Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A VISOR
The invention relates to a visor, especially a visor for
a vehicle.
Sun visors for vehicles are known and are generally
pivotally mounted inside the vehicle above the
windscreen. The visor is pivotable between a retracted
position in which it lies against a roof lining of the
vehicle and an operative position in which it lies
against the windscreen to blocs.: bright sunlight. Some
drivers, because of their height, experience difficulties
with visors. If a driver is small the visor may not be
large enough to obscure the sun. Also when the road
ahead is~~wet and the sun is bright, drivers may be
dazzled by reflections. Auxiliary visors are known which
are intended to lessen the dazzling effects of sun
reflec~~ions. Such visors usually comprise a sheet of
coloured transparent material which can be pulled from a
main part of the visor to a position below the main visor
part to reduce the glare from a low sun, reflections and
oncoming headlights. Examples of such visors are
disclosed in US Patent Nos 4023855, 4058340, 5015027,
5427427; UK Patent Application No. 2111447; PCT
Application No. W086/02322 and European Patent
Application No. 0098050.
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An object of the present invention is to provide an
improved visor which can be used to reduce glare from light
sources at low level.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a visor comprising a main movable first visor part
and an auxiliary sheet-like second visor part for movement
in the plane of the sheet and guide means for guiding the
second visor part during movement thereof downwardly and
sideways from a stowed position on the first visor part,
the guide means comprising a diagonal slot in the second
visor part and a cooperable member on the first visor part,
the visor further having drive means comprising a row of
teeth formed in the diagonal slot and a toothed wheel
whereby rotation of the toothed wheel effects movement of
the second visor part relative to the first visor part, the
toothed wheel forming the aforsaid cooperable member.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is
provided a visor comprising a main movable first visor
part and an auxiliary sheet-like second visor part for
movement in the plane of the sheet and guide means for
guiding the second visor part during movement thereof
downwardly and sideways from a stowed position on the first
visor part, the guide means comprising a U-shaped or V-
shaped slot in the second visor part and a cooperable
member on the first visor part, the visor further having
drive means for moving the second visor part relative to
the first visor part, whereby the U-shaped or V-shaped slot
enables the second visor part to be deployed on either side
of the first visor part.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is
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provided a visor comprising a main movable first visor part
and an auxiliary sheet-like second visor part for movement
in the plane of the sheet and guide means for guiding the
second visor part during movement thereof downwardly and
sideways form a stowed position on the first visor part,
the guide means comprising a substantially circular slot in
the second visor part and a cooperble member on the first
visor part, the visor further having drive means for moving
the second visor part relative to the first visor part,
whereby the substanially circular slot enables the second
visor part to be deployed on either side of the first visor
part.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a
visor comprising a main movable first visor part and an
auxiliary sheet-like second visor part carried on the first
visor part by for movement in the plane of the sheet, and
guide means for guiding the second visor part during
movement downwardly and sideways from a stowed position on
the first visor part.
In that way the second visor part is guided along a
particular path of movement which reduces the possibility
that the second part may strike an adjacent component, for
instance the rear view mirror of a motor vehicle in which
the visor is, in use, installed.
The second part is preferably movable from a stowed
position in which it is arranged so as not to protrude, at
least by any appreciable amount, beyond an edge of the
first part and an operative position in which the second
part extends beyond said edge of the first part.
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The second part may be transparent. The second part may
be coloured and, preferably, the colour is chosen to co-
ordinate with the interior trim of the vehicle.
The movement of the second part is preferably
translational.
Mounting means may be provided for mounting the second
visor part on the first visor part.
In one embodiment, the mounting means comprises spaced
apart arms connected, eg pivotally, to the first part.
The arms preferably constitute said guide means. Each
arm may be mounted on a wheel. In a preferred embodiment
one of the first and second visor parts carries gearing
which drives the wheels (which may be in the form or near
wheels) such that, during movement of the second part;
both arms preferably rotate in the same direction. In
that case; the arms preferably rotate through the same
angle:
Drive means may be provided for causing the second part
.of the visor to move relative to the first part. Where
arms are provided, the drive means preferably causes the
arms to rotate. The drive means may include a gearing
arrangement,. for example a rack and pinion gearing. The
drive means may include an electric motor or a manually
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operable driving member.
