Patent Publication Number: US-2023138490-A1

Title: Roof Sunshade Device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/273,275, which was filed on Oct. 29, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of sunshades. More specifically, the present invention relates to a roof sunshade device comprised of a roller, housing component, at least one shade screen, at least one support frame member, at least one mounting bracket, at least one motor, and at least one remote. The support frame members stretch across the height of a roof and provide a mechanism for the shade screen to move across. A housing component holds a motor-powered roller which can be electronically controlled to deploy and retract the shade screen. Once the shade screen is deployed, the roof is protected from sunlight, and the internal temperature of the home or building is reduced. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Excessive heat from the sun can be very unpleasant during the spring and summer months. Even if an individual takes shelter in their home, the intense rays from the sun often warm the home to an intolerable temperature. Excess heat may also accumulate in attics and other upstairs rooms creating an environment conducive for mold growth. This effect is compounded in hot and dry climates especially. To mitigate this, an individual must rely on a natural barrier, such as trees, or pay high air conditioning costs. If a person has no natural barrier to the sun and struggles to afford these cooling costs, they are faced with a most undesirable situation. 
     Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a roof sunshade device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a roof sunshade device that provides shade coverage for an individual&#39;s roof to reduce the harmful effects of prolonged sun exposure, which may result in excessive cooling costs. Moreover, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a roof sunshade device that automatically deploys and retracts through a wireless remote. Lastly, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a roof sunshade device that is aesthetically pleasing. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a roof sunshade device, further comprised of a roller, housing component, at least one shade screen, at least one support frame member, at least one mounting bracket, at least one motor, and at least one remote. The mounting bracket is attached to the peak of the roof and holds the housing component through at least one fastener. The housing component, in turn, holds a roller. The roller is powered by a motor so that it may automatically deploy and retract the shade screen by using a wireless electronic remote. To support the shade screen, the device features at least one support frame member that is attached to the roof and runs perpendicular to the housing component. The support frame member may be enhanced with angled support frame members to increase the height of the device and in turn, provide more shade. 
     In this manner, the roof sunshade device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides a mechanism to reduce the amount of sunlight cast on a user&#39;s roof. Further, because the device features a motor and a remote that electronically communicates with one another, the device is easily deployed and retracted by the click of a button. Lastly, because the shade screen may be customized with decorative indicia, the device is aesthetically pleasing. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a roof sunshade device. The device is primarily comprised of a housing, at least one shade screen, at least one support frame member, at least one mounting bracket, and at least one motor. The support frame members are preferably fixed to a roof stretching from the bottom edge of the roof to the peak of the roof. A housing component runs across the width of the roof and rests perpendicular to the support frame members. The housing component may be removably attached to at least one mounting bracket, while the mounting bracket(s) may be removably or fixedly attached to the roof. The support frame members may further be comprised of angled support frame members to heighten the device. These structural components are preferably comprised of metal. 
     The housing component encases a roller which is powered by a motor. The motor may be controlled electronically by a wireless remote. In this manner, the shade screen may automatically be deployed or retracted. To move, the shade screen is fastened to a tongue that easily slides along a groove in the angled support frame members. In this manner, the shade screen may move across the length of the angled support frame member to deploy and retract. Once the shade screen is unwound from the roller and stretched out, it begins to block sunlight creating an area of shade over the roof. In differing embodiments, the shade screen may feature decorative indicia to enhance its appearance. 
     Accordingly, the roof sunshade device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an area of shade over the user&#39;s roof. Moreover, because the device features a motor and a remote, the shade screen is easily deployable and retractable for use. Lastly, the device is very astatically pleasing and blends in nicely with each individual&#39;s home due to the customizable indicia that the device may feature. In this manner, the roof sunshade device provides a novel solution for an existing problem. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description refers to the provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a roof sunshade device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a roof sunshade device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a roof sunshade device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a side view of one potential embodiment of a roof sunshade device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a front view of a remote of one potential embodiment of a roof sunshade device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a graphical view of a mobile application of one potential embodiment of a roof sunshade device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined. 
     As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a roof sunshade device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a roof sunshade device that provides shade over a user&#39;s roof to mitigate the costs necessary to cool a home. Moreover, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a roof sunshade device that can be controlled through a wireless remote. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a roof sunshade device that automatically deploys and retracts. Lastly, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a roof sunshade device that is visibly appealing and fits in well with a person&#39;s home style. 
     The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a roller, housing component, at least one shade screen, at least one support frame member, at least one mounting bracket, at least one motor, and at least one remote. The support frame members are fixed to the roof and stretch from the bottom edge of the roof to the roof&#39;s peak. The housing component is positioned across the width of the roof and runs perpendicular to the support frame members. At least one mounting bracket is attached to the peak of the roof. The housing component may then be removably or fixedly attached to the mounting bracket through at least one fastener. The support frame members may further be augmented with additional angled support frame members to form a triangle shape. This may increase the height of the shade screen and provide additional shade. These structural components are preferably comprised of a metal material. 
