Headliner with integral visor

• US 4,958,878 A
• Filed: 08/21/1989
• Issued: 09/25/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Prince (Wellman Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Prince (Wellman Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kempkers, Gordon
• Primary Examiner(s): Cherry, Johnny D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph D.
• Application Number:
  US07/396,224
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 296/214, 296/39.1, 296/97.1, 296/97.5, 296/97.9
• US Class Current: 296/97.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/0213 characterised by the mounting means B60J3/0208 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0225 self supporting head liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0275 comprising removable or hinged parts for accessing storage compartments B60R7/04; for airbag deployment B60R21/215
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories

Abstract

An integral headliner and visor include a headliner body and integrally formed single or multiple panels, which are hinged to the body to define one or more visor shapes. Upholstery material covering the outer surface of the body and panels, form a flexible hinge for the visor to headliner junction. In some embodiments, the panels are separate from the headliner body. In other embodiments an over-center hinge is also employed to couple the panels to the headliner body.

Claims

1. An integral headliner and visor construction comprising:

a headliner body formed in the shape of a vehicle headliner;

at least one generally rectangular panel defining a visor and positioned adjacent an edge of the headliner in a location adjacent a vehicle window where the headliner is installed in a vehicle; and

a flexible integral covering for the exterior surface of said headliner and said panel, to define a flexible joint between said panel and headliner for said visor.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said body includes a recess for receiving said visor defining panel when said panel is in a raised stored position adjacent said headliner.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 and further including a second panel aligned with said first named panel and wherein said material covers both said first and second panels which are folded together to define said visor.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said body and said first and second panels are integrally molded of a foam polymeric material.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 and further including hinge means extending between said first named panel and said body.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said headliner includes a plurality of first and second panels defining a plurality of integral visors with said body.

7. An integral headliner and visor construction comprising:

a molded headliner body formed in the shape of a vehicle headliner;

said body integrally including at least one generally rectangular flap defining a visor adjacent an edge of the headliner; and

a flexible cover extending over a surface of said headliner and said panel to define a flexible hinge joint between said panel and headliner for said visor.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 and further including a second integrally formed panel adjacent said first named panel and wherein said cover covers both said first and second panels which are folded together to define said visor.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said body and said first and second panels are integrally molded of a foam polymeric material.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 and further including hinge means extending between said first named panel and said body.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said hinge means is an over-center hinge.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said body includes a recess for receiving said visor defining panel when said panel is in a raised stored position adjacent said headliner.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said headliner includes a plurality of first and second panels defining a plurality of integral visors with said body.