MULTI-DIMENSIONALLY-ADJUSTABLE, POINT-SOURCE, SUN SHADE APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

An apparatus as a blind or blocker (miniature sun visor) selectively attaches to any edge of a standard visor equipped in a vehicle, whether the visor is stowed (undeployed, non-deployed), or positioned for use (deployed). A clamp selectively grips the visor, a panel blocks (subtends the angle made by two eyes and the point source) the light from a point source, and a flexible, self-stabilizing, extension (or adjuster) extends between the clamp and panel. The extension is sufficiently long to reach well beyond the visor to cover (occlude) a point source of light, such as the sun or a reflected beam, from both eyes of a user. A gooseneck extension between the clamp and panel can straighten, bend, twist, turn or otherwise re-shape inelastically to support a position of the panel moved by a single hand.

Claims

1. An apparatus, operating as a limited obstruction of a driver's view, effective to block safely a point source of light, the apparatus comprising: a securement sized and shaped to readily, selectively, and without tools, attach to and dis-attach from an edge of a visor of a vehicle without tools; a panel extending in two dimensions, including extending in at least one of the dimensions a distance effective to subtend a source angle formed between the point source and the eyes of the driver; a flexible, elongated, extension, extending between the securement and the panel and effective to move inelastically in the two dimensions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extension is effective to move inelastically in a third dimension between a first position and a second position in response to a force on the extension from one of the panel and the hand of a driver.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the area of the panel is an order of magnitude less than a corresponding area of the visor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the limited obstruction occupies an area outside and in addition to the visor in a deployed condition.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the visor is in an undeployed position, the limited obstruction occupies a second area replacing a portion of a first area normally blocked by the visor when the visor is in a deployed position.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securement is a clamp.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the clamp comprises a rigid portion, a spring, and a pivot.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the clamp comprises a flexible, elastic material formed to have a tongue and a guide forming a mouth therebetween sized to receive the visor therebetween.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the clamp is formed to exert a force on the visor selected to hold the clamp, the weight of the apparatus, and the dynamic load of the apparatus on the visor, without moving with respect to the visor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the extension is formed of gooseneck tubing having a central axis and a diameter at any point therealong; the gooseneck tubing is flexible to deflect in a direction orthogonal to the central axis in response to a force applied thereto, the extension moving from proximate a first position to proximate a second position; and a deflection thereby imposed on the gooseneck tubing is at least partially inelastic and effective to remain in the second position.

11. A method of limited obstruction of a driver's view, effective to remove safely a point source of light, the method comprising: providing a securement sized and shaped to readily and selectively attach to and dis-attach from an edge of a visor of a vehicle without tools; providing a panel extending in two dimensions, including extending in at least one of the dimensions a distance effective to approximate subtending a source angle formed between the point source and the eyes of the driver; providing an extension selected to be flexible, elongated, and extending between the securement and the panel and effective to move inelastically between a first position and a second position in response to a force on the extension from one of the panel and the hand of a driver; attaching the securement to a visor of a vehicle at a location thereon arbitrarily selected by the driver and proximate a path of light from a point source thereof; fixing the panel between the eyes of the driver and the point source.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein attaching the securement occurs when the visor is in an undeployed position.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the length extends in a substantially horizontal direction and the width extends in a substantially vertical direction.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the point source subtends a portion of an ocular angle, formed between the image thereof on the retina of the driver and the ends of a horizontal effective diameter of the point source, less than the length of the panel.

15. The method of claim 11, comprising operating the vehicle with the panel occupying a substantially permanent position over a distance of travel.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising re-positioning the panel with respect to the securement without moving the securement.

17. The method of claim 15, comprising: re-positioning the securement from a first visor location on the visor to a second visor location on the visor; and re-positioning the panel with respect to the securement to obscure the point source.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the length of the panel is selected to subtend the source angle during travel of the vehicle horizontally.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein: the visor has a first area constituting obstruction of vision of the driver by the visor when in a deployed position; the panel has a second area constituting obstruction of vision of the driver by the panel; and the second area is an order of magnitude less than the first area.

20. A method of limited obstruction of a driver's view, effective to remove safely from view a point source of light, the method comprising: providing a securement sized and shaped to temporarily fix to an edge of a visor of a vehicle, a panel sized to approximate subtending a source angle formed between the point source and the eyes of the driver; and an extension formed to be flexible, elongated, and deflectable inelastically in three dimensions, the extension extending between the securement and the panel; attaching the securement to a visor of a vehicle at a location arbitrarily selected by the driver and proximate a path of light from the point source thereof; positioning the panel between the eyes of the driver and the point source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The foregoing features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interior of a cab of a vehicle illustrating an apparatus in accordance with the invention in use, secured to a free edge near a free end of a driver-side visor deployed in a vehicle;

[0042] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention with the inelastically bendable, gooseneck extension in a completely straight arrangement;

[0043] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view thereof;

[0044] FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view thereof;

[0045] FIG. 5 is a left end elevation view thereof;

[0046] FIG. 6 is a right end elevation view thereof;

[0047] FIG. 7 is a top plan view thereof;

[0048] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view thereof;

[0049] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus in use on the driver side inside a vehicle, with the apparatus secured to a free end of a deployed, driver-side visor;

[0050] FIG. 10 is a perspective view from inside a vehicle with the apparatus secured to a free end of a passenger-side visor;

[0051] FIG. 11 is a perspective view inside a vehicle with the apparatus secured to a free edge near a free end of a deployed, passenger-side visor;

[0052] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a driver-side position inside a cab of a vehicle, with the apparatus secured to a pivot edge of an undeployed, driver-side visor near the free end thereof;

[0053] FIG. 13 is a perspective view inside a cab illustrating the apparatus secured to a pivot edge of an undeployed, passenger-side visor, proximate a free end of the visor;

[0054] FIG. 14 is a perspective view inside a cab of a vehicle with the apparatus secured to a pivot edge of an undeployed, driver-side visor, near the free end of the visor;

[0055] FIG. 15 is a perspective view inside a cab of a vehicle with the apparatus secured to a pivot edge of an undeployed, driver-side visor, proximate a pivot end of the visor, and extending toward the free end of the visor;

[0056] FIG. 16 is a perspective view inside a cab of a vehicle with the apparatus is secured to a pivot end of a driver-side visor in a stowed or undeployed position of the visor, such that a panel of the apparatus provides an obstruction of a point source of light through a side window; and

[0057] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention, including exploded views of alternative components for alternative embodiments made by combinations of the constituent components of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0058] It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of various embodiments of systems and methods in accordance with the invention. The illustrated embodiments will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.

[0059] The following definitions of terms are used to clarify. In general, Applicant is defining these terms in order to clarify that the meanings are exactly those of ordinary meaning to one of ordinary skill in the art. One of ordinary skill in the art herein is expected to be a technician, the ordinary mechanic as stated in the law. The ordinary mechanic is a technician who manufactures, installs, repairs, or the like mechanical devices, and knows the names for common mechanical parts. For example, axles, pivots, beams, bars, fingers, bases, and the like are terms used by the ordinary mechanic working with physical, mechanical devices.

[0060] Herein, the term obstruction simply means an object that interferes with a path. In this case, the path is the path of light, and the obstruction is blocking light from a source (reflected or originating) of light viewed by a driver. A driver is simply a person operating a motor vehicle. Block is a term of art meaning the same thing as obstruct. An obstruction effectively stops or modifies travel of a thing along a path.

[0061] The term safely means in a manner that does not increase the risk to the user. Thus, a trade off in driver vision and awareness exists between a visor versus an apparatus in accordance with the invention. Light may cause difficulty in vision during operation a vehicle.

[0062] For example, bright lights tend to force the human eye to adjust to that bright light, rendering objects that are less bright less visible. By the same token, large visors used in vehicles often obstruct large swaths of the field view of a user. Thus, the term safely is also used to characterize the concept of providing a limited obstruction of a driver's view that leaves more of the field of vision available, while still obstructing light that may interfere with the driver's vision.

[0063] A point source of light means a comparatively very small region of the field of view or field of vision of a user is occupied. No object is truly a point. A point is infinitesimally small. Point sources are objects sufficiently far way that they appear as mere points in one's field of view. The sun, the reflection of the sun from another vehicle, a windshield, a shiny object, a mirror, or some mirage in the air over a roadway may be considered a point source. In this context, some point sources may actually be line sources of comparatively narrow width, but of a more substantial length. However, in general, a point source may be treated as a point in that it occupies so little of the field of view that it may be blocked or its light may be blocked by simply placing a small obstruction between the eyes of a user and that point source.

[0064] A securement simply means a mechanism to firmly and reliably attach one object to another. Tools indicate conventional, mechanical tools used to operate on work pieces such as screws, bolts, and the like. Tools, typically leverage (literally) the strength of human hands to achieve higher levels of force and stress. Thus, fingers of a user cannot grip a screw and remove it from a piece of wood or a bolt from a tightened nut. Thus, tools is used in its conventional sense. Hand operable fasteners are very different from tool-secured fasteners.

[0065] The term edge means exactly that. For example, any planar object has at least two surfaces, and each of those surfaces meet at an edge. An edge is typically at the outer extent of a surface.

[0066] A panel is simply a material or object that extends principally in two dimensions, with the third dimension being comparatively very small. That is, an aspect ratio of width to thickness or of length to thickness is large, like one or two orders of magnitude. Aspect ratio is a term used to define a ratio between one dimension and another, typically for a single object. Thus, an aspect ratio of one to one means that, for example, a width and a height are substantially equal. An aspect ratio of one hundred indicates that one dimension is a hundred times another. Thus, an aspect ratio of one to one would comport with a square or a circle. An aspect ratio of one hundred to one would comport with a long, skinny, even stranded object. Meanwhile, since all physical objects have three dimensions, aspect ratios may be defined between any two of those dimensions.

[0067] Vertical as used herein means nominally vertical. For example, a windshield of a car typically extends horizontally and vertically. Nevertheless, a windshield does not extend exactly vertically nor exactly horizontally. However, its dimensions do extend horizontally and vertically as well as in a third dimension transverse or orthogonal to both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0068] Subtend is a term of art for geometry, often used in mechanical technologies or optics. It is typically used in engineering to define for technicians certain geometric relationships. Subtending refers to the fact that a particular dimension is as long as a chord across an arc.

[0069] For example, an angle is constituted by a vertex representing a point, and two legs extending from that point. The angle is the number of degrees or radians (or other measure) spanned by the legs of that angle. However, the legs typically are treated as being the same length. An arc may be scribed between those legs. That arc may be divided into degrees or radians representing the angle formed by the vertex and those two legs.

[0070] However, a chord extends directly from one end of that arc on one leg of the angle to the other end of that arc on the other leg of that angle. The chord cannot be subdivided into measurements or increments of angle conveniently according to geometric theory. Nevertheless, the chord subtends the angle in that it extends from one leg to the other leg of that entire angle.

[0071] Flexible is used as ordinarily applied to objects that may be deflected or bent (moved one portion with respect to another portion thereof) with comparative ease. Thus, as a comparative term, flexible depends very much on the forces at work. Flexible tends to mean also that a material will recover back to its original position after movement, or can easily be moved back.

[0072] Materials that are flexible and elastic will return to their original position when the force that deflects them is removed. In contrast, inelastic materials are those that deflect in response to force, and do not recover their original position when the force is removed. This also helps define elastic and inelastic as terms of art.

[0073] Elasticity is the ability to return automatically to an original position when a force is removed following deflection in response to that force. Inelasticity is an inability to return automatically to a starting position when a force is removed following deflection in response to that force. Some materials have both an elastic component of deflection and an inelastic component. This means that they may recover somewhat by moving from a second (forced, loaded) position back toward a first (unloaded, unforced) position, and yet not fully recover.

[0074] Rigid means exactly what is meant in the engineering arts and the associated technical mechanics thereof. Rigid indicates that every portion of a body moves in the same relative position with respect to all other portions of the body. Thus, rigid-body motion is often used to describe movement of an object that may rotate (pivot, spin, etc.) or translate (move along a line or along multiple lines each in a single dimension). The relative positions of every portion of that object remain the same with respect to each other regardless of movement of the object as a whole.

[0075] Often, a center of mass or center of gravity is defined to identify some central location on the object. That center may be tracked in the three possible dimensions of rotation and three dimensions of translation.

[0076] A pivot is a pivot, meaning generally that it may turn about a point. Pivot and rotate are similar terms. Often the term pivot is used to indicate that an object cannot spin a full three hundred sixty degrees, but the term is not so limited. Meanwhile, rotation need not mean that an object does spin more than three hundred sixty degrees, but is often used in that context. Thus, context will indicate whether an object needs to pivot less than three hundred sixty degrees, or whether it needs to rotate more than three hundred sixty degrees. It simply moves through an arcuate motion about a point.

[0077] Distance, length, area, width, thickness, and the like are used in their ordinary meanings. Typically, as pertains to a physical object, thickness is usually applied to the thinnest or the smallest value of physical dimension. Width is usually applied to the next larger value of a dimension orthogonal thereto. Length is usually applied to the greatest value of a dimension orthogonal to both.

[0078] A spring is an elastic member. That is, a spring is any material that behaves elastically. Springs may be formed of metals, plastic, elastomeric polymers, or the like. All solid materials have some degree of elasticity to them. Even solid steel blocks have a degree of elasticity, comparatively negligibly small when compared with that of an elastomeric rubber band. That band may extend hundreds of percent beyond its original dimension. In contrast, solid steel will move in tension on the order of millionths of its dimension or less.

[0079] A gooseneck is a term used to indicate a certain type of shape. Gooseneck tubing is a material that is sufficiently flexible that it may be bent, often in multiple places within a comparatively short distance (tens of diameters), and maintain that shape. Thus, a thin rod of spring steel would deflect and return to its original position. Gooseneck tubing moves, resisting that movement, yet holds its position inelastically once released.

[0080] An axis is a line and issued here in its ordinary meaning from mathematics, engineering, and technical fields.

[0081] Deflection simply means movement. Typically, deflection means that one portion of an object moves with respect to another portion of the object. Often, deflection is characterized as bending. Nevertheless, an object supported by some other object may be deflected, simply moving the original object by distorting the other object that supports or holds it. Nevertheless, in general, deflection is typically used to indicate a bending or movement of one portion of an object away from another portion of the object. It is often described in engineering terms as beam bending.

