With Specific Mounting Means Therefor Patents (Class 296/97.9)
  • Publication number: 20020017799
    Abstract: Attachment devices (10) may be utilized to attaching an accessory member (1) to a panel (40). Means (30) may be provided for elastically engaging a mounting hole (41) formed in the panel (40) when the apparatus (10) is disposed within the mounting hole (41). Further, means (20) may be provided for manipulating engaging means (30). Preferably, the manipulating means (30) can be actuated to disengage the engaging means (30) from the mounting hole (41). The manipulating means (20) may further include a holder means (23) adapted to receive a sun visor retainer portion (1a). More preferably, the engaging means (30) may include a first attachment part (31) and a second attachment part (32). The first and second attachment parts (31, 32) are preferably elastically connected to each other, such that the first and second attachment parts (31, 32) can be deformed relative to each other by operating the manipulating means (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Takashi Asai, Yoshihiro Takabatake
  • Publication number: 20020017800
    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: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventors: Kouji Ichikawa, Yoshinori Noritake, Eiji Hibi
  • Patent number: 6345857
    Abstract: A sun shield for attachment to an automobile windshield includes an elongate housing having a rear surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the housing defines a plurality of channels that extend longitudinally between side walls thereof. A primary sheet of flexible, vinyl plastic film extends downwardly from the rear surface of the housing for electrostatically adhering to the windshield. The sun shield includes a plurality of auxiliary sheets of vinyl plastic film, each auxiliary sheet having a slide bar complementary to a corresponding channel and slidably movable therealong. The primary sheet and auxiliary sheets are flexible and tinted. Therefore, the housing may be removably coupled to the windshield and the auxiliary sheets may be slidably laterally moved to shield a driver from sunlight not directly blocked by the primary sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Leila R. Leary
  • Patent number: 6340193
    Abstract: A bracket for installing a subsidiary appliance onto a vehicle panel comprising: a panel side bracket having a male connector; a sun visor side bracket having a female connector to which a terminal of sun visor side wire introduced from a shaft fixing portion is connected, said female connector being engaged with and connected to a male connector when the sun visor side bracket is united with said panel side bracket, and a cover having grommet screw protrusions to be inserted into central holes in the grommet screws and to be mounted on the sun visor side bracket. The panel side bracket has locking pieces each having a lock pawl and the sun visor bracket contains hole portions each in which a locking piece is to be inserted, so that a flexible space is formed with a lock arm having an engaging convex portion for engaging with the locking piece facing the hole portion, while the lock pawl engages with the engaging convex portion so that the panel side bracket is united with the sun visor side bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Sawayanagi
  • Patent number: 6336672
    Abstract: A retainer clip assembly for securing a sun visor interiorly in an automobile. The retainer clip assembly includes a movable lever attached thereto which secures the retainer clip assembly to a vehicle ceiling panel. The lever includes a release member which is accessible from the exterior of the retainer clip, so that the lever may be disengaged and the retainer clip removed. A transportation clip is disclosed for use with the retainer clip assembly. The transportation clip connects the retainer clip to a headliner module during transportation to the final point of assembly. At the final point of assembly, the retainer clip can be pushed into its installed position and the transportation clip is concealed within the retainer clip and need not be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Beaver
  • 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: 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: 6324732
    Abstract: A fastener for fixing an article on a board via a through-hole formed thereon has a base that has a top face, side faces opposed to each other, and a rear end. An opening having at least two opposing edges is formed in the base. A pair of first elastic stoppers stands upright from the top face of the base and positioned along the edges of the opening. Each of the first elastic stoppers has an inclined projection extending outward. A pair of second elastic stoppers stands upright from the top face of the base next to the first elastic stoppers. Each of the second elastic stoppers has a leg and a wing extending from the leg, the wings spreading outward so as not to be parallel to each other. A cover plate is attached to the rear end of the base in a pivotable manner, so that the cover plate swings between an open position and a closed position. An insertion is attached to and extends from the inner surface of the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc
    Inventors: Oomi Arisaka, Shigeo Okada
  • Patent number: 6322126
    Abstract: An apparatus (30) for supporting a visor (10) in a vehicle (14) that has a roof panel (122) and a headliner (100) that covers the roof panel includes a clip (40) for receiving a part (32) of the visor. The clip (40) includes a body portion (42). At least one flange (60, 62) extends from the body portion (42) and is insertable into an opening (106, 124) that extends through the headliner (100) and the roof panel (122) such that a portion (112) of the headliner (100) is trapped between the flange and the body portion to connect the clip (40) to the headliner. At least two legs (72) extend from the body portion (42) through the opening (124). A pin (80), which is connected to the body portion (42), is movable from a first position to a second position when the part (32) of the visor (10) is received by the clip (40). When the pin (80) is in the second position, the pin urges the legs (72) against edges (126) of the opening (124) in the roof panel (122) to connect the clip (40) to the roof panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Willi Kraus
