Multipurpose sun visor

A blank formed from a flexible sheet material has arcuate inner and outer margins and straight margins which diverge from the inner margin to the outer margin. In addition, the blank has inner and outer arcuate score lines which generally follow the contours of the inner and outer margins, and divide the blank into a main panel located between the score lines, an abutment panel located between the inner score line and the inner margin, and a narrow lip located between the outer score line and the arcuate outer margin. The abutment panel folds downwardly with respect to the main panel along the inner score line, while the lip folds upwardly along the outer score line. These folds impart an upward bow to the main panel, yet hold the main panel oblique to the abutment panel so that it does not drop too far downwardly when the abutment panel is held against the user's forehead with an elastic head band. This band attaches to the main panel such that the force exerted on the visor by it directs the lower margin of the abutment panel slightly away from the user's forehead so as to avoid discomfort. The main panel near one of its side margins has a slit and near the other one has a tab which with fits into and interlocks with the slit. This enables the blank to assume a conical configuration in which is functions as a megaphone. The megaphone easily becomes a party hat. Several of the blanks, when folded into visors, may be attached together end-to-end at the tabs and slits, to form a sun shade.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates in general to sun visors and more particularly to a 
sun visor that is adaptable to other uses. 
Sporting events held in open stadiums attract large numbers of spectators 
and as such represent a popular form of entertainment. By far the greatest 
number of these events occur during the summer and fall of the year, 
seasons when the sun is least likely to be obscured. Indeed, the sun 
creates considerable glare, and many spectators find it necessary to wear 
a visor of one type or another. Aside from that sporting events generate 
considerable spirit, and it is not uncommon for spectators to purchase 
clothing and other accessories bearing the names and symbols of teams 
participating in the contests. 
The present invention concerns a sun visor which comfortably conforms to 
the user's head, and further may be easily converted to several other 
uses, namely a megaphone, a fan, a more expansive sunshade, or a party 
hat. Moreover, the visor has a large surface area to which the name or 
symbol of a sporting team or some other organization may be applied or on 
which an advertising message may be placed, and as such the visor is 
ideally suited for sale at sporting events.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring now to the drawings, a sun visor A (FIG. 1) fits comfortably 
against the forehead of the user where it is held in place by an elastic 
band B which extends from the visor along the sides of and around the back 
of the user's head. When in place, the visor A is inclined downwardly from 
the user's forehead just enough to shade the user's eyes, but does not 
obstruct the user's vision. 
The visor A is derived from a blank C (FIG. 7) which is cut from a flexible 
sheet-like material that is preferably durable and water repellant. 
Polyethylene is one such material, and although paperboard will also 
suffice, it is not nearly as durable as polymers. The thickness of the 
material is not too critical, although the material should be thin enough 
to flex relatively easily and to fold at score lines, yet thick enough to 
withstand forces, such as light wind loads, that might otherwise distort 
it. The blank C is easily converted into the visor A by making two simple 
folds and attaching the elastic band B. 
Considering the visor A first in terms of the blank C (FIG. 7) from which 
it is derived, the blank C has an arcuate inner margin 2 and an arcuate 
outer margin 4 as well as side margins 6 and B which merge into the 
margins 2 and 4 at rounded corners 10. The arcuate inner and outer margins 
2 and 4 lie generally concentric to each other and are thus parallel, the 
space between them being about 63/4 in. The side margins 6 and 8, on the 
other hand, are straight and diverge from the inner margin 2 to the outer 
margin 4, with the angle between the two being between 80.degree. and 
100.degree. and preferably about 90.degree.. The four margins 2, 4, 6, and 
8 together with the four corners 10 constitute the border or perimeter of 
the blank C, but not necessarily the visor A. 
The blank C contains two score lines 16 and 18, both of which generally 
follow the curvature of the arcuate margins 2 and 4 and extend the full 
width of the blank C. As such, the score lines 16 and 18 divide the blank 
C into three sections: namely a center or main panel 20, an abutment panel 
22 and a front lip 24. The main panel 20 lies between the two score lines 
16 and 18 and possesses the greatest area. The abutment panel 22 exists 
between the score line 16 and the inner margin 2, whereas the front lip 24 
lies between the score line 18 and the outer margin 4. The former is 
somewhat wider than the latter, but neither occupies nearly the area of 
the main panel 20. 
The inner score line 16 extends from the one side margin 6 to the other 
side margin B and intersects those margins beyond the two corners 10 at 
the ends of the arcuate inner margin 2. Moreover, the score line 16 lies 
generally concentric to the inner margin 2, but is slightly closer to the 
inner margin 2 at its ends than midway between its ends. Indeed, midway 
between their respective ends, the score line 16 and the inner margin 2 
are spaced about 1 3/16 in. apart. The score line 16 permits the abutment 
panel 22 to be folded downwardly with respect to the main panel 20, and 
when the panel 22 is so folded, the main panel 20 acquires an upwardly 
directed bow. 
The outer score line 18, in contrast to the inner line 16, does not extend 
out to the end margins 4 and 6, but instead terminates or runs out into 
the two rounded corners 10 which are located at the ends of the outer 
margin 4, intersecting those rounded corners 10 approximately midway 
between their ends. While the outer sore line 18 generally follows the 
curvature of the outer margin 4, it is substantially closer to that margin 
at its ends than midway between its ends. Indeed, the spacing between the 
score line 18 and the outer margin is about 7/16 in. midway between their 
ends, whereas at their ends it is about 1/8 in. The score line 18 enables 
the lip to be folded upwardly with respect to the main panel 20. 
Near the side margin 6 the center panel 20 is provided with a slit 30 that 
lies parallel to the margin 6. Moreover, the slit 30, which is about 3/4 
in. long, lies somewhat closer to the score line 16 than the score line 
18. The slit 30 is set about 1/2 in. inwardly from the margin 6. 
On its other side adjacent to the side margin 8, the panel 20 is provided 
with another slit 32 which delineates a tab 34 that projects toward the 
margin 8. The tab 34 has rounded corners 36, and where it merges with the 
main body of the panel 20 it is provided with small cutouts 38. Although 
the tab 34 is slightly wider than the slit 30 is long, in the regions of 
its cutouts 38, it is slightly narrower than the slit 30 is long. When the 
blank C is bent into the shape of a cone, the tab 34 may be manipulated 
into the slit 30 and when fully inserted will engage the panel 20 at its 
cutouts 38, thus enabling the tab 34 to lock within the slit 30 (FIG. 8). 
As such the tab 34 is presented outwardly where it may be bent away from 
the main panel 20 to serve as a handle. 
Near the rounded corners 10 at the ends of the inner margin 2, the abutment 
panel 22 for the blank C has small holes 44, there being one generally at 
the center of curvature for each of the two corners 10. The holes 46 are 
large enough to loosely receive the elastic band B. The main panel 20 has 
similar holes 45 near the ends of the score line 16, these holes being set 
inwardly slightly from both the score line 16 and their respective side 
margins 6 and 8, and still more holes 46 which are likewise located along 
the score line 16 but are set further inwardly, perhaps as much as 2 in. 
from the holes 45. As such, the spacing between the two holes 46 is 
slightly greater than the spacing between the holes 46 and their 
respective side margins 6 and 8. The holes 45 and 46 are likewise large 
enough to loosely receive the elastic band B. Finally, the lip 24 contains 
two more holes 48 which are spread such that they will be located 
180.degree. from each other when the blank C is bent into a cone and held 
in that configuration with the tab 34 locked into the slit 30. The holes 
4B are also large enough to loosely receive the band B. 
The band B includes a string 52 which is elastic and therefore can be 
stretched, but when released will of course return to its original length. 
At each of its ends, the string 52 has a metal clip 54 which is straight 
and connects with the string 52 generally midway between the ends of the 
clip 54. This enables the clip 54 to be moved into a position in which it 
is generally parallel to the string 52, and when so disposed, it will pass 
through any one of the holes 44, 45, 46 and 48 along with the string 52 to 
which it is connected. Once through the hole, the clip 54 turns 
perpendicular to that portion of the string 52 which extends from it and 
thus prevents the string 52 from being withdrawn through the particular 
hole 44, 45, 46 or 48 through which it was threaded. 
The blank C is easily transformed into the visor A, and to effect the 
conversion the lip 24 is folded upwardly with respect to the main panel 20 
along the curved score line 18 (FIG. 5). On the other hand, the abutment 
panel 22 is folded downwardly with respect to the main panel 20 along the 
score line 16, indeed at a substantially greater angle than the lip 24. 
