GB2309678A

GB2309678A - Screens for use by occupants of vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2309678A
Application number: GB9625901A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen John Payne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-01-29
Filing date: 1996-12-13
Publication date: 1997-08-06
Also published as: GB9625901D0; GB9601717D0

Abstract

A screen (1), carried by a mounting (2) of articulated form, is for use by an occupant, (usually the driver), of a road vehicle and is inherently capable of reducing the effects of unwanted light, such as the headlights of on-coming road vehicles, travelling from external the road vehicle, towards the eyes of the occupant, so as to shield the eyes of the occupant. The articulated mounting (2) enables the screen 1 to be moved from a passive mode to an active, eye-shielding mode. Various forms of screen are disclosed including hollow screens containing liquid crystal material, and operable under the influence of an electric field, to cause the screen to become sufficiently opaque to reduce the effects of the unwanted light.

Description

SCREENS FOR USE BY OCCUPANTS OF VEHICLES This invention relates to vehicles and to occupants thereof.

The invention more particularly relates to road vehicles, but may also be applied to other forms of vehicles. For example, railway trains, trams, aircraft and spacecraft.

A large proportion of night-time road vehicle drivers and passengers frequently experience discomfort and danger from approaching headlights of other road vehicles. This discomfort can cause enhanced driver fatigue, which in turn can lead to stressed driving decisions, and thus to decreased road safety, both for drivers, pedestrians, and other road users.

There are many instances where dazzle and glare from the headlights of oncoming road vehicles have contributed to road traffic accidents, some of which result in death.

The present invention results in the reduction of dazzle and glare from oncoming headlights, and adds to driver comfort, reduced stress, reduced tiredness, and improved road safety.

The invention resides in a screen for use by an occupant of a vehicle whereby the effects of unwanted light travelling from external the vehicle towards the eyes of the occupant is substantially reduced.

In a road vehicle, unwanted light usually comprises the headlights of other, on-coming, road vehicles.

According to the invention, a screen for use by an occupant of a vehicle and operable to reduce the effects of unwanted light travelling from external the vehicle, towards the eyes of said occupant, has one of two alternative forms, namely: (a) whereby the screen is inherently capable of reducing said effects, or (b) whereby the screen contains liquid crystal or like material operable, under the influence of an electrical field, to cause the screen to reduce said effects.

The screen is preferably carried by a mounting whereby it is movable from a passive to an active position.

The various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a front view of a screen carried by an articulated mounting; Figure 2 illustrates a modified articulated mounting; and Figures 3 and 4 are front views which illustrate modified forms of screen.

With reference to Figure 1, a screen 1 is shown, carried by a mounting 2 of articulated form. The screen 1 is for use by an occupant (usually the driver) of a road vehicle and is inherently capable of reducing the effects of unwanted light, such as the headlights of on-coming road vehicles, travelling from external the road vehicle, towards the eyes of the occupant, so as to shield the eyes of the occupant.

The screen 1 of this example is of generally rectangular shape, with one side somewhat longer than the opposite side. The screen 1 is of substantially uniform tinted form and incorporates a pin 3 used to secure the screen 1 to its mounting 2.

The mounting 2 comprises a spring clip 4, (of the form known as a CROCODILE clip), carried by a head 5 which is attached to the upper end of a three-part telescopic arm 6. The lower part of the arm 6 carries the ball 7 of a ball and socket 8 joint into which is socketed the clip 3. The head 5 comprises a ball and socket joint, the ball 9 of which is secured to the upper part of the telescopic arm 6. The relative positions of the ball and socket components of the head 5 may be secured in place by a locking lever 10. A similar locking lever 11 is carried by the ball and socket joint 7/8.

The spring clip 4 allows the mounting 2 to be detachably secured to any conventional support structure, such as a sun visor in the vehicle.

The mounting 2 allows the screen 1 to be moved from a passive to an active position. That is, from a position not in the line of sight of the occupant of the road vehicle, to a position in the line of sight, where it shields the eyes of the occupant.

The screen dimensions D1, D2 and W of this example comprise 4.0 cm, 7.0 cm and 20.0 cm. The dimensions may vary however so as to provide screens of different shape and area according to requirements.

Figure 2 illustrates a modification wherein the three-part telescopic arm 6 is replaced by a pair of two-part telescopic arms 15 and an intermediate coupling 16 comprising a pair of ball and socket joints 17 interconnected by a link 18. Locking levers 19, 20 are provided to lock the ball and socket components of the joints 17 in desired positions.

The uniformly tinted screen 1 may be replaced by other screens inherently capable of reducing the effects of unwanted light. For example: 1. a tinted screen with linear shading, 2. a screen covered, at least in part, (say a left or right half 50%) with a layer of light diffusing material, 3. a screen with graduated tinting, 4. a screen covered, at least in part, (say a left or right half 50%), by a layer of solar-reflective material.

5. A screen comprising, at least in part REACTOLIGHT or like material.

That is to say light-sensitive material, which may take the form of a layer, which reacts to bright light in such a way as to render the screen less transparent to light.

Figure 3 illustrates a screen 25 of hollow form, which contains liquid crystal material 26, operable under the influence of an electric field, to cause the screen to become sufficiently opaque to reduce the effects of unwanted light. Thus the screen 25 behaves in the manner of a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Material, such as a gel, which behaves in a similar manner to liquid crystal material, may be used as an alternative.

The electric field is created by a field generator 27 under the control of an electric current supply switch 28.

The switch 28 may be operable by the occupant of the vehicle or, it may be light sensitive whereby it is automatically operated on receipt of external light, for example, the headlights of an on-coming road vehicle.

Thus, the screen 25 may be changed from a passive mode whereby it is substantially transparent, to an active (eye-shielding) mode, whereby it is rendered substantially less transparent.

In operation, the screen 1 or 25 is positioned whereby it is movable from a passive to an active position, by the occupant of the vehicle who wishes to reduce the effect of unwanted external light.

The screen 1 or 25 may be movable manually by said occupant or, alternatively or in addition, it may be made movable by actuator means, preferably electrical, or electro-mechanical, operable by the occupant.

In another modification, illustrated by Figure 4, a portion of the windscreen 35 (or rear screen or window) of the vehicle comprises a portion 25a corresponding to the screen 25 of Figure 3.

In this modification the screen 25a is permanently in position.

Claims

1. A screen for use by an occupant of a vehicle, and operable to reduce the effects of unwanted light travelling from external the vehicle, towards the eyes of said occupant, has one of two alternative forms, namely: (a) whereby the screen is inherently capable of reducing said effects, or (b) whereby the screen contains liquid crystal or like material operable, under the influence of an electrical field, to cause the screen to reduce said effects.

2. A screen as claimed in claim 1, carried by a mounting whereby it is movable from a passive to an active position.

3. A screen as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting is of articulated form.

4. A screen as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the mounting incorporates ball joints.

5. A screen as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ball and socket components of the ball joints are lockable together.

6. A screen as claimed in claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the mounting incorporates at least one arm of telescopic form.

7. A screen as claimed in claim 6, wherein the mounting incorporates two arms of telescopic form, interconnected by ball joints.

8. A screen as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mounting incorporates a spring clip allowing the mounting to be detachably secured to support structure.

9. A screen as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, of substantially uniform tinted form.

10. A screen as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, of graduated tinted form.

11. A screen as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, which covered, at least in part, with a layer of light diffusing material.

12. A screen as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, which is covered, at least in part, by a layer of solar-reflective material.

13. A screen as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, which is covered, at least in part, by light-sensitive material which reacts to bright light in such a way as to render the screen less transparent.

14. A screen as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, containing liquid crystal or like material operable, under the influence of an electric field, to cause the screen to become sufficiently opaque so as to reduce the effects of unwanted light.

15. A screen as claimed in claim 1, incorporated in the windscreen, rearview or side window of a vehicle, said screen having a portion containing liquid crystal or like material, operable under the influence of an electric field, to cause the screen to become sufficiently opaque so as to reduce the effects of unwanted light.

16. A screen as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, movable by actuating means from a passive to an active position.

17. A screen as claimed in claim 14 or 15, operable by switch means controlling said electric field, so as to change the screen from a passive to an active mode.

18. A screen as claimed in claim 17, wherein said switch means comprise light-sensitive switch means operable on receipt of said unwanted light.

19. A screen substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A screen substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, modified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of said drawings.

21. A screen substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, modified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3 of said drawings.

22. A screen substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, modified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4 of said drawings.