Innovative Windshield Sunshades Configuration & Selection Process

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved sunshade configuration over the prior art. A Zig-Zag clamping mechanism for connecting two endpoints of each flexible metal loop can provide an additional flexibility and strength. The hollow enclosure is clamped in with two opposite pressure points being offset to one-another which provides an secure clamping.

Claims

1. An interior window sunshade comprising: a fabric, a fabric-hinge and at least two flexible metal loop members; wherein each of the at least two flexible metal loop members are sewed on the fabric; wherein each of the two flexible metal loop members are connected to one-another by the fabric-hinge; wherein each of the at least two flexible metal loop members comprising a metal wire and a hollow enclosure, wherein the hollow enclosure secures a first end point and a second end point of the metal wire and forms a loop, wherein the first end point and the second end point are secured inside the hollow enclosure by pressing the hollow enclosure with the first end point and the second end point inside the hollow enclosure wherein the hollow enclosure has at least two pressing points opposite to one another, wherein the at least two opposite pressing points are offset to one another to provide secure connection between the first end point and the second end point inside the hollow enclosure without overlapping of the first end point and the second end point inside the hollow enclosure.

2. The interior window sunshade claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior window sunshade is configured to be compatible with an automobile front window.

3. The interior window sunshade claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior window sunshade is configured to be compatible with an automobile rear window.

4. The interior window sunshade claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior window sunshade is configured to be compatible with an automobile side window.

5. The interior window sunshade claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior window sunshade is configured to be compatible with an automobile window.

6. The interior window sunshade claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior window sunshade is configured to be compatible with a household window.

7. An interior window sunshade comprising: a fabric and at least two flexible metal loop members; wherein the at least one flexible metal loop member is sewed on the fabric; wherein the at least one flexible metal loop member comprising a metal wire and a hollow enclosure, wherein the hollow enclosure secures a first end point and a second end point of the metal wire and forms a loop, wherein the first end point and the second end point are secured inside the hollow enclosure by pressing the hollow enclosure with the first end point and the second end point inside the hollow enclosure wherein the hollow enclosure has at least two pressing points opposite to one another, wherein the at least two opposite pressing points are offset to one another to provide secure connection between the first end point and the second end point inside the hollow enclosure without overlapping of the first end point and the second end point inside the hollow enclosure.

8. The interior window sunshade claimed in claim 7, wherein the interior window sunshade is configured to be compatible with an automobile front window.

9. The interior window sunshade claimed in claim 7, wherein the interior window sunshade is configured to be compatible with an automobile rear window.

10. The interior window sunshade claimed in claim 7, wherein the interior window sunshade is configured to be compatible with an automobile side window.

11. The interior window sunshade claimed in claim 7, wherein the interior window sunshade is configured to be compatible with an automobile window.

12. The interior window sunshade claimed in claim 7, wherein the interior window sunshade is configured to be compatible with a household window.

13. An interior window sunshade compatibility guidance method comprising the following steps: a. providing an interior window sunshade comprising a fabric and at least one flexible metal loop member; wherein the at least one flexible metal loop member is sewed on the fabric; wherein the at least one flexible metal loop member comprising a metal wire and a hollow enclosure, wherein the hollow enclosure secures a first end point and a second end point of the metal wire and forms a loop, wherein the first end point and the second end point are secured inside the hollow enclosure by pressing the hollow enclosure with the first end point and the second end point inside the hollow enclosure wherein the hollow enclosure has at least two pressing points opposite to one another, wherein the at least two opposite pressing points are offset to one another to provide secure connection between the first end point and the second end point inside the hollow enclosure without overlapping of the first end point and the second end point inside the hollow enclosure; b. providing compatibility guidance for the sunshade of step a, wherein the compatibility guidance provides compatibility of the sunshade to at least one year, make, model of a vehicle or to at least two dimensions of a building window; c. providing a customer a compatible size of the interior window sunshade.

14. The interior window sunshade compatibility guidance method claimed in claim 13 wherein the sunshade offered is for an automobile front window.

15. The interior window sunshade compatibility guidance method claimed in claim 13 wherein the sunshade offered is for an automobile rear window.

16. The interior window sunshade compatibility guidance method claimed in claim 13 wherein the sunshade offered is for an automobile side window.

17. The interior window sunshade compatibility guidance method claimed in claim 13 wherein the sunshade offered is for an automobile window.

18. The interior window sunshade compatibility guidance method claimed in claim 13 wherein the sunshade offered is for a household window.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] For a complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1-3 is a prior art a sunshade having circular closed loops and conventional clamping mechanism, according to the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 4-7 illustrates a sunshade a having oval shaped closed loops and a Zig-Zag clamping mechanism for connecting the endpoints of the flexible oval shaped loops, according to the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 8-9 illustrate an isometric and top view of a Zig-Zag clamping mechanism for connecting the endpoints of the flexible oval shaped loops, according to the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates a sunshade attached inside the windshield of the vehicle, according to the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 11-12 illustrates a sizing chart which helps the customer to choose sunshade based on their vehicle, according to the various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.

[0020] Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail with respect to FIGS. 4-12.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a sunshade 11 is formed by a pair of resilient loop members 9 and 10 forming oval shape frames. The flexible loop members are retained in position by a peripheral loop portion of fabric 7 which includes an internal loop retaining structure. The fabric 7 is not in tension, but the fabric portion within the loop members 9 and 8 may be in tension. As an example, a pair of resilient loop members 8 and 9 forming oval shape frames may be provided by mechanically fastening (stitching), fusing, or gluing so that the loop frame members 8 and 9 are retained in position. The sunshade 11 is comprised of three layers (not shown), one being the reflective insulating material on the outside, to block the suns rays and protecting the interior of the vehicle from heat and sun damage. The second layer consists of at least two flexible oval shaped loops 8 and 9 made of flexible material (for e.g. a flexible metal strip or wire, spring metal, flexible steel and the like), each flexible oval shaped loops 8 and 9 include two endpoints connected by a Zig-Zag clamping mechanism or device 10. The at least two flexible oval shaped loops 10 placed in proper support locations in the sunshade. With the final layer being the vinyl backing seen from the interior of the vehicle, giving a cleaner cosmetic look to sunshades.

[0022] Although the loops 9 and 8 are described as formed of flexible steel and other resilient material such as plastics, spring may be used. The term fabric is to be given its broadest meaning and may include woven fabrics, sheet fabrics or even films.

[0023] As an exemplary embodiment, If we use the pair of oval sunshade shades as shown in FIG. 4 to be taller, lots of cloth wasted in overlap to make their use possible in narrow cars can be saved. The two oval-shaped sunshade shades are 33 in height, but only 26 in width (approx.)

So the total length of this shade is 1.5+26+2+26+1.5=57
Minimum width possible for narrow cars with taller windshield=26+262(2)=48
The total dimensions of a shade=5738=about 33% savings in cloth material and 25% savings in length needed to make the metal circle.
This gives the versatility of taller sunshade shade in a compact design without making it bulky and costly in manufacturing cost thus retail cost.

[0024] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a specific design and function of the clamping device 10. It is to be appreciated that the flexible oval-shaped loop 8 and 9 may be formed by bending a straight piece of material and having the first endpoint 22 and second ends point 23 of the straight piece held together by clamping device 10 and outer portion of 12 and 13 of first and second endpoint are securely held by the clamping device 10. The ends of the frame 11 could be held in a rigid position, but as shown in FIG. 7, ends points 22 and 23 of the frame 9 and 8 may be received within clamping device 10 and formed flexible oval shaped loops 10 and thereby facilitates the manufacture of the Sunshade and allow for some flexibility.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 shows a zig-zag clamping device, which is used to securely hold the endpoints of the flexible oval-shaped loop 8 and 9 within the sunshade 11. The device zig-zag clamping device includes at least one flexible loop member 8 and 9 having a first endpoint 22 and a second endpoint 23. Further, the clamping device 10 includes a hollow enclosure made by a zig-zag shaped first side wall 16 and a zig-zag shaped second side wall 17, a top surface 21 and a bottom surface 15, a front wall 18 having a first inlet section for securely receiving the first endpoint 22 of the flexible loop member 8 or 9 and an rear wall 19 having a second inlet section for receiving the second endpoint 23 of the flexible loops member 8 or 9, wherein the hollow enclosure is adapted to connect the first endpoint 22 and the second endpoint 23 of the flexible loop member in tight and securely manner.

[0026] In another embodiment of the present invention, the zig-zag shaped first side walls 16 and second wall 17 are adapted to bend slightly inside the hollow enclosure whenever received an external force force is applied on pressing points 26, 27, 28, and 29 (as shown in FIG. 7) located off set on the the zig-zag shaped first side walls. And as result of the external force, the zig-zag shaped first side walls 16 and second wall 17 are adapted to bend the first endpoint 22 and second endpoint 23 in zig-zag shape inside the hollow enclosure for creating a tight grip. The first endpoint 22 includes a first partial portion of the flexible loop member 8 or 9 connected to the first endpoint 22, which is inserted along with the first endpoint 22 into the hollow enclosure through the first inlet section located at front wall 18. Similarly, the second endpoint 23 includes a second partial portion of the flexible loop member 9 or 8 connected to the second endpoint 23, which is inserted along with the second endpoint into the hollow enclosure through the first inlet section located at rear wall 19.

[0027] FIGS. 8 and 9 shows another embodiment of the present invention, the FIG. 8 illustrate a flexible loop member clamped in a zig-zag manner by a clamping device 30. The clamping device 30 includes a hollow enclosure sleeve 31 includes a front opening 32 for receiving the first end point 12 of the flexible loop member 8 or 9 and a rear opening for receiving second end point 13 of the flexible loop member 8 or 9. The hollow enclosure sleeve 31 is made of metal. The hollow enclosure sleeve 30 includes opposite pressing points 33, 34, 35 and 36 placed offset to one another, wherein the hollow enclosure sleeve 30 being pressed at the opposite pressing points 33, 34, 35 and 36 resulting in a Zig-Zag structure formation at opposite pressing points 33, 34, 35 and 36 and bends the first endpoint 12 and second endpoint 13 in a zig-zag manner within the hollow enclosure sleeve as shown in FIG. 9. The hollow enclosure sleeve 30 is adapted to connect the first endpoint and the second endpoint of the flexible loop member in a tight and secure manner.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 10 the sunshade 11 may be positioned behind a windshield 24 of a vehicle 25. The sunshade is held in position by a window frame and the sunshade 20 is positioned between a dashboard and a roof of the vehicle 25. Visors and rear view mirror may be used to help retain the sunshade 11 in position.

[0029] FIG. 10 illustrating the sunshade 11 in the dotted position being retained behind the windshield 24 between the dashboard (not shown) and held in position by the visors (not shown) and rear view mirror member (not shown). It is to be appreciated that the sunshade 11 may also be left in a reclining position against the steering wheel (not shown) to provide some protection against the sun rays, but the preferred position is as shown in dotted line in FIG. 10.

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, the present provides a sunshade having at least two flexible loop member 8 or 9 for defining two separate oval shaped loops 9 or 8 connected by an overlapping portion acting as a hinge portion. A fabric 7 for substantially covering the two oval-shaped loops 8 or 9. Further separate fabric can be used for substantially covering the two oval-shaped loops 8 or 9 and sewed or attached together. The two separate oval-shaped loops 8 or 9 substantially supporting the fabric 7 in particular areas to provide for loop portions of the fabric maintained in the open position. The at least two separate oval shaped flexible loops 8 or 9 are being used to cover a driver side windshield window and a passenger side windshield window separately and are not connected by fabric. The flexible loop member has spring like properties. Further, the flexible loop member 8 or 9 may include out of round shape.

[0031] Now in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a sizing instrument or chart for selecting a Sunshade based on their vehicle. The Sunshade dimensions can be pre-measured and have a chart where customers can find a size according to their maker, model and year of their vehicle. The sizing instrument or chart has details about every vehicle which includes maker (manufacture), model and year. So that customers can choose the Sunshade correctly. The sizing instrument helps the customer or user for selecting a sunshade based on their vehicle information. The sizing instrument includes a first section 41 which display at least one brand name, a second section 42 which display at least one model information of the vehicle, and a third section 43 which display at least on vehicle information which includes model year based on information displayed on the first section and the second section as shown in FIG. 11. Further, the sizing instrument display at least one vehicle information related to a particular size. Further, the vehicle information include, but not limited to brand name, manufacture and manufacture details, model year, model information, color, size of windshield or other window and the like.

[0032] The present invention provides an automobile sunscreen/Sunshade in which two or more adjacent fabrics covered oval shaped loops provide for an elongated shaped screen so as to conform to the shape of the automobile Sunshade or another window. To achieve the collapsed state, the Sunshade is first folded in half and then twisted and folded further, causing the loops to collapse within themselves, which forms a much smaller series of concentric loops and layers of fabric.

[0033] Although specific embodiments and certain structural arrangements have been illustrated and described herein, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that various other modifications and embodiments may be made incorporating the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concepts and that the same is not limited to the particular methods and structure herein shown and described except insofar as determined by the scope of the appended claims.