TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to the general field of rear view mirrors and sun visor and more particularly to a rear-viewing or sun visor assembly that can be easily attached and detached to a relatively thin protruding surface such as the front brim of a hat or cap.

BACKGROUND ART

The ability to have rear vision has long been a subject of interest and fascination. Even in Roman mythology, the deity Janus had two faces that gave him the ability to see behind him. With the advent and development of vehicles, and especially motorized vehicl the ability to see an area behind the vehicle or to shie the driver from the sun has been an important factor to safe and comfortable driving. Various forms of rear- view mirrors and sun visors are now in common use on all modern vehicles.

In the area of sedentary and bed ridden patients as well as ambulatory patients, a back viewing or sun visor device that is portable, convenient and easy to attached and detach has not been available. Patients in wheel chairs, for example, in many cases are stationary patients that cannot, or at best, have difficulty turnin their heads or chair to allow them a view to their back. The prior art has disclosed several devices that afford

a rear view. However, these devices are either designed for a specific use or are to complex or cumbersome for convenient use especially by older and physically challenged persons. In addition to the above-described needs, there are additional uses for a portable, simple and easily attached and detached back-viewing or sun visor assembly. For example, a person laying on his back, such as when lying on the beach, can utilize a device that can easily and conveniently be adjusted to allow objects to be viewed in both a rear and forward horizontal plane or can be adjusted to shield the eyes from the sun. The prior art is lacking in disclosing such a rear-viewing or sun visor assembly. A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on' the claims of the instant invention however, the following U.S. patents were considered related:

PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED

4,490,012 Magike 25 Dec. 1984

4,307,885 Pidcock 29 Dec. 1981

3,804,495 Rayow 16 Apr. 1974

1,504,344 Hennigh 9 Jun. 1922

The Magiske patent discloses a safety rear view mirror device that includes a detachable mounting base for removably securing it on the brim of a cap. The mounting base is securely clamped to the peak ^• portion of a cap by a mounting screw. A flexible cable is mounted at one end to the mounting base and, the other end, is securely and detachably mounted by a spring clip to a back-viewing mirror. The cable is constructed for easy finger-grip bending to move the mirror into the best rear viewing position.

The Pidcock patent discloses a putting aid that increases a golfer's accuracy on the green. The device includes a short leg and a long leg hingedly secured to the short leg. The long leg is provided with a mirror and the short leg is rigidly secured underneath the peak of a cap worn by the golfer and is located at an angle of 45 relative to the forward direction. When the golfer takes a putting stance,an image of the flag pin making a direct line between the hole on the green and the golf ball appears to the eye closest to the hole. At the same time, the golfer, without head movement, can place the putter face at the appropriate angle to the flag pin image which is viewed as connecting the hole and the ball. Coacting magnets and a flat hinge spring are provided to maintain the long leg in both a housed position and a viewing position, respectively.

The Rayow patent discloses a rear vision reflec¬ tion device adapted to be affixed to a helmet of the type worn by motorcyclists. The device includes a single reflected surface prism mounted on an upright support attached to the visor of the helmet with an adjustable mirror at the other end of the support. The mirror pro¬ vides a rear view reflected sight line to the prism and the prism is normally positioned above the normal forward line of sight of the wearer.

The Hennigh patent discloses a rear view mirror device for use by drivers of vehicles and more particular to motorcyclists. The device is designed to allow posi¬ tioning of the mirror on a driver's hat or cap and rela- tively to the driver's line of vision. The basic structur of the device consists of a thin slender wire. One side of the wire is bent in the form of a common "paper clip" that allows the device to be clipped to a cap brim. The other side of the wire is shaped in the form of the mirror. The wire is then

folde _d over the mirror at each corner to hold the mirror in place.

DISCLOSURE OF TP1E INVENTION

The rear-viewing or sun visor assembly is designed to be attached to the brim of a cap to allow the person wearing the cap to see to his/her rear, side and upwardly or to block the sun from the eyes. All the viewing can be accomplished without having to tilt or move the head. The assembly is particuarly suited to persons confined to wheel chairs. In many cases, these person are stationary patients that may have difficult in mov¬ ing their heads or chairs to allow them a rear or side view. Also, deaf persons must rely solely on their vision to become aware of an approaching person or object. By wearing a cap with the rear-viewing or sun visor assembly attached, the deaf person can now see virtually in all directions to thus minimize his physical handicap. Other uses for the assembly include wearing the assembly while bicycling, jogging, hunting, or while lying in a supine position such as on a beach. When in a supine position by tilting the viewing plate in one direction, a forward horizontal view is provided; by tilting the plate in another direction, a rear horizontal view is provided. The rear-viewing or sun visor assembly is disclosed in two design configurations. In the preferred design, the viewing plate has integrally molded on its upper edge a first slotted sleeve that fits into a second slotted sleeve integrally attached to a hinge plate. The two slotted sleeves are held together by a hinge pin that, in combination, with the slotted pair provides sufficient

friction to allow the hinge plate to be set and retained in any desired angular position. On th'e hinge plate is a spring attached clip that allows the assembly to be clipped to the previously mentioned hat or cap brim.

The second embodiment differs from the preferred embodiment in that a completely assembled piano hinge is utilized. The piano hinge is attached to the upper side of the viewing plate preferably by a set of rivets or bolts. One side of a fully assembled spring clip is then bolted to the movable side of the hinge. The spring clip then functions as described above.

In view of the above disclosures, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a rear- viewing or sun visor assembly that easily attaches and detaches to the brim of a hat or cap.

In addition to the primary object, it is also an object of the invention to provide a rear-viewing or sun visor assembly that: o can be clipped to any relatively thin protruding surface, o can be cost-effectively produced, o when attached to a cap or hat brim, the cap or hat can be worn and utilized by persons sitting, laying in a supine position or while walking, o when not in use can be folded relatively flat to allow insertion into a coat pocket or purse, o can be retracted while on hat when not in use, o is reliable and virtually maintenance free, o can be used while bicycling, walking, jogging hunting or in a supine position, o increases awareness of a persons surroundings

o because of the large viewing plate surface, a person can view the rear with both e;yes, and o allows rear vision by looking at either the right or left side of the viewing plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING-S

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the rear-view¬ ing or sun visor assembly attached to the brim of a cap.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the rear-viewing or sun visor assembly preferred embodiment.

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the rear-viewing or sun visor assembly preferred embodiment.

FIGURE 4 is a top plan-view of the rearr-viewing or sun visor assembly second embodiment. FIGURE 5 is a side view of the rear _^ -viewing or sun visor assembly second embodiment.

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the rear-viewing or sun visor assembly preferred embodiment attached to the brim of a cap. FIGURE 7 is a side view of the rear-viewing or sun visor assembly preferred embodiment attached to the brim of a cap showing the viewing plate in three viewing position.

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of an elongated design of the viewing plate that provides a wide fiel of view.

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of a truncated design of the viewing plate that provides a .narrower field of view.

FIGURE 10 is a side view of a person in a wheel chair using the rear-viewing or sun visor assembly to view objects to the rear.

FIGURE 11 is a side view of a person lying in a supine position viewing either objects in both a -rear and forward horizontal plane.

FIGURE 12 is a side view of the rear-viewing or sun visor assembly attached to the brim of cap by means of two permanent magnets.

FIGURE 13 is a side view of the rear-viewing or sun visor assembly attached to the brim of a cap by mean of a complimentary set of button snaps. FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of a rear-viewi or sun visor assembly having a convex mirror attached to one end of the viewing plate.

FIGURE 15 is a side and top view of the convex mirror attached to the viewing plate. FIGURE 16 is a top plan view of the viewing- plate support.

FIGURE 17 is a top plan view of the viewing- plate support showing the wire loop inserted into the frame bore and the side fasteners inserted into the side openings of the spring clip.

FIGURE 18 is a side view of the viewing-plate support as shown in FIGURE 17.

FIGURE 19 is a top plan view showing the viewin plate with a hinge attachment tab and the viewing-plate knob mounted on an extended hinge pin and shown compres¬ sed in the non-locking position.

FIGURE 20 is a top plan view showing the viewing plate knob in the locked position.

FIGURE 21 is a an inward view of the viewing- plate knob.

FIGURE 22 is a sectional side view of the viewin plate knob.

FIGURE 23 is an outward view of the viewing- plate knob.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred and a second embodiment. Both embodiments of the rear-viewing or sun visor assem¬ bly are primarily designed to be attached to a substan¬ tially horizontal hat or cap brim, as shown in FIGURE 1, to allow the hat wearer to block the sun or see behind, sides and upwardly.

The preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGURES 1-3, 6-11 is comprised of the following three major elements and several subordinate elements: a viewing plate 12 having a first slotted sleeve 14, an inward viewing surface 16 having a reflective coating 18, and an outward surface 20 having an opaque coating 22; a hinge plate 24 having on one edge a second slotted sleeve 26; and a spring clip 30.

