US20100208376A1

US20100208376A1 - Compact mirror

Info

Publication number: US20100208376A1
Application number: US12/705,400
Authority: US
Inventors: Chris Ackerman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-02-14
Filing date: 2010-02-12
Publication date: 2010-08-19
Also published as: CA2692930A1

Abstract

A compact mirror device comprises a casing in which a flat mirror drawer, comprising a mirror, is fully or partially enclosed, a co-operating means on the mirror drawer and casing to enable slidable movement of the mirror drawer relative to the casing to expose the mirror to view, such co-operating means also preventing complete detachment of the mirror drawer from the casing. Magnets of opposing poles situated on both the mirror drawer and the casing securably hold the mirror drawer in a closed position relative to the casing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of compact mirrors.

BACKGROUND ON THE INVENTION

The use of mirrors within compacts is known. These devices are often either overly complex in their mechanisms for revealing or opening the mirror portion and are hence expensive to manufacture or they are cheap, simple and easily breakable.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,528 describes a compact mirror pouch made of deformable material. The holding and release of the mirror is accomplished via a hook and pile type fastener.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,743,389 shows a combination mirror and case, with the latter being of deformable material to allow the sidewalls to be deformed in either concave or convex positions, allowing user's fingers to remove the mirror.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,771,083 is a retractable mirror device in which a compressed spring and locking mechanism holds the mirror in place. Variations of the spring based mirror concept are found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,696 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,334.
There remains they need for a simple compact mirror device, which allows 1) protection of the mirror and 2) continued and reliable removal or exposure of the mirror for use. It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The prevent invention provides a compact mirror device comprising a casing in which a flat mirror drawer, comprising a mirror, is fully or partially enclosed, a co-operating means on the mirror drawer and casing to enable slidable movement of the mirror drawer relative to the casing to expose the mirror to view, such co-operating means also preventing complete detachment of the mirror drawer from the casing and magnets of opposing poles situated on both the mirror drawer and the casing to securably hold the mirror drawer in a closed position relative to the casing.
By way the opposing magnets, this device incorporates an easily releasable fastening means for releasably securing the mirror in a closed position, but readily facilitating opening thereof.
This device is uniquely designed such that there is easy one-handed access to the mirror by simply sliding away or separating the casing from the mirror drawer, thereby exposing the mirror, the detachment from the closed position being facilitated by the disengagement of a magnet (with one pole) situated on the mirror drawer from a magnet (of an opposite pole) situated on the casing.
This device may be attached to key chains, key rings, backpacks, bags, purses and the like or simply carried in pockets, backpacks, bags, purses and the like for easy and convenient use.
These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a compact mirror device, in a closed position and showing a keychain and key in ghost outline;

FIG. 1B is a further perspective view of the same mirror device in an open position, exposing the mirror;

FIG. 1C is top plan view thereof;

FIG. 2A is a first end view thereof;

FIG. 2B is a side view thereof;

FIG. 2C is a second end view thereof;

FIG. 2D is side view thereof in cross-section with the mirror device in the closed position;

FIG. 2E is a further side view thereof in cross-section with the mirror device in the open position;

FIG. 2F is an enlarged side view of the cross-section of FIG. 2D;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a compact mirror device, in a closed position and showing a keychain and key in ghost outline;

FIG. 3B is a further perspective view of the same mirror device as FIG. 3A in an open position, exposing the mirror;

FIG. 3C is top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4A is a first end view thereof;

FIG. 4B is a side view thereof;

FIG. 4C is a second end view thereof;

FIG. 4D is side view thereof in cross-section with the mirror device in the closed position;

FIG. 4E is a further side view thereof in cross-section with the mirror device in the open position; and

FIG. 4F is an enlarged side view of the cross-section of FIG. 4D;

