Abstract:
A shade assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes a shade member that is “integrated” or “hidden” within vehicle body structure when not in use and yet is easily movable to a use position in which it covers a portion of an adjacent window. Specifically, a shade assembly is provided that includes vehicle body structure at least partially defining a body cavity. A shade member is operatively connected to the vehicle body structure and is configured to selectively move between a stowed position and a use position. The shade member at least partially covers a surface of the window in the use position. The window is substantially uncovered by the shade member in the stowed position because the shade member is nested in the cavity within the body structure.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a vehicle shade assembly for a vehicle window. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
         [0002]    Vehicles are often provided with sun visors for use by a driver and a front passenger. The visors fulfill a need for shading an occupant&#39;s eyes and are usually pivotably hinged to the headliner to allow selective shading of the front window or of a side window. Some vehicles, such as full-size vans, sometimes have shades that can be used to cover the side or rear window, providing shading and/or privacy for vehicle occupants. Current window shading systems are mounted to the vehicle so that they always occupy space in the passenger compartment even when not in use but in stored positions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A shade assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes a shade member that is “integrated” or “hidden” within vehicle body structure when not in use and yet is easily movable to a use position in which it covers a portion of an adjacent window. Specifically, a shade assembly is provided that includes vehicle body structure at least partially defining a body cavity. A shade member is operatively connected to the vehicle body structure and is configured to selectively move between a stowed position and a use position. The shade member at least partially covers a surface of the window in the use position. The window is substantially uncovered by the shade member in the stowed position because the shade member is nested in the cavity within the body structure. 
         [0004]    The shade assembly may be a slide-type shade assembly in which guide tracks secured to the body structure are configured to guide the shade member between the stowed and the use positions. Alternatively, the shade assembly may be a roll-type shade assembly in which a roller mechanism secured to the body structure is operable to roll the shade member about the roller mechanism in the stowed position. Edge supports may be secured to opposing edges of the shade member to act as stiffeners, helping to ensure repeated accurate positioning of the shade member. 
         [0005]    The body structure may be a roof and a headliner, a body pillar, such as an A-pillar, or a vehicle door. The shade assembly may be manual (i.e., pull-type) or may be powered by solar power or otherwise. 
         [0006]    Thus, the shade assembly provides viewing comfort and privacy (in the case of opaque shade members) when desired for vehicle occupants without being obtrusive and occupying passenger compartment space when not in use (stowed), maximizing available headroom. Furthermore, the shade assembly is easy to use, requiring only a simple pull in the case of a manual assembly or the press of a switch for a power assembly. The shade member may be larger than a typical sun visor so that it is able to shade the entire windshield (either with one or two shade members) or the entire side glass for side glass embodiments. The shade member may be customized in different colors, even with a different interior side and exterior side color. 
         [0007]    The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a shade assembly; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic plan view of a shade member used in the shade assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic plan view of the other side of the shade member of  FIGS. 1 and 2A ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective fragmentary view of a guide track guiding an edge support of the shade member of the shade assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective fragmentary view of an alternative guide track and edge support for the shade member of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of the shade member assembly of  FIG. 1  taken at the arrows  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the shade member in both a stowed position and a use position (shown in phantom); 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of a second embodiment of a shade assembly taken at the arrows  6 - 6  in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a schematic perspective illustration of a third embodiment of a shade assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a schematic side view illustration in fragmentary view of the shade assembly of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a schematic perspective illustration of the shade assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a schematic perspective illustration of a fourth embodiment of a shade assembly; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a schematic plan view illustration of the shade assembly of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a schematic perspective illustration of a fifth embodiment of a shade assembly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of the shade assembly of  FIG. 12  taken at the arrows  13 - 13 ; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 14A-14C  are schematic perspective illustrations of an alternative shade member for use in the shade assembly of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a schematic perspective illustration of stacked guide tracks for guiding two different shade members. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components,  FIG. 1  illustrates a shade assembly  10  installed on a vehicle  12  to provide selective shade coverage for a front windshield  14 . The shade assembly  10  is a slide-type shade assembly, with first and second shade members  16 ,  18  supported on guide tracks  19  that enable the shade members  16 ,  18  to selectively slide downward from a stowed position in which the shade members  16 ,  18  are nested inside of a cavity  20  defined by and between vehicle body structure, which in this embodiment is vehicle roof  22  and a headliner  24 . The roof  22  may include an inner panel, an outer panel and various reinforcing members. The cavity  20  is inward of the innermost of such roof components. 
         [0025]    Each of the shade members  16 ,  18  are selectively movable between a stowed position and a use position, either manually or by power, as described further herein. In  FIG. 1 , shade member  18  is in the stowed position and is hidden in the cavity  20  such that an inner surface  26  of a portion of the windshield  14  below the shade member  18  is substantially uncovered. The shade member  16  is shown in a use position such that a portion of the inner surface  26  of the windshield  14  adjacent the shade member  18  is covered by the shade member  18 . The shade member  18  is only partially extended, and may be further extended to cover more of the inner surface  26 , if desired. Alternatively, a pair of guide tracks  19  may be spaced to support a single shade member sized to selectively cover and uncover the entire width of the inner surface  26  of the windshield  14  in lieu of using two shade members  16 ,  18 . The shade assembly  10  can be designed with shorter guide tracks if only partial shading of the windshield  14  is desired. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the shade member  18  is shown in more detail, extending from the cavity  20  through a gap  30  defined between the vehicle roof  22  and the headliner  24 . A pull tab  32  secured to a forward edge of the shade member  16  allows convenient manual sliding to the use position shown when the tab is pulled downward by a user. In the stowed position, only the tab  32  extends out of the cavity  20  through the gap  30 . To return the shade member  16  to the stowed position, an upward and rearward manual force will cause the shade member  16  to slide rearward along the guide tracks  19 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2A  the shade member  16  is illustrated viewing a surface or first side  34  of the shade member  16  that faces away from the inner surface  26  of the windshield  14  when installed as in  FIG. 1 . The first side  34  may be either transparent or a solid, opaque color. As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , an opposing surface or second side  36  of the shade member  16  that faces the inner surface  26  when installed as in  FIG. 1  has a different color that may be selected to match the body color of the vehicle  12 . Alternatively, the second side  36  may be transparent, may be the same color as the first side  34 , may have, for example, a different texture, pattern or different graphics than the first side  34  or may have any other visual characteristic different than the first side. The shade member  16  is a thin film and may be any of a variety of materials, including Mylar, vinyl, nylon and polypropylene. The shade member  16  may be a single material panel as well. 
         [0028]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , edge supports  40  that are secured to opposing sides  42 ,  44  of the shade member  16  to act as stiffening support members. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , each guide track  19  has a slot  46  which stabilizes and secures the edge support  40  to permit sliding of the edge support  40  and shade member  16  relative to the guide track  19 . The edge supports  40  keep the shade member  16  in close proximity to the windshield  14 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an alternative edge support  40 A is secured to the shade member  16 . The edge support  40 A has a T-shaped end  20  that is configured to fit within a T-shaped slot  46 A in an alternative guide track  19 A. The edge support  40 A and guide track  19 A may be used on any of the slide-type shade assemblies described herein. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of a shade assembly  110  is shown. The shade assembly  110  is a roll-type shade assembly, and includes a roller mechanism  150  about which a shade member  118  is rolled in a stowed position. The roller mechanism  150  includes a simple roller  152  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) and includes support mounts  154  supporting each end of the roller  152  and secured to vehicle roof  122 . The shade member  118  is contained in a cavity  120  formed between the roof  122  and a headliner  124  when in the stowed position shown. The shade member  118  extends through the gap  130  formed between the roof  122  and the headliner  124  to at least partially cover an inner surface  126  of a windshield  114  when in an extended position (in which the portion of the shade member  118  extending beyond the stowed position is shown in phantom and is indicated as shade member  11   8 A). Referring to  FIG. 9 , the shade assembly  110  includes a second shade member  116  supported on a roller mechanism identical to roller mechanism  150  for selectively covering and uncovering the portion of the windshield  114  adjacent the driver&#39;s side of the vehicle  112 . Alternatively, a single, wider roller mechanism and shade member may be used to cover the entire width of the windshield  114  in place of the two roller mechanisms  152  and shade members  116 ,  118 A of  FIG. 9 . Materials with static attraction to glass could be utilized to keep the shade member  118  in close proximity to the windshield  114 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the roller mechanism  150  is powered via a power source which is a solar power module  160  that includes a solar panel  162  placed on the vehicle where it is able to absorb sunlight. The solar panel  162  is connected to a motor  164  and converts the light into electrical power that powers the motor  164 . The motor  164  turns an end of the roller  152 , through a gearing arrangement or otherwise. A switch  168  may be secured anywhere in the vehicle accessible to a user, here shown on the headliner  124 , to turn the motor  164  off or on to allow selective raising and lowering of the shade member  118 . If the switch  168  is pushed when the shade member  118  is in the stowed position, it will lower to the use position. If the switch  168  is pushed when the shade member  118  is in the use position it will raise to the stowed position. Alternatively, the switch  168  could be pushed a second time when the shade member  118  is moving between the stowed and use positions to stop the shade member  118  at a desired intermediate position. A subsequent push on the switch  168  would then return the shade member  118  to a stowed position (similar to a power window or a garage door). Another solar power module  160  and switch  168  may be provided for the shade member  116  of  FIG. 9  as well. The switch  168  may be a three position switch, with (i) an off-position (in which the shade member  118  is not allowed to move from a current set position, and pushing the switch  168  will not result in movement of the shade member  118 ), (ii) a position which allows the shade member  118  to be activated during driving by pushing the switch  168 , and (iii) a position which requires the motor  164  to automatically move the shade member  118  to the use position in response to a desired vehicle condition being met, such as the vehicle being in a park gear or being turned off. Additionally, the shade member  118  could be automatically actuated based on solar load on the solar panel  162 . If the solar load causes actuation, the shade member  118  is moved down over the windshield  114  as a sun shield. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , another embodiment of a shade assembly  210  is shown on a vehicle  212 . The shade assembly  210  is a roll-type shade assembly utilizing a roller mechanism substantially identical to roller mechanism  150  shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 6 and 9 . However, the roller mechanism  250  of  FIGS. 7 and 8  is secured to body structure in the form of an A-pillar  270  within a cavity  220  formed in the A-pillar  270 , such as between an inner pillar portion  272  and outer panel pillar portion  274 . The shade member  218  is contained within the cavity  220  when in the stowed position shown in  FIG. 7 , and selectively extends from the cavity  220  through a gap  230  formed between an outer pillar portion  274  and an inner pillar portion  272  of the A-pillar  270  to selectively cover an inner surface of the passenger side window  275  of  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 8 , a passenger door  276  of  FIG. 7  is removed to show the A-pillar  270 . The roller mechanism  250  may be spring-loaded to store energy to aid in movement between the use and stowed positions. As illustrated in  FIGS. 14A-14C , an alternative shade member  218 A having a terminal portion  219  collapsible in a fan or accordion-like manner may be used. In  FIG. 14A , the shade member  218 A is in a stowed position within roller mechanism  250 A, with the terminal portion  219  folded back via any memory-like feature, such as elastic, so that the a forward edge  221  of the shade member  218 A is parallel with the roller mechanism  250  and a body pillar in which the roller mechanism  250  is stored, such as A-pillar  270 . In  FIG. 14B , the shade member  218 A is partially extended and in  FIG. 14C  further extended, with the forward edge  221  nonparallel with roller mechanism  250  and a body pillar in which the roller mechanism  250  is stored, such as A-pillar  270 . The terminal portion  219  of the shade member  218 A can be configured to conform to various A-pillar angles of different vehicles. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , another embodiment of a shade assembly  310  is illustrated on a vehicle  312 . The shade assembly  310  is a roller-type shade assembly having a roller mechanism  350  substantially identical to roller mechanism  150  shown and described with respect to  FIG. 6 , except that the roller mechanism  350  is secured via end mounts  319  to an inner door panel  380  of a vehicle door  382 . The vehicle door  382  also has an outer door panel  384  that forms with the inner door panel  380  a door cavity  320 . A gap  330  formed by the inner and outer door panels  380 ,  384  at the upper end of the cavity  320  permits the shade member  318  to selectively extend therethrough, as shown in  FIG. 10 , to cover an inner surface of the passenger window  375 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , another embodiment of a shade assembly  410  is illustrated on a vehicle  412 . The shade assembly  410  is a slide-type shade assembly for a side window  475 . The shade assembly  410  includes a shade member  418  that is slideably supported on guide tracks  419  secured to a vehicle roof  422 . The guide tracks  419  and shade member  418  are nested within a cavity  420  formed between roof  422  and a headliner  424 . The shade member  418  is substantially within the cavity  420  when in a stowed position shown in  FIG. 13 . The shade member  418  extends from the cavity  420  through a gap  430  when in a use position shown in  FIG. 12 , in which at least some of the inner surface of the window  475  is covered. The shade member  418  may be manual, or powered by any motor, including a solar-powered motor as described with respect to the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . In another embodiment, guide tracks for a slide-type shade assembly for a side window may be stacked with guide tracks for a slide-type shade assembly for a front windshield, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , as a dual track system. In  FIG. 15 , upper guide tracks  519 A are positioned to slidably support a shade member (not shown, but such as shade member  418  of  FIG. 12 ) that slides out of the end of the guide tracks (right end as shown in  FIG. 15 ) to cover a side window. The lower guide tracks  519 B slidable support another shade member (not shown, but such as shade member  18  of  FIG. 1 ) that slides out of the ends of the tracks  519 B (front ends of the tracks  519 B as shown in  FIG. 15 ) to cover a windshield. Accordingly, as viewed in  FIG. 15 , the stacked guide tracks  519 A,  519 B are positioned for use on a driver&#39;s side window and a front windshield, if nested between roof structure and a headliner as are the other slide-type shade assemblies of  FIGS. 1-4  and  11 - 13 . The guide tracks  519 A,  519 B can be mechanically attached (e.g., riveted or with fasteners) or plastically welded to one another to form an integrated assembly. 
         [0035]    While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.