GB2194497A

GB2194497A - Anti-dazzle shield

Info

Publication number: GB2194497A
Application number: GB08719034A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Orr; Robert Ronald Orr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-08-13
Filing date: 1987-08-12
Publication date: 1988-03-09
Also published as: GB8719034D0; GB8619721D0

Abstract

An anti-dazzle shield comprises a tinted screen 10 of a length comparable with a vehicle visor 12 which is frictionally hinged at its upper edge. Means are provided comprising for example corner clamps 20, for frictionally hingedly mounting the upper edge of the screen 10 to the lower edge of the visor 12. The skeleton of the visor may be provided with special regions (27, Figs. 12, 14, 17 & 18) for attachment of a screen by suitable clamps (Fig. 13) instead of the corner clamps. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Anti-dazzle shield This invention relates to an anti-dazzle shield that can be used with a motor driven vehicle's sun visors with safety being the predominant factor.

It is a well known fact that motorists driving suddenly into the bright dazzling glare of a low setting sun and reflections of same from smooth shining surfaces can become completely disorientated, the road and traffic ahead disappears in a ball of intense dazzling light causing great confusion sometimes ending with disastrous results. The sun's reflections from wet roads and snow also take their toll. Sun glasses can be of some benefit is one is wearing the proper type at that particular moment.

The object of the invention is to provide an anti-dazzle shield which can be brought into use in an instant when required.

According to the invention there is provided an anti-dazzle shield comprising a tinted screen of a length comparable with a vehicle visor which is frictionally hinged at its upper edge, and means for frictionally hingedly mounting the upper edge of the screen to the lower edge of the visor.

Ideally, the screen is flexible and unbreakable so that, when in use, the screen would act as a protection for the driver and front seat passenger against facial lacerations from a shattered windscreen.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows the anti-dazzle shield incorporated with a vehicle's existing visor in a fully lowered operational position; Fig. 2 shows the same as Fig. 1 except that the visor has a frictional slewing hinge bracket and a releasable retaining bracket; Fig. 3 shows the same as Fig. 2 except that the releasable retaining bracket is omitted; Figs. 4 and 5 show in perspective one of the mounting clamps for the shield in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, together with its safety strap; Fig. 6 shows some hold positions available with the cranked frictional double hinges shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 between the visor and the shield; Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show the same as Figs. 1, 2 and 3 respectively except that the hinges are cranked frictional single hinges;; Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the arrangement in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 but with the visor and shield in the storage position; Fig. 11 shows the same as Fig. 10 but with the shield in a number of holding positions; Fig. 12 shows the skeleton of a visor adapted for direct fitting of an anti-dazzle shield; Fig. 13 shows a hinge for use with the visor skeleton in Fig. 12; Fig. 14 shows a modification of the visor skeleton in Fig. 12; Figs. 15 and 16 show modifications of the mounting clamp shown in Figs. 4 and 5; and Figs. 17 and 18 show respectively modifications of the visor skeletons in Figs. 12 and 14.

Fig. 1 shows the anti-dazzle shield incorporated with a vehicle's existing visor 12 having two frictional hinge brackets 8, as viewed from within a vehicle in the fully down position. The shield has a measured tinted polycarbonate screen 10 with the top edge padded at 14. Two padded hinge bushes 16 are positioned adjacent each end to correspond with respective hinge bushes 18 moulded into respective mounting clamps 20.

Cranked frictional double hinge pins 21 are inserted into hinge bushes 16 and 18 and held in position by locating grooves on the hinge pins and snap-on end fittings with padded end caps. Attachment to the vehicle's existing visor 12 is accomplished by opening of the walls of the mounting clamps 20, positioning them over the two lower corners of the vehicle's existing visor 12, and releasing them. The clamps 20 are held firmly in position by a safety strap 22 which is looped over. A padded friction hinge bush tube 24 of the visor 12 and fastened at the other side of the clamp 20 by a velcro hook and loop fastening, or other secure and safe padded means.

Fig. 2 shows a vehicle's existing visor 12 having one only frictional hinge bracket 8 which can also slew, with the opposite end being supported by a releasable retaining bracket 9. The arrangement of items 8 and 9 can, of course, be reversed.

Where the vehicle's existing visor 12 has one only frictional slewing hinge bracket 8 and no releasable retaining bracket 9 as shown in Fig. 3 then the hinged unit 16, 18 and 21 between the polycarbonate screen 10 and the mounting clamp 20 directly below the bracket 8 is frictional while the other hinged unit 16, 18 and 21 is loose. The arrangement of the frictional slewing hinge bracket 8 and of the frictional and loose hinged units 16, 18 and 21 can, of course, be reversed.

