US4070054A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bearing for a sun visor body of a motor vehicle
Assignee: Johnson Controls Interiors GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1976-09-23
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Granted: 1978-01-24
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Expires: 1996-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle sun visor is rotatably mounted by a bearing on a spindle; the bearing has a U-shaped spring supported thereon and wrapped about the spindle; the U-shaped spring presses against the spindle; snap together, hook-like fastening elements hold the legs in the U-shaped spring together to squeeze them against the bearing spindle.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt Cziptschirsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:42
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J3/00; B60J3/02; F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32262; Y10T403/32418; Y10T403/60; Y10T403/606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A bearing for a sun visor body, comprising: a spindle about which the visor body is pivotable; a bearing body wrapped about said spindle; a bearing spring; means in said body for receiving said bearing spring and for permitting access by said spring to said spindle; said spring comprising: a U-shaped length of material having two legs; said spring receiving said spindle between its said legs; a hook on one said spring leg; a hookable member on the other said spring leg; said hookable member being shaped and positioned such that as said spring legs are brought toward each other, said hook and said hookable member snap together, thereby to hold said legs tightly against said spindle therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A bearing for a sun visor body, comprising: a spindle about which the visor body is pivotable; a bearing body wrapped about said spindle; a bearing spring; means in said body for receiving said bearing spring and for permitting access by said spring to said spindle; said spring comprising: a U-shaped length of material having two legs; said spring receiving said spindle between its said legs; a hook on one said spring leg; a hookable member on the other said spring leg; said hookable member being shaped and positioned such that as said spring legs are brought toward each other, said hook and said hookable member snap together, thereby to hold said legs tightly against said spindle therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 1, wherein said hookable member comprises an arm attached to said other spring leg and said arm having a first free end; said arm extending generally across the direction of extension of said spring legs; said hook including a second free end, which is engagable with said arm and which is positioned to override said arm toward its said first free end as said spring legs are moved together, until said second free end moves past said first free end and said first free end engages said hook, whereby said hook and said hookable member are thereafter hooked together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 1, wherein said hookable member comprises a generally V-shaped member with an apex and with one arm being said arm and with the other arm being attached to said other spring leg; both said arms of said V-shaped member extending away from said apex; said first arm of said V-shaped member terminating in said first free end; said apex of said V-shaped member extending toward said one spring leg.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 3, wherein said hookable member is comprised of resilient material; said one arm being normally biased toward said hook second free end when they are in engagement; said hook being comprised of resilient material and its said second end being normally biased toward said hookable member free arm when they are in engagement, whereby said hook and said hookable member snap fasten together as said second free end rides past said first free end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 4, wherein the entire said spring, including said hook and said hookable member, is a single integral piece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 5, wherein the entire said spring is comprised of resilient material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 5, wherein said spring is comprised so as to normally urge said spring legs apart and the said bringing together of said spring legs for snapping together said hook and said hookable member urges said spring legs against their normal spring bias.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 4, wherein said means of said body for receiving said bearing spring comprises an opening in said bearing body at said spindle; said spring being located at said opening in said bearing body and being in engagement with said spindle at said opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 4, wherein said spindle is of non-circular exterior profile at the place along the length of said spindle with which said spring is in engagement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 4, wherein said hook is comprised of a first bend in said one spring leg at right angles to the direction of extension of said one leg and defining a portion extending toward said other spring leg and a second right angle bend, spaced from said first bend and closer to said second free end, at right angles to said portion of said one leg.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 10, wherein said second bend is directed to cause said second free end to point generally back along said one leg toward said spindle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 10, wherein said second bend is directed to cause said second free end to point generally away from said spindle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 10, wherein said V-shaped member is oriented to extend generally sideways to said other leg of said spring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 10, wherein said spring is comprised so as to normally urge said spring legs apart and the said bringing together of said spring legs for snapping together said hook and said hookable member urges said spring legs against their normal spring bias.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
The bearing for a sun visor body of claim 1, wherein said spring is comprised so as to normally urge said spring legs apart and the said bringing together of said spring legs for snapping together said hook and said hookable member urges said spring legs against their normal spring bias.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-23 | 1981-07-25 | 1982-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-23 | 1985-07-25 | 1986-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-23 | 1989-07-25 | 1990-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |