FR2617444A1 - Device making it possible to support in front of a vehicle windscreen interchangeable and superimposable ocular filters which can be raised and folded down, filters used and their storage case - Google Patents

Abstract

The support device comprises a spindle 3 of circular cross-section which carries at least one elastic clamp in which a filter 5 will be held by inserting one edge of the filter into the clamp, as well as means 1, 2 for connecting the spindle to a point on the vehicle such that the filter can be folded down in front of the windscreen of the vehicle, either by rotating the spindle in the said connection means, or by rotating about the spindle the said elastic clamp for holding the filter. Two elastic connection clamps may also be connected to two support pieces, fixed to the ceiling of the vehicle or to the top of the windscreen. Sun, anti-fog and anti-dazzle filters 5 are provided, as well as a storage case fixed to the ceiling or to a lateral wall of the vehicle.

Description

 At present, visual protection and improvement, which are essential safety factors in the various means of transport, are ensured only by means of opaque sun visors, of colored and glued <so irremovable> plastic film strips, of windscreens. tinted (insufficient in extreme cases, strong sun or fog) and glasses or goggles equipped with specific eye filters (for sun, fog, night driving).

 The present invention relates to a device for the quick and easy installation in front of a vehicle windshield of ocular filters for visual protection and improvement (in case of sun, fog, night driving), these filters being liftable and foldable at will.

 This device is characterized in that it comprises a circular section axis, which carries at least one resilient clamp in which a filter will be maintained by inserting an edge of the filter into the clamp, as well as connecting means of the the vehicle axis at a location such that the filter is foldable in front of the windshield of the vehicle, or by a rotation of the axis in said connecting means, or by a rotation about the axis of said elastic clamp keeping in the filter.

 The axis can therefore be rotatably mounted in said connecting means, in which case the elastic holding clip or the filter may be integral with the axis. The axis may also not be provided rotatably in the connecting means, in which case the elastic holding clip (s) of the filter are each integral with a rotatably mounted piece on the axis, such as an auxiliary elastic form of clip general cylindrical.

 Said connecting means may be at least one elastic mounting clip for gripping the rear edge of the vehicle sun visor and at least one elastic binding clip placed under the rear edge of the mounting clip and secured to this edge, this connecting clamp, wherein said axis is intended to be rotatably mounted, having a generally cylindrical shape. The connecting clamp may be replaced by any connecting piece when the axis is not provided rotating.

 Said means can also be two support pieces fixed to the ceiling of the vehicle above the windshield, one on the side of the door and the other close to the vehicle's internal rearview mirror, and two elastic binding clips of shape cylindrical general ~ in which said axis is intended to be rotatably mounted, one of the clamps being suspended from the support piece located on the side of the door by means of a vertical axis to which it is 'iée' and which is likely to turn in this support part by driving the clamp, while the other clamp is secured to the other support part. If the axis is not rotative, the hanging clamp can be replaced by any piece suspended and fixed on the axis.

 Said means may also be two support pieces stuck in the upper region of the windshield, one on the side of the door and the other close to the vehicle's internal rearview mirror, each of these parts comprising an elastic linkage clamp of cylindrical general shape, wherein said axis is intended to be rotatably mounted. One of the clamps can be replaced by a bearing of generally cylindrical shape formed in the support piece. Bonding can be replaced by suction cups mounted on the two support pieces. If the axis is not rotatably provided, it can be secured to both piecesupports.

 Said rotary shaft may be smooth or grooved longitudinally and the elastic connecting clamps may be smooth, or grooved internally longitudinally, or provided on their inner face with spring balls.

 The invention also relates to eye filters specially adapted to equip the windshield of a vehicle and a storage case for the filters used.

Particular embodiments of the objects of the invention are described in more detail below, by way of purely indicative examples and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawing in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of the support device.

 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a variant of the connecting clamp.

 Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the part formed by the assembly of the rotary shaft and the filter retaining clip.

 Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an eye filter.

 Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an eye filter variant.

 Figure 6 is a partial front elevational view of the same first embodiment of the support device, this device being viewed from outside the vehicle.

