Folding end cap

An end cap for use in a shade assembly in a vehicle. The end cap is capable of folding and includes a base and a linkage pivotally connected to the base. The end cap also includes an extension pivotally connected to the linkage. The folding end cap will allow for the effective length of the end cap to be reduced by pivoting the extension of the end cap in an approximate 180° arc such that it engages and is secured to the base on an outer surface thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention generally relates to vehicle roller shade assemblies, and more particularly relates to a vehicle roller shade assembly having a folding end cap.

2. Description of Related Art

Security shades and window coverings are well known in the prior art of vehicles. In particular, security shades have been used in the prior art for covering rear compartments of SUV's or hatchback vehicles, shades for covering automobile windows, or rollers for barrier nets and the like. These shades have all been well known and used in the art for numerous years. Generally, these shade assemblies are valuable accessories to most consumers, however, it is often desirable to remove the roller from the vehicle, thus making ease of installation or removal from the vehicle a key feature of the device. Another key feature of the device is the ability to use the security shade in a variety of positions within the automobile vehicle, thus requiring a change in the length of the roller or end caps for the security shade to allow for such variety of uses within an automotive vehicle interior.

Many of these prior art shade assemblies that are used as security shades are built in numerous variations and with multiple lengths for a single model vehicle or across a larger vehicle line. For example, many of the security shades are typically mounted in the brackets between the interior trim panels inside of a motor vehicle. If the distance between the two interior panels varies between cars of the same production by either numerous inches, tenths of inches, or the like, the shade assembly must still be able to fit between the panels and not rattle back and forth within the vehicle. Therefore, the ability to have a two position end cap that will change the overall length of a roller of a security shade will allow for a single vehicle security shade to be used across numerous vehicle lines, not just a specifically designed and built single model security shade as has been the case in most prior art shade assembly systems.

Many of these prior art vehicle security shades have a roller that utilizes end caps at the end of the rollers and generally either one or both of them are spring loaded on their respective ends of the rollers. To install the rollers, the end caps are compressed to fit the roller into the brackets, and when released the spring or springs in the end caps exert an axially outward force against the brackets on the trim panels, keeping the roller in place within the vehicle interior. Many of these spring loaded designs also provide a self centering action which allows for easy installation or removal of such vehicle security shades even with one hand.

There have been many attempts within the prior art to secure the roller within the brackets, which have been met with relative amounts of success. Generally, many of these devices typically add weight and/or cost to the shade and/or limit the advantages of the floating end caps thus making the shade significantly more difficult to install or remove. Therefore, there is a need in the prior art for a novel and improved end cap for use with a security shade or shade assembly within a vehicle. There also is a need in the prior art for a folding end cap that will in effect reduce the length of the shade assembly to allow for a single shade assembly to be used over a variety of vehicle lines having a variety of lengths within the interior of the vehicles. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for an end cap that will allow for a pivoting action to create a two position end cap that can be used on one or both ends of a roller system to effectively allow for three variations of length if an end cap is used on both ends according to the present invention. This will greatly reduce the cost to manufacture and design a vehicle security shade for use across multiple vehicle lines of an automotive manufacturer. There also is a need in the art for an easier design and more efficient methodology of creating an end cap that can have varying lengths for use in various positions within a single vehicle or for use in multiple model lines across entire vehicle lines of an automotive manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention may be to provide an improved end cap for use in a vehicle.

Another object of the present invention may be to provide a folding end cap for use in an automotive vehicle.

Still another object of the present invention may be to provide a folding end cap that is capable of operating within a motor vehicle interior at predetermined lengths.

Still another object of the present invention may be to provide an end cap for a vehicle shade assembly that includes a base and an extension.

Still another object of the present invention may be to provide an end cap that includes a linkage arranged between a base and an extension to provide for a first and second position for the end cap.

Still another object of the present invention may be to provide an end cap that is easier to manufacture and reduces the costs to the automotive manufacturer.

