With Actuating Means For Moving Patents (Class 296/97.4)
  • Patent number: 6488328
    Abstract: A sun visor arrangement for a motor vehicle is connected to at least one support of the motor vehicle and is configured to be moveable from a stowed position into a shading position. The sun visor arrangement has a sun visor and one or more screen parts connected to the sun visor. The screen part is configured to be moveable from a rest position into a position of use and back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Olaf Quapil
  • Patent number: 6450560
    Abstract: A variable shade sun screen having first and second relatively movable sheets with alignable or offsetable matrices of translucent and opaque portions to selectively vary the opacity of the sun screen. The invention can be used in a sun visor, a sunroof, or adjacent any vehicle surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Sturt, George Byma
  • Publication number: 20020121796
    Abstract: A sun visor (10.1) for a vehicle, having a holding unit (12.1) which can be fastened to the interior, and an antidazzle unit (14.1) which is arranged on the holding unit (12.1), has a visor body (16.1) of essentially planar design and can be moved, for antidazzle purposes, from a retracted position into a functional position, the sun visor being arranged in particular between a driver's sun visor and a front-passenger's sun visor, is distinguished in that the visor body (16.1) has at least one moveable surface unit (18.1) which increases the surface of the visor body (16.1), when the visor body (16.1) is moved from the retracted position to the functional position, and conversely reduces the surface of the visor body (16.1) when it is moved from the functional position into the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: UTESCHENY AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bauer, Dirk Soldinger, Thorsten Rauschenberger
  • Patent number: 6439638
    Abstract: A sun visor to be used in a vehicle has a sun visor body with an opening; at least one punched plate having a front side and a back side and a plurality of holes opened between the front side and the back side, which is fitted in the opening of the sun visor body; and at least one light-attenuation plate for attenuating incident light horizontally passing through the holes of the punched plate, which is placed on at least one of the front and back sides of the punched plate. Therefore, the vehicle can be operated safely under the incident morning or evening sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Kasai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Kawasaki, Yoshiaki Kazama, Tomoko Furuhashi
  • Patent number: 6422291
    Abstract: A roll-up window blind (5) for automobile rear windows panes (4) has two actuating levers (9, 11) with which the pullrod (13) is moved in the direction of reeling-out or reeling-in of the blind material (12). The levers (9, 11) are borne in such manner that, in the reeled-out state, the pullrod (13) is pressed with a tension force against the rear window pane (4). In order to avoid any damage to the heating wires, the pullrod (13) is provided on its ends with guide elements (41), which are mounted movably on the pullrod (13). With the blind (5) reeled out, they project over the outer contour of the pullrod (13) and, as they themselves come to lie on the rear window pane (4), they hold the pullrod (13) at a distance from the rear window pane (4). On reeling-in they are retracted behind the outer contours of the pullrod (13), so that they can be retracted into the slot (7) from which the blind material emerges, and, namely, without recesses for the guide elements being necessary on the slot edges (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Baumeister & Ostler GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Bernd Brunnert, Marina Ehrenberger, Holger Seel
  • Publication number: 20020089209
    Abstract: A blind apparatus comprises a drum on which a blind is wound, a motor for rotating the drum, an extrusion mechanism having a foldable arm for thrusting the leading end of the blind in a blind spreading direction with a spring force, a one-way clutch for transmitting the rotating force of the motor to the drum when the drum rotates in a blind take-up direction, a stopper for regulating a position of the arm at a spreading end position of the blind, and a circuit for detecting a motor lock current when taking up the blind. A stopping position in the spreading direction of the blind is detected by the position regulation of the arm by the stopper, and a stopping position in the take-up direction of the blind is detected by detecting the motor lock current. Thus, in a simple structure, the cost is reduced, and the operating sound is suppressed at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC WORKS, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryogo Kobayashi, Motohiro Higuchi, Fusao Takanishi
  • Patent number: 6406086
    Abstract: A sun visor (10.1) for a vehicle, having a holding unit (12.1) which can be fastened to the interior, and an antidazzle unit (14.1) which is arranged on the holding unit (12.1), has a visor body (16.1) of essentially planar design and can be moved, for antidazzle purposes, from a retracted position into a functional position, the sun visor being arranged in particular between a driver's sun visor and a front-passenger's sun visor, is distinguished in that the visor body (16.1) has at least one moveable surface unit (18.1) which increases the surface of the visor body (16.1), when the visor body (16.1) is moved from the retracted position to the functional position, and conversely reduces the surface of the visor body (16.1) when it is moved from the functional position into the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Utescheny AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bauer, Dirk Soldinger, Thorsten Rauschenberger
  • Patent number: 6407365
    Abstract: An automated sunshade and defrosting assembly for protecting automotive interior surfaces and decreasing windshield defrosting time, includes a pair of tracks designed for coupling on opposite sides of a windshield of a vehicle. A sunshade member extends between the pair of tracks. The sunshade is extendable into an extended position defined by the sunshade covering the windshield. The sunshade is retractable into a retracted position defined by the sunshade uncovering the windshield. A heating element extends through the sunshade for selectively heating the windshield for preventing frost buildup on the windshield. A control unit is provided for selectively extending and retracting the sunshade between the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Frank Joseph De Prete, III
