GB2273085A

GB2273085A - Power operated retractable sun visor

Info

Publication number: GB2273085A
Application number: GB9225285A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edwin David Harmston; Stephen Robert Gallimore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-12-03
Filing date: 1992-12-03
Publication date: 1994-06-08
Also published as: GB9225285D0; GB9309204D0

Abstract

A power operated retractable sun visor (an opaque sheet of material), is driven by at least one power source in order to propel the visor from its stored position within a housing into its functional position covering a part or all of the windscreen of a motor vehicle. Guides 5 are provided to ensure the visor is propelled smoothly and accurately into position and smoothly returned to its housing after use. The power source used to provide the propulsion may be one or more of the power sources found within conventional motor vehicles (i.e. battery electricity, hydraulics, pneumatics, vacuum, etc.). The power source may be switched either manually or automatically in response to sensors. The power operated retractable sun visor may be stored either above or below the vehicle roof lining material. <IMAGE>

Description

This invention relates to a power operated, retractable, sun visor.

Sun visors are found in motor vehicles of all types. They consist of a piece of opaque material fixed above the vehicle windscreen, able to pivot about one edge, thereby covering a part of the windscreen in front of the driver or front seat passenger. They form a barrier against the sunshine when the sun is low in the sky and liable to momentarily dazzle the driver.

Sun visors are simple devices which remain visible within the vehicle when not in use. They must be put in place manually, involving removing at least one hand from the steering wheel at a time when maximum concentration is necessary and often when visibility is marred by strong sunlight. In addition, as the sun visor is fairly large, momentary reduction of vision is caused when putting the sun visor in place.

According to this invention there is provided a power operated, retractable sun visor comprising an opaque sheet of material stored either above or below the vehicle roof-lining material, clear of the windscreen, when not in use. When required, the visor is driven by at least one of the available power sources within conventional motor vehicles (battery electricity, pneumatics, hydraulics, vacuum, etc.) along guides, to cover part (or all) of the vehicle windscreen. The power supply is switched either manually by means of switches or other connecting devices, or automatically (maybe in response to sensors).

A specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not to scale.

Figure 1 shows the driving mechanism for the power operated retractable sun visor.

Figure 2 shows the guide means by which the power operated retractable sun visor is guided into its operating position.

Figure 3 shows the means of attaching the sun visor to the driving mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the power operated retractable sun visor comprises an opaque material sheet connected firmly to its support 4 contained within guides and housing 5 & 7. The support 4 is able to move within the guides 5 and is propelled by the turning motion of the driveshafts 3. The driveshafts 3 are driven by the turning motion of gears 1 influenced by a power source (not illustrated). The motion is transferred between the gears 1 by a toothed belt 2.

In order to propel the power operated retractable sun visor from its housing into its functional position, drive is provided to one of the gears 1 by a power source (not illustrated). This motion is in turn transmitted to the other gear 1 by means of the toothed belt 2. The circular motion of the gears is transmitted to the driveshafts 3, which motion causes the support 4 to move along the guides 5 owing to the spiral grooves cut along the length of driveshafts 3, which grooves are matched in relief inside the housing 4. The power operated retractable sun visor can be returned to its 'stored' position within the housing 7 by reversing the direction of drive to either of the gears 1.

Claims

1. A power operated retractable sun visor comprising an opaque sheet of material, which may be flexible or rigid, a means for connecting one or more power sources to the visor in order to propel it from its stored position into its functional position covering part of the vehicle windscreen in front of the driver, and return it two its stored position after use, a motor or other source of power to provide the means of propulsion to the power operated retractable sun-visor.

2. A power operated retractable sun visor as claimed in claim 1 with guide means to control movement of the visor from its stored position to its operational position accurately and smoothly.

3. A power operated retractable sun visor as claimed in claims 1 or 2, which may be finished in a colour to match, contrast or blend into the interior or exterior colour scheme of the vehicle to which it is fitted.

4. A power operated retractable sun visor as claimed in any preceding claim whereby the power source may be connected to at least one such visor in any vehicle, and probably more, in order to propel such visors independently of each other or together as desired by the operator.

5. A power operated retractable sun-visor as claimed in any preceding claim which may be of a size or be suitably adjustable to cover a part or all of the vehicle windscreen as desired by the operator.