WO1994008811A1

WO1994008811A1 - Expandable and adjustable sun visors

Info

Publication number: WO1994008811A1
Application number: PCT/AU1993/000532
Authority: WO
Inventors: Graeme Lewis Love
Original assignee: LOVE MARK WILLIAM
Current assignee: LOVE MARK WILLIAM
Priority date: 1992-10-20
Filing date: 1993-10-18
Publication date: 1994-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 1996-04-18

Abstract

The present invention provides greater control to a user over the shade protection offered by a car's existing sunvisor. The sunvisor can increase the area of shade protection by allowing the user to expand its length. This is accomplished by use of bendable light obscuring panels which can be extended from the sunvisor and provide simultaneous front, diagonal, and side shade protection, or by a telescoping sunvisor which has a variable length. The sunvisor is also designed to allow the user to laterally move the area of shade protection or a combination of two or more of the above methods. This is preferably accomplished using a motor to electronically move the sunvisor laterally.

Description

TITLE: EXPANDABLE AND ADJUSTABLE SUN VISORS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to sunvisors used in trucks and automobiles. More particularly, this invention relates to a sunvisor that has an adjustable shade region.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A common problem with the current sunvisors for trucks and automobiles (see Figure 1(a)) is that they cannot shade against light coming from certain directions. More specifically, they cannot block light entering an automobile windshield in the region of a central rear view mirror or to the extreme right or left of a windshield. Similarly, when the sun is entering either a driver's or passenger's side window, a standard sunvisor, when pivoted to the side, usually does not extend back far enough to block out the light from the driver's or passenger's eyes and generally leaves the area behind the windscreen/door pillar exposed. This is particularly relevant when driving on a winding road when the suns glare is alternately coming from the front, the side and the area in between.

One prior art device, currently in use and marketed through the J C Whitney Company (see Figure 1(b)), includes an aftermarket main panel 216 that attaches to an existing sunvisor 217 and has independent panels 218 and 219 that can be manually extended out from the left or right, and the bottom side. Unfortunately, it has to be manually operated which means that a driver must, at a time when all his attention is needed because of limited visibility due to sun glare, take one hand off the steering wheel and look up momentarily to extend the panels. Furthermore, while the extendable panels 218 and 219 do provide increased shade protection, they are not sufficient to protect against light approaching from the area behind the windshield/door pillar at approximately 45° to the direction of travel. Finally, the product is manufactured from a rigid, semi-transparent injection moulded plastic/perspex type of material that could splinter on impact causing injury to head or eyes. The result is that it would not pass current safety standards in most countries.

Another prior art device, currently offered in the Mercedes Benz S-class vehicles, is a standard type sunvisor 220 that can be manually positioned laterally once removed from a mounting clip 221 as shown in Figure 2. This sunvisor again has the problem of requiring a driver to divert his attention momentarily when adjusting the visor, does not protect against sunlight approaching from 45° as in the previous example, and can only be positioned laterally when removed from the mounting clip 221.

Some prior art methods currently in use provide a secondary sunvisor, independently mounted behind the normal sunvisor.

This secondary sunvisor can be pulled down when the primary sunvisor has been turned to the side. This does not however solve the problem of the primary sunvisor generally being too short to cover all of the required side window area, particularly for a taller driver having the seat well back, nor does it adjust to cover either the area behind the central rear vision mirror or the corner behind the windshield/door pillar area. Some vehicles, notably

Mercedes Benz also employ a small, secondary sunvisor behind the rear vision mirror, but similarly, it does not solve all of the problems mentioned above.

What is needed is a sunvisor that can be extended to provide simultaneous front, diagonal, and side shade protection. In other words, it is desirable to simultaneously protect against light entering from the front windshield area, the area where the front windshield meets a side window, and a side window. What is also needed is a sunvisor which can be either automatically adjusted using heat or light sensors, or electronically adjusted by a user without taking his hands off the steering wheel.

The present invention aims to provide greater control to a user over the shade protection offered by a car's existing sunvisor. A sunvisor can increase the area of shade protection by allowing the user to expand its length. This can be accomplished by use of bendable light obscuring panels which can be extended from the sunvisor and provide simultaneous front, diagonal, and side shade protection, or by a telescoping sunvisor which has a variable length. The sunvisor can also be designed to allow the user to laterally move the area of shade protection. This is preferably accomplished using a motor to electronically move the sunvisor laterally.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides:-

a sunvisor for attachment to an existing sunvisor, the existing sunvisor coupled to a vehicle, and having a first position and a second position, comprising

means for securing the sunvisor to an existing sunvisor; and

a pair of bendable light obscuring extensions coupled to the sunvisor which can be selectively extended from opposite ends of the sunvisor, both of the extensions capable of being bent by a user to forming a smooth arc, providing simultaneous front, diagonal and side shading. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 (a) is an elevational view of a conventional sunvisor,

Figure a (b) is an elevational view of a modified sunvisor.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of a sunvisor offered on a Mercedes Benz S-Class,

Figure 3 is a perspective view from one side of a first panel,

Figure 4 if a perspective view from the other side of the first panel.

Figure 5 is a cross-section on line III-III in Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a plan view of the first panel as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 when in the in use position such that a left side panel is extended and bends to remain flush against a side window.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the first panel as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 when in the in use position and rotated to shield a user from sunlight entering from a side window, such that a right side panel is extended and bends to remain flush with a windshield,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a first sunvisor.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a first sunvisor.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a second sunvisor,

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a second sunvisor. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a third sunvisor.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a third sunvisor,

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a fourth sunvisor.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth sunvisor.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a fifth sunvisor,

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a sixth sunvisor.

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of a sixth sunvisor,

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a seventh sunvisor.

Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh sunvisor.

Figure 21 is a plan view of a seventh sunvisor,

Figure 22 is an elevational view of an eighth sunvisor in one position on the left of a car.

Figure 23 is an elevational view of an eighth sunvisor in another position on the right of a car.

Figure 24 is an elevational view of a first modification of the eighth sunvisor which is electrically controlled,

Figure 25 is a fragmentary view of an alternate location for a motor shown in Figure 24,

Figure 26 is a fragmentary view of the means by which the motor as shown in Figures 24 and 25 moves the visor,

Figure 27 is an expanded fragmentary view of Figure 26, Figure 28 is an expanded fragmentary view of a variation of Figure 24 where a motor and mounting bracket are located in a ceiling/pillar,

Figure 29 is an overhead view of the two sunvisor embodiments shown in Figure 28 and Figure 30 as the sunvisor is rotated.

Figure 30 is a fragmentary view of a second modification of the eighth sunvisor which is electronically controlled.

Figure 31 is an expanded fragmentary view of a belt and drive shaft shown in Figure 30,

Figure 32 is a fragmentary view of a variation of Figure 31 which is also electrically controlled, and

Figure 33 is an elevational view of the sunvisor of Figure 28 for comparison with Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions of the different embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 3 - 5, a user can control the amount of shade protection by increasing the length of the sunvisor. The sunvisor is comprised of a hollow panel 2 and two bendable light obscuring panels 6 and 7 which can manually be extended laterally out from the hollow panel 2. Tabs 23 and 24 help a user to grasp the panels 6 and 7 upon extension. The hollow panel 2 can be attached to a vehicle's existing sunvisor by means of two double sided adhesive strips 31 and 32. Figure 6 shows an overhead view of a sunvisor 211 with the hollow panel 2 (as described in Figures 3 - 5) in use by a driver 215 against a front windshield 205 with the bendable light obscuring panel 6 extended across a side window 210, forming a smooth arc 206. Thus the driver 215 is protected from a sun glare 213. Figure 7 shows the hollow panel 2 in use by the driver 215 against the side window 210 with the bendable light obscuring panel 7 extended across a front windshield 205 in a bend 208. Again the driver 215 is protected from the sun glare 213. The friction between the bendable panels 6 and 7 and the hollow panel 2 prevents tension in the bendable panels 6 and 7 from forcing the bendable panels 6 and 7 back into the hollow panel 2.

In an alternate embodiment, referring to Figures 8 and 9, a panel 42 which is similar in construction to current sunvisors, has a first aperture 134 and a second aperture 135. A rod 43 is inserted through the aperture 134 at a first end and rotatably coupled to a mounting bracket 46 at a second end. A panel 41 has an extension member 45 for being slidably inserted into the aperture 135 thereby allowing the sunvisor to be laterally lengthened by a user.

In an alternate embodiment, referring to Figures 10 and 11, a panel 139 which is similar in construction to current sunvisors, has a first aperture 160 and a second aperture 161. A rod 141 is inserted through the aperture 160 at a first end and rotatably coupled to a mounting bracket 136 at a second end. A panel 140 has an extension member 138 that is slidably coupled to the panel 139 through the aperture 161 thereby allowing the sunvisor to be laterally lengthened by a user. An accordion sheathing 59 is attached at a first end to the panel 139 and at a second end to the panel 140 such that when the two panels 139 and 140 are positioned laterally, the sheathing 59 will continue to cover the extension member 138.

In an alternate embodiment, referring to Figures 12 and 13, a panel 52, which is similar in construction to current sunvisors, has an aperture 162. A hollow rod 144 is inserted into the aperture 162 at a first end and rotatably coupled to a mounting bracket 142 at a second end. A panel 51 has an aperture 205 for accepting a rod 53 and an aperture 163 for slidably accepting the panel 52. The panel 52 slidably inserts into the aperture 163 of the panel 51 and the hollow rod 144 receives the rod 53 such that the length of the sunvisor is increased or decreased as the two panels 51 and 52 are positioned laterally.

In an alternate embodiment, referred to in Figures 14 and 15, a panel 62 which is similar in construction to current sunvisors, has an aperture 164 and an aperture 165 which is exposed on the side of the panel 62 which faces a user when the sunvisor is in an in use position. A rod 168 is inserted into the aperture 164 at a first end and rotatably coupled to a mounting bracket 146 at a second end. The panel 145 has an extension member 67 which is slidably inserted into the aperture 165 such that the length of the sunvisor is increased or decreased as the two panels 62 and 145 are positioned laterally.

The alternate embodiment, referring to Figure 16 is similar to that shown in Figures 8 and 9. The difference is that a panel 72 has a thin walled sleeve 77 and a panel 75 is received in the sleeve 77 such that when an edge 78 meets the sleeve 77, only a thin line is visible. This is in contrast to the embodiment in Figures 8 and 9 where the two panels 41 and 42 butt up against each other exposing a more pronounced seam.

In an alternate embodiment, referring to Figures 17 and 18, a panel 82 which is similar in construction to current sunvisors, has an aperture 179. A rod 169 is inserted into the aperture 170 at a first end, and rotatably coupled to a mounting bracket 151 at a second end. A panel 81 has opposing channels 89 and 171 joined by a web 90 such that the panel 81 is able to slidably accept the panel 82

SUBSTITUTE SHEET allowing a user to increase the length of the sunvisor by sliding the two panels 81 and 82 together or apart. In addition, the panel 82 has a vanity mirror 85, a light 87, and a light switch 88.

In an alternate embodiment, referring to Figures 19 - 21, a first panel 92 which is similar in construction to current sunvisors, has an aperture 171. A rod 172 is inserted into the aperture 171 at a first end, and rotatably coupled to a mounting bracket 155 at a second end. A second panel 91 is hinged to the first panel 92 at a vertical end such that when the panel 91 is rotated away from the first panel 92, the area of shade protection is increased. In addition, the panel 92 has a vanity mirror 92, a light 159 and a light switch 89.

Referring to Figure 22, the sunvisor is comprised of a panel 128 which is similar in construction to current sunvisors and a tab 127 which is shorter in length than the panel 128, attached to the top of the panel 128. The tab

127 has an aperture 132 which runs horizontally through the tab, and a rod 25 which is rotatably coupled to the ceiling of the vehicle at a first end 64, passes through the aperture 132, and is removably clasped to a mounting bracket 63 at a second end. The panel 128 can be positioned laterally along the rod 25 in the direction of arrows 105 and 106 by a user regardless of whether the rod 25 is clasped to the mounting bracket 63 or not. The panel

128 can be unclasped from the mounting bracket 63 and rotated around the first end 64 to allow the user to block sunlight coming through a side window. In addition, a flexible panel A is received inside the panel 128 and may be extended to the left and curved about a side window. A similar flexible panel may be provided at the end B if desired.

Figure 23 reveals a drivers side version (for a right hand drive vehicle) of the sunvisor described in Figure 22. The drivers side version is comprised of a first panel 130 also similar in construction to current sunvisors and a tab 131 which is shorter in length than the panel 130, attached to the top of the panel 130. The tab 131 has an aperture 133 which runs horizontally through the tab, and a rod 129 which is rotatably coupled to the ceiling of the vehicle at a first end 65, passes through the aperture 133 of the tab, and is removably clasped to a mounting bracket 66 at a second end. The panel 130 can be positioned laterally along the rod 129 in the direction of arrow 107 and 108 by a user regardless of whether or not the rod 129 is clasped to the mounting bracket 66. The panel 130 can be unclasped from the mounting bracket 66 and rotated around the first end 65 to allow the user to block sunlight coming through a side window. Similarly as in Figure 22, a flexible panel A may be extended to the right and curved about a side window. A similar flexible panel may be provided at the end B is desired.

In an alternate embodiment, referring to Figure 24, the sunvisor is moved laterally by means of a selectively reversible motor 174. The sunvisor has a similar first panel 178 and a tab 183 as did the previous preferred embodiment. Instead of a solid rod passing through the aperture however, this embodiment contains a hollow rod 177, containing a threaded rod 175, with a slot along the length of the hollow rod 177 from a point 179 to a point 180. A threaded nut 181 is located within the rod 177 and is mounted to be rotated by the rod 175 but is constrained against doing so by a peg 182 which extends through the slot. On the exterior of the rod 177 is a nylon block 176 into which the peg 182 protrudes. A selectively reversible motor 174 is mounted to the rod 177 in order to drive the rod 175.

On rotation of the motor 174, the rod 175 rotates, the nut 181 is constrained against rotation by the peg 182 and in consequence the block 176 will be driven laterally along the rod 177. The block 176 is fixed within the tab 183 such that when the block is driven laterally, the first panel will also be driven laterally. This can be achieved without "unclipping" the sunvisor from its mounting clip 177A. Similarly as in Figure 22, a flexible panel may be extended to the left and curved about a side window.

Figure 25 is a similar configuration to Figure 24 with the only difference being that the motor 222 is located closer along the tube 184 to the panel 223. Figures 26 and 27 are fragmentary views of the mechanics involved in moving the panel 223 laterally along the rod 184 and are identical to the mechanics displayed in Figure 24.

Figure 28 shows another configuration similar to Figure 24, however a mounting bracket 192 and a motor 193 are both located within the roof cavity providing a more aesthetic appearance. Figure 29 shows the rotation (Z) of the motor 193 shown in Figure 28 and the clearance (Y) needed for it to rotate freely.

In an alternate embodiment, referring to Figure 30, the sunvisor is again moved laterally by a selectively reversible motor 195. The sunvisor has a first panel 224 similar to existing vehicle sunvisors with an aperture 225 located along the top edge. A hollow rod 196 extends through the aperture 225 at a first end and into the roof cavity at a second end. The motor 195 is coupled to the roof by a mounting bracket 200 such that it is perpendicular to the rod 196. A flattened nylon belt 199, serrated on one side, and located within the rod 196, meshes with a star shaped drive shaft 194 of the motor 195 as shown in Figure 31. As the motor rotates the drive shaft, the belt 199 is pulled into or out of the roof cavity. A block 198 rests on the outside of the rod 196, and is attached both to the first panel and to the belt 199 by a peg 197, such that when the belt 199 is moved laterally, the first panel 224 is also moved laterally. Figure 29 shows the rotation of the motor 195, shown in Figure 30, and the clearance needed for it to rotate freely.

In an alternate embodiment, referring to Figure 32, the sunvisor is similar to that referred to in Figure 30 except that the motor 201 is merely oriented at a different angle with respect to a panel 230.

An alternative embodiment having flexible panels A and B is shown in Figure 33.

In an alternate embodiment a light or heat sensor could be used to electronically control the lateral placement of the movable sunvisor illustrated in Figures 24 - 33.

In an alternate embodiment a selectively reversible motor could be used to electronically lower the sunvisor to an in use position and raise it to an out of use position.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, emergency phone numbers could be located on the sunvisor.

The claims and drawings form part of the disclosure of this specification.

Finally it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements or parts without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

1. A sunvisor for attachment to an existing sunvisor, the existing sunvisor coupled to a vehicle, and having a first position and a second position, comprising

means for securing the sunvisor to an existing sunvisor; and

a pair of bendable light obscuring extensions coupled to the sunvisor which can be selectively extended from opposite ends of the sunvisor, both of the extensions capable of being bent by a user to forming a smooth arc, providing simultaneous front, diagonal and side shading.

2. The sunvisor as recited in Claim 1, wherein the existing sunvisor is in a first position when it is pulled down and in use and the existing sunvisor is in a second position when it is pushed up and out of use.

3. The sunvisor as recited in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the sunvisor is generally rectangular, having a top long side, a bottom long side, and two opposing short sides.

4. The sunvisor as recited in Claim 4, wherein the pair of bendable light obscuring extensions are extended from the two opposing short sides of the sunvisor.

5. The sunvisor as recited in any preceding Claim, wherein the means for securing is comprised of a plurality of adhesive strips coupled to the sunvisor, each adhesive strip having adhesive on both sides for attachment to the sunvisor and the existing sunvisor.

