Abstract: An inspection mirror incorporates an extremely thin glass substrate and low profile mount to produce a mirror that can provide visual access to spaces that would otherwise be too small or otherwise inaccessible. An aluminized layer forms the first reflecting surface. The mirror is protected by an amorphous carbon layer which forms a second reflecting surface. The mirror may be framed or frameless. Where provided, the support frame has a mirror receiving recess in which the mirror is retained by adhesive. Frameless mirrors are supported by a planar wire mount secured to the rear surface of the mirror by adhesive. The mirrors may be carried on a spring wire shaft received in a handle or by a flat strip that forms the handle and mirror support.

Abstract: An optical viewing system for producing a 3-dimensional effect is arranged to project two different and separated views of an object simultaneously along different optical paths onto opposite halves of a retina of a viewer's eye, or onto both eyes of a viewer. The system includes a projecting lens, an image separator for projecting two separate images of the object, and a reflector for reflecting the images separately through at least one eye opening or exit pupil into a viewer's eye.

Abstract: An optical inspection method particularly suitable for viewing objects such as components on printed circuit boards, comprises the steps of viewing an object from above with a magnifying optical device and at the same time placing a side-viewing mirror in the optical path of the optical device facing the side of the object and tilted at an angle up to 90 degrees to the optical path so as to rotate an image of the side of the object by at least 90 degrees to present simultaneous front and side views of the object to an observer.