US 6,179,038 B2 · Pivoting automobile window shades

Abstract

The automobile window shade system is adapted to be removably mounted at an interior of an automobile window. The automobile window shade system of the present invention includes a plurality of shades and each shade includes a web of shade material and a continuous loop spring mounted therewith. Preferably, the spring material is sewn within the web of shade material. A plurality of pivots rotatably link adjacent shades together such that the plurality of shades has a fully extended longitudinal position or mode and a compact stacked position or mode wherein respective continuous loop springs are substantially vertically aligned in the stacked position. In the stacked position, the plurality of shades may be twisted and folded to form a sub-compact, twisted and folded position or mode. In the sub-compact mode, the entire shade can be placed in a bag or can be wrapped with an elastic strap to maintain the sub-compact positional mode. Additional features include longitudinally extending web material at the end shades, systems for attaching laterally facing edges of adjacent shades when those shades are in the fully extended longitudinal position or mode, and a pivot support plate in each shade in order to provide a substantially planar web of shade material. To enhance the utility of the automobile shade, the front side of the shade may carry either advertising indicia or emergency indicia (e.g., “Help”, “Call Police,” “Need Gas”).

Claims53

Dependent claims

An automobile window shade system adapted to be removably mounted at an interior of an automobile window comprising:

a plurality of shades, each shade including a web of shade material and a continuous loop spring mounted thereon, each shade being substantially planar as defined by the respective continuous loop spring;
and,
at least one pivot, positioned normal with respect to said substantially planar shades, rotatably linking adjacent shades such that said plurality of shades have a fully extended positional mode and a compact stacked positional mode, respective continuous loop springs being substantially vertically aligned in said stacked positional mode.

An automobile window shade system adapted to be removably mounted at an interior of an automobile window comprising:

plural shade members, each of said shade members including a continuous loop spring connected to and supporting a web of shade material within the interior of a loop formed by said continuous loop spring, each of said shade members being substantially planar as defined by the respective continuous loop spring;
a pivot connection between said shade members, said pivot connection positioned normal with respect to said substantially planar shade members, said pivot connection interconnecting said shade members such that said shade members may be arranged in a fully extended position substantially adjacent each other for covering a major portion of said automobile window and in a compact stacked position wherein said shade members substantially overlap each other and are operable to be twisted and folded onto themselves to form a twisted and folded position for storing said window shade, said continuous loop springs in said fully extended position of said shade being of a configuration such as to be deployed at said interior of said automobile window without forcibly engaging a frame of said automobile window in such a way as to deflect or deform said continuous loop springs, respectively.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pivoting automobile window shades

Life of this patent

Pivoting automobile window shades

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims53