Importance

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Abstract

When beside an obscuring obstruction such as a truck, sport utility vehicle, building, or vegetation beside a driveway, a vehicle operator cannot see if a person or vehicle is approaching from the side into the area about to be entered. Only after moving out partially into the traffic lane will an approaching person or vehicle become visible. This can result in damage and injury. The invention provides the driver of a land vehicle with a view of the roadway ahead and to the side of the vehicle and of the roadway behind and to the side of the vehicle that may not be visible from the driver's position. An electronic viewing element, or elements, of the invention extend beyond the front and/or the rear of the vehicle and view the roadway lateral to the vehicle. Because such apparatus is very vulnerable to damage, provisions are made to retract the element to a protected position within the contour of the vehicle when not in use, and to extend the apparatus to use position as required. The viewing element, or elements, of the invention may take the form of imaging devices. Images produced by the viewing elements are transmitted to display devices that are visible to the driver from the driving position. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the viewing element may be positioned at the forward or rear end of the vehicle contour without actually extending beyond that point. The element is less vulnerable and need not be retracted for protection.

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First Claim