GB2271329A

GB2271329A - Vehicle sun visor

Info

Publication number: GB2271329A
Application number: GB9319684A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Allan Stark
Original assignee: SIMPLEX ENTERPRISES Ltd
Current assignee: SIMPLEX ENTERPRISES Ltd
Priority date: 1992-09-23
Filing date: 1993-09-23
Publication date: 1994-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 2013-09-23
Also published as: GB9220134D0; GB2271329B; GB9319684D0

Abstract

A sun visor attachment which can be coupled to the fixed sun visor 3 of a vehicle, the sun visor attachment comprises a visor panel 1 and clip means 2 for detachably attaching the visor panel to the fixed sun visor of the vehicle such that the visor panel is vertically movable relative to the fixed sun visor. <IMAGE>

Description

VEHICLE SUN VISOR This invention relates to a sun visor for a car or other vehicle.

It is common for cars to be fitted with sun visors, which can be hinged between an in-use position in which they overlie a top portion of the windscreen, and an out-of-use position in which they lie flat against the underside of the vehicle roof. However, the sun visors which are fitted by the vehicle manufacturer are designed to suit males of average height. These sun visors are thus ineffective or uncomfortable, and therefore potentially dangerous, for a high proportion of drivers. The problem is exacerbated during winter months, when the sun is low.

It has been proposed to provide adjustable vehicle sun visors, but the known designs (such as, for example, as described in US patents 4978160 and 4623188) are provided as replacements to fixed vehicle sun visors and are expensive to fit.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above-mentioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a sun visor attachment which can be coupled to the fixed sun visor of a vehicle, the sun visor attachment comprising a visor panel and means for detachably attaching the visor panel to the fixed sun visor of the vehicle such that the visor panel is vertically movable relative to the fixed sun visor.

Preferably the attaching means is arranged so that, when the attachment is fitted to the fixed sun visor of the vehicle, the visor panel overlies the fixed sun visor but can be slid or extended downwards by the required amount.

The sun visor attachment preferably comprises resilient clip means for releasably securing the attachment to the fixed sun visor of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the resilient clip means are integral with the visor panel. Thus the attachment may be moulded or otherwise formed in one piece.

Alternatively, the resilient clip means may be provided separately of the visor panel. Preferably such separate clip means comprise two generally S-shaped clips designed so that the fixed sun visor locates into one side of the clip whilst the visor panel (of the attachment) locates into the other side of the clip.

Normally the visor panel will be located on the windscreen side of the fixed sun visor of the vehicle. A decorative marking (e.g. a logo) may be applied to the "windscreen side" of the visor panel so as to be visible through the windscreen of the vehicle. The marking may, for example, be advertising material, a football team badge, or a tourism logo etc. Thus not only can the sun visor be used for safety, it can also be used as a decorative feature of the vehicle.

The attachment is preferably dimensioned so as to be suitable for attachment to the fixed sun visors of a variety of vehicles.

Specific embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a first embodiment of sun visor attachment in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the sun visor attachment of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a section through the sun visor attachment of Fig.

1; Figure 4 is a section through the sun visor attachment of Fig.

1 when coupled to a fixed vehicle sun visor; Figure 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of sun visor attachment in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 is a view from behind of the visor of Fig. 5; Figure 7 is an end view of the visor of Fig 5; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of the visor of Fig. 5, with a fixed visor shown in chain-dot line.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is shown a sun visor attachment for attachment to the fixed sun visor of a car or other vehicle.

The sun visor attachment comprises a visor panel 1 of generally rectangular shape with a curved lower edge which is die-cut from heavy density polyethylene sheet. The attachment further comprises two injection-moulded plastics clips 2 for removably attaching the visor panel 1 to a fixed sun visor 3 of a vehicle. Each clip 2 is generally S-shaped, with one end 4 arranged to grip the visor panel 1 and the other end 5 arranged to grip the fixed sun visor 3 of the vehicle. Inwardly-directed ends 6 of the clips 2 are engageable within respective detents 7 in the surface of the visor panel 1. The visor panel 1 may be formed with a finger grip if desired (not shown).

The sun visor attachment can easily be attached to the fixed sun visor 3 of the vehicle by means of the clips 2. The clips 2 are simply slid onto the visor panel 1 and then onto the fixed sun visor 3, spaced apart so that any vanity mirrors or the like on the fixed visor are not affected. It is intended that the sun visor attachment should be coupled to the fixed sun visor 3 so that the visor panel 1 lies to the windscreen side of the fixed visor. Figure 4 shows the visor panel 1 in a retracted position in which it overlies the fixed sun visor 3 of the vehicle and is out of sight of the user. The visor panel 1 can then be slid or extended downwardly by sliding the clips 2 relative to the fixed visor 3 or the visor panel 1 relative to the clips 2 until the visor panel 1 is in the position required by the user.

Referring to figures 5 to 8 of the drawings, there is shown a second embodiment of sun visor attachment. The sun visor attachment 10 is a one-piece resilient moulded plastics component formed of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane or the like.

The attachment 10 is formed to provide a visor panel 11 to overlie the fixed vehicle sun visor and a clip 12 connected to the panel 11 by the bridging section 12a.

Clip 12 is urged towards the panel 11 by the resilience of the plastics from which the attachment is formed. The clip 12 is formed in two sections 13, 14, each section being able to clip onto the fixed visor by virtue of the resilience of the material used to form the attachment. The two sections 13, 14 are spaced apart so as to avoid overlapping any vanity mirrors which may be provided on the fixed visor. A finger grip 15 is provided between the clip sections 13, 14 to aid in adjustment of the visor attachment. The ends 16 of clip sections 13, 14 are bent inwardly to provide a better grip on the fixed sun visor.

A platform 17 is provided, which overlays the visor panel 11.

The platform 17 may be provided with decorative features such as a company logo (for advertising purposes), a football club badge, slogan or the like. When the sun visor is in use, this will be visible from outside the vehicle.

To use the sun visor attachment, it is simply slid onto a fixed sun visor 18. In order to adjust the height of the attachment, it is pulled downwardly (or pushed upwardly), the resilience of clip sections 13, 14 ensuring that it does not come loose. The visor is simply adjusted to the correct height to prevent sun glare from reaching the vehicle passenger or driver's eyes.

It will be appreciated that the sun visor attachment according to the present invention is easy to fit on either the driver's or passenger's fixed visor, and is easy to adjust to the required position or moved to a stowed position out of sight behind the fixed visor when not in use.

Claims

1. A sun visor attachment which can be coupled to the fixed sun visor of a vehicle, the sun visor attachment comprising a visor panel and means for detachably attaching the visor panel to the fixed sun visor of the vehicle such that the visor panel is vertically movable relative to the fixed sun vise .

2. A sun visor attachment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the attaching means is arranged so that, when the attachment is fitted to the fixed sun visor of the vehicle, the visor panel overlies the fixed sun visor but can be slid or extended downwards by the required amount.

3. A sun visor attachment as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the means for detachably attaching the visor panel to the fixed sun visor of the vehicle comprise resilient clip means.

4. A sun visor attachment as claimed in claim 3 wherein the resilient clip means are integral with the visor panel.

5. A sun visor attachment as claimed in claim 4 wherein the resilient clip means comprise two spaced clip portions.

6. A sun visor attachment as claimed in claim 3 wherein the resilient clip means are provided separately of the visor panel.

7. A sun visor attachment as claimed in claim 6 wherein said separate clip means comprise two generally S-shaped clips designed so that the fixed sun visor will locate into one side of the clip whilst the visor panel of the attachment locates into the other side of the clip.

8. A sun visor attachment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 or 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.