US1794771A - Glare shield - Google Patents

Description

J. H. rHUFFMAN March 3, 1931.

GLARE SHIELD Fild April 1.2, 1929 Patented Mar. 3; 1931 JOHN H. HUFFMAN, F WASHINGTN, DISTRICT 0F COLU'MIBIA GLABE SHIELD* Application led April 12.

This invention relates to a shield for intercepting the glare from automobile headlights, one ofthe objects being to provide a transparent curtain, preferably so colored as to 6 prevent the passage of objectionable light rays, there being means combined with the curtain for maintaining it normally housed above the windshield where it is out of the l nother object is to provide means associated with the curtain for holding it extended without the use of separate fastening means.

A further object is to provide a means for holding all portions of the curtain taut while extended.

A still further object is to provide a. com,- bined curtain extending andholding device which will be folded out of the way when th curtain is housed.

With the-foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combina tion and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the'scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention. A

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings,

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the glare shield extended for use, the adjacent portion of the vehiclel body being shown in section.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2 2, Figure l. Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the device, the curtain being rolled up.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section on line 4 4,

Fi ure 1. y

eferring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates a housing preferably of sheet metal and of any desired configuration, the ends of the housing being closed as at 2 and provided with ears 3. These ears are adapted to receive screws 4 or other fastening means whereby the housing can be attached to the top T of a vehicle body above and close to the top of the windshield W. The bottom cause the curtain to unroll and will cause the 1929. serial No. 354,582.

of the housing has a slot 5 extending longitudinally thereof.

Mounted for rotation in the housing is a roller 6 having bearing studs 7 at its ends journaled in the ends of the housing 1. A spring 8 is coiled within one end of the housmg, one end of the spring being attached to the roller while the other end is attached to the housing. Secured to the roller is one end of a curtaln 9 formed` of celluloid or other suitable transparent material.

The lower or free end of the curtain 9 is secured to an edge strip 10 preferably of metal. This strip can be channeled to receive the curtain to which it is attached by rivets 11 or the like. A pin 12 is rotatably mounted in the middle portion of strip 1() and has a stem 13 to which is secured an operating knob or button 14. The other end of the pin is fitted tightly within one end of a link 15. The other end of this link is connected by an elbow joint 16 to one end of a link 17 which, in turn, is pivotally attached to an ear .18 depending from the middle portion of the housing 1.

Curtain 9 is preferably colored so thatK glaring light rays cannot pass therethrough. Normally thecurtain is rolled-upon the roller 6 where it is maintained-by spring 8. At this time strip 10 is held against the bottom of the housing and the links 15 and 17 are folded back of the strip. These links are so proportioned that, when folded, they will not project beyond the side o f the curtain. Consequently they will n-ot come against anyv obstruction or have their operation otherwise interfered with during the rolling ofthe curtain.

Housing 1 is adapted to be so located as to support the curtain back of the windshield W at one side thereof. AThe curtain is normally housed as shown in Figure 3. When it is `desired to use the shield the driver reaches forwardly and grasps the knob or button 14 which is then pulled downwardly. This will links 15 and 17 to swing relative to each other until they come substantially into alinement. By then giving a slight turn to the knob or handle 14. the elbow joint 16 will be swung slightly past the dead center as shown in 10u Figure 1. The knob or button is released'and the tension of the spring will cause the edge 'strip 10 .to be drawn upwardly by the curtain soV as to maintain the elbow joint past its dead center as shown in Figure 1.

As link 15 is connected to the middle of strip 10, said strip will actl as an equalizer p to distribute thrust throughout the width of the curtain, thereby to prevent it from buckling.

When it is desired to collapse the-curtain,

the knob or button 14 is' given a slight turn to the left suiicient to move the elbow joint '16 past its dead. center whereupon the ten.

sioned spring 8 will roll the curtainon roller and' fold the links back of strip 10 where they fare' out of the way and practically unseen.

What is claimed is:

A glare shield including a housing, a spring-actuated'roller therein, a transparent glare-intercepting curtain normally' rolled upon the roller, a rigid strip attached to the free end of the curtain, upper and lower pivotally connected links connecting the center of said strip to the center of the housing, cooperating means on the pivotally con nected ends of the links for limiting thel movement of said ends past the dead center witlithe curtain extended against the tension of the spring-actuated roller, Aand means vable with the strip for use in pulling the c'rtain to extended position, said means being non-rotatably connected to the lower end of the lower link and rotatable by hand while being pulled, thereby to shift the links past the dead center and hold the curtain in extended position.

In testimony that I'claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto alilxed my signature.' lJOHN H. HUFFMN.

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