CA1107321A - Visor assembly - Google Patents
Visor assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA1107321A CA1107321A CA195,151A CA195151A CA1107321A CA 1107321 A CA1107321 A CA 1107321A CA 195151 A CA195151 A CA 195151A CA 1107321 A CA1107321 A CA 1107321A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- visor
- mirror
- cover
- pair
- lamp
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J3/00—Antiglare equipment associated with windows or windscreens; Sun visors for vehicles
- B60J3/02—Antiglare equipment associated with windows or windscreens; Sun visors for vehicles adjustable in position
- B60J3/0204—Sun visors
- B60J3/0278—Sun visors structure of the body
- B60J3/0282—Sun visors structure of the body specially adapted for a courtesy mirror
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Arrangements Of Lighting Devices For Vehicle Interiors, Mounting And Supporting Thereof, Circuits Therefore (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
A visor assembly incorporating a padded visor pro-vided with a built-in lighted vanity mirror. The visor assem-bly also includes a padded cover which when opened uncovers the mirror and also actuates a lighting system. The lighting system then illuminates an object such as an observer or a map with a light intensity that can manually be varied.
A visor assembly incorporating a padded visor pro-vided with a built-in lighted vanity mirror. The visor assem-bly also includes a padded cover which when opened uncovers the mirror and also actuates a lighting system. The lighting system then illuminates an object such as an observer or a map with a light intensity that can manually be varied.
Description
l~is invention relates to improvements in visors adapted although not exclusively for use with vehiclesO
Vehicle visors customarily shield the front seat occupant's eyes from the sunlight. Because of their eye level location these visors have been found to be a convenient place to locate a vanity mirror which is usually done either by clamps or by attaching the mirror to the visor with an approp-riate adhesive material. With such a vanity mirror, there are problems such as lack of illumination, particularly at night. Because an uncovered mirror can provide undesired reflections, it is usually not located on the driver's visorO Then too, an exposed vanity mirror can possibly present problems in the event of a crash~
With the foregoing in mind a new and different visor assembly is contemplated that includes a vanity mirror and a movable cover for the mirror.
Basically, the invention provides a visor assembly for a vehicle or the like comprising a visor movable from a storage to a generally vertical position, a vanity mirror supported by the visor, a vanity mirror cover arranged on the visor for adjustable movement about an axis above the mirror when said visor is in its vertical position between a closed position covering the mirror to an open position uncovering the mirror and lighting means carried relative to the visor and mirror and being operative to illuminate the -mirror when said cover is in an open position.
Preferably, the lighting means includes selector switch means actuated by the vanity mirror cover when moved to the open position for rend-ering the lighting means operative.
. i .Preferably also~ the lighting means further includes dim~er means for varying the light intensity of the illumination from the lighting means.
According to a~particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, ~` ~ there is provlded a visor assembly for a vehicle or the like comprising a ~ visor mDvable from a storage to a generally vertical position, a vanity mirror ,~ ~30: ~supported by the visor, a vanity mirror cover arranged on the visor for ~
adjustable movement about an~axis above the mlrror when said visor is in its -~, vertlcal positlon between a closed posltion covering the mirror to ~ open ~L()73~L
position uncovering the mirror and li.ghting means carried relative to the visor and mirror, being operative to illuminate the mirror when said cover is in an open position, said lighting means including lamp means, a power source and circuit means selectively coupling the lamp means to the power source, said circuit means including a pair of elongated conductors mounted relative to the visor so as to extend to opposite ends of said mirror, a pair of lamps spaced apart at opposite ends of the mirror with each lamp in electrical contact with both of the pair of elongated conductors, said palr of elongated conductors each being formed of a relatively thin metallic strip having at one end thereof both a light reflecting and heat dissipating surface and a first lamp contact and at the other end thereof a second lamp contact and are each so aligned that the first and second contacts on one of the pair of elongated conductors are respectively adjacent the first and second contacts on the other of the pair of elongated conductors, and the pair of lamps are each arranged adjacent the light reflec~ing and heat dissipating surface on a ; respective one of the pair of elongated conductors so as to be electrically : coupled between the adjacent first and second contacts.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention ~ will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings in which:
; Figure I is a perspective.view of a visor assembly depicting a lighted vanity mirror with a cover in the closed position;
; : Flgure~2 is another perspective view of the Figure ~ .
,: :
, ~ 2 - :
1 visor assembly with the mirror cover shown in the open position;
FIGIJRE 3 is a sectional view of the visor assembly taken along line 3-3 in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the visor assembly taken along line 4-4 in FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 5 is a view of the visor assembly with the vanity mirror removed so as to show the lighting system therefor, FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of the visor assembly . taken along line 6-6 in FIGURE l; :
FIGURES 7 & 8 are sectional views taken respect-ively along the lines 7-7 and 8-8 in FIGURE 2 of the lighting system lens;
FIGURE 9 is a schematic diagram of the lighting system circuitry;
FIGURE 10 is a plan view of the core employed by the visor assembly shown prior to being folded;
FIGURE 11 is a view taken along lines 11-11 of FIGURE 10;
FIGURES 12 and 13 are views of the FIGURE 10 core shown looking in the direction respectively of arrows 12-12 and 13-13 in FIGURE 10;
~, FIGURE 14 is a sectional view of the FIGURE 10 core taken along line 14-14 in FIGURE 10; and : FI~URE 15 is a schematic diagram of a modification ,~ ~ of the lighting system circuitry.
:~ : Referring first to FIGURES 1 and 2, the visor ~:
assembly incorporating:the principles of the invention is l :~ 30 denoted generally by the numeral 10 and lS shown for demon--, ~ stration purposes installed on the passenger's side of a ~ : -3-vehicle`although it could be installecl on the driver's side or both. The visor assembly 10 includes a visor 12 - that is swingably supported on a rod 14. This rod 14 ~as a swivel attachment 15 that is connected to the vehicle just above the vehicle windshield 16. The visor 12 can~ at its end opposite the swivel attachment 15, include an end rod 17, which can be releasably supported by a bracket 18. I'hus, in the usual way the visor 12 can be removed from the depicted position which affords light reflection from the windshield 16 to a stored position above the windshield 16 or swung sidewise, if desired, so as to provide a sunshield against light from the side. The visor assembly 10 further includes a vanity mirror 20, a vanity mirror cover 22~ which is swingable between the FIGURE 1 closed position and the FIGURE 2 open position with respect to the vanity mirror 20 and a lighting system 24 for the vanity mirror 20. When the visor assembly 10 is in the FIGURE 1 position, the vanity mirror cover 22 can be removed to the FIGURE 2 open position ~ so as to expose the vanity mirror 20 and also to ac~a~e the lighting system 2~ so as to illuminate the mirror 20.
As best observed in FIGURE 10, the visor 12 has a core 26 formed of a suitable material such as plastic; e.g., polypropylene or the equivalent. The core 26 is molded in one piece with the viewed rib structure comprising a series of ribs 28. The ribs 28 afford strength while minimizing '~ the amount of plastic like material required. This core 26 is moIded in one piece with the viewed rib structure comprising a series of ribs 28. These ribs 28 afford strength while ~,; minimizing the amount oF plastic like material required. This core 26 has an open section 30 with a rectangular shaped through opening at 32 and a face section 34 provided with a ' :
face 36 of the same rectangular shape as the opening 32 and a flexible end 38 that is connected to the face section 34 by a so called live hinge 40. The hinge 40 is formed by reducing the cross~sectional area at this point so that the flexible end 38 can deflect~ when the visor assembly 10 is in its stored position against the vehicle ceiling and cover a corner 42 viewed in FIGURE 1 for safety purposes. The two sections 30 and 34 also have a similar "live" hinge at 44 that permits the two sections to be folded onto them-selves as seen in FIGURE 6. Additionally, the face section 34 includes a channel 46, best viewed in FIGURE 14, for reception of the rod 14. The two sections 30 and 34 can be held together by any suitable interlocking provision;
for instance, that depicted in FIGURE 6 at 48 or by pins or both. When the two sections 30 are folded together, they provide a recess 50 defined by the opening 32 and the face 36. This recess 50 accomodates the vanity mirror 20 and the ; lighting system 24 as will be explained.
As seen in FIGURE 6, the core 26 has placed over it a padding S2 of any suitable material, such as Scott's No. 250 dielectric foam and then a covering 54 of some suit-able material, such as cloth, leather, vinyl or the like.
This covering 54 is cut to a shape that conforms to the contour of the core 26 and then, as observed in FIGURE 5, is sealed around the recess 50 and in the area denoted generally by the numeral 56 in any suitable way such as by ~; an adhesive materlal or by heat sealing; e.g., dielectric heating. In the same way the covering 54 can be sealed at . .
its ends around the perimeter of the visor 12 at 58 after~
which a binding 60 is stitched or heat sealed to the perimeter 58. If preerred, the dielectric heating process can be used ' ~ :
,~: :
to provide embossing that will simulate the stitching.
As shown in E'IGURE 6~ the vanity mirror 20 comprises a glass panel 62 which can be drawn window glass and a steel backing plate 64. The glass panel 62 has the customary reflec-tive coating on its back surface 66~ The attachment of the glasspanel 62 to the steel backing plate 64 is made by an appropriate adhesive backing strip shown generally at 68. This strip 68 comprises, by way of example and without limitation, a poly-vinyl chloride material of approximately four or five mills thickness, which is applied to both the glass panel back sur-face 66 and an opposite surface 69 on the steel bac]cing plate 64 and an intermediate polyurethane foam material or the equiva-lent having a thickness of approximately .OlO to .030 ins. With this construction, if the vanity mirror 20 is struck with a blow of sufficient magnitude to break the glass panel 62, the steel backing plate 64 will deflect and bend so as to absorb ; the impact and due to what might be called a "pipe bender effect", any broken glass particles which would otherwise fly-off the mirror face are retained in position relative to the backing plate 64 by the strip 68.
For supporting the vanity mirror 20 on the visor 12, a frame 70 is provided which fits within the visor recess 50 in such a way as to be releasably retained therein. This frame 70 can either be made of a metallic material or a non-metallic material; for instance, a suitable molded plastic materiaI.
The vanity mirror 20 fits on each of its sides within channels 71 in the frame 70 and is retained in position by clamping edges 72, which are bent at installation to the depicted positlon.
The frame 70 also supports the vanity mirror cover 22 which is pivo-tally connected thereto by hinge connections , :
., -.
,: :
, : ; : ~ ' thereto by hinge connections 73 at each end of the cover 22.
For holdi.ng the cover 22 in the FIGURE 2 position and also in the FIGURE 1 closed position, each hinge connection 73 is provided with an offset arm 74 that pivots with -the S cover 22 and a spring 76 which :has its opposite ends 78 and 80 respectively connected to the offset arm 74 and the frame 70 such that the tension of the spring 76, as best observed in FIGURES 3 and 4, holds the cover 22 in its closed and open depicted positions.
The cover 22 is constructed so as to have a rectangular shaped opening 82 therein for exposing a padded assembly 84 comprising a backing member 86 having the general shape of the opening 82, a padded strip 88, and a cover 90. The padded strip 88 and the cover 90 can be made of the same materials as the padding 52 and the covering 54 and the backing member 86 can be made of the same material as the core 26. The padded . assembly 84 is larger than the rectangular shaped opening 82 . so as to provide an overlap 92 around the perimeter thereof ;' which overlap 92 can have applied thereto an appropriate adhe-: 20 sive material so as to retain the padded assembly 84 in place on the cover 22. One should be mindful that the entire cover 22 could be padded and covered if preferred in a way ~: similar to that descri~ed with respect to the core 26.
The lighting system 24 comprises circuitry 94, which ~` ~ 25 is positioned within the visor recess 50 and ioined to the .
visor face 36, a pair of lamps 98, and a pair of lens 100.
: The lens 100 are releasably supported in complimentary open-ings located i:n the vanity mirror frame 70 on each side of the . ~--: vanity mirror 20. The lens 100 are each constructed so as to .
~:~ 30 direct the light towards the center of the mirror 20 to provide ~ :~
; ~ ~ greater concentra-tion of illumination and also are constructed ~ _7_ . :
.
~: :
~d ,JV~ s~
.
to preven-t the illumination from straying and producing undesired reflections.
The circuitry 94 includes a ground conductor 102 and a power conductor 104, both of which are joined to the face 36 by a series of plastic plugs 106 upstanding from the face 36 so that the two conductors 102 and 104 are aligned as shown in FIGURE 5. These conductors 102 and 104 are formed of a thin metallic material, such as a stainless steel sheet having relatively good current conducting characteristics.
The ground conductor 102 has a reflector 108 provided at one end along with a contact 110 and at the other end a contact 112. The power conductor 104 likewise has a reflector 114 and a contact 116 at one end and a contact 118 at the opposite end. The ground conductor 102 has a terminal 120 and a conductor retaining hook 122 whereas the power conductor 104 has a terminal 124 and a conductor retaining hook 126. The pair of lamps 98 are installed opposite the reflectors 108 and 114 with one of the lamps 98 being connected between the contacts 110 and 118 and the other of the lamps 98 being connected between the contacts 112 and 116. These conductors ; 102 and 104 not only transfer current, but reflect light, deflect heat, serve as a heat sink and additionally, support the various other conductors employed by the circuitry 94, and thus, eliminate a substantial number of parts.
The circuitry 94 provides for the selectlve supply of power thereto from a conventional vehicle battery 128 (see FIGURE 9~ or the like by way of a coaxial cable 130 compri~ses ~ . .
an outer conducl:or 132 formed of a conductive material, such as a braided metal]ic sheath, that is appropriately grounded and also connected t:o th~é;ground conductor terminal 120 and an inner input concluctor 134 that lS coupled both to a connector ':: :~ :
,: ~ : : :
~73f~L
135, which is in turn connected to the battery 123, and to a selee-tor switch 136. The selector switeh 136l which pro-vides for the selectivity, is eoupled to a fuse ].38 and an intermediate conductor 140 and to the terminal 124 of the power conductor 104. The conductor 140 is maintained in place by looping it around the hook 126 on the ground conduetor 10 during installation~ A resistance 143 may be installed between the battery 128 and the connector 135 for voltage control if desired.
The selector switch 136 comprises a fixed eontact 143 which is coupled to the fuse 138, a movable contact 144 whieh is eonneeted to the inner input eonductor 134, and a cover aetuated arm 146 whieh moves the movable eontaet 144 against : the bias from a spring 147 to a eIosed position with respeet ; 15 to the fixed eontaet 142. To aetuate the arm 146 the vanity ~ mirror eover 22 is provided, as best viewed in FIGURES 5 and : 6, with an extension 148~ which urges the arm 146 downwardly as the cover 22 is moved to the open position. In this way the movable contact 144 is urged into engagement with the fixed contaet 142 to eomplete the eireuit from the battery 12~
through the lamps 98 and provide the desired illumination.
For altering the intensity of the illumination from the lamps 98, the lighting system 24 further ineludes a light intensity varying provision ineluding a dimmer switeh 150, whieh is supported on the core faee 36 and extends through a ~ qpls?,~en~
; ~ ~ ~ ~pening in the vanity mirror frame 70, and a :
resistanee eonduetor 152 which extends between the eover aetua-ted seleetor switcb 136 and the fuse 138` and the power eondue-- :
tor terminal 124 and shunt eonduetor 154 r which extends from the dimmer switeh 150 to the power eonduetor terminal power : -, eonduetor terminal 124. Both of the eonduetors 152 and 154 ~ , _g_ : : -. - ~
: ...... . :
, ~ , . . . . . . .
are retained in place by the hook 126 on the power conductor 104 whereas the conductor 152 is also retained in place by the hook 122 on the ground conductor. The resistance conductor 152 is of the well known type selected for the required resistance for illumination dimming purposes. This can best be explained by referring to the schematic circuit diagram in FIGURE 9 for when the dimmer switch 150 is in the illustrated low position, the current flow is through the resistance con-ductor 152. Thus, the current flow is reduced and accordingly the energization of the lamps 98 so that the illumination is reduced. When the dimmer switch 150 is moved to the broken line high position in FIGURE 9, the resistance conductor 152 is in effect shunted so that there is no reduction in the energization of the lamps 98 and accordingly they will provide the greatest illumination.
As viewed in FIGURES 7 and 8, the pair of lens 100 have a cross-sectional construction such that the illumination from the lamps 98 is directed towards the center of the mirror 20; i.e., towards an observer or an object to insure that the illumination does not stray or cause undesired lighting effects that might create a problem for the driver while still per-mitting one to use the vanity mirror.