  • Publication number: 20010025909
    Abstract: In a visor side bracket 5, a sun visor is arranged in a lower surface side, a shaft supporting portion 8 fitting a fixing shaft 4 to an upper surface side is protruded, and a guide portion 12 is formed near a peripheral wall portion of the shaft supporting portion 8. On the contrary, a guide groove 23 structured such that the guide portion 12 is inserted in a sliding manner by assembling the visor side bracket 5 is formed in a panel side bracket 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro Sawayanagi
  • Patent number: 6296294
    Abstract: A rear view mirror sun visor attachment for attaching to a windshield mounted rear view mirror of a vehicle to block sunlight shining through between the driver's side sun visor and the passenger's side sun visor. The rear view mirror sun visor attachment includes a panel having a pair of faces, a pair of opposite end edges, a pair of side edges extending between the end edges. The panel has a slot therethrough between the faces of the panel which extends from a first of the side edges of the panel towards a second of the side edges of the panel. The side portions of the slot each have a flap extending therefrom. The flaps are coupled together to couple the connect the side portions of the slot together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventors: Kathleen F. Kohnle, Michael E. Bouches
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010023747
    Abstract: A screening arrangement for a rear window of a motor vehicle has a screening element held by a clamping device. The clamping device has clamping rods which are arranged at least at sides of the screening element and are respectively held at a retaining bearing on a lining of a roof and at a counterbearing on a lining bordering on the lower edge of the rear window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Jurgen J. Haid, Horst Holzhauer
  • Patent number: 6290280
    Abstract: An auxiliary sun visor for a recreational vehicle (e.g. a motor home) to be used in combination with but not in substitution of the conventional factory installed sun visor. The auxiliary sun visor is adapted to be rotated relative to the factory installed sun visor from an at rest position behind the front window of the motor home to a deployed position adjacent the side window of the motor home to block the transmission of sunshine and glare through the side window. The auxiliary sun visor is detachably and rotatably coupled by a bracket to the existing support arm that connects the factory installed sun visor to the motor home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Neil B. Riekse
  • Patent number: 6273489
    Abstract: A sun visor for vehicles with a flat, long body has been described. A bearing device makes it possible to fold the body from an unused position into a first use position and to swivel it into a second use position. The bearing device includes an axle journal projecting from a corner of the sun visor body, a bearing housing receiving the axle journal with a swiveling journal aligned at an angle to the axle journal, a drag-bearing housing receiving the swiveling journal which can be fasted to the vehicle body, and means to axially fasten the bearing housing to the axle journal and the drag-bearing housing to the swiveling journal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Lothar Viertel, Patrick Welter
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010007393
    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 51 a 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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Inventor: Masahiro Sawayanagi
  • Publication number: 20010007394
    Abstract: A retainer clip assembly for securing a sun visor interiorly in an automobile. The retainer clip assembly includes a movable lever attached thereto which secures the retainer clip assembly to a vehicle ceiling panel. The lever includes a release member which is accessible from the exterior of the retainer clip, so that the lever may be disengaged and the retainer clip removed. A transportation clip is disclosed for use with the retainer clip assembly. The transportation clip connects the retainer clip to a headliner module during transportation to the final point of assembly. At the final point of assembly, the retainer clip can be pushed into its installed position and the transportation clip is concealed within the retainer clip and need not be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Beaver
  • Publication number: 20010005088
    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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Inventor: William J. Hennessey
  • Patent number: 6250708
    Abstract: A holding device of a shaft, i.e. a shaft for a sun visor, includes a base and a holder. The base includes a base main portion and anchors. The holder has a holder main portion and a supporting leg. The supporting leg is provided with lock portions on an outer periphery thereof. The lock portions are engaged with a back surface of the base main portion when they are inserted into the inserting hole, and the supporting leg is rotated from an inserted position. Thus, the holding device for the sun visor can be easily attached to a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Katsuhito Kurachi
  • Publication number: 20010003400
