Retractable sunshade for a vehicle

The present invention is a retractable sunshade assembly that can be connected to an open-top of a vehicle that has roll bars. The sunshade assembly includes one or more clamps, a pair of parallel support beams, and a sunshade panel. The one or more clamps fasten to roll bars on a driver side and on a passenger side, The pair of parallel support beams connect onto the clamps, such that the supports panels are horizontally aligned to the respective roll bars and parallel to each other. The sunshade panel is configured to connect to and span between the pair of support beams which serve as a guide for the sunshade panel to retract and extend within. A latch mechanism connected to a handle can be actuated to hold the sunshade panel in a desired location along the pair of support beams, enabling customized levels of sun shading.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention is directed to a sliding roof structure for open top vehicles, and more particularly to a roof structure that can be opened and closed.

BACKGROUND

Open roof four-wheel drive vehicles are a popular option for some drivers. There are many reasons drivers purchase an open roof four-wheel drive, including and not limited to their off-road capabilities due to their four-wheel drive and suspension system, versatility for everyday driving or tackling off-road terrain, the ability to upgrade by adding accessories, and other capabilities. There is also a culture associated with individuals who are devotees to the lifestyle that is encapsulated by the open roof four-wheel drive vehicles.

A driver of an open roof four-wheel drive vehicle has the ability to add accessories, among which can be adding a hardtop or soft top for the open top. This allows the driver to choose to cover the top when it is raining, or a warm sunny day. There are advantages and some disadvantages to use of current hardtop/soft tops available. For example, a driver of a vehicle with a motorized retractable soft top or hardtop must come to a stop to extend or retract the soft top. In some cases, even a motorized soft top or hardtop must stop the vehicle to retract or extend the top. As a result, such a process causes an inconvenience and/or travel delay, especially if the driver must find a place to pull over to stop. Another issue that may be encountered with the current hardtop/soft top is that there is no flexibility of opening/closing of the top for the occupants of the four-wheel drive vehicle. For example, an occupant of the front seat may want the top to be extended (i.e., closed) leaving the occupants in the rear seats without an option of having an open top. Or the occupants in the front seat want the top retracted (i.e., open) thus again leaving the occupants in the rear without a choice but to have the top open. In these scenarios, there is only an option of installing one hardtop/soft top which can retract fully or partially, but with not much choice for the back seat occupants.

Thus, there still exists a need for an improved retractable cover for an open top four-wheel drive vehicle.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments are provided below for a retractable sunshade assembly that can be removably installed on an open roof of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The retractable sunshade assembly may be installed over a section of the open roof corresponding to front seats (e.g., driver seat and front passenger seat) of the vehicle. The retractable sunshade assembly may be installed over a section of the open roof that corresponds to the back seats of the vehicle. The retractable sunshade assembly can be installed over each section independent of the other providing the convenience and autonomy to the respective occupants of the seats.

The one or more embodiments of the retractable sunshade assembly include one or more clamps, a pair of parallel support beams, and a sunshade panel. The one or more clamps fasten to a roll bar on a driver side and a roll bar on a passenger side, which are a part of the vehicle and found at the open roof of a vehicle. The pair of parallel support beams connect onto the clamps, wherein a first support beam connects to the clamps on the driver side and a second support beam connects to the clamps on the passenger side such that the supports panels are horizontally aligned to the respective roll bars and parallel to each other. The sunshade panel is configured to connect to and span between the pair of support beams which serve as a guide for the sunshade panel to be retracted and extended within. In some embodiments, a handle on the sunshade panel can be actuated to extend one or more locking pins which hold the sunshade panel in a desired location along the pair of support beams, which enables customized levels of sun shading.

The disclosed device is unique and may provide significant advantages when compared with other devices and solutions known in the arts because it provides a retractable top that can be extended and retracted with ease while the vehicle is motion. The disclosed device also provides a convenience for the front seat occupants and the back seat occupants to have a retractable top over their sections to extend and retract independent of the other.

Other advantageous features as well as other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above, in this Detailed Description, the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used—to the extent possible—in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range including that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range, including that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number),” this means a range whose limits include both numbers. For example, “25 to 100” means a range whose lower limit is 25 and upper limit is 100 and includes both 25 and 100. Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.

