Bathroom mirror with lighting

Abstract

Bathroom mirror with lighting, comprising a laminar body (1) with an additional mirror section (3) positioned adjacently to the upper end (1.1) of the body (1) and having a width equal to that of the body and a height lower than that of the body (1); means for connecting the additional section (3) to the body (1), formed by two plates located on (4) on the sides (1.3) of the body (1) and protruding relative to the upper end (1.1) thereof, and a connecting shaft (5) for connection to the upper end of the two plates (4), and; orientable lighting means comprising an LED strip (6) fixed to the lower end (3.2) of the additional section (3); a rotation mechanism for rotating the additional section (3) around the connecting shaft (5), and; means for activating the rotation mechanism to rotate the additional section between a tilted position and an idle position simultaneously with the activation and deactivation of the LED strip (6) respectively.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Bathroom mirror with lighting

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention pertains to the technical field of bathroom mirrors that feature associated lighting for improved visibility.

[0005] Background of the Invention

[0006] Today, there is a wide variety of bathroom mirrors in different shapes and sizes, designed to offer an attractive aesthetic that suits the user's taste. They can even include attached accessories, such as shelves, or be part of bathroom cabinets.

[0007] In any case, it is becoming increasingly common for mirrors to have their own lighting, thus offering a more complete product and avoiding the need to add new elements.

[0008] There are several ways to include lighting in mirrors, and it is very important where and how we place it to ensure adequate visibility for tasks such as personal grooming, makeup, or shaving, and to illuminate the entire space.

[0009] One of the possible lighting methods is through wall lights or spotlights that are fixed to the wall near the mirror or even to the mirror itself.

[0010] These wall lights generate direct light and can be placed on either side of the mirror, usually about 15 cm from the frame and preferably at eye level. This position minimizes shadows on the face and provides balanced, even lighting. The problem is that not everyone is the same height, so a mirror with these side lights might be suitable for one person but completely unsuitable for another, as the height of the lights creates shadows and poor visibility.

[0011] This is especially problematic for people with disabilities who use wheelchairs, as this limits the height at which they can access mirrors, which is much lower than that of other users for whom the mirrors and their lighting are designed. As a result, they always encounter inadequate lighting and shadows that prevent them from performing their daily hygiene tasks in suitable lighting conditions.

[0012] Lights can also be installed above the mirror, either as a light bar or as a fixture integrated into the mirror itself. This lighting is also direct and is used in conjunction with side wall lights, as it does not provide good, shadow-free visibility on its own.

[0013] Another option is mirrors with built-in lights, either with a light fixture mounted on the mirror itself or with sandblasted areas through which light shines from light strips located behind it. These lights provide good illumination, although they still create shadows and, depending on their placement, can be dazzling.

[0014] Indirect lighting is also widely used today. This consists of a light that illuminates from behind the mirror, either from its upper edge, the sides, or its entire perimeter, generating a soft, enveloping light that adds warmth to the environment. However, it is not suitable for good visibility in front of the mirror, so it should be combined with one of the other options.

[0015] It is therefore necessary to find a way to solve these problems and achieve a mirror with effective lighting in any situation and for any user, allowing proper lighting that makes it possible to perform grooming tasks such as applying makeup, shaving... with adequate light and without shadows, whatever the position or height of the user.

[0016] Description of the invention

[0017] Bathroom mirror with lighting, comprising a laminar body with a reflective front face, a back face, two sides and two upper and lower ends, comprising an additional section of mirror having two sides and two upper and lower ends, and is located adjacent to the upper end of the body, with a width equal to and a height less than that of the body.

[0018] This mirror also includes means for connecting the additional section to the body and means for adjustable lighting of the mirror.

[0019] The means of connecting the additional section to the body consist of two plates fixed to the sides of the body, positioned protruding from the upper end of the body, and a connecting shaft from the upper end of the additional section to the upper end of both plates.

[0020] For its part, the adjustable lighting means comprise an LED lighting strip fixed at the lower end of the additional section, a mechanism for rotating the additional section around the connection axis, which allows a rest position in which the additional section is contained in the same plane as the body and a folded position in which the additional section is inclined with respect to the body such that its lower end is located in front of the front face of the body and means for activating the rotation mechanism to the folded position and returning to the rest position simultaneously with the switching on and off of the LED strip respectively.

[0021] The bathroom mirror with lighting proposed here represents a significant improvement over the state of the art.

[0022] This is because it results in a mirror that, regardless of whether it can have indirect lighting that gives it a different aesthetic, incorporates a direct adjustable light that is located at the top of the mirror and only becomes visible when activated, at which point the additional section to which it is attached rotates with respect to the body of the mirror to the inclination desired by the user and allows direct lighting with which perfect visibility is achieved.

