# US 4,397,526 A · Foldable mirror

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- Number: US 4,397,526 A
- Document ID: US4397526A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/280,825
- Filed: 1981-07-06
- Granted: 1983-08-09
- Earliest claimed: 1981-07-06
- Assignees: General Electric Company
- Inventors: Gary E. Van Deursen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4397526A

## CPC

- G02B 7/182: for mirrors
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

A foldable mirror has a peripheral two-piece frame with an offset supporting leg and a pair of oppositely disposed hinges connecting the pieces together. The frame includes stacked channels forming an E in cross-section with the hinges at the center end of the E so the frame folds book-like to form a compact small structure. When folded, the stacked channels form a single enclosed large channel that preferably extends completely across the frame. A non-glass single flexible sheet of reflecting mirror material is secured in the frame between the hinges with the hinges centerline in the same plane as the reflective surface. The arrangement is such that, on folding, the mirror forms a tear drop fold disposed and protected in the large channel across the back of the mirror to prevent permanent mirror distortion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A foldable mirror comprising,
a peripheral two-piece frame,
a pair of oppositely disposed hinges connecting said pieces,
said frame including a pair of stacked channels forming an E in cross section with said hinges disposed at the center end of the E at the periphery so the frame pieces fold booklike on each other with the stacked channels forming a single enclosed large channel,
a non-glass single flexible sheet of reflecting mirror material with its back surface secured in the frame between said hinges,
said hinges centerline falling substantially in the same plane as the reflective surface,
whereby on folding the frame upon itself the mirror forms a tear drop fold disposed and protected in said large channel to prevent permanent mirror distortion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein one frame piece has an offset supporting leg,
the other piece hinged to rotate into nesting position against said leg.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said offset is substantially the thickness of said frame,
said other piece folded to nest therein forming a compact box-like smaller structure.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said channels extend across the back of said sheet and includes both hinges.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

Apparatus as described in claim 4 having,
a pair of spaced rigid back-up panels secured to said frame and each extending adjacent a channel and across the frame behind and supporting said sheet,
the space between said panels straddling the tear drop fold line of said sheet in folded position.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

Apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein the space between panels is larger than the diameter of the tear drop sheet fold.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein each said panel and adjacent channel is an integral molded piece.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said sheet is a plastic of reflective metal film forming said mirror.