Still another object of the present invention may be to provide an end cap for use on a security shade that is capable of being used across multiple vehicle lines and models for an automotive manufacturer.

Yet another object of the present invention may be to provide a vehicle security shade that includes a folding end cap arranged on one or both ends of the security shade.

To achieve the foregoing objects, a shade assembly for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The shade assembly includes a roller, and a shade panel having one end attached to the roller. The assembly also includes an end cap mounted to at least one end of the roller and adapted to engage a portion of the vehicle to support the assembly therein. The end cap having a base, a linkage pivotally connected to the base, and an extension pivotally connected to the linkage on an end opposite of the end connected to the base.

One advantage of the present invention may be that it provides a novel and improved end cap for use with a vehicle shade assembly in a vehicle.

A further advantage of the present invention may be that it allows for an adjustable effective length of a security shade via the use of a folding end cap on one or both ends of the security shade.

Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for the use of a novel end cap that is capable of being used along with a security shade over numerous vehicle lines of an automotive manufacturer because of the effective numerous lengths that can be used with the end caps according to the present invention.

Yet a further advantage of the present invention may be that it creates an easier to manufacture end cap and an end cap that reduce costs to the automotive manufacturer.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that it may provide a folding end cap that includes a base and an extension wherein the base and extension are connected via a linkage.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that it may provide a folding end cap that pivots or rotates in a 180° arc between a first or standard position and a second or folded position.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that it may provide a folding end cap that effectively reduces the length of an end cap by the entire length of an extension thereof.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the drawings, an end cap10for use in a security shade assembly12within a vehicle is disclosed. It should be noted that the end cap10shown is a folding end cap, that is capable of being folded to reduce its effective length and hence, the length of the vehicle shade assembly12for use in an automotive vehicle. It should be noted that the end cap10can be used on one or both ends of a vehicle shade assembly12thus allowing for up to three different effective lengths for a vehicle shade assembly12according to the present invention. The use of the folding end cap10according to the present invention will allow for an automotive manufacturer to use one shade assembly12over numerous vehicle lines and vehicle models within the vehicle lines of such automotive manufacturers. This will in effect reduce the cost of designing and manufacturing the end caps10for shade assemblies within the interior of automotive vehicles. It should further be noted that the end cap10can be used on any type of shade assembly12within an automotive vehicle including but not limited to security shades, shades for covering automobile windows, rollers for barrier nets, and any other type of shade or barrier that is used within an automotive or any other type of vehicle. The end cap10according to the present invention will allow for ease of use for the person installing such into an automotive vehicle or for the consumer who purchases such device in an after market capacity.

FIGS. 1 through 8show a folding end cap10according to an embodiment of the present invention. The end cap10has a slot14arranged in one surface thereof. The slot14is arranged adjacent to an open end of the end cap10. Generally, the end cap10is made of a hollow plastic body formed by injection molding or some other suitable or well known process. Although it should be appreciated that the end cap10may be formed or stamped metal, ceramic, any other type of plastic, composite or natural material depending on the design requirements of the end cap10. In the embodiment shown, the end cap10is mounted at one or both ends of a shade assembly12for use in a vehicle interior. The vehicle shade assembly12includes a roller16and a shade panel18attached at one end thereof to the roller16. The roller16is arranged within the end cap10such that the end cap10will preferably position and secure the roller16and shade panel18within the vehicle interior for deployment of the flexible shade panel18over a predetermined portion of the vehicle such as a cargo area or the like. The slot14in the end cap10will receive and allow for a portion or edge of the flexible shade panel18to wind and unwind around the roller16thus allowing the shade panel18to pass therethrough while the end cap10secures the shade assembly12within the motor vehicle without disturbing the shade panel18in its extended or stored positions. In one embodiment the end cap10is fixed to the shade assembly12and in another contemplated embodiment a cassette (not shown) may be arranged over the roller16and shade panel18and engages the end cap10at a predetermined portion thereof or by having the end cap10arranged over the cassette thus providing further protection to the shade panel18within the shade assembly12of the automotive vehicle.

The folding end cap10according to the present invention includes a base20and an extension22. The base20, as described above, includes a slot14therein and generally has a hollow body. The base20includes a first and second end slot24,26arranged in an end of the base20that will allow for a linkage28to be pivotally connected to the base20through the slots24,26in the end thereof. The base20also includes a knob or boss30extending from an end thereof adjacent to the first and second slots24,26. The base20includes a first and second orifice or cavity32arranged on an inside surface thereof which will be used to receive the linkage28therein. This will allow the linkage28to pivot or rotate with respect to the base20. The base20has a rib34extending from an inside surface thereof a predetermined distance and with the rib34having a predetermined length. The base20has extending from a surface thereof a raised member or peg36. The raised member or peg36may be used to interact with the extension22of the end cap10to secure the extension22to the base20when the end cap10is in its second or folded position. It should be noted that in one embodiment the raised member or peg36generally has the shape of a square, however any other shape including triangular, rectangular, octagonal, circular, a random shape or the like may be used for the raised member36. It should further be noted that the rib34extending from an inside surface thereof of the base20may have a corresponding rib on the opposite inside surface thereof to allow for a first and second rib34to extend in an inward direction from an inside surface of the base20. It should also be noted that the orifice or cavity32to which the linkage28is pivotally connected may be formed in an inside portion of the base20or may be formed in a tab38that extends from a surface of the base20.

The folding end cap10also includes an extension22. The extension22generally is a hollow plastic body formed by injection molding or some other suitable process. It should also be noted that the extension22may be formed or stamped metal, and any other plastic, ceramic, composite or natural material depending on the design requirements. The extension22will include a boss or knob40extending from an end thereof. This boss or knob40will be used to mate with an interior portion of the vehicle when the end cap10is in its standard or first position. The extension22will include a first and second flange42,44extending from an end opposite of the boss40. The first and second flange42,44will each include a groove46arranged on an outer surface thereof. The groove46will correspond to the shape of the rib34extending from an inner surface of the base20. The first and second flanges42,44will be arranged within the first and second end slots24,26arranged in the end of the base20when the end cap10is in its standard position. The groove46will interact with one of the ribs34of the base20thus allowing for a secure engagement between the base20and extension22when the end cap10is in its first or standard position. This will allow for the end cap10to be used at its full length during operation of the shade assembly12in predetermined vehicle interiors. It should be noted that it is also contemplated to have the rib34arranged on the flanges44,46of the extension22and a groove46arranged on an inner surface of the base20depending on the design requirements of the folding end cap10. The extension22may also include a track48arranged within an inner surface thereof. The track48generally will have an oval shape and will have a predetermined length. It should be noted that the track48may be of any known shape including circular, square, triangular or any random shape depending on the design requirements for the folding end cap10. The track48may include an indentation50along one surface thereof for interaction with a finger52extending from the linkage28of the end cap10. The first and second end of the track48may act as a stop for the linkage28that connects the extension22to the base20. The extension22may also include an angled surface54on an interior surface thereof which will allow for a rotation or pivoting of approximately 180° for the extension22from its standard position to its folded or second position. This angled surface54will align with a portion of the linkage28when the end cap10is in its folded or second position. The angle can be of any known angle, depending on the design requirements for the folding end cap10. The extension22may include a recessed area or cavity56that will mate with and interact with the raised member or peg36such that the raised member or peg36will snap or be secured within the recessed area or cavity56and secure the extension22to a predetermined surface of the base20when the end cap10is in its second or folded position.