[0023] This adjustable lighting offers a great advantage because its orientation is adapted to the needs of each user, thus avoiding the creation of shadows, since it allows the inclination of the light to be adjusted to the most suitable angle in each case.

[0024] This is very advantageous for people of different heights and, in particular, is especially beneficial for those users who travel in wheelchairs, as they will be able to adjust the tilt or angle of incidence of the mirror's lighting, adapting it to the most convenient for their height, conditioned by the wheelchair.

[0025] Furthermore, when the light is not in use, the additional section of the mirror is positioned coplanarly with the body, and the lighting strip is hidden between this additional section and the upper end of the body, so the surface of the mirror is not altered or interrupted by any area intended for lighting.

[0026] Another advantage is that the lighting intensity is adjustable, as is the tilt, by means of a switch that allows the user to adjust it.

[0027] It is therefore a very effective and practical bathroom mirror with lighting, which achieves shadow-free illumination for any user.

[0028] Brief description of the drawings

[0029] In order to aid a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a series of drawings are provided as an integral part of said description, where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figures 1.1 and 1.2.- Show two perspective views of a bathroom mirror with lighting for a resting and folded-down position of the additional section respectively, for a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a rear elevation view of the bathroom mirror with lighting, for a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0031] Figures 3.1 and 3.2 show detailed views of the rotation mechanism of the additional section in the rest and folded positions of said section respectively, of the bathroom mirror with lighting, for a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0032] Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the means for locking the rest position of the bathroom mirror with lighting in a folded-down position of the additional section, for a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0033] Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

[0034] In view of the figures provided, it can be observed how, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bathroom mirror with lighting proposed herein comprises a laminar body (1) with a reflective front face (2.1), a back face (2.2), two sides (1.3) and two upper and lower ends (1.1, 1.2).

[0035] This mirror comprises an additional section (3) of mirror that has two sides (3.3) and two upper and lower ends (3.1, 3.2), and is located adjacent to the upper end of the body (1), with an equal width and a lower height than the body (1), as shown in Figures 1.1 and 1.2. Thus, the additional section (3) is configured as an extension of the body (1) at its upper end (1.1).

[0036] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figure 2, the mirror has means of connecting the additional section (3) to the body (1) formed by two plates (4) fixed to the sides (1.3) of the body (1) positioned outward from the upper end (1.1) of the body (1) and a connecting axis (5) from the upper end (3.1) of the additional section (3) to the upper end of both plates (4).

[0037] It also has adjustable lighting means for the mirror. These lighting means comprise an LED lighting strip (6) fixed to the lower end (3.2) of the additional section (3), a mechanism for rotating the additional section (3) around the connecting axis (5), and means for activating said rotating mechanism to the folded position and returning it to the rest position simultaneously with switching the LED strip (6) on and off, respectively.

[0038] This rotating mechanism allows a rest position, shown in Figures 1.1 and 3.1, in which the additional section (3) is contained in the same plane as the body (1), and a folded position, represented in Figures 1.2 and 3.2, in which the additional section (3) is inclined with respect to the body (1) such that its lower end (3.2) is located in front of the front face (2.1) of the body (1).

[0039] In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the activation means consist of a motor (7) connected to two transformers (8), a relay (9) connected to both transformers (8) and the LED lighting strip (6), and a switch (10) connected to the relay (9), as shown in Figure 2.

[0040] As can be seen in Figures 1.1 and 1.2, in this preferred embodiment, the switch (10) is formed by a touch switch and, in this case, is located on the front face (2.1) of the mirror body (1).

[0041] In other embodiments the switch (10) may be located elsewhere on the body (1) of the mirror or even be formed by another type of switch.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3.1 and 3.2, the rotation mechanism comprises a first wedge-shaped element (11) fixed to the rear face of the additional section (3) with its acute angle closest to the upper end (1.1) of the body (1), and a second wedge-shaped element (12) fixed to the upper end of a vertical linear actuator (13) of the motor (7) with a horizontal face and its acute angle closest to the dorsal face (2.2) of the body (1). As can be seen in these figures, the first and second elements (11, 12) are aligned along a vertical axis. Furthermore, the angle of the second element (12) is greater than that of the first element (11), such that in a retracted position of the actuator (13), there is no contact between the first and second elements (11, 12), and the additional section (3) is in its rest position, as shown in Figure 3.1, while in an extended position of the actuator (13) there is a push from the second element (12) on the first element (11) and the additional section (3) is in the folded position, as shown in Figure 3.2.