In operation with the visor assembly 10 in its FIGURE 1 position and the cover 22 closed, the visor assembly 10 and the cover being both padded provide an impact absorbing surface. When the vanity mirror 20 is to be used, the cover 22 is moved to the FIGURE 2 open position which is approximately ~; 120 from the plane of the visor 12. In moving to the open position~ the cover extension 148 will actuate the selector switch 136 so ~s to activate the lighting system 24. The circuitry 94 w:ill be complete to provide a current path from --10- ' ' ' t~le battery 128 t-llroucJh the resistance l43, the collnec~o~ 135, the coa~ial cable inrler input conductor 13~, the selector s~itch 1~6 and then en-ter -throuc3h -the Euse l38 and the resi~-tance conductor 152 or the intermediate conductor 1~0, deter-mined by tlle position of the dimmer switch 150, -through the power conduc-tor 104, -the lamps 98, the ground conductor ]02, -the coaxial cable o~lter conductor 132 and then via yround back to the battery 128. Hence, both of the larnps 98 will be energized whereupon -the illumina-tion will be directed or de~lec-ted by the two lens 100 towards the center of the mirror 20; i.e., towards an observer or an object so that the vanity mirror 20 can be used. I~ the illumination is greater -than desired, the dimmer switch 150 can be moved to the solid line position in FIGURE 9. It should be noted that by tilting the visor assembly 10 approximately 45 from -the vertical that ; the visor assembly 10 can now be used as a general purpose lamp; e.g., as a map light or for reading and in this position the cover acts to shield direct shininq of the light ~rom lamps 98 and lenses 100 into the eyes of such observer.
~n In FIGURE 15 a modification of the FIGVRE 9 lighting sys-tem 24 is displayed. In FIGURE 15 like parts are assigned the same numbers and similar parts the same numbers with a prime (') added. Hence, the numerals 24' and 94' respectively denote a lighting system and circuitry. The FIGURE 15 ligh-t intensity vary provision includes a dimmer switch 150', such as an NPN transistor 154, and a variable resistor 156 having an adjustable tap 158 that is moveable by a manually moveable dimmer element 160, as those versed in the art will apprecia~e a PNP -type transistor can be employed if the appropriate 30 polarity changes are made. The transis-tor 154 has its emitter connected to the power conductor 104, i-ts collector connected to -the intermediate conductor 140 and its base coupled to the adjustable tap 158. The lighting system 24' further includes ~ ~ . . ..
7;~
a flxed resistor 162 in series with the variable resistor 156.
In operation~ the lighting system 24' accomplishes the same function as its counterpart in the FIG~RE 9 embodi-ment. When the selector switch 136 is closed, a circuit is completed from the battery 128 to the transistor 15~. The bias of the transistor 154 is varied manually by the dimmer element 160 towards the contact 164, the forward bias is decreased so as to decrease conduction by the transistor 154, and accordingly, the current supplied to the lamps 98. There--fore, the illumination from the lamps 98 will be reduced. To increase the illumination fxom the lamps 98~ the dimmer element 160 is adjusted so as to~ in turn, move the tap 158 away from the contact 164 and thus, increase the forward bias on the transistor 154 so as to increase its conduction and correspond-ingly the current flow through these lamps 98. This will increase the illumination from the lamps 9~.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that because of the construction of the mirror 20, if the mirror 20 is struck, the glass panel 62 can shatter but with a minimum of dispersion of the shattered particles from the panel 62. Furthermore, the visor assembly 10 affords a lighted vanity mirror 20 that is particularly suited for mass production. One should be mindful too, that the construction permits versatility in selection of -: . .
1 25 colors for di~ferent parts of the visor assembly 10.
.' " ' :: :
~ ',.
.
, .
, :
.;: ; : : , .
Vehicle visors customarily shield the front seat occupant's eyes from the sunlight. Because of their eye level location these visors have been found to be a convenient place to locate a vanity mirror which is usually done either by clamps or by attaching the mirror to the visor with an approp-riate adhesive material. With such a vanity mirror, there are problems such as lack of illumination, particularly at night. Because an uncovered mirror can provide undesired reflections, it is usually not located on the driver's visorO Then too, an exposed vanity mirror can possibly present problems in the event of a crash~
With the foregoing in mind a new and different visor assembly is contemplated that includes a vanity mirror and a movable cover for the mirror.
Basically, the invention provides a visor assembly for a vehicle or the like comprising a visor movable from a storage to a generally vertical position, a vanity mirror supported by the visor, a vanity mirror cover arranged on the visor for adjustable movement about an axis above the mirror when said visor is in its vertical position between a closed position covering the mirror to an open position uncovering the mirror and lighting means carried relative to the visor and mirror and being operative to illuminate the -mirror when said cover is in an open position.
Preferably, the lighting means includes selector switch means actuated by the vanity mirror cover when moved to the open position for rend-ering the lighting means operative.
. i .Preferably also~ the lighting means further includes dim~er means for varying the light intensity of the illumination from the lighting means.
According to a~particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, ~` ~ there is provlded a visor assembly for a vehicle or the like comprising a ~ visor mDvable from a storage to a generally vertical position, a vanity mirror ,~ ~30: ~supported by the visor, a vanity mirror cover arranged on the visor for ~
adjustable movement about an~axis above the mlrror when said visor is in its -~, vertlcal positlon between a closed posltion covering the mirror to ~ open ~L()73~L
position uncovering the mirror and li.ghting means carried relative to the visor and mirror, being operative to illuminate the mirror when said cover is in an open position, said lighting means including lamp means, a power source and circuit means selectively coupling the lamp means to the power source, said circuit means including a pair of elongated conductors mounted relative to the visor so as to extend to opposite ends of said mirror, a pair of lamps spaced apart at opposite ends of the mirror with each lamp in electrical contact with both of the pair of elongated conductors, said palr of elongated conductors each being formed of a relatively thin metallic strip having at one end thereof both a light reflecting and heat dissipating surface and a first lamp contact and at the other end thereof a second lamp contact and are each so aligned that the first and second contacts on one of the pair of elongated conductors are respectively adjacent the first and second contacts on the other of the pair of elongated conductors, and the pair of lamps are each arranged adjacent the light reflec~ing and heat dissipating surface on a ; respective one of the pair of elongated conductors so as to be electrically : coupled between the adjacent first and second contacts.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention ~ will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings in which:
; Figure I is a perspective.view of a visor assembly depicting a lighted vanity mirror with a cover in the closed position;
; : Flgure~2 is another perspective view of the Figure ~ .
,: :
, ~ 2 - :
1 visor assembly with the mirror cover shown in the open position;
FIGIJRE 3 is a sectional view of the visor assembly taken along line 3-3 in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the visor assembly taken along line 4-4 in FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 5 is a view of the visor assembly with the vanity mirror removed so as to show the lighting system therefor, FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of the visor assembly . taken along line 6-6 in FIGURE l; :
FIGURES 7 & 8 are sectional views taken respect-ively along the lines 7-7 and 8-8 in FIGURE 2 of the lighting system lens;
FIGURE 9 is a schematic diagram of the lighting system circuitry;
FIGURE 10 is a plan view of the core employed by the visor assembly shown prior to being folded;
FIGURE 11 is a view taken along lines 11-11 of FIGURE 10;
FIGURES 12 and 13 are views of the FIGURE 10 core shown looking in the direction respectively of arrows 12-12 and 13-13 in FIGURE 10;
~, FIGURE 14 is a sectional view of the FIGURE 10 core taken along line 14-14 in FIGURE 10; and : FI~URE 15 is a schematic diagram of a modification ,~ ~ of the lighting system circuitry.