The preferred embodiment of the viewing plate 12, as shown in FIGURES 2, 3, 8 and 9 is preferably con¬ structed of plastic and is cut in a semi-rectangular contour with its greater length extending horizontally. Three designs of the plate 12 are disclosed: in FIGURE 8 an elongated wider view design is shown while in FIGURE 9 a truncated design having a narrower field of view is shown. Although a rectangular contour is preferred, as shown in FIGURE 19, the plate may also be configured in round, oval or oblong contours. On the plate's upper edge 12b is centrally located a first slotted sleeve 14 as best shown in FIGURE 2. The inward viewing surface 16 of the plate 12 has a highly polished reflective coating 18 with a mirror finish preferred. The plate's outward surface 20 has an opaque coating on which, if desired, can include

various three-dimensional objects and/or indicia includ¬ ing advertising logos and slogans.

The second major element of the assembly is a hinge plate 24 as best shown in FIGURE 2. The hinge plate has on its inward edge a second slotted sleeve 26 having slots that are offset with respect to the slots o the first slotted sleeve 14. These offset slots allow the second slotted sleeve 26 to rotationally fit between the slots of the first slotted sleeve 14 to thus resembl the construction of a piano hinge. The fitted slotted sleeve pair 14, 26 are designed with a close fit to pro¬ duce friction that allows the hinge plate 24 to be moved and maintained in any angular viewing position such as shown in FIGURES 7, 10 and 11 or out of view as shown in FIGURE 13. Note, that the rear-viewing or sun visor assembly 10 is ideally suited to persons in wheelchairs as shown in FIGURE 10; or for persons lying in a supine position, as shown in FIGURE 11, where the viewing plate may be adjusted to provide either a sun blocking func- tion or a rear forward or upward viewing function.

The means to retain the first and second slotted sleeves 14,26 is accomplished by a hinge pin 28, shown inserted in FIGURE 2, that fits through both the sleeves The hinge pin provides further friction to aid the hinge plate 24 in remaining in its selected angular viewing position.

Three means for attaching the hinge plate 24 to the hat or cap brim 80 are disclosed.

The first and preferred means utilize a spring clip 30 as best shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The hinge plate 24, in this means, serves as the base for the clip 30. The clip section 32 is conventionally attached to the hinge plate 24 by a spring 34 as best shown in FIGUR 3. When the back end 36 of the clip section 32 is depressed, the clamp end 38 opens to allow the assembly to be clipped to the brim 80.

The second disclosed means for attaching the hinge plate 24 to the brim 80 is accomplished, as shown in FIGURE 12, by attaching a thin first permanent magnet 40 to the lower side of the hinge plate 24. A second permanent magnet 42, of opposite polarity, is attached to the upper side of the hat or cap brim 80. When the first and second permanent magnets 40, 42 interface the hinge plate is held in place on the brim 80.

The third disclosed means for attaching the hinge plate 24 to the brim 80 is accomplished, as shown in

FIGURE 13, by attaching a plurality of male snap buttons 44 to the lower side of the hinge plate 24. A like plurality of female snap buttons 46 are attached to the upper side of the hat or cap brim 80. When the male and female snap buttons 44, 46 are pressed together, the hinge plate 24 is snapped in place onto the hat or cap brim 80.

The second embodiment of the rear-viewing or sun visor assembly 10 utilizes a viewing plate 12 as shown in

FIGURES 4, 5., 8 and 9. This plate 12, ^' is preferably in a rectangular shape. However, it may also be in a semi- rectangular contour as shown in FIGURES 8 and 9 or may be configured with round, oval or oblong contours. As shown in FIGURE 9, the plate 12, on its upper side 12c near the uppwer edge 12b, has ^' therethrough a plurality of inline plate bores 12d.

The second embodiment utilizes a piano hinge 50, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, having a movable side 52 and a stationary side 54 that is rigidly attached, by an attachment means, to the upper side 12c of the plate 12. Preferably, the stationary side 54 has a plurality of hinge bores 56 that are in correspondence with the plate bores 12d. A fastener, such as a rivet or a bolt and nut combination 66 is then inserted through the plate and hinge bores 12d, 56 to hold the hinge 50 to the viewing plate 12. Alternatively, a plurality of com¬ plimentary male and female snap fasteners 44, 46 as

shown in FIGURE 13, may be used to hold the hinge 50 to the plate 12. On the movable side 52 of the h'inge 50 is located therethrough a center hinge bore 58.

The second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that a fully assembled spring clip

60, such as a Boston Clip No. 2 manufactured by The Hunt Manufacturing Company in Stateville, North Carolina is used.

The clip 60, which has two spring grips 61 and 62, is modified by shortening one of the spring grips

62, as shown best in FIGURE 5 and having a clip bore 64 therethrough that corresponds to the center hinge bore 58 in the movable side 52 of the hinge 50. A fastener 66 is then inserted through the two bores 58, 64 to hold the spring clip 60 to the movable side 52 of the hinge 50, To further enhance the utility of the rear-view¬ ing or sun visor assembly 10, a means is provided to maintain the viewing plate 12 at a selected viewing angle, This means includes a viewing-plate support device 68 or a viewing-plate locking device 70. These devices are especially advantageous when the assembly 10 is being used on a windy day when a wind gust, such as encountered by bicyclist, may have sufficient force to cause a non¬ supported or non-locked viewing plate 12 to move from the required line of sight.

The viewing plate support 68, as shown in FIGURES 16-18 is constructed of a wire frame configured in a substantially rectangular shape as best shown in FIGURE 16. The frame 68 has a front end 68a that includes a centrally located wire loop 68b that extends outwardly and a side fastener 68c on each end that extend inwardly.

As best shown in FIGURE 17, the wire loop 68b is sized to fit and be retained within a frame bore 59 that may be located on the stationary side 54 of the piano hinge (as shown) or on the viewing plate 12. A plurality

of frame bores may also be bored to facilitate the place¬ ment of the viewing plate angle. The side fasteners 68c are sized to fit into the side opening of the spring clip 60 as best shown in FIGURE 18. The viewing plate locking device 70 is used with a viewing plate 12 having a contiguous hinge-attachment tab 12e extending from its upper edge 12b as shown in FIGURE 19. To the upper side of this tab is rigidly attached the stationary side 54 of a piano hinge 50 by an attachment means as previously described. The difference in this piano hinge is that the hinge sleeves are rotat- ably retained by an extended hinge pin 72 that extends a short distance from the outward side of the sleeves as shown in FIGURES 19 and 20. On the pins extended end is located a spring retention cap 72a, Within the extended hinge pin is located-a spring 74 having an inward end 74a and an outward end 74b that is retained by the spring retention cap 72a.

The remaining element of the viewing plate lock- ing device 70 consists of a viewing plate knob 76 having an inward end 76a and an outward end 76b as best shown in FIGURES 21-23. Through the center of the knob is located a hinge-pin bore 78 that is sized to allow the knob to rotate freely about the extended hinge pin 72. On the outward end 76b of the knob is located a spring cavity 78a that is sized to contain the inward end of the spring 74 as best shown in FIGURE 20. On the inward end of the knob is located a hinge-sleeve cavity 78b that is sized to con¬ tain the end of the hinge sleeve. Note that although a viewing plate 12 with an extended tab 12e is preferred, the viewing plate locking device 70 may also be attached within a knob notch 12f as shown in FIGURE 8.

Three channels, as shown best in FIGURE 20, intersect the circumference of the hinge sleeve and extend through the edge of the knob 76. The first is a viewing plate closed-position channel 78c that is sized to accept both the movable side 52 and stationary side 54 of the hinge 50. This configuration occurs when the viewing plate 12 is folded in its retracted position - that is, the viewing plate is out of the viewing position A first viewing position channel 78d is angularly offset with respect to one side of the closed position channel 78c. A second viewing position channel 78e is angularly offset with respect to the other side of the closed position channel. The total angle circumscribed by the first and second viewing position channels is approxi- mately 120-degrees. This angle is the approximate open¬ ing that is required to allo ^' a rear view when the assembly 10 is attached to the brim of a cap.

The viewing plate locking device 70 functions as follows: in all cases, the spring 74 maintains the knob 76 biased in the inward direction - that is, toward the side edge of the hinge-attachment tab 12e as shown in FIGURE 21. Therefore, the knob maintains the viewing plate 12 in either the viewing plate closed position channel 78c (viewing plate locked in the retracted non- viewing position) or in the two first and second viewing position channels 78d and 78e (viewing plate locked in th viewing position) . To set the viewing plate in either of the two positions, the knob is grasped by the fingers and pulled back as shown in FIGURE 20. The viewing plate is then moved to the desired position, the knob is rotated and aligned with the edges of the piano hinge and released to allow the knob to hold the viewing plate in place.

While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the inven- tion without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. For example, as shown in FIGURES 14 and 15, a convex mirror 71 can be attached to one end of the plate's 12 inward viewing surface 16 to provide an expanded field of view. Additionally, the viewing-plate support 68 may also be adapted for use with the com¬ bination of the hinge plate 24 and viewing plate 12 as configured for the preferred embodiment. Hence, it is described to cover and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.