[0082] It is common in the mechanical arts to define mechanical objects in terms of bodily members. Thus, mechanical devices often are described to have a base, a foot, a leg, a body, an arm, a finger, a lip, a tongue, a tooth, a head, and so forth. Typically, these terms are used to represent a physical relationship similar to the bodily relationship. Thus, an arm will typically be of a substantially larger size than a finger. An arm will typically extend. A base or foot will typically be a supporting or anchoring member. Even an eye may be used to describe an aperture in an object. Thus, a tongue would typically be expected to extend away from some other portion of an object. A neck may represent a portion of an object comparatively narrower than some other greater portion surrounding it. A head will typically be a feature that has significance, such as a termination, a mounting location for some other object, or the like.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 1, while continuing to refer generally to FIGS. 1 through 17, an apparatus 10 or a system 10 in accordance with the invention may include several constituent components. These components may include, for example, a panel 12 for obstructing light. An adjuster 14 or extension 14 connects the panel 12, at one end of the extension 14, to a clamp 16 at the opposite end of the extension 14. The clamp 16 may be of any suitable type, and may include a separate spring 17 or not. At each end of the extension 14, an adapter 18 may secure the extension 14 to the panel 12 and the clamp 16, respectively.

[0084] As illustrated, the visor 20 of a vehicle 22 may receive a clamp 16 secured thereto. The visor 20 may be in the stowed position or the deployed position. For example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrates the visor 20 in a deployed position, wherein the mount 24 or base 24 of the visor 20 supports a rod 26 operating as an axle 26 (a pivot 26) for the visor 20. When a visor 20 is particularly long or comparatively long extending away from base 24, a support 28 at an end or intermediate the ends of the visor 20 may capture the axle 26 or rod 26, to support it more firmly.

[0085] Typically, a vehicle will have a mirror 30, commonly referred to as a rearview mirror 30. A mirror 30 will typically be located near the center of the vehicle 22, while the steering wheel 32 (or simply the wheel 32 for steering) is positioned on the driver's side of the vehicle 22. The wheel 32 is typically secured to a column extending below a dash 34 or dashboard 34 containing gauges 36, instruments 36, or other controls 36.

[0086] Typically, a pillar 38 will act as a structural member 38 of the vehicle 22. That pillar 38 will typically be positioned between a windshield 40 and a window 42, or between windows 42. Pillars 38 may be positioned between various different adjacent windows 42 in the vehicle 22.

[0087] The mount 24 or base 24 of a visor 20 will typically be positioned near the pillar 38 on a driver's side, and a corresponding pillar 38 on a passenger's side of the vehicle 22. One may speak of a pivot edge 44 of the visor 20 as the edge 44 of the visor 20 that pivots about the axle 26 or rod 26. One may also speak of a base end 46 of the visor 20 as that end 46 closest to or proximate the base 24. By the same token, a free end 48 of the visor 20 is positioned away to the maximum distance that the visor 20 extends away from the base 24 or mount 24. This leaves a free edge 50 of the visor 20 opposite the pivot edge 44.

[0088] Typically, a rod 26 or axle 26 is provided with a bend into a vertical portion that will pivot in a horizontal plane about the base 24. Meanwhile, the visor 20 will typically pivot about a horizontal axle 26 as the horizontal axis 26 of rotation.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 8, different views of the apparatus 10 or system 10 in accordance with the invention are illustrated. The extension 14 operates as an adjuster 14 in a rather rare position, being straight. Typically, one value of the extension 14 is its function as an adjuster 14.

[0090] For example, the extension 14 may typically be formed as a flexible and fixable arm 14. It extends between a clamp 16 secured to a visor 20 and a panel 12 for obscuring light. The panel 12 is spaced some distance away from the clamp 16 at any desired angle and total orientation. It moves in three dimensions to a location suitable for obstructing light from a point source from passing to the eyes of a driver of the vehicle 22. Each of the constituent components 12-18 of the apparatus 10 are illustrated in these figures.

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 9 through 16, while continuing to refer generally to FIGS. 1 through 17, one will note that the clamp 16 may be designed and employed to secure to any particular edge 44, 46, 48, of the visor 20. Moreover, the clamp 16 may typically connect in any suitable orientation, consistent with its location on the visor 20 and the desired location for the panel 12. One particularly valuable aspect of the clamp 16 that may be considered in designing or selecting a clamp 16 for inclusion as a constituent 16 of the apparatus 10 is that the visor 20 need not be in any particular orientation or disposition. By disposition is meant the position of a visor 20 for use or nonuse.

