Abstract:
The present invention relates to devices used to shade the screens of cell phones and tablet computers from bright sunlight. More specifically the present invention relates to a shade element attached around the body of a cell phone or tablet computer for protecting the screen of the cell phone or tablet computer from bright sunlight when the device is held and used by a user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application takes reference to U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 62/311343 filed Mar. 21, 2016 and incorporates it in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to devices used to shade the screens of cell phones and tablet computers from bright sunlight. More specifically the present invention relates to a shade element attached around the body of a cell phone or tablet computer for protecting the screen of the cell phone or tablet computer from bright sunlight when the device is held and used by a user. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Bright sunlight is a challenge to users of cell phones and tablet computers because the screen of the cell phone or tablet computer is usually not bright enough to be seen when the sun is shining brightly. Walking about town, on the beach, or riding in an automobile are all environments in which bright sunlight degrades the visual presentation of cell phones and tablet computers so that they are essentially useless in the bright sunlight. 
         [0004]    Of course the operator of the cell phone or tablet computer may adjust the brightness of the display to deliver a more readable presentation. But, such an increase sharply reduces the life of the battery powering the cell phone or tablet computer. Manufacturers of cell phones and tablet computers may incorporate displays capable of creating greater illumination (increasing the number of Nits or units of luminance equivalent to one candela per square meter) but such devices also deplete the battery of the device more quickly. 
         [0005]    Simply put, the optimal solution would be to create a shade element for the display of the cell phone or tablet computer that may be semi-permanently attached to the cell phone or tablet computer. Such a shade element would block the direct rays of the sun from impinging on the display of the cell phone or tablet computer making it easier to operate the device in bright sunlight at battery efficient display brightness settings. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it is a first goal of the present invention to provide a semi-permanently attachable shade element that may be attached to a cell phone or tablet computer. 
         [0007]    It is a second goal of the present invention to provide a semi-permanently attachable shade element comprised of rigid material. 
         [0008]    It is a third goal of the present invention to provide a semi-permanently attachable shade element comprised of flexible material. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention comprises a substantially rectangular shade pad transversely supported at an angle above the display of the cell phone or tablet computer. The shade pad is attached to the cell phone or tablet computer by means of two side blocks attached to a back block. The shade pad extends a short distance forward from and downward with respect to the display panel of the cell phone or tablet computer. The rectangular shape of the present invention when viewed from above is designed to tightly grip the exterior surface of the cell phone or tablet computer so that the present invention may be positioned at any point along the length of the cell phone or tablet computer. 
         [0010]    The present invention may be constructed of rigid or flexible material or any combination thereof. For example, the back block; or, the back block and side blocks; or, the back block, side blocks, and shade pad may be comprised of rigid or flexible material or any combination thereof. 
         [0011]    The present invention is used in the following manner: First, the invention is positioned above the top or below the bottom of the cell phone or tablet computer. Next, the user slightly expands the rectangular space formed by the shade pad, the side blocks and the back block and slips the invention over the cell phone or tablet computer. Next, the user releases the shade pad, the side blocks, and the back block to allow the invention to grasp the exterior of the cell phone or tablet computer. Next, the user uses the cell phone or tablet computer. When done, the user slightly expands the rectangular space formed by the shade pad, side blocks, and back block and removes the invention from the cell phone or the tablet computer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  comprises a first perspective view of the front of one embodiment of a shade element for cell phones and tablet computers for use with a cell phone or tablet computer. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  comprises a second perspective view of the rear of one embodiment of a shade element for cell phones and tablet computers for use with a cell phone or tablet computer. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  comprises a third perspective view of one embodiment of the front of one embodiment of a shade element for cell phones and tablet computers for use with a cell phone or tablet computer shown from the angle a user will use the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , a first embodiment of a shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  is shown. In this form, the present invention comprises a generally rectangular shade pad  21  constructed of rubber, plastic, cloth or some similar elastic material. Side blocks  22  and back block  23  are similarly comprised of rubber, plastic, cloth or a similar elastic material. By the same token, the shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  may be comprised of rigid materials such as hard plastic or metal. Similarly, shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  may be comprised of a combination of rigid and elastic materials. For example, shade pad  21  may be plastic coated metal and side blocks  22  and back block  23  may be stretching fabric. Many such equivalent fabrication materials and techniques are well known in the prior art and will not be discussed further so as to not detract from the clarity of the present disclosure. 
         [0016]    Shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  is not limited to the depicted shape or size. To the contrary, shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  can be made in virtually any shape or size. However, shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  must possess a sufficiently long shade pad  21  to adequately protect the screen  11  of cell phone or tablet computer  10  from the sun&#39;s rays. Similarly, the depicted embodiment discloses a continuous construction method wherein shade pad  21 , side blocks  22 , and back block  23  are continuously constructed with no gaps or joined discontinuities. This does not mean that shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  cannot possess gaps or joined discontinuities. To the contrary, shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  may have gaps or joined discontinuities. Further, such gaps or discontinuities may be joined by any conceivable joining method such as Velcro®, clips, hooks, etc. Also, shade pad  21 , side blocks  22 , and back block  23  may individually or separately be constructed of flexible, tensile material such that each or individual elements may stretch slightly when placed over the cell phone or tablet computer  10 . Also, shade pad  21 , side blocks  22 , and back block  23  may individually or separately possess decorative elements or markings. Also, shade pad  21 , side blocks  22 , and back block  23  may individually or separately possess protective surfaces on those aspects of themselves that make physical contact with cell phone or tablet computer  10 . Such protective surfaces would limit scratching and/or accentuate the grip of the invention on the cell phone or tablet computer  10 . 
         [0017]    The present invention is used in the following manner: First, shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  is positioned above the top or below the bottom of cell phone or tablet computer  10 . Next, the user slightly expands the rectangular space formed by shade pad  21 , side blocks  22 , and back block  23  and slips shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  over the cell phone or tablet computer  10 . Next, the user releases shade pad  21 , side blocks  22 , and back block  23  to allow shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  to grasp the exterior of cell phone or tablet computer  10 . Next, the user uses cell phone or tablet computer  10  and interacts with it via screen  11 . When done, the user slightly expands the rectangular space formed by shade pad  21 , side blocks  22 , and back block  23  and removes shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  from cell phone or the tablet computer  10  when the user has completed use of the cell phone or tablet computer. 
         [0018]    While the present invention has been described in what is thought to be the most useful variant, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that equivalent arrangements are easily constructed. All such variants that seek to alter: 1) The flexible or rigid materials out of which shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  is constructed; 2) The shape and configuration of shade pad  21 ; 3) The general shape of shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20 , particularly whether shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  covers the device and a protective skin or shell; and, 4) Variations in the size, location, and number of closable gaps or discontinuities in shade element for cell phones and tablet computers  20  are implicitly included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.