US2793054A - Automobile sun visor attachment - Google Patents

Description

May 21, 1957 M. o. FLOM AUTOMOBILE SUN VISOR ATTACHMENT Filed July 18, 1955 D R IVE CAREFULLY #:ITHINK v. g. H

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ACCIDENT REPORT LIC; NO. MAKE (I CAR MODEL TIME OF AKIClOENT DATE LOCATION INFORMATION:

IN V EN TOR.

nited The present invention relates to automotive appliances and accessories generally speaking, and has reference, more particularly, to that ever growing category having to do with attachments of one type or another for conventional-type non-transparent sun visors.

More particularly, the invention relates to a visor attachment, the components of which cooperate in providing a structurally novel entity and the facilities of which may be used to enable one to write up a systematic onthe-spot report of an automobile accident in which he may be directly or indirectly involved. In some instances, the report to be made out may be that purely of an observer of an accident of the type wherein the user either voluntarily or otherwise proposes to appear as a witness to the accident. There are other instances of use Where, for example, the driver is himself involved and has to write down certain information as to the time of the accident, the-other driver's name, the date, location, etc., to furnish to the automobile insurance agent or other party who may thus be drawn into the suit or other legal proceeding.

it is an objective here to provide a simple, practical and economical structural device which is characterized by a pad, the sheets of which are handy printed blank forms. The padhas the usual cardboard backing and this is supported on and by way of a backing plate. The backing plate is novel in that clamping means is provided along one longitudinal edge for attaching the plate to the visor, and at one end of the plate, there is a hookshaped clip for accommodating a lead pencil or other writing instrument for making notes.

Another feature of the clamping means is that it includes a bar portion which latter cooperates with a longitudinal edge of the sun visor and which is utilized to carry a suitable warning or an inscription, such as, for example, Drive Carefully.

Then, too, novelty is also predicated on a plastic jacket or envelope-like enclosure in which the backing plate and pad, as an assemblage is pocketed. Novelty, here, is predicated on the fact that at least one end of the cover flap has a slot to accommodate the hook-shaped clip, the latter being used as the pencil holder and the pencil serving to thus fasten the cover flap in its intended normally closed position.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of drawings.

In the drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of what may be called the rear side of a vertically hanging conventional sun visor illustrating the novel record aid or attachment and the manner in which it is attached to said visor;

Figure 2 is an enlarged edge view which is utilized to bring out the purpose of the bar or strip-like connector existing between the clamps and plate and which is used to carry slogans, this being, broadly, a sign;

tates Patent C Figure 3 is a lengthwise view in section and elevation, on an enlarged scale, taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a plan view of one of the blank form leaves of the pad;

Figure 5 is a section on an enlarged scale and of a fragmentary type on the vertical line 5-5 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a plan view in a part in section of the metal stamping from which the backing plate is formed plus the complemental plastic jacket; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the backlug plate with all other parts omitted.

Referring first to Figure 1, the reference numeral 8 designates a conventional automobile or vehicle sun Visor. This provides the support means for the improved attachment, the subject matter of the instant invention. The

V attachment serves primarily to hold a complemental pad for handy reception of notations and data, for example, that which would be required by an automobile insurance company or the like in determining the respective rights of the parties involvedin a traific accident. The pad may be referred to generally by the numeral 16, and made up of sheets or leaves which are here described as printed blank forms 12. One of these is shown in Figure 4, and reference thereto will show the nature of the information thereon ordinarily needed for an accident report. This: pad also includes a cardboard or equivalent back M which is shown in Figure 3.

A backing plate is provided as a base or support for the pad, and this is generally rectangular and is denoted by the numeral 16 and is sufiiciently large to support the pad ltl. At one end, there is a struck out tongue 29, the free end 22 of which is curled and otherwise bent to provide a hook-like pencil clip; that is, a holding clip for the insertable and removable pencil or equivalent marking instrument 24, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. Along one longitudinal edge, that is, the edge 26, the metal from which the backing plate is made is stamped out to provide spring clips. That is to say, the portions 28, 2.8 and 3h, 50 at the respective ends of the plate are formed into U-shaped clips as seen in Figure 5. These clips are connected together by a fiat strip-like member 32 having widened extensions or end portions 34. This strip 32 is, in effect, a sign, and to this end, it has suitable words or a slogan printed thereon. For example, at the center (Figure 2), there is the precautionary statement, Drive Carefully, as at 36. If desired, the word Think may be at the end portions, and as shown, this member 32 parallels the longitudinal edge 40 of the sun visor when the sun visor is in its up or horizontal position. Therefore, the sign is handily visible and serves as an appropriate reminder for safe driving. Thus, we have a sign supplementing the attaching clips which latter releasably and yieldably engage the visor and thus hold the backing plate 16 in a flat out-of-the-way but handy position thereon.

