Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-20
2002-12-24
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Automobile
C362S084000, C362S135000, C362S136000, C362S137000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06497504
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sun visor having an illuminated film for illuminating a vanity mirror. In particular, this invention relates to a sun visor having an illuminating film for providing a thin profile sun visor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a typical up scale vehicle, the sun visor is provided with a vanity mirror which has a light source for illuminating the mirror for use. Typically, the light will be responsive to the opening of a mirror cover. The light source for prior art sun visors has been incandescent light bulbs. As a result, sun visors must have a thickness sufficient to mount the bulb behind a suitable lens.
The prior art sun visor has provided years of satisfactory service. However, current automobile design trends are dictating lighter weight parts with lower energy consumption. Thus, there exists a need for eliminating incandescent lighting from sun visors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The disadvantages of the prior art may be overcome by providing a sun visor assembly having an electroluminescent film for illuminating the sun visor.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a sun visor assembly for an automotive vehicle which has a sun visor panel and at least one lighting element flush mounted on the sun visor panel. The lighting element is an electroluminescent film electrically connected to a triggering device for energizing the electroluminescent film illuminating the sun visor panel.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a combination comprising a sun visor and an illuminated film. The illuminated film has an electroluminescent layer which is mounted within a carrier film and enclosed by a transparent protective layer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3111275 (1963-11-01), Pfisterer
patent: 3344269 (1967-09-01), Brown
patent: 3926470 (1975-12-01), Marcus
patent: 4864473 (1989-09-01), Tokarz et al.
patent: 4947296 (1990-08-01), Takeuchi et al.
patent: 4979079 (1990-12-01), Tawaraya
patent: 5434013 (1995-07-01), Fernandez
patent: 5482614 (1996-01-01), Kondo et al.
patent: 5570945 (1996-11-01), Chien et al.
patent: 5775016 (1998-07-01), Chien
patent: 29706601 (1997-04-01), None
Macher David
Zorn Heinz
Clark Hill PLC
Magna Reflex Holding GmbH
LandOfFree
Sun visor having an electro-luminescent film for... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Sun visor having an electro-luminescent film for..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sun visor having an electro-luminescent film for... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2968148