 Figure 7 is a front elevational view of a variant of the support device.

 Figure 8 is a partial front elevational view of another variant of the support device.

 The figure &commat; 9 is a profile elevation view of this variant.

 FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a variant of an end support of the support device shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

 Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of an auxiliary member of the support device.

 Figures 12 and 13 are front elevational views of eye filters for mounting on the present support device.

 Figure 14 is a sectional view of a storage case for eye filters.

 All the clamps involved in the devices according to the invention are elastic grippers, which will be hereinafter simply pliers by abbreviation.

A.- Device 8 Mount on an existing sun visor Figure 1 to 6)
delivered on loan - & assemble (kit) 3.

 A mounting clip 1 encloses the sun visor g existing on its edge constituting its horizontal axis of rotation, by pressing its two legs Ç (Figure 1). At least one connecting clamp 2, integral with the clamp 1 and whose branches have a section in an arc, clamps by pressing its two legs L a smooth or splined shaft 3. The shaft 3 carries a clamp 4 which maintains by pressing its two legs ~ an eye filter 5, easily interchangeable depending on the weather and visibility (sun, fog, night).

There are three possibilities for the connecting clamp 2 and the axis 3 (FIGS. 1 to 3), all of which allow the filter to be oriented according to the user's wishes:
a) The tabs b of the clamp 2 are smooth and exert sufficient pressure on the axis 3 to maintain it in the position chosen for the eye filter 5; the axis 3 can then be smooth or grooved longitudi-nally.

 b) The legs L of the clamp 2 are smooth and balls with spring x distributed over the length of the clamp (for example five balls) allow the axis 3, which is then grooved, to have a defined position, by example every five, ten, fifteen or twenty degrees, depending on the number of grooves around the axis 3.

 c> The tabs b of the clamp 2 are grooved longitudinally so that they allow the splined shaft 3, under their pressure, to have a defined position, for example every five, ten, fifteen or twenty degrees, as a function of the number of grooves on the periphery of the axis 3.

 The tabs c of the clip 4 have two projections i penetrating into two longitudinal grooves ~ formed vis-à-vis the two faces of the eye filter 5 <Figure 4) and near the upper edge thereof, to grip and retain the filter.

This double groove e1 can extend over all or part (Figure 6) of the eye filter 5 (for example over 40mm) and it can be at the limit a slot e2 (Figure 5), according to the thickness of the eye filter. It allows to adjust in horizontal direction the position of the filter by translation. Additional and superimposed grooves or slots may be provided to allow a finer adjustment in height of the eye filter 5 depending on the size of the person sitting in front of the filter.

 The clamps 1,2,4 may be single or multiple (in FIGS. 6a, there is a clamp 1 for mounting on the lens hood, two clamps 2 for connection to the splined shaft 3 and two clamps 4 supporting the filter) . All clamps can have different lengths and widths. The slot eo or the double groove el can be unique for all the clamps 4, or there is one for each clamp 4.

 The part formed by the clamps 1 and 2 which are integral and that formed by the axis 3 and the clamps 4 which are integral can be made by injection molding, a synthetic material having a certain elasticity, such as, for example , a polyamide or an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (abbreviated as ABS).

They can also be made of metal.

 The dimensions of the device can be modified according to the sunshield g, specific needs, industrial and safety standards and those of various vehicle manufacturers.

 The device does not prevent the side use of the hood on which it can be permanently installed, just as it can be removed.

B.- Device replacing the sun visor (Figure 7)
<delivered mounted on the vehicle by the manufacturer>
A shaft 3, smooth or fluted, allowing a gradual or gradual rotation, is rotatably mounted in two grippers.
link 2, which, as before, can be smooth, or
internally grooved to cooperate with
splines of the axis 3, or internally provided with balls with
spring. A connecting clamp 2 is suspended, by an axis
8 to which it is connected, to a support part 7 fixed in
17 the ceiling of the vehicle above the windshield, on the side of the
the door. The other binding clip 2 is integral with a
another support piece 6 fixed at 22 to the ceiling of the vehicle at
above the windshield near the internal rearview mirror.

At least one clamp 4 for holding a filter 5 (the
elements 4 and 5 having the structure previously described) is
integral with the axis 3.

The remarks made in the case of device A
relative to clamps, filters, grooves, axis
apply identically to Device B, as well as those
concerning the possibilities of modifying the dimensions of the
device.

This one completely replaces the sun visor with the
same possibilities of rotation in the horizontal direction and in
the vertical direction.

C.- Device glues or applies by ventousessur the pare
vehicle breeze (Figures 8.9 and 10).

(delivered mounted on the vehicle, or in ready-to-assemble)
An axis 3, smooth or fluted as above and bearing
less a clamp 4 not shown for maintaining a filter, is
rotatably mounted at its ends in two supports 13 and 14, which
are stuck on the windshield 10, just below the line
11 separating it from the ceiling 12 of the vehicle, one being
placed on the side of the door and the other near the
internal rearview mirror. At least one of the supports 13 and 14
has a lixison clip9 of generally cylindrical shape
(Figure 10), smooth, or grooved internally, or provided with spring balls on its inner face. The other support <13
for example, FIGS. 8 and 9) can have a level of shape
cylindrical in which is placed an end of the axis 3,
whose other end is inserted into the clamp 9.

Rather than being glued, the supports 13 and 14 can
be equipped with a suction cup and appropriate means for applying the suction cup on the windshield. When glued, they must be made of a synthetic material or metal that can be glued to glass.

 This device allows the lateral use of the sun visor, if it is retained, when the eye filter is lowered.

 The devices A, B and C may be equipped with at least two ocular filters 5 of different types, stackable and foldable, if sufficient space is provided between the axis 3 and the first filter 5, as shown in Figures 6 and 7 Indeed, it is then possible to place on the axis 3 at least one auxiliary clamp 15 of cylindrical general shape, smooth, or internally grooved or provided with balls with spring, and having a clamp 16 (identical to the clamp 4). maintaining an additional filter 5 <Figure 11). The second filter is thus rotatably mounted on the axis 3, which itself is rotatable. With two appropriate filters, the device according to the invention then satisfies both the daytime and the nighttime driving without changing filters, but several Additional filters 5 can likewise be mounted on the axis 3.

 The gripper 16 is advantageously in an eccentric position under the auxiliary gripper 15 as seen in FIG. 11, and two such double grippers 15-16 can be placed one on one side of the axis 3 and the other on the other side, which leaves between the filters an interval which ensures their parallel superposition between them.

 The double tongs 15-16 are also used to mount filters 5 on a non-rotating shaft 3. In this case, one of the double grippers comprises a gripper 16 which is in a position centered under the auxiliary gripper 15, while the other double grippers, generally two in number, comprise a gripper 16 which is in an eccentric position for the reason given above.

D.- Eye filters
They are afocal and of one piece of variable dimensions according to the importance of the windshield of the vehicle, for example, 400mmx240mm.

 They can be made of tempered or laminated mineral glass, in "CR 39" (copolymer which is a polydiethylene glycol diallylbiscarbonate>, polycarbonate, glassplastic composite material such as that of the "CS" type of ESSILOR <France>, polarized material of type "POLAROID" and all synthetic materials ensuring a perfect optical quality, they can be flat or arched and of varying thickness (from 0.5 to 3mm according to the safety standards imposed for eye filters).

They can receive all treatments and colorings such as anti-reflective (single or multilayer), anti-fog, fog, polarization, photochromism (variable hue depending on the luminous intensity), anti-scratch, tints A,
AB, B, C, D, united, degraded or biodegraded, and all possible treatments and stains on synthetic materials for different eye disorders (cataract, retinitis pigmentosa, etc.),
They are pre-cut, grooved or split at e, rounded at the corners, with possibly at the edges of the lining 18 of transparent flexible plastic.

The filters used with the present support device may, as regards their hue, be of all the usual colors of the eye filters. However, a preferred basic equipment of eye filters 5 is as follows for carrier devices A, B and C
a> Filter 19 <Figure 12): a solar tint with an upper range of shade D which is very dark and solid, then an underlying place degraded in shades successively C, B,
AB.

 (b) Filter with a yellow anti-fog color and for night driving.

 c) Filter 20 (FIG. 13): an anti-spotlight shade with a degraded upper range of C <brown, for example) bounded by a specific line 21 (having a horizontal part extended by an oblique part inclined downwards and towards the left in the case of driving on the left) separating it from a lower range of yellow tint, or transparent if this filter is associated with a filter b).

 For the variant with two superimposed ocular filters (in the case of the use of an auxiliary clamp 15), the first ocular filter 5 to be folded down is the filter 20 of the night, anti-headlight and anti-fog pipe (with yellow color of the lower range) with specific line 21, and the second eye filter 5, folding on the first, is a filter 19 having a hue such that the two superimposed filters constitute a sunscreen.

 By employing two auxiliary clamps 15 engaged on the axis 3 with their openings in opposition, and using the filter 20 with a lower transparent range, sandwiched between a yellow anti-fog filter (to fold the first) and a shade filter 19 solar, it protects the fog by folding only the yellow filter, it protects for night driving by folding on the yellow filter filter 20 with transparent lower range, and we protect the sun by folding on the first two filters the solar filter 19.

E.- The cases
The case 23 for storing the filters may be rigid, of synthetic material, with compartments for the staggered housing, for example two, three or four ocular filters 5, arranged either longitudinally or transversely, opening the door. the case being on its small or on its long side>, according to the mode of fixing chosen for the case <on the ceiling or on the lateral walls of the vehicle, for example by an adhesive system).

 The ocular filters will advantageously project from 15 to 20 mm on the case, so that it is easier to grasp them.

 The case can also be a leather pouch, soft plastic or fabric, with zipper and several flexible separations dividing it into storage compartments.

 The adaptation of the devices A, B, and C is therefore easily achievable, either by a clamp 1 on any sun visor> without altering the function thereof, or by supports 6,7 or 13,14 which are fixed either in place of the sun visor g or on the windshield 10.

 All variants of the present support device allow the fast and easy raising and lowering of the eye filter 5 and its locking in the optimal position chosen by friction, notching or ball bearing, the easy interchangeability of the filter retained simply by the pressure protrusions 8 of the clamp 4, fine adjustment of the position of the eye filter 5 in the lateral direction by the slots t and in height by the superposed slots t.

 A variant makes it possible, by complementary colors, to have an anti-fog and anti-fog lens filter and, by lowering a second filter, a sunscreen, on the same support device, which further simplifies handling. . This variant can be improved by being performed with three filters, as seen above.

 By not modifying the habits created by the hood, but providing visual protection and improvement, the present invention gives the user of a vehicle increased security.

 Changes in the detail of the field of technical equivalents may be made to the devices described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (19)

