Abstract:
A motor vehicle accessory capable of shielding the interior of a car from the sun, specifically a device that can cover the entire interior surface of a vehicle.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This Application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 12/268,979, filed Nov. 11, 2008, which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/987,108, filed Nov. 12, 2007, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. This Application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C §119(a) to Australian Patent Application No. 2008243218, incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of car accessories, specifically a collapsible sun shield to protect the interior surfaces of a motor vehicle from excess heat and/or sun exposure. 
     Background 
     Car owners often leave their vehicles parked outside for long periods of time, whether in a parking lot while at work or shopping, or in the driveway of their own homes. Sun exposure for these long periods of time can cause extreme heat in the interior of a vehicle, especially in hot desert climates, and can cause discomfort or even harm to the driver and passengers. Sun exposure can also be very damaging to the vehicle&#39;s leather, plastic, and/or vinyl surfaces, causing discoloration or cracking. 
     Several products are currently on the market for protecting the interior of a car from sun exposure, however none are both convenient and effective in protecting a substantial portion of the interior of a car. For example, COVERCRAFT® sells sun shields that span across the interior of a car windshield, thereby partially blocking the sun&#39;s rays depending on the direction of the shield relative to the sun. However, these shields are neither efficient insulators nor effective at protecting the entirety of a car&#39;s interior surfaces regardless of the time of day or direction of the sun. COVERCRAFT® also markets exterior covers that must be stretched over the entire vehicle. While these covers solve the problem of protecting the entire interior surface of a car regardless of the direction of the sun, they are bulky, difficult to use, and inconvenient when one is pressed for time. Additionally, when in use these covers are exposed to the outdoor elements, accumulating dirt, dust, bird feces and/or insects. Side window sun shields also exist, such as the one taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,822, however these products can be difficult to use and require multiple units for effectively blocking the entire interior of a vehicle from the sun. 
     An improvement on the abovementioned devices is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,204, invented by the inventor of the present application. This device is composed essentially of a sheet of cover material supported by a frame that includes elongated arms situated horizontally along the opposite sides of the vehicle interior. However, due to the horizontal orientation and location of these arms, they need to include either a sliding or folding mechanism to allow the cover to be properly deployed in the vehicle interior and to be retrieved from deployment for storage in a relatively compact dimension. Such orientation and location of the support frame also works properly only if the segment of the cover it supports is flat, thus the cover cannot assume the appropriate angular shape needed to reflect the sunlight back out to the windshield, side windows and rear window of the vehicle. In addition, since these opposite elongated arms are not connected to each other, the user of the invention has to reach out to the other side of the vehicle and hold both arms of the cover while the related segment of the cover is slid or folded towards the desired direction, thereby making the cover difficult and cumbersome to use. None of the embodiments of this prior invention provide a systematic, consistent and quick way of folding the cover into a compact dimension for storage, thereby requiring a user to spend an impractical amount of time using and storing the device. 
     What is needed is a collapsible device that can cover the interior surfaces of a motor vehicle regardless of which direction sunlight is coming from, thereby insulating the interior, preventing excessive increase in temperature and avoiding harmful exposure to the sun&#39;s UV rays. The device should provide a systematic, consistent and quick way of folding the device into a compact dimension for storage after its use. It is desirable to have a device that minimizes the number of parts or components required for operation, as well as allows a user to easily deploy and retrieve the device from just one side of a vehicle without reaching to the other side. The device should also be useful without requiring modification of the car interior, such as drilling holes, and other permanent or provisional attachments to the car interior, such as hooks or hanging mechanisms. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the present device. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of the present device. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present device. 
         FIG. 4  depicts one embodiment of an end of a stabilizing arm of the present device. 
         FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of a fastening device of the present device. 
         FIG. 6  depicts the engagement of a stabilizing arm and a fastening device. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present device. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a partially folded view of one embodiment of the present device. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present device. 
         FIG. 10  depicts an alternate embodiment of an end of a stabilizing arm of the present device. 
         FIG. 11  depicts an alternate embodiment of a fastening device. 
         FIG. 12  depicts an alternate embodiment of the engagement of a stabilizing arm and a fastening device. 
         FIG. 13  depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present device. 
