Arm Having Specific Pivot Structure Patents (Class 296/97.13)
  • Patent number: 11780302
    Abstract: A sun visor assembly for a vehicle that includes a mount configured to be connected to the vehicle. A guide rod having a first portion that includes a head and a second portion with a terminal end is operably coupled to the mount via the head. An impact point is at the terminal end of the second portion. The guide rod and the impact point are configured for use as a window breaker tool in a disassembled position. A visor is operably coupled to the guide rod in an assembled position and is rotatable about the guide rod from a first position to a second position. The visor includes a channel defined within the visor that is configured to receive the guide rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Weyrauch, Rohit Telukunta, Steven Frank, Michael J. Gardynik
  • Patent number: 11718158
    Abstract: A sun visor actuation system including an attachment apparatus configured to attach to an automobile structure, an arm member rotatably attached to the attachment apparatus, a body member attached to the arm member, and an actuation system. The actuation system is operable to at least one of rotate the body member and prevent the rotation of the body member responsive to an indication of an imminent collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: K & E Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Hensen
  • Patent number: 9994090
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a sun shading device, a sun shading method and a transportation vehicle. The sun shading device comprises a support and a light adjusting device provided on the support, the light adjusting device at least partially blocks external light by adjusting its light transmission rate. In the technical solutions of the sun shading device, the sun shading method based on the sun shading device, and the transportation vehicle comprising the sun shading device provided in the present invention, the sun shading device may not only block light, but also avoid blocking a user's view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wenbo Li
  • Patent number: 9248720
    Abstract: A utility part assembly includes a vehicular interior part and a utility part. The vehicular interior part has a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface and has a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole. The utility part includes a first member provided on the first surface and a second member provided on the second surface. The first member has a first coupling pin and one of a second coupling pin and a first coupling hole, and the second member has a coupling portion that is coupled to the first coupling pin and another one of the second coupling pin and the first coupling hole. The first coupling pin is inserted through the first mounting hole and coupled to the coupling portion, and the second coupling pin is inserted through the second mounting hole and coupled to the first coupling hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NIFCO INC.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Hirano, Yuji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9248721
    Abstract: A sun visor assembly is provided incorporating a magnetic detention system. That assembly includes a sun visor body, a ferromagnetic element held in that body and a permanent magnet in a headliner of the vehicle. The permanent magnet and the ferromagnetic element are aligned so that the body is attracted toward the headliner and positively held in a home position adjacent the headliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Alan Forgette, Neal Randolph Osstyn, Anna Miller Hill, John Andrew Stakoe
  • Patent number: 9174516
    Abstract: A sun visor system includes multiple visors to provide selective window coverage for glare. This system can be employed on the driver side, passenger side, or both. The second visor (50), having pivotal device (56) on support rod (54), can be easily connected to the first visor (20) support rod (24) to provide pivotal movements between the windshield and side window. These visors, first and second, can be moved together or separately to stored positions, windshield and side window blocked positions, or combinations of both positions to provide window protection from glare quickly and easily for windshield, side window, or both. Also support rod of the visor can be made of flexible material, like gooseneck arm, to further provide flexible adjustments of visor to desired positions to block glare from different angles or positions of vehicle window. This adjustable visor system can be applied to a single sun visor system or multiple visors system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Inventors: Der-Gao Lin, Wonchon Lin, Won-Yi Lin, Liao Yu-Hua Lin
  • Patent number: 8931822
    Abstract: A vehicle sun visor includes: an urging member that applies turning force toward a storage position to a sun visor body when a turning angle of the sun visor body from the storage position is a predetermined angle or smaller; and a damper that applies braking force when the sun visor body turns. When a turning speed of the sun visor body toward the storage position is a predetermined speed or lower, the damper braking force is smaller than a value obtained by subtracting turning force based on the weight of the sun visor body from the turning force of the urging member, and, when the turning speed exceeds the predetermined speed, the damper braking force is larger than or equal to the value obtained by subtracting the turning force based on the weight of the sun visor body from the turning force of the urging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Kyowa Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Asai, Kosuke Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20140362595
