Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Glare screen or visor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-09-11
Pedder, Dennis H. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Glare screen or visor
C248S292140
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286887
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Over the years of technological developments, new designs and inventions have improved vehicle comfort and safety. Unfortunately, not enough efforts have been made to protect the driver and passengers from glare, direct sunlight, and possible damage to face skin due to sun exposure from the side windows at the same time protecting from front windshield.
This invention relates to comfort and safety of vehicles. For this patent vehicles include the following vehicles but not limited to: cars, light trucks, sport utility vehicles, jeeps, mini-vans, farm vehicles including tractors, buses, earth moving vehicles, commuter trains, and trucks.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
A number of prior art inventions relate to the factory mounted front visor (hereon called FMFV). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,657 to Arendt is illustrative of prior art where a ‘Visor Extender’ is designed to increase the area of protection. No significant modification was suggested. U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,929 to Eskandry has described a Multi-Functional Vehicle Visor Unit. U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,687 to Abu-shumays, U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,765 to VanOrder and others, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,285 to Snyder and Redder describe a sliding mechanism for front visor of vehicles. U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,512 to VandenBerge have explained a Rear Window Sliding Visor using a guide rail mechanism, which is mounted on the roof of the vehicle and allows vertical movement of the visor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,310 to Frankhouse have outlines a tracking mechanism on the roof of a vehicle through which sun visor can move. Frankhouse patent has a little similarity with this invention. Frankhouse invention requires installation of a concealed track inside the vehicle. This is a major and expensive procedure and deteriorate the inner beauty of the vehicle. Also, Frankhouse invention cannot protect from front and side at the same time, and cannot be installed without the cooperation of vehicle manufacturer. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,367 to VanOrder and U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,212 to Corn have explained moveable visor body for vehicles. Takahashi (405,104,949) has a visor with limited similarly with this invention. The differences between this invention and Takahashi is as follows:
This invention is very distinct in shape as well as utility. Rod 42 and transverse rod of Takahashi does not slide the visor blade. Actually a clip is attached to the transverse rod which is attached to the rod.
Rod 42 and 38A of Takahashi are part of much complicated system compare to this invention. The inventor feels that parts from the prior art cannot be compared with a unique purpose component of this invention. Invention should be looked as a complete whole, without combining references from several prior art inventions.
This invention is also distinct in shape, ease of manufacturing, unique resistance level, and extremely simple stowage system on the vehicle's roof.
There is no varying resistance level at Takahashi's patent. Takahashi has attached a clip 26 at grove 20 to move and stop visor blade. The clip 26 opens and closes to move the visor blade. This invention application has a new varying resistance railing which is durable and simple.
There is no mention of prior art, which directly relates to this invention. This invention shall improve prior art by offering an easy to manufacture and cheap visor system, which will cover front side window and rear side window by employing only one visor while another Visor offer protection from front windshield. Furthermore, Visor can provide total protection on front windshield if used as a replacement to FMFV. Finally, the Visor suggested by this invention could be put on a vehicle by a mechanic, since no major modification is required in the vehicle. Best results are achieved when Visor is installed by vehicle manufacturer. Above mentioned prior art inventions can be utilized only by the manufacturer of vehicles and cannot be sold by vehicle accessory suppliers. Also, the prior art does not offer a complete and comprehensive protection for driver and passengers from every direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The factory mounted front visor (FMFV) in a vehicle can be used to protect from the early morning and late afternoon sun from either the front windshield or the side windows. FMFV can not protect from both directions at the same time. It is a common observation that the driver or passenger keeps moving the FMFV from front to side and side to front because of the changing direction of the road and final destination of the driver. The need for protection from sun is paramount during three hours in early morning and three hours before sunset, which are normal commuting and working hours for millions of vehicle drivers and passengers. Number of hours of exposure from sun varies depending on geographical location and the month of the year.
FMFV partially cover the windshield and does not provide full protection. Visor With Longitudinal Movement System can slide left and right along the windshield, thus providing full protection to driver or passenger sitting on the front seats. In an alternate embodiment, Visor can be used for total sun protection from front windshield.
The inventor felt a need to design an inexpensive and easy to manufacture Visor for the side windows or windshield so the driver or passengers do not have to constantly relocate the FMFV from front to side and side to front. The Visor will be permanently mounted in vehicles by the manufacturer of vehicle or added to vehicles by a professional vehicle mechanic. Only one Visor can be used for front side window as well as rear side window because of longitudinal movement mechanism. In case of tractors, buses, trucks, light trucks, and earth-moving vehicles, Visor will protect entire front side windows. The inventor started working on this project around Aug. 29, 1996. After months of careful observation of most of the available vehicles and analyses of visor movement, the design was completed on Feb. 27, 1997. Visor is available for driver as well as passenger side. Visor can be made of same material and color as the FMFV and roof of the vehicle. Also, Visor can be made of matching material and color as the FMFV and roof of the vehicle. Visor can slide forward or backward depending whether to protect from the sun glare coming through the front side windows or rear side windows.
One circular roller is used for smaller Visor while two circular rollers are used for longer Visor and to provide added support. (
FIG. 1-
a,
1
-
b
) Railing is permanently attached to the Visor blade and circular roller can slide within the railing. While sliding in the railing, circular roller temporary stops at desired positions because of increased resistance in the inner surface of railing.
One of the embodiments of this invention is ellipse shape on both ends of rectangular Visor (
FIG. 1-
f
). The size and shape could be modified depending on the size and model of vehicle. As described in the background section, driver and passenger on the front seat need protection from the sun glare and rays coming from side window. Also, passengers sitting on the rear seat may also need protection from sun. This is particularly true for infants in their car seat, business executives driven by chauffeurs, passengers in a taxicab, family members in a mini-van, etc.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly, besides the benefits of the Visor described earlier, several objects and advantages of the invention are mentioned below:
1. Protect from sun glare from the side windows while other Visor protects from the front windshield.
2. No need to intermittently readjust the FMFV from front to side and side to front as the road curvature change or the vehicle makes turns to reach the final destination.
3. Protect the facial skin from cancer and rash causing sunrays, particularly driver and passenger with sensitive skin.
4. Improve visibility and safety of the driver as the driver does not has to look in the sun bothering him from the front or the side of the vehicle. Su
Hashmi M. Anaam
Pedder Dennis H.
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