[0092] For example, a visor 20 will typically pivot with respect to the base 24 in order to provide obstruction of light through either a windshield 40 or a window 42 adjacent thereto. Moreover, in some embodiments, a visor 20 may extend or slide along the axle 26 in order to be positioned farther away from the base 24 along the window 42, or farther from the base 24 along the windshield 40.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 9, the visor 20 is in a deployed position, having been pivoted about the axle 26 or rod 26 from a stowed (undeployed) position up near the ceiling of the vehicle 22, down to a deployed position obstructing a portion of the windshield 40. One will note that the clamp 16 is secured to the free end 48 of the visor 20. In this configuration, the extension 14 is bent or otherwise adjusted to place the panel 12 of the apparatus 10 in the area of the windshield 40 between visors 20, and above the rearview mirror 30.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 10, a configuration is illustrated in which the clamp 16 is secured to a free end 48 of a visor 20 on a passenger's side of the vehicle 22. Thus, the deployed position of the visor 20 having pivoted about the axle 26, provides obstruction of the light, such as from the sky or distant road, from a passenger. The apparatus 10 operates to obstruct light for a driver in a region of the windshield 40 near the rearview mirror 30, and not covered by either visor 20.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 11, the clamp 16 is secured near the free end, and along the free edge of a visor 20 on a passenger's side. The gooseneck 14 or extension 14 curves in multiple locations to position the panel 12 under the rearview mirror 30. This will obstruct a low (e.g., almost horizon level) light source from the eyes of a driver on an opposite side of the vehicle 22 from the passenger.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 12, the clamp 16 is secured to the pivot edge of an undeployed visor 20 on a driver's side of a vehicle 22. In this configuration, the panel 12 is positioned by the extension 14 bending at multiple locations in order to follow the positioning of the panel 12. In this configuration, the visor 20 is undeployed or stowed against the ceiling of the vehicle 22, and the panel 12 operates as the only visor 12 for the driver.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 13, the passenger-side visor 20 may receive a clamp 16 on the pivot edge of the visor 20 in order that the extension 14 may bend and extend to an area near the rearview mirror 30 placing the panel 12 in that un-visored region of the windshield 40 between the passenger and driver visors 20.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 14, one configuration with the panel 12 replacing the visor 20, relies on a clamp 16 connected to a pivot edge 44 of a driver's side visor 20 near the free end 48 of that visor 20. In this configuration, the driver's view is less obstructed than with the use of the visor 20 in a deployed position. By leaving the visor 20 stowed or undeployed, all the edges 44, 46, 48, 50 of the visor 20 remain available for securing thereto the apparatus 10.

[0099] Operating the clamp 16 to open and close it will connect it to the visor 20 at any suitable location. Here, the apparatus 10 is deployed, yet the visor 20 is not. The clamp 16 secures to the pivot edge 44 of the visor 20, and the panel 12 is positioned at the location where light obstruction is desired by the driver. Note that the panel 12 may be twisted or pivoted, or translated along a direction in any of three dimensions, by virtue of the multidimensional deflection possible for the extension 14.

[0100] In this embodiment, the panel 12 is basically rectangular in shape, but having slightly rounded corners. The panel 12 will typically be positioned in a horizontal orientation, the length extending horizontally. The maximum dimension may be thought of as the length, and it will typically extend in a horizontal direction. One reason for this is that the purpose of the panel 12 is to obstruct the approximately (slightly more than) the subtended angle of light rays (legs of angle) from an originating source (vertex of angle), and a user's eyes (at end of legs of angle; apart by distance subtended).

[0101] Since users' eyes are spaced some distance apart, then that entire subtended angle between the point source of light, and both eyes should be effectively obscured by the panel 12. This is much less than the distance spanned by a vehicle visor. Also, multiple shapes may be used, and different shapes may be used. However, this subtended angle is significant in the effective operation of the apparatus 10. Both eyes are shielded from the source of light, and remain so for a distance of travel, because the distant source does not move far nor quickly in the driver's field of view (maximum ocular angle spanned by horizon).

[0102] Referring to FIG. 15, this configuration of the apparatus 10 is similar to that of FIG. 14. However, in this configuration, the clamp 16, is secured elsewhere along the pivot edge. One may note that the adapters 18 fix the opposite ends of the extension 14 to the clamp 16 and the panel 12, respectively. Various embodiments of the adapters 18 will be discussed hereinbelow. Adapters 18 may be secured to the clamp 16 and the panel 12, or may be built into the panel 12, the clamp 16, or both 12, 16 during manufacture. Various purposes, considerations, and rationales exist for the various alternatives.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 16, the panel 12 may provide obstruction of the light coming through a window 42 adjacent a windshield 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp 16 is secured to a free end 48 of the visor 20. The extension 14 extends and bends to orient the panel 12 at the desired location within the driver's field of view through the window 42. At this point, one should note that various permutations and combinations of rotation about a vertical axis (about the mount 24, by the rod 26) may position the visor 20 in front of the windshield 40, or in front of the window 42.

[0104] Similarly, the horizontal axle 26 or horizontal expanse of the rod 26 may also provide horizontal positioning. The free edge 50 of the visor 20 may take any position between the obscuration of the windshield 40, or the obscuration of the window 42. The visor 20 may be pivoted about a vertical axis of the mount 24. It may pivot simultaneously about a horizontal axis 26, the rod 26, between the windshield 40 and the window 42. The clamp 16 may be secured at any location therein.

[0105] Thus, just as the various configurations of the visor 20 and apparatus 10 may provide obstruction of a point source of light through the windshield 40, the visor 20 and apparatus 10 may be used in combination to position the panel 12 over any location in the side window 42 accessible by the panel 12 by bending the extension 14, and securing the clamp 16 to a suitable location or edge 44, 46, 48, 50 of the visor 20 in its location.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 17, a perspective view of one embodiment of a system 10 in accordance with the invention is illustrated. However, by exploded views of insets from that apparatus 10, various components 12, 14, 16, 18 are illustrated in alternative embodiments.

[0107] In the illustrated embodiment, a panel 12 secures to an extension 14 or adjuster 14 extending between the panel 12 and a clamp 16. Adapters 18 may be designed in any of several manners in order to mechanically support the forces exerted by the extension 14 on the panel 12 and the clamp 16, and vice versa.

[0108] For example, in one currently contemplated embodiment, a panel 12 may be substantially rectangular in shape. It may be comparatively thin on the order of between less than 1/32 inch (one millimeter) and perhaps up to inch (three millimeters), depending upon the material. For example, a panel 12 may be formed of a comparatively stiff yet flexible polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (commonly known by the trademark of Mylar), or the like.

[0109] In some embodiments, an expanded styrene (styrofoam), expanded polyethylene, corrugated cardboard, corrugated plastic, paper, cardstock, or the like may be used. For example, in various embodiments, the panel 12 may be substantially disposable. In other embodiments, the panel 12 may be highly reusable and structurally robust.

[0110] Several beneficial characteristics of the panel 12 may include, for example, a size (value) in length (nominally horizontal) that is typically about as long as the eyes of a user are wide. The technical expression is that the panel 12 should subtend or cover across the angle formed between the two eyes of a user and a point source of light on an opposite side (face) of the panel 12. The effect is that the point source of light is to be blocked from each eye and both eyes. In order for this to occur, the panel 12 should subtend the angle formed at a vertex located at the point source of light, and including legs of the angle directed to each eye of the user.

[0111] Thus, the length of the panel 12 is typically at least about the horizontal distance required to cover from the pupil of one eye to the pupil of the other eye, including both of the pupil diameters. Slightly longer length may serve better. Theoretically this length need not always be the width of the eyes, because that subtended angle will be subtended by a chord slightly narrower than the eye width. Nevertheless, as a practical matter, one may think of the length of the panel 12 being enough to fully cover both eyes of the user with extra margin.

[0112] As to the height (vertical, narrower, planar) dimension, multiple objectives suggest a balance of interests. For example, the height in a vertical direction should be sufficiently high that a user may move the head and eyes some distance typical of a driving condition, without exposing the eyes to the distant point source of light. On the other hand, one benefit of the panel 12 is the ability to minimize the obstruction to vision other than the view of point source of light being obstructed.

[0113] Thus, a length of from about five to about nine inches has been found suitable, with a distance on the order of about seven to eight inches appearing to be optimal. On the other hand, heights on the order of two to five inches are possible, with about three inches seeming to be a good target height for design. Meanwhile, the panel 12 may be completely flat, may be concave or convex, or otherwise shaped in order to provide sufficient stiffness when considering the material of which the panel 12 itself is made.

[0114] In one currently contemplated embodiment, the rectangular shape (or any polygonal shape) of the panel 12 is modified slightly to include rounded corners of a suitable radius. Other shapes are likewise suitable. For example, the panel 12a represents the base design, but the elliptical shape of the panel 12b, or the more square panel 12c, may be preferable for some drivers. A more rounded shape of the panel 12d or a completely circular shape 12e may also be desirable in certain situations.

[0115] For example, a point source is not always, and may never be, a true point source. Because the source is distant, and a comparatively small portion in the field of view of a driver, one may discuss the source of light as effectively a point source. Nevertheless, the sun actually has a width, and itself subtends a source angle. That may be defined as the angle between the image of the sun on a single retina surface of the eye of a user as a vertex of an angle, and two rays passing from that retina location to either (each) side of the sun.

[0116] An angle between the eyes formed about a vertex at the sun or other point source is another angle to be considered, the angle to be subtended. In other words, a source angle is formed between an image of a source of light on the retina behind a pupil of an eye, an image on the retina through the pupil of the other eye, with a vertex at the point source of light. This is a source angle. The source angle is to be subtended by the length of the panel 12.

[0117] The ocular angle or the eye angle is the angle formed between one image on one retina through the pupil of one eye, as a vertex with the legs of the angle proceeding to the two sides of the finite width of the point source of light.

[0118] Since the sun is actually round, the panel 12e has certain appeal. By the same token, since driving usually means movement over some period of time while the point source of light remains substantially constant, the elliptical panel 12b has certain appeal. Meanwhile, inasmuch as some point sources may come from reflective surfaces, the shape of the panel 12a likewise has certain appeal in that it may actually maintain an obstruction to the point source of light for longer periods of time and require less adjustment.

[0119] Nevertheless, personal preference always plays a part in selection of a panel 12. Thus, the panels 12 may be formed to be selectively removed from the adapter 18 and replaced.

