Abstract:
A collapsible automobile shade formed of fabric that pivots about a pivot point, or a pair of pivot points, and which are expandable into a shaped configuration for adherence to the interior of an automobile windshield, when installed, to prevent the entrance of sunlight and sun rays. The shade may be disassembled, collapsed about its pivotal ribs, into a closed configuration. An alternative embodiment to the shade of this invention includes its fabrication from a flexible material, that has inherent memory, containing a series of aligned flutes, which can be expanded to form a shade of multiple shaped configurations, but due to the inherent memory of the fluted material, can be contracted by alignment of its adjacent flutes, into a compact position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/417,277, filed Oct. 13, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,967, which, in turn, claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/104,703, filed Oct. 19, 1998. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to means for protecting the interior of an automobile, through the application of a shade generally to the interior of an automobile window, for the purpose of preventing the entrance of damaging sun rays and the generation of damaging heat. In addition, it is possible that the auto shade of this invention may likewise be used upon the exterior of any automobile window, and thereat defend against the build up of any ice, snow, or the like. 
     Numerous styles of various types of auto screens have long been available in the art. For example, my prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,460, upon an automobile window protector, shows the fabrication of such a sheet, made of flexible material, and which could be applied to both the interior and exterior of the window of an automobile. In addition, my prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,262, and which issued as Re-examination certificate No. B1 5,024,262, shows a compactly foldable automobile sunshade, and which provided for inherent resiliency, at least around its perimeter loop, to hold the shade in its opened configuration, and to provide protection at the vicinity of the automobile window, but which could likewise be reduced in its size through folding of its frame into a more compact arrangement for storage. 
     The patent to Soukup, U.S. Pat. No. 1,927,137, shows an adjustable glare shield, for use within a motor vehicle. The patent to Lessard, U.S. Pat. No. 3,373,792, discloses an automobile rain visor. The patent to Surtin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,414, shows an automobile window shade device, comprising a pair of duplicate fan-shaped protectors for mounting to an automobile window. The patent to Maguire, U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,572, shows a similar type of dual fan arrangement for providing a sunshade for an automobile. The patent to Tung-Chow, U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,149, discloses window blinds for a vehicle, incorporating suction cups for adherence to a supporting surface adjacent the automobile window. The patent to Gavrieli, U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,090, discloses a fan-type automobile window shade. The patent to Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,998, discloses an automobile sunshade, being adjustable, and which can be extended longitudinally to cover different sized automobile windows, during application. The patent to Platsis, U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,883, shows another vehicular sun shield, formed as a collapsible fan like member. This device also discloses the use of a plurality of pleats, formed into the configuration of the fan, for screening purposes, once extended. The patent Ruan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,220, discloses a pleated fan type sunshade for motor vehicles. The U.S. design Pat. No. Des. 301,449, to Silva, shows another type of automobile sunscreen formed of a pleated like member. 
     The United States patent to Cheny, U.S. Pat. No. 3,046,048, discloses what is a magnetically secured windshield cover, which overlies and remains contiguous with the exterior of the automobile windshield. The prior patent to Shelton, U.S. Pat. No. 2,843,421, shows an automobile windshield awning, for locating and extending forwardly of the automobile windshield, and to protect it against the elements. 
     The patent Ealey, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,264, shows a related type of windshield protector. The patent to Shafia, U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,943, discloses an adjustable vehicle sunshade, for fitting externally over the windshield and driver and passenger side windows. The patent to Sing, U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,215, discloses a thermal insulating shade for application over a vehicle window or windshield. 
     The patent to Eubanks, U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,980, discloses another form of more permanent type of windshield shade. The patent to Sarver, U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,245, discloses a vehicular windshield curtain for inhibiting heating transfer. The patent to Marchman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,336,969, shows a vehicle windshield and rear window cover. The patent to Gump, U.S. Pat. No. 1,808,652, shows a safety device for the side window of an early vehicle. The patent to Tubman, U.S. Pat. No. 1,790,333shows a rear glare guard for an early vehicle. The patent to Crane, U.S. Pat. No. 1,732,447, discloses a sun shield, formed as a curtain, for application to the interior of an automobile window. The patent to Mahoney, U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,007, discloses a vehicle screen/shade. The patent to Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,591, shows a removable protective vehicle windshield screen. The patent to Cline, U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,558, discloses a rollable sunshield for vehicles. The patent to Richards, U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,039, shows another form of windshield shade, this one apparently made out of some type of paperboard, and which is collapsible for folding into a smaller configuration. The patent to Bruhl, U.S. Pat. No. 2,596,836, shows a glare shield for use interiorly of an automobile window. The patent to Drozt, U.S. Pat. No. 2,598,770, shows a flexible window screen. The patent to Kocinski, U.S. Pat. No. 2,489,901, shows an ice shield for application to the exterior of an automobile windshield. The patent to Osborn, U.S. Pat. No. 2,599,066, shows a multi-panel device for application over the windshield, to provide it with coverage particularly against inclement weather. The patent to Pinkerton, U.S. Pat. No. 2,751,977, shows a one-man automobile cover, for covering the entire vehicle. The patent to Moszelt, U.S. Pat. No. 2,614,630, shows a windshield cover for application over the windshield, as noted. The patent to Ketchum, U.S. Pat. No. 2,979,129, shows a similar type of windshield cover. The patent to Naterman, U.S. Pat. No. 1,475,647, discloses an adjustable visor for vehicle windshields. The patent to Omerly, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 2,065,242, shows another form of exterior windshield protector. Finally, the patent to Gregg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,947, shows a sunscreen for motor vehicle, and which is apparently made of some form of paperboard, and is foldable into a more compact structure for storage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a collapsible auto shade, and which may be fabricated to various configurations, generally for application interiorly of the transparent, externally facing portions of a vehicle, such as the windshield, or the rear window and side window, and to provide for shielding against the admission of sun rays, to prevent damage to the proximate interior components for the vehicle, and likewise, prevent the entrance of heat and glaring light. In certain instances, the shade may be formed of the type of material that may be reflective, such as MYLAR, or other polymer, or comprised of paper, or even a fabric, that may or may not be coated with a reflective surface, in order to reflect away the rays of sunlight, but in addition, particularly in the case where a polymer is used, may have inherent memory in its foldable or condensed position, to provide for ease of storage, but likewise, can easily be expanded into a usable configuration, approximating the size of the interior of the window against the shade as applied. The thickness of such material may be in the range of about 0.20 inch. Preferably, MYLAR polyester film has a gauge thickness of approximately 0.00048 inch through 0.014 inch in thickness. 
     For example, various types of shapes may be used for the shade of this invention, such as rectangular, square, round, oval, truncated, or the like, in order to provide for convenient application proximate a correspondingly shaped windshield, when applied. In addition, the shade, while being fabricated of the foregoing types of materials, can be tinted, to prevent the entrance of sun rays, or may even be formed in a mesh configuration, for visibility in side window applications, to reduce costs, weight, and materials, but yet provide convenient reflecting of the sun rays, away from the vehicle, when the shade is applied during application. 
     In addition, the sun shade of this invention may include means for facilitating the application and hold of the shade against the windshield, when applied, such as through the use of suction cups, that may be arranged at the corners, as at the upper and lower corners of the formed screen, or if the shade is of the bellows type, that may be folded into a fan shape configuration, about a pivot point, and that pivot point while being fabricated of means to furnish a pivoting of the various bellows forming the shade, may likewise incorporate a suction cup, thereat, to provide for its application for retention against the interior of the automobile windshield, when applied. 
     In one embodiment for the sun shade of this invention, it is formed more as a fan shaped device, having a series of pivotally mounted ribs, which extend from a pivot point, and have a layer of one-piece or otherwise fabric that is applied thereto, and which can be unfolded similar to an expanding fan, into one of the shapes as previously described, and located interiorly of the windshield, by one of the application methods earlier described. The bottom of the fabric may include means for holding the same together, at their seams, such as through the use of a zipper, VELCRO, or the like. Furthermore, the pivot means that holds the ribs at their point of pivot, may provide for its tightening, as by a threaded fastener, in order to secure the shade in its expanded and usable position, or when the shade is collapsed, as when not in use, in preparation for storage, and the locking means may be disengaged, to allow for the ribs to be folded into close proximity, and gathering the held fabric together, for ease of storage of the collapsible auto sun shade of this invention. 
     In the further embodiment of the invention, the material forming the screen may be formed of a polymer, or other fabric, or even may of a MYLAR, and which will be formed into a corrugated or bellows configuration, wherein the screen can be expanded, into its usable shape, to one of the shapes as previously analyzed, or the shade due to the inherent memory of the MYLAR, and to its fluted formation, may be collapsed, and inherently folded into a compacted position, and then folded over into closure, to provide a very condensed shade that can easily be stored, as for example, in the glove compartment, or the like. 
     These are examples of the style of sun shade fabricated in accordance with the teachings of this invention, and which can be utilized for furnishing internally of the automobile shading against the transmission of sun internally of the vehicle, during usage. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In referring to the drawings, 
     FIG. 1 provides a front view of one embodiment for the collapsible auto shade of this invention, which is of the pivotal type that can be expanded into a shaped configuration, corresponding to the interior of an automobile windshield, or pivoted into a condensed position compactly into closure, as during storage; 
     FIG. 2 provides a front view of a modified form of auto shade, which is fabricated similar to that as the shade of FIG. 1, but in this condition incorporates a pair of pivotal segments, held apart by means of a linearly expandable component of the shade for protecting larger sized automobile windshields against the entrance of sun rays; 
     FIG. 3 shows a shaped sun shade formed of a fabric material, such as MYLAR, and which incorporates inherent resilient memory so that the shade can be expanded into the position as shown herein; 
     FIG. 4 discloses the sun shade of FIG. 3 when compacted into a collapsed and folded condition producing a small size for storage; 
     FIG. 5 shows the sun shade of FIG. 4 as it is folded into its final compact storage position; 
     FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of a fourth alternative embodiment of a sun shade of the present invention in its open state; 
     FIG. 7 shows a portion of the top of the embodiment of FIG. 6 view in its closed state in top plan; 
     FIG. 8 shows a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 in its closed state; 
     FIG. 9 shows a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 a sun shade of the present invention in its open state; 
     FIG. 10 shows a top plan view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention in its open state; 
     FIG. 11 shows a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 in the closed state of the shade; 
     FIG. 12 shows a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 in the closed state of the shade; 
     FIG. 13 shows a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 in its closed state; 
     FIG. 14 shows a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 in the open state of the shade; 
     FIG. 15 shows a top plan view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention in its open state; 
     FIG. 16 shows a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 15 in its open state; 
     FIG. 17 shows a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 15 in its closed state; 
     FIG. 18 shows a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 15 in its closed state; 
     FIG. 19 shows a bottom plan view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention in its open state; 
     FIG. 20 shows a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 19 in its open state; 
     FIG. 21 shows a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 19 in its open state; 
     FIG. 22 shows a bottom plan view of a hub of the embodiment of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 23 shows a side elevational view of a hub of the embodiment of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 24 shows a front view of a hub of the embodiment of FIG. 19; and 
     FIG. 25 shows a top plan view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention in its open state. 
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In referring to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1, one embodiment of the collapsible automobile shade  1  of this invention is disclosed. It includes a fabric-like material  2  which is formed of a fluted or accordion shape, as can be noted, having a series of pleats as at  3  formed along one surface, while the opposite surface includes a series of reverse pleats  4 , as can be understood. The fabric may be a cloth, polymer, or even a MYLAR. Thus, when the shade of this invention is expanded, as shown in FIG. 1, it forms a shaped screen, in this particular instance being square of design, and which can be used as a sun shade, internally of the vehicle windshield, once applied. The outer edge  5  defines the outer boundary of the shade  1 . As previously explained, it is just as likely that the disclosed shape for the shade may undertake various configurations, depending upon the contour of the outer edge  5  of the shade, as it is cut into a designed configuration, and such shapes may include either the square form, as shown, rectangular of design, oval, circular, or truncated, as can be understood. It all depends upon the cut provided for the outer perimeter of the fabric material, that is used to form the shade of this invention. In the preferred embodiment, the fabric may include either a cloth fabric, and be held into position by means of a series of ribs, that may pivot about the pivot point  6 , or the fabric may include its construction from a polymer, such as MYLAR, and which can be formed to the fluted design as shown, so have internal memory to allow for collapsing of the shade, once it is released, and pivoted into closure. The pivot point  6  has a series of ribs  7  extending therefrom, and which connect with the leading edges  8  of the fabric form of the screen, so that when the ribs  7  are pivoted about their pivot point  6 , and drawn into proximity, as shown in FIG. 1, the screen is fully expanded and erected for usage. In the alternative, when the ribs  7  are pivoted into closure, such as by pivoting them upwardly providing for a collapse of the bellows-like material  2 , the shade is then pivoted into a compact position for storage. The pivot point  6  may include a fastening means, that may threadedly connect about the pin  9 , formed of the pivot point  6 , so that when the shade is expanded, into the position as shown in FIG. 1, the fastener may be tightened upon its threaded engagement and lock the fan into its expanded and usable position, or the fastening means can be rotated into a loosened position, and thereby allow the fan to collapse, through a pivot into closure of its ribs  7 , in the manner as previously explained. 
     The pivot point  6  is shown, in FIG. 1 to be generally at the vertical and horizontal midpoint of the shade when opened. However, depending on the configuration of the shade after it is cut or trimmed to a desired configuration, the pivot point may be located generally at the horizontal or vertical center of the shade, when opened. That is, the pivot point might be offset from the center of the shade, when opened, either vertically or horizontally. 
     Furthermore, the screen of this position may be fixed into position through the usage of, for example, a suction cup, that may be applied to the opposite face of the pivot member  6 , and which can be directly adhered to the interior of the automobile windshield, for application and fastening of the screen in proximity with the window during usage. Or, the screen may include a series of fastening means  10 , proximate their corners, and which may cooperate with fastening means, such as double faced adhesive tape, ties, or the like, for securing the shade into position internally of the automobile windshield, during usage. 
     FIG. 2 discloses a similar type construction for a collapsible auto shade, as that as described in FIG.  1 . In this position, the shade  11  may include a pair  12  and  13  of the shades as previously disclosed, incorporating the various ribs  14  and  15 , with respect to the shade  12 , and  16  and  17 , with respect to the shade  13 , and which pivot about their pivot points  18  and  19 , in the manner as previously described. These shades  12  and  13  can be described as a left shade portion  12  and a right shade portion  13 . In this particular instance, the two shades  12  and  13  have base ribs  20  and  21 , and which includes fabric  22  arranged intermediate thereof, formed of a series of gussets  23  and  24  to allow for their collapsibility, when contracted. Similar type of fabric is provided at  25  and  26 , for the shades  12  and  13 , in the manner as previously described. In order to hold the portion of the shade  22  into its linearly expanded position, latching means  27  and  28  are provided, so that when they are expanded, they are latched into position by means of their locks  29  and  30 , to maintain the fabric  22  in its expanded position. The pivot points  18  and  19 , including the fastening means as previously described, may include suction cups, upon their opposite faces, and which may be useful for holding the screen against and to the interior of the automobile windshield, when applied. Likewise, other types of fastening means, such as double faced tape, string, or the like, can be used and applied to the corners of the shade, as disclosed at  31 , to provide an alternative means for holding the shade against the windshield, when installed. 
     A further modification to the invention herein, is disclosed in FIG. 3, and includes an auto shade  32 , which may be formed of a resilient type of memory retention fabric, such as a polymer, like MYLAR, and shaped to any configuration as previously explained, for accommodation within a comparable windshield of like configuration. This MYLAR screen includes a series of flutes, as at  33  and  34 , which are formed into the screen material as it is fabricated, and which can be collapsed, into an accordion shape, in the manner as shown in FIG.  5 . As noted, the screen may include any type of fastening means, proximate its corners, such as at  35 , and may include suction cups, double face tape, or any other means for fastening the screen proximate the windshield, when installed. As when not in use, the shade may be collapsed, about its flutes  33  and  34 , into a condensed configuration, and then folded over about its central or midpoint fold line  36 , so that its upper half  37  and lower half  38  can be brought into proximity, as noted in FIG. 5, and then fully collapsed into a compact condition, as shown in FIG. 4, ready for storage within the glove compartment, or the like. The fastening means  35  may be useful for holding the upper and lower halves  37  and  38  of the shade together, when it is folded into its storage condition. 
     In the construction of the shade as shown in FIG. 1, it is likely that the flutes forming the collapsible screen may be of lesser number or greater number than that as shown, and may include as few as four, or be as many as those shown in FIG.  1 . In addition, the fastening means may be provided between the ribs  7 , so as to hold them into their opened condition, and such fastening means may include a clip, VELCRO, a zipper, or any other means for holding the shade in its opened and usable position. Once the shade is collapsed, into its storage position, it may undertake the appearance, as for example, of an umbrella, which when folded into closure, may be held together by a strap (not shown), when disassembled. 
     A fourth embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIGS. 6-9, which show an auto shade  41  which may be formed of a resilient type of memory retention fabric  42 , such as a polymer, like MYLAR, and shaped to any configuration as previously explained, for accommodation within a comparable windshield of like configuration. This screen includes a series of flutes, as at  43  and  44  which are formed into the screen material as it is fabricated, and which can be collapsed, into an accordion shape, in the manner previously described. The outer edge  45  may include a reinforcing strip of material (not shown), or may simply be a defining edge of the same material  42 . In this embodiment of the invention, a top portion  46  and bottom portion  47  are defined by a closure means  48 , which is in this example a zipper. It is to be understood that closure means  48  could easily be constructed of various other materials, such as VELCRO or snaps. As has been described for the previous embodiments, the flutes or pleats  43  and  44  radiate from a center point  49  to the outer edge  45 . As can be seen in FIG. 7, fastening means  50  are preferably included in the top portion of the shade  41 , as in a manner analogous to the fastening means  31  shown in FIG.  2 . As can be seen in FIG. 8, when the closure means  48  is disengaged, the shade  41  can be folded into a compact, closed state. The folding of this fourth embodiment is accomplished as follows; the closure means  48  is disengaged and opened, the top portion  46  and bottom portion  47  are folded together along a line defined by the closure means  48 , and the material  42  is folded in an accordion-like manner along the pleats  43  and  44  around the center point  49  into a relatively flat, rectangular shape. A strap  51  may be used to secure the shade  41  in its closed state. Strap  51  has securement means (not shown), such as VELCRO or a snap to secure the strap  51  around shade  41 . 
     A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 10-14. Referring to FIG. 10, an auto shade  52  is made from a material  53  with a memory, that is, capable of retaining pleats  54  and reverse pleats  55 . As in the previous embodiments, an outer edge  56  defines the border of the shade. A top portion  57  and a bottom portion  58  are defined by center line  59 , which is a pleat or fold extending from one edge of outer edge  56  to the opposite edge. A mid-point  60  is approximately in the middle of center line  59 . The pleats  43  and  44  radiate outwardly from mid-point  60 , and mid-point  60  acts as a pivot point as will be described below. 
     Referring to FIG.  11  and FIG. 12, a flap assembly  61  comprises left flap  62  and right flap  63 , with fastening means  64  and  65 . In the preferred embodiment, the fastening means comprises VELCRO loops  64  and VELCRO hooks  65 , which cooperate to fasten the shade  52  in the open position. FIG. 14 shows the under side of the shade  52 , with flap assembly  61  in the closed position, thereby holding the shade  52  open. 
     To collapse the shade  52 , the flap assembly is disengaged, releasing left flap  62  from right flap  63 . The shade is then folded along the center line  59 , bringing top portion  57  in contact with bottom portion  58  along outer edge  56 . The folded halves  57  and  58  of shade  52  are then folded in an accordion fashion along the pleats  54  and  55  and about the pivot point defined by mid-point  60 , into a generally rectangular shape shown in FIG.  12  and FIG. 13. A strap  66  can be applied to the collapsed shade to hold the shade in the collapsed position. 
     A sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 15-18. This embodiment is similar in structure to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-9, but has fastening means that extend midway instead of completely across the shade, as will be described. The shade  71  is made from a material  72  with a memory, that is, capable of retaining pleats  73  and reverse pleats  74 . As in the previous embodiments, an outer edge  75  defines the border of the shade. A top portion  76  and a bottom portion  77  are defined by center line  78 , which is a pleat or fold extending from one edge of outer edge  75  to the opposite edge. A mid-point  79  is approximately in the middle of center line  78 . The pleats  73  and  74  radiate outwardly from mid-point  79 , and mid-point  79  acts as a pivot point. Pleats  73  and  74  extend radially outwardly from mid-point  79  to outer edge  75 . A retaining means  80  for retaining the shade  71  to an automobile window may be attached to the mid-point  79 . In this illustrative embodiment, a suction cup  80  acts as the retaining means. The suction cup  80  may be secured to mid-point  79  by adhesive, sewing, or by any other appropriate manner. 
     Fastening means  81  extends from about the mid-point  79  or slightly beyond mid-point  79  to the edge  75 . In this illustrative embodiment, the fastening means  81  is a zipper, although it will be understood that any means, such as VELCRO or snaps for example, could be used. 
     The shade  71  is collapsed into a compact shape by disengaging the fastening means  81  to provide two sections  82  and  83  to open. Section  82  is rotated about mid-point  79  in a counter-clockwise fashion, while section  83  is rotated about mid-point  79  in a clockwise fashion, along pleats  73  and  74 , until sections  82  and  83  are opposite each other, and shade  71  is in a compact, generally rectangular orientation. A strap  84  may secure shade  71  in this compact position, with releasable securement means (not shown), such as VELCRO or a snap to secure the strap  84  around shade  71 . 
     A seventh embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 19-24. In this embodiment, the shade  91  has material  92  whose boundaries are defined by an edge  93 . Unlike the prior embodiments, the material need not be made from a fabric that retains a pleat or fluted crease, but may include also a fabric that is easily deformed into any shape without a memory. As in the other embodiments, the outer edge  95  may be reinforced with a border  94 , which in this illustrative embodiment is made from simply rolling the outer edge back on itself approximately ¼″ and securing the edge by sewing. Referring to FIG. 19, flaps  95  are formed at the corners of material  92  toward outer edge  93 . A mid-point  96  is located generally in the center of material  92 . Referring to FIG. 21, the mid-point  96  may be, but is not necessarily a structure, but rather a reference point. Referring now to FIG.  19  and FIGS. 22-24, a hub  97  is located at the midpoint  96  of shade  91 , with arms  98 - 101  extending radially therefrom. The hub  97  is preferably attached to the mid-point  96 , as by gluing or other appropriate attachment means. The hub  97  is formed of two halves, a left half  103  and a right half  102 . A hinge  104  connects the two halves  102  and  103  of hub  97 . Referring to FIG. 22, arms  98 - 101  are movable within a range defined by stops  105 - 108  in hub  97 , which correspond to arms  98 - 101  respectively. In this way, hub  97  acts as a pivot point with respect to arms  98 - 101 . In this illustrative example, the arms may rotate from a starting point roughly perpendicular to the imaginary line H passing through the center of hinge  104  to a line at about forty-five degrees from the imaginary line H. In other words, the individual arms  98 - 101  are originally about parallel to each other, and when rotated to their outermost extended state are perpendicular to each other. FIG. 19 shows the arms  98 - 101  in their extended, perpendicular state for supporting material  92  of shade  91  in an open position. Each half  102  and  103  of hub  97  has retaining means  109  and  110 , respectively, for removably fastening the halves  102  and  103  together in the extended state of shade  91 . 
     To collapse the shade  91 , halves  102  and  103  are separated through disengagement of retaining means  109  and  110 , and halves  102  and  103  are rotated about hinge  104  until halves  102  and  103  are in a position roughly parallel to each other. Arms  98 - 101  are then rotated from the point of being generally perpendicular to each other to the point of being generally parallel to each other, thus collapsing the shade  91  into a compact, generally rectangular shape. 
     An eighth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.  25 . This embodiment is similar in form to the seventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 19-24. As in the seventh embodiment, an auto shade  111  has a material portion  112  defined by a peripheral or outer edge  113 . In the preferred embodiment, the auto shade  111  is rectangular in shape. Preferably, the outer edge  113  is reinforced by border  114 . Border  114  may be a separate material, or may be a folding and sewing of the material portion  112 . Pockets  115  are formed at the four corners of shade  111 , as by sewing or gluing. Four arms,  116 - 119  project from the center  120  at hub  121 . The hub  121  is preferably attached to the center  120 , as by gluing or other appropriate attachment means. The terminal ends of each arm  116 - 119  fits into the pockets  115 . 
     However, unlike the seventh embodiment of the present invention, in the eighth embodiment, a fastener  122  extends from the center or mid-point  120  to the edge  113 . In the preferred embodiment, the fastener  122  is a zipper, although it will be understood that any appropriate fastener, such as VELCRO hook and loop fasteners or snaps, for example, could be used. The fastener  122  divides the lower portion of shade  111  into two parts, a left portion  123  and a right portion  124 . The arms  116 - 119  rotate freely about hub  121 , that is to say there are no stops in hub  121  as there are in the seventh embodiment of the present invention. A cord  125  is secured to the material  112 , as by gluing or other appropriate attachment means. Cord  125  may be used to secure the shade  111  to a rear view mirror of an automobile, for example. 
     To collapse the shade  111 , the fastener  122  is disengaged from its fastened position. Left portion  123  and right portion  124  are moved away from one another, that is to say left portion  123  is rotated in a clockwise direction from the fastener  122 , while right portion  124  is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction from the fastener  122 . As the left portion  123  and the right portion  124  are rotated away from one another, the arms  116 - 119  are rotated about hub  121  until the arms  116 - 119  are positioned adjacent to one another, and the shade  111  is collapsed into a compact, generally rectangular shape. 
     Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the subject matter of this invention as described herein. Such variations or modifications are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention as described herein and the description of the preferred embodiment and the various structures of this auto shade invention, as described herein, are set forth for illustrative purposes only.