Multiple interface rocker button

Abstract

An automotive visor includes a visor body defining opposing first and second major faces and a perimeter extending therebetween. A button assembly is coupled with the visor body. The button assembly includes a button body defining a hinge point. The button body is coupled with the visor body at the hinge point and includes a first lever extending away from the hinge point along the first major face of the visor body and a second lever extending away from the hinge point and outwardly from the second major face. The button assembly further includes a switch positioned beneath the first lever and against a portion of the visor body.

Description

Atty. Docket No. AUTO 05222T (GEN10 FP1428AWO)MULTIPLE INTERFACE ROCKER BUTTON CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 63 / 747,419 filed on January 21, 2025, entitled "MULTIPLE INTERFACE ROCKER BUTTON," the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to an automotive visor and more particularly, relates to anautomotive visorhaving button assemblies that can be used with the visor in multiple positions.SUMMARY

[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention, an automotive visor includes a first mount affixable within a vehicle interior along a headliner thereof and adjacent to a windshield of the vehicle and a visor body defining opposing first and second major faces and a perimeterextendingtherebetween.Thevisorbody is rotatably coupled with the first mount along an upper edge of the perimeter so as to be moveable between a stowed position, wherein the first major face lies along the headliner, and a deployed position, wherein the second major face is adjacent the windshield. A button assembly is coupled with the visor body. The button assemblyincludesa button bodydefininga hinge point. The button body is coupled with the visor body at the hinge point and includes a first lever extending away from the hinge point along the first major face of the visor body and a second lever extending away from the hinge point and outwardly from the second major face. The button assembly further includes a switch positioned beneath the first lever and against a portion of the visor body.

[0004] According to anotheraspect of the present disclosure, an automotive visor includes a visor body defining opposing first and second major faces and a perimeter extending therebetween. The visor body includes a frame defining an outer perimeter of the visor body. An electrochromicelement is mounted in the frame and at least partially defines the second major face. A transparent cover is mounted to the frame so as to extend over the electrochromicelement, with the transparent cover defining the first major face. A button assembly is coupled with the visor body. The button assembly includes a button body defining a hinge point. The button body is coupled with the frame at the hinge point andincludes a first lever extending away from the hinge point along the first major face and a second lever extending away from the hinge point and outwardly from the second major face. The button assembly further includes a switch positioned beneath the first lever and against a portion of the frame.

[0005] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an automotive visor includes a visor body defining opposing first and second major faces and a perimeter extending therebetween. A button assembly is coupled with the visor body. The button assemblyincludesa button bodydefininga hinge point. The button body iscoupled with the visor body atthe hinge pointand includesa first lever extending away from the hinge point along the first major face of the visor body and a second lever extending away from the hinge point and outwardly from the second major face. The button body defines a first operating end disposed on the first lever and a second operating end disposed on the second lever. The button assembly further includes a switch positioned beneath the first lever and against a portion of the visor body. The button body causes activation of the switch by contact therewith under movement of the first lever in an inward direction with respect to the first majorface by a first force directed to the first operating end or a second force directed to the second operating end.

[0006] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automotive visor according to an aspect of the disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 2 is an alternative perspective view of the automotive visor;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the automotive visor in an orientation corresponding with a stowed position thereof;

[0011] FIG.4 isa perspective view of a vehicleinteriorincludingtheautomotive visor in the stowed position;

[0012] FIG.5 is a perspective view of the vehicle interiorincludingthe automotive visor in a deployed position;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vehicle interior including the automotive visor in an outwardly rotated position;

[0014] FIG.7 is a cross-section view of the automotive visor taken along lines 7-7 in FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG.8 is a detailed cross-section viewof area 8 showing a portion of the automotive visor; and

[0016] FIG. 9 is an assembly view of the automotive visor.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method stepsand apparatus components related to an automotive visor. Accordingly, the apparatus componentsand method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

[0018] For purposes of description herein the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivativesthereof shall relate to the device as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientationsand step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0019] Ordinal modifiers (i.e., "first", "second", etc.) may be used to distinguish between various structures of the disclosed automotive visor in various contexts, but such ordinals are not necessarily intended to apply to such elements outside of the particular context in which they are used and that, in various aspects different ones of the same class of elements may be identified with the same, context -specificordinal. In such instances, otherparticulardesignationsofthe elementsare used to clarify the overall relationship between such elements. Ordinals are not used to designate a position of the elements, nor do they exclude additional, or intervening, non-ordered elements or signify an importance or rank of the elements within a particular class.

