GB2507948A

GB2507948A - Vehicular visual safety device

Info

Publication number: GB2507948A
Application number: GB201216516A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gavin Whitfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-16
Filing date: 2012-09-16
Publication date: 2014-05-21
Also published as: GB201216516D0

Abstract

A vehicular visual safety device 1, which includes attachment means (10, Figure 2) for attaching the device to the windscreen of a vehicle, mirrors 2, 3 which can rotate around a hinge 4 when adjusted by the driver using tabs 5, 6 such that the driver can see left and right simultaneously from an area ahead of the driver in the direction of motion.

Description

Vehicular visual safety device This invention relates b a device for improving driver awareness using mirrors fri vehicles.

When drivers are driving forwards or reversing, dead spaces comprising of blind spots to the left arid right of the vehicle are created in certain circumstances whereby the driver cannot see what is perpendicular to the furthest most part of the vehicle.

Currently the driver must collect visual information from a disadvantageous position i.e. the driver's seat. This can lead to instances where the driver is unable to see crossing traffic from the left and right without moving further out for line of sight. When this instance occurs, the vehicle in question exposes itself to risk and accident, in particular cyclist collisions, side impact collisions arid T-bone collisions.

The tendency of humans is to lean forward (if moving forward) to gain better view.

This moves the driver's line of sight so they can no longer see in side or rear view mirrors, it loosens the seat belt reducing its effectiveness in the event of impact and may make injury worse hi the event of impact due to the leaning position pre compressing the driver's spinal discs. These impacts could potentially be avoided with an earlier warning.

The device would attach to the windscreen of vehicles ahead and behind the driver arid comprise of at least two mirrors to provide a view to the left arid right for such instances. Whilst the vehicle may still need to protrude into a crossing lane to gain line of sight, the protrusion will be significantly reduced compared with not using the device as line of sight will be attained earlier, reducing the risk of collision.

The mirrors will be adjustable by the driver, preferably by pushing and pulling tabs that operate a hinge mechanism that separates the mirrors from the main body. The adjustment means may allow the mirrors to be adjusted independently or two or more mirrors to be adjusted as one.

The adjustment and setting means will preferably be provided by internal rubber hinges, although adjustment means may be provided by springs, rack and pinion sliders, electronic means, pneumatic systems or hydraulic systems.

The method of affixation to the windscreen will ideally be using a suction cup, although the affixation may also be provided by other means, such as pre fabrication in the windscreen or adhesion.

The connection between the affixation method and body allows adjustment of the body in rdation to the windscreen. This means is provided ideally by using ball and joint sockets on one or both ends of an arm joining the affixation method to the body, although other methods maybe used such as a single ball connected to sockets on either side or sliding and tilting mechanisms.

The body will be used to hold the parts together, although the hollow inner space may be used to house various forms of technology including but not limited to cameras, tracking devices, driving-style monitors, transmitters, GPS and scanners.

The mirrors will preferably be flat, although convex mirrors or a combination of convex and flat mirror surface maybe used to provide the driver with different perspectives.

The tab sections will be attached to the mirror sections on the outside, although sections of the mirror face may be made into tabs.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings fri which: Figure 1 shows the body with mounted mirrored faces separated by a hinge with tabs attached to the outer side, Figure 2 shows the suction and connection from suction to body means, In figure 1, the body 11 is used as a mounting for the two minored surfaces 2, 3 which are attached by a hinge mechanism 4. The mirrors are adjustable by the using tabs 5, 6.

In figure 2, the arm 7 connecting the suction 10 to the body 11 is attached rigidly 8 to the suction 10 and by means of a ball and socket joint 9 to the body 11.

Claims

Claims 1. A vehicular visual safety device comprising means for attaching the device to a windscreen, means for connecting the body to the attachment means and adjustable mirrors such that the user can gain line of sight to the left and right of the vehicle simultaneously.
2. A vehicular visual safety device according to claim 1, in which the attachment means is provided by a suction cup.
3. A vehicular visual safety device according to claim 1, in which the attachment means is provided by adhesion of a surface to the windscreen.
4. A vehicular visual safety device according to claim 1, in which the attachment means is provided by integration of the device into the rjndscreen at manufacture.
5. A vehicular visual safety device according to claim 1, in which the means for connecting the attachment means to the body is provided by an arm connected by ball and socket joints.
6. A vehicular visual safety device according to claim 1, in which the means for connecting the attachment means to the body is provided by a single ball connected to both a socket on the attachment means and a socket on the body.
7. A vehicular visual safety device according to claim 1, in which the means for adjusting the mirrors is a hinge.
8. A vehicular visual safety device according to claim 1, in which the means for adjusting the mirrors is ball and socket joints affixing the mirrors to the body.
9. A vehicular visual safety device according to claims 7 and 8, in which the method of adjustment of the mirrors is manually using tabs either side of the device.
10. A vehicular visual safety device according to claims 7 and 8, in which the method of adjustment of the mirrors is electronically using controls near the driver.
11. A vehicular visual safety device according to claims 7 and 8, in which the method of adjustment of the mirrors is hydraulically using controls near the driver.
12. A vehicular visual safety device according to claims 7 and 8, in which the method of adjustment of the mirrors is pneumatically using controls near the driver.
13. A vehicular visual safety device according to claim 7, in which the setting is dampened and held in place by internal rubber hinges.
14. A vehicular visual safety device according to claims 7 and 8, in which the setting is dampened and held in place by pneumatic pistons.
15. A vehicular visua' safety device according to daims 7 and 8, in which the setting is dampened and held in place by hydraulic pistons.
16. A vehicular visual safety device according to claim 7 and 8, hi which the setting is dampened and held in place by rack and pinion system.
17. A vehicular visua' safety device according to daim 1, in which the mirrors are fla L.
18. A vehicular visual safety device according to claim 1, in which the mirrors are convex.
19. A vehicular visua' safety device according to daim 1,in which the mirrors are a combination of flat and convex.
20. A vehicular visual safety device according to claim 1, in which electronic components are housed inside the body.