  • Publication number: 20020060469
    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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Werner P. Schlecht, Herbert Walter
  • Publication number: 20020060468
    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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Werner P. Schlecht, Herbert Walter
  • Publication number: 20020060470
    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 blind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Werner P. Schlecht, Herbert Walter
  • Publication number: 20020033616
    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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Schlecht, Herbert Walter
  • Publication number: 20020033614
    Abstract: A sun visor arrangement for a motor vehicle is connected to at least one support of the motor vehicle and is configured to be moveable from a stowed position into a shading position. The sun visor arrangement has a sun visor and one or more screen parts connected to the sun visor. The screen part is configured to be moveable from a rest position into a position of use and back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Olaf Quapil
  • Patent number: 6349986
    Abstract: A cargo area divider for a vehicle is provided which can be automatically transferred into an operative position or a non-operative position by a motor drive. Monitors for locking mechanisms of the operative position serve to dynamically block a roller blind shaft for the divider. Also, it is provided to monitor a loading level of the cargo area and to trigger an automatic transfer of a divider net or a partition wall into the operating position in response to the loading level exceeding a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Holger Seel, Werner P. Schlecht
  • Patent number: 6347825
    Abstract: A side window blind is integrated in the bodywork of a motor vehicle. The blind can be retracted into the hollow space between the inner lining and the outer skin of the vehicle. The blind passes out through a slot in the window embrasure. In order to close this slot when the side window blind is not in use, a flexible cover strip is connected with the reinforcing strip on the front edge of the blind material, which in the driven-out state comes to lie against the contour of the reinforcing strip. In the driven-in or drawn in state, the cover strip is lifted off sectionwise from the reinforcing strip and lies, closely to the slot, on at least one of the slot edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Holger Seel, Herbert Walter
  • Patent number: 6328370
    Abstract: A vehicle sun visor assembly (10) that is designed to be installed by an original equipment manufacturer or after it has been purchased. The assembly (10) consists of a sun visor rod (12) that extends from a position above and near the center of a windshield, curves around the vehicle and terminates near the end of a vehicle side window. The rod (12) is attached to the vehicle by means of a rod/vehicle attachment assembly (32) which allows the rod to be horizontally and vertically positioned to accommodate the dimensions of a particular vehicle. A visor/rod attachment assembly (100) is used to slidably attach a sun visor (78) to the rod (12). The assembly (100) allows the sun visor to be placed and maintained in an upward, stowed position or in a downward position. In the downward position, the sun visor (78) can be moved from one end to the other end of the sun visor rod (12) to optimally position the sun visor (78) to block the sun's rays from the eyes of a driver or a passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Sang R. Kim
  • Patent number: 6318788
    Abstract: A motorized sunshade for selectively raising and lowering a sun screen on the windshield of an automobile. The sunshade comprises a battery-operated motor that is mounted with a sun screen, wherein the sun screen may be lowered or raised with respect to the windshield by actuating the motor. A pair of tracks are provided to secure the sun screen flush against the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Pedro M. Jaurigue
  • Patent number: 6318789
    Abstract: A automotive windshield screen device for keeping an interior of an automobile relatively cool. The automotive windshield screen device includes a rod. The rod is elongate and has a first end and a second end. The first end is rotatably coupled to an inside portion of the automobile and positioned substantially adjacent to a first upper corner of the windshield. A turning mechanism for rotating the rod is mounted to an inside portion of the automobile and positioned substantially adjacent to a second upper corner of the windshield. The second end of the rod is mechanically coupled to the turning mechanism. An actuating mechanism turns on the turning mechanism in a first or second direction. The actuating mechanism is operationally coupled to the turning mechanism. A power supply supplies power to the turning mechanism and is operationally coupled to the actuating mechanism. A panel has a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is fixedly coupled to the rod such that the panel may be wound about the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Patrick Stuart
  • Patent number: 6293607
    Abstract: A light shielding apparatus for a rear window of an automobile which covers an inside of the rear window of the automobile so as to shield a rear side from a light, includes: a main light shielding material for shielding a center section of the rear window from a light; right and left sub light shielding materials for shielding right and left curved face sections of the rear window from a light; and a light shielding material moving mechanism for moving the main light shielding material and the sub light shielding materials to a light shielded state or a stored state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Saburo Sasanuma
  • Publication number: 20010022452
