WO1988000140A1

WO1988000140A1 - Window shade apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1988000140A1
Application number: PCT/US1987/001585
Authority: WO
Inventors: John D. Eldridge, Jr.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-07-03
Filing date: 1987-07-02
Publication date: 1988-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-03
Also published as: AU7691687A

Abstract

A substantially rectangular case (36) having an open end (38) is removably secured to a vertical post (18) which forms part of the frame surrounding a vehicle windshield. A substantially opaque shade (24) is formed from a series of hexagonal cells which are collapsible so that the shade can be folded into a compact shape within the case. One edge (32) of the shade is secured to the interior of the case, and the other edge (34) of the shade is attached to a cover plate (44) which encloses the open end of the case when the shade is folded. The shade is opened to an expanded position by drawing the cover plate across the windshield so that the shade extends through the open end of the case. The cover plate is removably attached to a post (16) on the opposite end of the windshield, and maintains the shade in a position to block sunlight from entering the windshield.

Description

WINDO SHADE APPARATUS Background of the Invention This invention relates generally to the field of window shades, and more particularly to a shade which is used to protect the interior of a vehicle from the sun's rays. This application is a continuation-in-part of Application Serial No. 881,847, filed July 3, 1986.

Sunlight entering the windows of a vehicle, such as a parked car, will cause the air temperature within the 'car's interior to reach uncomfortably high levels, particularly when all of the windows of the car are shut. In addition, the steering wheel and seats may also be heated to a temperature which makes skin contact painful. Not only does this cause discomfort to the driver and passengers upon returning to the car, these high temperatures and the solar radiation cause fading and cracking of surfaces within the car's interior, such as the dashboard. In order to avoid the discomfort described above, and to avoid the expense of replacing a sun damaged dashboard, it is desirable to provide a means to block the sun's rays from entering the car.

A number of sunscreens have been developed for use in blocking the sun's rays while a car is parked. The patent to Levy (U.S. Patent No. 4,202,396) discloses a foldable, rigid cardboard sheet which is propped up on the dashboard. Another previous device is a foldable fan which spreads out into a semi-circular shape and is secured to the windshield by means of suction cups. Also, roller shades have been adapted for use on vehicle windows. Typically, the shade is secured to the windshield by suction cups. Also, custom fit blankets have been designed to be secured to the interior of a windshield and entirely cover the windshield.

All of the above devices suffer from a number of drawbacks. Significantly, all of the devices, with the exception of the fan, must be completely removed from the windshield when not in use, so that the driver has unobstructed vision through the windshield. Once removed, the devices are difficult to store within the car since they are large and may not fit within a standard glove compartment. Thus, the device must occupy space on a seat or on the floor of the car. Further, all of the previous devices, except the blanket, have been unable to completely cover the entire windshield due to differences in the shape of the sunscreen and the windshield, thus allowing sun to enter the car. Also, the prior devices are awkward to handle and deploy.

Thus, a need exists for a compact sunscreen which is easy to operate, substantially covers an entire vehicle window, and does not -have to be removed from the window when the vehicle is in use.

Summary of the Invention The present invention is a window shade apparatus for use in a vehicle, comprising a shade which is foldable into a compact, folded position, and expandable into an expanded position^" in which the shade substantially covers a window and blocks sunlight from entering the vehicle. A case is secured to the frame surrounding the window and encloses the shade when it is in the folded position. One edge of the shade is secured to the case, and the other edge of the shade is drawn through an open end of the case to draw the shade into the expanded position.

Advantageously, the case is small and unobtrusive and does not obstruct the view through the window when the shade is folded within the case. As a result, the apparatus does not have to be removed from the window and stored when not in use. Further, the case provides an attractive enclosure for the shade which can be matched to the interior styling of the vehicle.