Where one of the first and second carts carries gearing
the gearing may comprise a drive input gear, a drive
output gear for rotating each arm anri an idler gear
between the drive input gear and each drive output gear.
In another embodiment the drive means is in the form of
a belt and pulley arrangement for driving the arms. The
belt and pulley arrangement preferably comprises
respective driven pulleys carrying the two said arms ar.d
drive pulley means for driving the driven pulleys througn
belting.
95 The guide means may comprise a track on one oz the first
and second parts and a co-operable member on the other of
the first and second parts. The track may comprise a
diagonal slot formed in one of the first and second
parts, the member being on the other part. The track may
comprise two diagonal slots extending transversely
relative to one another and intersecting one another.
The track may comprise a V-shaped slot. Two tracks may
-be provided, each track being co-operable with a
respective member. The or each track is preferably
formed in the second part and the or each member is
formed or provided on the first part. The or each track
may have a notched portion which receives the member when
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the second part is in the stowed position to retain the
second part in the stowed position. In a still further
embodiment, the or each track may be circular_ In such
a case the track may comprises a groove for receiving a
5 pin or stud_ The pin or stud may be provided on the
second part_
Where the visor comprises a track, drive means is
preferably provided for moving the visor from the stowed
position_ The drive means may comprise a member
pivotable about an axis normal to the visor having a part
spaced from the axis and connected to the second visor
part to allow actuation of the visor by rotating about
the axis. Preferably the member includes a row of
crenellations and the first visor part includes an
element such as a resilient tang which engages the
crenellations. In that way, the member is retained in
position by the tang engaging the crenellations. That
allows the second visor part to be held firm in any
posi~~"io'n of deployment.
The drive means may comprises a motor drivably connected
-to the aforesaid pivotable member. Alternatively; the
pivotable member may be manually actuated. The motor may
be drivably be connected to the pivotable member by means
of a gear arrangement or by means of belts and pulleys.
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In another embodiment the track is formed with a row of
teeth on one side and a toothed wheel with an axis normal
to the visor is located in the track and engages the row
of teeth. The wheel can be rotated to effect movement of
the second visor part. In one embodiment, the toothed
wheel also runs through a rack of teeth in a further
member and the further member has an actuating toothed
wheel in the rack to effect movement of the rack_ Thus
by rotating the actuating wheel the further member moves
laterally which, in turn, rotates the toothed wheel in
the track to effect movement of second visor part.
Alternatively, the further member is moved manually by
means of a projecting tab which extends through a slot ir.
the face of the visor. In a further embodiment. the
further member is moved by a motor connected to the
actuating slotted wheel, far instance fly means of a belt
and pulley.
The first and second parts of the visor may be
substantially flat_
The f l rst part may be h l nged l n a veh l c I a , l n use , f or
movement between its retracted position away from a
windscreen of the vehicle and a position adiacent the
windscreen.
The first and/or second part is/are preferably
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substantially rectangular.
According to another aspect of the invention there is
provided a retro-fittable auxiliary visor for a vehicle
comprising a first part, a sheet-like second part carried
on the first part for movement in the plane of the sheet
and guide means for guiding the second part during movement
downwardly and sideways from a stowed position on the first
part.
The retro-fitted auxiliary visor may have features of the
visor set out in the first aspect of the invention or any
of the consistory clauses relating thereto.
Visors in accordance with the invention will now be
described in detail, by way of example with reference to
the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a visor in
accordance with the invention,
FIG. 2 is an elevation of the visor of FIG. 1 looking in
the direction of arrow II in FIG 1 showing the auxiliary
sheet-like visor part of the visor in both stowed and
operative positions,
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another visor in
accordance with the invention,
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Fig 4 is an exploded perspective view of a further visor
in accordance with the invention,
Fig 5 is a side elevation of the visor of Fig 4 looking
in the direction of arrow V in Fig 4,
Fig 5a is an exploded perspective view of a visor similar
to the visor of Fig 4,
Fig 6 is an exploded perspective view of a yet further
visor in accordance with the invention,
Fig 7 is an elevation of part o= the auxiliary sheet-
like visor part of the visor of Fig 6,
Fig 8 is an exploded perspective view of a still further
embodiment of visor in accordance with the invention,
Fig s a cross-section through part of the visor of Fia
8 generally on line IX-IX in Fig 8,
Fig 10 is a cross-section through part of another visor
similar to the visor of Fig 8,
- Fig 11 is an exploded perfective view of a still further
embodiment of visor in accordance with the invention.