    Abstract: A sunvisor with for a vehicle, including a sunvisor body having a front surface and a rear surface, a hinging arrangement for hinging the sunvisor body to a roof structure of a vehicle body, the hinging arrangement including a hook member located above an upper side portion of the sunvisor body, an upper rod unrotatably connected to the sunvisor body, a detent member rotatably coupled to a lateral end portion of the upper rod outside the sunvisor body and to the roof structure and includes pivot means to swing the sunvisor body between a first screening position and a second screening position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Ignacio Marcos Primo, Vincent Bernard
  • Publication number: 20140021735
    Abstract: A check assembly portion of a visor assembly for a vehicle is generally fixedly coupled with the headliner of the vehicle roof near a center portion of the vehicle, away from the vehicle door or windows. Adapting a clip to a check assembly portion of a visor assembly to secure small lightweight items will deter such items from being exposed to weather or wind conditions near a vehicle door, a vehicle sunroof, or an exposed top, which a visor portion of a visor assembly typically becomes closer to such locations. The visor portion may also be operable between a deployed and a non-deployed position, wherein the clip on the check assembly may be concealed in the non-deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Huelke, Phil Joseph Linson, James Allen Stec, Justin Lee Healy, John Andrew Stakoe, Alexander V. Deych, Jeff Todd Baxter
  • Patent number: 8602480
    Abstract: A sunvisor apparatus may include a pivot arm fixed to a headlining, a sunvisor portion rotatably installed at an end portion of the pivot arm, and a damper device installed between the pivot arm and the sunvisor portion to reduce a rotating speed of the sunvisor portion through increasing of a frictional force while the end portion of the pivot arm may be inserted into the damper device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corporation, Yong San Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Bae Kim, Deok Rae Kim
  • Publication number: 20130154303
    Abstract: A sunvisor apparatus may include a pivot arm fixed to a headlining, a sunvisor portion rotatably installed at an end portion of the pivot arm, and a damper device installed between the pivot arm and the sunvisor portion to reduce a rotating speed of the sunvisor portion through increasing of a frictional force while the end portion of the pivot arm may be inserted into the damper device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Yong San Co., Ltd., Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Bae Kim, Deok Rae Kim
  • Publication number: 20130119697
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed for reducing a biasing force acting upon a support rod, while securing a rotating torque required to pivot a sun visor body, in a sun visor for vehicles. A sun visor for vehicles, in which a sun visor body 103 can pivot on a support rod 105, includes a biasing and holding member 121 that biases and holds the support rod 105 only by three regions in a circumferential direction of the support rod 105. The biasing and holding member 121 is formed by bending a single leaf spring and integrally includes a support rod holding region 125a, 127a, 129a and a biasing force generating region 123. The support rod holding region includes the three regions that surround an outer surface of the support rod, and the biasing force generating region is formed at a predetermined distance from the support rod holding region 125a, 127a, 129a in a direction transverse to the axial direction of the support rod 105.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: KYOWA SANGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: KYOWA SANGYO CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8424950
    Abstract: A vehicle sun visor includes: a sun visor body; a support shaft that supports the sun visor body; a mounting bracket that attaches the support shaft to a vehicle; a pair of first conductive element and second conductive element that are provided at a shaft end of the support shaft adjacent to the mounting bracket and inside the support shaft; a divider that is interposed between first ends; and a pair of terminals that supply electric power to the first ends. A gap is formed between the divider and at least one of the first ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Kyowa Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norio Ebisuoka
  • Patent number: 8091946
    Abstract: A screwless visor for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The visor includes a body, and an arm having a first end and a second end with the second end arranged in the body. The arm also has an elbow arranged near the first end. The visor also includes a mounting assembly secured to the headliner. The mounting assembly includes an inner collar arranged over the first end of the arm and a bracket in contact with the inner collar. The bracket has a hook extending from a surface thereof wherein the hook is in contact with the headliner. The screwless mount assembly will allow for easier installation and removal of the visor from the headliner of the interior of an automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David Huff, Shane DeVoe
