conveniently used.

Preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth above, for the purpose of explaining the invention.

However, it is to be understood that variations may be made in such embodiments, which variations may nevertheless be within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims (20)

Claims:

1. A device for enabling a mirror to be connected to a source of a stream of heated water, and for preventing the formation of condensation and fog on the reflective surface of the mirror during use of the heated water as in taking a shower, by directing a portion of the stream of heated shower water into substantial surface contact with the rear portion of the mirror, comprising: (a) a mirror, which comprises: (i) a reflective panel, including a front reflective portion and a rear portion; and (ii) means for directing the portion of the stream of heated shower water into substantial surface contact with the rear portion of the reflective panel; and (b) means for connecting the mirror to the source of the stream of heated shower water, adapted to draw off the portion of the stream of heated shower water into the directing means.

2. A device as in claim 1, further comprising means for retaining a rear panel in relation to the reflective panel such that a substantially water-tight space is formed between portions of the rear panel and the reflective panel.

3. A device as in claim 2, in which the rear panel has an outlet opening formed therein for enabling drainage of the stream of heated shower water directed through the substantially water-tight space.

4. A device as in claim 2 or 3, in which the connecting means are adapted to flexibly connect the mirror to the source of the stream of heated water.

5. A device as in claim 2, 3 or 4, in which the directing means comprise the rear panelr which includes a front portion, and means projecting outwardly from the front portion of the rear panel, including portions adapted to abut the rear portion of the reflective panel upon positioning the rear panel in relation to the reflective panel, so as to form a channel in the space adjacent the abutting portions of the rear panel and the reflective panel.

6. A device as in any of claims 2 to 5, in which the retaining means have an inlet opening formed therein for enabling the drawn-off portion of the stream of heated shower water to flow into the substantially water-tight space in the mirror.

7. A device as in any of claims 2 to 6, in which the retaining means comprise a rim extending about the periphery of the reflective panel and the rear panel.

8. A device as in claim 3, in which the outlet opening comprises a generally slot-like portion at the operatively lowermost portion of the rear panel.

9. A device as in any preceding claim, in which the source of heated shower water includes a shower outlet pipe and a shower head adapted to be connected to the shower outlet pipe, and in which the flexible connecting means comprise an adapter including a connecting portion adapted to be connected intermediate the shower outlet pipe and the shower head, and a flexible connector adapted to extend from the adapter to and connect with the mirror.

10. A device as in claim 5, in which the outwardly projecting means comprise a baffle-like structure comprised of a plurality of rows of rib-like segments, spaced apart to form portions of the channel therebetween.

11. A device as in claim 6, in which the inlet opening comprises a hole formed in the operatively uppermost portion of the retaining means.

12. A device as in claim 7, in which the reflective panel and the rear panel are generally circular shaped, and the retaining rim is generally ring shaped.

13. A device as in claim 7 or 12, in which the retaining rim includes a plurality of radially outwardly projecting circumferentially spaced apart ribs adapted to enable gripping thereof.

14. A device as in claim 9, in which the adapter further includes an outlet portion adapted to enable connection of the flexible connecting portion thereto.

15. A device as in claim 9 or 14, in which the flexible portion comprises a plurality of hollow interconnected alternate generally ball-like segments and generally socket-like segments.

16. A device as in claim 10, in which each rib has an open end and a generally rounded closed end, the open end opens outwardly to the retaining means, the closed end is spaced from, and thereby forms a space relative to, the retaining means, and the rows of ribs alternate the space-forming ends relative to the retaining means.

17. A device as in claim 10, in which the mirror has a longitudinal centerline from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, and each of the ribs extend generally transverse relative to the longitudinal centerline.

18. A device as in claim 10, in which the cross-section of each rib is generally semi-tubular shaped.

19. A fog resistant mirror substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 or 1 to 5 and 7, or to Figs. 1 to 5 or 1 to 5 and 7 as modified by Fig. 6, of the accompanying drawings.

20. The features herein described, or their equivalents, in any patentably novel selection.