RRVENDICATTDES  1.- Device for supporting in front of a vehicle windshield interchangeable and stackable ocular filters, liftable and foldable, characterized in that it comprises an axis (3) of circular section, which carries at least one resilient clamp (4> in which will be maintained a filter (5) by inserting an edge of the filter in the clamp, and means for connecting the axis to the vehicle at a location such that the filter is foldable in front of the windshield of the vehicle, either by a rotation of the axis in said connecting means, or by a rotation about the axis of said resilient clamp holding the filter.  2.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis (3) is rotatably mounted in said connecting means, in which case the elastic clamps (4) for holding the filter (5) are integral with the axis.  3.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis (3> is not provided rotatably in the connecting means, in which case the elastic clamps (10> for holding the filter (5) are integral each of a rotatably mounted piece on the axis, such as an auxiliary elastic clip (15) of generally cylindrical shape.  4.- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said means are at least one elastic mounting clamp (1) for gripping the rear edge of the sun visor (p) of the vehicle and at least one elastic link clamp ( 2> placed under the rear edge of the mounting clamp (1) and integral with this edge, this connecting clamp, wherein said axis (3) is intended to be rotatably mounted, having a generally cylindrical shape.  5.- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said means are two parts-supports (6,7> fixed to the ceiling of the vehicle above the windshield, one (7> on the side of the door and the other (6> near the internal rearview mirror of the vehicle, and two elastic connecting clips <2) of cylindrical general shape in which said axis <3) is intended to be rotatably mounted, one of the clamps (2> being suspended on the door side <7> located on the door side by means of a vertical axis <8) to which it is connected and which is rotatable in this support member by driving the clamp, while the other clamp <2> is secured to the other support piece <6).  6.- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said means are two parts-supports <13,14) glued in the upper region of the windshield (10), one on the side of the door and the other close to the internal rearview mirror of the vehicle, each of these parts comprising a resilient connecting clamp <9) of generally cylindrical shape, wherein said axis (3) is intended to be rotatably mounted.  7.- Device according to claim 6, characterized in that one of the connecting clamps (9> is replaced by a bearing of generally cylindrical shape formed in the support part (13) and capable of receiving the axis (3).  8.- Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the gluing of the parts-supports, is replaced by suction cups mounted on the two parts-supports (13,14> and intended to be applied on the windshield ( 10) in the upper region of it.  9.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the axis (3) is smooth or grooved longitudinally, and in that the elastic connecting clips are smooth or grooved internally longitudinally or provided on their internal face of balls with spring forming a ball bearing.  10.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the resilient clamp (4) for holding the filter internally comprises two projections (d) intended to penetrate into two grooves (el) vis-à- screw or slot (in> filter <5), grooves or slots having a length allowing adjustment of the position of the filter in the horizontal direction.  11.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the filter (5> it supports has grooves (e7) or slots (e2) superimposed for a height adjustment of the filter.  12.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one auxiliary elastic clip <15) of generally cylindrical shape, smooth or internally grooved longitudinally or internally provided with balls with spring and comprising an elastic gripper <16) for holding a filter (5), the auxiliary gripper (15) being intended to be placed on said axis <3), on which it can turn by driving the filter which it carries, and the elastic clamp <16) for holding a filter (5) in a centered or eccentric position under the auxiliary elastic clamp (15).  13. Eye filter for vehicle windshield, intended to be supported by a device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is a degraded solar eye filter (19), comprising a higher range a very dark solid D and a degraded underlying range successively presenting shades C, B, AB.  14.- Eye filter for vehicle windshield, intended to be supported by a device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is a fog-type ocular filter yellow tint.  15.- eye filter for a vehicle windshield, intended to be supported by a device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that this tool is an ocular anti-headlight filter (20>, ccmprenant an upper range of gradient color C, limited by a specific line <21) separating it from a lower range of yellow or transparent tint.  16. A pair of ocular filters <5) intended to be supported by a device according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a first filter (20) according to claim 15, for driving at night, anti-lighthouse and anti-fog, with lower yellow pad, and a second filter (19) according to claim 13, folding on the previous and having a hue such that the two superimposed filters constitute a sunscreen.  17. Combination of three ocular filters <5) intended to be supported by a device according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a filter (20) according to claim 15, with a transparent lower range, sandwiched between a yellow fog filter according to claim 14, foldable first in front of the windshield, and a sun shade filter <19> according to claim 13, foldable last.  18. An eye filter according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that it has, near its upper edge, at least one pair of grooves (ei) longitudinal vis-à-vis on both sides or at least one slot (e> longitudinal, cooperating with the internal projections Cd> of at least one resilient clamp <4) or (16> for holding a filter (5), several pairs of grooves or more slots that can be superimposed in the upper region of the filter.  19.- Storage bag for the eye filters (5> to be mounted on the support device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is a rigid case <23) comprising lockers for the staggered housing of the filters (5), the opening of the bins being alternately on one side and the opposite side of the holster and the depth of the bins being such that the filters overflow these to be easy to grasp, this holster intended to be fixed to the ceiling or to a side wall of the vehicle.