Patent application title: Spring metal supported interior sunshield
Inventors:
Jeremy Randall Bratcher (Sunset, UT, US)
Jeff Randall Bratcher (Sunset, UT, US)
IPC8 Class: AB60J120FI
USPC Class:
160 8401
Class name: Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel pleating type
Publication date: 2013-02-07
Patent application number: 20130032299
Abstract:
A Spring Metal Supported Sunshield is designed to go on the interior of
the front windshield of a vehicle. It is made of two layers, the outside
layer being the reflective insulating material layer with a series of
spring metal in a ribbed position between the second layer of Vinyl. The
spring metal ads strength to the invention and still retains its ability
to be folded over to make fit into position. This will fix the problem of
having a sunshield fall in the window while being used in a parked
vehicle.Claims:
1. A Spring Metal Supported Sunshield will have a basic design to fit the
front window of any Vehicle with small modifications of size based on the
shape of the window in the Vehicle. It will be made of three layers one
being a Reflective Insulating material to add the ability to help lower
the temp. of the Vehicle being used. Also the second layer will be made
of a set of Concaved Spring metal ribs to add durability and prolonged
strength to the Sunshield. The third layer will be made of Vinyl for its
strength and ability to customize the look to match any vehicle's
interior. With out the need for strength from folds in the material it is
now able to be rolled and held together with two elastic straps for
storage.
2. The Spring Metal Supported Sunshield of claim (1), will have the support ribs made of concaved spring metal.
3. The Spring Metal Supported Sunshield of claim (1), will be made of two material layers held together with a strong adhesive and a sewn edge with bias tape.
4. The Spring Metal Supported Sunshield of claim (1), and claim (3) will be made of reflective insulating material.
5. The Spring Metal Supported Sunshield of claim (1) and claim (3) will be made of Vinyl for its strength and colors available.
6. The Spring Metal Supported Sunshield of claim (1) will be held together with elastic bands when placed in its storage position.
7. The Spring Metal Supported Sunshield of claim (1), will be held in position by either the car visors or if custom made will be held up by the tucking the sunshield under the top lip of the vehicles interior window trim.
Description:
[0001] Applicant claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/369,655
filed on Jul. 30, 2010.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] In the current field of sunshields, and portable Sunshield for cars, trucks and Vans. The application of this invention is to help protect Vehicles from harmful rays from the sun when parked.
[0003] There have been many inventions made to help protect vehicles from the sun. There have been many designs over the years to be placed inside the interior, and exterior of the vehicle. The most well known of the designs is the folding cardboard shade shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,396. Another design tried, has been the Venetian blind style. As seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,414. Some spring metal has also been applied in a collapsible, fabric covered loops, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,784. Also the metal has been used to try to add strength, by putting a spine in the center as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,599. Also to try to help the Sunshield stay up in the window many have tried to add suction cups and clips to hold it in the window as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,460.
[0004] In each attempt to balance the quality and form of the product. The materials and designs have been changed to try to meet a balance. By using cardboard for the folding shade it is very cheap to manufacture, and is easy to store when being folded. Being made of cheap materials it does not fully achieve its purpose and functionality, which is to help reduce heat and block UV rays.
Also Cardboard is not flexible. If bent, it cannot be repaired. Others like the Venetian blind style need to be installed and loses its affordability and removability. The cloth and spring metal still are difficult to put away and still do not fully succeed in completing their purpose. Even the most Ideal sunshields made of lightweight, reflective material will succumb to the rays of the sun. Loosing there effectiveness over time. Even some that have tried to add support like metal or plastic have not yet perfected the design in function and form. Many products that are made of the reflective material collapse over time and fail to protect the Vehicle from the Sun's Rays. Also in some of the manufacturing processes of the reflective material it damages the air bubbles that add dead air space needed to create the insulating value. Some have tried to fix the collapsing problem with suction cups and or clips. But these are still only temporary solutions.
[0005] Suction cups eventually loose there ability to stick to the window do to sun damage. And clips only add to the time necessary to install and uninstall the sunshield. Allowing the sunshield to fail in its use overtime.
[0006] The Ideal design for a sunshield would be flexible and self supporting, easy to install and remove from the windshield of the vehicle. Also the Materials needed, would have to be able to withstand the heat that they are protecting the vehicle from. And remain in position during its time of use in a parked vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to providing an improved sunshield over the prior art, by adding additional strength with rolled spring metal to allow flexibility and strength. And still utilizing materials that add superior reflective and insulating properties, plus a stronger vinyl backing for cosmetic appeal. Allowing the sunshield the durability and strength to stay in position during its use.
[0008] The sunshield is comprised of three layers, one being the reflective insolating material on the outside, to block the suns rays and protecting the interior of the vehicle from heat and sun damage. The second layer consist of the rolled spring metal placed in proper support locations. With the final layer being the vinyl backing seen from the interior of the vehicle, giving a cleaner cosmetic look to the prior art in the field of sunshields.