:~ : Referring first to FIGURES 1 and 2, the visor ~:
assembly incorporating:the principles of the invention is l :~ 30 denoted generally by the numeral 10 and lS shown for demon--, ~ stration purposes installed on the passenger's side of a ~ : -3-vehicle`although it could be installecl on the driver's side or both. The visor assembly 10 includes a visor 12 - that is swingably supported on a rod 14. This rod 14 ~as a swivel attachment 15 that is connected to the vehicle just above the vehicle windshield 16. The visor 12 can~ at its end opposite the swivel attachment 15, include an end rod 17, which can be releasably supported by a bracket 18. I'hus, in the usual way the visor 12 can be removed from the depicted position which affords light reflection from the windshield 16 to a stored position above the windshield 16 or swung sidewise, if desired, so as to provide a sunshield against light from the side. The visor assembly 10 further includes a vanity mirror 20, a vanity mirror cover 22~ which is swingable between the FIGURE 1 closed position and the FIGURE 2 open position with respect to the vanity mirror 20 and a lighting system 24 for the vanity mirror 20. When the visor assembly 10 is in the FIGURE 1 position, the vanity mirror cover 22 can be removed to the FIGURE 2 open position ~ so as to expose the vanity mirror 20 and also to ac~a~e the lighting system 2~ so as to illuminate the mirror 20.
As best observed in FIGURE 10, the visor 12 has a core 26 formed of a suitable material such as plastic; e.g., polypropylene or the equivalent. The core 26 is molded in one piece with the viewed rib structure comprising a series of ribs 28. The ribs 28 afford strength while minimizing '~ the amount of plastic like material required. This core 26 is moIded in one piece with the viewed rib structure comprising a series of ribs 28. These ribs 28 afford strength while ~,; minimizing the amount oF plastic like material required. This core 26 has an open section 30 with a rectangular shaped through opening at 32 and a face section 34 provided with a ' :
face 36 of the same rectangular shape as the opening 32 and a flexible end 38 that is connected to the face section 34 by a so called live hinge 40. The hinge 40 is formed by reducing the cross~sectional area at this point so that the flexible end 38 can deflect~ when the visor assembly 10 is in its stored position against the vehicle ceiling and cover a corner 42 viewed in FIGURE 1 for safety purposes. The two sections 30 and 34 also have a similar "live" hinge at 44 that permits the two sections to be folded onto them-selves as seen in FIGURE 6. Additionally, the face section 34 includes a channel 46, best viewed in FIGURE 14, for reception of the rod 14. The two sections 30 and 34 can be held together by any suitable interlocking provision;
for instance, that depicted in FIGURE 6 at 48 or by pins or both. When the two sections 30 are folded together, they provide a recess 50 defined by the opening 32 and the face 36. This recess 50 accomodates the vanity mirror 20 and the ; lighting system 24 as will be explained.
As seen in FIGURE 6, the core 26 has placed over it a padding S2 of any suitable material, such as Scott's No. 250 dielectric foam and then a covering 54 of some suit-able material, such as cloth, leather, vinyl or the like.
This covering 54 is cut to a shape that conforms to the contour of the core 26 and then, as observed in FIGURE 5, is sealed around the recess 50 and in the area denoted generally by the numeral 56 in any suitable way such as by ~; an adhesive materlal or by heat sealing; e.g., dielectric heating. In the same way the covering 54 can be sealed at . .
its ends around the perimeter of the visor 12 at 58 after~
which a binding 60 is stitched or heat sealed to the perimeter 58. If preerred, the dielectric heating process can be used ' ~ :
,~: :
to provide embossing that will simulate the stitching.
As shown in E'IGURE 6~ the vanity mirror 20 comprises a glass panel 62 which can be drawn window glass and a steel backing plate 64. The glass panel 62 has the customary reflec-tive coating on its back surface 66~ The attachment of the glasspanel 62 to the steel backing plate 64 is made by an appropriate adhesive backing strip shown generally at 68. This strip 68 comprises, by way of example and without limitation, a poly-vinyl chloride material of approximately four or five mills thickness, which is applied to both the glass panel back sur-face 66 and an opposite surface 69 on the steel bac]cing plate 64 and an intermediate polyurethane foam material or the equiva-lent having a thickness of approximately .OlO to .030 ins. With this construction, if the vanity mirror 20 is struck with a blow of sufficient magnitude to break the glass panel 62, the steel backing plate 64 will deflect and bend so as to absorb ; the impact and due to what might be called a "pipe bender effect", any broken glass particles which would otherwise fly-off the mirror face are retained in position relative to the backing plate 64 by the strip 68.
For supporting the vanity mirror 20 on the visor 12, a frame 70 is provided which fits within the visor recess 50 in such a way as to be releasably retained therein. This frame 70 can either be made of a metallic material or a non-metallic material; for instance, a suitable molded plastic materiaI.
The vanity mirror 20 fits on each of its sides within channels 71 in the frame 70 and is retained in position by clamping edges 72, which are bent at installation to the depicted positlon.
The frame 70 also supports the vanity mirror cover 22 which is pivo-tally connected thereto by hinge connections , :
., -.
,: :
, : ; : ~ ' thereto by hinge connections 73 at each end of the cover 22.
For holdi.ng the cover 22 in the FIGURE 2 position and also in the FIGURE 1 closed position, each hinge connection 73 is provided with an offset arm 74 that pivots with -the S cover 22 and a spring 76 which :has its opposite ends 78 and 80 respectively connected to the offset arm 74 and the frame 70 such that the tension of the spring 76, as best observed in FIGURES 3 and 4, holds the cover 22 in its closed and open depicted positions.
The cover 22 is constructed so as to have a rectangular shaped opening 82 therein for exposing a padded assembly 84 comprising a backing member 86 having the general shape of the opening 82, a padded strip 88, and a cover 90. The padded strip 88 and the cover 90 can be made of the same materials as the padding 52 and the covering 54 and the backing member 86 can be made of the same material as the core 26. The padded . assembly 84 is larger than the rectangular shaped opening 82 . so as to provide an overlap 92 around the perimeter thereof ;' which overlap 92 can have applied thereto an appropriate adhe-: 20 sive material so as to retain the padded assembly 84 in place on the cover 22. One should be mindful that the entire cover 22 could be padded and covered if preferred in a way ~: similar to that descri~ed with respect to the core 26.
The lighting system 24 comprises circuitry 94, which ~` ~ 25 is positioned within the visor recess 50 and ioined to the .
visor face 36, a pair of lamps 98, and a pair of lens 100.
: The lens 100 are releasably supported in complimentary open-ings located i:n the vanity mirror frame 70 on each side of the . ~--: vanity mirror 20. The lens 100 are each constructed so as to .
~:~ 30 direct the light towards the center of the mirror 20 to provide ~ :~
; ~ ~ greater concentra-tion of illumination and also are constructed ~ _7_ . :
.
~: :
~d ,JV~ s~
.
to preven-t the illumination from straying and producing undesired reflections.
The circuitry 94 includes a ground conductor 102 and a power conductor 104, both of which are joined to the face 36 by a series of plastic plugs 106 upstanding from the face 36 so that the two conductors 102 and 104 are aligned as shown in FIGURE 5. These conductors 102 and 104 are formed of a thin metallic material, such as a stainless steel sheet having relatively good current conducting characteristics.
The ground conductor 102 has a reflector 108 provided at one end along with a contact 110 and at the other end a contact 112. The power conductor 104 likewise has a reflector 114 and a contact 116 at one end and a contact 118 at the opposite end. The ground conductor 102 has a terminal 120 and a conductor retaining hook 122 whereas the power conductor 104 has a terminal 124 and a conductor retaining hook 126. The pair of lamps 98 are installed opposite the reflectors 108 and 114 with one of the lamps 98 being connected between the contacts 110 and 118 and the other of the lamps 98 being connected between the contacts 112 and 116. These conductors ; 102 and 104 not only transfer current, but reflect light, deflect heat, serve as a heat sink and additionally, support the various other conductors employed by the circuitry 94, and thus, eliminate a substantial number of parts.
The circuitry 94 provides for the selectlve supply of power thereto from a conventional vehicle battery 128 (see FIGURE 9~ or the like by way of a coaxial cable 130 compri~ses ~ . .
an outer conducl:or 132 formed of a conductive material, such as a braided metal]ic sheath, that is appropriately grounded and also connected t:o th~é;ground conductor terminal 120 and an inner input concluctor 134 that lS coupled both to a connector ':: :~ :
,: ~ : : :
~73f~L
135, which is in turn connected to the battery 123, and to a selee-tor switch 136. The selector switeh 136l which pro-vides for the selectivity, is eoupled to a fuse ].38 and an intermediate conductor 140 and to the terminal 124 of the power conductor 104. The conductor 140 is maintained in place by looping it around the hook 126 on the ground conduetor 10 during installation~ A resistance 143 may be installed between the battery 128 and the connector 135 for voltage control if desired.