The term “coupled to” as used herein may mean a direct or indirect connection via one or more components.

Referring now to the drawings and the following written description of the present invention, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the detailed description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. This disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention.

The present invention describes a retractable sunshade assembly that can be removably installed on an open roof of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The retractable sunshade assembly can be operated to extend and retract (open and close the open the top) while the vehicle is in motion.FIG.1andFIG.2show a perspective view of an example of a non-limiting embodiment of a retractable sunshade assembly100installed on a model of roll bars500emulating roll bars on a four-wheel drive vehicle with an open top.FIG.1illustrates the retractable sunshade assembly in a fully extended (or closed) position andFIG.2illustrates the retractable sunshade assembly in a fully retracted (or open) position. The sunshade assembly100comprises a set of clamps including a pair of front clamps102and a pair of rear clamps104, a pair of parallel support beams110, and a sunshade panel140. The clamps102,104are configured to connect to the roll bars500at the open rooftop of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The roll bars500may be positioned on either side of the vehicle, one above the driver side and a second above the passenger side. The pair of parallel support beams110attach to the clamps102,104, wherein a first support beam attaches to the clamps102on the driver side and a second support beam attaches to the clamps102on the passenger side. The sunshade assembly140is designed to be movable and spans between the pair of parallel support beams110to connect to each support beam110. The pair of parallel support beams110serve as a guide for the sunshade panel140to be retracted and extended within. Movement of the sunshade panel140is controlled by a handle160(discussed below) comprising part of the sunshade panel140. It is to be understood that the sunshade assembly100may be configured in different sizes to accommodate and fit within an open top of most any type of four-wheel drive vehicle that allows the assembly to function as described herein. An example of an open top vehicle that the sunshade assembly100may be designed to fit within is a JEEP WRANGLER. This example is not intended to be limiting.

In one or more embodiment, the set of clamps102,104which may also be referred to as clamps102,104are configured to be fastened to the roll bar500on a vehicle. The set of clamps102are also configured such that they are easily removable from the roll bars500. In the Figures shown, the pair of front clamps102are intended to be positioned toward a front of vehicle on the roll bars500and the pair of rear clamps104are intended to be positioned behind the front pair of clamps102on the roll bars500. As best seen inFIG.4A, each clamp102,104also includes a strap102a,104aand a hook102b,104b, respectively. The straps102a,104aloop around the roll bar500and the hooks102b,104bconnect to one of the support beams110. The strap102a,104amay be fashioned from a sturdy and durable material.

Each of the pair of support beams110are designed to attach to the clamps102,104and to the sunshade panel140.FIGS.3A and3Billustrate a perspective view and an inside side view of a single support beam110, respectively. This illustration and description are identical for both support beams comprising the pair of support beams110. As shown, the support beam110has an outer rail112, and an inner rail114. The outer rail112is configured on a side facing the clamps102,104. The inner rail114is configured on a side opposite the outer rail112to connect with the sunshade panel140. The hooks102b,104bon the clamps102,104, respectively, connect to the outer rail112with the inner rails114on each support beam110facing each other. The pair of support beams110are connected to the clamps102,104by sliding the outer rails112through a notch on hooks102b,104bon the clamps102,104which are configured to receive the outer rail112.

As best seen inFIGS.4A and4B, the pair of front clamps102include a fastener103, such as a thumb screw, that traverses through a portion of the clamp102and through a slot116in the support beams110to prevent the support beams from sliding once the positioned appropriately.FIG.4Ashows a perspective view of the front clamp102. The fastener103traverses through a rod105at a front of the hook104b. As seen inFIG.4B, when connecting the support beam110to the clamps102,104, the rod105on the hook104bplaces the fastener103directly above the slot116in the outer rail112such that the fastener103can be placed through the slot116to hold and prevent the support beam110from sliding between the clamps102,104. It is to be understood that alternatively the pair of rear clamps104may include the fastener103, or alternatively both the front clamps102and the rear clamps104include the fastener103to hold the support beams110in place.

FIGS.11-15illustrate an example of an alternative configuration for a set of clamps201,202,203, and204which are configured to elevate a position of the sunshade panel140to the roll bars500on a vehicle. As seen inFIGS.12and13, this configuration raises the sunshade panel140and the pair of support beams110above a position of the roll bars500, such that the sunshade panel140and the pair of support beams110are at least 1 inch above a parallel plane of the roll bars500. The set of clamps comprise a pair of front end clamps201, a pair of back end clamps203, a pair of forward fairing clamps202, and a pair of rear fairing clamps204. The set of clamps201,202,203, and204are connected to a fairing208to cover a gap that may be created between the roll bars500and the pair of support beams110. The front end and back end clamps201,203are connected to a front end and a back end of the fairing208, respectively, and also include notches that connect to the outer rail112similar to the above embodiment including the set of clamps102,104. The front end and back end clamps201,203close off a gap on each end of the fairing208. Each of the forward fairing clamps202and the rear fairing clamps204include a loop (similar to loop102aand102bin the above embodiment) to attach to the roll bars500. The forward and rear fairing clamps202,204also connect to the outer rail112on the pair of support beams110. As seen inFIGS.13-15, a fastener205, such as a thumb screw, traverses through a portion of the forward fairing clamp202and through the slot116in the support beams110to prevent the support beams from sliding once positioned appropriately (seeFIGS.3A and3Bfor the slots116in the support beams110). The fastener205traverses through a rod206at a front of the forward fairing clamp202. In this embodiment, the fastener205traverses from a bottom of the rod206upward into the slot116to hold and prevent the support beam110from sliding between the set of clamps201,202,203, and204. It is to be understood that any of the clamps in the set of clamps can include the fastener205and the slot116in the support beams110can be positioned appropriately. The set of clamps201,202,203, and204are connected to the fairing208by any coupling means known in the arts, including, and not limited to bolts, screws, and other coupling means.

FIGS.1,2, and5illustrates a front bar120coupled with and/or otherwise attached to the pair of support beams110. As the name suggests, the front bar120is attached to a front side of the support beam110, or what may otherwise be considered a front side of the sunshade assembly100. The front bar120has a length that extends a space between the pair of support beams110. The front bar120is connected to the support beams110using a pair of end caps122on either end of the front bar120. The end caps122are designed to take on a cross-sectional shape of a space at the inner rail114of the support beams110such that the end caps112can be inserted into that space. The end caps122connected to the front bar120may be attached to the support beams110screws, nuts, bolts and or other coupling devices using one or more holes115on the front side of the support beams110. Other coupling means are also to considered such as adhesives and/or other methods.FIGS.2and4Bshow that the front bar120is coupled to the support beam110via screws that are positioned through the front bar120that traverse through into one or more holes in a front of the inner rail114(but this is not intended to be limiting). The front bar120prevents the sunshade panel140from sliding out of the support beams110once the sunshade panel140and the front bar120are installed. The sunshade panel140is connected to the pair of support beams before the front bar120and the end caps122are connected to the support beams110.

The sunshade panel140is configured to at least partially shield an occupant space the sunshade assembly100is placed over. The sunshade panel140comprises part of the sunshade assembly100component that can be moved between a closed position (shown inFIG.1) and an open position (shown inFIG.2). As mentioned above, the sunshade panel140spans between the pair of parallel support beams110. The sunshade panel140connects to the pair of support beams110which act as a guide and facilitate a movement of the sunshade panel140.

By way of a non-limiting example,FIGS.6to8Cillustrate a configuration of the sunshade panel140which is shown to comprise a front rod142, one or more center rods141, a rear rod144, and a cover146. The cover146is connected to the front rod142, the one or more center rods141, and the rear144(which may collectively be referred to as a plurality of rods).FIG.6illustrates the configured sunshade panel140, along with the handle160, that will be connected to the pair of support beams110.FIG.7Aillustrates the cover146only, whereasFIG.7Billustrates the front rod142, one or more center rods141, and the rear rod144. Referring toFIG.7A, the cover146includes two or more channels146aequidistance to each other wherein each individual channel146ais configured for one rod142,141,144to fit within.FIG.6is intended to illustrate the front rod142, the one or more center rods141, and the rear rod144assembled into the cover146and show a general appearance of the non-limiting example of the sunshade panel140. As can be seen, each of plurality of the rods, including the front rod142, the rear rod144, and the one or more center rods141spans a width of the cover146, wherein the width of the cover146spans the space between the pair of support beams110. The cover146is fashioned from a fabric like material that can fold and is flexible. Other flexible material such as faux leather and leather are also within the disclosure of the cover146.

The front rod142, the one or more center rods141, and the rear rod144are alike except that the front rod142and the one or more center rods141connect to a pair of rod ends143and the rear rod144connects to a pair of end caps145. The pair of rod ends143permit a sliding motion within the pair of support beams110and the pair of end caps145makes the rear rod144stationary. The rear rod144is a stationary rod, in that the rear rod144is connected to a back end of the pair of support beams110(also the rear of the sunshade assembly100) by the end caps145. The rear rod144functions to prevent the sunshade panel140from sliding out the back end of the support beams110. As discussed earlier inFIGS.1,2, and5, the front bar120prevents the sunshade panel140from sliding out the front end of the support beams110. The one or more center rods141and the front rod142move in an accordion like motion moving the cover146between the front bar120and the rear rod144.

FIG.8Cillustrates one of the center rods141and the pair of rod ends143to illustrate the connection which is descriptive of all of the one or more center rods141. The illustration is also intended to be descriptive of the connection between the pair of rod ends143and the front rod142. The pair of rod ends143are connected to the one or more center rods141by slipping each rod end143over an end of the one or more center rods141. The rod ends143are then coupled by inserting a pin147into an opening143ain the rod end143that traverses through into an opening142ain the one or more center rods141. As can be seen, each end of the one or more center rods141has an opening142aand is connected to one of the pair of rod ends143. The pin147may be a quick release pin, such that the pin147can be easily removed to allow the rod ends143to be removed and thus the one or more rods141from within the cover146, if necessary. Referring toFIG.6, the one or more center rods141are inserted through the cover146with the pair of rod ends143visible along each side of the cover146. To assemble, the one or more center rods141are inserted through the channels146awith the openings142ajust extending outside the channels146aon each side of the cover146. The pair of rod ends143are then connected to the one or more center rods141using the pin147. The rod ends143are positioned onto the inner rails114of the pair of support beams110and are configured to slide along the inner rails114. As discussed above, the sunshade panel140spans between the pair of support beams110. The rod ends143are configured such that they can slide along the inner rail of the support beam110and thus move the connected cover146in the accordion motion between the rear rod144and the front bar120.

Referring toFIGS.8A and8B, the rear rod144with the pair of end caps145is shown. As mentioned above the rear rod144is similar to the front rod142and the one or more center rods141, except that the rear rod144is stationary which is due to the end caps145and therefore the function being to prevent the sunshade panel140from sliding off the back end of the support beams110. The end caps145are configured similar to the end caps122of the front bar (shown inFIG.5) in that they take on a cross sectional shape of the inner rail114section with the only difference being that the pair of end caps145are configured to slip onto the ends of the rear rod144. The end caps145cover the back end of the support beam110to not only prevent the sunshade assembly140from sliding off the back end, but also provides an aesthetic appearance. The pair of end caps145are connected to the rear rod144by slipping an end cap145over each end of the rear rod144. The end caps145are then coupled by inserting the pin147into an opening145ain the end cap145athat traverses through into an opening144ain the rear rod142. As can be seen, each end of the rear rod144has the opening144aand is connected to one of the pair of rod ends143. The pin147may be a quick release pin, such that the pin147can be easily removed to allow the end caps145to be removed and thus the rear rods144from within the cover146, if necessary. As seen inFIG.6, the rear rod144is inserted through the cover146with the pair of end caps145visible along each side of the cover146. The rear rod144is assembled as above in the discussion for the one or more rods142. The rear rod144is inserted through the channel146a(at an end of the cover146) with the openings144ajust extending outside the channel146aon each side of the cover146. The pair of end caps145are then connected to the rear rod144using the pin147. Once the rear rod144is assembled into the cover146, the end caps145are connected to the back end of the support beams110, in a similar fashion as to how the end caps122on the front bar120are connected to the front end of the support beams110.

