Abstract: A mounting assembly is disclosed for mounting a sun visor to a vehicle panel having opposing faces and an aperture therethrough. The mounting assembly includes a mounting component mountable to the vehicle panel. The mounting component includes a first side having a number of spaced apart retaining members extending therefrom and a second side including at least one catch projecting therefrom. The opposing faces of the panel are gripped between the second surface and the catch to retain said mounting component against the vehicle panel. The mounting assembly also includes a bezel component moveably connected to the mounting component by the retaining members.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is disclosed for mounting a sun visor to a vehicle panel having opposing faces and an aperture therethrough. The mounting assembly includes a mounting component mountable to the vehicle panel. The mounting component includes a first side having a number of spaced apart retaining members extending therefrom and a second side including at least one catch projecting therefrom. The opposing faces of the panel are gripped between the second surface and the catch to retain said mounting component against the vehicle panel. The mounting assembly also includes a bezel component moveably connected to the mounting component by the retaining members.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly is provided that includes a core member, a foundation extending over the core member, and a cover extending over the foundation and forming an outer surface of the sun visor assembly. In an embodiment, the core member includes a plate having at its upper edge a hinge portion and at its lower edge a rounded bead. The core member may also be corrugated to include one or more peaks and troughs.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is disclosed for mounting a sun visor to a vehicle panel having opposing faces and an aperture therethrough. The mounting assembly includes a mounting component mountable to the vehicle panel. The mounting component includes a first side having a number of spaced apart retaining members extending therefrom and a second side including at least one catch projecting therefrom. The opposing faces of the panel are gripped between the second surface and the catch to retain said mounting component against the vehicle panel. The mounting assembly also includes a bezel component moveably connected to the mounting component by the retaining members.

Abstract: A retainer clip assembly for securing a variety of components interiorly in an automobile. The assembly includes a movable lever which secures the retainer clip assembly to a vehicle ceiling panel. The lever includes a release member that is accessible from the exterior of the retainer clip, so that the lever may be disengaged from the ceiling panel, whereby the component may be removed. A transportation clip is disclosed for use with the retainer clip assembly. The transportation clip connects the retainer clip to a headliner module during transportation to the final point of assembly. At the final point of assembly, the retainer clip can be pushed into its installed position.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for installing a rotatable shaft, such as used with a vehicle visor, to an apertured panel. The mounting assembly includes an elbow rotatable within an inner bracket that is held within an outer bracket. One or more resilient locking arms of the inner bracket extend through openings in the outer bracket, and a catch portion of each locking arm overlays the panel distal surface to resist withdrawal of an installed mounting assembly. Each locking arm is configured such that when the inner bracket is moved axially relative to the outer bracket, the locking arm catch portion is radially retracted clear of the panel distal surface to allow proximal withdrawal of the installed mounting assembly. A method of mounting a visor to a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly is provided that includes a foundation having a pair of foundation halves. An upholstery cover extends over each of the foundation halves to form an outer of the sun visor. A vanity mirror brow is disposed over one of the foundation halves under the cover, such that a portion of the cover is raised off of the foundation. A vanity mirror assembly is disposed over the cover assembly adjacent the vanity mirror brow. The addition of the vanity mirror brow between the foundation and the cover gives the perception that at least a portion of the vanity mirror assembly is attractively recessed into the foundation.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly is provided that includes an outer covering having two covering halves. A reinforcing core plate is attached to one of the covering halves. An upper edge of the reinforcing core plate includes a support flange that cooperates with the reinforcing core plate to define a channel. At least one visor core component is received within the channel and rotatably engages a visor support rod.

Abstract: A sun visor, which generally includes a foundation which may be folded unto itself to form two foundation halves, and an upholstery cover disposed over the foundation, the foundation halves include connecting elements which engage one another to secure the foundation halves together. Additionally, a frame member may be disposed between the folded foundation halves, the frame member including connecting elements which engage corresponding connecting elements of the foundation halves to secure the foundation halves to the frame member. The foundation halves include a liner board and a bead member section. The bead member section is secured to the outer edge of the liner board with a liner board interlocking mechanism which prevents the liner board and the bead member section from separating. A cover retention assembly is associated with each of the foundation halves and engages the ends of the upholstery cover to secure the cover to the sun visor foundation.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly having a core member comprising an integral visor clip assembly. The sun visor is formed from either a substantially flat foundation that is folded unto itself, thereby forming two foundation halves, or from a pair of discreet foundation halves. The edge of the foundation, whether it comprises a single member folded unto itself or a pair of discreet halves, is shaped to correspond to the visor clip assembly, such that the foundation does not have to be cut-out to accommodate the visor clip assembly. This obviates the need to stretch and pull the upholstery cover through cutout portions in the foundation, thereby leading to a more efficient and less complex assembly of the sun visor.

Abstract: A sun visor, which generally includes a foundation which maybe folded unto itself to form two foundation halves, and an upholstery cover disposed over the foundation, the foundation halves include connecting elements which engage one another to secure the foundation halves together. Additionally, a frame member may be disposed between the folded foundation halves, the frame member including connecting elements which engage corresponding connecting elements of the foundation halves to secure the foundation halves to the frame member. For example, in one embodiment, a plurality of clips may be integrally formed in a pair of connecting strips which are each associated with a foundation half, the clips of the connecting strips engaging one another when the foundation halves are pressed together to secure the foundation halves together.

