WO1996000665A1

WO1996000665A1 - Motor vehicle sunshade

Info

Publication number: WO1996000665A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000387
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rayman James Pawsey
Original assignee: Robert Hicks Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1994-06-29
Filing date: 1995-06-29
Publication date: 1996-01-11
Also published as: IL114385A0; NZ288538A

Abstract

A motor vehicle sunshade having a central segment (1) which can be positioned adjacent to the windscreen of the vehicle and two wing segments (2, 3) pivotally attached to each end of the central segment and which can be positioned adjacent to the side windows of the vehicle. All three segments (1, 2, 3) can be folded in a concertina manner. The wing segments (2, 3) each have a strap (7, 8) to enable the wing segments (2, 3) to be releasably attached to the vehicle.

Description

MOTOR VEHICLE SUNSHADE

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a sunshade for reducing the internal temperatures of motor vehicles on sunny days and protecting internal surfaces in motor vehicles from sun damage.

Background

It is known to provide sun shades for cars in the form of external envelopes constructed of weatherproof material. However, these envelopes, which cover most or all of the external surfaces of the car, are awkward to install, make it difficult to re-open a door (eg. to retrieve a forgotten item) and are prone to wind damage, theft and vandalism. It is also known to provide external shades which cover the front windscreen of the car. However, these have the added disadvantage of offering little protection to cars which are parked with solar radiation incident at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the car. Likewise these devices may be easily stolen from the exterior of the car. It is known to provide readily removable sunshades which are arranged internally to the car. However, these shades operate primarily to intercept solar radiation entering through the front windscreen and do not prevent significant heat build-up in the car from solar radiation entering through a side window of the car. This is a particular problem if the car must be parked in ah unfavourable orientation relative to the sun, or be parked for a sufficiently long time for the sun to shift.

Another type of sun shade is disclosed in co-pending Australian patent application PM0030. That sunshade provides a cover for a motor vehicle steering wheel, ignition system and optionally, part of the dashboard of the vehicle. Whilst this device is effective to shade the nominated components from incident solar radiation from a range of orientations it does not assist materially in reducing internal temperatures in the car.

Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a means of reducing heat build-up in motor vehicles, which means are readily installed, removed and stored when not in use, which protect the interior from solar radiation incident through the windscreen and at least partially through side windows and which permit easy opening and closing of vehicle doors while installed.

Summary of the preferred forms of the invention

According to one preferred form of the invention there is provided a sunshade for a motor vehicle including a centre segment to be positioned adjacent to the windscreen or rear window of the vehicle and two wing segments to be positioned adjacent to the side windows of the vehicle, each of the wing segments being connected to the centre segment and movable relative thereto. The segments substantially shade the interior of the vehicle from solar radiation impinging upon the windows to which they may be adjacent.

In another preferred form the wing segments are constructed in concertina form so that each may be compacted or extended into position. Likewise the centre segment may also be constructed in concertina form. In such an arrangement the sun shade, when in its stored configuration, is compactly concertinaed, and when in its operative configuration, extends to shade the interior of the vehicle against solar radiation incident through both the windscreen or rear window of the vehicle, and the adjacent side windows of the vehicle.

Whilst reference has been made to the use of a concertina construction the invention is not so limited. Clearly the sunshade may be fabricated from flexible material which permits it to be rolled or conveniently folded for storage. A combination of rigid and flexible materials may also be adopted to facilitate storage. Typically the sunshade may be entirely fabricated from a cardboard material which can be creased to permit the concertina folding mentioned above. The cardboard material may be covered with a reflective coating least one side thereof to enhance its shading performance.

In another preferred embodiment, the centre segment and at least one of its wing segments is connected via a hinge being located to allow the sunshade in its operative configuration to flex and/or stretch so that the wing segment can move with its respective vehicle door to permit easy access to and from the interior of the vehicle while the sunshade is installed. In another preferred embodiment, the sunshade is provided with locating means on an upper edge and/or rear edge of at least one wing segment, the locating means being adapted to link detachably over the top of a door of the motor vehicle: with a grab-handle installed in the motor vehicle above the door adjacent that segment; between the window pane and a door frame; or with a retaining device attached to the body of the vehicle adjacent the window.

In another preferred embodiment, the sunshade is configured so that the centre segment, when in its operative configuration, stands upon the upper surface of the dashboard of the vehicle and extends upwardly to a position higher than the lowermost points of one or more conventional appointments of the vehicle so that the centre segment will be retained in that position by those appointments. Typically, these appointments are permanent sunshades affixed to the vehicle above the windscreen which can be lowered to assist in retention of the centre segment.

In another preferred embodiment, the concertina form of the sunshade is implemented by a series of planar slats each hinged to one or more adjacent slats, the slat hinges being arranged generally vertically when the sunshade is fully installed. Preferably, the hinge between a wing segment and the centre segment of the sunshade is formed by a corresponding hinge between slats. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the centre segment comprises 10 slats and each wing segment comprises 5 slats. As such it is possible to fabricate the entire sunshade from a planar sheet of material.

Additionally, the centre segment may be adapted to be placed inside the vehicle and one or both of the wing segments may be adapted to be placed outside the vehicle. In both such instances, the centre segment is preferably joined to the wing segments by intermediate portions which advantageously are of material which has elastic properties. Alternatively, the centre segment may be mounted externally of the vehicle and the wing segments may be internally mounted. Furthermore, the centre segment and the wing segments may all be internally mounted; or the centre segment and the wing segments may all be externally mounted.

Description of the drawings

The invention will now be described with reference to a particularly preferred embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle sunshade according to the invention in its operative configuration.

Figure 2 shows the sunshade in partly folded form.

Figure 3 shows the sunshade in an almost fully folded form.

Figure 4 shows the sunshade partially installed across the windscreen of a motor car.

Figure 5 shows the sunshade of Figure 4 with the passenger side wing installed. Figure 6 shows the sunshade fully installed.

Figure 7 shows three variations on the shape of wing segments.

Figure 8 shows a variety of designs for attaching a wing segment to a vehicle.

Figure 9 shows a further series of designs for attaching a wing segment to a vehicle.

Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of a sunshade for a vehicle. Figure 11 shows a variation of the sunshade of Figure 10.

The sunshade has a centre segment 1 and two outer wing segments shown at 2 and 3 respectively. Each of the segments is made up of slats 4 hinged as shown at 5 to form a structure capable of extension and contraction in concertina form. The wing segments 2 and 3 are connected to centre segment 1 by hinge 6 to allow them to lie in planes parallel to the windows of side doors of a motor vehicle while the centre segment 1 lies in a plane parallel generally with that of the windscreen of the motor vehicle. The wings 2 and 3 additionally include tabs 7 and 8 to attach to the vehicle adjacent to a side door or to the side door itself. In Figure 2 the sunshade of Figure 1 is shown in a partly folded form. Figure 3 depicts the further folded form of the sunshade . The arrows indicate how the final slats of the two wing segments should be folded to ensure that the entire sunshade lies generally flat when in its stored condition. In Figure 4 the sunshade is shown in a partly extended form (with the wing segments 2 and 3 still folded) and the centre segment 1 lying in a plane generally parallel to that of the windscreen of the vehicle. The centre segment 1 retains its place by standing upon the dashboard of the vehicle and being retained along its top edge by sunshades 14 already installed in a fixed way in the vehicle. The sunshades 14 are normally in a raised position but in order to retain the sunshade of the invention, they are lowered into their shading position. The centre segment 1 of the sunshade may also be retained at least partly by rear vision mirror 13 installed in the vehicle. Alternatively mirror 13 may be treated as an interference, in which case centre segment 1 of the sunshade will have a depression formed along its upper surface 13a to allow a user readily to bypass mirror 13 when installing centre segment 1 in the vehicle or removing it.

In Figure 5 wing segment 15 has been extended to lie against window 10, and tab 18 attached to wing segment 15 has been looped over grab handle 17 installed in the vehicle immediately above window 10. Tab 18 allows wing segment 15 to be readily attached and detached into and from its operative position. By adopting a wing segment shape which corresponds to the shape of the side window it is additionally possible to force the wing segment 15 into an interference fit with the side window. This will improve the sun shading capabilities of the wing segment.

In Figure 6 wing segment 16 has been extended to lie in a plane parallel to that of window 11 (see Figure 4), and tab 19 has been hooked over the top of the upper edge of door 20. This configuration allows a user easily to open and shut door 20 with the sunshade installed.

Figure 7 shows three preferred variations of the shape of wing segments 2 and 3. These are shown at 21, 22 and 23. Obviously the shape adopted should approximate the shape of the side window to maximise the sun shading effect. Figures 8 and 9 show a number of tabs for attachment of the wing segments to either the grab handles of a vehicle or to be grasped when closing the car door to secure the position of the sunshade. These tabs may be fabricated from any suitable material. For example "Velcro" tabs which can be looped through the grab handle and fastened upon themselves. Likewise loops of elastic material may be jammed between the door and the chassis of the vehicle. To install the sunshade, the concertinaed form of the sunshade as shown in Figure 3 is expanded whilst located in the vehicle (see Figure 2). It is then located upon the dashboard of the vehicle and held in place by the sun visors as shown in Figure 4. Thereafter the wing segment 15 is expanded to cover a side window of the vehicle as shown in Figure 5. Tab 18 is passed through the grab handle so that the wing segment is supported by the grab handle and the surrounding window sill. The installation to this stage can easily be carried out by a person from within the vehicle. Thereafter the person opens the other door, unfolds the wing segment 16 and from outside the vehicle holds tab 19 closes the door jamming tab 19 between the door and the chassis of the vehicle. The final position is shown in Figure 6. To remove the sunshade the reverse procedure is adopted.

A variation of the above is shown in Figure 10, where like reference numerals are used for like components, but with the use of an additional prefix number 1.

The sunshade has a centre segment 101 and two outer wing segments 102 and 103 respectively. The segments 101, 102 and 103 may be made the same as the segments 1, 2 and 3 of Figures 1 to 9. The wing segments 102, 103 are connected to the centre segment 101 by intermediate portions 130 which, preferably, are made of an elastic material. The nature and operation of the sunshade of Figure 10 is the same as that of Figures 1 to 9, except for the wing segments 102, 103 being adapted to be placed either inside or outside of the vehicle doors so as to substantially cover the door windows from the inside or outside, as the case may be. In this way the fitting of the sunshade is made easier. The central segment 101 may be fitted inside or outside the windscreen of the vehicle in the same manner as the segment 1 of Figures 1 to 9. If the central segment 101 is fitted inside the vehicle, once it has been placed in position as described above, the wing segments 102, 103 are passed between the vehicle body (not shown) and the vehicle door (not shown). The elasticity of the intermediate portions 130 will assist in allowing the appropriate tension, as well as allowing the vehicle door to be shut on the intermediate portions 130 without damaging the sunshade. Due to their elasticity, variations in the thickness and/or size of the door pillar of the vehicle may also be allowed for.

The outer region 132 of wing segments 102, 103 have tags 134 which are used to secure the wing segments 102, 103 in relation to the vehicle by being jammed between the vehicle door and the vehicle, or between the window being covered and the door frame, or by using suction cups (not shown) at the ends of tags 134 to be attached in the usual manner to the vehicle window. As an alternative, the ends of tags 134 may be adapted to be passed around any grab handles fitted to the vehicle interior by using appropriate fastening means at the end of tags 134 such as, for example, "Velcro", press studs, or the like.

Alternatively, the wing segments 102, 103 could be within the vehicle in the same manner as for the wing segments 2, 3 of Figures 1 to 9, and the central segment 101 could be mounted on the exterior surface of the windscreen. The tensile force extended upon it by the retention of the wing segments 102, 103 within the vehicle and the intermediate portions 130 being held between the vehicle doors and the vehicle body, would hold the central portion 101 in position. This retention in position may be assisted by the use of the vehicle windscreen wipers, suction cups, or clips co-operating with the rubber-like seal around the windscreen.

As will be realised, the central segment 101 and the wing segments 102 and 103 may all be mounted externally of the vehicle. This may cause extra difficulties in that the securing of the sunshade to the vehicle should be able to cope with all variations of weather which may be applicable. The various attachment methods may be used individually, or in any possible combinations. The material of the sunshade, when intended for external mounting, should be able to reasonably cope with weather variations. Materials such as a vinyl material, which may be stabilized against ultra-violet light, could be used. However, any suitable material may be used. Figure 11 shows a variation of that of Figure 10, in that there is provided a cut-out 136 from wing segments 102, 103 adjacent intermediate portions 130 so as to allow for externally mounted wing mirrors on a vehicle. Alternatively, the cut-out 136 may be a portion of elasticised material of sufficient flexibility to pass around and/or over any wing mirrors fitted to the vehicle. This is relevant when the wing segments 102, 103 are to be mounted externally of the vehicle, as described above. In all other respects, the embodiment of Figure 11 is the same as that of Figure 10.

The sunshade can be made out of any suitable material. Preferably the material of the slats will be firm and light, capable of retaining its shape in very hot conditions. Preferably also it will be of a light or reflective colour or surface. The hinges are preferably made of woven fabric .

Claims

CLAIMSThe claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A sunshade for a motor vehicle, the sunshade including a centre segment to be positioned adjacent to the windscreen or rear window of the vehicle; and two wing segments, one at each end of the centre segment, each wing segment to be positioned adjacent to the side windows of the vehicle; each of the wing segments being connected to the centre segment and being moveable relative thereto.

2. A sunshade as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wing segments are constructed in concertina form so that each may be compacted, or extended into position.

3. A sunshade as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the centre segment is constructed in concertina form so that it may be compacted, or extended into position.

4. A sunshade as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the concertina form is a series of planar slats each hinged to one or more adjacent planar slats, the hinges being arranged generally vertically when the sunshade is fully installed.

5. A sunshade as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the sunshade is fabricated from a cardboard material which can be creased to permit the concertina form.

6. A sunshade as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sunshade is fabricated from a flexible material to permit the sunshade to be folded or rolled for storage.

7. A sunshade as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sunshade has a reflective coating on at least one side thereof.

8. A sunshade as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the wing segments are each connected to the centre segment by a main hinge.

9. A sunshade as claim in claim 8, wherein the main hinge is located to allow the sunshade, when in its operative configuration, to stretch so that the wing segments are each capable of movement with its respective vehicle door.

10. A sunshade as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the centre segment, when in its operative configuration, stands upon an upper surface of a dashboard of the vehicle and extends upwardly to a position higher than the lowermost point of an appointment of the vehicle to enable the centre segment to be releasably retained in that position by that appointment.

11. A sunshade as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each wing segment has an upper edge and a rear edge, each wing segment having a locating means extending upwardly from its upper edge to enable the wing segments to be releasably attached to the vehicle.

12. A sunshade as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment is to at least one grab handle of the vehicle.

13. A sunshade as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the attachment is to at least one door of the vehicle.

14. A sunshade as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the attachment is to a retaining device attached to the vehicle.

15. A sunshade as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least one of the wing segments is adapted to be placed outside the vehicle, the centre segment being adapted to be placed inside the vehicle.

16. A sunshade as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the centre segment is adapted to be placed outside the vehicle, at least one of the wing segments being adapted to be placed inside the vehicle.

17. A sunshade as claimed in claim 16 when appended to claim 10, wherein the appointment is at least one windscreen wiper of the vehicle.

18. A sunshade as claimed in claim 15, when appended to claim 10, wherein the appointment is at least one sun visor affixed to the vehicle interior.

19. A sunshade as claimed in claim 8, or any one of claims 9 to 18 when appended to claim 9, wherein the main hinge includes an elastic portion.

20. A sunshade as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein each wing segment has a lower edge, the lower edge having a cut-out portion.

21. A sunshade as claimed in claim 20, wherein the cut-out portion is of an elastic material.

22. A sunshade substantially as hereinbefore with reference to and as illustrated by each of the accompanying drawings.