The case may be removably secured to the window frame with a fastening means, such as velcro, so that the entire apparatus may be removed if desired. In one preferred e bodiment, the velcro is mounted on defor able members which in turn are attached to the exterior of the case. Upon deformation of the deformable members, the velcro strips can conform to the contour of the window or window frame, and be secured in place despite variations between the external contour of the case and the contour of the window and frame. _

A substantially rigid cover plate is attached to one edge of the shade and is removably fastened to the window frame when the shade is in the expanded position. The shade thus expands completely from the side of the window on which the case is attached to the opposite side of the window. A handle is attached to the cover plate so that the apparatus can be easily operated with one hand. The cover plate is also sized to fully enclose the open end of the case. Grooves in the case allow the cover plate to lock into place on the case and provide resistance to the shade's tendency to expand from the folded position.

Preferably, the material used to form -the shade is comprised of a series of adjacent, elongated hexagonal cells. The corners of the cells are formed by folds in the material. Advantageously, the air space within the cells enhances the insulative properties of the window shade. The shade material is also flexible so that the shade can conform closely to the curved contour of the windshield, thus avoiding any exposure of the dashboard to sunlight.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a window shade apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, installed in an automobile interior, in a fully expanded position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 , showing the apparatus in a partially folded position. Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the apparatus in the position of Figure 2, as viewed from line 3-3 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the present window shade apparatus with the shade in a fully folded position.

Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the present apparatus from the exterior of the windshield.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a support plate which is secured to the automobile dashboard to hold the shade against the windshield.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior incorporating another preferred embodiment of the present invention in which guide channels are provided for the window shade.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the material used to form the window shade.

Figure 9 is a horizontal cross sectional view showing the preferred means for fastening the window shade - material to the cover plate and to the case.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figures 1 and 2 show the present window shade apparatus 10 installed within.an automobile interior. The automobile interior includes a horizontally oriented - dashboard 12 and a windshield 14 extending upwardly from the dashboard 12. A pair of substantially vertical posts 16, 18 extend upwardly from the dashboard 12 on either side of the windshield 14. The surfaces surrounding the periphery of the windshield 14 are generally referred to 0 herein as a "window frame." Thus, the dashboard 12 forms the lower edge of the window frame, and the posts 16, 18 from the side edges of the window frame. The upper edge of the window frame is formed by a roof 20. A pair of sun visors 22 are pivotally secured to the roof 20.

The window shade apparatus 10 includes a shade 24 5 which is formed from a pleated material that allows the shade 24 to be folded against itself into a compact, folded position, best shown in Figure 4. The shade 24 is also expandable into a fully expanded position, in which the shade 24 covers substantially the entire windshield 14, as shown in Figure 1. The shade 24 is substantially opaque and thus blocks sunlight from entering the automobile interior when in the expanded position.

As is best shown in Figure 8, the shade 24 is generally flexible and is formed from a series of adjacent, elongated, hexagonal cells 26. The corners of the cells 26 are formed by pleats or folds 28 in the shade 24. Each cell 26 shares one of its six walls 30 with an adjacent cell 26. Bending of the shade 24 along the folds 28 allows the cells 26 to collapse into a folded position. Preferably, the shade 24 is fabricated from a material sold by Hunter Douglas under the trade name "Duette."

Referring again to Figures 1-4, it can be seen that the shade 24 has two edges 32, 34, both of which extend substantially parallel to the folds 28. One side edge 32 of the shade 24 is secured to a case 36. The case 36 is elongate, rectangular in shape, and has an open end 38 through which the shade 24 passes. The side edges 32, 34 of the shade 24 and the case 36 are both oriented substantially normal to the dashboard 12. The case 36 includes a pair of substantially parallel side walls 40 which are spaced sufficiently to allow the shade 24 to fit therebetween wffeh in a folded position. The space between the side walls 40 also defines the open end 38 of the case 36. Opposite the open end 38, an end wall 42 extends between the side walls 40. The edge 32 of the shade 24 is secured to the interior surface of the end wall 42.

