Automobile window shade convertible to horizontal expansion or vertical expansion

Abstract: The foldable automobile window shade (10) generally includes a first plurality of substantially rigid, planar elements, joined together by hinges such that they form a first accordion fold portion (12) of the shade, a second plurality of rigid, planar elements forming a second accordion fold portion (14) of the shade. The shade also includes a hinge (44) that links the first and second accordion fold portions (12, 14). The single hinge (44) links end elements (40, 42) of the first and second accordion fold portions. In a horizontal expansion mode, the first and second end elements (40, 42) have planar surfaces that are adjacent to each other and the first and second accordion fold portions (10, 12) extend outboard from either side of the adjacent end elements (40, 42). In a vertically expandable mode, the end elements (40, 42) are co-planar with respect to each other. The first and second accordion fold portions (10, 12) are disposed above the respective first and second end elements (40, 42) and therefore the shade can be vertically expandable as desired to cover the interior of the automobile window.

Description: The present invention relates to an automobile window shade and particularly to a shade that can be horizontally expanded, for example to cover the front windshield and can be vertically expanded, in another mode, for example to cover the rear windshield. When an automobile is sealed by closure of all of its windows, the temperature inside the automobile rises if sunlight enters the window and is converted into heat. In order to block a significant portion of this sunlight, foldable window shades have been developed. U.S. Patent No. 4,202,396 to Levy discloses such a foldable sunshield or window shade for an automobile. The Levy sunshield is only horizontally expandable. As used herein, the term "horizontally expandable" refers to a sunshield that can be expanded such that its width is increased dependent upon the increasingly greater angles formed by the accordion folds of the shade. Also as used herein, the term "vertically expandable" refers to a shade whose height can be altered dependent upon the angle between the accordion folds. United States Patent 4,671,334 (to Yadegar et al) discloses a collapsible sunshade comprising a plurality of planar members joined together by hinges in an accordion-like manner. Each planar member is additionally hinged laterally, at right angle to the accordion folds, to allow the planar members to be folded in two when collapsed in accordion fashion. The present invention provides a foldable window shade for an automobile comprising a first plurality of substantially rigid, planar elements joined together by hinges along adjoining edges such that said first plurality of elements forms a first accordion fold portion; a second plurality of substantially rigid, planar elements joined together by hinges along adjoining edges such that said second plurality of elements forms a second accordion fold portion; said second accordion fold portion being foldable independently of said first accordion fold portion; and characterised in that said window shade further comprises: a further hinge linking one of said first plurality of elements and one of said second plurality of elements along adjacent non-accordion edge portions of said first and second accordion fold portions, said further hinge being normal to accordion folds in said first and second accordion fold portions. Preferred embodiments of apparatus described below allow the following objects to be achieved: to provide a foldable automobile window shade that has two modes, a vertically expandable mode and a horizontally expandable mode; to provide an automobile window shade that is an integral structure; to provide an automobile window shade that can be collapsed into a compact structure; to provide an automobile window shade wherein the shade can be configured in different modes in different automobile windows; to provide an automobile window shade that can be partially retracted in a vertical mode thereby blocking sunlight passing through a portion of the window, admitting sunlight through another portion of the window and enabling individuals in the automobile to see through that unblocked portion; to provide a pop-out tab that operates as a hinge linking first and second accordion fold portions of the shade; to provide a shade that has a separable seam which, when opened, forms the first and second accordion fold portions; and to configure the further hinge as a distinct component such as a clip, strap or other independent object. In preferred embodiments, the entire shade is made of cardboard and is an integral structure; the single hinge links end elements of the first and second accordion fold portions; in a horizontal expansion mode, the first and second end elements have planar surfaces that are adjacent to each other and the first and second accordion fold portions extend outboard from either side of the adjacent end elements; in a vertically expandable mode, the end elements are co-planar with respect to each other; the first and second accordion fold portions are disposed above the respective first and second end elements and therefore the shade can be vertically expandable as desired to cover the interior of the automobile window. Since the first and second accordion fold portions are substantially independent of each other, with the exception of the hinge linking the end elements, in the vertical expansion mode, the accordion fold portions can be operated separately such that only part of the window is shaded as compared with the other part of the window. In some embodiments the hinge may be a pop-out tab in one of the elements forming the first accordion fold portion which cooperates with a through passage in one of the elements forming the second accordion fold portion. In other embodiments, the hinge may be a clip having depending and upstanding U-shaped legs that grip the elements in either the horizontal expansion mode or the vertical expansion mode. The invention is hereinafter described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A illustrates a front elevation view of an automobile window shade according to the invention, in a horizontal expansion mode; Figure 1B illustrates a perspective view of the automobile window shade in the horizontal expansion mode shading the interior of the front window of an automobile; Figures 2 and 3 respectively illustrate a top view and a bottom view of the automobile window shade in the horizontal expansion mode; Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the automobile window shade in the horizontal expansion mode from the perspective of section line 4'-4'' in Figure 3; Figure 5A illustrates a rear elevational view of the automobile window shade in the horizontal expansion mode; Figure 5B illustrates a detail view of the modal hinge of the automobile window shade from the perspective of section line 5B' in Figure 5A; Figure 5C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the automobile window shade in the horizontal expansion mode when the shade is placed behind the front window of an automobile; Figure 6A illustrates a front elevational view of the automobile window shade in the vertical expansion mode; Figure 6B illustrates the automobile window shade in the vertical expansion mode when the shade is placed in the rear window of an automobile; Figures 7 and 8 respectively illustrate top and bottom views of the automobile window shade in the vertical expansion mode; Figure 9 illustrates a side view of the automobile window shade in the vertical expansion mode from the perspective of section line 9'-9'' in Figure 10A; Figure 10A illustrates a rear elevational view of the automobile window shade in the vertical expansion mode; Figure 10B illustrates a detail, perspective view of the modal hinge when the shade is in the vertical expansion mode from the perspective of section line 10B' in Figure 6B; Figure 10C illustrates a detail, cross-sectional view of the mounting mechanism for the automobile window shade in the vertical expansion mode from the perspective of section line 10C' in Figure 6B; Figure 11 illustrates a shade in a partially expanded and partially collapsed vertical mode; Figure 12A illustrates the automobile window shade in a substantially flattened and laid out position; Figure 12B illustrates a detail view of the modal hinge; Figure 12, 14 and 15 illustrate, respectively, the upper side view, lower side view, and left side view of the automobile window shade in the substantially flattened and laid out position illustrated in Figure 12A; Figure 16 illustrates a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of automobile window shade according to the invention, having a laterally extending crease; Figure 17 illustrates the window shade of Figure 16 in its compact form folding along the lateral crease; Figure 18 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of automobile window shade according to the invention, showing the separable seam along adjacent edges of the first and second accordion fold portions; Figure 19 is a detailed view of an embodiment of further hinge embodied as a pop-out tab and a pop-out through passage for the tab; Figure 20 diagrammatically illustrates the further hinge as a pop-up tab when the window shade is in a vertical expansion mode; Figure 21 diagrammatically illustrates the further hinge as a pop-up tab when the window shade is in a vertical expansion mode; Figure 22 diagrammatically illustrates another embodiment of further hinge wherein the hinge is a distinct component; Figure 23 shows another embodiment of the hinge as a clip when the window shade is in the horizontal expansion mode; Figure 24 is a partial cross-sectional view of the clip from the perspective of section line 24'-24'' in Figure 23; Figure 25 is a view of the clip as the further hinge when the window shade is in the vertical expansion mode; The present invention relates to an automobile window shade that is convertible to a vertically expandable mode and a horizontally expandable mode. Figures 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B and 5C show window shade 10 in a horizontal expandable mode. Figures 1A and 5A show, respectively, the front and rear elevational views of window shade 10. Shade 10 includes a first accordion fold portion 12 and a second accordion fold portion 14 best illustrated in Figure 2. Portion 12 includes rigid, planar elements 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24. These planar elements are joined together along longitudinal edges by accordion folds. In other words, planar elements 16 or 18 are joined along accordion fold 26; elements 18 or 20 are joined by fold 28; elements 20 and 22 are joined by fold 30; and elements 22 and 24 are joined by fold 32. These accordion folds enable portion 12 to be expanded in the direction of arrow 34, i.e., outboard from the center, by increasing the angle 36, which is called herein the "accordion angle". Accordion fold portion 12 can be collapsed by decreasing angle 36 by moving the elements in the direction of arrow 38. Accordion fold portion 12 also includes planar end element 40. Accordion fold portion 14 includes a plurality of rigid, planar elements and an end element 42. End elements 40 and 42 are joined together by single, modal hinge 44 which is illustrated in the bottom view of shade 10 in FIG. 3. FIG. 5A illustrates the rear elevational view of the window shade in the first or horizontally expandable mode. End elements 40 and 42 and adjacent elements 16 and 48 have a length that is less than the length of the remaining elements, such as element 18, in their respective accordion fold portions 12 and 14. The shorter length of elements 16 and 48 form a cutout 50. Additionally, the inboard edges 52 and 54 of elements 16 and 48 are further trimmed to define nose cutout 52. FIG. 1B illustrates foldable window shade 10 disposed in the interior of an automobile 60. Shade 10 includes seven planar elements inclusive of the end planar element, one of which is end element 62 shown in FIG. 5C. FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the window shade from the perspective of section line 5C′-5C″ in FIG. 1B. Rear view mirror 70 is disposed in cutout 50 of window shade 10 and the nose portion of the cutout is close to stem 72 of rear view mirror 70. FIG. 5B illustrates a detail perspective view of the bottom region of the adjacent end elements from the perspective of section line 5B′ in FIG. 5A. End elements 40 and 42 have planar surfaces 74 and 76, respectively. These planar surfaces are adjacent each other when the window shade is in the horizontally expandable mode. Elements 40 and 42 have longitudinal edges that are joined, via accordion hinges 78 and 80, to elements 16 and 82, respectively. End elements 40 and 42 are joined together via a single modal hinge 44. Hinge 44 enables the shade to be converted into different modes, hence the term "modal hinge". In a preferred embodiment, window shade 10 is an integral structure made of a cardboard material. Therefore, elements 40 and 42 are part of a common element that is associated with the first accordion fold portion 12 and the second accordion fold portion 14. In order to keep the planar surfaces 74 and 76 closely adjacent, a means for biasing, in this embodiment a rubberband 90, encircles the outboard surfaces 92 and 94 of end elements 40 and 42. Rubberband 90 could be replaced by a coil spring or any other attachment mechanism such that surfaces 74 and 76 are brought adjacent each other. This could include snaps, velcro or any other type of easily removable attachment mechanism. In FIG. 5C, window