  • Patent number: 8020914
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a visor support and a method of supporting a visor. In one embodiment, the support comprises a body and a flange with the visor is attached to the body such that the visor moves with respect to the body. A fastener attaches the body to the flange such that the body moves with respect to the flange. A first detent is disposed on the flange. A first ball is disposed on the body. The first ball is engageable with the first detent to control vertical movement of the visor. A second detent is disposed on the visor. A second ball is disposed on the body. The second ball is engageable with the second detent to control horizontal movement of the visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen F. Burns
  • Patent number: 7992918
    Abstract: In daily driving one is constant bombarded with distractions. Falling victim to the blinding sunlight can be one, such outcome that can lead to a disastrous of car accident. My invention will provide drivers and passengers added security by adding a transparent light color visor to the original car visor thus shielding the user from unwanted light. this is accomplished by employing two parallel rows visor, the first row which uses the transparent light color visor, the second row which is the existing factory visor, the two row of visors will use the existing mounting bracket along with a bracket adapter to mounted it the two rows visor may overlap each other and be used separately at various position to shield the eyes of the automobile driver and passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Tony Mintung Mac
  • Patent number: 7967360
    Abstract: A removable visor and method for installing a removable visor is provided. The removable visor includes a cover having a slot, a bracket, positioned inside the cover, having a flexible snap configured to be inserted into the slot, an elbow, attached to the bracket through an opening in the cover, an arm extending from the elbow and a visor attached to the arm. The top of the bracket of the assembled visor, having at least one lobe, is inserted through an opening in the interior ceiling of the vehicle. The bracket is rotated inside the cover so that the flexible snap engages the slot and locks the bracket to the cover, wherein the at least one lobe pinches down on the interior ceiling, connecting the removable visor to the interior ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Pete Holden, Shane Vorac, Tom Brookhouse, Vince Boraas
  • Patent number: 7954875
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sun visor for a motor vehicle, with a planar, elongate main visor body which is mounted rotatably on a rotary spindle running approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent of the main visor body, the rotary spindle being coupled to a main swivel spindle for swiveling the main visor body from a not-in-use position into a use position and vice versa, the main swivel spindle, in the not-in-use position, being integrated in the roof (6) of the motor vehicle parallel to the longitudinal extent of the main visor body and at a distance from the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Jan Bohner, Hans-Juergen Franz, Klaus Pflaumbaum
  • Patent number: 7703832
    Abstract: A breakaway visor for use in a vehicle includes a visor body and a molded tubular member having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is rotatably supported with respect to the roof of a vehicle via a visor mounting bracket. The visor arm also includes an elbow portion arranged a predetermined distance from the first end of the molded tubular member. The visor arm also includes a metal tubular insert member arranged within the molded tubular member. The metal tubular insert member will have a first end within the molded tubular member and arranged a predetermined distance from the first end of the molded tubular member. This first end of the metal tubular insert member will define the break point for the breakaway visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William Robert Shorter, Leslie R. Hinds, Joseph P. Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 7695046
    Abstract: A visor for shielding the interior of a vehicle from the light or glare from a light source includes a visor that can be rotated about an axis from a stowed position to a shielding position. The visor may also be translated along a track so that the placement of the visor along the length of a large window may be chosen with precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chris Osborne, Michael Tsay
  • Patent number: 7556308
    Abstract: As of supporting the survivor to the vehicle body, the visor panel is adapted in relatively and easily be attached to and detached from the clip unit by using a push lock type clip unit. Moreover, when the support rod is detached from the clip unit, the visor panel is automatically positioned to shade the side window via a panel guide unit, thus optimizing the convenience of using the sunvisor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: QLT Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Seop Lee, Dong-Nam Kim, Joon-Seok Yoon
  • Publication number: 20080164715
