Patent Application
20060168864
The present invention is directed to a display device, such as a mirror which can conveniently be carried in a pocket or purse, and which opens to provide three display, e.g., reflective, surfaces.
Many people enjoy variations of otherwise common items, particularly where that variation is aesthetically pleasing and enhances the functionality of the common item. Therefore, it is desirable to provide otherwise known devices with enhancements which facilitate their functionality and provide a pleasing, overall appearance. The novelty of the variation is particularly important in the promotional goods industry wherein a company wishing to promote itself or a particular product will typically have its name or logo imprinted upon an item which can be given away as a prize or as part of a promotional effort.
Small mirrors, such as pocket mirrors and compact cases comprising mirrors, have been well known for many years. A conventional compact case comprises a two-part housing connected at one end with a hinge and having a clasp. A mirror is typically affixed to one internal side of the housing.
One preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a trifold mirror comprising a movable support, three reflective surfaces two of which are on movable panels, and panel/support opening mechanisms which open the device from a first, closed position, wherein the reflective surfaces are concealed from view, to a second open configuration wherein three reflective surfaces are exposed for use. According to this preferred embodiment, the device is initially positioned in a closed configuration wherein the reflective surfaces are in a generally overlapping configuration. The panel/support operating mechanisms exert forces on two of the panels and the support, thereby urging the reflective panels and the support toward an open position. According to this preferred embodiment, a support is positioned in overlapping relation with the reflective panels when the device is in the closed position. Upon actuation of a release latch, the panel opening mechanisms move the support around to the back of the mirror, thereby raising the device into a tilted position (if the device is resting on a surface). Preferably simultaneously, the two movable reflective panels are also moved to an open configuration wherein the reflective surfaces are exposed. According to the presently most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two movable reflective panels are disposed at an obtuse angle to a central reflective panel when the device is in the open configuration.
This preferred illustrated embodiment of the present invention offers an enhancement over some common mirrors by providing a support for a mirror and thereby eliminating a need for a user to hold the mirror with one hand while using the mirror. This embodiment also increases the reflective surface approximately trifold, relative to a similarly sized device in the closed position.
According to another embodiment of the present invention the movable display panels are arranged in a coplanar configuration when the display device is in a closed position. According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, the movable display panels and the movable support are arranged in a coplanar configuration when the display device is in a closed position.
While the illustrated embodiments of the present invention are shown with three mirror surfaces, alternative embodiments of the present invention replace one or more of the mirror surfaces with other display surfaces, for example, one or more of the display surfaces can serve as a picture frame.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are portable devices which can be readily carried in a purse. Other embodiments are larger.
Each of the support and side panels is preferably connected to an operating mechanism which causes damped, pivotal motion. Therefore, when the support, right panel and left panel are not held down by the latch, support or other panel, respectively, each of these support/panels will rotate in a controlled pivotal motion to the open configuration shown in the figures. The damped support/panel operating mechanism can be of any form known in the art including, for example, the lid operating mechanism disclosed in the present inventor's U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,085. Various types of damped mechanism for moving a structure have previously been disclosed and are known in the art so they will not be described in detail herein. However, from the present description, in this illustrated embodiment, it will be understood that the operating mechanism for the panels will not rotate the panels beyond the plane of the base mirror 50. As support 20 rotates beyond the plane of base mirror 50, the base 10 and mirror 50 are raised into an inclined position as generally illustrated in
While some preferred embodiments of the present invention are small portable devices which can readily be carried in a purse, other portable embodiments are large. Such larger embodiments may be readily put into a bag or a suitcase. Still other embodiments are larger yet, and are best carried in their own dedicated case.
The displays of the present invention can be “fixed” as in a photograph, or may be active, as in the case of an electronic display.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/642,130 filed on Jan. 7, 2005 and U.S. design application Ser. No. 29/220,386, filed Dec. 29, 2004.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60642130 | Jan 2005 | US |
