With Actuating Means For Moving Patents (Class 296/97.4)
  • Publication number: 20090284039
    Abstract: A sunshade device comprises a sunshade in the form of a roller blind forming part of a roller-blind device, comprising a supporting structure, a shaft for rolling of the sunshade blind, mounted so that it can rotate on the aforesaid supporting structure, and a shape-memory actuator device for causing displacement of the blind from the rolled-up condition to the distended condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Stefano Alacqua, Sianluca Capretti, Marco Biasiotto, Alessandro Zanella
  • Publication number: 20090250964
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided that has a window pane, preferably a windshield, which has an upper pane section and a lower pane section. Furthermore, a sun visor for the upper pane section and a cover are provided, which may be moved from a starting position via a first position, in which the cover conceals the upper pane section, into a second position, in which the cover additionally conceals the lower pane section. The sun visor is implemented as light-transparent in a way which attenuates the incident light through the upper pane section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Dino DEMMA, Frank LEOPOLD
  • Publication number: 20090236869
    Abstract: An automobile light attenuating system mounted above the doors and windshield around both sides and the front of an automobile interior designed to allow a special light-blocking plate to be positioned along a support frame by an automobile driver using simple finger-tip controls mounted on a steering wheel. A carriage supports and conveys the light-blocking plate throughout the range of the support frame when a dc motor is activated. The DC motor draws the carriage along the frame by pulling a cable in a first or a second, opposite, direction, according to the position of control switches activated by the automobile driver. Thus, a driver is able to conveniently and quickly move an effective light attenuating means into any optimal position between himself or herself and a source of bright light to reduce the blinding effect caused by the bright light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph E. Newgarden, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090152891
    Abstract: A sun visor for a vehicle and method of operating the same which prevents glare caused by light from the sun or headlights and which promotes safe driving without obstructing the field of view of a driver. The invention also features methods for operating the sun visor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Seung Woo Lee
  • Publication number: 20090146448
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a protective device which is arranged behind a backrest of a motor vehicle seat and has a flexible plane surface structure, in particular a sun blind, adjustable between an extended position of use and a retracted inoperative position. Accordingly, the motor vehicle is of coupe-like design and an electrical drive device is provided, which adjusts the flexible plane surface structure in the form of a sun blind between its position of use and its inoperative position substantially vertically, the sun blind in its position of use being arranged so that it is substantially vertically free-standing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AG
    Inventor: Peter Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20090134656
    Abstract: A sun visor apparatus for a vehicle includes a sun visor body, a supporting member supported on a roof panel and supporting the sun visor body so that the sun visor body moves in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a first position where the sun visor body is positioned in a storage space provided on an underside of the roof panel and a second position where a rear end of the sun visor body is positioned behind a mirror body of an interior rearview mirror when viewed from a driver, and a shade extending from the sun visor body to the storage space in accordance with a movement of the sun visor body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Keiji Mori
  • Patent number: 7513560
    Abstract: A sun visor that includes a clear base portion and a small shade portion that can be selectively moved to block only the sun depending on its orientation. In one embodiment, the shade portion is manually movable relative to the base portion. In another embodiment, the shade portion is automatically moved relative to the base portion by an actuator. A controller calculates the vehicle heading and the sun-incident angle to determine the proper position of the shade portion. A switch can be used to switch the actuator on when the visor is in the down position. In an alternate embodiment, the shade portion is replaced with electro-chromic elements mounted to the base portion that are controlled to selectively block the sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Lin
  • Patent number: 7510146
    Abstract: An improved window shade system, thought to be most beneficial in the Aviation and mass transit context. This system has a series of individual window shade units, each having a multilayer shade configuration. Such multilayer shade configuration provides for a great degree of control with regard to the amount of incidental light actually allowed to enter a passenger compartment. Further, each individual window shade unit is fully automated and may be linked to an adjacent window shade unit in a daisy chain fashion. This system presents novel features in the window shade itself, within the electronic components that operate the window shade, and the relationship between the system and its operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Golden
  • Publication number: 20090079221
    Abstract: A user-centric solar visor for vehicles comprising a relatively small visor panel (10) which, after pivoting down to an operational position, can be easily positioned in a roughly orbital path around the user (hence “user-centric”), extended up or down, and pivoted about its center to safely block any problematic direct or reflected solar light. One embodiment of user-centric manipulation of the visor is accomplished by a pivoting horizontal extension bar (24) mounted to the roof of the vehicle in the general vicinity of the user's head. In addition to use as original equipment, the embodiment may be installed as a replacement visor by the use of an adaptor extension arm (42) and an adaptor bracket (44). One alternate embodiment of user-centric manipulation of the visor is accomplished by a recessed visor track (64) attached to the roof of the vehicle describing an arc approximately centered about the user's head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: JAMES ELLIOTT MARSHALL
  • Publication number: 20090079222
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cover means for a displaceably mounted vehicle window pane (3), including a sheet-like structure (20) and an extending element (24, 124) that is in operational engagement with the sheet-like structure (20), in which the sheet-like structure (20) may be moved by means of the extending element (24, 124) from a stowage position into a use position and/or from the use position into the stowage position, the vehicle window pane (3) is at least partly covered by the sheet-like structure (20) in the use position, and the extending element (24, 124) may be coupled to the vehicle window pane (3) for a transmission of motion. The invention further relates to a device including a displaceable vehicle window pane and a cover element, and a control means for a device of this kind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Melf Hansen
  • Publication number: 20090072574
    Abstract: A sunshade device is configured to block light coming through a front window of a vehicle. The front window of the vehicle extends to an area above at least one of a driver seat and a front passenger seat of the vehicle. The front window configures a portion of a front side of a ceiling of the vehicle. A light-blocking member is disposed below the front window. The light-blocking member includes a front side member and a rear side member. The front side member is movable in a front-and-rear direction separately from the rear side member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji TOMINAGA, Kouichi TAKEUCHI
  • Patent number: 7503374
    Abstract: A winder is provided near a quarter window of a rear door. A shade member is drawably mounted about the winder. A connecting piece is connected to a drawing arm and mounted to the rear portion of the shade member. A shoe is mounted to a bottom end of the drawing arm. The shoe engages with a regulatory groove extending in a drawing direction of the shade member. A driving cable is connected to the shoe. The shade member can be drawn out across the window by the drawing arm via the sending out of the driving cable by an operating mechanism. Since the regulatory groove extends substantially in a circle, when the shoe moves through engagement with the regulatory groove, the connecting piece connected to the drawing arm pivots relative to the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kouichi Takeuchi, Akihiro Tamaki, Yeong-Hak Yoo
  • Publication number: 20080315615
    Abstract: A side-window roll-up shade for the front doors of motor vehicles which has a relatively short wind-up shaft housed in the region of a back edge of the window in the door frame. A short guide rail extends above the top edge of the window for guiding a slide, which is connected to a tip of the roll-up shade. For driving the roll-up shade, an electric drive with a cord is provided, with the cord extending around the window opening as a closed loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jan LEKAR
  • Patent number: 7461887
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sun visor system comprising: a main visor system assembly for mounting on a motor vehicle; a visor guide assembly; a visor extension arm having a first end that pivotally engages the main visor system assembly and a second end including an opening therethrough; a sun visor having an visor guide bar extending through and pivotally engaging the opening and slidably engaging the visor guide assembly, wherein the main visor system assembly includes driving means for moving the visor extension arm between an extended and retracted position, and wherein when the visor extension arm is moved between the extended and retracted positions to cause the visor guide to bar travel along the visor guide assembly, thereby moving the visor between a side window sun protecting position and a visor retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventors: Rita Anne Federle, Richard James Federle, Jr., James Roy Bolin
  • Patent number: 7455345
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sunshade apparatus for automobiles. In the apparatus, first and second linking rods, which function to stretch or close first and second arm units jointed to a shade bar, are actuated by first and second racks, which are engaged with motor-operated first and second drive pinions and are rectilinearly moved in opposite directions. Further, torsion springs are fitted over respective pivots, which joint the upper arm members of the first and second arm units to the shade bar, such that the torsion springs can promote the stretching of respective upper arm members. The torsion springs can be easily assembled in the apparatus, do not generate vibration or noises, and are light, thus reducing the power required to move the shade bar upwards or downwards. Therefore, the present invention realizes the smallness of the drive unit and the lightness of the sunshade apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Korea Fuel-Tech Corporation
    Inventor: Joon Hee Kim
  • Publication number: 20080217951
