Vehicle with exterior sun visor and sun visor construction

• US 5,836,640 A
• Filed: 07/03/1996
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Freightliner Corporation
• Inventors: Bock, Hans-Peter, Jory, Christopher, Hurayt, Mark S.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOGE, GARY CHAPMAN
• Application Number:
  US08/674,838
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 296/180.1, 296/180.2, 296/97.1, 296/97.9, 296/95.1, 296/208, 362/250, 362/74, 362/432, 248/223.41, 248/224.7, 248/298.1
• US Class Current: 296/180.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/002 External sun shield, e.g. awning or visor
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/048 Connections therefor, e.g. joints B62D29/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/001 For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans

Abstract

An aerodynamically designed sun visor with side and front visor portions permit the flow of air upwardly between the vehicle and visor portions. In addition, air is also preferably permitted to exit at the rear of the side visor portion and through at least one opening provided at each side visor portion. Aerodynamically contoured front mounts may be used to couple the front visor section to the vehicle as well as to couple the side visor sections to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle with a sun visor for a vehicle having a windshield and side doors, the sun visor comprising:

an elongated first side visor portion extending across a first door in a position above the first door, a front visor portion extending across the front of the vehicle and above the windshield, and an elongated second side visor portion extending across a second door in a position above the second door, the second door being at the side of the vehicle opposite to the side of the vehicle having a first door;

a plurality of mounts coupling the first and second side visor portions and front visor portion in an offset position from the vehicle so as to provide a path for air to flow upwardly along the windshield and between the vehicle and the front visor portion, a path for air to flow between the first side visor portion and the vehicle and a path for air to flow between the second side visor portion and the vehicle.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the first, second and front visor portions comprise respective visor panel sections which are joined together in a U-shaped configuration, the front visor panel section having an upright front panel interior major surface adjacent to but spaced from the front of the vehicle and a front panel exterior major surface opposite to the interior manor surface, the side visor panel sections each having an upright side panel interior manor surface adjacent to but spaced from a side of the vehicle along the entire length of the side panel section and a side panel exterior surface opposite to the side panel interior surface.

3. A vehicle according to claim 2 wherein the front visor portion includes first and second side edges, the first and second side visor portions including respective front edges, wherein the first side edge of the front visor portion and front edge of the first side visor portion are positioned and joined together with their major surface in an overlapping relationship, and wherein the second side edge of the front visor portion and the front edge of the second side visor portion are positioned and joined together with their manor surfaces in an overlapping relationship.

4. A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein each of the first and second side visor portions include an interior major surface positioned adjacent to and spaced from the vehicle and an opposite exterior major surface, each of the first and second side visor portions also including at least one side air flow passageway communicating from the interior major surface of the side visor portion to the exterior manor surface of the side visor portion.

5. A vehicle according to claim 4 in which each of the first and second side visor portions include an air scoop projecting inwardly from the interior major surface toward the vehicle, the air scoops having an air inlet facing forwardly toward the front of the vehicle, the side air flow passageways thereby comprising the air scoops.

6. A vehicle according to claim 5 in which each side visor portion includes a front edge and a rear edge, the front edge being closest to the windshield of the vehicle, and an air flow passageway being defined between the rear edge of the side visor portion and the vehicle.

7. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which each side visor portion includes a front edge and a rear edge, the front edge being closest to the windshield of the vehicle, and an air flow passageway being defined between the rear edge of the side visor portion and the vehicle.

8. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the front visor portion is generally an upright panel with an upright interior major surface positioned adjacent to the vehicle and an opposite exterior major surface portion, the front visor portion including an electrical wiring receiving channel defining portion.

9. A vehicle according to claim 8 in which the front visor portion includes a lower edge portion, the channel defining portion comprising a flange projecting upwardly along the lower edge portion of the front visor portion so as to define a wire receiving slot between the interior major surface portion and the projecting flange.

10. A vehicle according to claim 8 in which the channel defining portion defines a substantially enclosed wiring receiving conduit formed integral with the front visor portion and accessible from the interior major surface side of the front visor portion.

11. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the front visor portion includes an exterior surface and an opposed interior surface, the exterior surface defining an elongated reflective material receiving recess extending generally from side to side of the first visor portion, the first visor portion including a plurality of reflective lens covered lights positioned in the reflective material receiving recess, and reflective material positioned within the reflective material receiving recess.

12. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the first and second side visor portions each include an associated front mount comprising a plurality of stand off column portions projecting in a direction outwardly and away from the side of the vehicle.

13. A vehicle according to claim 12 in which the column portions each have a sidewall extending between the vehicle and side visor portion which has an exterior surface of a closed smoothly transitioned geometric shape.

14. A vehicle according to claim 12 in which said column portions have a first cross sectional dimension along a first axis and a second cross sectional dimension along a second axis transverse to the first axis, the second cross sectional dimension being less than the first cross sectional dimension, and wherein the second axis is generally upright and the first axis generally extends generally forwardly relative to the vehicle, whereby air flow around the columns is enhanced.

