Collapsible auto shade

#Not Applicable.

#This invention relates to means for protecting the interior of an automobile, through the application of a shade generally to the interior of an automobile window, for the purpose of preventing the entrance of damaging sun rays and the generation of damaging heat.

#Numerous styles of auto screens have long been available in the art. For example, my prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,460, upon an automobile window protector, and which is incorporated herein by reference, shows the fabrication of such a sheet, made of flexible material, and which could be applied to both the interior and exterior of the window of an automobile. In addition, my prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,262, and which issued as Re-examination certificate No. B1 5,024,262, and which is incorporated herein by reference, shows a compactly foldable automobile sunshade, which provided for inherent resiliency, at least around its perimeter loop, to hold the shade in its opened configuration, and to provide protection at the vicinity of the automobile window, but which could likewise be reduced in its size through folding of its frame into a more compact arrangement for storage.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a vehicle window shade of the present invention when expanded and mounted on a car window,

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the window shade when collapsed;

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a clip for mounting the window shade to a side window of the vehicle;

#The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention.

#A first illustrative embodiment of a vehicle window shade 10 is shown in FIG. 1 mounted on a window W. The shade 10 includes two frame members 12 and 14 which are connected to a base 16. The base 16 is generally rectangular in side elevation, and includes a bottom 16a and a pair of spaced apart side walls 16b to define a channel. At least one end of the channel is opened, as at 16c. The channel has a width slightly greater than the diameter of the frame members 12 and 14, such that the frame members can be received in the channel. The first frame member 12 is fixed to the base 16 at one end, and the second frame member 14 is pivotally connected to the base 16 at the opened end 16c of the base by a pin 18 which extends through the frame member 14 and base side walls 16b. The frame member 14 is pivotal between a closed position, in which it is generally parallel to the frame member 12 (as seen in FIG. 2), and an opened position, in which it is generally perpendicular to the frame member 12 (as seen in FIG. 1).

#A pleated screen 20 is connected to the frame members 12 and 14 along adjacent edges of the screen. As seen, the screen 20, when expended, is generally rectangular in shape. The pleats 21 of the screen 20 allow for the screen 20 to be folded or compressed, as seen in FIG. 2, for storage of the shade 10. The pleats 21 are not parallel to each other. Rather, they radiate from a pivot point of the screen 20 within the base 16.