shade 10 is illustrated as being close to the interior surface of windshield 96. Sunlight, shown by arrow 98, would pass through window 96 but would be reflected or deflected by window shade 10. The inward protrusion of end elements 40 and 42 provide a stand such that in the horizontally expandable mode, the window shade stands upright and supports itself. FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7, 8, 9, 10A, 10B and 10C show shade 10 in the second or vertically expandable mode. An important feature of the invention is the modal hinge 44 that enables the window shade to be converted from the horizontal mode to the vertical mode. In the vertical mode, end elements 40 and 42 are substantially co-planar with respect to each other. See, for example, FIGS. 8, 9 and 10B. Therefore, in order to convert the shade from the horizontal to the vertical mode, planar surfaces 74 and 76 are moved apart until end elements 40 and 42 are generally coplanar. In the vertical mode, elements 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 of accordion fold portion 12 are disposed above end element 40. The same is true with respect to accordion fold portion 14 and end element 41; element 18 is disposed above end element 42 in FIG. 6A. FIG. 6B illustrates window shade 10 blocking the interior surface of rear windshield 110 of automobile 60. In order to attach element 24, the element remote from end element 40, to rear windshield 110, the shade includes a mounting means 112. Mounting means 112 extends through hole 114, shown in FIG. 6A, in element 24. A detailed, cross-sectional view of one type of mounting means 112 is shown in FIG. 10C. In this embodiment, mounting means 112 is a suction cup 116 that attaches to the interior surface 118 of window 110. Other mountings could be utilized. For example, element 24 could be connected via a velcro attachment to the interior liner of the automobile. Alternatively, a hook and eye combination could be utilized with respect to the window (using a suction cup) or with respect to the interior roof of the automobile. FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively, illustrate the top and bottom views of window shade 10. FIG. 7 shows that hole 114 and hole 120 are available for mounting the elements most remote from end elements 40 and 42. FIG. 8 illustrates the commonality between elements 40 and 42 via modal hinge 44. End elements 40 and 42 also include mounting holes 124 and 126 which enable these end elements to be secured to the rear dashboard below rear window 110. FIG. 10A illustrates a rear elevational view of shade 10 in the vertically expandable mode. The separated cutout sections 50a and 50b do not present a significant problem in blocking light entering through rear window 110 shown in FIG. 6B due to their low position in the shade. FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of shade 10 from the perspective of section line 9′-9″ in FIG. 10A. FIG. 10B illustrates a detail, perspective view of modal hinge 44 from the perspective of section line 10B′ in FIG. 6B. FIG. 10B shows that end elements 40 and 42 are co-planar. Adjoining elements 16 and 18 extend above end elements 40 and 42 due to accordion folds 78 and 80. In the vertically expandable mode, edges 120 of accordion fold portion 12 and edges 122 of accordion fold portion 14 (see FIGS. 6B and 10B) are closely adjacent to each other. FIG. 11 shows that window shade 10 can be partially collapsed in the vertical expansion mode. In FIG. 11, accordion fold portion 12 has been collapsed on top of end element 40 but accordion fold portion 14 is still vertically expanded above end element 42. This capability of the shade enables the automobile driver to have limited vision out of the rear window and yet still block or screen a significant portion of the sunlight entering the window. FIGS. 12A, 12B, 13, 14 and 15 illustrate various views of window shade 10 in a substantially flat and laid out position. Elements 40 and 42 are shown as being common and being joined by modal hinge 44. FIG. 12B is a detail view of modal hinge 44. Modal hinge 44 is shown by dashed lines, as are accordion folds 78 and 80. FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, respectively, show upper edge 150, lower edge 152 and side edge 160 of the substantially flat and laid out views of shade 10. In one embodiment, a sheet of cardboard is cut to form accordion fold portion 12 and accordion fold portion 14, thereby forming edge 122 and edge 120. The common element consisting of end elements 40 and 42 and modal hinge 44 is not cut. See FIG. 12B for a detailed view. Fold lines are placed in the cardboard to achieve accordion folds 78, 26, 28, 30, 32 in fold portion 12, as well as accordion fold 80 and the other unnumbered folds in fold portion 14. Preferably, the shade is made of a cardboard material. However, it is possible to make the shade of a plastic or other lightweight material. The hinges, both modal hinge 44 and the accordion hinges, may be integral or may be a separate structure. FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of window shade 10 having a laterally extending crease 210 that is impressed into accordion portion 212 as well as accordion portion 214. With laterally extending crease 210, automobile shade 10 can be folded about the crease and then the accordion folds can be retracted to form compact shade 216 (FIG. 17). FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. Automobile shade 218 is defined by accordion fold portion 220 and accordion fold portion 222. FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of shade 218. Accordion fold portion 218 includes adjacent element 224 and fold portion 222 includes adjacent element 226. Adjacent elements 224 and 226 are initially joined together by separable seam 228. Seam 228 can be a score line such that the person using the shade can cut it or it can be a perforated line. The separable seam, when opened, would enable planar faces 230 and 232 to be facing each other when shade 218 is in a horizontal expansion mode. This would be generally similar to adjacent elements 40 and 42 illustrated in FIG. 2 above. Shade 218 may further include a hinge similar to modal hinge 44 shown in FIG. 3 above. However, in the illustrated embodiment, modal hinge 44 is replaced by a different type of hinge that is shown in detail in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a detailed view of adjacent planar elements 224 and 226 showing a pop-out tab 230 that operates as the further or modal hinge. Pop-out tab 230 includes tab body 232 and tab head 234. Tab head 234 is distinguished from tab body 232 by fold or crease line 236. Tab body 232 is attached to planar element 224 by crease 238. The remainder of the periphery of tab 230 is perforated or scored such that tab 230 can be popped-out of planar element 224. The tab is hinged to element 224 via fold crease 238. On planar element 226 is a through passage that is formed by pop-out section 240. Pop-out section 240 is completely removable and, hence, is distinguished from planar section 226 by perforations or score lines. FIG. 20 diagrammatically illustrates adjacent planar elements 224 and 226 disposed next to each other and held by tab 230. Tab head 234 is folded along crease 236 and is not sandwiched between elements 224 and 226 but tab body 232 is disposed between elements 224 and 226. In this mode of operation, the other elements or sections of the accordion fold portions extend laterally or horizontally on either side of planar elements 224 and 226. FIG. 21 diagrammatically illustrates the vertical expansion mode of the shade wherein planar elements 224 and 226 are substantially co-planar with respect to each other. In this embodiment, tab 230 has a tab body 232 that extends between and generally links planar sections 224 and 226. FIG. 22 illustrates another embodiment, and particularly illustrates the hinge being a distinct item or component. FIG. 22 diagrammatically illustrates the vertical expansion mode of the invention with planar elements 224 and 226 substantially co-planar. A hinge element 260 couples elements 224 and 226 together. Hinge element 260 has a foldable seam 262 such that planar element 226 can be moved counterclockwise in direction A and planar element 224 can be moved clockwise in direction B such that hinge element 260 folds upon itself. Hinge element 260 is attached to the planar elements via clips or snaps 264 and 266. FIGS. 23, 24 and 25 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention utilizing a clip 270 as the further modal hinge. Clip 270 has two, oppositely extending, U-shaped legs 272 and 274 (FIG. 25). When the shade is in the horizontal expansion mode, and planar elements 224 and 226 have planar surfaces that are adjacently disposed next to each other, only one pair of the U-shaped legs of clip 270 retains the planar elements as shown in FIG. 24. When the shade is in the vertical expansion mode, each pair of U-shaped legs 272 and 274 grips oppositely and co-planarly disposed shade elements 226 and 224. Clip 270 may be flexible and operate as the hinge in FIG. 22. In that case, the legs would resiliently grip the shade elements.

Claims: A foldable window shade for an automobile comprising: a first plurality of substantially rigid, planar elements (12) joined together by hinges (26, 28, 30, 32) along adjoining edges such that said first plurality of elements forms a first accordion fold portion (12); a second plurality of substantially rigid, planar elements (14) joined together by hinges along adjoining edges such that said second plurality of elements forms a second accordion fold portion; said second accordion fold portion (14) being foldable independently of said first accordion fold portion (12); and characterised in that said window shade further comprises: a further hinge (44, 230, 260, 270) linking one (40) of said first plurality of elements (12) and one (42) of said second plurality of elements (14) along adjacent non-accordion edge portions of said first and second accordion fold portions (12, 14), said further hinge being normal to accordion folds in said first (12) and second (14) accordion fold portions. A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said one (40) of said first plurality of elements is a first end element (40), said one of said second plurality of elements is a second end element (42), said first end element (40) being joined, via a first accordion hinge, to another element (16) of said first plurality along a longitudinal edge, said second end element (42) being joined, via a second accordion hinge, to another element of said second plurality along a longitudinal edge, said further hinge (44) being located along abutting edges of said first and second end elements, normal to said longitudinal edges. A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 2 wherein in a first mode, said first and second end elements (40, 42) have planar surfaces adjacent each other and said first and second accordion fold portions (12, 14) are extendable horizontally with the adjacent planar surfaces (40, 42) being located intermediate said first and second accordion fold portions (12, 14). A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 3 wherein in a second mode, said first and second end elements (40,42) are coplanar and said first and second accordion fold portions (12, 14) are disposed substantially above the respective first and second end elements (40,42) such that the portions (12,14) are extendable vertically with respect to said first and second end elements (40,42). A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 3 including a means (90) for bringing said planar surfaces of first and second end elements (40,42) together. A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said means for bringing said planar surfaces of said first and second end elements together is a rubber band (90). A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 4 including first means (112,116) for mounting an opposing first end element (24) of said first plurality (12) opposite said first end element (40) onto an interior surface (118) of said window and including second means for mounting an opposing second end element of said second plurality (14) opposite said second end element (42) onto an interior surface of said window. A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 1 including a common element (40,42) having a first section (40) that is part of said first accordion fold portion (12) and having a second section (42) that is part of said second accordion fold portion (14), said further hinge comprising a hinge section (44) between said first (40) and second (42) sections. A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 8 wherein in a first mode, said first and second sections (40,42) have planar surfaces disposed adjacent each other and said first and second accordion fold portions (12,14) are extendable horizontally with the adjacent planar surfaces (40,42) being located intermediate said first and second accordion fold portions (12, 14). A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 9 wherein in a second mode, said first and second sections (40, 42) are coplanar with respect to each other and said first and second accordion fold portions (12, 14) are disposed substantially above the respective first and second sections (40, 42) such that the portions (12, 14) are extendable vertically with respect to said first and second sections (40, 42). A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said further hinge (44) is a modal hinge linking a respective element (40, 42) of said first and second accordion fold portions (12, 14) together, said modal hinge (44) permitting, in a first linking arrangement mode, horizontal expansion of said first and second accordion fold portions (12, 14) and, in a second linking arrangement mode, vertical expansion of said first and second accordion fold portions (12, 14) wherein said first and second accordion fold portions (12, 14) are horizontally displaced with respect to each other in said second mode. A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the respective elements (40, 42) of said first and second accordion fold portions (12, 14) are layered atop each other in said first mode and are coplanar in said second mode. A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said first and second plurality of elements (12, 14) and said further hinge (44, 230) are integral. A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 13 wherein said first and second plurality of elements (12, 14) and said further hinge (44, 230) are made of a cardboard material. A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said first and second plurality of elements (12, 14, 214, 212) each have a laterally extending crease (210) that is normal to said accordion folds, such that each said element can be folded in half. A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said further hinge is defined by a pop-out tab (230) extending from said one element (224) of said first plurality of elements, and said one element (226) of said second plurality of elements having a passage (240) through which extends said tab (230) when said first and second plurality of elements are linked together. A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said further hinge (260) is attached by a first attachment (264) to said one element (224) of said first plurality of elements and is attached by a second attachment (266) to said one element (226) of said second plurality of elements. A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said further hinge is a detachable clip (270). A foldable window shade as claimed in Claim 16 including a separable seam (228) between one (224) of said first plurality of elements (218) and one (226) of said second plurality of elements (222) along adjacent edges of said first and second accordion fold portions; and wherein said further hinge links said one (224) of said first plurality of elements and said one (226) of said second plurality of elements along a portion of said adjacent edges in said first and second accordion fold portions (218, 222) when said separable seam (228) is opened.

Inventors: ESKANDRY EZRA D, WEINBERG ELI, ESKANDRY, EZRA D., WEINBERG, ELI
Applicants: ESKANDRY EZRA D, WEINBERG ELI, ESKANDRY, EZRA D., WEINBERG, ELI
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B60J1
IPC codes: B60J1