[0009] With the added strength given by the rolled spring metal the sunshield can be folded in half and will spring back to its original position. Keeping the sunshield from folding over in extreme heat and extended use, thus allowing the sunshield superior durability over time. The added strength from the spring metal allows the sunshield to be rolled instead of folded into and accordion style, witch has been used to add strength to the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. (1) is a perspective interior view of the Spring Metal Supported Sunshield (10) in its upright position. It shows the Short Spring Metal (12), and long (14) in a Rib formation in between the Vinyl (A) and Reflective Insulation Material (B). Also shown is the bias tape (18) sewn around the outside and inside the Mirror Cut Out Position (20) of the Spring Metal Supported Sunshield (10), and the Elastic Straps (16) in the undone position.
[0011] FIG. (2) is a fragmented view of the inventions materials showing the Reflective Insulation Material (B) on top with the Short Spring Metal (12) and Long Spring Metal (14) in the middle with the Vinyl Material (A) on the bottom. To the left is the Bias Tape (18) and Elastic Straps (16).
[0012] FIG. (3) is a close up perspective view of the Short Spring Metal (12) and Long Spring Metal (14). It shows the curve desired to make the Spring Metal Rigged enough to hold a straight position and flexible enough to be bent and return to its Rigged position.
[0013] FIG. (4) is a close up perspective showing FIG. (1) Mirror Cut Out Position (20). It shows the Short Spring Metal (12) and Long Spring Metal (14) in ghost lines. With ghost lines showing a bend illustrating the Flexibility of the Spring Metal by bending the inner corner of the Mirror Cut Out Position (20).
[0014] FIG. (5) is a perspective view of the FIG. (1) Spring Metal Supported Sunshield (10) in its storage position. It shows the Vinyl (A) on the outside when the Sunshield is rolled for storage. Also shown is the Elastic Straps (16) in there storage position.
[0015] FIG. (6) is a perspective view of FIG. (1) Spring Metal Supported Sunshield (10) in the process of being unrolled for its upright position. When being unrolled you can see the Reflective Insulation Material (B) on the inside. With the Vinyl (A) side now on the bottom. The Elastic Bands (16) are now loose and in there open position.
[0016] FIG. (7) is a forward perspective view of the FIG. (1) Spring Metal Supported Sunshield (10) in its final upright position. You can see the Reflective Insulation Material (B) from the outside of the vehicle. Also shown in ghost lines are the Short Spring Metal (12) and Long Spring Metal (14) in there Ribbed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The Spring Metal Supported Sunshield (10) in FIG. (1) shows the invention in its current form. The Mirror Cut Out Position (20) can be cut in any form, it is shown in the common V shape in the art for its ability to be easily sewn on a common sewing machine. You can see in FIG. (1) the ghost line for the Short Spring Metal (12) and Long Spring Metal (14) shown in its rib formation. Also outlined is the Bias Tape (18) used to sew the edges together. Sewn under the Bias Tape (18) is the Elastic Bands (16) for storage.
[0018] If you look to FIG. (2) you will see the cut out of all the materials used in the invention of the FIG. (1) Spring Metal Supported Sunshield (10). After taking the Vinyl Layer (A) and placing the Short Spring Metal (12) and Long Spring Metal (14) into position the Reflective Insulation Layer (B), is then bonded to Vinyl Layer (A). Holding the Spring Metal into place.
[0019] After the layers have been bonded to one another, they now can be sewn along the edges with the Bias Tape (18). Also sewn on at this time is the Elastic Bands (16), which are used to hold the rolled FIG. (1) Spring Metal Supported Sunshield (10) into its storage position as shown in FIG. (5) and FIG. (6).
[0020] When looking at FIG. (3) you will see a close up view of the curved Short Spring Metal (12) and Long Spring Metal (14). The curve given to the metal will add to the rigged strength when held out in its straight form. With the durability of the metal it allows it to be bent and return to its original position as illustrated in FIG. (4). This fixes the problem that sunshields have had in staying in position during use in a parked vehicle. It will now not fall out or sag in the window when put up in the vehicle. In some previous art, suction cups or clips have been used to try to fix this problem. Also seen in previous art has been folds to add strength to the sunshield. With out the need for folds, the best method for storage is to roll the sunshield as seen in FIG. (5) and FIG. (6).
[0021] Size for sunshields vary depending on the size of the window in the Vehicle being used as seen in FIG. (7). Making the sunshield available for any Vehicle. Also the basic shape and design as seen in FIG. (1) is easily modified to fit all vehicles, since the basic design of front windows are the same. Also seen in FIGS. (1), (2), (4), (5), (6) and (7) the Vinyl (A) can be done in many colors making them Ideal for matching the interior of the different Vehicles. Allowing for further customization.
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