     A roller is encased within the housing component. The roller is powered by the motor which may be electronically controlled by a wireless remote. In this manner, the shade screen automatically deploys and retracts. The shade screen is fastened to a tongue that slides along a groove in the angled support frame members. In this manner, the shade screen moves across the length of the angled support frame member when unwound and retracted. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a roof sunshade device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device  100  is primarily comprised of a housing  110 , at least one shade screen  120 , at least one support frame member  130 , at least one mounting bracket  150 , and at least one motor  170 . The support frame member  130  is fixedly or removably secured to the top surface  14  of a roof  10  through at least one fastener  160  such as, but not limited to: screw, nail, bolt, magnet, etc. The support frame member  130  is preferably, generally rectangular in shape and is designed to fit across the height of a roof  10  from its peak  12  to its bottom edge (i.e., the edge nearest the ground surface). The support frame member  130  is preferably manufactured from steel or any other metal known in the art. In different embodiments, the support frame member  130  may also be manufactured from a durable polyvinyl chloride plastic or other plastic known in the art such as, but not limited to: acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low-density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, etc. 
     The housing  110  preferably runs along the entire peak  12  of a roof  10 , or however long a user desires to accommodate their shade needs (i.e., needing to shade only a portion of a roof  10 ). The housing  110  is preferably manufactured from the same materials as the support frame members  130 , but may be manufactured from any material known in the art. In different embodiments, the housing  110 , support frame members  130 , and the shade screen  120  may be ameliorated with a water-resistant coating, anti-corrosive coating, and/or an anti-mildew coating. The support frame member  130  attaches to the housing  110  at the peak  12  of the roof  10 . At least one shade screen  120  may be deployed and extended over the support frame member  130 , emerging from the housing  110 , or retracted across the support frame member  130  and concealed within the housing  110  when not in use. When the device  100  is retracted, the housing  110  offers protection to the shade screen  120  from inclement weather. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a roof sunshade device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In one embodiment, at least one support frame member  130  may be attached to at least one angled support frame member  140 . Preferably, two angled support members  140  can be fastened together at the desired angle. One end of the first angled support member  140  can be fastened to the end of the support frame member  130  nearest the bottom edge of the roof  10 , while the other end of the second angled support frame member  140  can be fastened to the end of the support frame member  130  nearest the peak  12  of the roof  10 . In this manner, the angled support frame members  140  and support frame member  130  will be fixed, generally triangular shape. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a roof sunshade device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The shade screen  120  is preferably manufactured in a durable fabric that is ultrasonically seam stitched to ensure the greatest protection from UV rays. Additionally, the shade screen  120  may be enhanced with fade-resistant dye to ensure the shade screen&#39;s  120  appearance remains vibrant. In different embodiments, the shade screen  120  may be comprised of any fabric known in the art, such as, but not limited to: vinyl, canvas, cashmere, chenille, chiffon, cotton, damask, jersey, lace, linen, wool, modal, polyester, satin, silk, spandex, suede, tweed, twill, velvet, acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, vinylidene, benzoate, aramid, rayon, acetate, triacetate, etc. 
     The shade screen  120  may be deployed from the housing  110  and may move along the angled support frame members  140  to become deployed and block sunlight. The angled support frame members  140  are comprised of at least one groove  142  that run along the length of the angled support frame member  140 . In this manner, the shade screen  130  may be securely received and extended across the angled support frame member  140 . In differing embodiment, the angled support frame member  140  may be adjustable in height/length to provide a user the ability to adjust the device  100  to the necessary height depending on the angle of the sun. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a side view of one potential embodiment of a roof sunshade device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. At least one housing  110  is attached to the peak  12  of the roof  10  by at least one mounting bracket  150  and encases at least one roller  112 . The mounting bracket  150  has at least one fastener  160  that allows the mounting bracket  150  to be fixedly or removably attached to the roof  10 . Said fastener  160  may include, but is not limited to: screw, nail, bolt, etc. The roller  112  is generally cylindrical and is powered by a motor  170 . The motor  170  may rotate the roller  112  clockwise to deploy the shade screen  120  or counterclockwise to retract the screen  120 . The shade screen  120  may be attached to a tongue  122 , which moves up and down the angled support frame member  140  via grooves  142 . The grooves  142  run across the length of the angled support frame member  140 . The motor  170  is further comprised of a transmitter  172  and a processor  174  that allows the motor  170  to be placed in electrical communication with a remote  180 . 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a front view of a remote of one potential embodiment of a roof sunshade device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The shade screen  120  may be deployed and retracted through a remote  180  which is in wireless electrical communication with the motor  170 . The remote  180  is comprised of a transmitter  184 , at least one button  182 , and a processor  186 . The transmitter  184  of the remote  180  is in wireless electrical communication with the transmitter  172  of the motor  170 . The processor  174  on the motor  170  receives and executes commands given by the processor  186  of the remote  180 . The wireless electrical communication is preferably accomplished through Bluetooth. In differing embodiments, the wireless electrical communication may be accomplished through any wireless electrical communication type known in the art, such as, but not limited to: WIFI, RFID, radiofrequency, infrared, etc. 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a graphical view of a mobile application  200  of one potential embodiment of a roof sunshade device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In differing embodiments, a mobile application  200  may perform the same functions as the remote  180  such as manual deployment  202  and manual retraction  204  of the screen  120 . The mobile application  200  is preferably in wireless electrical communication with the motor  170  in the same manner as the remote  180 . The mobile application  200  may feature additional functions. By means of example, the mobile application  200  may be comprised of a feature that automatically deploys and retracts  206  the shade screen  120  at certain times of the day or at or above certain temperatures and for specific periods of time. The mobile application  200  can be used on any smart device. 
     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “roof sunshade device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the roof sunshade device  100  of the present invention. 
     Notwithstanding the forgoing, the roof sunshade device  100  of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the roof sunshade device  100  as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the roof sunshade device  100  are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the roof sunshade device  100  are important design parameters for user convenience, the roof sunshade device  100  may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user&#39;s needs and/or preferences. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. 
     What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.