[0043] Furthermore, this mirror includes means for locking the rest position, as shown in Figure 4, consisting of two or more metal plates (14) fixed to the dorsal face (2.2) of the body (1) projecting beyond its upper end (1.1), and two or more locking lugs (15) fixed to the dorsal face of the additional section (3) in such a location that, in the rest position, each lug is in contact with one of the plates (14). Thus, when the additional section (3) is in the rest position, the locking lugs (15) allow it to remain fixed in that position, and likewise, when it is returning to that rest position from the folded position, these lugs (15) also facilitate the additional section (3) becoming completely coplanar with the body (1).

[0044] In this preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 2, 3.1 and 3.2, the means for connecting the additional section (3) to the body (1) comprise two or more additional plates (16) fixed to the dorsal face (2.2) of the body (1) positioned protruding from the upper end (1.1) of the body (1) and fixed to the upper end (3.1) of the additional section (3) by means of a hinged element (18) that allows the rotation of this additional section (3) around the connection axis (5) while providing greater support for the additional section (3).

[0045] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figures 1.1 and 1.2, in this preferred embodiment, the mirror comprises two coverings (17) on the sides of the mirror arranged on the plates (4) fixed on both sides (1.3) of the body (1), so that both plates (4) are perfectly hidden and the aesthetics of the mirror are not altered.

[0046] According to another aspect, in this embodiment this mirror comprises indirect lighting formed by at least one LED lighting line located at the upper end (3.1) of the additional section (3).

Claims

CLAIMS 1- Bathroom mirror with lighting, comprising a laminar body (1) with a reflective front face (2.1), a back face (2.2), two sides (1.3) and two upper and lower ends (1.1, 1.2), characterized in that it comprises - an additional section (3) of mirror having two sides (3.3) and two upper and lower ends (3.1, 3.2), and is located adjacent to the upper end (1.1) of the body (1), with an equal width and a lower height than the body (1); - means of connecting the additional section (3) to the body (1) formed by two plates (4) fixed to the sides (1.3) of the body (1) positioned protruding from the upper end (1.1) of the body (1) and a connecting shaft (5) from the upper end (3.1) of the additional section (3) to the upper end of both plates (4), and; - adjustable lighting means comprising • a strip (6) of LED lighting fixed to the lower end (3.2) of the additional section (3); • a mechanism for rotating the additional section (3) around the connecting axis (5) that allows a rest position in which the additional section (3) is contained in the same plane as the body (1) and a folded position in which the additional section (3) is inclined with respect to the body (1) such that its lower end (3.2) is located in front of the front face (2.1) of the body (1), and; • means of activating the rotation mechanism to the folded position and returning to the rest position simultaneously with the switching on and off of the LED strip (6) respectively. 2- Mirror according to claim 1, wherein the activation means consist of a motor (7) connected to both transformers (8), a relay (9) connected to both transformers (8) and the LED lighting strip (6), and a switch (10) connected to the relay (9). 3- Mirror according to claim 1, wherein the rotating mechanism comprises a first wedge-shaped element (11) fixed to the rear face of the additional section (3) with the acute angle nearest to the upper end (1.1) of the body (1), and a second wedge-shaped element (12) fixed to the upper end of a vertical linear actuator (13) of the motor (7) with a horizontal face and the acute angle nearest to the dorsal face (2.2) of the body (1), such that the first and second elements (11, 12) are aligned about a vertical axis and the angle of the second element (12) is greater than that of the first element (11), such that in a retracted position of the actuator (13) there is no contact between the first and second elements (11, 12) and the additional section (3) is in the rest position, and in an extended position of the actuator (13) there is a push of the second element (12) on the first element (11) and the additional section (3). It is in the downed position. 4- Mirror according to any of the preceding claims, comprising means for locking the rest position formed by two or more metal plates (14) fixed to the dorsal face (2.2) of the body (1) projecting outwards from its upper end (1.1) and two or more handles (15) fixed to the dorsal face of the additional section (3) in a location such that in the rest position each of them is in contact with one of the plates (14). 5- Mirror according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means of connecting the additional section (3) to the body (1) comprise two or more additional plates (16) fixed to the dorsal face (2.2) of the body (1) positioned protruding from the upper end (1.1) of the body (1) and fixed to the upper end (3.1) of the additional section (3) by means of a hinged element (18). 6- Mirror according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the switch (10) is formed by a touch switch. 7- Mirror according to claim 6, wherein the switch (10) is located on the front face (2.1) of the body (1). 8- Mirror according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a light intensity regulating switch. 9- Mirror according to any of the preceding claims, comprising two coverings (17) on the sides of the mirror arranged on the plates (4) fixed on both sides (1.3) of the body (1). 10- Mirror according to any of the preceding claims, comprising indirect lighting formed by at least one LED lighting line located at the upper end (3.1) of the additional section (3).

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