    Abstract: A roof module for a motor vehicle, with an inner shell molded out of plastic foam which, in the vicinity of its support on the body framework, is divided into an upper layer which can be supported on the body framework and a lower layer that serves to line the body framework. Sun visors and handholds are pre-assembled on the lower layer. In order to improve and simplify assembly of the roof module on the vehicle body, it is envisaged that the upper layer, and thus the roof module as a whole, can be securely fixed to the body framework using just the fixing screws for the sun visors and the handholds. Preferably, captive fixing screws on the bearing elements of the sun visors and the handholds should also be able to be pre-assembled on the lower layer of the inner shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Inventors: Rainer Grimm, Horst Bohm
  • Patent number: 6234558
    Abstract: An interior trim attachment apparatus for an automotive vehicle includes a fastener and a bezel secured together in a screw free manner by rotating one of the components relative to the other. An interior trim member is sandwiched between the fastener and bezel. In another aspect of the present invention, a sun visor is attached to either or both of the fastener and bezel components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward G. Curtindale
  • Patent number: 6231109
    Abstract: A retainer clip assembly for securing a sun visor interiorly in an automobile. The retainer clip assembly includes a movable lever attached thereto which secures the retainer clip assembly to a vehicle ceiling panel. The lever includes a release member which is accessible from the exterior of the retainer clip, so that the lever may be disengaged and the retainer clip removed. A transportation clip is disclosed for use with the retainer clip assembly. The transportation clip connects the retainer clip to a headliner module during transportation to the final point of assembly. At the final point of assembly, the retainer clip can be pushed into its installed position and the transportation clip is concealed within the retainer clip and need not be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Crotty Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Beaver
  • Patent number: 6220644
    Abstract: A vehicle visor assembly is mounted to a vehicle structure for pivotal, rotational, and sliding movement relative thereto and includes a single-piece visor blade and cartridge assembly. The single-piece visor blade includes a first mounting portion with a pair of grooves integrally formed along a top edge of the visor blade. The cartridge assembly includes a rod for attachment to the vehicle structure, a sleeve molded onto the rod, a detent supported on the sleeve, and a housing for mounting the rod and detent to the visor blade. The housing includes a second mounting portion with a pair of inwardly extending tongues that slidably engage the grooves on the first mount. An end cap is fastened to the visor blade to fix the housing to the blade. The visor can slide along the rod to a plurality of extended positions and the detent can hold the visor at any of various rotational positions relative to the vehicle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Tiesler, Ray Matusko
  • Patent number: 6220645
    Abstract: In connection with a device for the screwless mounting of at least one accessory in a cutout of a vehicle support structure, the device includes a base body with locking elements formed thereon that are to be locked to the cutout edges at least one locking element being separated from the base body, and movably attached to at least one further locking element connected with the base body, a blocking wedge that can be driven between the locking elements inserted in the cutout and a detent mechanism between the base body and the locking element which is not directly connected with the base body positioned such that the base body can be supported on the locking element opposite to the insertion direction when the device has been mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Becker Group Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Didier Jacquemin
  • Patent number: 6202732
    Abstract: A pleated car curtain for covering a car window, includes: a curtain made of thin, sun-protective material, having a plurality of pleats parallel to lateral edges and a plurality of pleated edges between said pleats; two reinforcing strips on the lateral edges of the curtain; two ears, respectively attached to the two reinforcing strips; and two fixing elements, fixed on the car window on two sides thereof, respectively holding the two ears when the curtain is in use. The curtain is produced using high temperatures and pressures so that the shape of the plurality of pleated edges is preserved as acute angles when the curtain is folded and unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Yin-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 6179365
    Abstract: A pivot rod elbow cover for covering the elbow 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 elbow 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 elbow support which allows rotation of the pivot rod elbow 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 elbow. 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: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: William J. Hennessey
  • Patent number: 6179366
    Abstract: A sunshade mounting clip assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting clip adapted to be disposed adjacent a headliner covering a roof of a vehicle for cooperating with a sunshade. The mounting clip has a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. The sunshade mounting clip assembly also includes a mounting support adapted to be disposed adjacent the headliner on a side opposite the mounting clip and having an aperture extending therethrough to receive the shaft. The sunshade mounting clip assembly further includes a retainer disposed adjacent the mounting support having an aperture to receive the shaft and preventing the shaft from exiting the mounting support. The mounting support extends laterally and longitudinally to form a footprint greater than a footprint of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hansz
  • 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