Patent Application
20240246398
This invention relates to sunshades; more particularly, sunshades with retractable substrates for easy deployment.
Sunshades are a common item used in vehicles for covering windshield in order to block sunlight and heat from entering a vehicle. Conventional designs include a foldable substrate that can be stored on a floor or backseat of a vehicle during operation of the vehicle. When an operator parks their vehicle, they would unfold the conventional sunshade and install it over the windshield before use. To take the conventional sunshade down to operate the vehicle, the operator would have to remove the entire sunshade from the dashboard and manually fold it down for storage. This process can be inconvenient for continuously needing to install and uninstall the conventional sunshade each time. There is a need for a sunshade that can be more conveniently used for blocking sunlight.
The disclosure concerns a sunshade have a collapsible body with a first elongated compartment and a second elongated compartment slidably coupled to the first elongated compartment. A first retractable substrate is coupled to the first elongated compartment where the first retractable substrate is configured to retract within the first elongated compartment. Likewise, a second retractable substrate is coupled to the second elongated compartment where the second retractable substrate is configured to retract within the second elongated compartment. A first and second attachment components are coupled to the first and second retractable substrates, respectively. The first and second attachment components are configured to engage with clips disposed on visors of a vehicle for maintaining the first and second retractable substrates in a deployed state for covering a windshield of the vehicle for blocking sunlight and heat.
Other features, combinations, and embodiments will be appreciated by one having the ordinary level of skill in the art of sunshades upon a thorough review of the following details and descriptions, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
For purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions of certain preferred embodiments are hereinafter provided such that one having ordinary skill in the art may be enabled to make and use the invention. These details and descriptions are representative only of certain preferred embodiments, however, a myriad of other embodiments which will not be expressly described will be readily understood by one having skill in the art upon a thorough review of the instant disclosure. Accordingly, any reviewer of the instant disclosure should interpret the scope of the invention only by the claims, as such scope is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described and illustrated herein.
Unless explicitly defined herein, terms are to be construed in accordance with the plain and ordinary meaning as would be appreciated by one having skill in the art.
In one aspect, a method of using a sunshade is disclosed. The method comprises: (i) attaching a clip to each visor of a vehicle; (ii) placing the sunshade on a dashboard of the vehicle; (iii) expanding the sunshade by sliding a first elongated compartment of the sunshade linearly away from a second elongated compartment of the sunshade; (iv) engaging a coupler element disposed on each of the first and second elongated compartments to a windshield of the vehicle; (v) deploying a first retractable substrate from the first elongated compartment and attaching the first retractable substrate to one of the clips attached to each visor; and (vi) deploying a second retractable substrate from the second elongated compartment and attaching the second retractable substrate to another of the clips attached to each visor.
In some aspects, the coupler elements comprise a suction cup
In one embodiment, a sunshade is disclosed. The sunshade comprises a collapsible body having a first elongated compartment and a second elongated compartment slidably coupled to the first elongated compartment, the first elongated compartment comprising a first proximal end and a first distal end opposite the first proximal end, and the second elongated compartment comprises a second proximal end and a second distal end opposite the second proximal end. A first retractable substrate is coupled to the first elongated compartment, the first retractable substrate configured to retract within the first elongated compartment. The first retractable substrate comprises a first attachment component coupled to a first upper edge of the first retractable substrate. Additionally, a second retractable substrate is coupled to the second elongated compartment. The second retractable substrate is configured to retract within the second elongated compartment. The second retractable substrate comprises a second attachment component coupled to a second upper edge of the second retractable substrate.
In some embodiments, the first elongated compartment may be configured to translate linearly along the second elongated compartment.
In some embodiments, each of the first and second attachment components may further comprise a finger grip and a catch, wherein the catch is configured to couple to a clip, and the finger grip is configured to deploy and retract the first and second retractable substrates.
In some embodiments, the sunshade may further comprise a coupler element disposed on each of the first distal end and the second distal end. Each of the coupler elements may comprise a suction cup.
In some embodiments, the first retractable substrate may comprise a first reflective surface and the second retractable substrate comprises a second reflective surface.
In some embodiments, the first retractable substrate and the second retractable substrate may each comprise a tapered side. The tapered side may be disposed near the first distal end and the second distal end.
In some embodiments, the first retractable substrate may be coupled to the first elongated compartment at a first lower edge, wherein the first lower edge is disposed opposite the first upper edge.
In some embodiments, the first elongated compartment and the second elongated compartment may comprise a parallel alignment.
In some embodiments, the first proximal end further comprising a glass breaking point.
In some embodiments, the first retractable substrate may overlap with the second retractable substrate while in a deployed state.
In some embodiments, the first elongated compartment may be detachably coupled to the second elongated compartment.
In another embodiment, a sunshade kit is disclosed. The sunshade kit comprises a first elongated compartment and a second elongated compartment. The first elongated compartment has a first proximal end and a first distal end opposite the first proximal end. The second elongated compartment has a second proximal end and a second distal end opposite the second proximal end The second elongated compartment is configured to slidably couple with the first elongated compartment. A first retractable substrate is coupled to the first elongated compartment, the first retractable substrate configured to retract within the first elongated compartment. The first retractable substrate comprises a first attachment component coupled to a first upper edge of the first retractable substrate. A second retractable substrate is coupled to the second elongated compartment, the second retractable substrate configured to retract within the second elongated compartment. The second retractable substrate comprises a second attachment component coupled to a second upper edge of the second retractable substrate. The kit further comprises a first clip and a second clip.
In some embodiments, the first clip and the second clip may each be configured to couple to visors of a vehicle.
In some embodiments, the first elongated compartment may be configured to translate linearly along the second elongated compartment.
In some embodiments, each of the first and second attachment components may further comprise a finger grip and a catch, wherein the catches are configured to couple to the first clip and the second clip, and the finger grip is configured to deploy and retract the first and second retractable substrates.
In some embodiments, the sunshade kit may further comprise a coupler element disposed on each of the first distal end and the second distal end. The coupler elements may comprise a suction cup.
In some embodiments, the first retractable substrate may comprise a first reflective surface and the second retractable substrate comprises a second reflective surface.
In some embodiments, the first retractable substrate and the second retractable substrate may each comprise a tapered side. The tapered sides may be disposed near the first distal end and the second distal end.
In some embodiments, the first retractable substrate may be coupled to the first elongated compartment at a first lower edge, wherein the first lower edge is disposed opposite the first upper edge.
In some embodiments, the first proximal end may further comprise a glass breaking point.
In some embodiments, each of the first clip and the second clip may comprise a curved body extending from a first endpoint a second endpoint, the clip further comprising a hook disposed at the first endpoint. Each of the first clip and the second clip may further comprise a paper holder disposed at the second endpoint, and a pen holder coupled to the curved body between the first endpoint and the second endpoint.
In yet another embodiment, a system of a sunshade installed within a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a first clip coupled to a first visor of the vehicle and a second clip coupled to the second visor of the vehicle. A dashboard of the vehicle supports the sunshade, the sunshade comprises a collapsible body having a first elongated compartment and a second elongated compartment slidably coupled to the first elongated compartment, the first elongated compartment comprising a first proximal end and a first distal end opposite the first proximal end, and the second elongated compartment comprises a second proximal end and a second distal end opposite the second proximal end, a first retractable substrate coupled to the first elongated compartment, the first retractable substrate configured to retract within the first elongated compartment, the first retractable substrate comprising a first attachment component coupled to a first upper edge of the first retractable substrate, and a second retractable substrate coupled to the second elongated compartment, the second retractable substrate configured to retract within the second elongated compartment, the second retractable substrate comprising a second attachment component coupled to a second upper edge of the second retractable substrate, wherein the first attachment component is coupled to the first clip, and the second attachment component is coupled to the second clip.
In some embodiments, each of the first clip and the second clip may comprise a curved body extending from a first endpoint a second endpoint, the clip further comprising a hook disposed at the first endpoint. The first clip and the second clip may further comprise a paper holder disposed at the second endpoint, and a pen holder coupled to the curved body between the first endpoint and the second endpoint. Each of the first attachment component and the second attachment component may comprise a catch. The catch of the first attachment component and the second attachment component is engaged with the hook of the first clip and the second clip, respectively.
In some embodiments, the sunshade may further comprise a coupler element disposed at each of the first distal end and the second distal end. Each of the coupler elements may further comprise a suction cup, wherein each suction cup is coupled to a windshield of the vehicle.
In some embodiments, the sunshade may further comprise a compartment overlap between first elongated compartment and the second elongated compartment wherein the first retractable substrate overlaps with the second retractable substrate when in a deployed state.
In some embodiments, the first elongated compartment may be configured to translate linearly along the second elongated compartment.
In some embodiments, the first retractable substrate may comprise a first reflective surface and the second retractable substrate comprises a second reflective surface.
In some embodiments, the first retractable substrate and the second retractable substrate may each comprise a tapered side. The tapered sides may be disposed near the first distal end and the second distal end.
In some embodiments, the first retractable substrate may be coupled to the first elongated compartment at a first lower edge, wherein the first lower edge is disposed opposite the first upper edge.
In some embodiments, the first elongated compartment and the second elongated compartment may comprise a parallel alignment.
In some embodiments, the first proximal end may further comprise a glass breaking point.
In some embodiments, the first retractable substrate may overlap with the second retractable substrate while in a deployed state.
In some embodiments, the first elongated compartment may be detachably coupled to the second elongated compartment.
The retractable substrates can be made of various materials including paper, fabric, and other materials known to reflect heat and withstand high temperatures. In one embodiment, the retractable substrates may comprise a polyester chemical fiber, polyethylene film, a polyethylene aluminized film, or a combination thereof.
Each of the components of the sunshade described herein may be manufactured and/or assembled in accordance with the conventional knowledge and level of a person having skill in the art.
While various details, features, combinations are described in the illustrated embodiments, one having skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of possible alternative combinations and arrangements of the features disclosed herein. As such, the descriptions are intended to be enabling only, and non-limiting. Instead, the spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.
The sunshade (100) further comprises a glass breakage point (135) disposed on the first proximal end (111) of the first elongated compartment (110). The glass breakage point allows the sunshade be used during an emergency to break through a window of the vehicle. The glass breaking point can be additionally disposed on the second proximal end (121) of the second elongated compartment (120).
This application claims benefit of priority with U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/440,394, filed Jan. 21, 2023; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63440394 | Jan 2023 | US |
