WO2019082073A1

WO2019082073A1 - A sun visor for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2019082073A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/058243
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leo S MAVELY; Priya Shah; Robin T GEORGE
Original assignee: Axio Biosolutions Pvt. Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-27
Filing date: 2018-10-23
Publication date: 2019-05-02

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a sun visor (100) for a vehicle. The sun visor (100) comprises a first retainer cover (1) and a second retainer cover (2) wherein the first retainer cover (1) is pivotally connected to a support member (1a) that is fixed to the body of the vehicle. The sun visor (100), is operable between a first position and a second position in order to block the rays of the sun from the occupants seated within the vehicle. A cavity (3) is defined in the sun visor (100) to accommodate a plurality of medical supplies. The cavity (3) may be configured to be divided into a plurality of compartments (4). The plurality of compartments (4) may be used for securing plurality of medical supplies.

Description

A SUN VISOR FOR A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

Present disclosure relates to a sun visor. Particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to the sun visor for an automobile. Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to the sun visor for storing plurality of medical supplies within the automobile. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Road accidents are a common cause in majority of countries. There may be number of factors and reasons for road accidents, some of them may be due to primitive infrastructure, driving or riding under the influence (DUI's), judgemental errors or human errors and so forth, Tn many developed countries, even with robust infrastructure and strict driving or riding regimes, road accidents still do occur, and the accidents are considered to be one of the major factors for human deaths.

However, several countries in the west have mandatory safety regulations to be followed for ever vehicle manufacturer in order to prevent road accidents. Several governing bodies such as Euro NCAP (European new car assessment programme) have made certain safety features mandatory for a new vehicle arriving in the market. Some of these safety features may include driving aids to prevent accidents, and -lock braking systems for improved braking efficiency and so forth.

Usually, vehicles such as passenger cars are equipped with safety systems that help prevent passengers and the driver from road accidents or in the event of the road accident certain safety equipment help prevent severe injuries to the passenger and the driver.

Conventionally, in situations of a road accident which involves cars and motorcycles [vehicles in general], the majority of the injuries needs immediate medical care and assistance. In such scenarios, cars or automobiles may not be always equipped with first aid kits, to immediately serve the purpose of giving first aid to the injured. Additionally, vehicle manufacturers nowadays do not include any standard equipment such as first aid safety kits or medical supplies in the vehicles. Moreover, even though these safety kits are equipped in vehicles, they are not maintained or not easily accessible to the user. In other scenarios, the occupants within the car do not know the presence or the location of the first aid kit to readily use it in such situations. Moreover, such small safety kits are merely not enough to even treat bruises or bums let alone treating a person whose is involved in an accident that has caused a greater deal of injuries.

In several other scenarios, due to its small dimensions, these safety kits may be misplaced or e ven completely remo ved to get that extra amount of storage space thereby sacrificing e ven the minutest of first aid equipment. Sometimes, accessing such first aid kits, stored in locked compartments or cabin compartments is time consuming and one that will not serve the immediate purpose of providing first aid to the user or injured.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above, and any oilier limitations associated with the prior arts. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of conventional assemblies are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of an assembly disclosed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a past of the disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure a sun visor for a vehicle is disclosed. The sun visor comprises a first retainer cover pivotally connectable to a support member within an interior space of the vehicle, such as the cabin of the vehicle. The first retainer cover is operable between a first position and a second position. A second retainer cover is connected to the first retainer cover and the second retainer cover is operable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the first retainer cover. A cavity defined in each of the first retainer co ver and the second retainer cover wherein the cavity is adapted to accommodate a plurality of medical supplies, wherein, at least a portion of the cavity is provided with a thermal resistant layer for thermally insulating the plurality of medical supplies stored within the cavity from the surroundings.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first retainer cover and the second retainer cover may comprises one or more slits to allow circulation of air between the thermal resistant layer and corresponding the first retainer cover and the second retainer cover.

In an embodiment, the cavity is divided into a plurality of compartments. Trs an embodiment, the plurality of compartments are formed by positioning a plurality of ribs in die cavity.

In an embodiment, the plurality of gussets are provided at one or more locations on the plurality of ribs for providing structural rigidity.

In an embodiment, the plurality of compartments may include at least one retaining member for holding the plurality of medical supplies. In an embodiment, the second retainer cover may hinges to the first retainer cover.

In an embodiment, one or more locking members may provide on at least one of the first retainer cover and the second retainer cover for locking the first retainer cover and the second retainer cover in the closed position.

In an embodiment, a sealing member may provide between the first retainer cover and the second retainer cover for ingress protection.

In an embodiment, the sun visor comprises an actuator connected to the one or more locking members to actuate the one or more locking members such that the second retainer cover is operated from the closed position to the open position when the vehicle is involved in a crash.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by referring to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended specification. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which: Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a sun visor in an open condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the sun visor of Figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the sun v isor in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the sun visor in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the sun visor in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 illustrates a front view of the sun visor connected to a crash detection system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 7 illustrates perspective view of a vehicle cabin equipped with the sun visor in closed condition, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 8 illustrates front view of the sun visor in closed condition, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 9 illustrates top view of the sun visor in open condition, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternati ve embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form, the subject of the description of the disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such equivalent methods do not depart from the scope of the disclosure. The novel features winch are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, as to method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures are provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

Tn the present document, the word "exemplar}'" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure. The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method that comprises a list of acts does not include only those acts but may include other acts not expressly listed or inherent to such method. In other words, one or more acts in a method proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other acts or additional acts in the method.

While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to any particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a sun visor for a vehicle. The sun visor of a vehicle is used as a sun blind or to prevent rays of the sun from entering cabin of the vehicle winch may temporarily restrict view of the occupants inside the vehicle. The sun visor in the present disclosure comprises of a first retainer cover and a second retainer cover wherein the first retainer cover is pivotally connected to a support member that is fixed to the body of the vehicle. The sun visor, is operable between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP) in order to block the rays of the sun from the occupants seated within the vehicle. A cavity is defined in the sun visor to accommodate a plurality of medical supplies. The cavity may be configured to be divided into a plurality of compartments. The plurality of compartments may be used for securing plurality of medical supplies.

Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a sun visor (100) fixed within an interior portion of a cabin of a vehicle. The sun visor (100) comprises of a first retainer cover (1) which is fixed to a support member (la) to be fixed within the cabin of the vehicle. The first retainer cover (1) is connected with a second retainer cover (2) which is configured to operate between a first position and a second position. Each of the first retainer cover (1) and the second retainer cover (2) are also configured with a cavity (3). The cavity (3) provided within the first retainer cover

(1 ) and the second retainer cover (2), aid in accommodating the plurality of medical supplies [not shown in figures] . The cavity (3) of the first retainer cover (1 ) and the second retainer cover (2) may be compartmentalized into a plurality of compartments (4) by inserting a plurality of ribs (5) at designated locations. In an embodiment, the first retainer cover (1) impersonates the sun visor (100) which may be used for blocking the rays of the sun from blinding occupants of the vehicle. The second retainer cover (2) which is fixed to the first retainer cover (1) operates between the first position, in an embodiment, the first position may be a closed condition of the sun visor (100). In the closed condition, the second retainer cover

(2) locks onto the first retainer cover ( 1), thereby rendering the sun visor (100) in a usable configuration. In an embodiment, the second retainer cover (2) may be operated from the first position to the second position and in an embodiment, the second position may be an open condition of the sun visor (100). In the open condition, the second retainer cover (2), as described in figure 1 can be articulated at predefined angles in order to access the plurality of medical supplies. The cavity (3) provided in each of the first retaining cover and the second retaining cover are thermally insulated in order to protect the plurality of medical supplies from the surrounding environmental factors. The thermal insulation may be at least one of a layer of thermal insulating material provided within the cavity (3) , thermal insulating coating or paint. In an embodiment the plurality of compartments (4) formed within the cavity (3) of the first retainer cover (1) and the second retainer cover (2) can be customised by changing the placement of the plurality of ribs (5). This provides a realm of flexibility to the sun visor (100) in storing or equipping with the plurality of medical supplies in varying shapes and sizes.

Tn an embodiment, the plurality of compartments (4) are provided with at least one retaining member (6) in order to secure the plurality if medical supplies. The plurality of medical supplies are configured within the first retaining cover and the second retaining cover and are secured by the at least one retaining member (6).

In an embodiment, the at least one retaining member (6) prevents undue movement of the plurality of medical supplies and prevents muddling of the plurality of medical supplies. In an embodiment, the at least one retaining member (6) is at least one of a resilient material such as but not limited to an elastic cloth material, an elastomeric rubber material and the like. The at least one resilient material aids in securing the plurality of medical supplies rigidly within the sun visor ( 100).

In an embodiment, a plurality of g ussets ( 7) may be pro v ided at predetermined location of the cavity (3) such that, the plurality of gusset members is provided to impart reinforcement to the sun visor ( 100). In an embodiment, the plurality of gusset members absorbs the impact during a crash or when the vehicle is involved in an accident. This impact absorbing plurality of gussets (7) may prevent breakage of the sun visor (100) thereby securing the plurality of medical supplies stored within.

Figure 3 illustrates front view of the sun visor (100) with the second retaining cover in the open condition. In an embodiment, and referring to figure 3 the first retaining cover is integrated to a portion of the sun visor (100). The first retaining cover is compartmentalized into several plurality of compartments (4) to store the plurality of medical supplies. The second retaining cover is in the open condition and the at least one retaining member (6) is used to secure the plurality of medical supplies. In an embodiment, the sun visor (100) is provided with one or more locking members (8). The one or more locking members (8) is used to lock the second retaining cover over the first retaining cover. The one or more locking members (8) may be provided in a location that locks the movement of the first retaining cover or the second retaining cover. In an embodiment, the one or more locking members (8) is at least one of but not limited to a push lock mechanism, a key operated lock mechanism, a pad lock and the like.

Figure 4 illustrates the front view of the sun visor (100) with the second retaining cover in the open condition. In an embodiment, the second retaining cover is slidable into the first retaining cover. The sun visor (100) is fixed within the interior of the cabin of the vehicle and the sun visor (100) may be normally user in order to block rays of the sun from blinding the occupants.

Referring to figure 4, the sun visor (100) is equipped with a sliding type of arrangement for opening and closing the second retaining cover wherein the second retaining cover is capable of being pushed in and out of the visor in order to access the cavity (3) and in turn the plurality of medical supplies. In other words, the second retaining cover is slidable from a bottom portion of the sun visor (100).

Figure 5 illustrates the front view of yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. The sun visor (100) as disclosed in figure 4 is provided with the second retaining cover which is capable of being slidable into the sun visor (100) from the sides. In an embodiment, slidable type of second retaining co ver provides an advantage of accessing the plurality of medical supplies based on the requirement and there will not be a need of opening the sun visor ( 100) completely.

In an embodiment, the first retainer cover (1) defines a chamber (15) with at least one open end, such that, the second retainer cover (2) is slidably receivable by the first retainer cover (1), In an embodiment, the first retaining cover or the second retaining cover is provided with a gasket (9) which assists in ingress protection. This gasket (9) may be tucked in a concealing manner into a slit ( 10) formed on the first retaining cover or the second retaining cover.

The sun visor (100) at its rear portion may be provided with one or more vent holes (1 1) in order to allow air to pass into and out of the sun visor (100). The one or more vent holes (1 1) are formed on either the first retaining cover or the second retaining cover. This allows each of the plurality of storage compartments (4) to be ventilated. This ventilation prevents the plurality of medical supplies stored within the sun visor (100) to deteriorate due to harsh environmental conditions. hi an embodiment, the sun visor (100) may be configured to be detachable from the interior of the cabin. The supporting means may be disassembled and the sun visor ( 100) can be detached thereby aiding the user to use the sun visor ( 100) outside of the vehicle in cases when such a need arises.

In an embodiment, the sun visor (100) can be mounted over an existing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sun visor (100). This avoids, any modification and also maintain the OEM character of the interior of the cabin. in an embodiment, a secondary locking mechanism [not shown in figures] may be provided by means of Velcro strip or by providing magnets in order to secure the second retaining cover over the first retaining cover.

Referring to Figure 6 illustrates the sun visor (100) connected to an actuator (12) wherein the actuator (12) is configured to a control unit (13). The control unit (13) may be equipped within the vehicle to control various other parameters for proper functioning of the car. In an embodiment, the control unit (13) may be connected to a body control module (14) which detects vehicle crash or any impact to the vehicle and sends feedback signals to the control unit (13). The control unit (13) then sends an actuation signal to the actuator (12) to open the sun visor (100). This prompts the sun visor (100) to be in the open condition, so that the occupants can reach out to the plurality of medical supplies in case of the vehicle crash. in an embodiment, the body control module (14) is at least one of airbag sensor which detects crash and deploys an airbag, collision sensors located all around the body of the vehicle to detect collision or crashes.

In an embodiment, the actuator (12) is at least one of push pull mechanism which is operated by mechanical actuation. The actuator ( 12) operates the locking mechanism in order to open the sun visor (100) in case of vehicle crash.

Tn an embodiment, the plurality of medical supplies may comprise of but not limited to plurality of bandages, plurality of active haemostat bandage, antiseptic towelettes, cotton tip applicator, at least one cotton roil, at least one antiseptic and the like . in an embodiment, an instructions manual [not shown in figures] may be provided within the sun visor (100), in order to aid users use the plurality of medical supplies. In other words, the user manual may be designed to depict the instructions pictorially for efficient usage of the plurality of medical supplies. The pictorial instructions may be imprinted on a panel or sheet which may be placed within the insides of the sun visor (100). Referring to Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle cabin (VC). The vehicle cabin (VC) is equipped with the sun visor (100) at a location that predominantly serves the purpose of blocking the sun rays from blinding the occupants of the vehicle. The support member (la) of the sun visor (100) may be fixed at a location within the vehicle cabin (VC). The support member (la) acts as a pivot to move the sun visor (100) to block the rays of the sun. In an embodiment, the support member (la) may be detached from the vehicle cabin, such that the sun visor (100) is portable and easy to use. in an embodiment, the sun visor (100) can be operated from the open condition (OC) to the closed condition (CC) or vice-versa based on the requirement.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrates the sun visor (100) in the open condition (OC) and the closed condition (CC). The sun visor (100) is fixed within the vehicle cabin (VC) at specific locations to aid functional use of the sun visor (100),

EQUIVALENTS:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not, limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim, recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"): the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERALS

a cavity (3) a plurality of compartments (4) a plurality of ribs (5) a closed condition (CC) an Open condition (OC) at least one retaining member (6) a plurality of gussets (7) one or more locking members (8) gasket (9)

A slit (10) one or more vent lioies (11) an actuator (12) the control unit (13) the body control module (14) chamber (15)

Vehicle Cabin (VC)

Claims

AIM:

A sun visor (100) for a vehicle, comprising:

a first retainer cover (1) pivotally connectabie to a support member (la) in the vehicle, the first retainer cover (1) is operable between a first position and a second position;

a second retainer co ver (2) recei vable by the first retainer cover (1), the second retainer cover (2) is operable between a closed condition and an open condition with respect to the first retainer cover (1); and

a cavity (3) defined in at least one of the first retainer cover (1) and the second retainer cover (2), the cavity (3) is adapted to accommodate a plurality of medical supplies, wherein, at least a portion of the cavity (3) is provided with a thermal resistant layer for thermal insulation of the plurality of medical supplies in the cavity (3) with the surroundings.

The sun visor (1 0) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first retainer cover (1) and the second retainer cover (2), comprises one or more slits to allow circulation of air between the thermal resistant layer and a corresponding the first retainer cover (1) and the second retainer cover

(2).

The sun visor (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cavity (3) is divided into a plurality of compartments (4).

The sun visor (100) as claimed in claim.

3, wherein the plurality of compartments

(4) are formed by positioning a plurality of ribs

(5) in the cavity (3).

The sun visor (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of compartments (4) includes at least one retaining member

(6) for holding the plurality of medical supplies.

The sun visor (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a plurality of gussets

(7) provided at one or more locations on the plurality of ribs (5), for providing structural rigidity.

The sun visor (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises one or more locking members (8) provided on at least one of the first retainer cover (1) and the second retainer cover (2) for locking the first retainer cover (1) and the second retainer cover (2) in the closed position.

8. The sun visor (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first retainer cover (1 ) defines a chamber ( 15) with at least one open end, such that, the second retainer cover (2) is slidably receivable by the first retainer cover (1).

9. The sun visor (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a sealing member provided between the first retainer cover (1) and the second retainer cover (2) for ingress protection.

10. The sun visor (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises an actuator (12) connected to the one or more locking members (8) to actuate the one or more locking members (8) such that the second retainer cove (2. ) is operated from the closed position to the open position when the vehicle is involved in a crash.