Fig. 4 shows in perspective a mounting clamp 20 incorporating the hinge bush 18 and the safety strap 22. The padding is not shown. The mounting clamp 20 is comprised of three parts a part J incorporating the hinge bush 18 is tensioned to close and compress firmly against the inner wire 26 on the vehicle visor 12 at the horizontal and vertical positions. A part K also tensioned to close inwards is connected to part J by means of corresponding holes in each of parts J and K and fixed together with two lock in flat button type stud fasteners M each incorporating an inner sleeve and thin flat rubber pressure washer which holds part K in any position corresponding to the end shape of the vehicle visor 12 which in many cases varies from the 90" as shown in the drawing to various contours and angles shaping inward or outward.

Fig. 5 illustrates this function of part K, which has extensive padding (not shown) overhanging its edges to ensure complete coverage when altered to a selected position.

Some hold positions of the anti-dazzle shield are shown in Fig. 6 by means of end elevation views adjacent to windscreen.

Position A is the normal storage position.

Position 8 shows driving with use of vehicle visor 12 only.

Position C is for bright and sunny conditions.

Position D is for sun glare dazzle.

Position E is for sun glare dazzle with wet road reflections and others.

Position F is the night driving position where the driver has a full view of the road and traffic ahead through windscreen. When dazzled by light beams from an oncoming vehicle, by slight lifting of the head the eyes can be shielded behind the tinted polycarbonate screen 10 so absorbing the blinding light with the driver still maintaining a full and clear view of the road and traffic ahead through the windscreen and not through the polycarbonate screen 10.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are similar to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 respectively, the difference being the connections from hinge bush 18 to polycarbonate screen 10 is now made by two cranked frictional single hinges having a 90" cranked flap or legs 17 hinged medially of the visor 12, flush pinned and fixed to the top edge of the polycarbonate screen 10 top edge and connected to the hinge bush 18 by means of friction grip hinge pins 19 and secured as previously described.

Fig. 10 illustrates the arrangement in Fig. 7, 8 or 9 in the storage position. The padding for the hinge is not shown.

Fig. 11 shows a number of positions of the arrangement in Fig. 10 but with the vehicle visor 12 in one single selected position only.

The embodiments so far described show the tinted screen 10 fitted on to the -outer surface of the vehicie's existing visor 12 by means of tensioned mounting clamps 20 and safety straps 22. It is however conceivable that future vehicle visors be fitted with the tinted screen 10 into the main body of the visor.

Fig. 12 shows the bare skeleton of the vehicle visor 12 at the top is the tube 24 and, attached to the tube, spot welded plates 23 between which is held the reinforcing wire 26.

The wire 26 is covered in a plastics moulding 28. The two main areas of connection for the tinted visor 10 are at the extreme left and right of the horizontal moulding 28 at points 27 these areas being firstly reduced slightiy for the grip before the application of the hinge shown in Fig. 13 and to limit end wire movement thereof. In such hinge the cranked flap or leg 17, similarly shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is in this case split to push and snap at 28' over the point 27, then tightened by a single countersunk screw 30 until slight friction and position hold is obtained, and then padding (not shown) is applied.

The 90" cranked hinge leg 17 which is attached to the tinted screen 10 by adhesive and flush pins in holes 29.

Another method of connecting the tinted screen 10 to the main body of the vehicle visor is as illustrated in Fig. 12, the exception being that the total length of the reinforcing wire 26 is not covered by the moulded plastic but only the areas as shown in Fig. 14 adjacent to which on the horizontal and vertical wire are kinked sections 31 to give more strength and stability to the vehicle visor to accept the frictional hinges of the tinted screen 10 with total safety.

Complete padding and covering of the vehicle visor frame is as normal with adequate space allowance around the points 27 and cranked hinge legs 17 for free movement of the tinted screen 10.

Figs. 15 and 16 show two modifications of the mounting clamp shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and adapted to be used with the hinge shown in Fig. 13 and including its own hinge pin 32.

The hinge pin 32 in Fig. 15 is longer than that in Fig. 16 to suit two widths of hinge in Fig.

13.

Figs. 17 and 18 show respectively modifications of the visor skeletons in Figs. 12 and 14. The modifications consist in that each points 27 for the application of the hinge shown in Fig. 13 replaced by a point 27' constituted by a square bail formation in the wire 26. The square bail formation is covered by the moulding 28 so that the jaws at 28' in the hinge in 13 would need to be made a little larger.

Claims

1. An anti-dazzle shield comprising a tinted screen of a length comparable with a vehicle visor which is frictionally hinged at its upper edge, and means for frictionally hingedly mounting the upper edge of the screen to the lower edge of the visor.

2. An anti-dazzle shield according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprise corner clamps for clamping over the respective lower corners of the visor and carrying hinge mountings.

3. An anti-dazzle shield according to claim 2, wherein the mounting means also comprises a safety strap attached to each clamp for looking over the visor.

4. An anti-dazzle shield according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprise flaps each of which is split at one end to snap over our frictionally hinge with a wire skeleton of the visor and is attached to the screen at the other end.

5. An anti-dazzle shield substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

1 to 5, 7, 8, 9, 15 and 16 of the accompanying drawings.

6. An anti-dazzle shield substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

12 to 14, 17 and 18 of the accompanying drawings.