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fixing device for a vehicle for mounting a component, especially a sun visor. The fixing device comprises a cantilever arm that can be pivoted about a first, especially vertical rotational axis but is fixed in relation to the vehicle body. The component can be tilted in relation to the cantilever arm about a second, especially horizontal rotational axis. In addition to the fact that the component can be tilted about the second rotational axis, the position of the component can be modified in relation to the cantilever arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Frederic Selvini, Andre Nyznyk
  • Patent number: 7159925
    Abstract: A sun visor for a vehicle includes a shaft 10 angularly movably mounted on a roof surface within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a shielding plate angularly movably mounted on the shaft 10. A holder 30 and a stabilizer 70, in which the shaft 10 is angularly movably inserted, are provided at an end portion of the shielding plate, and a first projection 20A and a second projection 20B are formed on the shaft 10, and are spaced from each other in a direction of an axis of the shaft. The distance between the second projection 20B and the tubular portion 71 is larger than the distance between the first projection 20A and the bearing portion 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kyowa Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Ikeda, Toshikazu Hirose, Tadao Goto, Hiroyuki Hirayama, Takatomo Watanabe, Junichi Soga
  • Patent number: 7144062
    Abstract: A vehicle sun visor includes a visor body, a horizontal rod mounted to the visor body, and a support arm. The support arm has a vertical rod and is rotatably mounted to a vehicle cabin ceiling. A bearing is mounted to one end of the vertical rod and rotatably receives the horizontal rod, so that the visor body can pivot about an axis of the vertical rod and can also pivot about an axis of the horizontal rod. A stopper mechanism prevents the visor body from moving in a first direction along the axis of the horizontal rod but permits the visor body to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first direction is a direction used for inserting the horizontal rod of the visor body into the horizontal bore of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignees: Kyowa Sangyo Co., Ltd., Shinwa Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Asai
  • Patent number: 7111890
    Abstract: A sun visor can be opened from a non-used position to an anti-glare position. The visor can be pivoted from a first anti-glare position in front of the windscreen to a second anti-glare position in front of a lateral window of the vehicle. The visor body is guided by a guide device in such a way that in each anti-glare position the same face of the body faces the vehicle interior. The visor body is guided both by a guide rail that is mounted on the roof liner and by an articulated arm that is rotatably mounted on the sun visor body for pivoting from the first anti-glare position to the second. The visor body can also be hinged for pivoting from the first anti-glare position to the second by a pair of articulated arms forming a four-bar mechanism with substantially vertical axes of rotation relative to the roof liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Interiors GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Delus, Didier Weiss, Patrick Welter, Frederic Selvini
  • Patent number: 7093880
    Abstract: A center mounted visor assembly for mounting in a vehicle that allows the visor to be rotated downward and upward, from front windshield to side window, and horizontally along the windshield from vehicle side to vehicle center as needed is taught. Provision for vanity power for a vanity light is also taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: John Marstan Tiesler
  • Patent number: 7077454
    Abstract: A sun-visor is attached to slidably mounted extension rods and is stowed at least partially out of sight, above the headliner, when the sun-visor is not in use. When use of the sun-visor is desired, the sun-visor may be pulled out of the headliner to a position where it may be pivoted downward to block the upper portion of the windshield. A side window sun-visor is pivoted to the sun-visor frame and may be swung outward from the windshield sun-visor to a position where it blocks sun and glare from a side window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: John E Schambre
  • Patent number: 6962385
    Abstract: A sun visor for a motor vehicle is provided, and includes first and second visor body shells. The shells define a retaining channel for a slider on a visor pivot rod, and may be engaged and closed about the slider, capturing the pivot rod and slider in a single assembly step. In another aspect, a sun visor is provided having a combination slider and detent slidably supported in channels molded into first and second visor shells. A support arm is provided and is laterally offset from the combination slider and detent and is slidably relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Wieczorek, Leslie R. Hinds, Richard T. Bogdanski
  • Patent number: 6945588
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Crotty Corporation
    Inventors: Eric E. Schultz, Brett E. Drake
  • Patent number: 6896311
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Crotty Corporation
    Inventors: Eric E. Schultz, Brett E. Drake
  • Patent number: 6860546
