Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Math professor's side mirror that eliminates 'blind spot' receives US patent
phys.org ^ | June 07, 2012 | Provided by Drexel University

Posted on 06/07/2012 1:28:19 PM PDT by Red Badger

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-47 next last
To: R. Scott

>>I learned to eliminate the “blind spot” years ago when I was a cab driver.
Tilt your head to the left and adjust the mirror like usual. When setting straight it covers the “blind spot”. When changing lanes – or just checking behind you – look in the mirror then tilt your head.
Of course some people are too lazy to do it.<<

OMG, I’m not lazy but I’ve never heard of this.
I’m going to try it, thanks!!!!!


21 posted on 06/07/2012 1:52:11 PM PDT by netmilsmom (Romney scares me. Obama is the freaking nightmare that is so bad you are afraid to go back to sleep)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: DManA

I do the same thing, even though I have to adjust them by hand. My wife has power mirrors and the way she sets them, they are all but worthless.

I adjust them in a parking lot so that I can see cars on either side and behind me. As a car passes out of the FOV of the rear view mirror, it enters the FOV of the side view. I generally back into parking spaces deftly, relying on correctly adjusted mirrors.


22 posted on 06/07/2012 1:52:49 PM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (The Democratic Party strongly supports full civil rights for necro-Americans!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
You can buy a little convex glue-on mirror at any auto parts store.
After my second near-accident changing lanes (and I DID look in both mirrors, even turned my head and still didn't see the other car that was about to pass me) I got one of those and never had a problem since.

23 posted on 06/07/2012 1:58:58 PM PDT by BitWielder1 (Corporate Profits are better than Government Waste)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

I like to keep my eye on the road, so I use a sonar-type technique. Tossing an empty beer can or two out the window usually will give you a good “ping”.


24 posted on 06/07/2012 1:59:28 PM PDT by USMCPOP (Father of LCpl. Karl Linn, KIA 1/26/2005 Al Haqlaniyah, Iraq)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

lol


25 posted on 06/07/2012 2:00:18 PM PDT by VRW Conspirator (Article 58)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Mirror-schmirror.

Mirrors are on the endangered watch list. Like spark plugs and AM radios; they are soon to be unnecessary and extinct.

Cameras. That is what is soon on the horizon. Already rear view back up cameras are in most new cars. Soon side view cameras will be the norm.

Not saying if thats good or bad. I’m just sayin’.


26 posted on 06/07/2012 2:03:02 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (NO LIBS. This Means Liberals and (L)libertarians! Same Thing. NO LIBS!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DManA
I can adjust my mirrors right now so there’s no blind spots.

Yes! Most people set them up so they can see the side of their own car. There is no need for that. If you crank them out so you can see more of the next lane over, you will be able to see as approaching car in either your side mirror or you rear view.

At first that setting feels uncomfortable for most people, but just keep telling yourself you need to see the lane next to you, not the one your are in.

You still need to be careful and double check before you change lanes, but you will be able to see people coming up on you much better. Fewer surprises.

If I drive someone else's car, it feels scary to me now since their blind spot is huge.

ALSO, that new mirror makes car seem MUCH farther away. That silver car looks about 1/3 of the size in the regular mirror. At first I didn't think they were even showing the same image.

27 posted on 06/07/2012 2:05:20 PM PDT by Right Wing Assault (Dick Obama is more inexperienced now than he was before he was elected.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

And we wonder why cars cost so damn much these days...............


28 posted on 06/07/2012 2:05:48 PM PDT by Red Badger (Think logically. Act normally.................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Blind spots? I was taught to always look over your shoulders and not totally reply upon the mirrors...


29 posted on 06/07/2012 2:08:24 PM PDT by ßuddaßudd (<< F U B O >> "What the hell kind of country is this if I can only hate a man if he's white?")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ßuddaßudd

In some larger vehicles you cannot look over your shoulder.....


30 posted on 06/07/2012 2:18:21 PM PDT by Red Badger (Think logically. Act normally.................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

31 posted on 06/07/2012 2:20:41 PM PDT by Dahoser (Separation of church and state? No, we need separation of media and state.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro
I needed that license plate this morning. The stupid driver in front of me stopped at a green light and then got mad when I hit my brakes and beeped my horn at the same time.

New safety idea: tie the antilock brakes to the horn. If I have to hit my brakes hard enough to engage the antilock system on dry pavement, the idiot in front of me needs to be alerted to her error.

32 posted on 06/07/2012 2:23:58 PM PDT by KarlInOhio (You only have three billion heartbeats in a lifetime.How many does the government claim as its own?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Dahoser

Did he just thumb a booger at you?


33 posted on 06/07/2012 2:29:18 PM PDT by Dacus943
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: ßuddaßudd

Same here. Years back i was looking into buying an SUV from a dealership that had used cars. Car was in great condition, not a lot of miles but had tinted windows. Looking over the shoulder was pointless and I had to pass on the purchase.


34 posted on 06/07/2012 2:32:13 PM PDT by warsaw44
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

That building is about to fall over in the new mirror.


35 posted on 06/07/2012 2:44:44 PM PDT by razorback-bert (I'm in shape. Round is a shape isn't it?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
The other approach is to make drivers responsible for seeing and adapting to traffic in front only. And If you don’t give the guy in front a wide berth, and he changes lanes when you weren’t allowing for it, you are to blame. That’s a rule of the road in Turkey, and anyone craning their heads around checking for passing traffic - as is required in the US - is considered a crazy nut.
As far as a technological fix for the flat driver’s side mirror is concerned, that would be easily done. To the conventional side mirror, just add a parallel mirror inside the window such that the driver adjusts the outside mirror to give side coverage, and the inside mirror automatically covers the view more to the rear.

36 posted on 06/07/2012 2:55:24 PM PDT by conservatism_IS_compassion (The idea around which “liberalism" coheres is that NOTHING actually matters except PR.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Back in the 90’s, I had an idea for a 1/2 - 1/2 mirror that is actually 2 mirros in one mirror assembly, independantly adjustable. The upper 1/2 is tilted normally, the bottom 1/2 covers the blind spot.

If I had the money, I would have filed for a patent.

But, this guy has a neat product. Too bad our government won’t approve it for 10 years.


37 posted on 06/07/2012 3:14:30 PM PDT by Bryan24 (When in doubt, move to the right..........)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Lonesome in Massachussets
'I do the same thing, even though I have to adjust them by hand. My wife has power mirrors and the way she sets them, they are all but worthless.'

... My WIFE is quite the backseat driver. She constantly yells at me while I am driving; warning me of each and every road hazard she spies. She warns me in a shrill voice about all oncoming traffic and about cars approaching from the rear...I couldn't drive safely without her ...


38 posted on 06/07/2012 3:15:55 PM PDT by jimsin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: GOPJ
This will save the lives of many motorcyclists...

What about the supply organs for donation?

39 posted on 06/07/2012 3:19:49 PM PDT by central_va ( I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: USMCPOP

BTTT!


40 posted on 06/07/2012 3:22:27 PM PDT by ExTxMarine (PRAYER: It's the only HOPE for real CHANGE in America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-47 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson