Abstract:
A removable cover system may include a first cover member and a second cover member joined by an adjustable pivot system that is adjustable to accommodate different seat/headrest and windshield positions across a diverse spectrum of car designs and models. A removable connection may secure the cover system to an automobile windshield and a seat back or headrest member. During use, the cover system provides a convenient shield from sun radiation and post use may be conveniently stored without rendering a permanent change to the automobile. The cover members of the system may be opaque, translucent, and/or transparent.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/991,845 filed May 12, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIGURE SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION 
     
       FIG. 1 
     
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to removable and adjustable cover system for an automobile. More particularly, the present disclosure provides a removable and adjustable cover system for an automobile that is readily removable between uses for convenient storage while providing secure protection to a user and adjustability to fit differently configured vehicles. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Current industrial applications of removable car covers are substantially inconvenient, expensive, and require custom adjustment to a particular make or model of automobile that is irreversible. 
     The most common types of removable cover systems for automobiles include the ‘convertible’ systems that are fixably mounted to a particular vehicle, directly linked with a power supply, and particularly upholstered as a permanent addition to the automobile. Necessarily, such convertible systems require a custom mounting bracket adjusted to mate between each system and the particular vehicle windshield. Unfortunately, such systems require substantial investments in terms of costs and material, and if damaged are very difficult to repair. Also necessarily, such systems cannot be transferred between vehicles. Further detriments to such systems are obvious, in that they are nearly always opaque and will block driver sight-lines like any automobile roof system. 
     A related type system is the so-called removable hard-top which is stored remotely from the vehicle when not in use. Such hard-tops are also custom fitted to a particular automobile by make and model and are also specific to mounting systems that are fixed on each car to suit the particular hard-top. Similar to the ‘convertible’ covers above, similar detriments such as blocked sight-lines, opaque in nature, and expense all remain. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved removable cover system that is readily attachable, will adjust to user-selected vehicles, and may be conveniently stored without detriment to the driver&#39;s sight lights while driving. 
     SUMMARY 
     In response, it is now recognized that there are several detriments in the related arts, at least one of which is overcome by one aspect of the proposed disclosure. 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, a removable and adjustable cover system may include a first cover member and a second cover member joined by an adjustable pivot system. Connection members may allow for removable connection to an automobile windshield and a seat back or headrest member. During use, the cover system may provide a convenient shield from sun radiation and post use may be conveniently stored without rendering a permanent change to the automobile. Alternatives provide opaque, translucent, and transparent cover members, as well as telescoping systems for easy adjustment to different seat/headrest and windshield positions across a diverse spectrum of car designs and models. 
     The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate similar or the same elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a removable cover system coupled to an automobile; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the indicated area of  FIG. 1  including the removable cover system shown with parts separated; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of the indicated area of  FIG. 1  shown relative to a windshield of the automobile; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the indicated area of  FIG. 1  shown relative to a windshield of the automobile; and 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of another embodiment of a portion of the removable cover system shown relative to a windshield of the automobile. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. The word ‘couple’ and similar terms do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through intermediate elements or devices. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional (up/down, etc.) or motional (forward/back, etc.) terms may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope in any manner. It will also be understood that other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and that the detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and that elements may be differently positioned, or otherwise noted as in the appended claims without requirements of the written description being required thereto. 
     In an embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a removable system  100  may include a top cover section  30  at generally a top side and a rear cover section  40  generally at a rear side. Although not shown, lateral (i.e., sides) cover sections may be coupled to the top cover section  30  or the rear cover section  40  to provide lateral protection as well. 
     The top cover section  30  may include a material section  31 , which may be formed from any suitable material. For example, the material section  31  may be found from metal, fabric or a fabric, and may be opaque or transparent. For example, the material section  31  may block light from passing through, may permit light flow, or block certain wavelengths of light (e.g, harmful wavelengths or UV light may be blocked). For example, UVA or UVB type wavelengths may be blocked by the material section  31  such that direct user-sun contact, and thus skin-burning, is discouraged. The material section  31  may be formed from a material that blocks wind or may permit airflow therethrough. For example, the material section  31  may be porous to permit airflow or may be solid to block airflow. The material section  31  may also or alternatively be formed, for example, from a woven or a non-woven material. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cover section  30  may be positioned generally parallel over the driver&#39;s or front passenger&#39;s head or generally horizontally with respect to the bottom of the seat S. The cover section  30  may also include a support structure that includes crossbars  32 ,  33  that may each include opposing ends  32   a , 32   b  and  33   a , 33   b , respectively, that are secured or coupled to the material section  31  of the cover section  30 . For example, the material section may be generally rectangular in shape, and may include pockets or receptacles  31   a  at or near each of its corners that are configured to receive the ends  32   a ,  32   b  of the crossbar  32  and the ends  33   a ,  33   b  of the crossbar  33 . The crossbars  32 ,  33  may be formed from a resiliently deformable material (e.g., a metal or plastic with shape memory properties) such that the when the crossbars  32 ,  33  are bent, they automatically return to their initial configuration. The crossbars  32 ,  33  may also be formed from an opaque or a substantially translucent or transparent material. The material section  31  may include curved sections  34   a ,  34   b  that are generally opposing and may be configured to securely receive side elements  35   a ,  35   b , which may be telescoping such that the overall length of each of the side elements  35   a ,  35   b  is adjustable. The side elements  35   a ,  35   b  and/or the crossbars  32 ,  33  may be removed and the material section  31  may be collapsed or folded to facilitate storage of the system  100 . 
     An adjustable clamping member  36   a ,  36   b  may be pivotably connected to one of each of the side elements  35   a ,  35   b , and may clamp onto an outer and an inner surface of the frame F of the window W (as shown best in  FIG. 4 ). Various alternatives to a clamping mechanism may be provided. As shown best in  FIG. 5 , a suction cup  46  may replace the clamp and may suction onto a surface such as an exterior surface of the windshield W (e.g., an upper exterior surface of the windshield). 
     Adjustable claiming systems  36   a ,  36   b  may be adaptively operative to releasably secure the top cover section  30  to a top edge of an automobile windshield member  70 , as shown ( FIG. 1 ). Each of the clamping members  36   a ,  36   b  may be adjusted to accommodate a width of the frame F of the windshield W of the automobile A, and may be secured to the frame F or to any surface within the automobile to which the clamping members  36   a ,  36   b  may be fixated (e.g., the visor). A bar (not shown) may be pivotably connected to both the ends of the side element  35   a ,  35   b  and the clamping member  36   a ,  36   b  such that the overall length of the cover section  30  may be increased if need be to accommodate the distance between the frame F and the seat S. 
     The rear cover section  40  may be pivotably connected to the cover section  30 , and may be generally co-planar with respect to a headrest H of the seat S, and may be positioned above the headrest H or may extend to cover the back of the headrest as well. The material section  41  may include crossbars or stiffening elements  32 ,  33  that are secured thereto in a substantially similar manner as those of the material section  31  to maintain the material section  41  taut. Those of skill in the art will further understand that the material sections  31 ,  41  may be made themselves of rigid materials or integrated with stiffening elements (such as elements  32 ,  33 ) to allow for user preference and diversity. For example, such stiffening elements may be combined as a fiberglass, carbon fiber, or other panel construction within the scope and skill of the present disclosure. 
     The rear cover section  40  may include a material section  41  that is formed from the same or a similar material as the material section  31  of the top cover section  30 . However, the material sections  31  and  41  need not be made from the same material, but may be made from contrasting materials for user enjoyment; for example, material section  41  (in the rear) may be constructed from stretchy opaque (Lycra®-type) fabric, while material section  31  (in the top) may be made from a stiffened nylon weaving that resists unintended displacement during driving while still remaining translucent to some visible light to enhance user enjoyment. Those of skill in the art will understand that alternative constructions can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. 
     The rear cover section  40  may include adjustable clamping members  41   a ,  41   b  that are adaptively operative to secure the rear cover section  40  to a respective automobile seat back S or headrest H without leaving damage thereon in a removable manner. In particular, a headrest H may typically include a pair of tubular members T that translate generally vertically into and out from the seat back S such that the height of the headrest H relative to the seat back S is adjustable. The clamping members  41   a ,  42   b  may clamp on and be secured to these tubular members T. The adjustable clamping members  41   a ,  41   b  may include a quick release mechanism such as a lever that may be moved from a position in which the clamping members  41   a ,  41   b  are closed to another position in which the clamping members  41   a ,  41   b  can be opened. 
     Pivoting adjustment members  42  may include leg portions  42   a  pivotably connected to side elements  35   a ,  35   b  of the top cover section  30  an extending longitudinally therefrom and secure to the clamping members  41   a ,  42   b . As at least one of the leg portions  42   a  and the side elements  35   a ,  35   b  may be telescoping, the proposed system  100  may be employed by users who are of smaller stature (seat close to windshield and high up off the car floor) and by users who are of large stature (seat furthest from the windshield and tilted back at a reclining angle (of up to 45% or more)), without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. 
     As shown best in  FIG. 3 , the pivotable connection between the pivoting adjustment members  42  and the side elements  35   a ,  35   b  may each include two opposed and toothed disks  43  that may be interfit and secured together to provide a releasable secure pivot point for cover system  100 . The position of the member  42  with respect to side element  35   a  or  35   b  may be releasably maintained via a fastening screw  45 . A bar (not shown) may be pivotably connected to each of the leg sections  42   a  and to each the side elements  35   a ,  35   b  such that the overall length of the system  100  may be further increased. 
     Various alternatives may be provided without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. A spring member  44  may bias the opposing disks  43  toward each other such that adjustments of the positioning of the disks  43  relative one another may be controlled and incremental. Such pivotable connections may allow a user to collapse cover sections  30 ,  40  between uses for storage in a trunk of vehicle, and other devices and systems may be envisioned following study of the enclosed disclosure effective to allow securing during use and compact storage between uses. 
     Jaw members  37   a ,  37   b  of the may include spring clips, tension clip members with scissor action (not shown), magnetic secure elements, or pressure-type spring releasable members and systems or any other arrangement and configuration to achieve the same result, all within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure that maintain or bias the jaw members  37   a ,  37   b  toward a closed position. The jaw members  37   a ,  37   b  may include a quick release mechanism such as a lever that may be moved from a position in which the jaw members  37   a ,  37   b  are closed to another position in which the jaw members  37   a ,  37   b  can be opened. In one embodiment, clamping member  36   a ,  36   b , at the end of each extending frame member, will have a C-type system with a releasable gate catch held by a spring, providing a lower-profile unit while retaining extending convenience. 
     It will also be understood, that as used herein the phrases ‘clamping’ or related actions will be understood as a functional action of securing in a releasable manner that could include naps, magnets, removable parts that first secured to a windshield or seat/headrest and are thereafter secured to a removable cover matter, all within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. 
     It will be further understood, that the cover sections  30 ,  40  may be made in different widths and shapes within the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, a preferred with of system  100  is between 16 inches wide to 20 inches wide, but narrower and wider widths may be provided without departing from the present disclosure. It is also understood that the rear cover and front cover may have different widths as well. It will be further understood that the rear cover may be constructed without a cover member and may be a support system open to the air (without blocking sunlight at all) to allow for further enhanced securement to a seat/headrest unit. Other variations will become apparent to those skilled in art in light of this disclosure. 
     Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skills that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various modifications and variations can be made in the presently disclosed system without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.