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a two piece pivoting sun visor rod upon which sun visors are rotationally mounted, wherein the pivoting sun visor rod comprises a two piece sun visor rod having a pivot joint incorporated therein. Further, the present invention relates to a two piece sun visor rod having both a pivot joint and a means of electrically connecting a vanity light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Fero, John E. McConnell
  • Patent number: 6830279
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Crotty Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Beaver
  • Patent number: 6796593
    Abstract: A pivot rod connection interface cover for covering the connection interface of a sun visor pivot rod which protects occupants from head impact injury in the event of a crash, yet allows the sun visor to both pivot and rotate in a fully normal and familiar manner. The pivot rod connection interface cover is composed of a base member and a cover member rotatively connected thereto. The base member is affixed to the roof of the vehicle and preferably serves as a pivot rod support which allows rotation of the pivot rod with respect to the roof. The cover member has a preferably hemispherical dome shape that snappingly engages the base member so as to be rotatable therewith and receives therewithin the pivot rod connection interface (ie., including the elbow). Preferably, but not necessarily, internal to the cover member are left and right guide walls which serve as crush features, as well as assistance to guiding the pivot rod therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: William J. Hennessey
  • Publication number: 20040099777
    Abstract: A clip fixing structure in which there is no possibility for producing a frictional scratch at an outer surface of a cylinder when it is fixed, its fixing is conveniently carried out, its productivity is improved and at the same time a loss of material is restricted, and it can be sufficiently adapted for its fixing to a high-class writing instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: TOKYO KINZOKU INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeki Fujihara, Kenji Kosuge, Hirozumi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6719352
    Abstract: A visor mounting assembly includes a detent spring extending over an end of a visor rod projecting through a mounting bracket and engaging a detent on an end of the visor rod to detent the visor when moved from a front windshield position to a side window position at a location allowing clearance of a side curtain air bag. A detent spring includes a pair of orthogonally integrally joined U-shaped members defining vertically spaced horizontally extending floors, each having apertures aligned for receiving a visor rod end and vertically extending walls coupled to the horizontally extending floors for engaging the sides of a visor rod extending through apertures. One assembly includes a visor rod with a keyed end for lockably receiving a stop member which cooperates with a visor mounting bracket when the visor is moved from a front windshield position to a side window position, limiting its movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Randy L. Arendsen, Michael D. Verkaik
  • Patent number: 6612552
    Abstract: A pivot rod connection interface cover for covering the connection interface of a sun visor pivot rod which protects occupants from head impact injury in the event of a crash, yet allows the sun visor to both pivot and rotate in a fully normal and familiar manner. The pivot rod connection interface cover is composed of a base member and a cover member rotatively connected thereto. The base member is affixed to the roof of the vehicle and preferably serves as a pivot rod support which allows rotation of the pivot rod with respect to the roof. The cover member has a preferably hemispherical dome shape that snappingly engages the base member so as to be rotatable therewith and receives therewithin the pivot rod connection interface (ie., including the elbow). Preferably, but not necessarily, internal to the cover member are left and right guide walls which serve as crush features, as well as assistance to guiding the pivot rod therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: William J. Hennessey
  • Patent number: 6595571
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Crotty Corporation
    Inventors: Scott E. Krebs, Derik Reichhart
  • Patent number: 6547308
    Abstract: A visor mounting assembly includes a visor elbow and a visor mounting bracket with a cam cooperating between the two members to detent the visor when moved from a front windshield position to a side window position at a location which allows clearance of the side curtain air bag, thereby positioning the visor when in the side window position at a location which does not interfere with or inhibit the deployment of a side curtain air bag. In one embodiment, a stop extends between the elbow and bracket to limit the movement of the visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology
    Inventors: L. Robert Hamelink, Eric D. Rennie
  • Patent number: 6517039
    Abstract: A fixing clip holds the shaft of an article, and fixes the article onto a panel via a through-hole formed in the panel and having a front edge and a rear edge. The fixing clip includes a base having a front end, a rear end, and an opening, and a shaft holder formed on the base and for receiving the shaft of the article. The shaft holder has a conical wall. The fixing clip also has a first stopper that is a portion of the area on the conical wall of the shaft holder and faces the front end of the base; and a second stopper positioned along one side of the opening and facing the rear end of the base. When the fixing clip is attached to the panel, the first stopper comes into frictional contact with the front edge of the through-hole, and the second stopper catches the rear edge of the through-hole. The fixing clip also has a tail-like third stopper, which extends from the conical wall of the shaft holder above the first stopper and toward the front end of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventor: Oomi Arisaka