         FIG. 14  depicts a side view of one embodiment of the present device. 
         FIG. 15  depicts a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present device. 
         FIG. 16  depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present device. 
         FIG. 17  depicts a close-up perspective view of a portion of the device shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  depicts a top view of one embodiment of the present device. 
         FIG. 19  depicts a back view of one embodiment of the present device. 
         FIG. 20  depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the present device  100 . A device  100  can be comprised of a sheet  101  having a front end, a back end, a front section  102 , a middle section  104 , and a rear section  106 . Said sheet  101  can be substantially the same length and width as the portion of the interior of a motor vehicle desired to be covered. A front section  102  can have a first set of rigid arms  108  that can be permanently attached to said sheet  101  substantially perpendicular to the length of the motor vehicle in which a device  100  is to be used. In alternate embodiments, said first set of rigid arms  108  can be removably attached to said sheet  101  so that the sheet  101  can be laundered if needed. Said first set of rigid arms  108  can be spaced apart from each other in a manner that can allow for proper folding and storage of a device  100 . A front section  102  can also have an adjustable steering wheel compartment  110  that can accommodate the height, width and depth of a vehicle steering wheel. An adjustable steering wheel compartment  110  can be comprised of a plurality of slits, the cut edges of which can be coupled with flexible material such that said compartment  110  can adjust to the dimensions of a steering wheel while keeping said steering wheel covered. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the outer surface of an adjustable steering wheel compartment  110  can be facing the front windshield of a vehicle when in use, thereby deflecting the sun&#39;s rays back through said front windshield. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a sheet  101  can be fabric, vinyl, thin plastic, polymer, or any other known and/or convenient flexible material. In other embodiments, and as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a sheet  101  can be made of rigid or semi-rigid material, such as plastic or any other known and/or convenient material. A sheet  101  can be made of a reflective material, insulating material, and/or heat-resisting material. A sheet  101  can also be manufactured in different dimensions so as to accommodate the dimensions of various vehicle models. A first set of rigid arms  108  can be plastic, fiberglass, metal, or any other known and/or convenient rigid material. 
     A middle section  104  can have a second set of rigid arms  108  that can be permanently attached to said sheet  101  substantially perpendicular to the length of the motor vehicle in which a device  100  is to be used. In alternate embodiments, said second set of rigid arms  108  can be removably attached to said sheet  101  so that the sheet  101  can be laundered if needed. Said second set of rigid arms  108  can be spaced apart from each other in a manner that can allow for proper folding and storage of device  100 . A second set of rigid arms  108  can be plastic, fiberglass, metal, or any other known and/or convenient rigid material. 
     A middle section  104  can also have a first adjustable headrest compartment  114  that can accommodate the height, width, and depth of the headrests of the driver and front passenger seats of a motor vehicle. Said first adjustable headrest compartment  114  can be comprised of at least one protrusion in a sheet  101  that can temporarily house the driver and front passenger seat headrests of a motor vehicle. Said first adjustable headrest compartment  114  can be at a location about a sheet  101  such that said at least one protrusion can easily fit over the driver and front passenger seat headrests, and said location can be customized for different motor vehicle types and models. 
     A first adjustable headrest compartment  114  can have at least one fastening mechanism  112  located circumferentially about said first adjustable headrest compartment  114 . Said at least one fastening mechanism  112  can be utilized to fold the material of said first adjustable headrest compartment  114  over itself when the dimensions of the driver and front passenger seat headrests are smaller than the dimensions of said headrest compartment  114  in a fully unfolded position. Said at least one fastening mechanism  112  can be hook and loop, snaps, protrusion and aperture, or any other known and/or convenient fastening mechanism. A first adjustable headrest compartment  114  can also have at least one rigid arm  115  that can be permanently or removably attached to said first adjustable headrest compartment  114  and can be placed substantially perpendicular to the length of the motor vehicle in which a device  100  is to be used. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , said at least one rigid arm  115  can be used primarily to assist in proper folding and storage of a device  100 , however in other embodiments said at least one rigid arm  115  can be used as a support means for a first adjustable headrest compartment  114 . Said at least one rigid arm  115  can be plastic, fiberglass, metal, or any other known and/or convenient rigid material. 
