COMPACT MIRROR
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.
The present invention relates to the field of compact mirrors.
BACKGROUND ON THE INVENTIONThe 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 INVENTIONThe 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.
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
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
Magnet 44 forms part of casing 24. Magnet 46 forms part of mirror drawer 22. As can be seen best in
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in
Magnet 64 forms part of mirror drawer 54. Magnet 68 forms part of lower casing 52. As can be seen best in
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 12, 2010
Publication Date: Aug 19, 2010
Inventor: Chris Ackerman (Vancouver)
Application Number: 12/705,400
International Classification: A45D 42/04 (20060101);