The other side edge 34 of the shade 24 is secured to a substantially planar, rectangular cover plate 44. The cover plate 44 is sized to enclose the open end 38 of the case 36 when the shade 24 is folded. Thus, as shown in Figure 4, the cover plate 44 and case 36 combine to completely enclose and surround the folded shade 24.

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, a groove 46 is cut into the interior surface of each side wall 40, adjacent 5 the open end 38. The cover plate 44 has rounded side edges 48 which snap into the grooves 46 so as to lock the cover plate 44 into place on the case 36. Preferably, the side walls 40 of the case 36 are resilient and return to their original position when spread apart, so as to clamp 0 onto the cover plate 44. A handle 50 is provided on the cover plate 44 to facilitate insertion and withdrawal of the cover plate 44 from the grooves 46. When secured to the case 36, the cover plate 44 provides resistance against the tendency of shade 24 to expand from the folded 5 position, as would a compressed spring.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, several deformable members 52 formed from a pliant plastic material are secured to the side wall 40 and to the end wall 42 of the case 36. Mounted onto the deformable members 52 are o strips 54 of a hook and pile type fastener, such as that .sold under the trade name "Velcro." Mating Velcro strips 56 are fastened to the windshield 14 and to the post 18 as shown in broken lines in Figure 5. The case 36 can thus be secured to the post 18 by pressing the case 36 into the 5 corner formed by the windshield 14 and the post 18 so as to engage the Velcro strips 54 on the case 36 with the strips 56 on the windshield 14 and post 18. The case 36 extends paral__*l to the vertical post 18 when secured thereto. Deformation of the deformable members 52 allows _Q the Velcro strips 54 to conform to the curved contour of the post 18 and the windshield 14, more easily than if the strips 54 were directly attached to the flat side walls 40 and end wall 42 of the case 36.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, Velcro strips 58 are also attached to the side of the cover plate 44 which is exposed when the cover plate 44 is secured to the case 36. Mating Velcro strips 60 are secured to the post 16 on the opposite side of the windshield 14 from the case 36. When the shade 24 is fully expanded, the cover plate 44 is secured to the post 16 by pressing the cover plate 44 against the post 16 so as to engage the Velcro strips 58 and 60.

As will be understood from the foregoing, the present window shade apparatus 10 can be easily installed within a vehicle, and is also easy to operate. To install the apparatus 10, the Velcro strips 56, 60 are first secured to the posts 16, 18 and the windshield 14 with a suitable adhesive. Then, with the shade 24 in the fully folded position and the cover plate 44 attached to the case 36, the case 36 is pressed against the post 18 and windshield 14 so as to engage the mating Velcro strips 54, 56. The apparatus 10 can be left in place against the post 18 indefinitely, yet is easily removable for repair, replacement, cleaning, or for storage. Since the case 36 and cover plate 44 completely enclose the shade 24, there is no risk that the shade 24 will be soiled or damaged when the apparatus 10 is removed.

The apparatus 10 may be secured to the post 18 by means other than the Velcro strips 54, 56, such as suction cups, magnets, etc. Alternatively, the case 36 can be incorporated into the post 18 as an original equipment feature on the automobile.

To deploy the shade 24 after installation, the handle 50 is grasped jand pulled away from the case 36 so as to dislodge the cover plate 44 from the grooves 46. The shade 24 is unfolded and drawn across the windshield 14 by bringing the cover plate 44 towards. the post 16 and thus separating the edges 32, 34 of the shade 24. Once the shade 24 is fully expanded, the cover plate 44 is fastened to the post 16 by engaging the mating Velcro strips 58, 60, thus retaining the shade 24 in the expanded position. To prevent bowing of the shade 24 away from the windshield 14, the upper edge of the shade 24 can be supported by the sun visors 22. As seen in Figure 1, the shade 24 extends completely across the windshield 14 from post 16 to post 18, and thus effectively prevents sun from 5 entering through the windshield 14. Also, since the shade 24 is flexible, it is able to conform closely to the curvature of the windshield 14, and minimizes the amount of dashboard 12 between the shade 24 and the windshield 14 which is exposed to the sun. In addition to blocking the ^*10 sun, the air space provided within the cells 26 of the shade 24 act as an insulator.