    Abstract: A sun visor (10.1) for a vehicle, having a holding unit (12.1) which can be fastened to the interior, and an antidazzle unit (14.1) which is arranged on the holding unit (12.1), has a visor body (16.1) of essentially planar design and can be moved, for antidazzle purposes, from a retracted position into a functional position, the sun visor being arranged in particular between a driver's sun visor and a front-passenger's sun visor, is distinguished in that the visor body (16.1) has at least one moveable surface unit (18.1) which increases the surface of the visor body (16.1), when the visor body (16.1) is moved from the retracted position to the functional position, and conversely reduces the surface of the visor body (16.1) when it is moved from the functional position into the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas Bauer, Dirk Soldinger, Thorsten Rauschenberger
  • Patent number: 6267431
    Abstract: A vehicle security shade assembly for providing a security system for vehicles for safeguarding against theft of the vehicles. The vehicle security shade assembly includes elongate support members each being adapted to be securely mounted to an inner side of a windshield along a respective side end thereof; and also includes upper and lower track members being securely attached to the elongate support members and extending therebetween; and further includes upper and lower shade support members each being movably mounted to and movable along a respective track member; and also includes shade members each being retractably carried about a respective elongate support member and also being securely attached to a respective upper shade support member and a respective lower shade support member for movement therewith; and further includes a shade member moving assembly for moving the shade members along the track members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: Jason Watkins
  • Patent number: 6237984
    Abstract: A visor (10) comprises a main movable first visor part comprising back plate (12) and front plate (14) and an auxiliary sheet-like second visor part (16) therebetween. The sheet-like second visor part is carried on the first visor part (12, 14) by, for example, arms (30) to allow movement in the plane of the sheet. The arms (30) guide the auxiliary visor part (16) during movement downwards and sideways from a stowed position on the first visor part (12, 14). Alternatively, the auxiliary visor part may be guided by a V-shaped slot (54) or circular groove arrangement (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: John Robert Cross
  • Patent number: 6227601
    Abstract: A motor driven sunshield for permanent installation within the interior of an automotive vehicle, securely attached to the roof of the vehicle between the roof interior surface and the interior roof lining. Operable in either manual or semi-automatic mode, the sunshield can be deployed while the vehicle transmission is in PARK mode to cover the windshield of the vehicle for preventing potentially damaging solar radiation from entering the interior of the vehicle through the windshield. Conversely when the transmission is in RUN mode, i.e. drive, reverse, or neutral, the sunshield is automatically retracted to provide unobstructed views for the driver. When fabricated from a suitably tough material and the electrical control circuitry configured to permit a secure locked condition, the deployed sunshield can also offer a deterrent to unauthorized operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph E. LaFrance
  • Patent number: 6189948
    Abstract: A motorized sun-shade assembly has a sun-shade device and a drive device. The sun-shade device includes a housing, a horizontal roller mounted rotatably in the housing, a screen having a lower edge connected to the roller, and a stretching arm unit having an upper arm with an upper end connected to an upper edge of the screen, and a lower arm with a lower end that extends into the housing and that is pivoted to the housing. The drive device includes a motor coupled to the roller, and a drive switch connected electrically to the motor. The drive switch is operable so as to activate the motor to operate in one of a first mode, wherein the motor rotates the roller for moving the arm unit to a stretching position, and a second mode, wherein the motor rotates the roller for moving the arm unit to a retracting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Betty Lin
  • Patent number: 6176539
    Abstract: A sun visor extension is adapted for in connection with an existing sun visor of a vehicle. The sun visor extension comprises a body having a generally rectangular shape and two wings foldably connected to and extending along opposing long sides of the body. The width of the wings is less than that of the body. In addition, the wings are adapted to be folded towards each other to a juxtaposed position abutting the body thereby creating an open ended cavity having the length and width of body. An extension is slidably received within the cavity. The extension is a rectangular shape whose length corresponds to that of the body and whose width is narrower than that of the body. The extension is frictionally retained within the cavity by the wings and the body. The sun visor extension is removably attached to a sun visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: Joann M. Westerman
  • Patent number: 6170899
    Abstract: A sunvisor attached to a vehicle. The sunvisor includes a sunvisor shell and a track assembly having a first portion and a second portion in angular relation to the first portion. A pair of blocks are provided, each block pivotally attached to the shell. The blocks slidably move within the track assembly through use of a belt that is attached to at least one block and that travels within the track assembly. A motor rotates a drive gear to move the belt in order to change the angular relation of the shell to the vehicle. The shell has an elongated opening with a support rod passing through the elongated opening. The sunvisor support rod has a clamp inside the visor shell compressing against the rod and capable of sliding forward and rearward in the elongated opening. The clamp also can rotate upon the rod thereby allowing the shell to be rotated into use. A further embodiment provides a sunvisor shell mounted to a bracket with a support rod. The support rod is rotatable in a collar hole in the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Jack E. Corn