These folds impart a somewhat convex configuration or bow to the main 
panel 20, at least transversely between its side margins 6 and 8, with the 
bow being greatest along the shorter score line 16. Moreover, the folds at 
the score lines 16 and 18 become the inner and outer margins of the main 
panel 20. Furthermore, the clips 54 at the ends of the string 52 of the 
band B are inserted through holes 46 in main panel 20 and then turned 
parallel to the panel 20 so that the band B cannot be withdrawn from the 
holes 46. 
With the blank C so configured, that is to provide the sun visor A, the 
elastic band B is stretched and fitted around the back of the user's head 
while the abutment panel 22 is brought against the user's forehead (FIG. 
1). Once the band B is released, it contracts and holds the abutment panel 
22 snugly against the forehead, the force being transmitted from the clips 
54 through those small portions of the main panel 20 that lie between the 
holes 46 and the score line 16. Actually, the inner margin 2 is directed 
slightly away from the user's forehead, this being by reason of the 
application of the retaining force at the holes 46, so the margin 2, which 
is an edge, does not press into the forehead and create discomfort. In 
other words, the elastic band B pulls the upper portion of the panel 22 
snugly against the user's forehead and causes the lower portion including 
the margin 2 to remain somewhat away from the forehead. The upper portion 
of the main panel 20 assumes the curvature of the score line 16, which is 
in essence against the user's forehead, but the curvature is less 
pronounced along the lower score line 18. In any event, the upper surface 
of the panel 20 acquires a convex shape from one side margin 6 to the 
other margin 8 (FIG. 6), curving generally over the user's eyes where it 
shades them from the glare of the sun. As such, the main panel 20 lies 
obliquely with respect to the abutment panel 22 and the user's forehead, 
indeed so much so that an acute angle exists between the two. Actually, 
the natural tendency of the panel 20 is to fold flat against the abutment 
panel 22, and if this occurred, the main panel 20 would completely block 
the user's eyes. The lip 24, when turned upwardly from the main panel 20 
at an obtuse angle prevents this, for it stiffens the main panel 20 along 
its lower edge so that the lower region of the main panel 20 cannot assume 
a curvature as pronounced as the upper region. Consequently, the main 
panel 20 projects obliquely outwardly from the abutment pane 22, has a 
transverse curvature which becomes progressively less beyond the score 
line 16, and otherwise assumes an inclination and curvature most suitable 
for protecting the user's eyes from the glare of the sun. 
The blank C may also be converted into a megaphone D (FIG. 8). For this 
transformation, the blank C, while the abutment panel 22 and lip 24 are 
extended from it with no break at either of the score lines 16 or 18, is 
bent into a conical configuration. Indeed the side margin 8 is brought 
over the side margin 6 and likewise over the end of the tab 34, whereupon 
the tab 34 is inserted through the slit 30, it being bowed slightly to 
reduce its width to the length of the slit 30. The tab 34 moves through 
the slit 30 until its cutouts 38 align with the ends of the slit 30, 
whereupon the sides of the tab 34 spread outwardly so that the two sides 
of the blank C lock together at the slit 30 and tab 34. The inner and 
outer margins 2 and 4 of the blank C likewise become curved, the former 
forming the small end of the megaphone D and the latter the large end. The 
tab 34 forms a handle for holding the megaphone D. 
The megaphone D in turn may be converted into a party hat E (FIG. 9) simply 
by inserting the clips 54 at the ends of the elastic band B through the 
holes 48 in the lip 24 and then turning those clips parallel to the 
surface which surrounds their respective holes 48. In this regard, the 
holes 48 are spaced 180.degree. apart when the tab 34 interlocks with the 
slit 30. The string 52 of band B loops downwardly to provide a thin strap 
for holding the hat E on the user's head. 
Thus, the hat E is placed on the user's head with the outer margin 4, now 
curved into a circle, against the top of the head, and the inner margin 
presented upwardly. The string 52 extends downwardly along the sides of 
the user's head and loops under the user's chin to hold the hat E in 
place. 