6. A sunvisor for a vehicle comprising: (a) a rod rotatably coupled to the vehicle;

(b) a generally rectangular light obscuring first panel, having a top long side, a bottom long side, and two opposing short sides, the panel having a first aperture parallel to and near an edge of the top long side for accepting the rod, thereby enabling the panel to be pivoted to an in use position from an out of use position for shading against sunlight, and

(c) a means for expanding the panel.

7. The sunvisor as recited in Claim 6, comprising:

(a) a generally rectangular first piece which has a generally rectangular second aperture exposed on a short end and extending into an interior of the first piece, parallel to a long end; and

(b) a generally rectangular second piece having a generally rectangular protrusion, the second piece slidably coupled to the first piece for sliding into and out of the second aperture of the first piece, to be slidably accepted by the first piece.

8. The sunvisor as recited in Claim 5 or Claim 6, comprising a generally rectangular first piece which has a generally rectangular second aperture exposed on a short end and extending to an interior of the first piece, parallel to a long end, and a generally rectangular second piece, approximately the same size as the second aperture of the first piece, to be slidably accepted by the first piece, allowing the shade area to expand.

9. The sunvisor as recited in Claim 7 or Claim 8, comprising an accordion pleated tubular sheathing which attaches on a first end to a side of the generally rectangular first piece, and on a second end to a side of the generally rectangular second piece such that when the user extends the second piece from the first piece, the sheathing will stretch thereby keeping the protrusion of the second generally rectangular piece covered as it slides out of the first aperture of the generally rectangular first piece.

10. The sunvisor as recited in Claim 6, comprising:

(a) a generally rectangular first piece which has a generally rectangular second aperture exposed on a short end and extending into an interior of the first piece, parallel to a long end and exposed on a side facing an occupant when the sunvisor is in the in use position, whereby a recessed groove is formed by the aperture; and

(b) a generally rectangular second piece having a generally rectangular protrusion, the second piece to be slidably accepted by the first piece.

11. The sunvisor recited in Claim 6, comprising a light obscuring second panel, rotatably coupled to the first panel parallel to a short side such that when the second panel is in the in use position, the smaller panel can rotate away from the first panel and provide a larger shade area.

12. A sunvisor for a vehicle comprising;

(a) a rod rotatably coupled to the vehicle; (b) a light obscuring panel having an opposite pair of long sides and further comprising a tab attached to one of the long sides wherein the tab is shorter than the long sides, having an aperture that is parallel to the long sides for rotatably accepting the rod, thereby laterally positioning the panel.

13. The sunvisor as recited in Claim 12, wherein the sunvisor is generally rectangular in shape, having two opposing long sides and two opposing short sides.

14. A sunvisor for a vehicle comprising:

(a) a light obscuring panel, which is generally rectangular in shape, having a top long side, a bottom long side, and two opposing short sides, whereby the long sides are horizontal, and further including an aperture that is parallel to and near the edge of a long side, that is rotatably coupled to the vehicle; and

(b) a means for moving the panel laterally.

15. The sunvisor recited in Claim 14 comprising;

(a) a tube inserted through the aperture at a first end and to a reversible motor at a second end, which has a slot along the middle portion of its length, and is rotatably coupled to the vehicle; and

(b) a threaded rod within the tube which is rotated by the motor; and

(c) a threaded nut mounted to be rotated by the rod; and (d) a peg which extends through the slot on a first end, constraining the nut, and into a block on a second end which exists on the outside of the tube and is attached to the panel, such that on rotation of the motor, the rod rotates, the nut is constrained against rotation by the peg whereby the block will laterally move the panel.

16. The sunvisor recited in Claim 15, wherein the motor B and mounting bracket X are located outside of the vehicle's cabin.

17. The sunvisor recited in Claim 15, comprising:

(a) a slotted tube inserted through the aperture at a first end and into the vehicle at a second end such that the sunshade can rotate;

(b) a chain inside the tube attached at a first end to the panel through the slot and meshed with a reversibly motorised gear on a second end such that the panel is moved laterally as the chain is pulled into or pushed out of the ceiling.

18. The sunvisor recited in Claim 15 comprising:

(b) a flat serrated belt inside the tube attached at a first end to the panel through the slot and meshed with a reversibly motorised gear on a second end such that the panel is moved laterally as the belt is pulled into or pushed out of the ceiling.

19. A sunvisor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 3 - 33 of the accompanying drawings.

20. The steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in the specification and/or claims of this application^ individually or collectively, and any and all combinations or any two or more of said steps or features.