Vehicle sun visor having an electric fan and heater assembly for clearing the vehicle windshield

Patent 5296678 Issued on March 22, 1994. Estimated Expiration Date:

March 12, 2012. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

1995769

2048985

2064498

2152614

2675588

3009409

3331302

Inventor

Schnorf, Allen C.

Application

No. 850046 filed on 03/12/1992

US Classes:

219/203, Windshield or window165/42, Heating and cooling296/97.1, Glare screen or visor296/97.5, Combined or convertible392/360, Forced air type392/363, Wall mounted392/372, Mounted in or on window or door454/121, Condensation preventer (e.g., defroster, etc.)454/208, Propeller fan having rotary axis perpendicular to window454/212Having air passage means within, attaching to, or replacing pane

Examiners

Primary: Bartis, Anthony

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Litman, McMahon & Brown

Foreign Patent References

1371399 FR 07/12/1964

International Classes

F24H 003/04
B60J 003/00
H05B 001/00

Abstract

The conventional sun visor of a vehicle is provided with a fan system including a heater for defrosting and defogging the vehicle windshield. The fan system includes a fan subassembly body mounted in an opening in the sun visor by a retainer subassembly including first and second retainer frames having flanges insertable into the fan subassembly body for securing it in the visor opening. First and second grills are mounted over the faces of the subassembly body by mechanical fasteners which extend through the body and retainer frames. An electric heating element is mounted on at least one of the grills for heating the airstream geneated by the fan of the fan subassembly. The fan and heating element are selectively powered by the vehicle electrical system through an on-off switch.