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Fig 12 is an elevation of the visor of.Fig 1i iooicina i.n
the direction of line XII-XII in Fig 11,
Fig 13 is an exploded perspective view of a yet further
embodiment of visor in acc-ordance with the invention;
Fig 14 is an exploded perspective view of a still further
embodiment of visor in accordance with the invention,
Figs 15a - 15d show the assembly steps of a still further
embodiment of visor in accordance with the invention,
Fig 1b is an elevation of the toothed wheel and the
actuating wheel of the visor of Fig 15 shown to a greater
scale,
Fig 17 is an exploded perspective view of the visor of
Figs 15a-d and 16,
Fig 18 is an exploded perspective view of a further visor
in accordance with the invention,
Fig 19 is an exploded perspective view of a yet further
embodiment of visor in accordance with the invention,
Fig 20 is an exploded view similar to Fig 11 showing a
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still further embodiment of visor in accordance with the
invention, and
Fig 21 is motorised version of the embodiment shown in
5 Fig 20.
In Fig 1 a visor 10 comprises a back plate 12. and..zront
plate 14 (constituting collectively the aforesaid first
visor part) and a sheet-like second auxiliary vis~~ part
10 16 located therebetween. The back plate 12 and f2'On'C
plate 94 are suitably secured to each ether. The saeet-
like second auxiliary visor part 16 is herEinafter
referred to as an auxiliary visor sheet 16.
The back plate 12 carries a gearing arrangement generally
indicated at 18. The gearing arrangement f8 comorisss a
central toothed gear wheel 20 and two toothed idler aeaz-
wheels 22 located one each side of the central w::ejl 2Q_
Each idler wheel 22 is arranged in mesh with the central
whee~~0. The gearing arrangement 18 further comprises
toothed outer gear wheels 24 which mesh with the
respective idler wheels 22. Each outer wheel 24 drivablv
carries a mounting member 26 comprising a substantially
circular body 28 with an arm 30 projecting radiaiiy
therefrom. Each arm 30 has a mounting point 32 at its
f ree end f or the aux l 1 l ary v l sor 1 6 _ 'The aux l 1 l at-v v l sor
sheet 16 is pivotally mounted at spaced mounting points
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34 to the respective auxiliary visor mounting points 32
on the mounting members 26.
The auxi 1 iarv visor sheet 1 6 is substantial iy rectangular
and has a pull tab 36 at earn bottcm corner. The
auxiliary visor sheet 16 is made from coloured
transparent material. The colour can be selactec3 to
complement the interior trim of the vehicle in which the
visor is to be located.
The front plate 14 is substantially rectanguia~~ and has
bottom corner portions 14a formed to allow easy access to
the pull tabs 36.
In use, the user grasps one pull tab 3o and DuiIS Lh2
auxiliary visor sheet 16 from between the front and back
plates 12, 14. The mounting members 26 rotate as shown
in chain dotted lines in Fig 1 as the auxiliary visor
sheet 16 is pulled down thereby guiding the auxiliary
visor sheet downwards and sideways. The gearing
arrangement 18 causes the mounting members 26 rotate in
the same direction and through the same angiG. In that
way it will be seen that the auxiliary visor sheet i6
moves in parallelogram fashion relative to the back plate
12 during the course of its movement. The auxiliary
visor sheet can be pulled in either direction from the
first visor part 12, 14 by using the appropriate pull tab
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36. The back and front plates 12, i4 are joined together
in such a way that the auxiliary visor sheet l6 can
easily slide therebetween.
Fig 2 shows the visor of Fig 1 with the auxiliary visor
sheet 16 shown in the normally stowed position. The left
and right extended positions of the auxiliary visor.sneet
16 are shown in chain dotted lines.
The visor in Fig 3 is similar in many respects to that
shown in Figs 1 and 2 and parts corresponding to parts ir.