[0120] The adapter 18 may be embodied in various structural configurations. For example, the adapter 18a is formed as a separate object that may be glued or suitably secured to the panel 12. The adapter 18a is the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 16. On the other hand, the adapter 18b may simply be formed integrally with the panel 12 by laminating, forming, molding, drilling, or otherwise creating a socket 52 defining an aperture 54 sized to receive and secure the extension 14.

[0121] Similarly, the adapter 18c is formed as a separate object in which the socket 52 and aperture 54 are again sized to fit and secure by friction, compression, interference fit, glue, welding, heat, shrinking, or other fastening techniques to the extension 14. In this embodiment, the socket 52 adapts or changes shape near its blind end opposite the open aperture 54, to become a flat 56. That flat 56 may be of any suitable dimension, and any suitable shape.

[0122] A pair of snaps 58, or a single snap 58 and a registration edge in the flat 56 may orient the panel 12 with respect to the adapter 18c. The bearing length or distance between the centers of the snaps 58 may provide excellent stability.

[0123] A single snap 58 may need a rib or lip. The lip is a surface protruding toward the panel 12 and at right angles to the flat 56. By extending thereacross it may register a single snap system 58. It enforces the orientation of the panel 12 with respect to the extension 14.

[0124] In similar fashion, the adapter 18d may include a clevis 60 extending along both surfaces (opposite surfaces) of the panel 12. Here, some type of a fastener 62, may be a bolt and nut assembly 62, a rivet 62, or the like. Similarly, an adapter 18e may include the socket 52 as a collar 52 defining an aperture 54. Where the adapter 18e converts from the circular cross section of the socket 52 to a flat 56 to receive a rivet 64 or other fastener 64.

[0125] Rivets 64 may be formed of a plastic, metal, or any suitable material. Of course, fasteners 62, 64 may be constituted by glue, heat, welding, ultrasonic melting and bonding between the adapter 18 and the panel 12, or the like.

[0126] In one interesting embodiment, the adapter 18f may actually be constituted by a joint 70. In this embodiment, a securement 66 or grip portion 66 may be configured as in any of the adapters 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, or the like, including similar or different attachment mechanisms 62, 64.

[0127] Meanwhile, an axle 68 or pivot 68 operates to form the joint 70 between the securement portion 66 and the socket 52. The socket 52 may rotate about the axle 68 or pivot 68 with respect to the securement 66. This provides an additional degree of freedom of the panel 12 to pivot with respect to the socket 52, and therefore with respect to the extension 14. Nevertheless, a rigid connection between the extension 14 and the panel 12 may be made by a solid, rather than pivoting, adapter 18.

[0128] The extension 14 may be configured in one of several embodiments. One currently contemplated embodiment includes a core 72 or solid metal 72 or other material 72 that is quite malleable. Often this may be problematic. Nevertheless, certain metals exist that are comparatively easily bent inelastically, and may take on various shapes. Certain composite materials may include these properties.

[0129] For example, in one embodiment, the core 72 may actually be laminated layers of metal that resist by friction between the layers. They allow repeated bending, re-bending, and re-straightening, and so forth. Nevertheless, it has been found that typically a solid core 72 may be adequate to serve in the extension 14c. It may be best served by a surrounding layer 74 operating as a stabilizer 74. Stabilization occurs by virtue of the layer 74 or stabilizer 74 limiting the bend angle possible in the core 72. A particularly severe or sharp angle is limited by the amount of the coating 74 or layer 74 inside a corner. Operating as a stabilizer 74 it limits by the principle of conservation of mass. It defines exactly how much angle or what bend radius may be put into the core 72. For example, the GUMBY character is a stick figure of a malleable wire 72 embedded inside a much thicker rubber coating 74.

[0130] A gooseneck 80 or gooseneck tubing 80 may serve as an excellent extension 14. The expression gooseneck tubing refers to a specific manufacture of metal having a continuous, spiraling joint formed in a sheet metal. Sheet metal is formed in an interlocking spiral shape axially sliding engagement exists between adjacent, looping turns of material. Adjacent turns of a single strip are connected by an interlocking joint 78. In an axial direction, along the length of the gooseneck tubing 80, the joint 78 may permit sliding between adjacent portions (turns) of material. Nevertheless, this sliding is resisted. Thus, the gooseneck tubing 80 may be bent along some radius of curvature tolerated by compression between turns to a minimum width of the joint inside of the curve. Extension or expansion to a maximum degree (axial distance) of the joints 78 occurs on the opposite side (or outside) of the curve.

[0131] Gooseneck tubing 80 has been found to provide an excellent extension 14a. Thus, the embodiment of an extension 14a has been found to be suitable, and gooseneck tubing 80 may be formed in various diameters, of various materials, in order to serve mechanically. One benefit of comparatively larger diameters of gooseneck tubing 80 surrounding their hollow 76 or interior 76, is the increased section modulus (an engineering term of art well defined in the engineering art of structures, structural mechanics, and mechanics of materials). It is here in exactly that way. It defines stiffness and strength for the extension 14a.

[0132] A narrower diameter of the gooseneck tubing 80 may be on the order of about of an inch (2 mm) and provides more ready bending, less stiffness, less force required to form the extension 14a, lighter weight, and a tighter (smaller) bend radius on any bend in the extension 14a. The spacing between the joints 78 and the diameter of the hollow 76 and the outside of the gooseneck tubing 80 operate similarly to the coating 74 to limit the bend radius on any bend of the extension 14a.

[0133] Various embodiments of a clamp 16 are represented by the clamps 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e. Throughout this document, a trailing alphabetical character following a numerical reference number indicates a specific embodiment or alternative to the item identified by the reference number. Thus, it is proper to speak of a clamp 16 representing any or every clamp, in context, or an individual clamp 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e representing their specific embodiment or instance. This is true of all trailing letters on reference numerals in all figures herein.

[0134] Many clamps 16 exist, of a type 16a built around pivoting sides, gripped to open a mouth 86. Typically, a clamp 16 will have a base 82 and a cantilever 84. Actually, in many embodiments, clamps 16 include a base 82 and a cantilever 84 identical to one another. In other embodiments, a clipboard or solid surface may form a base 82, while the only moveable element or the principal movable element is the cantilever 84. Accordingly, a pressure region 85 on the cantilever 84 is actuated by force applied thereto in order to open the mouth 86. Opening of the mouth 86 may be resisted by a spring 17 tending to force back ends of the base 82 and cantilever 84 apart.

[0135] Typically, some mechanisms such as a pivot, hinge 87, or the like may be formed between the base 82 and the cantilever 84. In reality, in many clamps 16, both the mouth 86 and the pressure region 85 are cantilevered about the hinge 87. Nevertheless, cantilevers 84 and hinges 87 may be configured in other ways.

[0136] For example, the clamp 16b may include a mouth 86 opening to provide a throat 88. The throat 88 may be thought of as the narrowest portion of the clamp 16b. It actually may include a closed position in which the throat 88 places the base 82 and the cantilever 84 into contact. Thus, in such an embodiment the closed end portion 87 or hinge 87 provides the deflection permitting the guides 90 or lips 70 to separate to open the mouth 86 to receive the visor 20.

[0137] Meanwhile, the adapter 18 or extension 14 may secure directly to the cantilever 84, or even, in some embodiments, to the base 82. However, in most embodiments, at least one of the cantilever 84 and the base 82 must move with respect to the other. In some events, the cantilever 84 may move away from the base 82, and away from the visor 20 captured by the base 82 or against the base 82.

[0138] For example, the mouth 86 may be opened by spreading the guides 90 away from one another, thus opening the mouth 86, and receiving the visor 20 therein. Typically, the hinge 87 or the spring 87 at the back of the clamp 16 will be sufficiently powerful or strong, to have sufficient mechanical stiffness to maintain the clamp 16b firmly on the visor 20. Thus, manipulation of the panel 12 and the extension 14 may occur without dislodging a clamp 16b from the visor 20.

[0139] The clamp 16c similarly includes a base 82 and cantilever 84 connected through the hinge 87 or spring 87. The hinges 87 in the embodiments of clamps 16b, 16c are solid metal, and do not actually represent a hinge. Nevertheless, they may be replaced with a hinge 87 and a spring 87. However, in the illustrated embodiments, the clamps 16b, 16c provide both hinging and force by mere deflection of the solid, metal hinge region 87 in response to force applied to separate the cantilever 84 from the base 82.

[0140] In the embodiment of a clamp 16c, the guide 90 is set back some distance away from an end of a tongue 92. Thus, when the mouth 86 is open, the tongue 92 is used as a place to apply force by and to a visor 20. A digit of a user may hold down the base 82, or hold in place a base 82, while lifting the guide 90 and the cantilever 84 therewith. Thus, one may place the tongue 92 on one face or surface of a visor 20 and lift the cantilever 84 away therefrom by means of the guide 90, and slide the clamp 16c against the visor 20 until the hinge portion 87 contacts in a suitable edge 44, 46, 48, 50 of the visor 20.

[0141] The clamp 16d operates similarly to the clamp 16c. However, the cantilever 84 may be formed as a wire 84, such as a spring wire. Just as the clamps 16b, 16c are formed of a spring material, either plastic or metal, and typically best served by spring steel, the wire cantilever 84 may be embedded in a base 82 of wood, plastic, or the like. Accordingly, the guide 90 is lifted away from the tongue 92 of the base 82 in order to open the mouth 86 for receiving the visor 20 just as the clamp 16c operates.

[0142] The clamp 16e is more conventional, in which a cylindrical spring 17 fits over both a base 82 and a cantilever 84. The cantilever 84 and base 82 may be symmetric or identical with pressure regions 85 on each and a mouth 86 in which the base 82 and cantilever 84 separate as they pivot about the spring 17. Thus, a mouth 86 opens between the cantilever 84 and the base 82, closing to bring together the pressure regions 85 of each 82, 84 thereon.

[0143] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its purposes, functions, structures, or operational characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.