Automated sun visor for vehicles

• US 8,162,376 B1
• Filed: 01/07/2011
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Geoffrey J. Grossmith
• Original Assignee: Geoffrey J. Grossmith
• Inventors: Grossmith, Geoffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US12/986,693
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 296/97.8, 296/97.4, 296/97.9, 296/97.11
• US Class Current: 296/97.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/0243 sliding out from ceiling

Abstract

An electrically-deployable sun visor system for use on motor vehicles wherein the sun visor retracts upward and deploys downward upon a track system, are located on the front windshield and alternately on the side window. The sun visor is operated by a motor-operated gear system wired into the electrical system of the motor vehicle. The sun visor is operated by a dash-mounted switch. The amount of deployment is controlled by holding the switch in either an up or down position for the necessary period of time similar to an electrically operated window.

Claims

1. An automated sun visor adaptable to be attached to a motor vehicle, comprising:

a housing enclosure, further comprising;

a generally rectangular structure having a six-sided enclosure including an upper panel, a pair of side panels, a rear panel, a front panel, a bottom panel thereby defining an interior;

a pair of ears on opposing perimeter edges of each of said pair of side panels;

a pair of grooves each located along an opposing interior inner surface of each of said side panels and extending an entire length thereof; and

,

an opening located at said front panel;

a mounting means for removably mounting said housing enclosure to an interior of said motor vehicle between a head liner and a roof;

a sun visor operably disposed within said interior of said housing enclosure, further comprising;

a semi-rigid plastic body comprising a width not greater than a width of said opening;

a pair of opposing intermediate pins extending perpendicularly outward from intermediate locations of a side of said body;

a rear pin spanning an entire rear perimeter edge of said body and extending outwardly parallel with said pair of intermediate pins;

a visor front edge comprising a slightly rounded shape having a diameter greater than a height of said opening and spanning an entire front perimeter edge of said body; and

,

a pair of toothed tracks located on an underside surface of said sun visor and running parallel between said visor front edge and said rear pin; and

an automated control mechanism operably driving said sun visor relative to said housing and in electrical communication with an on-board power source of said motor vehicle;

wherein said housing enclosure is removably attached by inserting said mounting means through each of said ears;

wherein said sun visor is selectably and incrementally maneuvered between a fully deployed position and a fully retracted position;

wherein said automated control mechanism operably drives said sun visor through said opening to a desired position between said fully retracted position and said fully deployed position;

wherein said pair of intermediate pins travel within said pair of grooves when acted upon by said automated control mechanism;

wherein said rear pin travels within said pair of grooves when acted upon by said automated control mechanism;

wherein said pair of intermediate pins are retained within said housing enclosure when said sun visor is in said fully deployed position;

wherein said visor front edge prohibits said sun visor from being fully retracted within said interior of said housing enclosure at said fully retracted position.

2. The automated sun visor of claim 1, wherein said automated control mechanism further comprises:

a motor mounted to an inner surface of said bottom panel of said housing enclosure subjacent to said sun visor;

a motor shaft operably driven by said motor and spanning a width of said interior of said housing enclosure;

a pair of toothed gears secured about and operably driven by said motor shaft; and

,

a control assembly in electrical communication with said motor and said on-board power source;

wherein said control assembly controls said motor such that said motor drives said motor shaft

wherein said motor shaft drives said pair of toothed gears;

wherein said pair of toothed gears engages said pair of toothed tracks of said sun visor to operably drive said sun visor.

3. The automated sun visor of claim 2, wherein said control assembly further comprises:

a switch in electrical communication with said on-board power source;

a control unit comprising a microprocessor mounted adjacent to said housing enclosure and in electrical communication with said motor and said switch;

wherein said switch is selectively positioned to generate a control command to operably drive said sun visor between said fully retracted position and said fully deployed position; and

,

wherein said control unit relays said control command to said motor.

4. The automated sun visor of claim 3, wherein said switch is mounted within a dashboard of said motor vehicle.

5. The automated sun visor of claim 4, further comprising an attachment location directly above an operator of said motor vehicle adjacent to a front windshield and oriented so that said visor opening is directed towards said windshield and said sun visor is deployed to cover said windshield.

6. An automated sun visor adaptable to be attached to a motor vehicle, comprising:

a housing enclosure, further comprising;

a generally rectangular structure having a six-sided enclosure including an upper panel, a pair of side panels, a rear panel, a front panel, a bottom panel thereby defining an interior;

a pair of grooves each located along an opposing interior inner surface of each of said side panels and extending an entire length thereof; and

,

an opening located at said front panel;

a pair of ears on opposing perimeter edges of each of said pair of side panels; and

,

a mounting fastener adapted to be affixed to an underside of a roof of an interior of said motor vehicle and routed through an aperture of each of said pair of ears to removably mount said housing enclosure between a head liner and a roof;

a sun visor operably disposed within said interior of said housing enclosure, further comprising;

a semi-rigid plastic body comprising a width not greater than a width of said opening;

a pair of opposing intermediate pins extending perpendicularly outward from intermediate locations of a side of said body;

a rear pin spanning an entire rear perimeter edge of said body and extending outwardly parallel with said pair of intermediate pins;

a visor front edge comprising a slightly rounded shape having a diameter greater than a height of said opening and spanning an entire front perimeter edge of said body; and

,

a pair of toothed tracks located on an underside surface of said sun visor and running parallel between said visor front edge and said rear pin;

an automated control mechanism operably driving said sun visor relative to said housing and in electrical communication with an on-board power source of said motor vehicle;

wherein said sun visor is selectably and incrementally maneuvered between a fully deployed position and a fully retracted position;

wherein said automated control mechanism operably drives said sun visor through said opening to a desired position between said fully retracted position and said fully deployed position;

wherein said pair of intermediate pins travel within said pair of grooves when acted upon by said automated control mechanism;

wherein said rear pin travels within said pair of grooves when acted upon by said automated control mechanism;

wherein said pair of intermediate pins are retained within said housing enclosure when said sun visor is in said fully deployed position;

wherein said visor front edge prohibits said sun visor from being fully retracted within said interior of said housing enclosure at said fully retracted position.

7. The automated sun visor of claim 6, wherein said automated control mechanism further comprises:

a motor mounted to an inner surface of said bottom panel of said housing enclosure subjacent to said sun visor;

a motor shaft operably driven by said motor and spanning a width of said interior of said housing enclosure;

a pair of toothed gears secured about and operably driven by said motor shaft; and

,

a control assembly in electrical communication with said motor and said on-board power source;

wherein said control assembly said motor such that said motor drives said motor shaft;

wherein said motor shaft drives said pair of toothed gears;

wherein said pair of toothed gears engages said pair of toothed tracks of said sun visor to operably drive said sun visor.

8. The automated sun visor of claim 7, wherein said control assembly further comprises:

a switch in electrical communication with said on-board power source;

a control unit comprising a microprocessor mounted adjacent to said housing enclosure and in electrical communication with said motor and said switch;

wherein said switch is selectively positioned to generate a control command to operably drive said sun visor between said fully retracted position and said fully deployed position; and

,

wherein said control unit relays said control command to said motor.

9. The automated sun visor of claim 8, wherein said switch is mounted within a dashboard of said motor vehicle.

10. The automated sun visor of claim 9, further comprising an attachment location directly above an operator of said motor vehicle adjacent to a front windshield and oriented so that said visor opening is directed towards said windshield and said sun visor is deployed to cover said windshield.