    Abstract: The vehicle visor with an auxiliary sunshade includes a sunshade, which is slidably mounted to a vehicle visor so that when the vehicle visor is in a lowered position, the sunshade may be selectively lowered to block environmental light beyond a lower edge of the vehicle visor. The sunshade may be either mounted to an exterior surface of the vehicle visor, or may be mounted within the vehicle visor. The sunshade has a horizontally extending opening formed therethrough, and a slat is rotatably mounted to the sunshade so that the slat selectively covers the horizontally extending opening and is angularly adjustable about a horizontal axis. The angularly adjustable slat allows the user to selectively observe a roadway through the horizontally extending opening with the slat being selectively angled to block interfering environmental light. The slat may alternatively be formed directly within the vehicle visor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas E. Aspel
  • Publication number: 20080174141
    Abstract: A sunshade assembly includes a flexible screen body, and a self-coiling spring strip unit that is secured to the flexible screen body and that provides a coiling force for biasing the flexible screen body to roll-up. The self-coiling spring strip unit deforms in a first state, where a cross-section thereof is concave, when straightened, and a second state, where the cross-section thereof is flat, when coiled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Chien-Shih Wu
  • Patent number: 7401836
    Abstract: An accessory for a pickup truck ad the like comprising a frame positioned behind the rear window thereof. The frame supports a plurality of louvers which are selectively positionable in first, second, and third orientations. The louvers are substantially transparent and at least one exterior surface thereof is reflective. The louvers are adapted to display selected graphics when positioned in the first and third orientations. The accessory may also employ triangular louvers which may be adapted to display selected graphics which positioned in the first, second, and third orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventor: Malcolm Petty
  • Patent number: 7364215
    Abstract: In a sunshade device for the rear door window of an automobile both ends of a sunshade screen rod, to which an end of the sunshade screen wound on the winding roll biased by an elastic member in a frame is fastened, are raised and lowered by a telescopic bar and an actuation arm, which are extended or retracted and erected or tilted through a single driving mechanism assembly including a driving motor, so as to spread or wind the sunshade screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Koea Fuel-Tech Corporation
    Inventor: Joon-hee Kim
  • Patent number: 7347480
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electromotive sunvisor assembly of a vehicle and a method thereof in which a visor body is automatically movable to the outside of an overhead storage room and can be pivoted at a moving shielding site. The electromotive sunvisor assembly of a vehicle comprises an upper guide bar and a lower guide bar. An upper driving member is glidingly disposed at the upper guide bar. A lower driving member is glidingly disposed at the lower guide bar. A rotary shaft is extended from the lower driving member in a lateral direction. A mounting bar is rotatably disposed at the rotary shaft and a visor body is fixed thereto. A rotational operation slat is formed protrudently from the mounting bar. A link is axially connected to one side of the upper driving member and the other end thereof is axially connected to the rotational operation slat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: QLT Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Chang-Seop Lee
  • Patent number: 7347479
    Abstract: Assume that the position of a sun visor main body is adjusted by an occupant when incident light having the incident angle ?1 has entered a vehicle passenger compartment. Then, a straight line L1 is obtained that passes through the distal end position S1 of the moved sun visor main body and is inclined by the same angle as the incident angle ?1. At this time, the intersection between a straight line Y1, which passes through an eye position P0 of a average sized person and extends along the vertical direction of a vehicle, and the straight line L1 is estimated as an eye position P1 of the occupant. Thereafter, a light blocking control is performed in accordance with the estimated eye position P1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Suzuki, Hidetoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7344260
    Abstract: A stowable laser eye protection system is provided as a solution for protecting the eyes of pilots and other vehicle operators and optical sensors such as during critical phases of flight and for general protection against a wide range of spectral wavelengths. A stowable laser eye protection system provides protection that can be manually or automatically extended and retracted. For example, by installing flexible laser protective films on rollers at each window of an aircraft cockpit, the protection can be put in place during taxi before take-off and stowed when the aircraft is a safe distance away from a potential threat area such as after reaching a particular altitude. A similar activity could be used for approach and landing, where the protection is extracted when the aircraft approaches a threat condition or critical phase of flight and retracted after landing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Peter A. Derenski
  • Publication number: 20080035284
    Abstract: A sun shade apparatus of the present invention has a curtain capable of shielding a window portion of a door. The curtain can be stretched between a shielding state and an open state on the window portion. The apparatus has a motor, a cable provided so as to be capable of being forced out or drawn in by the operation of the motor, and a connector connecting the cable and the curtain to each other. The curtain is stretched with the operation for forcing out or drawing in the cable. The connector has a connection release mechanism releases the cable and the curtain from the state of being connected when a load equal to or higher than a predetermined value is applied against the operation for forcing out or drawing in the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Yutaka Miyachi, Shinji Tominaga, Yoshitaka Jokaku, Koichi Takeuchi, Atsushi Sato
  • Patent number: 7328931