The end cap10also includes a linkage28. The linkage28generally is made of a plastic material, however any other metal, ceramic, plastic, composite, or natural material may be used for the linkage. The linkage28may have a first and second pin38extending in an outward direction from one end thereof. The linkage28may also include a first and second pin60extending in an inward direction on an opposite end thereof. The inward extending pins60will be arranged within the cavity or orifices32located on an inside surface or tab of the base20. This may allow for the linkage28to pivot or rotate with respect to the base20. The outward extending pin58located on the opposite end of the linkage28will be arranged within and slidingly movable within the track48of the extension22. The pins58will ride and travel along the track48between the standard or first position and the folded or second position of the end cap10. The linkage28may include a finger52extending from a mid position rib of the linkage28. The finger52may interact with the indentation50of the track48of the extension22when the end cap10is in its standard or first position. The finger52may allow for noise reduction of the end cap10during normal usage and movement between the standard position and folded position. Furthermore, the finger52may partially assist in holding and securing the extension22to the base20in both the standard position and the folded position. The linkage28may have a predetermined angled bend therein. The predetermined angled bend will create an angle for the linkage28that will generally mimic that of the angled surface54on the interior surface of the extension22. This will allow for the extension22to flip and snap into the second or folded position via the linkage28which has one end fixed with relation to the base20and the other end movable with relation to the extension22and the track48as described above. It should be noted that the linkage28allows for the extension22to pivot in an approximate 180° arc with relation to the base20via the pins58arranged within the track48of the extension22. However, any other known rotational arc between 0° and 360° may also be used. Thus, the extension22rotates with relation to the linkage28on one end thereof while the linkage28rotates with respect to the base20on the opposite end thereof. The finger52of the linkage28may have a predetermined curve therein and an angled lip on an end thereof. It should be noted that the linkage28and finger52may be formed or extruded as a single piece or the finger52may be added as a separate piece or not used at all depending on the design requirements for the end cap10. It should be noted that the extension22may be molded as a single piece or may be molded as two separate pieces that are connected and secured to one another via any known fastening technique after the outward extending pins58are arranged within the track48of the extension22.

In operation, the folding end cap10is generally used on either one or both ends of a shade assembly12depending on the design requirements and length differences needed within an automotive vehicle or across vehicle lines. In its standard position the grooves46of the extension22interact with and mate with the ribs34of the base20thus securing the extension22to the base20. In the standard position, the linkage28is arranged at the outboard end of the track48. In this position the boss40extending from an end of the extension22will interact with an interior portion of the vehicle to secure the end cap10and hence the shade assembly12within the vehicle at a predetermined position. When the vehicle user wants to adjust or reduce the length of the end cap10, the user will pull the extension22in a linear direction away from the end of the base20thus moving the linkage28in a linear direction along the track48of the extension22until the linkage pins58engage with the inboard end of the track48. Once the extension22is pulled away or apart from the base20, the operator will flip, rotate or pivot the extension22in an approximate 180° arc such that the extension22is folded back over and engages with a surface of the base20such that the raised member or peg36of the base20interacts with and mates with the extension22thus securing and locking the extension22to the base20via the interaction of the recessed area56and raised member36. This will allow for an effective reduction in length of the end cap10and hence effective reduction in length of the overall shade assembly12. The boss30arranged on an outside end surface of the base20will then be used to interact with and engage a predetermined portion of the interior of a vehicle thus allowing for the shade assembly12to operate in the same manner as that described above for the end cap10in a standard position. The operation of the end cap10in either the folded position or standard position will not affect the winding and unwinding of the shade panel18from the roller16tube which is arranged within the base20of the end cap10as described above. The length of the extension22may be subtracted from the overall length of the shade assembly12thus allowing for the shade assembly12to be used in multiple positions within one vehicle or across multiple vehicle lines without having to redesign or manufacture another end cap10for such use. This will greatly reduce costs to automotive manufacturers by having to purchase only one shade assembly12having a folding end cap10on either one or both ends thus covering an entire vehicle line or all vehicles within an entire automobile manufacturing company. It should also be noted that to return the end cap10to its full length or first or standard position the user would unsnap the extension22from the surface of the base20and rotate or pivot the extension22back to a parallel position with regard to the axis along the base20and extension22and then push the flanges42of the extension22into the slots24,26in the end of the base20thus interacting and mating the grooves46with the ribs34on the base20and extension22thus securing the end cap10back in its standard or first position.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.