To return the shade 24 to its folded position, the cover plate 44 is disengaged from the post 16 and brought towards the case 36. As the edges 32 and 34 of the shade

15 24 are brought together, the shade 24 will naturally return to its folded position, as would a stretched spring. Thus, the shade 24 is easy to manipulate. After the shade 24 is folded into the case 36, the cover plate 44 is pressed into place within the grooves 46. The

20 entire apparatus ^'10 does not have to be removed from the post 16 and since the case 36 is small and will not obstruct a driver's view through the windshield 14.

As shown in Figures 1 and 6, another aspect of the invention is a support plate 62 which is secured to the

25 dashboard 12. The support plate 62 is substantially planar and is oriented substantially parallel to the plane of the windshield 14. A pair of flexible clips 64 extend downwardly from the plate 62 and removably secure the plate 62 to tills dashboard 12 by hooking into a pair of 0 defroster slots 66 in the dashboard 12. The support plate 62 presses the shade 24 against the windshield 14 and prevents the shade 24 from bowing away from the windshield 14. Also, the support plate 62 helps to guide the shade 24 as it is drawn out of the case 36 and into the expanded

3 position. Although not shown, the plate 62 may also be secured behind a rear view mirror by means of clips to support the upper edge of the shade.

As shown in Figure 7, a pair of U-shaped channels 68, 70 may be secured along both the upper and lower edges of the windshield 14, respectively. As the shade 24 is drawn into and out of the case 36, the upper and lower edges of the shade 24 will be contained within the channels 68, 70. Thus, the shade 24 is guided by the channels 68, 70 and is also supported against bowing away from the windshield 14. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, a mechanical linkage (not shown) may be provided to open and close the shade 24 when utilized in combination with the channels 68, 70. Although not shown, the channels 68, 70 may be segmented into a number of smaller portions.

Referring to Figure 9, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shade 24 is removably secured to the case 36 and to the cover plate 44. An elongate, planar fastening plate 72 is inserted within the cell 26 adjacent the edge 34 of the shade 24 Threaded holes in the cover plate 44 and the fastening plate 72, and a hole in the shade 24; are aligned so that the fastening plate 72 can be removably secured to the cover plate 44 by means of a screw 74. The edge 34 of the shade 24 is thus sandwiched between the cover plate 44 and the fastening plate 72. Likewise, the other edge 32 of the shade 24 is sandwiched between the end wall 42 of the case 36 and another fastening plate 76. A screw 78 is threaded through holes in the end wall 42 and the fastening plate 76. The shade 24 can be easily detached from the cover plate 44 and case 36 for cleaning, repair, or replacement by unthreading the screws 74, 78.

Modifications and variations of the embodiments described above may be made by those skilled in the art while remaining within the scope of the invention. For example, the apparatus 10 may be used in any window within any type of vehicle, such as a boat, truck, etc. Also, the case 36 may be oriented in a substantially horizontal direction, so that the shade 24 is drawn upwardly and downwardly, as opposed to horizontally. Since the shade 24 is flexible and can be curved about an axis normal to the shade, the case 36 and cover plate 44 may also be curved to more closely conform to the contour of a curved window or window frame.

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Claims

IN THE CLAIMS :

1. A window shade apparatus for use in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a shade formed from a pleated material having a first edge and a second edge opposite said first edge, said shade being foldable into a compact, folded position by bringing said edges closer together, said shade being expandable into an expanded position by spreading said edges apart, said shade substantially covering a window on said vehicle when in said expanded position; a case which encloses said shade when in said folded position, said first edge of said shade being secured to said case, said case having an open end through which said shade passes when in an expanded position; means for securing said case to a frame surrounding said window; means for drawing said shade out of said case and into said expanded position; and means for retaining said shade in said expanded position.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said drawing means comprises a handle attached to said second edge of said shade.