    Abstract: A sun visor apparatus for vehicle including a wiper apparatus that wipes a wipe area defined on an outer surface of a windshield. A light receiving sensor is arranged in the vehicle compartment facing toward the wipe area. When the windshield is stained by mud or bird feces, this does not interfere with the incident light received by the light receiving sensor as long as the wiper apparatus wipes the outer surface of the windshield. Accordingly, the light receiving sensor outputs an incident light detection signal that accurately corresponds to the incident light. A light shield body is properly extended and retracted in accordance with the incident light detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideshi Sahara, Hiromi Suzuki, Hidetoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7322631
    Abstract: A system designed to provide shade for the driver and the front passenger in an automobile. Shades can be flipped up and either pulled out or power driven out to provide shade. Any suitable shapes and materials may be employed for the shades. In an alternative embodiment a shade is inflated and clipped on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Jessey Roger
  • Patent number: 7252321
    Abstract: A car sunshade includes: a pair of curtain members each hung to a hanger and operatively driven by a driving device to be upwardly unwound for shielding the windshield of the car from being exposed to sun light along a pair of guiding devices respectively mounted on (or juxtapositioned to) two pillars adjacent to the windshield; or the curtain members being downwardly wound to unveil the windshield of the car, without removing a factory-installed rear-view mirror and without obstructing a driver's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Tien Chu Lee
  • Publication number: 20070158970
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sunshade device for the rear door window of an automobile. Both ends of a sunshade screen rod, to which an end of the sunshade screen wound on the winding roll biased by an elastic member in a frame is fastened, are raised and lowered by a telescopic bar and an actuation arm, which are extended or retracted and erected or tilted through a single driving mechanism assembly including a driving motor, so as to spread or wind the sunshade screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: JOON-HEE KIM
  • Patent number: 7216917
    Abstract: A multifunction, retractable sun shielding apparatus. A retractable screen, a housing configured to receive and contain the retractable screen upon retracting the screen, and a drive mechanism attached to longitudinal edges of the screen, and configured to drive the screen in directions of retraction and deployment. A power switch may be provided that is actuatable by an operator to drive the drive mechanism to deploy or retract the retractable screen. An interlock automatically stops deployment of the retractable screen at a first predefined position where the screen functions as a visor with regard to an adjacent windshield, and a second predefined position where the screen fully covers the adjacent windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Anand Tadakamalla
  • Patent number: 7140662
    Abstract: The retractable sunshade is a motorized pulley-operated sunshade for the front windshield of a motor vehicle that operates in a similar manner to a drapery rod. This product would protect the interior of the vehicle from intense heat build-up while the vehicle is parked outside in direct sunlight and could also serve as a theft deterrent by obstructing the view of the interior of the car from would be thieves. The unit primarily consists of a reversible electric motor, a flexible opaque shade, two guide tracks, four pulleys, a control switch, and mounting hardware. The rectangular shade would be scented with a fragrance to provide a pleasant smell for the interior of the vehicle while making it more comfortable to enter after being parked in the sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventors: Kari L. Wilkinson, Thomas Lewis Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 7140663
    Abstract: A visor assembly includes first and second coextensive shades formed from opaque material for reflecting sunlight outwardly and away from the vehicle. The shades are sized and shaped to become nested subjacent to a windshield and partially intercalated within a selected portion of the vehicle frame surrounding the windshield. The shades are situated within a slot of the vehicle and each shade includes an inner edge portion that is juxtaposed side-by-side and formed from rubber. First and second pairs of guide tracks are intercalated within the vehicle slot and conjoined to a top surface of the shades. The first pair of guide tracks lays adjacent to the vehicle slot and the second pair of guide tracks lays adjacent to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A power mechanism selectively positions the shades between retracted and extended positions. The user can extend and retract one shade while another shade remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Darell D. Thacker
  • Patent number: 7140664
    Abstract: A vehicle sun visor includes a visor body and a fixed base mounted within a storage space defined in a vehicle cabin ceiling. A linearly movable member is movable along a first guide rail. A movable support member is movable along a second guide rail and is pivotally coupled to the linearly movable member. The visor body is movable between a storage position and a first light shielding position along the windshield. In addition, the visor support may include a support member and a guide device. The guide device allows the visor body to move along a predetermined path between a first light shielding position and a second light shielding position along a side window, while one side of the visor body faces the interior of a vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignees: Kyowa Sangyo Co., Ltd., Shinwa Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Asai
  • Patent number: 7108307
    Abstract: A pair of drive gears rotated by a drive motor is meshed with meshing surfaces of a pair of slide guides of a light shield body. A plurality of rotation rollers rotate on roll surfaces of the slide guides and hold the pair of slide guides in a thicknesswise direction of the light shield body. The drive gears have contact portions that come into contact with side surfaces of the slide guides that are arranged to face each other or face opposite directions. Accordingly, a vehicle sun visor apparatus may be reduced in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideshi Sahara, Hiromi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7090281
    Abstract: A sun visor assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a sun visor panel having generally planar opposing sides sandwiched together to define a pocket therebetween. A longitudinally extending support rod is positioned between the opposing sides of the panel for supporting the panel in the interior of the vehicle. An adjustment mechanism is coupled between the support rod and the sun visor panel for providing selective sliding movement of the sun visor panel along the support rod between a retracted position and an extended position. The adjustment mechanism includes a support frame secured to the visor panel having an upper rail forming a longitudinal rack, a guide carriage secured to the support rod and slidably coupled to the support frame, and a gear rotatably supported by the carriage and meshed with the rack for guiding the sun visor panel along the support rod between the retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignees: Intier Automotive Inc., Link Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey William Davey, Terry Lynn Brandl, Steven Bradley Herbst, Jon Theodore Riley, Alan Dean Picken
  • Patent number: 7086682
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention concerns an obturating device for a vehicle, comprising two panels superposed and united to one another, defining an at least partially closed internal space, and movable occulting means which may extend in the said closed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Wagon SAS
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Neaux
  • Patent number: 7014243
    Abstract: In the sunshade device, the sheet-like sunshade is contained drawably inside a sunshade frame mounted on a backside vehicle body of a rear parcel shelf and drawn out of a drawing outlet of the sunshade frame via an access opening of the rear parcel shelf. The sunshade device has a cover which is attached to a rail mounted on a drawing end of the sunshade and covers the access opening and an engagement unit provided in the rail and the cover for fixing the cover to the rail by engagement, wherein the engagement unit achieves the engagement by a mutual pressing of the rail at the drawing end of the sunshade rewound to the access opening and the cover in a state where the rail and the cover face to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Nakajo
  • Patent number: 6923490
    Abstract: An improved sliding sun visor assembly for a vehicle includes a visor body. The visor body has an inner surface which defines a first frictional engagement surface. A visor arm is provided and has a first end attachable to a portion of the vehicle, and a second end. A detent clip is disposed about the second end of the visor arm. A detent member receives the detent clip and has an outer surface which defines a second frictional engagement surface. The second frictional engagement surface is selectively engaged with the first frictional engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Donald M. Peterson, Von Gallaher, James B. Cook
  • Patent number: 6840562
    Abstract: A windup window shade is provided with windup window shade mechanism which, in the extracted state, make possible different degrees of opacity at the window. To this end, the two window shade web can either be wound on separate windup shafts and spread out in the same direction from the same starting point, or the two window shade webs have been connected with each other and, after having been extended, are moved in the manner of a film in front of the window. Two windup shafts are employed in both cases, wherein in the one case the two windup shafts are located directly next to each other, while in the other case the windup shafts are separated from each other during the extension of the shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner P. Schlecht, Herbert Walter
  • Patent number: 6811201
    Abstract: An automatic sun visor system for a vehicle includes a light detecting apparatus for detecting sunlight incident upon the face of an occupant of the vehicle. A microcontroller receives a control signal from the light detecting apparatus, and an adjustable sun visor receives a darkening control signal from the microcontroller. The darkening control signal activates the adjustable sun visor in response to the degree of sunlight detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sanjeev Manubhai Naik
  • Patent number: 6796599
    Abstract: For closing the outlet slit of a window shade in a rear window shelf of a motor vehicle, a winding shaft of the rear window shade is seated in a window shade support which is movable in relation to the underside of the rear window shelf. By reason of such arrangement, it is possible either to use the window shade support itself for closing the slit when the window shade web is in the retracted position, or the winding shaft can be moved to close to the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner P. Schlecht, Herbert Walter
  • Publication number: 20040056504
    Abstract: A motor vehicle sun screen device for a vehicle roof module has at least one guideway which extends from back to front in a longitudinal direction of a roof module, a housing which is mounted on the roof module, a first sun screen that can be moved forward from the housing and that is guided in the guideway, at least one cassette mounted on the lower edge of the first sun screen, and a second sun screen contained in the cassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Rainer Hattass, Tobias Christian
  • Patent number: 6695381
    Abstract: A windup window shade is provided with windup window shade means which, in the extracted state, make possible different degrees of opacity at the window. To this end, the two window shade web can either be wound on separate windup shafts and spread out in the same direction from the same starting point, or the two window shade webs have been connected with each other and, after having been extended, are moved in the manner of a film in front of the window. Two windup shafts are employed in both cases, wherein in the one case the two windup shafts are located directly next to each other, while in the other case the windup shafts are separated from each other during the extension of the shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner P. Schlecht, Herbert Walter
  • Patent number: 6682122
    Abstract: A sun visor system for a vision unit of an automotive vehicle includes a sliding carrier visor having a stowed position within a headliner of a vehicle and a deployed position running laterally along a portion of the vision unit between a rearview mirror mounted to the vision unit and the headliner. Laterally extending insert visors may be independently deployed from the carrier visor so as to increase the area of a vision unit, such as a windshield, being protected from glare by the present visor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Danil V. Prokhorov
  • Patent number: 6666493
    Abstract: An automatic sun visor system for a vehicle includes a light detecting apparatus for detecting sunlight incident upon the face of an occupant of the vehicle. A microcontroller receives a control signal from the light detecting apparatus, and an adjustable sun visor receives a darkening control signal from the microcontroller. The darkening control signal activates the adjustable sun visor in response to the degree of sunlight detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sanjeev Manubhai Naik
  • Patent number: 6616209
    Abstract: A sun visor attachment for use in motor vehicles which can be easily affixed to a vehicle sun visor and uniquely includes a first extender member that can be quickly and easily vertically adjusted relative to the sun visor to block light rays entering the vehicle windshield proximate the upper and lower central portion thereof and a second extender member that can be easily adjusted horizontally relative to the sun visor to block light rays entering the vehicle through the areas on either side of the sun visor. The vertical movement of the first extender member is precisely controlled through the use of a novel, manually operated adjustment mechanism that includes a finger operated adjustment knob that can be easily operated by the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Roland Muyo
  • Patent number: 6598929
    Abstract: A windup window shade for motor vehicles has a rotatably seated windup shaft, on which a window shade web is fastened by an edge. The other edge is fastened on a traction rod, whose ends are guided in guide rails. The distance between the guide rails changes very greatly, viewed in the direction of movement of the window shade web, because of which the length of the traction rod can be changed in a telescope-like manner. It is composed of a center element and two end elements, wherein it is provided with the aid of a centering device that the center element always remains centered in respect to the end elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Bos GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner P. Schlecht, Herbert Walter
  • Patent number: 6547307
    Abstract: A windup window shade has a windup shaft and a window shade web fastened on it. The window shade web is provided with a traction rod, which is moved at both ends by means of drive members along the guide rails. A compensating device is provided to compensate assembly tolerances or shape tolerances, which assures that too great tensions extending parallel with the windup shaft do not occur in the window shade web, which would lead to obliquely extending waves in the extended window shade web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Bos GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner P. Schlecht, Herbert Walter
  • 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: 6536829
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is equipped with a protective sun shade (13), whose essential mechanical elements are housed in a roof interior space (6), above the headliner (5). The protective sun shade (13) is free of guide rails. Either the sun shade web (14) is sufficiently rigid, or its front edge is supported with the aid of guided guide and push rods (42), (43) in such a way that its front or lower edge (21) is held in contact with the respective pane (8). A gear motor (25) is provided for operating, i.e. retracting and extending the window shade web (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Bos GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner P. Schlecht, Herbert Walter
  • Patent number: 6527329
    Abstract: A sun visor for a vehicle arranged between a driver's and a front passenger's sun visor. The sun visor has a holding unit and a unit arranged on the holding unit with a visor body. The visor body is planar and moves from a retracted position to a functional position. The visor body has at least one moveable surface unit. The surface of the visor body increases, when the visor body is moved from a retracted position to a functional position, and decreases when the visor body Is moved from a functional position to a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Utescheny AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bauer, Dirk Soldinger, Thorsten Rauschenberger
  • Publication number: 20030034665
    Abstract: A vision visor for a motorized vehicle is provided. The visor includes a visor plate that is at least partially translucent and a post assembly that is adjustably connected to an interior portion of the vehicle. A connector is fastened to the visor plate and adjustably connected to the post assembly, whereby the visor plate may be selectively placed between at least one eye of a driver of the vehicle and light emitted from a light source. A method for using a vision visor for a vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: James A. Boyle