15. A vehicle according to claim 14 in which the column portions are of an oval cross section with a smooth curved sidewall.

16. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the front visor portion includes a plurality of front mounts projecting forwardly and outwardly from an upright front portion of a roof of the vehicle above the vehicle windshield and coupling the front visor portion to the vehicle, at least one of said front mounts being hollow to define an electrical wiring receiving conduit therethrough.

17. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the front visor portion includes transversely disposed upper and lower edges, the mounts comprising a plurality of at least three front mounts coupling the front visor portion to the vehicle, the front mounts including a base portion coupled to the vehicle, a central stem portion projecting outwardly from the base portion and an elongated head portion carried by the stem portion and oriented to extend transversely of the front visor portion in a direction extending from the lower edge toward the upper edge of the front visor portion, at least one of said front mounts intermediate to two of such front mounts being adjustable and comprised of first and second mount sections with a plurality of interlocking projections operable to permit relative movement of the mount sections to adjust the length of the stem portion and thereby the position of the front visor portion at the location of said at least one adjustable mount.

18. A vehicle with a sun visor for a vehicle having a windshield and side doors, the sun visor comprising:

an elongated first side visor portion extending across a first door in a position above the first door, a front visor portion extending across the front of the vehicle and above the windshield, and an elongated second side visor portion extending across a second door in a position above the second door, the second door being at the side of the vehicle opposite to the side of the vehicle having a first door;

a plurality of mounts coupling the first and second side visor portion and front visor portions and front visor portion in an offset position from the vehicle so as to provide a path for air to flow upwardly along the windshield and between the vehicle and the front visor portion, a path for air to flow between the first side visor portion and the vehicle and a path for air to flow between the second side visor portion and the vehicle; and

in which the first and second side visor portions are elongated with a longitudinal axis, each of said visor portions also including an associated rear mount which defines a flow passageway therethrough in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the associated side visor portion.

19. A vehicle according to claim 18 in which the first and second side visor portions each includes an associated front mount comprising a plurality of stand off column portions.

20. A side sun visor for mounting to a vehicle above a door of the vehicle, the side sun visor comprising:

an elongated side visor panel having first and second major opposed surfaces; and

at least one air flow passageway extending between the first and second opposed major surfaces.

21. A side sun visor according to claim 20 including an air scoop projecting from one of the first and second major opposed surfaces with the air flow passageway being included in the air scoop.

22. A side sun visor according to claim 21 in which the first major surface is positioned adjacent to the vehicle when the side visor panel is mounted to the vehicle and in which the panel has upper, lower, front and rear side edges, the front edge being closest to the windshield of the vehicle when the side sun visor is mounted to the vehicle, the air flow passageway being positioned adjacent to the front edge of the side visor panel, and the scoop extending from the air flow passageway toward the rear of the panel, the scoop being recessed into the second major opposed surface and projecting from the first major surface, and wherein the depth of the recess progressively decreases in a direction toward the rear of the panel.

23. A side sun visor according to claim 22 including mounting brackets projecting outwardly from the side of the vehicle and above the elevation of the door of the vehicle when the side visor panel is mounted to the vehicle for coupling the side visor panel to the vehicle with the first major opposed surface and the upper, lower, front and rear edges of the panel being spaced from the vehicle.

24. A side sun visor according to claim 22 in which the side visor panel is wider at the front edge than at the rear edge.

25. A side sun visor according to claim 20 including mounting brackets projecting outwardly from the side of the vehicle and above the elevation of the door of the vehicle and coupling the panel to the vehicle with the first major opposed surface being spaced from the vehicle.

26. A sun visor for mounting to a vehicle comprising:

an elongated visor panel having first and second major opposed interior and exterior surfaces, the first interior major surface being positioned adjacent to the vehicle when the visor panel is mounted to the vehicle;

the sun visor including a plurality of elongated mounts projecting outwardly from the vehicle when the visor panel is mounted to the vehicle for coupling the visor panel to the vehicle with the visor panel being oriented in an upright orientation spaced from the vehicle, at least one of said mounts being hollow to define an electrical wiring passageway, whereby electrical wiring may be passed from the vehicle and through the interior of the mount.

27. A vehicle according to claim 26 which includes at least three of said mounts and wherein at least one of said mounts intermediate to two of said mounts is of an adjustable length and includes first and second mount sections with slidably interconnected projecting ribs with rib receiving grooves therebetween so as to permit relative sliding of the mount sections to adjust the length of the adjustable mount.

28. A sun visor for mounting to a vehicle having a windshield and side doors comprising:

an elongated front visor panel extending across the front of the vehicle and above the windshield when the visor panel is mounted to the vehicle;

the front visor panel having first and second major opposed interior and exterior upright surfaces, the first interior major upright surface being positioned adjacent to the vehicle so as to be exposed for view by someone looking toward the visor from a location behind the visor when the front visor panel is mounted to the vehicle; and

the second upright exterior surface defining an elongated recess extending from a first position adjacent one side of the vehicle across the front visor panel and to a second position adjacent to the other side of the vehicle, a plurality of reflective light covering lenses positioned in the elongated recess at spaced apart locations and reflective material in the elongated recess and extending substantially along the entire length of the recess.

29. A vehicle with a sun visor, the vehicle having a windshield and side doors, the sun visor comprising:

a first side visor portion positioned above a first door, a front visor portion extending across the front of the vehicle and above the windshield, and a second side visor portion positioned above a second door opposite to the first door;

a plurality of mounts coupling the first and second side visor portions and front visor portion in an offset position from the vehicle so as to provide a path for air to flow upwardly along the windshield and between the vehicle and the front visor portion, a path for air to flow between the first side visor portion and the vehicle and a path for air to flow between the second side visor portion and the vehicle;

wherein the first side, second side and front visor portions comprise respective visor panel sections which are joined together in a U-shaped configuration;

wherein each of the first side and second side visor portions include an interior major surface portion positioned adjacent to and spaced from the vehicle and an opposite exterior major surface, each of the first and second side visor portions also including at least one side air flow passageway communicating from the interior surface to the exterior surface of the side visor portion;

each of the first and second side visor portions include an air scoop projecting inwardly from the interior major surface toward the vehicle, the at least one side air flow passageways being provided in the air scoops; and

each side visor portion including a front edge and a rear edge, the front edge being closest to the windshield of the vehicle, and wherein an air flow passageway being defined between the rear edge of the side visor portion and the vehicle.

30. A vehicle according to claim 29 wherein the front visor has an interior major surface portion positioned adjacent to the vehicle and an exposed opposite exterior major surface, the front visor portion including an electrical wiring receiving channel defining portion;

and wherein the exterior surface of the front visor portion defines an elongated reflective material receiving recess extending generally from side to side of the front visor portion, the front visor portion including a plurality of reflective light covering lens positioned in the reflective material receiving recess, and reflective material positioned within the reflective material recovery recess.

31. A vehicle with a sun visor, the vehicle having a windshield and side doors, the sun visor comprising:

a first side visor portion positioned above a first door, a front visor portion extending across the front of the vehicle and above the windshield, and a second side visor portion positioned above a second door opposite to the first door;

a plurality of mounts coupling the first and second side visor portions and front visor portion in an offset position from the vehicle so as to provide a oath for air to flow upwardly along the windshield and between the vehicle and the front visor portion, a path for air to flow between the first side visor portion and the vehicle and a path for air to flow between the second side visor portion and the vehicle;

wherein the first side, second side and front visor portions comprise respective visor panel sections which are joined together in a U-shaped configuration;

wherein each of the first side and second side visor portions include an interior major surface portion positioned adjacent to and spaced from the vehicle and an opposite exterior major surface, each of the first and second side visor portions also including at least one side air flow passageway communicating from the interior surface to the exterior surface of the side visor portion;

each of the first and second side visor portions include an air scoop projecting inwardly from the interior major surface toward the vehicle, the at least one side air flow passageways being provided in the air scoops;

each side visor portion including a front edge and a rear edge, the front edge being closest to the windshield of the vehicle, and wherein an air flow passageway being defined between the rear edge of the side visor portion and the vehicle; and

in which the first and second side visor portions are each elongated with a longitudinal axis, each of said side visor portions also including an associated rear mount which defines a flow passageway therethrough which extends in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the associated side visor portion, the first and second visor portions each including an associated front mount comprising a plurality of stand off column portions, the front visor portion including a plurality of front mounts coupling the front visor portion to the vehicle, at least one of said front mounts being hollow to define an electrical wiring receiving conduit therethrough, and at least one of the front mounts being adjustable in length.

32. A vehicle comprising:

a cab having a forward portion and a rear sleeper portion which is wider than the forward portion;

the cab having sidewalls each with an exterior surface and with a transition region between the forward cab portion and sleeper cab portion;

the cab also having a roof; and

side sun visor portions mounted to the forward cab portion and having exterior surfaces spaced from the forward cab portion to assist in directing air past the transition regions and along the exterior surfaces of the sleeper cab portions.

33. A vehicle according to claim 32 which includes a front visor portion extending from side to side of the vehicle and joining the side sun visor portions, and wherein each of the side visor portions comprise an upright panel having first and second opposed major surfaces and upper and lower edges.

34. A vehicle according to claim 33 including an inset shelf at each side of the roof at the location at which the roof joins the side walls.

35. A vehicle according to claim 34 in which the side sun visor portions have exterior surfaces which are substantially aligned with the exterior surfaces of the sleeper cab portion of the sidewalls.

36. A vehicle according to claim 32 in which the side sun visor portions have exterior surfaces which are substantially aligned with the exterior surfaces of the sleeper cab portion of the sidewalls.