Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02594635 2007-07-12
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Attorney Docket No. T3465-9475WO01
VISOR SYSTEM
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C.
119(e) to U.S. Patent Application No. 60/643,105, filed January 12, 2005,
entitled
"Visor Extension System," which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention generally relates to protective wear, such as a hat,
helmet,
or the like, and in particular to a visor system for use with the protective
wear.
[0003] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of this invention, a visor
system is provided. The visor system has an extendable element that can be
extended
through a plurality of positions thereby elongating the overall visor.
[0004] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a visor extension element
is affixed to a first side of a visor. The visor extension can be frictionally
slid into and
out of the visor thereby providing an adjustable visor that can be
substantially the
same length as a visor that does not have an extendable portion or elongated
as
desired.
[0005] These and other features and advantages of this invention are described
in,
or are apparent from, the following detailed description of the exemplary
embodiments.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The present invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which like reference characters represent like parts
through the several views, wherein:
[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the visor system according to an
exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] Fig. 2 is an underside view of the visor element according to an
exemplary
embodiment of this invention;
[0009] Fig. 3 is a top view of the support element according to an exemplary
embodiment of this invention;
[0010] Fig. 4 is a perspective side view of the support element according to
an
exemplary embodiment of this invention;
[0011] Fig. 5 is a top view of the extendable visor element according to an
exemplary embodiment of this invention;
[0012] Fig. 6 illustrates the visor system in a first exemplary position;
[0013] Fig. 7 illustrates the visor system in a second exemplary position;
[0014] Fig. 8 illustrates the visor system in a third exemplary position;
[0015] Fig. 9 is a perspective exploded cross-sectional view taken along line
A-A
of Fig. 1; and
[0016] Fig. 10 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of
Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The present invention is described in relation to exemplary embodiments
shown in the figures. It should be appreciated that the embodiments are
exemplary
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and other configurations, sizes, and arrangements of the invention are
apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the applicable art. Several of the exemplary
figures provide
specific dimensional notations and part orientations. These values and layouts
are for
illustration purposes. Other sizes and orientations of the elements may be
used.
[0018] Moreover, while the visor system can be made of plastic, the various
elements of the visor system can be made from any one or more of plastics,
metals,
composites, alloys, carbon fiber, fiberglass, Kevlar , or the like.
Additionally, each
of the various visor system elements can be any one or more of colored,
transparent,
tinted, or the like.
[0019] Furthermore, while the extendable visor element is shown with a
particular
shape that roughly corresponds to that of the visor element, it should be
appreciated
that the extendable visor element, support element and visor element can be
any shape
which may or may not complement one other and may or may not be suited to a
particular helmet.
[0020] Fig. 1 illustrates the exemplary visor system 10 according to this
invention. The visor system 10 comprises a visor element 100, an extendable
visor
element 200 and a support element 300. The visor element 100 can be connected
to
headgear, such as a helmet, hat, or the like, in the traditional manner.
[0021] In Fig. 1, the extendable visor element 200 operates in a position
between
the support element 300 and the visor element 100. The extendable visor
element 200
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slides in a back and forth direction which is governed by slots 220 into and
out of the
visor system 10. The holder assemblies 210 and 310 provide a friction that
maintains
the extendable visor element 200 in a position selected by the user. For
example, the
user, utilizing a thumb and forefinger, can push or pull at point 230 thereby
moving
the extendable visor element 200 in the visor system 10.
[0022] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the support element 300 is connected to the
visor
element 100 via connection points 320. The connection points 320 also limit
the
extendability of the extendable visor element 200 within the visor system 10
by acting
as stops within the slots 220. The holder assembly 310 of the support element
300
and the holder assembly 210 of the extendable visor element 200 cooperate with
one
another as previously discussed. As will be discussed in greater detail herein
below,
different configurations are available for the holder assemblies with the
illustrated
exemplary embodiment having a 3-position extendable visor element 200. As will
be
appreciated from the following discussion, other configurations are possible
including
more or less positions and/or a holder assembly that is infinitely adjustable.
[0023] Fig. 2 illustrates in greater detail the visor element 100. The visor
element
100 includes one or more portions 110 that could be used to facilitate
attachment of
the visor element 100 to, for example, a helmet. The visor element 100 could
also be
integrally formed with a helmet and used in conjunction with the visor system
described herein.
[0024] The visor element 100 includes attachment points 120 where the support
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element 300 is secured to the visor element 100. This attachment can be done
through
any mechanical means including, but not limited to screwing, bonding, gluing,
riveting, or the like.
[0025] Fig. 3 is an exemplary view of the support element 300. The support
element 300 includes a holder assembly 310 and a plurality of attachment
points 320.
The support element 300 can optionally include one or more guide rails 330 to
facilitate movement of the extendable visor element 200 within the visor
system 10.
Guide rails can also be used on other portions of the system to facilitate
movement of
the extendable visor element. The support element, as well as each of the
other
elements, can also optionally include reinforcing structures (not shown), such
as
reinforcing ribs, on one or more sides of the element.
[0026] The attachment points 320 can be cylindrical in shape and, as
previously
discussed, cooperate with the slots 220 in the extendable visor element 200.
However, and in general, any cooperatively shaped configuration of the
attachment
points and slots will work equally well with the systems and methods of this
invention.
[0027] The exemplary holder assembly 310 provides three positions in which the
extendable visor elenient 200 rests. In a first position, a portion of the
holder
assembly 210 engages the holder assembly 310 at a first position 340. In a
second or
partially extended position, the holder assembly 210 engages the holder
assembly 310
at a second position 350. In a third, fully extended position, the holder
assembly 210
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engages the holder assembly 310 at a third position 360. The holder assembly
210
can be deformable thereby allowing the holder assembly 210 to ride over the
holder
assembly 310. Alternatively, or in addition, elements of the holder assembly
310 can
be deformable thereby allowing the holder assembly 210 to move relative
thereto.
For example, one or more of the holder assemblies 210 and 310 can be made of
deformable plastic or metal, or in general, any material that allows a
frictionally
engaging yet moveable relationship therebetween. As previously discussed,
while the
exemplary holder assembly 310 is shown having three positions (340, 350, and
360),
it should be appreciated that any number of positions are possible. For
example, the
holder assembly 310 could include small teeth with the holder assembly 210
engaging
the teeth. This would provide a multitude of different positions in which the
extendable visor element 200 could be positioned. Additionally, the holder
assembly
310 and holder assembly 210 can be configured such that there is an infinitely
adjustable frictional engagement therebetween.
[0028] Fig. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of the support element 300.
Highlighted in this illustration are the optional guide rails 330 and a side
view of the
holder mechanism 310 with the three stop positions 340, 350, and 360.
[0029] Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the extendable visor
element 200. The extendable visor element includes slots 220, visor front lip
205, and
the holder assembly 210. The holder assembly 210 comprises arms 240 and tongue
250. The arms 240 have engagement areas 255 thereon that cooperate with and
engage the holder assembly 310 of the support element 300. The engagement
areas
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rest in the stop positions 340, 350 and 360 corresponding to the three
positions of the
extendable visor element 200. The extendable visor element 200 may also
optionally
include one or more guide rails 260 on one or more sides and/or vents (not
shown).
[0030] In use, portion 230 provides the user with a convenient location to
grab the
extendable visor element and adjust the extension of the visor system with
slots 220
restricting the movement of the extendable visor element 200 due to their
engagement
with attachment points 320. The exemplary design allows extension/retraction
of the
visor element with one hand.
[0031] The arms 240 within the holder assembly 210 flex over the bump stops
370 of the holder mechanism 310. The engagement areas 255 rest in one of the
three
areas 340, 350, or 360 which corresponds to the extendable visor element 200
being
retracted, in an intermediate position, and fully extended, respectively.
[0032] Fig. 6 illustrates a top view of the visor system 10. In this exemplary
view, the extendable visor element 200 is in a retracted position with the
leading
edges of the visor element 100 and extendable visor element 200 substantially
aligned.
[0033] Fig. 7 outlines an exemplary embodiment of the visor system 10 in an
intermediate position. More specifically, in this intermediate position, the
extendable
visor element 200 extends from the visor element 100 such that the leading
edge 710
of the extendable visor element 200 extends beyond the visor element 100.
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[0034] In Fig. 8, the extendable visor element 200 is shown in a completely
extended position. In this completely extended position, the attachment points
have
engaged the back of slot 220 thereby preventing any further forward movement
of the
extendable visor element 200. If the extendable visor element is made
transparent,
the length of the visor element could be shortened thus increasing a user's
visibility
by allowing the user to see through the extendable visor element it its
various
extended positions.
[0035] Fig. 9 illustrates an exemplary perspective exploded cross-sectional
view
of the visor system taken along line A-A of Fig. 1. In this view, the
extendable visor
element 200 is at its fully extended position with the back portion of the
slot 220
captured by the attachment point 320.
[0036] Fig. 10 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of
Fig. 1.
In Fig. 10, the extendable visor element 200 is in its fully extended position
and being
retained by the attachment points in their corresponding slot. In this view,
the
optional front attachment point 1010 can also be seen which allows attachment
of the
visor system 10 to, for example, a helmet. Vent holes 1020 are also
illustrated as well
as attachment point 1030. It should be appreciated that vents could also be
positioned
in other elements of the visor system 10. Similar to attachment point 1010
attachment
point 1030 allows the visor system 10 to be affixed to, for example, a helmet
via a
fastener.
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[0037] The foregoing description has been provided for illustrative purposes.
Variations and modifications to the embodiments described herein may become
apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art upon studying this
disclosure, without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The specific feature(s)
illustrated
herein in relation to specific embodiments can be used with any other
embodiment
described herein.
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