Figs 1 and 2 carry the same reference numerals.
The visor 10 shown in Fig 3 comprises a back plate 12,
front plate 14 and an auxiliary visor sheet 16, as in Fia
1 . The back plate 1 2 carries a gearing arrangement 1 cs
similar to that shown in Fig 1. In Fig s the centre gear
wheel 20 is driven by a toothed rack 38 which is slidabiv
mounted in an elongate recess 40 formed in the back plate
12. ~~he toothed rack 38 has a tab 42 projecting
transversely from a mid part thereof. When the visor 10
is assembled, the tab 42 protrudes through an elongate
slot 44 in the front plate 14 to allow the user to
actuate the rack 38. Part of the auxiliary visor sheet
16 is cut away, as shown at 46, to allow the tab 42 to
pass therethrough.
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In use, the user slides the tab 42 along the slot 44 to
one side or the other to drive the centre gear whePi 20.
That, in turn, drives the idler gear wheels 22 and the
outer gear wheels 24,, causing the mounting members 3b tc
rotate in the same direction and through the same angle
as each other in similar manner to that shown in Fig 1.
That causes the auxiliary visor sheet i6 to. move
downwardly and sideways relative to the front and back
plates 12, 14. Sliding the tab 42 back towards the
middle of the slot 44 returns the auxiliary visor sweet
16 to the stowed position.
Figs 4 and 5 show a further embodiment of visor; again
similar in some respects to the visor in Fig l. Parts in
Figs 4 and 5 corresponding to parts Fig 1 carry the same
reference numerals.
In Fig 4 the drawing is a reversal of that shown in Fig
1 and it will be noted that the gearing arrangement i8 is
carrie3~~on the front plate 14. The centre gear wheel 20
in this case is driven by turning a handle in the form of
knob 48 which is drivably connected to the centre wheel
'20 v l a a shaf t 49 wh l ch passes through the f rout p 1 ate
14. Fig 5 shows the visor of Fig 4 in profile when.
assembled. The visors of Figs 1 to 4 will be of somewi~.at
similar appearance in profile when assembled and it will
be noted that despite comprising several comconer.ts tree
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assembled visor is very compact. The spacing or plates
12; 14 can be seen from Fig 5.
Another arrangement where the auxiliary visor sheet 6 is
actuated by a rotary knob 48 is shown in Fig 5a. In that
embodiment the gearing arrangement 1& is mounted on the
back plate 12, as in Figs 1 to 3_ In Fig 5a; the centre
wheel 20 is actuated by a cog 21 rotatably mounted on the
back plate 12 which cog is drivably connected to the knob
48 via a shaft 49 which passes through the front plate
14. Part of the auxiliary visor sheet 16 is cut away as
shown at 46, in similar manner to the Fia 3 viscr, to
accommodate the shaft 49.
Fig 6 shows a further visor similar in some respects to
that of Fig 1 and parts corresponding to parts i.~. Fig l
carry the same reference numerals_
The visor 10 in Fig o comprises a back plate l2, a front
plate 14 and an auxiliary visor sheet i6 located
ther~tween as in Fig 1.
The back plate 12 carries spaced apart mounting lugs 50
for the auxi 1 iary visor sheet 1 6. The lugs 5~~ :-gave axial
screw-threaded bores 52 formed therein.
The aux l 1 l ary v l sor sheet 1 6 has two V-shaped s l cts 5~~
formed therein. The slots 54 are spaced apart and are
formed in an upper part of the auxiliary visor sh2e't lo.
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One of the slots 54 is shown in more detail in Fig l. As
in Fig 1; the sheet 16 is provided with pull tabs 36_
The front plate 14 has apertures 56 formed therein which
5 receive the lugs 50, upon assembly together of the back
and front plates 12; 14. Each lug 50 is arranged to
extend through one of the slots 54 in the auxiliary visor
sheet 16 and the back and front plates 12; 14 are secured
together by means of bolts 58 which are screwed into tha
10 screw-threaded bores 52. Upon assembly, tine ends of the
lugs 50 engage the undersides of the heads cf bolts 58.
In that way the lugs 50 act to space the front and back
plates 14, 12 apart so that the auxiliary viscr sneer i6
is free to slide in and out of the visor i0.
15 Alternatively, any other suitable spacer or spacers may
be used to space the plates 12; 14.
In order to move the auxiliary visor sheet !6 from its
stowed position to its operative position. one of ti-~r
pull tabs 36 is pulled diagonally downwards. The lugs 50
slide along the respective slots 54 until they reach the
end of their respective slot. The slots ensure that the
movement o f the aux l 1 l ary v l sor shee t 1 6 l s gu l tied and
smooth. When it is no longer required, tine auxiliary
visor sheet 16 can be pushed back to its stowec position
suherein each lug 50 lies at the apex o~ of its -respective
slot 54. The lugs 50 will slide out of the notched
portions 62 when the auxiliary visor sheet is pulled
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manually downwards. Each slot 54 has a notched r~ortion
62 at its apex 60 and the lug 50 lies in the no~c'r:ed
portion to prevent the auxiliary visor sheet 2rom
gradually sliding out into its operative pcsiticn due to;
for instance vibration of the vehicle in which is
carried. Each slot 54 may also have indents 64 formed in
the upper edge thereof which receive the iuc .50 in
different operative positions of the sheet i6. In that
way the user can select the amount by which the auxiiiarv
visor sheet 16 protrudes depending upon the light
conditions which is particulary advantageous.
The slots 54 could be U-shaped cr semi-circular- to
accommodate movement of the auxiliary visor sheet i6 ir.
either direction. Alternatively, the slot may be ur~i-
directional to allow movement of the auxiiiarv visor
sheet 16 to one side only of the back and ~rcnt plates
12, 14.
Figs 8 and 9 show a further visor in accordance with the
invention. The visor in Figs 8 and 9 is similar in many
respects to that shown in Fig 1 and parts ccrresponding
~to parts in Fig 1 carry the same reference numerals. In
Figs 8 and 9 the visor comprises a back piaLe ;?. a front
plate 14 and an auxiliary visor sheet i6 located
- therebetween _ As f n the v f sors o f F f gs t . 3 and ~1 the
auxiliary visor sheet 16 is carried by mounting members
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26. The mounting members 26 are drivably mounted to
respective spaced actuating pulleys 66 which; in turn;
are rotatably mounted on the back plate 12. The pulleys
66 are connected by belts 68 to a pulley arrangement 70
shown in detail in Fig 9. The pulley arrangement 70
comprises two drive transmitting pulleys 71a; 7ic~ for
transmitting drive via belts 68 to the actuating pulleys
66 and a pulley 71c which is connected by a dries belt 72
to a drive pulley 74. The drive pulley 74 is drivably
connected to a gear wheel 75 which is driven by a motor
7 6 v l a a worm gear 7 7 . The motor 7 6 l s powered by the
battery 78. The whole drive arrangement is mounted in a
recessed part 79 on the back plate 12. Push button
controls 80 are located on the front plate i4 and are; in
use, connected electrically to the motor 76. Tl-.e
controls 80 may comprise a rust switch button 80a for
moving the auxiliary visor sheet 16 outwards and
downwards to the left and a second switch butLOn rs!~b for
retracting the auxiliary visor sheet. A third switch
button$Oc is used for moving the auxiliary visor sheet
16 outwards and downwards to the right anti a zourth
switch button 80d is used for retracting Zhe auxiliary
'visor sheet from that position. Alternatively a single
switch eg a rocker switch, could be used to control
movement of the auxiliary visor sheet 16.
M l cro sw l tches M~ , MZ are I ocated ad l atop t f.:~e v l sor
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actuating pulleys-66. Each visor actuating pulley n6 has
the micro switch M~ located directly aDOVe its Di.votal
axis and the micro switch M2 at one wide thereof
corresponding to the position of the arr. ~0 of the
mounting member 26 when the auxiliary visor sheet 16 is
fully extended to that side. The micro switches M~; M"
are arranged to cut off power to the drive motor 76 when
actuated by the mounting members 26. That prsvents the
visor from being extended or retracted too far. Power is
restored to the drive motor after a predetermined period
and circuitry may be provided to allow the drive motor i6
to be driven again once a micro switch i-ias been actuated.
In that way, if the visor is fully extended, sav; to the
left the drive motor 76 is deactivated by the memb=r a6
actuating the left hand micro switch M". once the
predetermined period has expired the drive circuitry
allows the drive motor 76 to retract the visor until the
upper micro switch M~ is actuated to switch off the motor
76. After a predetermined period, the motor r6 can be
operated again to extend the visor to the right or to the
left_ The micro switch MZ on the right of the visor as
shown operates in the same way as the left hand micro
-switch M2.
The motor 76 may receive power from the vehicle battery
- dispensing with a requirement for a separate hart=rv.
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In Fig 10 another drive arrangement is shown. In that
case a smaller motor 82 than that shown in Figs Fs and 9
' is arranged to drive the drive pulley 74 directly. Ti-~e
drive pulley 74 is mounted co-axially on output shaft fs4
of the motor 82. With that arrangement frictional losses
are reduced by eliminating the worm and wheel gearing 75;
77.
It is envisaged that either embodiment oz motor 70; 82
may be used to drive the gearing arrangement i8. In such
a case the motor 76, 82 drives the centre wheel 20 either
via gearing or via a belt as in the case of the motor 82
of Fig 10.
In Fig 11 the visor 10 is substantially similar tc that
shown in Fig 6 and parts corresponding to parts in gig o
carry the same reference numerals. The visor IQ in Fia
11 is substantially similar to that in Fio d anti ti-~us
will not be described in detail with exception that the
visor is actuated by the member 90 instead ci bzin~
pul led manual 1y from the f first visor cart. Ti~.e member 90
is generally circular and is pivotally mountec to ti-~e
back plate 12_ A slot 92 is formed in an upper part of
the part of the member 90 for co-operation wits, a
projection 94 on the auxiliary visor sheet 16. Thus when
the member 90 is rotated about its axis the prc==ction 94
co-operates with the slot 92 on the memper 9C~ tc =ife,~t
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movement of the auxiliary visor sheet 1o downwards and
sideways. The movement is controlled by the lugs 50 in
slots 54. A row of teeth 96 is formed arounc Lhe lower
part of the member 90 and a resi i lent tang 98 projects
5 upwardly from the rear part 12 to engage with the teeth
96. In that way the member 90 moves wit:z a ratchet l.ik~
motion so that the auxiliary visor sheets i6 can be
extended to any desired position and taen retained in
that position. A plurality of ffinger iiKe oroiections
10 100 extend from the upper part oz the member 90 and
protrude above the upper surface of the visor iG to allow
a user to actuate the member. IL desired,. the upper part
of the visor 10 can be cut away to reveal the finger lilte
projections 100_
Fig 13 shows a further embodiment or visor a0 s:miiar fir.
merit in many respects to that shown in Figs 1 i and i 2
and parts corresponding to carts in rr~igs !f a..d i~ carry
the same reference numerals.
In Fig 13 the auxiliary visor sheet 16 is actuated by a
wheel 102 which is pivotally mounted to the rear piat~
1 2. An upper part of the wheel 1 02 as a slot f 0~ c~ahici;
co-operates with a projection 106 on the auxiliary visor
sheet. The wheel 102 is driven by a motor is'2 via a ~elr.
108.
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The embodiment of Fig 14 is substantially similar to the
embodiment of Fig 13 with the exception that the wheel 102
has a toothed edge 110 and is driven by means of a motor 76
driving a worm gear 77.
Fig 15a - 15d illustrate the assembly of a further
embodiment of visor 10 in accordance with the invention.
The visor shown in Fig 15a - 15d is similar to many
respects to that shown in Fig 6 and parts corresponding to
parts in Fig 6 carry the same reference numeral. The visor
10 in Fig 15 comprises a backplate 12, an auxiliary visor
sheet 16 with two V-shaped slots 54. The V-shaped slots 54
each have a row of teeth 112 on their respective upper
surfaces and a toothed wheel 114 which is rotatably mounted
to the backplate 12 and which extends through the
respective slot 54. The toothed wheel 114 is shown in more
detail in Fig 16. An elongate actuating member 116 is
provided between the auxiliary visor sheet 16 and a front
plate 14. The toothed wheels 114 in the slots 54 extend
into the actuating member 116. A rack of teeth 118 is
formed on the upper surface of the actuating member 116.
The toothed wheels 114 mesh with the teeth in the rack 118.
An actuating toothed wheel 120 is rotatably mounted to the
front plate 14 and extends into the actuating member 116 in
mesh with the rack teeth of the rack 118. The actuating
tooth wheel 120 can be rotated by means by of a knob 122 on
the front
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WO 97/32743 PCT/GB97/006I2
face of the front plate 14.
22
Fig 16 shows one toothed wheel 114 and the actuating
tooth wheel 120 to a larger scale.
Fig 17 shaves the visor of Fig 16 in a exoieded
perspective view. In order to operate the viscr o= Fic
17 the knob 120 is turned which, in turn; rotates the
actuating tooth wheel 120. That causes the actuating
member 116 to move laterally which rotates the toot;~~ed
wheels 114 in the respective slots 54. The toothed
wheels 114 effect movement of the auxiliary visor sheet
16 by engaging the rows of teeth 1i?. in the si.ots 54.
Figs 18 and 19 show embodiments of visor wi~r. are
substantially similar to that shown in Figs i5-~7 na.rts
corresponding to parts in Figs 15-17 carry t~-~e same
reference numerals.
In the Fig 18 visor 10 the auxiliary visors sheet f6 is
actuated in substantially similar fashion to ine visor of
Figs 15-17 the exception that the elcngate actuating
-member 116 is actuated manually by means or siidina a
projecting tab 124 along a slot 120' in the iron;. plate.
- I n the embod l ment o f F l g 1 9 ; aga. l n t he aux. l l l ary v l sor
sheet 16 is actuated in simi lar fashion to tf.at shoca;: i.n
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WO 97132743 ' PCT/GB97/00612
23
Figs 15-17. However, the elongate actuating member ii6
is moved laterally by means of a actuating toothed Wheel
120 engaging with the rack 118. The toothed wheel 1%0 in
Fig 19 is rotated by means of a mctor r32 via a bci.t i2~~s
and pulley 130.
In Fig 20, an arrangement similar to Fig f1 is. shown
except that the tracks, indicated at 140, are in the form
of circular grooves formed in the back plate i2. I'he
auxiliary visor sheet 16 carries studs i42 which fit
slidably into the grooves 140_ The member 90 is similar
to that in Fig 11 except that it has a pin i4=i tuereon
which locates in a hole 146 in 'the auxi I iarv visor l 6.
The member 90 is rotatably mounted on the baci-; plate i2.
The backplate 12 has a tang 98 thereon, pre=eraiJly
resilient, which co-operates in a ratchet like manner
with teeth 9o around the lower half cf the memoer 90.
The studs 142 are spaced apart by the same d l stance as
the centres of curvature of the tracks 140 and the
centres of curvature of the tracks 140 and the axis about
which the member 90 rotates are contained i:~ a common
plane (not shown).
By rotating the member 90, the au:~iliary visor sheet i6
moves downwardly and sideways relative to the front and
back plates 14, 12 with the tracks 140 guiding 'the studs
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24
142.
If the entire member 90 is formed with teeth qn; the
member 90 can be rotated through :i6G decrees if reauired
so that the auxiliary visor turns through full circJ2.
In Fig 21 , an electric motor 82 drives a pul iey ;:~5. which
itself drives a pulley 1Q2 via a belt 1Q8. The pulley is
rotatably mounted on a pin 146 on the backpiate i~: and
has a pin 144 therecn located as in Fig 20. in cthar
respects the arrangement is the same as in dig 20 and the
motor 82 provides powered operation cf the auxiliary
visor sheet 1b.
All of the visors shown may be ritted as standard sun
visors in vehicles and will ncrmaliy~ be pivoLaliy
connected to the vehicle adiacent the windscreen or other
required part. Alternatively, the vicars may be retro-
fittable to existing vehicles by attaching the visor i0
2Q to the standard visor in the vehicls, for instance by
means of fasteners or adhesive. All of the embodiments
can be manufactured in a slim format to ena~~le retro
'fitting. It is envisaged that an existing viscr maw L
adapted to include a visor in accordance wit:- the
invention_
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