The cover146opens and closes by moving along the inner rail114on the support beams110using the handle160. The advantage of the following assembly is that the sunshade panel140can be moved while the vehicle is in motion. The occupant of the vehicle can grab the handle160and pull backward or forward to slide the sunshade panel140along the support beams110. In the one or more non-limiting embodiments shown, the handle160is connected to the front rod142. Specifically, the handle160is connected to the front rod142which is positioned closest to the front bar120or the front end of the support beams110. The front bar120is closer to a front end of the vehicle and the rear rod144(which is also stationary) is further away from the front end of the vehicle, or closer to the back end of the vehicle. Thus, the handle160opens the sunshade panel140by sliding away from the front bar120toward the rear rod144. And the handle160closes the sunshade panel140by moving away from the rear rod144toward the front bar120.

Referring toFIGS.3A,3B,9A to9C, and10, the handle160includes a latch mechanism which locks the sunshade panel140into a position the sunshade panel140is moved to (closed or an open). The advantage of the latch mechanism is to prevent the sunshade panel140from sliding within the pair of support beams110when the sunshade panel140is positioned in the open or closed position. As seen inFIGS.3A and3B, the support beam110has one or more pin slots117strategically placed along a length of the inner rail114. The figures illustrate two pin slots117positioned along the length of the inner rail114on a side facing the opposing support beam. It is to be understood that both support beams comprising the pair of support beams110may have the one or more pin slots117. Alternatively, only one support beam110may have the one or more pin slots117. The one or more pin slots117are configured for a pair of latch pins163to insert into to engage a latch mechanism (discussed below). As best seen in a close-up front view onFIG.10, the latch pin163is inserted into the inner rail114through the slot (shown inFIGS.3A and3B). It is also to be understood that more than two slots are also within the disclosure of the sunshade assembly100, such as an entire length of the inner rail114may have pin slots117interspersed such that the sunshade panel140can be partially closed/opened to an occupant's preference rather than only fully open or fully closed.

The latch mechanism comprises an actuator piece161which is positioned at a top of the handle160. Further, the latch mechanism comprises a wire162, a pair of latch pins163, a pair of rod inserts164, and a pair of springs165(best seen inFIG.9C). Each of the pair of rod inserts164is inserted into each end of the front rod142. The wire162is connected to the actuator piece161and extends toward both ends of the front rod142. The wire162is also connected to the pair of latch pins163which are positioned within the pair of rod inserts164. The pair of springs165are also inserted within the pair of rod inserts164around the latch pin163. The latch mechanism can be engaged or disengaged to lock the sunshade panel140in place or allow the sunshade panel to slide, respectively. In the engaged position, the latch pin163is inserted within the pin slot117, and the latch pin163is moved out of the pin slot117in the disengaged position.

To disengage the latch mechanism, an occupant grabs the handle160and applies a pressure on or squeezes the actuator piece161, which, via the wire162, pulls the latch pin163out of the pin slot117in the inner rail114. When the latch mechanism is disengaged, the sunshade panel140can be moved back and forth along the inner rails114in the support beams110. When the occupant releases the pressure on the actuator piece161, the recoil pressure on the spring165pushes the latch pin163into one of the pin slots117. This causes the latch mechanism to be engaged, preventing the sunshade panel140from sliding or moving along the inner rails114of the support beams110. It is to be understood that alternate mechanisms may also be included in this disclosure, such as instead of latch pins163, a friction mechanism may be used that uses an element that presses against the inner rail114to prevent movement, such as and not limited to a pin or small rod with a rubber or silicone end.

Accordingly, the present description provides for various embodiments for a retractable sunshade assembly that can be attached to an open top four-wheel drive vehicle. The retractable sunshade assembly can be used while the car is in motion and advantageously does not require a vehicle to stop moving in order to use. Advantageously, the retractable sunshade assembly can be individually placed over the front occupants and the rear occupants such that each can be used independent of the other providing the option for both occupants to use as needed. Many uses and advantages are offered by the retractable sunshade assembly as described above in one or more non-limiting embodiments in the present description.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present invention, according to one or more embodiments described in the present description, may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive of the present invention.