Several of the blanks C, preferably three of them C-1, C-2 and C-3, may be 
connected together end to end to provide a shade F (FIG. 10) for 
protecting the front and sides of the user's head from the sun. To this 
end, each of the three blanks C is folded along its score line lB such 
that the lip 24 is turned upwardly, all as with the sun visor A. Then the 
three blanks C-1, C-2 and C-3 are connected together end to end. In this 
regard, the side margin 8 on the first blank C-1 is passed under the side 
margin 6 of the second blank C-2, and the tab 34 of the first blank C-1 is 
inserted through the slit 30 of the second blank C. Indeed, the tab 34 is 
forced to its fullest extent into the slit 30, and accordingly interlocks 
with the ends of the slit 30, thus securing the two blanks C-1 and C-2 
together. The third blank C-3 is connected to the first blank C-1 in a 
like manner, that is to say that the tab 34 on the blank C-3 is 
interlocked with the slit 30 of the blank C-1. This creates a somewhat 
circular arrangement of the blanks C-1, C-2 and C-3, but even so, the tab 
34 of the third blank C-3 remains detached from the slit 30 of the second 
blank C-2. The elastic band B is looped several times between the detached 
ends of the blanks C-2 and C-3, where it passes through the closely spaced 
holes 44 and 45 in each. Another elastic band B extends between the holes 
46 in the blank C-1, the center of the three blanks C-1, C-2, C-3. 
The shade F fits over the user's head, resting on it along the panels 22 of 
the three interlocked blanks C-1, C-2, C-3, for the elastic band B which 
is looped several times between the blanks C-2 and C-3 urges all three 
abutment panels 22 against the user's head, with the panel 22 of the blank 
C-1 being against the forehead and the panels 22 of the blanks C-2 and C-3 
being against the sides of the head. In other words, the elastic band B 
renders the sun shade F adjustable so that it can fit heads of varying 
size. The main panels 20 of the three blanks C-1, C-2 and C-3 project 
obliquely outwardly beyond the forehead, sides, and back of the user's 
head, each being stabilized by its lip 24 which turns upwardly or at least 
outwardly along its outer score line 18. In other words, each lip 24, when 
turned back toward its respective main panel 20 so as to be disposed at an 
angle with respect to the panel 20, prevents the panel 20 from assuming an 
excessive angle along its other score line 16 and thereby turning too far 
downwardly. The other elastic band B, that is the one that attaches to the 
panel C-1, extends around the back of the user's head or under the user's 
chin and holds the sun shade F on the user's head. 
Finally, the blank C may be used as a fan for moving air in front of the 
user's face on still days. 
The panel 20 for the blank C is quite large and visible irrespective of 
whether the blank C is used as the sun visor A, the megaphone D, the hat E 
or the sunshade F, and as such provides an excellent location for 
displaying advertising messages or other information. 
The invention, while being a visor, need not have that traditional 
appearance of a visor. Indeed, it may take on less orthodox shapes, 
perhaps the shape of an animal that may be the mascot of a sports team or 
university. For example, a modified visor G (FIG. 11) resembles the head 
of a bird, such as a cardinal, but like the visor A, it has a main panel 
60, an abutment panel 62 at one end of the main panel 60 and a lip 64 at 
the other end of the main panel 60. The abutment panel 62 turns downwardly 
from the main panel 60 along a rear score line 66 and follows the contour 
of the user's forehead along which it is located when the visor G is in 
use. The lip 64 turns upwardly from the opposite or forward end of the 
main panel along a score line 68, and as such maintains the main panel in 
an outwardly directed orientation with respect to the abutment panel 62 
and the user's forehead. Otherwise the main panel 60 would drop downwardly 
in front of the user's face to obscure his vision. 
While the score line 66 resembles a simple arc--and well it should for it 
is along the user's forehead--the other score line 68 has two segments 
which converge forwardly, and this imparts a V-shaped configuration to the 
main panel 60. Indeed, the main panel 60 resembles the head of a bird with 
the region of convergence for the segments of the score line 68 being the 
beak. The greater surface area created in the main panel 60 by reason of 
the V-shaped configuration may be marked to resemble the eyes, beak and 
other features of a bird, or it may bear advertising messages, or both. 
In addition to the two panels 60 and 62 and the lip 64 the visor G has a 
decorative panel 70 which is connected to the abutment panel 62 along a 
score line 72 where it turns upwardly along the abutment panel 60 and 
projects above it, terminating at a peak 74. The decorative panel 70 thus 
resembles the head feathers of a bird. Actually when the visor G is in 
use, the decorative panel 70 is against the user's forehead, whereas the 
abutment panel is for the most part interposed between the decorative 
panel 70 and the main panel 60. 
The visor G is held against the user's forehead by an elastic band B which 
attaches to the main panel 60 inwardly from its edge and extends around 
the user's head. 
This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the 
example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure 
which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the 
invention.