WO2005084977A1

WO2005084977A1 - Sun visor

Info

Publication number: WO2005084977A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/000837
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Hugh Henzell Pidcock; Katarina Temme-Pidcock
Original assignee: Michael Hugh Henzell Pidcock; Katarina Temme-Pidcock
Priority date: 2004-03-04
Filing date: 2005-03-04
Publication date: 2005-09-15
Also published as: GB2411627A; GB0404970D0

Abstract

A sun visor for a vehicle, the visor comprising: first and second , panels (A2, B1); a mounting member (1) for mounting the visor to the vehicle; and a hinge assembly (3) interconnecting the first (A1) and second (B1) panels and the mounting member (1) in such a way as to enable the first panel (A1) to pivot, independently of the second panel (B1), about a first axis (3) relative to the mounting member, and to enable the second panel (B1) to pivot, independently of the first panel, about a second axis (7) relative to the mounting member.

Description

SUN VISOR

The present invention relates to a sun visor for a vehicle.

Sun visors mounted in vehicles are well known for reducing the glare experienced by a driver of the vehicle. Commonly known visors have a single panel which can be moved from a stowed position against the roof lining of the vehicle to a substantially vertical shielding position close to the windscreen of the vehicle. Such visors can generally also be rotated about a substantially vertical axis into a position against a side window of the vehicle for shielding a driver against glare from the side window.

Visors have also been proposed which have a second panel that can be folded out from the first panel so that while the first panel lies substantially against the windscreen the second panel lies substantially against a side window, thereby providing improved glare protection. The panels can be mounted to the roof lining by ball and socket joints.

It is also known to provide extension members in visor panels. Such extension members enable a front panel to be extended in a downward direction or a side panel to be extended in a sideways direction. Vertical extension of the front panel is particularly useful for shorter people, especially when the sun is relatively low in the sky, and horizontal extension of the side panel is useful when the sun is shining from 90 degrees relative to the vehicle direction.

It is desirable to provide a visor which provides the advantages of these known visors but has improved protection between the two panels.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sun visor for a vehicle, the visor comprising: first and second panels; a mounting member for mounting the visor to the vehicle; and a hinge assembly interconnecting the first and second panels and the mounting member in such a way as to enable the first panel to pivot, independently of the second panel, about a first axis relative to the mounting member, and to enable the second panel to pivot, independently of the first panel, about a second axis relative to the mounting member.

Preferably the first and second axes are substantially perpendicular.

Preferably the hinge assembly interconnects the first and second panels along respective side edges thereof such that the said second axis is parallel to the side edge of the second panel.

Preferably the hinge assembly is for connecting a top edge of the first panel to the mounting member such that the said first axis is parallel to the top edge of the first panel.

Preferably at least one of the first and second panels is provided with an extension member for extending the length or width of the respective panel.

Preferably the extension member is slidably mounted on the respective panel.

Preferably the extension member is mounted by means of a hinge on the respective panel.

Preferably the first panel is provided with an extension member such that in use the vertical extension of the first panel is adjustable.

Preferably the second panel is provided with an extension member such that in use the horizontal extension of the second panel is adjustable.

Preferably one edge of the first panel abuts and is attached to the hinge assembly and one edge of the second panel abuts and is attached to the hinge assembly. Preferably the hinge assembly comprises a bridging portion that extends between the first panel and the second panel, and the second axis passes through the bridging portion.

Preferably the bridging portion is in the form of a panel.

Preferably the hinge assembly is such as to maintain the panel-form bridging portion parallel with the second panel.

Preferably the bridging portion is in the form of a segment.

Preferably the bridging portion is in the form of a quadrant.

Preferably the bridging portion comprises manually releasable locking means for locking the second panel against rotation relative to the bridging portion.

Preferably the bridging portion is opaque. Alternatively the bridging portion may be semi-transparent. The bridging portion is preferably such as such as to occupy (and preferably fill) the gap between the panels so as to substantially prevent light from passing between the panels.

Preferably the top of the bridging portion extends between the top of the first panel and the top of the second panel and the bottom of the bridging portion extends between the bottom of the first panel and the bottom of the second panel.

Preferably the said hinge assembly is configured to positively hold the panels in desired positions.

Preferably at least one of the first and second panels comprises an opaque material. Most preferably one or both of the panels is/are opaque. Alternatively at least one of the first and second panels comprises a semi- transparent material.

Alternatively at least one of the first and second panels comprises a polarising material.

Preferably the hinge assembly comprises a ball and socket joint. Preferably such a joint interconnects the mounting member and at least one of the panels.

Preferably the first panel or the second panel further comprises a fastener for engaging with a corresponding fastener in the vehicle to stow the visor.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a sun visor comprising a mounting member whereby the sun visor can be attached to the roof or roof lining of a vehicle; a first opaque panel, a second opaque panel and a hinge arrangement interconnecting the first and second panels and the mounting member. Preferably the hinge comprises a first element that extends from the mounting member to the first panel, attaching the first panel to the to mounting member in such a way that the first panel can be pivoted relative to the mounting member about a first axis. The first axis is preferably parallel or substantially parallel to an edge (preferably a longer edge) of the first panel. Preferably the hinge comprises a second element that extends between the first and second panels (preferably between shorter edges of each) and permits both rotation of one panel relative to the other about two axes. The second element is preferably opaque and such as such as to occupy (and preferably fill) the gap between the panels so as to substantially prevent light from passing between the panels.

The invention also provides a vehicle comprising a sun visor as set out above.

Embodiments of the invention thus enable a panel positioned at the front windscreen to be tilted forwards, thereby increasing the driver's field of view through the windscreen, while maintaining the horizontal position of a panel positioned at a side window and whilst filling the gap between the panels to substantially limit or prevent the passage of light therethrough.

The first and second axes could suitably be substantially perpendicular.

The hinge assembly preferably interconnects the first and second panels along respective side edges thereof such that the said second axis is parallel to the side edge of the second panel. Alternatively or in addition, the hinge assembly could be suitable for connecting a top edge of the first panel to the mounting member such that the said first axis is parallel to the top edge of the first panel.

One or both of the first and second panels could conveniently be provided with an extension member for extending the length or width of the respective panel. The extension member could be slidably mounted or mounted by a hinge on the respective panel. Preferably, the first panel is provided with an extension member such that in use the vertical extension of the first panel is adjustable. The second panel is preferably provided with an extension member such that in use the horizontal extension of the second panel is adjustable.

The hinge assembly is preferably configured to positively hold the panels in deployed positions.

One or both of the first and second panels could suitably compπse an opaque material, a semi-transparent material, and/or a polarising material for at least partially blocking glare.

The hinge assembly could comprise a ball and socket joint. The joint is preferably sufficiently stiff that it can positively hold the panels in respective positions.

The first or second panel of the visor could be provided with a fastener for engaging with a corresponding fastener in the vehicle to stow the visor. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle having a sun visor as described above.

The invention will now be described in detail by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a sun visor having hinged panels for protecting against glare through two windows;

Figure 2 shows the visor of Figure 1 in a stowed configuration;

Figure 3 shows the windscreen panel of the visor of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a side panel of a visor; and

Figure 5 shows a detail of a visor of an embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings, like reference numerals are used to refer to like parts.

In the arrangement of Figure 1 , a first panel A1 has an extension member A2 which can be slid downwards to provide increased protection. A second panel B1 has an extension member B2 which can be slid backwards to protect the side of a driver's head.

The visor of Figure 1 is shown in Figure 2 in a folded position suitable for stowing against the inside of the roof lining of a vehicle. Figure 3 shows the windscreen panel (or leaf) of Figure 1 in more detail, with a mounting member 1 for attaching to the roof lining of the vehicle. The mounting member enables pivoting of the panels A1 and B1 for positioning the panels in a desired position, either against the windows of the vehicle or stowed against the roof lining. The fastener 2 of Figure 3 is for engaging with a corresponding fastener such as a clip on the vehicle's roof lining to hold the visor in a stowed position. A hinge part 3a cooperates with a corresponding hinge part 3b of a side leaf B1 such as that shown in Figure 4. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, pivoting of the panels A1 and B1 is enabled about two axes: a first axis is along the inside side edge of the panel A1 (which corresponds in location to the inside side edge of the panel B1 , as can be seen from Figure 1 ); and the second axis is through fulcrum 7. In this way, the visor can be adjusted such that while the side panel B1 remains in the position shown in Figure 1 , the front panel A1 can be tilted towards the windscreen, so that the effective screening area of the panel A1 can be reduced and the driver's visibility can thus be increased.

Embodiments of the invention can be implemented by the use of a friction swivel member such as a ball and socket joint at the location of the mounting member 1 , or by a friction pad - in this instance a quadrant - mounted within the side leaf B1 for enabling a suitable tilted position of the panel A1 relative to the panel B1 to be maintained. The embodiment shown in Figure 5 (and indicated by a dashed line on the panel B1 of Figure 1 ) incorporates a single axis hinge joint 3 together with a further hinge member including a plate 8 having teeth 9 for engaging with a lug 5 of a feather spring 4. The plate 8 is pivotable, together with the panel B1 on which it is mounted, about an axis through the point 7, located towards the upper corner of the panel closest to the hinge 3.

The panel B1 is provided with a button 6 which protrudes through a slot in the panel such that a driver can operate it. The button is located on the outside (i.e. window-facing) face of the panel B1 in a position which is easily reached by a driver. To operate the tilting mechanism, the button is slid downwards, thereby releasing the lug 5 from the tooth 9 with which it was engaged, and the panel B1 can then be tilted by a desired angle C relative to the panel A1 about an axis through the point 7. In the preferred embodiment the axis is along the upper edge of the panel A1. When the driver is satisfied with the positions of the two panels A1 and B1 , the button can be released so that the lug 5 is urged by the spring 4 to engage again with a tooth of the plate 8, thereby holding the panels in position. A convenient practical configuration of the visor has been found to have an angle C of around 70°. In this configuration the front panel A1 can rest against the windscreen of a typical vehicle such that it does not obscure the driver's view from the windscreen, and the side panel B1 alone acts to shield the driver from glare.

The applicant- hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A sun visor for a vehicle, the visor comprising: first and second panels; a mounting member for mounting the visor to the vehicle; and a hinge assembly interconnecting the first and second panels and the mounting member in such a way as to enable the first panel to pivot, independently of the second panel, about a first axis relative to the mounting member, and to enable the second panel to pivot, independently of the first panel, about a second axis relative to the mounting member.

2. A sun visor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second axes are substantially perpendicular.

3. A sun visor as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the hinge assembly interconnects the first and second panels along respective side edges thereof such that the said second axis is parallel to the side edge of the second panel.

4. A sun visor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the hinge assembly is for connecting a top edge of the first panel to the mounting member such that the said first axis is parallel to the top edge of the first panel.

5. A sun visor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one of the first and second panels is provided with an extension member for extending the length or width of the respective panel.

6. A sun visor as claimed in claim 5 wherein the extension member is slidably mounted on the respective panel.

7. A sun visor as claimed in claim 5 wherein the extension member is mounted by means of a hinge on the respective panel.

8. A sun visor as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the first panel is provided with an extension member such that in use the vertical extension of the first panel is adjustable.

9. A sun visor as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8 wherein the second panel is provided with an extension member such that in use the horizontal extension of the second panel is adjustable.

10. A sun visor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one edge of the first panel abuts and is attached to the hinge assembly and one edge of the second panel abuts and is attached to the hinge assembly.

11.A sun visor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a bridging portion that extends between the first panel and the second panel, and the second axis passes through the bridging portion.

12. A sun visor as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the bridging portion is in the form of a panel.

13. A sun visor as claimed in claim 12, wherein the hinge assembly is such as to maintain the panel-form bridging portion parallel with the second panel.

14. A sun visor as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the bridging portion is in the form of a segment.

15. A sun visor as claimed in claim 14, wherein the bridging portion is in the form of a quadrant.

16. A sun visor as claimed in any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the bridging portion comprises manually releasable locking means for locking the second panel against rotation relative to the bridging portion.

17. A sun visor as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the bridging portion is opaque.

18. A sun visor as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the bridging portion is semi-transparent.

19. A sun visor as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the top of the bridging portion extends between the top of the first panel and the top of the second panel and the bottom of the bridging portion extends between the bottom of the first panel and the bottom of the second panel.

20. A sun visor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the said hinge assembly is configured to positively hold the panels in desired positions.

21. A sun visor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one of the first and second panels comprises an opaque material.

22. A sun visor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one of the first and second panels comprises a semi-transparent material.

23. A sun visor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one of the first and second panels comprises a polarising material.

24. A sun visor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the hinge assembly comprises a ball and socket joint.

25. A sun visor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first panel or the second panel further comprises a fastener for engaging with a corresponding fastener in the vehicle to stow the visor.

26. A vehicle comprising a sun visor as claimed in any preceding claim.