     A rear section  106  can have a third set of rigid arms  108  that can be permanently attached to said sheet  101  substantially perpendicular to the length of the motor vehicle in which a device  100  is to be used. In alternate embodiments, said third set of rigid arms  108  can be removably attached to said sheet  101  so that the sheet  101  can be laundered if needed. Said third set of rigid arms  108  can be spaced apart from each other in a manner that can allow for proper folding and storage of device  100 . A third set of rigid arms  108  can be plastic, fiberglass, metal, or any other known and/or convenient rigid material. A rear section  106  can also have a second adjustable headrest compartment  116  that can accommodate the height, width, and depth of the headrests of the rear passenger seats of a motor vehicle. A second adjustable headrest compartment  116  can be have at least one section that can be comprised of a plurality of slits in a sheet  101 . The cut edges of each of said at least one section can be coupled with flexible material such that said at least one section of a compartment  116  can adjust to the dimensions of at least one rear passenger headrest while keeping said headrest covered. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a second adjustable headrest compartment  116  can have two sections for accommodating rear passenger headrests individually. In other embodiments, a second adjustable headrest compartment  116  can have just one section that can cover all read headrests. In yet another embodiment, a second adjustable headrest compartment  116  can have any number of sections for properly accommodating the rear headrests of a motor vehicle. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the outer surface of each section of a second adjustable headrest compartment  116  can be facing the rear windshield of a vehicle when in use, thereby deflecting the sun&#39;s rays back through said rear windshield. Said second adjustable headrest compartment  116  can be at a location about a sheet  101  such that it can easily fit over the rear passenger seat headrests, and said location can be customized to fit the dimensions of different motor vehicle types and models. 
     A device  100  can have at least one removable stabilizing arm  120 . A removable stabilizing arm  120  can be rigid and can be made of metal, plastic, fiberglass, or any other known and/or convenient material. At least one end of said stabilizing arm  120  can have an aperture that can removably attach to a fastening device  42 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , said stabilizing arm  120  has a square end with a square aperture there through, however in other embodiments the end of said stabilizing arm  120  can have any other known and/or convenient geometry. In  FIG. 5 , said fastening device  42  is a rigid hook, but in other embodiments can be any other known and/or convenient fastening device complementary to said stabilizing arm  120 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , said stabilizing arm  120  can pass over said fastening device  42  until it can lock into place temporarily. At least one fastening component  118  can be located on at least one side of a first adjustable headrest compartment  114 . A fastening component  118  can be adapted to accept one end of a stabilizing arm  120 . The use of a stabilizing arm  120  can force the front section  102  of a sheet  101  into a taut state, thereby properly positioning and securing said sheet  101  when in use. In use, the stabilizing arm  120  can be used to push the front end of a sheet  101  to the desired location on top of a vehicle&#39;s dashboard. Then to keep the sheet  101  in an extended position, the opposite end of a stabilizing arm  120  can be inserted inside a fastening compartment  118 . Similarly, and as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a second stabilizing arm  120  can be used to force the rear section  106  of a sheet  101  into a taut state by first temporarily coupling one end of a stabilizing arm  120  with a fastening device  42 , and subsequently coupling the opposite end of a stabilizing arm  120  with a fastening compartment  118 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a middle section  104  of a sheet  101  can be removable from a device  100 . A sheet  101  can be physically separated into a front section  102 , a middle section  104 , and a rear section  106 . The edges of a middle section  104  can have a first set of fastening components  23  capable of complementarily fastening to a second set of fastening components  25  located on each of the back end of a front section  102  and the front end of a rear section  106 . In use, a user can first place a middle section  104 , including a first adjustable headrest compartment  114 , over the driver and front passenger seat headrests of a vehicle. Then, a user can removably fasten a front section  102  and a rear section  106  of a sheet to a middle section  104  using a first set of fastening components  23  and a second set of fastening components  25 . 
     Despite the presence of rigid arms  108  and stabilizing arms  120 , the sides of a sheet  101  may sag slightly when in use. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 7 , one embodiment of a device  100  can include at least one stretchable cord  50  located on a surface of a sheet  101 . In the embodiment in  FIG. 7 , two stretchable cords  50  are shown, one being located on the front section  102  and another on the rear section  106 . Said stretchable cords  50  can be connected to a plurality of rigid arms  108  such that when a device  100  is in use, said stretchable cords  50  can assist in pulling the edges of said device  100  taut. A stretchable cord  50  can be made of rubber, polymer, or any other known and/or convenient elastomeric material. 
       FIG. 8  depicts one embodiment of a device  100  in a semi-folded position. When a user desires to fold and store a device  100 , the first step is to remove the at least one stabilizing arm  120  from said device  100 . Then, a plurality of rigid arms  108  can be brought together in an accordion-like manner in order to fold said device  100  as compactly as possible. A set of straps  48  can be used to secure said device  100  in a folded position. As shown in  FIG. 8 , straps  48  can be located on the underside of a middle section  104 . In other embodiments, straps  48  can be located at any other convenient location. Straps  48  can be tied around a device  100 , or can have other means of securing a device  100  in a folded position, such as by use of snaps or hook and loop. Once folded, a device  100  and stabilizing arms  120  can be stored in a trunk of a vehicle, or at any other desired location. 
     Another method of folding a device  100  is depicted in  FIG. 9 . A plurality of loops  54  can be attached to a plurality of rigid arms  108 . Said loops  54  can be made of plastic, string, or any other known and/or convenient material. Said at least one stabilizing arm  120  can be threaded through one or more of a plurality of loops  54 . The loops  54  which are closest to the front and rear ends of a sheet  101  can have extensions  200  that can be anchored at a middle section  104 . As shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , at least one stabilizing arm  120  can have a forked end that can removably engage at least one fastening device  42  located at the front and/or rear ends of a device  100 . Said fastening device  42  can have an aperture for accepting said forked end of said stabilizing arm  120 . In order to fold a device  100 , a user can pull extensions  200  towards the middle section  104  and away from the front and rear ends of a device  100 . This action can force stabilizing arms  120  towards said middle section  104 , thereby disengaging them from said fastening device  42 . By continuing to pull extensions  200 , a user can efficiently fold a device  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , a plurality of rigid arms  108  can be bent or curved such that the front section  102  and rear section  106  of a sheet  101  are sloped and can reflect sunlight out the side windows of a vehicle when in use.  FIG. 14  shows a side view of this embodiment.  FIG. 15  shows a side view of another embodiment in which a plurality of rigid arms  108  can be bent or curved to create the aforementioned slope effect, but the outermost rigid arms  108  can be bent or curved to a lesser degree than the innermost rigid arms  108  such that a sloping effect is created along the length of a device  100  from the middle section  104  outwards to either end of a sheet  101 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a sheet  101  can be made of rigid or semi-rigid material. In this embodiment, a plurality of rigid arms  108  can be omitted. Instead, a plurality of creases  58  can extend across the width of a sheet  101 , perpendicular to the length of a vehicle in which the device  100  is to be used. Said creases  58  can provide support and folding means for said device  100 . A plurality of loops  54  as described above can be used in this embodiment, however said loops would be attached directly to a sheet  101  instead of a plurality of rigid arms  108 . A sloping effect similar to that shown in  FIGS. 13-15  can still be achieved when a sheet  101  is made of rigid material. As shown in  FIG. 18 , in the absence of a plurality of rigid arms  108 , a plurality of diamond-shaped sections  60  can be located along the longitudinal midline of a sheet  101 . Said diamond-shaped sections  60  can be made of flexible material attached to said sheet  101 . The material on either side of said diamond-shaped sections  60  can be angled downward, thereby deflecting the sun&#39;s rays out of the side windows of a vehicle. During the folding process of a device  100 , said diamond-shaped sections  60  can fold inward to allow for compact folding of a device  100 .  FIG. 19  depicts a fully folded back view of this embodiment, wherein the diamond-shaped sections  60  are gathered inside a pyramid-shaped space that is formed when a device  100  is full folded. 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , a plurality of rigid arms  108  can be incorporated into a device  100  where a sheet  101  is made of rigid material, even if diamond-shaped sections  60  are also incorporated. Incorporation of said plurality of rigid arms  108  can be for added support of the overall structure of a device  100 . In the embodiment in  FIG. 20 , said rigid arms  108  are shorter than in previous embodiments. 
     Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.