3. The apparatus of Claim 2, further comprising a cover plate which is sized to cover said open end of said case when said shade is in said folded position, said cover plate secured to said second edge of said shade, said handle being attached to said cover plate.

4. The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said case is formed from an end wall, and two substantially parallel side walls extending from said end wall so as to define said open end, said shade passing between said side walls, said cover plate extending between said side walls to enclose said case.

5. The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said means for retaining said shade in an open position comprises a means for removably fastening said cover plate to said window frame.

6. The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein said fastening means comprises mating strips of velcro on said cover plate and on said window frame.

7. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said vehicle is an automobile having a dashboard, said window extending upwardly from said dashboard, said dashboard having a plurality of defroster slots therein, wherein said retaining means further comprises: an elongated, planar plate which is substantially parallel to said windshield and supports said shade material when in said expanded position, said plate being spaced from said window so that said shade extends between said plate and said window; and means for securing said plate to said dashboard.

8. The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein said securing means comprises a resilient clip extending from said plate, said clip extending into said defroster hole to βecure said plate to said dashboard.

9. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said case is removably secured to said frame.

10. The apparatus of Claim 9 wherein said means for securing said case to said frame comprises: a deformable support member secured to said case; a strip of velcro attached to said frame; and a mating strip of velcro attached to said deformable member, said deformable member conforming said mating velcro strip to the contour of said frame.

11. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said shade material is formed from a plurality of elongated, substantially hexagonal cells which are joined along folds, said shade expanding and folding in a direction transverse to the orientation of said folds.

12. The apparatus of Claim 11 wherein said cells are oriented substantially vertical, said case being secured to a substantially vertically oriented portion of frame.

13. In an automobile having a dashboard, a windshield 5 extending above said dashboard, and a post extending upwardly from said dashboard on either side of said windshield, a window shade apparatus for covering said windshield and blocking sunlight from entering the interior of said automobile through said windshield, said 0 apparatus comprising: a shade formed from a substantially opaque, pleated material having a plurality of folds, and having a first edge and a second edge, said folds extending substantially parallel to said edges, said 5 shade being expandable to an expanded position by separating said edges, said shade substantially covering the interior of said windshield when in said expanded position, said shade being foldable into a compact, folded position by bringing said edges φ together; an elongate case removably secured to one of said posts, said first edge of said shade secured to the interior of said case, said case having an opening through which said shade passes when it is in an 5 expanded position, said case enclosing said shade when in said folded position so that said shade does not obstruct the view through said windshield; a cover plate attached to said second edge of said shade, said cover plate being removably secured to said case so as to cover said open end of said case when said shade is in said folded position and retain said shade in said folded position, said cover plate being removably secured to the other post when said shade is in said expanded position, so that said shade is retained in said expanded position and extends across the entire width of said windshield; and a handle secured to said cover plate so that said shade can be folded or expanded manually.

14. The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein said case has a pair of substantially parallel side walls, and an end wall

5 extending therebetween, said side walls defining said open end, said shade being secured to the interior of said end wall.

15. The apparatus of Claim 14 wherein said side walls include grooves therein, the edges of said cover plate

^*10 mating with said grooves so as to removably secure said cover plate to said case.

16. The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein said shade material is formed from a plurality of elongated, substantially hexagonal cells which are joined along

15 folds, said shade expanding and folding in a direction transverse to the orientation of said folds.

17. The apparatus of Claim 13 further comprising means for removably securing said shade to said cover plate and to said case so that said shade can be easily

20 replaced.

18. The apparatus of Claim 13, wherein said securing means comprises: a first elongate plate, said first edge of said shade being sandwiched between said first plate and 25 said case; means for fastening said first plate to said case; a second elongate plate, said second edge of said shade being sandwiched between said second plate and 30 said cover plate; and means for fastening said second plate to said cover plate.

19. The apparatus of Claim 18, wherein said fastening means comprises screws.

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