Patent ID: 6799795
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A visor arm structure of a sun visor assembly disposed in a passenger compartment, the visor arm absorbing energy during an impact to the edge of the sun visor assembly comprising:a molded tubular visor arm having a distal end portion, a middle portion, and a proximal end portion molded over a tubular metal shaft; said distal end portion having an elbow bend therein and further having an attachment flange for attaching said tubular visor arm to a visor arm mounting bracket; said middle portion having at least one first breakaway notch and at least one second breakaway notch positioned around the tubular visor arm middle portion substantially about 180 degrees from said first breakaway notch so as to direct the sun visor assembly in a predetermined direction to a predetermined collapsed position; and said proximal end portion having at least one flat surface area providing a sun visor storage position locating point; whereby upon impact to the front edge of a sun visor assembly the breakaway notches cause the visor arm structure to absorb energy and collapse the sun visor assembly to a predetermined collapsed position without producing a sharp broken edge to an occupant's head.