[0020] The terms "including," "comprises," "comprising," orany othervariation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expresslylisted orinherentto such process, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises a . . . " does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0021] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

[0022] For purposes of this disclosure, the terms "about", "approximately", or "substantially" are intended to mean that a value of a parameter is close to a stated value or position. However, minor differences may prevent the values or positions from being exactlyas stated. Thus, unless otherwise noted, differencesof up to ten percent (10%) for a given value are reasonable differences from the ideal goal of exactly as described. In many instances, a significant difference can be when the difference is greater than ten percent (10%), except where it would be generally understood otherwise by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the context in which such term is used.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-9, reference numeral 10 generally designates an automotive visor. The automotive visor 10 includes a first mount 12a affixable within a vehicle interior 14 (FIGS. 4-6) along a headliner 16 thereof and adjacent to a windshield 18 of the vehicle and a visor body 20 defining opposing first and second major faces 22, 24 and an outer perimeter 26 extendingtherebetween. The visor body 20 is rotatably coupled with the first mount 12a along an upper edge 27 of the outer perimeter 26 so as to be moveablebetween a stowed position (FIGS. 3 and 4), wherein the first major face 22 lies along the headliner 16, and a deployed position (FIGS. 1 and 5), wherein the second major face 24 is adjacent the windshield 18. A button assembly 28 is coupled with the visor body 20. The button assembly 28 includes a button body 30 (FIGS. 7-9) defining a hinge point 32. The button body 30 is coupled with the visor body 20 at the hinge point 32 and includes a first lever 34 extending away from the hinge point 32 along the first major face 22 of the visor body 20 and a second lever 36 extendingawayfrom the hinge point 32 and outwardly from the second major face 24. The button assembly 28 further includes a switch 38 positioned beneath the first lever 34 and against a portion of the visor body 20.

[0024] The button body 30 can define a first operating end 40 disposed on the first lever 34 and a second operating end 42 disposed on the second lever 36. The button body 30 can cause activation of the switch 38 by contact therewith under movement of the first lever 34 in an inward direction 44 with respect to the first major face 22 by a first force directed to the first operating end 40 or a second force directed to the second operating end 42. The first lever 34 can be accessible to a user when the visor body 20 is in the deployed position, and the second lever 36 can be accessible to the user when the visor body 20 is in the stowed position. In this manner, the operating ends of the button body 30 can be disposed in a similar location and can be actuated by movement thereof in similar directions in each of the respective stowed and deployed positions. The button body 30 can be made from various types of plastics commonly used in automotive applications, such as polypropylene ("PP"), known for its durability and heat resistance; polycarbonate ("PC"), valued for its impact resistance and clarity; and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ("ABS"), which offers a good balance of strength, rigidity, and toughness. In an automotive visor 10 arrangement, as described herein, several types of switches 38 could be used beneath the first levers 34 of button bodies 30 to provide the desired operation. Tactile switches are small, momentary switches that provide tactile feedback when pressed while exhibiting reliability and compact size. Micro switches, also known as snap-action switches, offer quick response and durability. Lastly, push button switches are straightforward to operate and can be configured as momentary switches to meet the desired functionality of the present button assemblies 28. Each of these switches has its own advantagesand can be selected based on the specific requirements of the automotive visor 10, such as the desired tactile feedback, durability, and space constraints.

[0025] By incorporatingoneormore button assemblies 28, as described herein, thevisor 10 can includefunctionalityforcontrol of variousfunctionsofor associated with the vehicle in which the visor 10 is included with the associated button beingaccessible when the visor 10 is in the stowed or deployed position. As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automotive visor 10 can include a plurality of button assemblies 28 according to the arrangement discussed above that can be associated with various vehicle functions. In at least one aspect, the functionality associated with the buttons can be related to the visor 10. For example, the depicted visor 10 can include an electrochromic element 46 that allows the visor 10 to be switchable orvariably adjustable between a fully, or near-fully, transmissive state (where the visor body 20 appears transparentortintedjtoan opaque state based on the control of the electrochromicelement 46, as discussed further below. In this respect, at least some of the buttons can be used to control the state of the electrochromic element 46. In one example, one button can be used to cause the electrochromic element 46 to be placed in the fully transmissive state, with another button being used to place the electrochromic element 46 in the fully opaque state. In such an example, an additional pair of buttons can be used for stepwise adjustment of the electrochromicelement 46 to be more transmissive or more opaque. In various other examples, visor 10 can include additional functionality, such as those related to video capability, in addition or as an alternative to the inclusion of an electrochromic element 46. In some respects, the visor 10 can be generally transparent or otherwise useable in a transparent mode with video providing various types of driving information in a form of a "heads-up" display, such as speed, navigation information, rear camera video, or the like. In these respects, the buttons can be used to control various aspects of such displays.

[0026] Still further, one or more buttonscan be used to control additional vehicle features, such as a Homelink® vehicle interface for the control of various household functions (including but not limited to the opening and closing of garage doors, gates, etc.). The switches associated with the buttons assemblies can connect to a printed circuit board ("PCB") within the automotive visor 10, with the PCB being connected with the applicable vehicle hardware, system, or the like via wiring that passes through, for example, the first mount 12a. In a further aspect, the automotive visor 10 can include a position switch within the visor body 20 and configured for communicatinga state of the visor corresponding with at least one of the stowed position and the deployed position. In this manner, a singlebutton can implement differentfunctions by actuation of the same switch 38, depending on the positionofthe visor. In one example, the first operating ends 40 can be associated with the electrochromicstate, with the first operatingends 40 being accessible when the visor is in the deployed position. Other functionality can be associated with one or more of the second operating ends 42 of the same buttons, with such functionality being useable with the visor in the stowed position.

[0027] As discussed above, one implementation of the automotive visor 10 includes an electrochromicelement 46. In this manner, the electrochromic element 46 rotates with the rotation of the automotive visor 10, overall, as discussed above. As such, the above- mentioned width and height of the electrochromic element 46 are defined with respect to the orientation shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings and are understood as being fixed relative to the electrochromic element 46 such that the dimensions remain fixed with rotation of the visor and, accordingly, the electrochromic element 46. The particular structure of the electrochromic element 46 is discussed in further detail below, but it is to be generallyappreciated thatthe electrochromicelement 46 isconfigured so as to exhibit a controllable level of light transmission therethrough. In various examples, the transmission can be from near full transmission (e.g., about 95% or more) to zero light transmission (i.e., fully opaque), dependingon the application of an electrical current or potential thereto. In this manner, the incorporation of the electrochromic element 46 allows for the portion of the automotive visor 10 that comprises the electrochromic element 46 to impart a level of selective transmissiveness tothevisorsuch thatdirect light, for example, can be reduced to a comfortable level without obstructing the view through the portion of the windshield 18 that the electrochromic element 46 overlies (so long as some level of transmission remains within the electrochromic element 46).

[0028] In variousaspectsof the electrochromicelement 46 disclosed herein, at least one of the first electrochromic substrate and the second electrochromic substrate can be substantially transparent. The term "substantially transparent" as used herein will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art and will vary to some extent depending upon the context in which it is used. If there are uses of the term that are not clear to persons of ordinary skill in the art, given the context in which it is used, the term means that the material allows a light transmission of about 75% or more of a beam of light having a wavelength of 400 nm directed to the material at a specular angle of 10° through athickness of 2 mm of the material. Additional aspects of the electrochromic element 46 can be configured according to the disclosure of co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. App. No.18 / 956,714 the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0029] A second mount 12b can be disposed opposite the first mount 12a and can retain the automotive visor 10 on a side oppositethe first mount 12a. The second mount 12b can be configured to releasethe correspondingend ofthe visorto allowthe visorto rotate from the stowed position (FIG. 4), wherein the visor is disposed against a headliner 16 of the vehicle, and a range of use positions, wherein the visor is rotated downwardly from the headliner 16 to at least partially extend into the user's field of vision with respect to the adjacent vehicle windshield 18 to, for example, shade the user's eyes from direct sunlight visible through the upper portion ofthe windshield 18, as is typical of standard automotive visors (and as shown in FIG. 5). The visor body 20 can further be moveable into an outwardly-deployed position (FIG.6) in which the second majorface 24 is positioned against a side window 48 of the vehicle, and the second lever 36 can be accessibleto the user when the visor body 20 is in the outwardly-deployed position. The first mount 12a can be configured to allow the visor to rotate laterally outward so as to extend along the side window 48 of the vehicle, with the second mount 12b being releasable to facilitate such movement. As can be appreciated, the automotive visor 10 depicted herein is configured for use on a driver side of the vehicle. It is to be understood, however, that a passenger-side visor with the present construction and related functionality can be generally configured as a mirror image of the depicted automotive visor 10.

[0030] The automotive visor 10 depicted herein is configured for use on a driver side of the vehicle. It is to be understood, however, that a passenger-side visor with the present construction and related functionality can be generally configured as a mirror image of the depicted automotive visor 10.

[0031] As shown, the first and second mounts 12a, and 12b can be attached with the headliner 16 to facilitate rotational mountingofthe automotive visor 10 by connection with one or more rods 52 that are connected with the frame 50 ofthe visor body 20. Detachment of the rod from the second mount 12b can include uncoupling of the rod from the second mount 12b and can be facilitated by a calibrated, releasable snapfit or by incorporation of a magnet into the receptacle and the use of a magnetic material for the rod.

[0032] Turning to FIGS. 7-9, the visor body 20 can include a frame 50 defining the outer perimeter26 of the visorbody 20. The frame 50 can be made from various materials known fortheirstrength and durability, such as reinforced thermoplastic polymers like polyamide ("PA"), commonly known as nylon, glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene ("PP"), which offers a good balance of strength and lightweight properties, or polybutylene terephthalate ("PBT"). The button bodies can be coupled with the frame 50 to rotate for actuation of the associated switch 38, which is positioned between the first lever 34 and an underlying portion of the frame 50 with the frame 50 defining the portion of the visor body 20 against which the switch 38 is positioned. As shown, the automotive visor 10 can include two rods 52 for connection with the first and second mounts 12, respectively, as discussed above. A first one of the rods 52 can extend through a portion of the frame 50 adjacent the first edge, with the button bodies receivingthe rod therethrough to respectively mount the button bodies to the frame 50 such that the button bodies are rotatable on the rod 52 to allow for rotation thereof, as discussed above, for actuation of the respective switch 38.

[0033] The electrochromic element 46 included with the visor body 20 can be mounted in the frame 50 and can at least partially define the second major face 24. A transparent cover 54 can be mounted to the frame 50 so as to extend over the electrochromic element 46, with the transparent cover 54 defining the first major face 22. The transparent cover 54 can extend over a portion of the first levers 34 of the button bodies. In this manner, the transparent cover 54 can define an aperture 58 through which the first operatingend 40 is exposed on the first major face 22, which can be facilitated by the first operating end 40 extending outwardly from the first lever 34 of the button body 30. The frame 50 can define an aperture 60 through which the second lever 36 of the button body 30 extends. In this manner, movement of the second lever 36 away from the user (i.e., by pressingthereon) causes rotation of the first lever 34 toward the frame 50 such that the switch 38 is actuated. As shown in FIG. 1, the button bodies can include an indicia 56 relating to the function of the button that can be disposed beneath the transparent cover 54. A similar indicia 56 can be included on the second lever 36 so as to be visible to the user when the visor is in the stowed position.

[0034] The invention disclosed herein is further summarized in the following paragraphs and is further characterized by combinationsof any and all of the various aspects described therein.

[0035] According to anotheraspect of the present disclosure, an automotive visor includes a first mount affixable within a vehicle interior along a headliner thereof and adjacent to a windshield of the vehicle and a visor body defining opposing first and second major faces and a perimeterextendingtherebetween.Thevisorbody is rotatably coupled with the first mount along an upper edge of the perimeter so as to be moveable between a stowed position, wherein the first major face lies along the headliner, and a deployed position, wherein the second major face is adjacent the windshield. A button assembly is coupled with the visor body. The button assemblyincludesa button bodydefininga hinge point. The button body is coupled with the visor body at the hinge point and includes a first lever extending away from the hinge point along the first major face of the visor body and a second lever extending away from the hinge point and outwardly from the second major face. The button assembly further includes a switch positioned beneath the first lever and against a portion of the visor body.

[0036] In the automotive visorof H

[0032] , the button body can define a first operating end disposed on the first lever and a second operating end disposed on the second lever; and the button body can cause activation of the switch by contact therewith under movement of the first lever in an inward direction with respect to the first major face by a first force directed to the first operating end or a second force directed to the second operating end.

[0037] In the automotive visor of either

[0032] or

[0033] , the visor body can include a frame definingtheouter perimeterof the visor body, the button body can be coupled with the frame, and the frame can define the portion of the visor body against which the switch is positioned.

[0038] In the automotive visor of H

[0034] , the visor body can further include an electrochromic element mounted in the frame and defining the second major face and a transparent cover mounted to the frame so as to extend over the electrochromic element, and the transparent cover can define the first major face.

[0039] In the automotive visorof H

[0035] , thetransparent covercan extend over a portion of the first lever of the button body and can define an aperture through which the first operating end is exposed on the first major face.

[0040] In the automotive visor of

[0035] or

[0036] , the frame can define an aperture through which the second lever of the button body extends.

[0041] In the automotive visor of any of

[0032] to

[0037] , the first lever can be accessible to a user when the visor body is in the deployed position, and the second lever can be accessible to the user when the visor body is in the stowed position.

[0042] In the automotive visorof H

[0038] , the visor body can further be moveable into an outwardly-deployed position in which the second major face is positioned against a side window of the vehicle, and the second lever can be accessible to the user when the visor body is in the outwardly-deployed position.

[0043] The automotive visor of any

[0032] to

[0039] , can further include a position switch within the visor body and configured for communicating a state of the visor corresponding with at least one of the stowed position and the deployed position.

[0044] It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials unless described otherwise herein.

[0045] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements ofthe disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes, and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachingsand advantages ofthe subject matter recited. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

[0046] It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

[0047] The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only.Modifications ofthe invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who makeor use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawingsand described above are merely for illustrative purposesand not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An automotive visor, comprising:a first mount affixable within a vehicle interior along a headliner thereof and adjacent to a windshield of the vehicle;a visor body defining opposing first and second major faces and a perimeter extendingtherebetween, the visor body being rotatably coupled with the first mount along an upper edge of the perimeter so as to be moveable between a stowed position, wherein the first major face lies along the headliner, and a deployed position, wherein the second major face is adjacent the windshield; anda button assembly coupled with the visor body, the button assembly including a button body defining a hinge point, the button body being coupled with the visor body at the hinge point, and including a first lever extending away from the hinge point along the first major face of the visor body and a second lever extending away from the hinge point and outwardlyfrom the second major face, the button assembly further including a switch positioned beneath the first lever and against a portion of the visor body.

2. The automotive visor of claim 1, wherein:the button body defines a first operating end disposed on the first lever and a second operating end disposed on the second lever; andthe button body causes activation of the switch by contact therewith under movement of the first lever in an inward direction with respect to the first major face by a first force directed to the first operating end or a second force directed to the second operating end.

3. The automotive visor of claim 1 or 2, wherein the visor body includes a frame defining an outer perimeter of the visor body, the button body being coupled with the frame, and the frame defining the portion of the visor body against which the switch is positioned.

4. The automotive visor of claim 3, wherein the visor body further includes:an electrochromic element mounted in the frame and defining the second major face; anda transparent cover mounted to the frame so as to extend over the electrochromic element, the transparent cover defining the first major face.

5. The automotive visor of claim 4, wherein the transparent cover extends over a portion of the first lever of the button body and defines an aperture through which a first operating end is exposed on the first major face.

6. The automotive visor of claim 4 or 5, wherein the frame defines an aperture through which the second lever of the button body extends.

7. The automotive visor of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:the first lever is accessible to a userwhen the visorbodyis in the deployed position; andthe second lever is accessible to the user when the visor body is in the stowed position.

8. The automotive visor of claim 7, wherein:the visor body is further moveable into an outwardly-deployed position in which the second major face is positioned against a side window of the vehicle; andthe second lever is accessible to the user when the visor body is in the outwardly-deployed position.

9. The automotive visor of any one of claims 1 to 8, further including a position switch within the visor bodyand configured for communicating a state of the visor corresponding with at least one of the stowed position and the deployed position.

10. The automotive visor of any one of claims 3 to 9, further including a rod extending through a portion of the frame adjacent the upper edge, wherein the button body receivesthe rod therethrough such that the button body is rotatable on the rod foractuation of the switch.

11. The automotive visor of any one of claims 1 to 10, further including a plurality of button assemblies coupled with the visor body.

12. The automotive visorofanyone of claims Ito 11, whereinthe button body includes an indicia relating to a function of the button assembly.

13. An automotive visor, comprising:a visor body defining opposing first and second major faces and a perimeter extending therebetween, the visor body including a frame defining an outer perimeter of the visor body;an electrochromicelement mounted in the frame and at least partially defining the second major face;a transparent cover mounted to the frame so as to extend over the electrochromic element, the transparent cover defining the first major face; anda button assembly coupled with the visor body, the button assembly including a button body defining a hinge point, the button body being coupled with the frame at the hinge point, and including a first lever extending away from the hinge point along the first majorface and a second lever extendingaway from the hinge point and outwardly from the second major face, the button assembly further including a switch positioned beneath the first lever and against a portion of the frame.

14. The automotive visor of claim 13, wherein the transparent cover extends over a portion of the first lever of the button body and defines an aperture through which a first operating end of the button body is exposed on the first major face.

15. The automotive visor of claim 13 or 14, wherein the frame defines an aperture through which the second lever of the button body extends.

16. The automotive visor of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the electrochromic element is configured to exhibit a controllable level of light transmission therethrough.

17. The automotive visorofanyone of claims 13 to 16, furtherincludinga rod extending through a portion of the frame adjacent an upper edge of the perimeter, wherein the button body receives the rod therethrough such that the button body is rotatable on the rod for actuation of the switch.

18. An automotive visor, comprising:a visor body defining opposing first and second major faces and a perimeter extending therebetween;a button assembly coupled with the visor body, the button assembly including: a button bodydefininga hinge point, the button body being coupled with the visor body at the hinge point, and including a first lever extending away from the hinge point along the first major face of the visor body and a second lever extending away from the hinge point and outwardly from the second major face, the button body defining a first operating end disposed on the first lever and a second operating end disposed on the second lever; anda switch positioned beneath the first lever and against a portion of the visor body; wherein the button body causes activation of the switch by contact therewith under movement of the first lever in an inward direction with respect to the first major face by a first force directed to the first operating end or a second force directed to the second operating end.

19. The automotive visor of claim 18, wherein:the first lever is accessible to a user when the visor body is in a deployed position; andthe second lever is accessible to the user when the visor body is in a stowed position.

20. The automotive visor of claim 18 or 19, wherein the visor body includes a frame defining an outer perimeter of the visor body, the button body being coupled with the frame, and the frame defining the portion of the visor body against which the switch is positioned.

Images