  • Patent number: 6491333
    Abstract: There is provided a sun visor holder wherein efficiency with which the sun visor holder is mounted on a body panel is greatly improved. A sun visor holder includes holding pieces engaging with an interior material, and also includes engaging claws engaging with and nipping a body panel, and a flange portion. The sun visor holder can be mounted at the body panel in a state of being temporarily fastened to the interior material, and can also be mounted by simply being inserted in mounting holes. Therefore, the efficiency with which the sun visor holder is mounted on the body panel is greatly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignees: NIFKO Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouji Ichikawa, Yoshinori Noritake, Eiji Hibi
  • Patent number: 6428078
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Crotty Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Beaver
  • Publication number: 20020089210
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Beaver
  • Patent number: 6406087
    Abstract: A panel fixation member of a bracket 31 for attaching a sun visor to a roof panel 33 has a pair of division walls 51a, 51b divided by slits S that divide lengthwise a surrounding wall formed substantially in a shape of a cylinder, and it is composed of a grommet screw 51 of which the diameter is expanded by insertion of a first conductive screw 43 into its inner surrounding portion in a state where it is inserted into a fitting hole 33a of the roof panel 33 thereby to be tightened in relation to the fitting hole 33a. Further, a protective wall 51c is extendedly provided for both side edges of the division wall 51a facing the slits S, which covers slit openings on a side face of the grommet screw 51 by extending in a flexible direction of the division wall 51b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Sawayanagi
  • Patent number: 6328371
    Abstract: A vehicle sun visor provided with two pair of elongated semi-flexible light color panels. The two may overlap one another, or be used separately, to permit the necessary variation in transparency required for day and night time driving The vehicle sun visor can reduce glare from the sun's rays and from the headlights of an oncoming vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Tony Mintung Mac
  • Patent number: 6296293
    Abstract: The present invention involves a auxiliary sun visor assembly for a vehicle which is laterally adjustable and sufficiently compact to fit between a headliner and a main visor of the vehicle. The assembly provides greater blockage than conventionally provided by a single sun visor. The assembly is sufficiently compact to fit between the headliner and the main visor without substantially biasing the main visor away from the headliner. The assembly includes a visor body, a support arm having first and second ends and a ridge extending longitudinally between the ends, a detent clip for supporting the visor body and movable pivotably and slidably longitudinally with respect to the support arm, and a u-shaped bushing having terminal portions wrapped around the support arm between the detent clip and the support arm wherein the terminal portions terminate substantially at opposite sides of the ridge preventing the bushing from pivotal movement about the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Don M. Peterson, Douglas J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6264263
    Abstract: A maneuvrable sun visor arm for a vehicle is disclosed. The manoeuvrable sun visor arm has a first end to be mounted in a predetermined location and a second arm which is adapted to be connected to a sun visor. The second arm is movable substantially universally with respect to the predetermined location. The arm is further characterized as including a telescopic section having two or more telescoped sub arms adapted to releasably engage each other at a plurality of predetermined locations relative to one another. The telescoped sub arms may be provided with complementary grooves and ridges adapted to inter engage. Openings or castellations may be provided adjacent to the ridges to permit the ridges to be flexed to disengage the ridges from any of the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventors: Christine Clare Hayes, Damian Vincent Corcoran
  • Patent number: 6189947
    Abstract: A device is provided to provide extended sun protection offered by sun visors commonly used in motor vehicles, wherein the apparatus is removably attached to the vehicle sun visor and a panel of the device can be opened to provide protection from sun's rays shining through the vehicle from the side. In this manner, the vehicle's own sun visor can be lowered to offer frontal sun protection and the device of the invention offers sun protection from the side. In addition, the device of the invention is equipped with another panel that can be extended to provide protection from the sun's rays in the corner space between the front and the side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Bennett Annan