Granted Patent B2

US 7,703,832 · App. 12/214,145 · Granted Apr 27, 2010

Abstract

Claims (25)

1. A visor arm for use with a visor in a vehicle, said visor arm including:

a molded tubular member having a first end and a second end, said first end rotatably supported with respect to a roof of a vehicle;

an elbow portion arranged a predetermined distance from said first end; and

a metal tubular insert member arranged within said molded tubular member, said metal tubular insert member having a first end within said molded tubular member and arranged a predetermined distance from said first end of said molded tubular member, said first end of said metal tubular insert member defines a breaking point of the visor arm to dissipate energy when a vehicle user comes in contact with the visor during a crash situation.

2. The visor arm of claim 1 wherein said molded tubular member having a scored line or groove around a circumference thereof and on an outer surface or inner surface thereof.

3. The visor arm of claim 2 wherein said scored ring like line is in a plane with said first end of said metal tubular insert member.

4. The visor arm of claim 1 wherein said molded tubular member having a first notch and a second notch arranged 180° from another on a short portion of said molded tubular member.

5. The visor arm of claim 1 wherein said molded tubular member is made of a plastic material.

6. The visor arm of claim 1 wherein said metal tubular insert member having a second end, said second end extends a predetermined distance from said second end of said molded tubular member.

7. A breakaway visor for use in reducing head impact injuries in a vehicle during crash situations, said visor including:

a body disposed in a cabin of the vehicle for blocking outside light;

a breakaway arm having a first end and a second end, said second end arranged in said body, said arm having an elbow arranged near said first end thereof, said arm having a metal tubular insert with a first end and a second end, said arm having a molded tubular member molded over said metal tubular insert, said first end of said metal tubular insert being recessed within said molded tubular member a predetermined distance from a first end of said molded tubular member; and

a mounting bracket secured to a roof of the vehicle, said first end of said breakaway arm is rotatably secured in said mounting bracket.

8. The visor of claim 7 wherein said molded tubular member having a scored line or groove around a circumference thereof and on an outer surface or inner surface thereof.

9. The visor of claim 8 wherein said scored line or groove is arranged adjacent to said first end of said metal tubular insert.

10. The visor of claim 7 wherein said molded tubular member having a first notch and a second notch arranged 180° from another on a short portion of said molded tubular member.

11. The visor of claim 7 wherein said molded tubular member is made of a plastic material.

12. The visor of claim 7 wherein said metal tubular insert second end extends a predetermined distance from a second end of said molded tubular member.

13. The visor of claim 7 wherein said elbow having a complex or 90° angle.

14. The visor of claim 7 wherein said arm having a circumferential groove near both ends thereof for securing said arm to said mounting bracket and said body, respectively.

15. A breakaway visor arm for use with a visor in a vehicle, said visor arm including:

an elbow member rotatably supported to an interior roof of the vehicle, said elbow member having a tube shape, said elbow member having a circumferential groove arranged on an inside surface of said elbow member, said elbow member having at least one locking tab extending from an inside surface thereof;

a shaft arranged in an end of said elbow member, said shaft having at least one orifice through an outside surface thereof, said locking tab extends into said orifice to secure said shaft to said elbow member; and

said circumferential groove defines a breaking point for the breakaway visor arm when a vehicle occupant strikes the visor during a crash situation.

16. The visor arm of claim 15 further including a circumferential groove on an outside surface of said elbow member.

Assignments (9)