Sunvisor attachment for vehicles and method for making the same

• US 7,086,683 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2004
• Issued: 08/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Mestemaker, James, Heinze, Mark, Radu, Bogdan
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US10/710,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20060012209A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 296/97.1, 296/97.5, 362135-137, 359/844
• US Class Current: 296/97.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/0282 specially adapted for a courtesy mirror

Abstract

The present invention provides for an improved sunvisor attachment, and to a two shot molding method for making the same, having a reduced number of parts and that is adapted to be coupled to a sunvisor for use as a sunvisor assembly in a vehicle. To this end, the sunvisor attachment includes a body and a cover with each including at least one integrally formed connecting member being pivotally coupled together so that the cover may be opened and closed to uncover and cover a mirror and/or light.

Claims

1. An automotive sunvisor assembly, comprising:

a sunvisor; and

a sunvisor attachment coupled to said sunvisor, said sunvisor attachment comprising;

a body having at least one item retained therein and further including at least one connecting member integrally formed therein made from a first material; and

a cover including at least one connecting member integrally formed therein made from a second material having a different melting point from said first material, said at least one body connecting member cooperating with said at least one cover connecting member to couple said cover to said body, said cover being moveable between an open position, wherein said at least one item is uncovered, and a closed position, wherein said cover overlies said at least one item.

2. The sunvisor assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one body connecting member comprises at least one projecting portion extending therefrom, and wherein said at least one cover connecting member comprises at least one receiving portion which receives said at least one projecting portion.

3. The sunvisor assembly of claim 2, wherein said at least one projecting portion defines a pin.

4. The sunvisor assembly of claim 2, wherein said at least one receiving portion defines a bore.

5. The sunvisor assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one item includes a mirror and/or a light.

6. The sunvisor assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one body connecting member includes a pair of spaced apart connecting members, each said pair of spaced apart connecting members having at least one projecting portion defining a pin having an enlarged distal end defining a circular portion, and wherein said at least one cover connecting member includes one connecting member, said cover connecting member including a pair of spaced apart receiving portions with each defining a bore having an enlarged receiving portion defining a circular recess, each said recess receiving one of said circular portions to couple said cover to said body.

7. The sunvisor assembly of claim 6 wherein the body further includes an opening and the at least one item includes a mirror being retained within the opening.

8. The sunvisor assembly of claim 1, wherein said cover is pivotally movable between said open and closed position.

9. The sunvisor assembly of claim 1, wherein said first material is selected from the group consisting of polyamide 12 and 20–

30% glass filled polybutylene terephthalate and wherein said second material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyoxymethylene, and polyamide 6.

10. The sunvisor assembly of claim 1, wherein said first material has a higher melting point than said second material.