It is desirable in practice to provide a plastic or an equivalent envelope for the backing plate and pad to thus provide the purchaser with a protectively encased readyto-use package. Therefore, instead of merely placing a rubber band or the like around the pad or the backing plate and clamping the plate on the visor, the parts are encased in the manner illustrated for cleanliness and protection against dampness and the elements. The jacket may be said to embody two principal portions; namely, one portion 42 which encases the backing plate 16 and the other portion 44 which constitutes a sort of a hinged openable and closable cover or flap. It will be desirable to make up the portion 42 from upper and lower plies or laminations 46 and 48. The lamination 48 completely covers the bottom of the backing plate and 3 may be glued or otherwise permanently attached thereto. The other ply overlies the top side of the backing plate, as perhaps best shown in Figure 6. This means, therefore, that the backing plate is actually sandwiched between these two plies which are connected along corresponding longitudinal edges by a fold or web 5%. The

ply 46 has a slot transversely arranged therein, as at 53,

and the cardboard back 14 of the aforementioned pad passes through this slot, as best shown in Figure 3, and is thus interposed between the backing plate 16 and ply 46. The two complements 42 and are hingedly connected at the end by a folding hinge 52, and thus, the cover flap 44 is free to swing open and closed against the leaves of the pad 10. The two laminations of this cover flap are conveniently denoted for ease in reading the drawings in Figure 3 by the numerals 54. The free or unhinged end of the flap is provided with an aperture 56 which fitsover the clip 22 in the manner shown so that after the pencil is slipped through the clip, the pencil then becomes a fastener or retainer for the stated flap 44.

When it is desired to have access to the pad, the pencil is removed from the clip and then, the flap 44 is swung a pencil or a pen to make notes in case of emergencies and accidents. Perhaps many fail to live up to their good intentions. In the instant case, the package provided can be had in an automobile accessory store for a nominal fee and can be attached to the sun visor where it will be safe and ever set and will function to the convenience of all concerned. Novelty is predicated on the stamped out backing plate made from the stamping in Figure 7 with its portions bent to provide the pencil clip at one end and the bar connected clamps along the longitudinal edge 26 with the removable pad thereon plus the jacket whose cover flap is held in place by the pencil and clip.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention. However, since to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the b\ invention to the exact construction and mode of use shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A sun visor attachment comprising a rigid backing plate having means whereby it may be handily and detachably connected to and mounted on said sun visor, said plate having a clip such in construction and position that it may accommodatingly hold a conventional lead pencil or the like, a pad embodying printed blank forms to enable one to systematically enter notes and data connected in an automobile accident report policy and similar insurance records, and means retaining said pad removably on said plate comprising a protective dustproofing and damp-proofing cover jacketed over said plate and printed forms of said pad, said cover embodying top and bottom portions, one of the latter having an apertured end portion through which said pencil clip extends, whereby when the pencil is fitted and held in said clip it combines with the clip in holding the complemental cover portion in its intended place on said plate.

2. An attachment of the class described comprising, in combination, a substantially flat backing plate rectangular in form and having one transverse end provided centrally with an extending tongue having a curled bend defining a pencil clip, one longitudinal edge of said plate having extensions bent upon themselves to provide attaching clamps, and said clamps being connected together by a strip-like member, said strip-like member being adapted to bear an inscription or driving slogan such as Drive Carefully, and a protective dustproofing cover jacketed on said plate and embodying top and bottom portions, one of the latter having an apertured end portion through which said pencil clip extends, whereby when the pencil is fitted and held in said clip it combines with the clip in holding the complemental cover portion in its intended place on said plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,909,362 Keith May 16, 1933 2,181,324 Glover Nov. 28, 1939 2,211,879 Cave Aug. 20, 1940 2,333,302 Enk NOV 2, 1943

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