Abstract: A vehicle sun visor assembly is provided that includes a foundation having a pair of foundation halves. The foundation halves include corresponding shapes that define at least a portion of an edge of the sun visor. A connecting member is secured to an upper portion of each foundation half to define an upper edge of the sun visor. The connecting member includes a pair of connecting halves that cooperatively form a channel. A rotation control member, which is disposed within the channel, is moveably connected to a first end of a visor support rod. A second end of the visor support rod extends outwardly from the foundation is attached to a mounting bracket assembly. The sun visor assembly is slidable along the support rod and the support rod is extensible from and retractable into the sun visor assembly.

Abstract: A retainer clip assembly for securing a variety of components interiorly in an automobile. The assembly includes a movable lever which secures the retainer clip assembly to a vehicle ceiling panel. The lever includes a release member that is accessible from the exterior of the retainer clip, so that the lever may be disengaged from the ceiling panel, whereby the component may be removed. A transportation clip is disclosed for use with the retainer clip assembly. The transportation clip connects the retainer clip to a headliner module during transportation to the final point of assembly. At the final point of assembly, the retainer clip can be pushed into its installed position.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly is provided that includes a core having a peripheral edge and a foundation folded over the core and fastened to itself to secure the core substantially within the foundation. The core includes a stiffening member and a frame member having an integrally formed pin member to detachably secure the sun visor to a retainer clip. At least a portion of the foundation extends beyond the peripheral edge of the core to define an edge of the sun visor. An upholstery cover is provided over the foundation and forms an exterior surface of the sun visor. In relatively long sun visors, the integrally formed pin member advantageously provides the structural integrity needed to substantially prevent torsional deformation of the sun visor assembly as it is moved from a storage position adjacent a vehicle headliner to a use position adjacent the vehicle windshield.

Abstract: A sun visor mounting assembly for mounting a sun visor to a vehicle panel is provided that includes a mounting component, a bezel component and an elbow connectable with the sun visor. The mounting component is mountable to the panel and includes a plurality of spaced apart towers separated by sidewalls. Each tower includes an end surface that engages a face of the panel and each sidewall includes a resilient retaining member extending therefrom. Each retaining member includes a catch, wherein the opposing faces of the panel are gripped between the catch and the towers to retain the mounting component against the panel. The bezel component is connected to the mounting component and defines an opening within which the elbow is rotatably received. The preferred methods of securing the mounting assembly to a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sun visor is provided that includes a core having a periphery that defines an edge of the sun visor. The core comprises a plurality of layers with at least one layer being corrugated. The corrugated layer is characterized by a plurality of alternating ridges and troughs that strengthen the core without adding weight. An upholstery cover is disposed over the core and forms an exterior surface of the sun visor. In one embodiment, the core comprises a plurality of planar and corrugated layers. In another embodiment, the core comprises a rigid panel and a foundation disposed over the panel. The foundation includes a plurality of layers with at least one layer being corrugated to increase the thickness of the core without substantially adding weight to the sun visor.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly is provided that includes a foundation having first and second foundation halves and a periphery that defines at least a portion of an edge of the sun visor. A first ear portion attached to the first foundation half and a second ear portion attached to the second foundation half. The first and second ear portions are secured together during assembly to form an ear, wherein at least a portion of the ear is capable of movement relative to the foundation. In one embodiment, the foundation is folded unto itself to form the first and second foundation halves. In an alternate embodiment, the foundation includes two discrete foundation halves that are secured together during assembly of the sun visor. At least a portion of the periphery of the foundation includes a rounded edge having a substantially semi-circular cross-section.

Abstract: A sun visor, which generally includes a foundation which may be folded unto itself to form two foundation halves, and an upholstery cover disposed over the foundation, the foundation halves include connecting elements which engage one another to secure the foundation halves together. Additionally, a frame member may be disposed between the folded foundation halves, the frame member including connecting elements which engage corresponding connecting elements of the foundation halves to secure the foundation halves to the frame member. For example, in one embodiment, a plurality of clips may be integrally formed in a pair of connecting strips which are each associated with a foundation half, the clips of the connecting strips engaging one another when the foundation halves are pressed together to secure the foundation halves together.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for installing a rotatable shaft, such as used with a vehicle visor, to an apertured panel. The mounting assembly includes an elbow rotatable within an inner bracket that is held within an outer bracket. One or more resilient locking arms of the inner bracket extend through openings in the outer bracket, and a catch portion of each locking arm overlays the panel distal surface to resist withdrawal of an installed mounting assembly. Each locking arm is configured such that when the inner bracket is moved axially relative to the outer bracket, the locking arm catch portion is radially retracted clear of the panel distal surface to allow proximal withdrawal of the installed mounting assembly. A method of mounting a visor to a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly having a rounded member partially defining the outer edge of the sun visor which forms a more user-friendly edge than existing sun visor designs. The sun visor is formed from a substantially flat foundation that is folded unto itself thereby forming two foundation halves. The halves have corresponding shapes that define the edge of the sun visor. An upholstery cover covers the foundation and forms an exterior surface of the sun visor. A bead member is attached to the foundation and includes a stem portion that attaches to the foundation. The bead member also includes the rounded member whose surface forms a substantially semicircular cross section which faces away from the sun visor. In one embodiment, the rounded member is integrally formed with the foundation, itself, and this embodiment therefore does not include an additional bead member.