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations and alternatives and uses of the invention, including what we presently believe is the best mode for carrying out the invention.
One embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1A to 2F. There is provided a mirror compact device 20 comprising a mirror drawer 22 and casing 24. Proximal end 31 with ring 36 provides a means for attachment of the device to a key chain, key ring or other product. Key 38 is in shown in ghost outline and engaged with ring 36 via ghost key ring 40.
FIG. 1B depicts device 20 in an open position, thereby exposing mirror 26. Casing 24 includes sidewall 34 which wraps around in u-formation and extends to form lip 25. Mirror drawer 22 includes shoulder 28 extending at least the full length of mirror 26 and which forms recess 32. In operation, casing 24 is slidably disengaged from mirror drawer 22 but is held in irremovable engagement with mirror drawer 22 by lip 25 locking within recess 32. FIG. 2C depicts distal end 42 of mirror drawer 22 and shows relation of lip 25 (on each side) to casing 24.
Further, casing 24, when in a full opened position in relation to mirror drawer 22, is prevented from complete removal from engagement from mirror drawer 22 by stud 33, as shown best in FIGS. 2D and 2E. In such a fully opened position as shown in FIG. 2E, stud 33 abuts the distal end of mirror drawer 22, thereby preventing any further sliding movement of the casing in the “open” direction. Similarly, when casing 24 is in a fully closed position relative to mirror drawer 22, abutment 30 of mirror drawer 22 (shown best in FIG. 2E) prevents movement of casing 24 “beyond” the closed position.
Magnet 44 forms part of casing 24. Magnet 46 forms part of mirror drawer 22. As can be seen best in FIGS. 2D, 2E and 2F, when casing 24 is in a closed position relative to mirror drawer 22, magnets 44 and 46 are connected by way of their respective magnetic forces (north and south poles) and as such, casing 24 is held securely against mirror drawer 22. When it is desired to expose mirror 26 for use, sufficient force must be applied on casing 24 to “unlock” or disengage the magnet forces which attract magnet 44 and magnet 46. As such, magnets must be selected which have a sufficient magnitude of magnetism to hold closed during normal movement yet not so extraordinary a magnitude to prevent or to hinder release and opening during normal course of use. It is well within the purview of a skilled person within this art to select such magnets for this purpose and having these characteristics.
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3A to 4F. There is provided a mirror compact device 48 comprising a mirror drawer 54 enclosed by upper casing 50 and lower casing 52. Key 60 is in shown in ghost outline and engaged with ring 58 (on mirror drawer 54) via ghost key ring 62.
FIG. 3B depicts device 48 in an open position, thereby exposing mirror 56. Mirror drawer 54 in the closed position is completely ensconced with aperture 70 formed between upper casing 50. In operation, mirror drawer 54 is slidably disengaged from within aperture 70 but is held in irremovable engagement with upper casing 50 and lower casing 52 and is prevented from complete removal from device 48 by way of stud 59, as shown best in FIG. 4E. In such a fully opened position as shown in FIG. 4E, stud 59 of drawer end 51 abuts the projecting proximal end 61 of lower casing 52, thereby preventing any further sliding movement of the mirror drawer in the “open” direction. Similarly, when mirror drawer 54 is in a fully closed position relative to upper casing 50 and lower casing 52, the distal wall or end of device 48 (shown best in FIGS. 4D, 4E and 4F) prevents movement of mirror drawer 54 “beyond” the closed position.
Magnet 64 forms part of mirror drawer 54. Magnet 68 forms part of lower casing 52. As can be seen best in FIGS. 4D, 4E and 4F, when mirror drawer 24 is in a closed position relative to upper casing 50 and lower casing 52, magnets 64 and 68 are connected by way of their respective magnetic forces (north and south poles) and as such, mirror drawer 54 is held securely against upper casing 50 and lower casing 52 and within aperture 70. When it is desired to expose mirror 56 for use, sufficient force must be applied on the end of mirror drawer 54 to “unlock” or disengage the magnet forces which attract magnet 64 and magnet 68. As noted above, magnets must be selected which have a sufficient magnitude of magnetism to hold closed during normal movement yet not so extraordinary a magnitude to prevent or to hinder release and opening during normal course of use. It is well within the purview of a skilled person within this art to select such magnets for this purpose and having these characteristics.
Upper casing 50 and lower casing 52 may be formed of one unitary seamless piece of material (for example of plastic) or they may be separate and distinct parts which are joined together by seam during manufacturing process of the device.
The device of the present invention can be easily adapted for use in various sizes and shapes but is particularly useful as a small rectangular unit that can be used for inspection of teeth after dining to ensure that no food matter is retained. In a most preferred embodiment, the device is from 4 to 6 cm long and from 1 to 4 cm wide and is substantially flat.
In a preferred embodiment, casing 24 is an integral one piece receptacle into which the mirror drawer removable fits. The device according to the present invention may be made of a variety of different materials including but not limited to plastic, metal, and rubber.
In another preferred form, the device according to the present invention may additionally include an illuminating means capable of illuminating said mirror when it is in the open position.

Claims

1. A compact mirror device comprising:

a) a casing in which a flat mirror drawer, comprising a mirror, is enclosed;

b) co-operating means on the mirror drawer and casing to enable slidable movement of the mirror drawer relative to the casing to expose the mirror to view, such co-operating means also preventing complete detachment of the mirror drawer from the casing; and

c) opposing pole magnets situated on both the mirror drawer and the casing to securably hold the mirror drawer in a closed position relative to the casing.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the casing defines an upper cover over the mirror drawer.

3. The device according to claim 1 in which the casing fully encloses the mirror drawer.

4. The device according to claim 1 in which the casing partially encloses the mirror drawer.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the casing defines an enclosed housing into which the mirror drawer removable fits, said housing having an opening at one end to permit withdrawal of the mirror drawer.

6. The device according to claim 1 which is substantially flat and rectangular in shape.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the casing is an integral one piece receptacle into which the mirror drawer removable fits.

8. The device according to claim 1 which is made of a material selected from the group comprising plastic, metal, rubber.

9. The device according to claim 1 including a ring attached to either the casing or the mirror drawer.

10. The device according to claim 1 which is of a size and dimension suitable for use as or part of a key chain and storable in a pocket or purse.

11. The device according to claim 1 including an illuminating means capable of illuminating said mirror.

12. The device according to claim 1 which is from 4 to 6 cm long and from 1 to 4 cm wide.