Compact mirror

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019246772-A1
Application number	US-201916274734-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 13, 2019
Priority date	Feb 14, 2018
Publication date	Aug 15, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A mirror system can include a mirror assembly and a protective portion, such as a holder or cover. A mirror assembly can include a housing portion, a mirror, a light source, a light conveying channel, and an orienting structure. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a component interaction actuator, such as a switch, configured to automatically activate or deactivate when two components in the mirror system interact or cease interacting. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly is configured to turn on upon removal of at least a portion of the mirror assembly from at least a portion of the protective portion and to turn off upon at least a portion of the mirror assembly being received by at least a portion of the protective portion. In some embodiments, a user can hold the mirror assembly and use the orienting structure as a finger-retaining portion. In some embodiments, the user can use the orienting structure as a stand for the mirror assembly. In some embodiments, the user can use the protective portion as a stand for the mirror assembly.

First claim

The following is claimed:

1 . A mirror system comprising:
a protective portion; a mirror assembly configured to be at least partially received by or in contact with the protective portion in a first stage, the mirror assembly comprising:
a housing portion;
a mirror coupled with the housing portion;
a light source;
a light conveying channel; and
an actuator configured to activate or deactivate the light source when in a second stage there is relative movement between at least a portion of the mirror assembly and at least a portion of the protective portion.

2 . The mirror system of claim 1 , wherein the protective portion is a holder.

3 . The mirror system of claim 1 , wherein the protective portion is a cover comprising a first panel, a second panel, and a fold line between the first and second panel.

4 . The mirror system of claim 1 , wherein the mirror assembly comprises a securing portion configured to engage a receiving portion.

5 . The mirror system of claim 1 , wherein the protective portion comprises a securing portion and/or a receiving portion.

6 . The mirror system of claim 5 , wherein the securing portion is a snap fastener.

7 . The mirror system of claim 5 , wherein the securing portion is a zipper.

8 . The mirror system of claim 5 , wherein the securing portion is a magnet.

9 . A mirror assembly comprising:
a housing portion; a mirror coupled with the housing portion; an orienting structure coupled to the housing portion configured to move between a recessed stored position and an extended deployed position; a light source; and a light conveying channel.

10 . The mirror assembly of claim 9 , wherein the orienting structure has a stored position and at least one deployed position.

11 . The mirror assembly of claim 9 , wherein the orienting structure is stored in a recessed portion of the housing portion.

12 . The mirror assembly of claim 9 , wherein the orienting structure is a finger-retaining ring.

13 . The mirror assembly of claim 9 , wherein the orienting structure is a stand.

14 . The mirror assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a light path, wherein the light path is a light pipe disposed along substantially all of the periphery of the mirror.

15 . The mirror assembly of claim 14 , wherein the light path comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the light source emits light into the first end and another light source emits light into the second end.

16 . The mirror assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a light scattering region disposed along the length of the light path and having a pattern density, the light scattering region configured to encourage a portion of the light impacting the light scattering region to be emitted out of the light path and toward a user of the mirror, the pattern density being less dense in a region spaced from the light source and the pattern density being greater in a region generally opposite the light source along the periphery of the mirror, thereby facilitating a substantially constant amount of light emitted along the length of the light path.

17 . The mirror assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a rechargeable power source.

18 . The mirror assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a proximity sensor configured to detect an object within a sensing region, the proximity sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a distance between the object and the proximity sensor.

19 . The mirror assembly of claim 18 , further comprising an electronic processor configured to generate an electronic signal to the one or more light sources for emitting a level of light that varies depending on the distance between the object and the sensor.

20 . The mirror assembly of claim 18 , wherein the proximity sensor is configured to have increased sensitivity after the proximity sensor detects the object.

21 . A method of using a mirror system, the method comprising:
removing at least a portion of a mirror assembly from at least a portion of a holder, the mirror assembly turning on upon at least partial removal from the holder; viewing a reflection; returning at least a portion of the mirror assembly to at least a portion of the holder, the mirror assembly turning off upon being at least partially received by the holder.

Assignees

• Simplehuman Llc

Inventors

• Yang Frank
• Chang Di-Fong
• Cohen Guy

Classifications

• A45D42/10 Primary

  illuminated · CPC title

• A45D42/16

  with other suspending or supporting means · CPC title

• A45D42/04

  Pocket or handbag mirrors · CPC title

• A45C11/24

  Etuis for purposes not covered by a single one of groups A45C11/02 - A45C11/22, A45C11/26, A45C11/32 - A45C11/38 · CPC title

• F21V33/004

  Sanitary equipment, e.g. mirrors, showers, toilet seats or paper dispensers · CPC title