United Technologies Automotive Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Abdi R Lawassani

William P Mykytiuk

Mark J Wasik

James D Dowd

David M Hilborn

Monte L Falcoff

Krystof Buniewicz

John A Denison

Robert C Feliks

The present invention provides a modular bumper shell comprising an attachment member adapted for attachment to an energy-absorbing vehicle bumper substructure, and at least one outer member affixed to and at least partially covering the attachment member. The outer member is at least partially visible to an observer following vehicle assembly. The present invention also provides a method of assembling a modular bumper shell by providing an attachment member adapted for attachment to an energy-absorbing vehicle bumper substructure, providing at least one outer member, and attaching the outer member to the attachment member. The present invention further provides a method of changing the appearance of a vehicle bumper by providing a modular bumper shell including at least one outer member attached to an attachment member, and then replacing the outer member with a modified outer member.

Modular bumper shell

The primary sun visor is co-existent with a low profile thin member, known as a recessed tray, which is independent from the headliner substrate and is thinner than the headliner substrate it replaces. The recessed tray contains an integrally molded center support and outboard bezel area. The primary sun visor vanity mirror lamps have been removed and integrated into the recessed tray. The recessed tray retains both the primary and auxiliary sun visors.

Low profile sun visor system with remote lighting

A vanity mirror (27) is carried by a primary sunshade (24) stored above the headliner (5) of a motor vehicle. Lighting (117) for use with the mirror is disposed in the headliner remote from the primary sunshade and mirror. Secondary sunshades (13) are stored in either the headliner or roof pillars for operation completely independently of the primary sunshade.

Side window sunshade for a motor vehicle

Combined retractable side window sunshade units and headliner with

Sunshade and vanity mirror system for a motor vehicle

A sun visor (6) has a catch (12) for engagement with, and disengagement from, a clip (13) on a center bracket (14). The catch includes a pin (40) received within a cylindrical roller sleeve (41). The ends of the pin are retained in resilient cradles (42,50) mounted to a visor core half (23), and held securely therein by resilient tabs (43,55) mounted to another visor core half (20). The pin is prevented from moving laterally by a resilient tab (51).

Vehicle sun visor catch

A vanity mirror assembly has a protective cover (7) which pivots with respect to a mirror frame (6) by virtue of a hinge arrangement consisting of a pivot arm (8), attached to the cover (7), snap-fitted to a pivot axle 14, attached to the frame (6). The cover (7) can be positioned and held in either a closed position, totally covering the mirror, or in one or more predetermined open positions. The cover is held in place by a band-type spring acting against a cam surface located on the pivot arm (8).

Vanity mirror assembly

A sun visor comprises a first visor core half (15), with an integral flange (16) disposed to the first visor core half by an integral hinge (17), bonded to a second visor core half (18), except for the flange, which remains open. Two pieces of suitable material are joined together to form an envelope (10) in the shape of a visor core assembly (9). The visor core assembly is inserted into the envelope, and the material along an open edge of the envelope (38) is inserted into the core and attached along an interior edge (46) of the flange and along an interior edge (48) of the second visor core half. The flange is attached to the second visor core half by use of a plurality of snap fasteners (26, 27, 28), and the closure is further strengthened by inserting a mounting rod (7) into a plurality of aligned apertures (30) defined by a plurality of resilient interdigital bearings (31, 32) mounted to the second visor core half and the flange. A clean, neat seam results along all edges of the envelope.

Vehicle sun visor and method of making

Visor

A thin, upholstered sun visor (35) comprises a planar core (50) received within an envelope comprising a pair of parallel, semi-rigid panels (60) covered with upholstery material (70). The visor is conveniently assembled by adhesive bonding techniques.

Upholstered sun visor

A sun visor panel (30) having a channel (40) along a forward edge thereof is provided with a mounting clip (50) including a resilient tab (65) which snaps and locks the visor panel into a stored position and a pair of open eyelets (70) which frictionally hold the visor panel in any of various angularly adjusted positions on a mounting rod. A pair of claw-shaped guides (80) function with a pair of visor panel end bushings (45) to bear lateral adjustment of visor panel position along the rod.

Growing community of inventors

Pontiac, MI, United States of America

Abdi R Lawassani