The selector switch 136 comprises a fixed eontact 143 which is coupled to the fuse 138, a movable contact 144 whieh is eonneeted to the inner input eonductor 134, and a cover aetuated arm 146 whieh moves the movable eontaet 144 against : the bias from a spring 147 to a eIosed position with respeet ; 15 to the fixed eontaet 142. To aetuate the arm 146 the vanity ~ mirror eover 22 is provided, as best viewed in FIGURES 5 and : 6, with an extension 148~ which urges the arm 146 downwardly as the cover 22 is moved to the open position. In this way the movable contact 144 is urged into engagement with the fixed contaet 142 to eomplete the eireuit from the battery 12~
through the lamps 98 and provide the desired illumination.
For altering the intensity of the illumination from the lamps 98, the lighting system 24 further ineludes a light intensity varying provision ineluding a dimmer switeh 150, whieh is supported on the core faee 36 and extends through a ~ qpls?,~en~
; ~ ~ ~ ~pening in the vanity mirror frame 70, and a :
resistanee eonduetor 152 which extends between the eover aetua-ted seleetor switcb 136 and the fuse 138` and the power eondue-- :
tor terminal 124 and shunt eonduetor 154 r which extends from the dimmer switeh 150 to the power eonduetor terminal power : -, eonduetor terminal 124. Both of the eonduetors 152 and 154 ~ , _g_ : : -. - ~
: ...... . :
, ~ , . . . . . . .
are retained in place by the hook 126 on the power conductor 104 whereas the conductor 152 is also retained in place by the hook 122 on the ground conductor. The resistance conductor 152 is of the well known type selected for the required resistance for illumination dimming purposes. This can best be explained by referring to the schematic circuit diagram in FIGURE 9 for when the dimmer switch 150 is in the illustrated low position, the current flow is through the resistance con-ductor 152. Thus, the current flow is reduced and accordingly the energization of the lamps 98 so that the illumination is reduced. When the dimmer switch 150 is moved to the broken line high position in FIGURE 9, the resistance conductor 152 is in effect shunted so that there is no reduction in the energization of the lamps 98 and accordingly they will provide the greatest illumination.
As viewed in FIGURES 7 and 8, the pair of lens 100 have a cross-sectional construction such that the illumination from the lamps 98 is directed towards the center of the mirror 20; i.e., towards an observer or an object to insure that the illumination does not stray or cause undesired lighting effects that might create a problem for the driver while still per-mitting one to use the vanity mirror.
In operation with the visor assembly 10 in its FIGURE 1 position and the cover 22 closed, the visor assembly 10 and the cover being both padded provide an impact absorbing surface. When the vanity mirror 20 is to be used, the cover 22 is moved to the FIGURE 2 open position which is approximately ~; 120 from the plane of the visor 12. In moving to the open position~ the cover extension 148 will actuate the selector switch 136 so ~s to activate the lighting system 24. The circuitry 94 w:ill be complete to provide a current path from --10- ' ' ' t~le battery 128 t-llroucJh the resistance l43, the collnec~o~ 135, the coa~ial cable inrler input conductor 13~, the selector s~itch 1~6 and then en-ter -throuc3h -the Euse l38 and the resi~-tance conductor 152 or the intermediate conductor 1~0, deter-mined by tlle position of the dimmer switch 150, -through the power conduc-tor 104, -the lamps 98, the ground conductor ]02, -the coaxial cable o~lter conductor 132 and then via yround back to the battery 128. Hence, both of the larnps 98 will be energized whereupon -the illumina-tion will be directed or de~lec-ted by the two lens 100 towards the center of the mirror 20; i.e., towards an observer or an object so that the vanity mirror 20 can be used. I~ the illumination is greater -than desired, the dimmer switch 150 can be moved to the solid line position in FIGURE 9. It should be noted that by tilting the visor assembly 10 approximately 45 from -the vertical that ; the visor assembly 10 can now be used as a general purpose lamp; e.g., as a map light or for reading and in this position the cover acts to shield direct shininq of the light ~rom lamps 98 and lenses 100 into the eyes of such observer.
~n In FIGURE 15 a modification of the FIGVRE 9 lighting sys-tem 24 is displayed. In FIGURE 15 like parts are assigned the same numbers and similar parts the same numbers with a prime (') added. Hence, the numerals 24' and 94' respectively denote a lighting system and circuitry. The FIGURE 15 ligh-t intensity vary provision includes a dimmer switch 150', such as an NPN transistor 154, and a variable resistor 156 having an adjustable tap 158 that is moveable by a manually moveable dimmer element 160, as those versed in the art will apprecia~e a PNP -type transistor can be employed if the appropriate 30 polarity changes are made. The transis-tor 154 has its emitter connected to the power conductor 104, i-ts collector connected to -the intermediate conductor 140 and its base coupled to the adjustable tap 158. The lighting system 24' further includes ~ ~ . . ..
7;~
a flxed resistor 162 in series with the variable resistor 156.
In operation~ the lighting system 24' accomplishes the same function as its counterpart in the FIG~RE 9 embodi-ment. When the selector switch 136 is closed, a circuit is completed from the battery 128 to the transistor 15~. The bias of the transistor 154 is varied manually by the dimmer element 160 towards the contact 164, the forward bias is decreased so as to decrease conduction by the transistor 154, and accordingly, the current supplied to the lamps 98. There--fore, the illumination from the lamps 98 will be reduced. To increase the illumination fxom the lamps 98~ the dimmer element 160 is adjusted so as to~ in turn, move the tap 158 away from the contact 164 and thus, increase the forward bias on the transistor 154 so as to increase its conduction and correspond-ingly the current flow through these lamps 98. This will increase the illumination from the lamps 9~.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that because of the construction of the mirror 20, if the mirror 20 is struck, the glass panel 62 can shatter but with a minimum of dispersion of the shattered particles from the panel 62. Furthermore, the visor assembly 10 affords a lighted vanity mirror 20 that is particularly suited for mass production. One should be mindful too, that the construction permits versatility in selection of -: . .
1 25 colors for di~ferent parts of the visor assembly 10.
.' " ' :: :
~ ',.
.
, .
, :
.;: ; : : , .
Claims (20)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A visor assembly for a vehicle comprising a visor having two substantially opposing elongated top and bottom edges extending along the length thereof with means for supporting the same for rotation about an axis extending along the top edge for movement from an upper storage position, to a generally downward vertical position, and to a position substantially beyond the vertical;
said visor having a front side facing inwardly of the vehicle when the visor is in storage position and a back side on the opposite side of said visor from the front side; a vanity mirror supported by the visor at the back side; lighting means carried by the visor at the back side immediately adjacent said mirror; a vanity mirror cover having a size and shape approximating the combined size and shape of said mirror and lighting means for covering the same; hinge means supporting said cover on the visor for pivotal movement about an axis substantial-ly parallel to the axis of rotation of said visor and located between said mirror and lighting means and said top edge, the extent of said pivotal movement from a closed position uncovering the mirror being such as to cause said cover when in open position and when said visor is in vertical position to extend generally horizontally permitting said lighting means to direct light toward and illuminate the face of a person sitting in said vehicle opposite said visor whereby said person can view himself in said mirror; said visor, when located in the position beyond the vertical with said cover open, permitting light to shine downwardly from said lighting means to sufficiently illuminate a map or other such reading material located below said visor so that such person can read the same, said cover slanting downwardly from the horizontal when said visor is in said position substantially beyond the vertical to restrict the direct shining of light from said lighting means into areas above the cover and thus from direct shining into tile eyes of such person opposite said visor; means operatively associated with said hinge means for releasably and selectively holding the cover in said closed or in said open position and means for assuring the said lighting means is turned of when the cover is closed.
said visor having a front side facing inwardly of the vehicle when the visor is in storage position and a back side on the opposite side of said visor from the front side; a vanity mirror supported by the visor at the back side; lighting means carried by the visor at the back side immediately adjacent said mirror; a vanity mirror cover having a size and shape approximating the combined size and shape of said mirror and lighting means for covering the same; hinge means supporting said cover on the visor for pivotal movement about an axis substantial-ly parallel to the axis of rotation of said visor and located between said mirror and lighting means and said top edge, the extent of said pivotal movement from a closed position uncovering the mirror being such as to cause said cover when in open position and when said visor is in vertical position to extend generally horizontally permitting said lighting means to direct light toward and illuminate the face of a person sitting in said vehicle opposite said visor whereby said person can view himself in said mirror; said visor, when located in the position beyond the vertical with said cover open, permitting light to shine downwardly from said lighting means to sufficiently illuminate a map or other such reading material located below said visor so that such person can read the same, said cover slanting downwardly from the horizontal when said visor is in said position substantially beyond the vertical to restrict the direct shining of light from said lighting means into areas above the cover and thus from direct shining into tile eyes of such person opposite said visor; means operatively associated with said hinge means for releasably and selectively holding the cover in said closed or in said open position and means for assuring the said lighting means is turned of when the cover is closed.
2. The visor assembly of claim 1 which includes a selector switch means actuated by the vanity mirror cover when moved to the open position for rend-ering the lighting means operative when the cover is open and actuated by the closing movement of said cover to render the lighting means inoperative when the cover is closed.
3. The visor assembly of claim 1 in which the lighting means further includes a pair of lamps and a pair of lenses, each lens being arranged opposite a respective one of the pair of lamps and supported by the frame so as to direct the illumination towards the area in front of the vanity mirror so as to mini-mize stray illumination towards areas located outwardly of the sides of the lenses away from the mirror.
4. The visor assembly of claim 1 in which the rotational movement of the visor about the said axis extending along the top edge is to a position at least 45° beyond the vertical.
5. The visor assembly of claim 1 wherein the lighting means further includes dimmer means comprising a resistance and a dimmer switch manually operable to selectively connect the resistance in circuit with the lighting means so as to alter the light intensity therefrom.
6. The visor assembly of claim 1, both the cover and the visor being padded.
7. A visor assembly for a vehicle comprising a visor pivotally movable along a longitudinal edge thereof from an upward storage position to a vertical downwardly extending sun shade position; a vanity mirror supported by the visor on the side face which faces the occupant when the visor is in the sun shade position; a vanity mirror cover arranged on the visor for adjustable movement about an axis located above the mirror when the visor is in said sun shade position, said adjustable movement being between a closed position covering the mirror to an open position uncovering the mirror in which open position when said visor is in said sun shade position said cover extends generally horizontally so as to permit an occupant to view himself in the mirror; lighting means carried by the visor immediately adjacent said mirror on each side thereof and operative to illuminate the area in front of the mirror, said cover covering said lighting means when the cover is closed and providing a shade for restricting the area in which light from said light-ing means can shine when the cover is open whereby,when said visor is pivoted downwardly substantially beyond the vertical position to a position causing light to shine downwardly from said lighting means to sufficiently illuminate a map or other such reading material located below said visor so that such occupant can read the same, the cover restricting the direct shining of light into areas of the upper quadrant above the mirror and lighting means and thus from direct shining into the eyes of such occupant; and means for assuring the said lighting means is turned off when the cover is closed.
8. The assembly of claim 7 which includes selector switch means actuated by the vanity mirror cover when moved to the open position for rendering the lighting means operative when the cover is open and actuated by the closing movement of said cover to render the lighting means inoperative when the cover is closed.
9. The visor assembly of claim 7 in which the lighting means further includes a pair of lamps and a pair of lenses, each lens being arranged opposite a respective one of the pair of lamps and supported by the frame so as to direct the illumination towards the area in front of the vanity mirror so as to minimize stray illumination towards areas located outwardly of the sides of the lenses away from the mirror.
10. A visor assembly for a vehicle comprising a visor movable from a storage to a generally vertical position, a vanity mirror supported by the visor, a vanity mirror cover arranged on the visor for adjustable movement about an axis above the mirror when said visor is in its vertical position between a closed position covering the mirror to an open position uncovering the mirror and lighting means carried relative to the visor and mirror, being operative to provide illumination in front of the mirror when said cover is in an open position, said lighting means including lamp means, circuit means selectively coupling the lamp means to a power source, said circuit means including a pair of elongated conductors mounted relative to the visor so as to extend to opposite ends of said mirror, a pair of lamps spaced apart at opposite ends of the mirror with each lamp in electrical contact with both of the pair of elongated conductors, said pair of elongated conductors each being formed of a relatively thin metallic strip having at one end thereof both a light reflecting and heat dissipating surface and a first lamp contact and at the other end thereof a second lamp contact and each so aligned that the first and second contacts on one of the pair of elongated conductors are respectively adjacent the first and second contacts on the other of the pair of elongated conductors, and the pair of lamps each arranged adjacent the light reflecting and heat dissipating surface on a respective one of the pair of elongated conductors so as to be electrically coupled between the adjacent first and second contacts.
11. A visor assembly for a vehicle as described in Claim 10, wherein the circuit means includes coaxial cable means arranged to be electri-cally coupled between the pair of elongated conductors and the power source and including an outer conductor connected to one of the pair of elongated conductors and an inner conductor and selector switch means selectively actuatable by the visor cover when moved to the open position to couple the inner conductor to the other of the pair of elongated conductors so as to complete a circuit for energizing the lamps.
12. A visor assembly for a vehicle as described in Claim 11, wherein the lighting means further includes dimmer means comprising a resistance and a dimmer switch manually operable to selectively connect the resistance in circuit with the pair of lamps so as to alter the light intensity therefrom.
13. A visor assembly for a vehicle as described in Claim 12, wherein the cover includes hinge means pivotally connecting the cover to the frame so as to releasably hold the cover in the open and closed positions thereof.
14. A visor assembly for a vehicle as described in Claim 13, wherein both the cover and the visor are padded.
15. A visor assembly for a vehicle comprising a visor movable from a storage to a generally vertical position, a vanity mirror supported by the visor, a vanity mirror cover arranged. on the visor for adjustable movement about an axis above the mirror when said visor is in its vertical position be-tween a closed position covering the mirror to an open position uncovering the mirror and lighting means carried relative to the visor and mirror and being operative to provide illumination in front of the mirror when said cover is in an open position, the lighting means including selector switch means actuat-ed by the vanity mirror cover when moved to the open position for rendering the lighting means operative, the lighting means including lamp means, a power source and circuit means selectively coupling the lamp means to the power source, the visor including a recess, the vanity mirror including a frame removably positioned within the recess, and the circuit means including a pair of elongated conductors mounted relative to the visor and within the recess so that each extends to opposite ends thereof, the lamp means includes a pair of lamps spaced apart at opposite ends of the recess with each lamp in electrical contact with both of the pair of elongated conductors, said pair of elongated conductors each being formed of a relatively thin metallic strip having at one end thereof both a light reflecting and heat dissipating surface and a first lamp contact and at the other end thereof a second lamp contact and are each so aligned that the first and second lamp contacts on one of the pair of elongated conductors are respectively adjacent the second and first contacts on the other of the pair of elongated conductors, the pair of lamps are each arranged ad-jacent the light reflecting and heat dissipating surface on a respective one of the pair of elongated conductors so as to be electrically coupled between the corresponding adjacent first and second contacts, the circuit means includes cable means arranged to be electrically coupled between the pair of elongated conductors and the power source by the selector switch means when operable and the vanity mirror cover is pivotally supported on the frame and adapted to render the selector switch means operable when moved to the open position thereof.
16. A visor assembly for a vehicle comprising a visor movable from a storage to a generally vertical position, a vanity mirror supported by the visor, lighting means carried relative to the visor and mirror, switch means for said lighting means, said lighting means being operative to provide illumination in front of the mirror upon actuation of said switch means, said lighting means including lamp means, and circuit means selectively coupling the lamp means to a power source, said circuit means including elongated conductor means mounted relative to the visor so as to extend adjacent one end of said mirror to adjacent the other end thereof, said lamp means being adjacent said mirror with the lamp means in electrical contact with the elongated conductor means, said elongated conductor means being formed of a relatively thin metallic strip having both a light reflecting and heat dissipating surface and lamp contact means for said lamp means, the lamp means being arranged adjacent the light reflecting and heat dissipating surface on the elongated conductor means so as to be electrically coupled thereto, and having light therefrom reflected by said reflecting surface.
