Abstract:
A side window visor designed to attach to a vehicle window channel. The side window visor can be arranged and configured to extend over a portion of a window area for preventing inclement weather from entering the, passenger cabin with the window slightly opened. A full length tab is reduced to form a plurality of tabs along the tab area of a side window visor. The plurality of tabs located on the side window visor allows the auto-up window feature to be used without causing large resistance and retraction of the window.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/524,953 that was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jun. 15, 2012. The entire disclosure of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/524,953 is incorporated herein by reference. A claim of priority is made to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/524,953. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a side window visor for a motor vehicle, a method of installing a side window visor on a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle having a side window visor. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Side window visors are sometimes referred to as vent visors and wind deflectors. Side window visors have been used to decrease the amount of wind noise that results from opening a side window while the vehicle is in motion, shade portions of the interior of the vehicle from the sun, and prevent precipitation from entering a partially opened window. Side window visors can be helpful in expunging undesirable odors, such as cigarette smoke, from the interior of the vehicle; reducing window fogging; and maintaining a relatively cool interior even when the vehicle&#39;s cooling system are turned off, such as when the vehicle is parked and the engine is not running. 
         [0004]    Another advantage of a side window visor is that it may decrease the noise level created by the wind while driving a motor vehicle with the windows slightly open. The side window visor allows fresh air to be circulated within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle while providing shielding from rain. 
         [0005]    Side window visors are commonly fastened to the exterior of a vehicle doorframe via mechanical fasteners such as clips, bolts, screws, and the like. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,633 to Lingg; U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,645 to Schenk et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,126 to Kanie. Alternative side window visors are available that can be attached to vehicles without the need of mechanical hardware such as clips, screws and bolts. Two types of side window visors are commonly known, an in-channel side window visor and an external side window visor. The in-channel side window visor can be mounted using adhesive inside a window channel of a vehicle. The external side window visor can be mounted using screws and bolts or adhesive to the exterior of a vehicle. 
         [0006]    Side window visors have been made of acrylic, although side window visors may conceivably be manufactured from various other plastics and lightweight metals. Side window visors are designed to easily be attached to a vehicle door. Some side window visors mount directly to the frame of the vehicle door using double-sided acrylic foam tape, while other side window visors are installed in the window channel. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,718 to Steenblik et al. 
         [0007]    Several vehicle manufacturers have recently introduced the safety features on windows. In order to prevent injury during the operation of auto-up windows, the vehicle manufacturers have incorporated a safety feature where the window retracts back down if the window experiences sufficient resistance during the operation of the auto-up feature. Presently available in-channel style visors have a tendency to increase resistance when closing a window during auto-up thereby triggering the safety feature. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a solution to in-channel visors that interfere with a vehicle&#39;s electrical system when activating the auto-up feature of a window. The invention is a side window visor that incorporates a design with a plurality of tabs thereby reducing the flange length unlike existing in-channel designs that incorporate a full flange length. The side window visor according to the present invention enables the window to fully close without retracting back down while using the auto-up feature. The invention also relates to a method for installing the side window visor to a motor vehicle. 
         [0009]    The side window visor includes a visor body having an upper window gasket running length that is constructed to follow an upper edge of a vehicle window gasket and extend from a visor body leading edge to a visor body trailing edge. A plurality of tabs extend from the visor body upper window gasket running length. The plurality of tabs are spaced from each other by gaps and adhesive tape is provided along the plurality of tabs. 
         [0010]    A motor vehicle and side window visor includes a vehicle door frame having a window frame, a window gasket, and a window channel. The window frame defines an opening for the window gasket to fit and forms the window channel. The window channel is configured to receive a window and the side window visor is adhered within the window channel of the vehicle door frame. The side window visor includes a visor body having an upper window gasket running length that is constructed to follow an upper edge of a vehicle window gasket extending from a visor body leading edge to a visor body trailing edge. A plurality of tabs extend from the visor body upper window gasket running length where the plurality of tabs are spaced from each other by gaps and adhesive tape is provided along the plurality of tabs. 
         [0011]    A method of mounting a side window visor on a vehicle door includes adhering the side window visor into a window channel of the vehicle door. The side window visor includes a visor body having an upper window gasket running length and is constructed to follow an upper edge of a vehicle window gasket and extend from a visor body leading edge to a visor body trailing edge. A plurality of tabs extend from the visor body upper window gasket running length and the plurality of tabs are spaced from each other by gaps. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a vehicle having a side window visor mounted thereon according to the principles of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a portion of the vehicle and side window visor shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a trailing portion of the vehicle and side window visor shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a middle portion of the vehicle and side window visor of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a leading portion of the vehicle and side window visor of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle door and side window visor of  FIG. 2  taken along line  6 - 6 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle door and side window visor of  FIG. 2  taken along line  7 - 7 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the side window visor of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the visor of  FIG. 8  taken along line  9 - 9 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a partial enlarged view of a portion of the visor of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a top view of a portion of the side window visor of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a side window visor according to the principles of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a partial enlarged view of a portion of the side window visor of  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like structure. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a side window visor  30  is shown mounted to a motor vehicle  100 . The side window visor  30  can be characterized as an in-channel style visor. An in-channel style visor is one that mounts inside a window channel. The side window visor  30  is an in-channel style visor that does not mount to the exterior of a vehicle. The exterior of a vehicle refers to the portion of the vehicle outside of the window channel. The window channel is the portion of the vehicle that receives the window when the window is fully up.  FIG. 1  shows the side window visor  30  installed on a vehicle  100  mounted inside a window channel. It is to be understood that motor vehicles vary and as such, vehicle  100  is only representative. In vehicle  100 , there is depicted a window gasket  28 , a window frame  110 , a side passenger window  130 , and a mirror cap  150 . The side window visor  30  follows the contour of the window gasket  28  between a forward edge A and a rearward edge B. This distance along the upper edge of the visor between the forward edge A and the rearward edge B can be referred to as the upper window gasket running length  10 . The side window visor  30  includes a visor body  32  having an upper window running length constructed to follow the upper edge of the window gasket  28 . The side window visor  30  is shown mounted to a side passenger window  130  for illustrative purposes. It should be understood that a side window visor that is essentially a mirror image can be mounted to a driver&#39;s side window frame  111 . Furthermore, side window visors having the same principles can be used for attaching to left and right rear window frames on a vehicle. The vehicle  100  is shown having a rear right side door  18  and a rear side window frame  109 . A visor can be attached to the rear side window frame  109  following the upper window running length from edge C to edge D, if desired. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-5 , the side window visor  30  includes a visor body  32  and a plurality of tabs  34  and is shown installed in a motor vehicle. The plurality of tabs  34  are illustrated as being outlined to indicate they are actually hidden and installed in a window channel of a vehicle  100 .  FIG. 2  shows a door frame  120  with a top edge  18  and two substantially straight portions  20  and  22 , which are angled with respect to one another. More specifically,  FIG. 2  shows a window gasket  28 . The visor body  32  includes an upper window gasket running length  10  having a trailing edge  40  and a leading edge  42 . The upper window gasket running length  10  is the distance along the upper edge of the visor from the forward edge A to the rearward edge B. Terminating from the trailing edge  40  is a rearward tab  46  and terminating from the leading edge  42  is a forward tab  44 . The visor body  32  further includes a front tab  34   a , a middle tab  34   b , and a rear tab  34   c  to yield a plurality of tabs  34  integral with the visor body  32  and located along the tab area  36 . The plurality of tabs  34  extend along the upper window gasket running length  10 . The plurality of tabs  34  do not include the forward tab  44  or the rearward tab  46 . The side window visor  30  can be adhered to the inside of the window channel  14  using double faced adhesive tape  38 . An exemplary tape that can be used is 3M™ 5345 Automotive Tape. The adhesive tape  38  is placed on the plurality of tabs  34 , the rearward tab  46  and the forward tab  44 . The plurality of tabs  34  have a thickness that can be as thick as the visor body  32  or thinner than the visor body  32 . The visor body  32  can be either thermoformed or injection molded. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the visor body  32  has an upper window gasket running length  10  and is constructed to follow the top edge  18  of a door frame  120 . The plurality of tabs  34  extend upwardly from the visor body  32  having an upper window gasket running length  10 . By providing a plurality of tabs  34  with gaps  13  between the plurality of tabs  34 , it is possible to reduce the interferences between the side window visor  30  and the side window  130  when the side window  130  engages the side window channel  26 . Accordingly, by providing a plurality of tabs  34  spaced by gaps  13 , the resistance between the side window visor  30  and the side window  130  can be significantly reduced so that the side window  130  can fully close during an “auto-up” and without triggering a safety feature, found on many vehicles, where the side window  130  retracts during “auto-up” if there is too much resistance. Furthermore, the plurality of tabs  34  provide sufficient surface area so that the side window visor  30  can be sufficiently secured in place within the window channel  14 . The plurality of tabs  34  and gaps  13  there between can be characterized, if desired, based on the upper window gasket running length  10 . For example, the plurality of tabs  34  can have a running length (the summation of the running length of the plurality of tabs  34 ) that is about 20% or less than the running length of the upper window gasket running length  10 . This reduction in the running length helps reduce the interference between the side window visor  30  and the side window  130 . The plurality of tabs  34  can have a running length that is sufficient to allow the side window visor  30  to remain in place in the window channel  14 . This running length can depend on the aggressiveness of the adhesive or adhesive tape used to hold the side window visor  30  to the window channel  14 . In general, it is expected that the running length of the plurality of tabs  34  can be at least about 10% of the upper window gasket running length  10 . The plurality of tabs  34  can have a total running length that is about 10 percent to about 20 percent of the visor body  32  upper window gasket running length  10 . Adhesive tape  38  can be provided on the outside  31 ,  33 ,  35  of the plurality of tabs  34 , where the plurality of tabs  34  seat inside the window channel  14 . 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, the visor body  32  has an upper window gasket running length  10  and is constructed to follow the top edge  18  of a door frame  120 . The side window visor  30  includes the plurality of tabs  34  that interface with the window channel  14  and the side window visor  30  includes the rearward tab  46  that extends from the trailing edge  40  and the forward tab  44  that extends from the leading edge  42 . The forward tab  44  interfaces the window channel  14  and the rearward tab  46  interfaces the window channel  14 . Adhesive tape  38  is provided on the outside  31 ,  33 ,  35  of the plurality of tabs  34 , the outside  47  of the rearward tab  46  and the outside  45  of the forward tab  44 , where the plurality of tabs  34 , the rearward tab  46 , and the forward tab  44  seat inside the window channel  14 . 
         [0030]    In another embodiment, the visor body  32  has an upper window gasket running length  10  and is constructed to follow the top edge  18  of a door frame  120 . The side window visor  30  includes the plurality of tabs  34  that interface with the window channel  14  and the forward tab  44  interfaces the mirror cap  150  and the rearward tab  46  interfaces a side window channel  26 . The plurality of tabs  34  have a total running length that is about 10 percent to about 20 percent of the visor body  32  upper window gasket running length  10 . Here, the forward tab  44  and the rearward tab  46  are not mounted within the window channel  14 . As such, the forward tab  44  and the rearward tab  46  can be positioned in the same plane as the plurality of tabs  34  or in a plane that is shifted from the plane of the plurality of tabs  34  such that the forward tab  44  and the rearward tab  46  do not engage the window. The forward tab  44  can be seated behind the mirror cap  150  and the rearward tab  46  can be seated within the side window channel  26 . 
         [0031]    The side window visor  30  discussed in the embodiments above is similar. The way the side window visor  30  is mounted would depend on the type of vehicle used. Nonetheless, the side window visor  30  is sufficient to fit vehicles having differently shaped door frames and windows. It should be understood that in alternative embodiments the plurality of tabs  34  can be configured differently than is shown in FIG.  2 . For example, the plurality of tabs  34  can be separated by smaller spaces while maintaining the same total running length that is about 10 percent to about 20 percent of the visor body  32  upper window gasket running length  10 . 
         [0032]    In addition, the forward tab  44  can be configured with a different tab length as shown in  FIGS. 12-13 . To adjust the tab length provides flexibility of the side window visor  30  to fit vehicles having differently shaped door frames  120  or window gasket  28 . It should be appreciated that many other alternative embodiments for the plurality of tabs  34 , the forward tab  44  and the rearward tab  46  are possible. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2  shown.  FIG. 6  shows the door frame  120  and the window frame  110  including a passage that creates a gasket opening  27 . The gasket opening  27  forms a window gasket  28  with lip seals  15  to create the window channel  14  and receives the side passenger window  130  and the side window visor  30 . 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 2  is shown. The door frame  120  and the window frame  110  are depicted with a passage that creates a gasket opening  27 . The gasket opening  27  forms the window gasket  28  with lip seals  15  to create the window channel  14  and receives the side passenger window  130  and the side window visor  30 .  FIG. 7  shows the middle tab  34   b  mounted inside a window channel  14 . The middle tab  34   b  has adhesive tape  38  attached on the outside  33 . The adhesive tape  38  engages the window channel  14  to secure the side window visor  30  therein. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a front view of the side window visor  30  is shown. The side window visor  30  has an upper window gasket running length  10 . The visor body  32  includes the rearward tab  46  that extends from the trailing edge  40  and the forward tab  44  that extends from the leading edge  42 . The gaps  13  are shown between the plurality of tabs  34  along the tab area  36 . Adhesive tape  38  is shown applied to the plurality of tabs  34 , the forward tab  44  and the rearward tab  46 . The adhesive tape  38  can be approximately 5 mm wide for the plurality of tabs  34  and 10 mm wide for both the forward tab  44  and the rearward tab  46 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9-10 , a cross-sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  is depicted. The side window visor  30  depicts a cross-sectional view towards the trailing edge  40  to show an offset  50  at the lower end of the rearward tab  46 . The offset  50  bumps approximately 0.04 mm outward below the rearward tab  46  to help funnel the window  130  when traveling past the side window visor  30 . The height of the offset  50  can be approximately 0.43 mm.  FIG. 10  is a partial enlargement of  FIG. 9  showing the offset  50 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a top view of a portion of the side window visor  30  is shown. The rear tab  34   c  project out from the tab area  36  and the rearward tab  46  extends from the trailing edge  40  of the side window visor  30 . Adhesive tape  38  can be applied to the outside  47  of the rearward tab  46  and to the outside  35  of the rear tab  34   c . The adhesive tape  38  can be approximately 5 mm wide for rear tab  34   c  and approximately 10 mm wide for the rearward tab  46 . The adhesive tape  38  can be used to maximize retention to the window channel  14 . 
         [0038]    The method of mounting a side window visor  30  onto a vehicle  100  includes an adhesive tape  38 , double stick tape, that can be applied to the plurality of tabs  34 . A liner  38   a  on the adhesive tape  38  remains on the plurality of tabs  34  to be removed prior to installation. The rearward tab  46  and the forward tab  44  each can include adhesive tape  38  on the outside  47 ,  35 . Prior to installing the side window visor  30  the liner  38   a  on the adhesive tape  38  is removed. The side window visor  30  can be aligned to the visor body  32  upper window gasket running length  10  to properly position the side window visor  30 . The exposed adhesive tape  38  faces away from the vehicle  100 . The side window visor  30  can be slideably guided to allow the plurality of tabs  34  to engage the window channel  14  and rests therein. The side window visor  30  can be firmly pulled against the window channel  14  to compress the adhesive tape  38  firmly against the window channel  14  thereby fixing the side window visor  30  to the vehicle  100 . 
         [0039]    A side window visor  30  according to the principles of the present invention can be made from a plastic material, such as a thermoplastic material. The side window visor  30  can be made using conventional techniques, including injection molding, injection blow molding, compression molding, injection stretch molding, composite injection molding, roto-molding, and the like. It is understood that the side window visor  30  can be molded by thermoforming or injection molding. The thermoplastic material includes a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, polycarbonates, acrylics, polystyrenes, polypropylenes, and mixtures thereof. In an embodiment, the side window visor  30  can be formed from a thermoplastic sheet which has been pre-cut or in the form of a continuous web or roll formed. Preferably the side window visor  30  can be made of acrylic material. 
         [0040]    The side window visor  30  can be thermoformed from a uniform sheet of material, preferably acrylic, to obtain a uniform profile with a thickness of approximately 0.05 inches. The side window visor  30  may be thinner when it is formed from an injection mold process. For example, when using an injection molding process the side window visor  30  can have a thickness of approximately 0.07 inches and the plurality of tabs  34  can have a thickness of approximately 0.05 inches. On the other hand, using a thermoforming process the side window visor  30  and the plurality of tabs  34  both can have a thickness of approximately 0.05 inches. 
         [0041]    According to the present disclosure, the side window visor  30  may include a forward tab  44  and a rearward tab  46  that extend the width of the side window visor  30 . The forward tab  44  and the rearward tab  46  provide stability to the side window visor  30  while inside the window channel  14  to prevent rocking or any motion that would cause interference with a vehicle window. In addition, the side window visor  30  also includes a tab area  36  that has gaps  13  between a plurality of tabs  34  along the tab area  36 . The side window visor  30  is designed to be rid of the full length tab that extends along the tab area  36  as seen with conventional side window visors. The side window visor includes a plurality of tabs  34  along the tab area  36  that significantly reduces the full length tab. The side window visor  30  provides for less material in the tab area  36  which helps to allow the functionality of the auto-up feature of a window without having it retract back down. Furthermore, the forward tab  44  can also help to allow the functionality of the auto-up feature of a window. Therefore, the plurality of tabs  34  and the forward tab  44  both can impact the operation of the auto-up feature. The plurality of tabs  34  can have a typical width of approximately 7.8 mm and a typical thickness of approximately 1.4 mm. 
         [0042]    The present disclosure describes a side window visor  30  that can have approximately 87% open space in the tab area  36  to provide and maintain the functionality of the auto-up feature in a window channel  14 . In other words, the side window visor  30  includes approximately 13% total tab material for the plurality of tabs  34  arranged and configured in the tab area  36 . Less open space may be required for the rear side window  160 , which is likely due to the electrical manufacturing differences between a front side window and a rear side window. Therefore, approximately 18% total tab material can be present on a visor fitted for the rear side window  160 . Despite having a bulk of material removed from the tab area  36 , the side window visor  30  can be securely held within the window channel  14 . The combination of the plurality of tabs  34  in the tab area  36 , the forward tab  44 , and the rearward tab  46  provide a design efficient to hold the side window visor  30  in place. 
         [0043]    The side window visor  30  includes a visor body  32  having the plurality of tabs  34  extending from the visor body  32 . The plurality of tabs  34  can have a total running length that is about 10% to about 20% of the visor body upper window gasket running length. It is observed that the percentage of material could change as a function of tab thickness or adhesive tape thickness. For example, thinning the adhesive tape  38  can provide an increased amount of tab material on the side window visor  30 . Thinning of the tab generally can decrease the amount of tab material present on the side window visor  30 . Therefore, thinning of the adhesive tape  38  or the tab would change the ratio of tab material to gaps  13  in the tab area  36 . Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the type of vehicle may also alter the thickness and therefore the percentage of tab material. As one in the art may know, many configurations or variations of the disclosure may be utilized. 
         [0044]    The plurality of tabs  34 , the forward tab  44 , and the rearward tab  46  can each have an inside surface and an outside surface. Adhesive tape  38  can be applied to the outside  31 ,  33 ,  35  of each of the plurality of tabs  34 , the outside  45  of the forward tab  44 , and the outside  47  of the rearward tab  46 . The adhesive tape  38  can be approximately 0.8 mm thick and covers the outsides  31 ,  33 ,  35  of the plurality of tabs  34 , the outside  45  of the forward tab  44 , and the outside  47  of the rearward tab  46 . The adhesive tape  38  can have a width of at least approximately 6 mm to approximately 10 mm. The adhesive tape  38  can be 5 mm wide and can maximize retention to the window channel  14 . 
         [0045]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention and other modifications within the scope. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. It is understood that the description herein is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to be limitative.