A visor is a surface that protects the eyes, such as shading them from the sun or other bright light or protecting them from objects. Types of visors include:

• A type of hat consisting only of a visor and a way to fasten it to the head.
• The transparent or semi-transparent front part of a motorcycle crash helmet
• Any such vertical or horizontal surface on any hat or helmet (called a peak in British English).
• The part of a helmet in a suit of armor that protects the eyes.
• A device in an automobile that the driver or front passenger can lower over part of the windshield to block the sun.
• A shield to protect the eyes from sunlight on an American football helmet.

A visor (armor) was used in conjunction with some Medieval war helmets such as the bascinet. The visor usually consisted of a hinged piece of steel that contained openings for vision and breathing. Visors protected the face during battle.

 

The above article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visor   5/27/06