17. A visor assembly for a vehicle comprising a visor movable from a storage to a generally vertical position, a vanity mirror supported by the visor, a vanity mirror cover arranged on the visor for adjustable movement about an axis above the mirror when said visor is in its vertical position be-tween a closed position covering the mirror to an open position uncovering the mirror and lighting means carried relative to the visor and mirror, being oper-ative to provide illumination in front of the mirror when said cover is in an open position, said lighting means including lamp means, and circuit means selectively coupling the lamp means to a power source, said circuit means including elongated conductor means mounted relative to the visor so as to extend adjacent one end of said mirror to adjacent the other end thereof, said lamp means being adjacent said mirror with the lamp means in electrical contact with the elongated conductor means, said elongated conductor means being formed of a relatively thin metallic strip having both a light reflecting and heat dissipating surface and lamp contact means for said lamp means, the lamp means being arranged adjacent the light reflecting and heat dissipating surface on the elongated conductor means so as to be electrically coupled thereto, and having light therefrom reflected by said reflecting surface.
18. A visor assembly for a vehicle comprising a visor movable from a storage to a generally vertical position, a vanity mirror supported by the visor, lighting means carried relative to the visor and mirror, switch means for said lighting means, said lighting means being operative to provide illu-mination in front of the mirror upon actuation of said switch means when said cover is in an open position, said lighting means including lamp means, and circuit means selectively coupling the lamp means to a power source, said circuit means including a pair of elongated conductors mounted relative to the visor so as to extend to opposite ends of said mirror, a pair of lamps spaced apart at opposite ends of the mirror with each lamp in electrical contact with both of the pair of elongated conductors, said pair of elongated conductors each being formed of a relatively thin metallic strip having at one end thereof both a light reflecting and heat dissipating surface and a first lamp contact and at the other end thereof a second lamp contact and each so aligned that the first and second contacts on one of the pair of elongated conductors are re-spectively adjacent the first and second contacts on the other of the pair of elongated conductors, and the pair of lamps each arranged adjacent the light reflecting and heat dissipating surface on a respective one of the pair of elongated conductors so as to be electrically coupled between the adjacent first and second contacts.
19. A visor assembly for a vehicle as described in Claim 15, 16 or 18 wherein the lighting means further includes dimmer means having a resistance and a selectively operable dimmer switch manually operable to selectively connect the resistance in circuit with the lamp means so as to alter the light intensity therefrom.
20. A visor assembly as described in Claim 15, 16 or 18 wherein the lighting means further includes selectively operable dimmer means comprising variable resistance means and a semiconducotr switching device in circuit with the variable resistance means and the lamp means, the variable resistance means being selectively operable to vary the bias on the semiconductor switching device and accordingly the conduction thereof and the light intensity of the lamp means.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA366,444A CA1107322A (en) | 1973-03-21 | 1980-12-09 | Visor assembly |
| CA000366443A CA1117567A (en) | 1973-03-21 | 1980-12-09 | Visor assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US343,198 | 1973-03-21 | ||
| US343198A US3926470A (en) | 1973-03-21 | 1973-03-21 | Visor assembly |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1107321A true CA1107321A (en) | 1981-08-18 |
Family
ID=23345096
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA195,151A Expired CA1107321A (en) | 1973-03-21 | 1974-03-15 | Visor assembly |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3926470A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1107321A (en) |
Families Citing this family (76)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4084085A (en) * | 1976-11-29 | 1978-04-11 | Kim Sunyong P | Purse with light mirror |
| US4068930A (en) * | 1976-12-27 | 1978-01-17 | Prince Corporation | Visor assembly and covered vanity mirror |
| DE2703447C3 (en) * | 1977-01-28 | 1979-09-06 | Gebr. Happich Gmbh, 5600 Wuppertal | Sun visors for vehicles |
| JPS53109254U (en) * | 1977-02-07 | 1978-09-01 | ||
| FR2389507A1 (en) * | 1977-05-02 | 1978-12-01 | Maglum Sa | Rod type support for car sunshield - is bent rod made of tube or rolled sheet and centre bore accommodates controls of various accessories |
| DE2730926C3 (en) * | 1977-07-08 | 1981-07-23 | Gebr. Happich Gmbh, 5600 Wuppertal | Sun visors for vehicles |
| US4247850A (en) * | 1977-08-05 | 1981-01-27 | Prince Corporation | Visor and garage door operator assembly |
| US4241383A (en) * | 1978-02-28 | 1980-12-23 | Shea John W | Travel mirror |
| FR2429685A1 (en) * | 1978-06-26 | 1980-01-25 | Maglum | Vehicle sun visor with concealed courtesy mirror - has single or double sliding flaps to cover mirror |
| FR2429686A1 (en) * | 1978-06-26 | 1980-01-25 | Maglum | Vehicle sun visor with illuminated courtesy mirror - has heat resistant plastics light tube and automatic safety switch |
| US4227241A (en) * | 1978-10-23 | 1980-10-07 | Prince Corporation | Visor assembly |
| US4227242A (en) * | 1979-03-19 | 1980-10-07 | Prince Corporation | Illuminated visor mirror assembly |
| DE3000810A1 (en) * | 1980-01-11 | 1981-07-30 | Gebr. Happich Gmbh, 5600 Wuppertal | SUN VISOR WITH ILLUMINATED MIRROR |
| DE3008175A1 (en) * | 1980-03-04 | 1981-09-17 | Gebr. Happich Gmbh, 5600 Wuppertal | SUN VISOR, ESPECIALLY FOR VEHICLES |
| DE3375560D1 (en) * | 1982-07-20 | 1988-03-10 | Happich Gmbh Gebr | Sun visor, especially for vehicles |
| US4489974A (en) * | 1982-09-27 | 1984-12-25 | Warhol John G | Visor assembly including friction mount |
| US4646210A (en) * | 1984-06-20 | 1987-02-24 | Donnelly Corporation | Vehicular mirror and light assembly |
| US4791537A (en) * | 1984-07-02 | 1988-12-13 | Irvin Industries, Inc. | Vehicle accessory assembly with sliding door for mounting on a visor or other interior panel |
| US4721310A (en) * | 1984-07-02 | 1988-01-26 | Irvin Industries, Inc. | Vehicle accessory assembly for mounting on a visor or other interior panel |
| US4681366A (en) * | 1984-07-02 | 1987-07-21 | Irvin Industries, Inc. | Vanity mirror or vehicle accessory assembly and mounting apparatus therefor |
| USRE33423E (en) * | 1984-07-02 | 1990-11-06 | Irvin Automotive Products, Inc. | Vanity mirror or vehicle accessory assembly and mounting apparatus therefor |
| US4702519A (en) * | 1984-07-02 | 1987-10-27 | Irvin Industries, Inc. | Vanity mirror |
| AU4497185A (en) * | 1984-07-02 | 1986-02-10 | Lobanoff, M. | Vanity mirror |
| DE3436760C1 (en) * | 1984-10-06 | 1986-02-13 | Audi AG, 8070 Ingolstadt | Mirror mounted in a sun visor in the interior of a vehicle |
| USD300312S (en) | 1986-02-27 | 1989-03-21 | Donnelly Corporation | Combined rearview mirror and light unit |
| US4807096A (en) * | 1986-06-26 | 1989-02-21 | Donnelly Corporation | Interior light/carrier module for vehicles |
| US4733336A (en) * | 1986-06-26 | 1988-03-22 | Donnelly Corporation | Lighted/information case assembly for rearview mirrors |
| JPS6331817A (en) * | 1986-07-28 | 1988-02-10 | Koito Mfg Co Ltd | Sun visor with vanity mirror |
| US4796944A (en) * | 1986-09-22 | 1989-01-10 | Irvin Industries, Inc. | Spring-loaded hinge assembly for vehicle accessories |
| USRE33610E (en) * | 1986-09-22 | 1991-06-11 | Takata Inc. | Spring-loaded hinge assembly for vehicle accessories |
| US4715644A (en) * | 1986-09-22 | 1987-12-29 | Irvin Industries, Inc. | Spring-loaded hinge assembly for vehicle accessories |
| USRE33631E (en) * | 1986-09-22 | 1991-07-09 | Takata Inc. | Spring-loaded hinge assembly for vehicle accessories |
| US5078445A (en) * | 1986-09-26 | 1992-01-07 | Prince Corporation | Visor |
| US4760503A (en) * | 1986-09-26 | 1988-07-26 | Prince Corporation | Visor for a vehicle |
| SE464401B (en) * | 1986-12-02 | 1991-04-22 | Autopart Sweden Ab | SUN PROTECTION FOR MOTOR VEHICLE |
| US4821374A (en) * | 1987-03-26 | 1989-04-18 | Irvin Industries, Inc. | Hinge assembly for vehicle visor and other vehicle accessories |
| US4763946A (en) * | 1987-06-08 | 1988-08-16 | Prince Corporation | Visor |
| US4744645A (en) * | 1987-06-08 | 1988-05-17 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Lighted mirror assembly for motor vehicle visor |
| US4909562A (en) * | 1987-10-28 | 1990-03-20 | Koito Seisakusho Co., Ltd. | Vanity mirror on a visor having a spring-energized, controlled-movement mirror cover |
| JP2601334B2 (en) * | 1988-10-07 | 1997-04-16 | 株式会社小糸製作所 | Vanity mirror |
| JPH0829667B2 (en) * | 1988-10-07 | 1996-03-27 | 株式会社小糸製作所 | Vanity mirror |
| US4879637A (en) * | 1988-11-04 | 1989-11-07 | Prince Corporation | Light control circuit for vanity mirror assembly |
| DE3920592A1 (en) * | 1989-06-23 | 1991-01-03 | Happich Gmbh Gebr | SUN VISOR FOR VEHICLES |
| US4982991A (en) * | 1989-06-29 | 1991-01-08 | United Technologies Automotive, Inc. | Upholstered sun visor |
| US4993772A (en) * | 1990-02-20 | 1991-02-19 | Irvin Automotive Products, Inc. | Spring-loaded, dual-action hinge assembly for vehicle accessories |
| US5054839A (en) * | 1990-08-31 | 1991-10-08 | White Jay E | Vehicular sun visor assembly |
| US5131711A (en) * | 1990-08-31 | 1992-07-21 | Jay White Sales And Engineering, Inc. | Locking pins for vehicular sun visor assembly |
| ES2024963A6 (en) * | 1990-12-21 | 1992-03-01 | Ind Techno Matic Sa | Semi-automatic opening and closing device for sun visor mirrors provided with a hinged cover. |
| US5292476A (en) * | 1991-09-23 | 1994-03-08 | Prince Corporation | Method of making a visor |
| US5295725A (en) * | 1991-09-23 | 1994-03-22 | Prince Corporation | Visor and method of manufacturing |
| US5283696A (en) * | 1991-11-07 | 1994-02-01 | Prince Corporation | Shatter resistant mirror |
| US5564813A (en) * | 1994-03-30 | 1996-10-15 | United Technologies Automotive, Inc. | Sun visor lamp |
| US5528470A (en) * | 1994-09-23 | 1996-06-18 | Jay Roberts Company | Illuminated vanity mirror assembly for a vehicular sun visor |
| DE4440606C2 (en) * | 1994-11-14 | 2001-06-13 | Johnson Contr Interiors Gmbh | Sun visors for vehicles |
| US5671996A (en) | 1994-12-30 | 1997-09-30 | Donnelly Corporation | Vehicle instrumentation/console lighting |
| US5596316A (en) * | 1995-03-29 | 1997-01-21 | Prince Corporation | Passive visor antenna |
| US5576898A (en) * | 1995-07-07 | 1996-11-19 | Rubin; Sheri J. | Optical system for viewing the rear seat of a vehicle |
| AT405633B (en) * | 1997-10-13 | 1999-10-25 | Magna Auteca Zweigniederlassun | Light |
| DE19811164A1 (en) | 1998-03-14 | 1999-09-16 | Volkswagen Ag | Sun visor for a vehicle |
| DE19858972C2 (en) * | 1998-12-19 | 2001-03-29 | Audi Ag | Sun visors for vehicles |
| ATE330818T1 (en) * | 1999-11-24 | 2006-07-15 | Donnelly Corp | REARVIEW MIRROR WITH USEFUL FUNCTION |
| US6499868B1 (en) * | 2000-01-18 | 2002-12-31 | Prestolite Wire Corporation | Vanity mirror lamp assembly with replaceable battery |
| US20030024178A1 (en) * | 2001-08-03 | 2003-02-06 | Diamond Jeffrey H. | Stabilized window structures and methods for stabilizing and removing shattered window panes |
| US7134244B2 (en) * | 2001-08-03 | 2006-11-14 | Aranar, Inc. | Stabilized window structures and methods of stabilizing and removing shattered glass from window structures |
| US6604772B2 (en) | 2001-11-09 | 2003-08-12 | Lear Corporation | Extender blade mounting frame for a sun visor |
| AU2002218325A1 (en) * | 2001-11-26 | 2003-07-09 | Grupo Antolin-Ingenieria, S.A. | Breakage-prevention support structure for mirrors mounted inside a vehicle |
| US6698815B1 (en) | 2002-10-02 | 2004-03-02 | Grupo Antolin Ingenieria, S.A. | Sun visor with mirror assembly |
| WO2006031835A2 (en) * | 2004-09-14 | 2006-03-23 | Extol Inc. | Extruded visor assembly |
| US7458627B2 (en) * | 2007-03-05 | 2008-12-02 | Lear Corporation | Visor assembly incorporating an electronic control module |
| US8038199B2 (en) | 2008-05-21 | 2011-10-18 | Marcus Automotive, Llc | Visor |
| US8556325B2 (en) | 2011-09-20 | 2013-10-15 | Irvin Automotive Products, Inc. | Sliding visor |
| US8925995B2 (en) | 2011-10-03 | 2015-01-06 | Marcus Automotive, Llc | Rotatable side window visor and glare shield |
| US10737559B2 (en) | 2014-12-16 | 2020-08-11 | Irvin Automotive Products, LLC | Visor |
| US10688850B2 (en) | 2018-03-13 | 2020-06-23 | Irvin Automotive Products, LLC | Sliding visor |
| US10870337B2 (en) | 2019-02-28 | 2020-12-22 | Irvin Automotive Products, LLC | Thin visor |
| US10864804B2 (en) | 2019-02-28 | 2020-12-15 | Irvin Automotive Products, LLC | Sliding thin visor |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1990413A (en) * | 1934-03-22 | 1935-02-05 | Paul E Michaelis | Automobile vanity visor |
| US2148557A (en) * | 1937-05-25 | 1939-02-28 | Henry C Hook | Automobile vanity |
| DE2054953B2 (en) * | 1970-11-07 | 1976-01-22 | Gebr. Happich Gmbh, 5600 Wuppertal | SUN VISOR FOR VEHICLES |
-
1973
- 1973-03-21 US US343198A patent/US3926470A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1974
- 1974-03-15 CA CA195,151A patent/CA1107321A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US3926470A (en) | 1975-12-16 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1107321A (en) | Visor assembly | |
| US4227241A (en) | Visor assembly | |
| US4000404A (en) | Visor illuminated mirror | |
| US4227242A (en) | Illuminated visor mirror assembly | |
| US4586788A (en) | Automatic dimming switch for a vehicle illuminated visor | |
| US4624499A (en) | Visor with pivoted concealed vanity mirror | |
| US4213169A (en) | Covered visor mirror | |
| US4486819A (en) | Vehicle visor lighting apparatus | |
| EP0462087B1 (en) | Mirror and illumination unit for motor vehicles | |
| US4652982A (en) | Illuminated vanity mirror assembly | |
| US4174864A (en) | Lighted sun visor for vehicles | |
| US4421355A (en) | Illuminated visor assembly | |
| JPS596119A (en) | Sun-visor | |
| JPS6390427A (en) | Sunshade board | |
| JPH01266019A (en) | Sunvisor with bidirectional vanity-mirror | |
| US4791537A (en) | Vehicle accessory assembly with sliding door for mounting on a visor or other interior panel | |
| US4922391A (en) | Vanity mirror package | |
| US5203623A (en) | Sun visor for motor vehicles | |
| US5951155A (en) | Variable intensity light assembly | |
| US5564813A (en) | Sun visor lamp | |
| US4740028A (en) | Sunvisor for a motor vehicle | |
| US4847737A (en) | Vehicle vanity with light control | |
| US6203161B1 (en) | Visor with pivoting vanity mirror assembly | |
| US5150258A (en) | Combination mirror and sun visor | |
| US5906424A (en) | Lighted visor mirror assembly providing variable light intensity |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |